Tuesday 4th February 2025
1.25 Taunton: Ross Stacey Cannot Cook Novices’ Hurdle: We kick things off on Tuesday with the fantastically named 1.25 at Taunton, a Class 4 novice event over two miles and three furlongs. I like Not So Woolly here for the team of Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell. He’s shown a decent level of form so far over hurdles, finishing third in each start including in a decent contest at Ascot last time out. He should continue to progress and if that’s the case he can have a big say in this. Not So Woolly – 9/4 (Win)
1.40 Market Rasen: TrustATrader Apply Today EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle: It’s over to Market Rasen for my second selection of the day and the 1.40 which is another Class 4 novice contest, this time over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chance of Belliano here for Paul Nicholls and Freddie Gingell who takes off three pounds. He actually beat Not So Woolly when winning at Ascot last time out and before that was second to the highly exciting The New Lion at Chepstow back in November. He looks like a promising prospect himself and it would be disappointing should he not follow up here. Belliano – 6/4 (Win) (NB)
2.55 Taunton: Racing TV Club Day Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: My third selection of the afternoon comes within the 2.55 at Taunton and this is a Class 3 mares novice hurdle that’s ridden over a distance of two miles and half of a furlong. I’m strong on the chances of Anno Power here for Harry Fry and Jonathan Burke. She heads the betting at a short price, however, I’d argue she could be shorter. She was a smart bumper winning a couple of Class 2 events at Ascot and Cheltenham and opened her account over hurdles at the first time of asking at Sandown back in November. I think she’s a lot better than her rivals here and she should take a lot of beating. Anno Power – 8/11 (Win) (NAP)
4.20 Market Rasen: TrustATrader Fully Vetted Tradespeople Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race: My fourth and final selection comes within the 4.20 at Market Rasen and this is a Class 5 National Hunt Flat Race for mares over two miles and half of a furlong. I think that this particular affair can go to La Zoubida for Nicky Richards and Sean Quinlan. She finished second to a subsequent Listed winner and potentially useful type in Kingston Queen on her racecourse debut at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and was clear of the horse in third. She should build on that run here and a bold bid is highly likely. La Zoubida – 3/1 (Win)
