Thursday 23rd January 2025
1.46 Newcastle: Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Classified Stakes: My first selection on Thursday comes within the 1.46 at Newcastle and this is a Class 6 classified event that’s ridden over a mile. I like Martin’s Brig here who represents the team of David Thompson and Ryan Kavanagh who takes off five pounds. He’s shown a lot more promise on his last two outings, finishing second and three-quarters of a length behind the winner on his penultimate start which came over course and distance before finishing fifth of eleven here on his latest run. He’s been dropped a further two pounds and with the rider’s claim coming into play here he’s effectively eleven pounds lower than his last winning mark, with that success also coming over course and distance. Martin’s Brig – 17/2 (Each-Way)
2.13 Gowran Park: John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle: Next up for me is the 2.13 from Gowran Park which is the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle that’s contested over three miles and half of a furlong. I find it hard to get away from Hiddenvalley Lake here who heads the betting for Henry De Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe. He was a Grade 2 winner last term as well as placing in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree back in April. He returned to the track at Ascot last month with another fine effort in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle when finishing a head second to Crambo. This is possibly the best current form on offer here and if he runs up to that level again he’ll be tough to beat. Hiddenvalley Lake – 2/1 (Win)
2.48 Gowran Park: Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase: The feature race of the afternoon is the Thyestes Handicap Chase and this takes place at 2.48 Gowran Park. In this year’s renewal of the Grade 3 handicap chase that takes place over three miles and a furlong I like Nick Rockett for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He was placed in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown back in April and returned to the track in the Listed Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and he’s still an unexposed chaser. He should come on for that latest effort at Leopardstown and if he gets a clear round here he can have a big say for his powerful connections. Nick Rockett – 11/2 (Each-Way)
6.30 Southwell: Gamble Responsibly At Betmgm Handicap: My concluding selection comes from Southwell and the 6.30 which is Class 6 handicap action over seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Valadero finally shedding his maiden tag here for Brian Toomey and Joe Leavy who takes off three pounds. He’s ran well on each of his last three starts, in particular when under today’s rider at Kempton in October and November where he finished third on each occasion and only a length and a half and a length behind the respective winners. He continues to tumble down the weights and I suspect his time to strike could be near. Valadero – 15/8 (Win)
