Wednesday 30th April 2025
1.40 Ascot: eventmasters.co.uk Paradise Stakes: The first of my five selections on Wednesday comes within the 1.40 at Ascot and this is the Listed Paradise Stakes over a mile. I’m taking a chance on Unquestionable here, who makes his stable debut for Richard Hannon and is the mount of Ryan Moore. He proved himself as smart for Aidan O’Brien, winning at the Breeders Cup in 2023 as well as several other big efforts in Group 1 contests. This is an ease in grade for him compared to what we saw him contesting previously, and if he’s anywhere near his best, he could prove tough to beat. Unquestionable – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.57 Pontefract: Welcome Racing TV Members Handicap: My second selection of the afternoon comes within the 2.25 at Pontefract, and this is a Class 4 handicap that’s contested over five furlongs. I like Reigning Profit here for the team of Ruth Carr and James Sullivan. He’s been knocking at the door as of late, and went close over course and distance on his penultimate start when finishing a nose second of ten. He followed that run when finishing third at Wolverhampton recently, and he’s just a pound higher than both of those efforts. I think he’s got every chance of going well once more. Reigning Profit – 6/1 (Each-Way)
3.23 Ascot: eventmasters.co.uk 40th Anniversary Handicap: It’s back over to Ascot for selection number three, and my attention turns to the 3.23, which is a Class 4 handicap that’s contested over five furlongs. I’m with Isle Of Lismore here for Robert Cowell and Kieran Shoemark. He won this race last year off a seven-pound higher mark and should build on an encouraging reappearance run at Newmarket earlier this month, where he finished fourth of nine and two lengths behind the eventual winner Regal Envoy. That was likely a prep run for this, and I think he has big claims. Isle Of Lismore – 7/2 (Win)
3.40 Punchestown: Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle: My fourth selection comes from Punchestown and the 3.40, which is a handicap hurdle that’s ridden over a distance of two miles and three and a half furlongs. I like American Mike here for Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan. He’s run well in competitive handicap chases this term and comes here on what could prove to be a lenient mark now that he’s reverted back over the smaller obstacles. He’s got some very classy form to his name over hurdles, and I’d make him the one to beat here, which is backed up by the ratings as he’s the highest in the race. American Mike – 9/2 (Each-Way)
6.05 Punchestown: Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase: Signing me off for the afternoon will be the 6.05 at Punchestown, and this is the Grade 3 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase that’s contested over two miles and four and a half furlongs. This is extremely competitive, however, I quite like Riaan here, who’s another for Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan. He ran a good race at a big price in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival last month, when finishing sixth of twenty and nine and a half lengths behind Jagwar. He’ll contest this particular affair off a four-pound lower mark, and if he gets a clear round he could have more to offer. Riaan – 10/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
