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WE seek them here, we seek them there, we seek those winners everywhere…
We travel far and near looking for winners today as our search takes us across the sea to Leoparsdtown, up north to Doncaster and down to jumps Mecca at Cheltenham. Let's hope that winners aren't as elusive for us as that old rascal the Scarlet Pimpernel.
1.45 Doncaster
Regular readers will remember that I have tipped STAXTON a few times in the last few months. I think there is a win in the horse before the end of the season and he is very consistent which is helpful for us when he is available at each way prices.
Last time he bagged 3rd for a small profit and I think he's a solid each way proposition again in what could arguably be a slightly weaker race. He is also the top rated horse in the race. Let's hope he can go a couple of places better.
3.05 Leopardstown
The Danny Tudhope love shows no sign of abating and I was surprised to see that my man wasn't riding at Doncaster or Newbury today. Instead he is off to Leopardstown for one solitary ride and that is aboard SO BELOVED. Appropriate name for my beloved jockey. Swoon. The horse's form is absolutely rock solid and this is a very clever piece of placing from David O'Meara.
So Beloved is well clear in the ratings and even gets weight from one or two of them but the biggest point in his favour is his 2nd place to Acclaim last time out in a French Group 1 race. That's probably his best piece of form in his career and a repeat of that would see him trounce this lot. He should be even money in my book so 9/4 is a gift.
3.10 Cheltenham
After the 3.05 at Leopardstown it's a quick change of channel from At The Races back to ITV (or RUK) for a very different prospect – a 2m handicap chase from jumps headquarters which promises to be absolutely captivating.
I had my eye on a few here before prices started to come out and unfortunately Exitas is now a non-runner, this perhaps coming too soon after his win last week. Le Prezien will win one at some point but he jumps like a hippo and I can't have him at 5/1 today.
POKER SCHOOL is the intriguing one for me with Ian Williams in such good form. I was keen on Poker School for one of the handicaps at the festival last year but he ended up being a non-runner and I still think there is some leeway in his handicap mark. Ignore his last run where the trip was probably half a mile further than ideal and a strongly run 2 mile race here could be perfect for him. Jamie Moore is the ideal jockey for the job and I wouldn't be surprised if Ian Williams has targeted this race for a while for a horse who is due to win one at this level.
At Newbury in the 3.20pm old Frankie should win on Century Dream but 9/4 best price isn't value for me in a handicap like this. If he drifts in the market to 3/1 or better later on I'll have a nibble but I'm not going to recommend him as a bet just now.
Recommendations:
- 1.45 Doncaster – Staxton – 2pt each way at 13/2 with Ladbrokes
- 3.05 Leopardstown – So Beloved – 4pt win at 9/4 with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and others
- 3.10 Cheltenham – Poker School – 2pt each way at 11/1 with SkyBet (paying 5 places)
