Wednesday 16th April 2025
1.50 Newmarket: bet365 Handicap: The first of several selections on Wednesday comes from Newmarket and in the 1.50 which is a Class 2 handicap that’s ridden over six furlongs. I’m taking a chance on one at a big price here and that’s Cayman Tai for Richard Hannon and Joe Leavy who takes off three pounds. He posted a very encouraging effort on seasonal reappearance at Pontefract a couple of weeks ago when finishing a length and three-quarters second to Dark Cloud Rising, and he’s better off at the weights with that rival here. He’ll contest this off the same mark and have race fitness on his side. Cayman Tai – 14/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several Firms)
2.05 Cheltenham: Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle: It’s over to Cheltenham for my second selection of the day and the 2.05, a Class 2 handicap hurdle over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m with Spirits Bay here for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Jordan Nailor. He’s still relatively lightly raced for a seven-year-old and hasn’t had the hardest of seasons having just four starts. He’ll come into the race fresh having not been seen since four and three-quarters of a length behind Go Dante in a competitive Sandown handicap at the beginning of March, and he’ll contest this off a pound lower mark than that effort. I think he’s got every chance of playing a meaningful role in this. Spirits Bay – 8/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
2.40 Cheltenham: Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase: I’m staying at Cheltenham for selection number three and this is the Grade 2 Silver Trophy Handicap Chase. I think that this can go to O’Moore Park who’s an Irish challenger for Willie Mullins and Sean O’Keeffe. He was last seen when finishing an impressive third behind Caldwell Potter at the Festival in the Grade 2 Jack Richard Novice Handicap Chase. That was a fine run at a big price and he’ll contest this particular affair off the same mark. He’ll also carry a relatively low weight here and if he runs up the same level as that last run that may be enough for him to get his head in front. O’Moore Park – 4/1 (Win)
3.00 Newmarket: Blandford Bloodstock Abernant Stakes: It’s back over to Newmarket now and the 3.00 which is the Group 3 Abernant Stakes that’s contested over a distance of six furlongs. I’ve sided with the French challenger Sajir here for Andre Fabre who’s the mount of Oisin Murphy. The rain will have been welcomed for him and he’s already had an outing recently having won at Chantilly last month. He was a Group 3 winner last term as well as posting a solid effort in Group 1 company when finishing fourth in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville. I think he presents himself as a very viable alternative to the current short-priced favourite in Romantic Style, given he’s also got the same official rating as him. Sajir – 5/1 (Each-Way)
3.35 Newmarket: bet365 Craven Stakes: The feature race of the day at Newmarket comes up at 3.35 and this is the Group 3 Craven Stakes that’s contested over a mile. I’m with Field Of Gold here for the team of John & Thady Gosden who’s the mount of Kieran Shoemark. He was progressive last term, getting the better of subsequent Group 3 winner Starzintheireyes on the July course here before winning the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown in August. He signed off his campaign with a four-placed effort in Group 1 company behind Camille Pissarro on Arc Day and I think there’s plenty more to come from him this term. He won’t mind the likely cut in the ground here and he’s got every chance. Field Of Gold – 9/2 (Each-Way)
4.25 Cheltenham: Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase: My final selection of the day comes from Cheltenham and in the 4.25 which is a Class 2 handicap chase that’s ridden over three miles and two furlongs. I think that this can go to Hymac for Harry Fry and Bryan Carver. He’s ran well in each of his last three starts with all three coming within competitive handicaps, and he remains on the same mark as his third-placed effort in the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last month. He’s got course form to his name and I’d be disappointed should he not go very close in this particular assignment. Hymac – 3/1 (Win)
