Yesterday’s Review

2pt win Gearing’s Point (105) – Another step forward on the clock for Sheen West’s likeable mare who is worth following at the moment. She is everything that low grade punters are looking for – consistent, flexible, reliable and has a decent turn of foot. 2pts win 5/2 adv…5/2 SP

 

Today’s Advice

RED EVELYN (8f 3y Hcap) Usually when a horse returns to the UK from Hong Kong the market overreacts, and they can be shorter in the betting than they should be. Last winter I decided to put together some speed figures for Hong Kong Racing, and while they are not fully complete for all meetings from the past three years, there is a lot of information available. Embarked today’s favourite for the (1.45) Yarmouth may be revitalised by the return to the UK, but I gave him a (99) carrying just 8st 1lb lto at Doncaster. His best figure from his last four runs in Hong Kong was also a (99) when racing from a bad draw in stall (10), and being hampered behind Joyful Genius at Sha Tin in December last year. It may be that we still haven’t seen the best of him yet, but at 5/4 I was happy to look elsewhere. I have landed on the selection in the past, and she always seemed a bit inconsistent to me. However, her last two efforts suggest she might have turned a bit of a corner. Only Gary Brown’s Graffiti could get the better of her at Nottingham when she recorded a (100). Her recent (99) when contesting the lead with Zandora at Chepstow may also suggest that the market may have underestimated her today.

 

HIGHTIMEYOUWON (7F Hcap) This 7-y-o caught me out last time at Leopardstown when winning over a mile at 18/1 having backed him the time before at The Curragh when unplaced. He looked like he was going to struggle to recapture his old form from 2021 that day, but perhaps he needed the run after a 34 day break, and the switch from blinkers to visor may have revitalised him. He could revert back to his old ways in tonight’s (6.05) Curragh, but I felt he was a little overpriced in the market compared to others that he ran against at The Curragh last time.

 

ALMA LIBRE (12F Hcap) This 5-y-o mare ticks all the boxes for tonight’s (6.40) Curragh following an excellent win from a bad draw in stall (15) at Fairyhouse. She placed second in this race last year and the handicapper has been kind only raising her 3lbs for her recent win. The price is on the skinny side so a win bet only is advised. CRASSUS is one that I feel warrants a small interest in the race at a double figure price. He hasn’t been seen for 593 days, but his trainer Noel Meade has a decent record with these types over the years. Go Native (939 days) placing at Navan in 2012, and Curley Bill (692 days) winning at Naas in 2018 are two such horses that the trainer has done well with. It may just be that today is a prep race for future targets but it will be worth keeping a close eye on this one going forward.

 

PRETENCE (7f 1y Seller) This Kevin Thomas Coleman 2-y-o is a standout (99) on the clock for tonight’s (6.50) Chester, following her excellent tenth place just beaten 6.75L behind Royal Ascot Chesham Listed Stakes winner Snellen at Limerick recently. However that effort was on a Good To Firm surface, whereas tonight she is racing at a track that loves to water, so one must be careful with the advertised ground given as Good. A win bet is advised due to the current conditions.

 

LOVE YOUR WORK (8f 5y Hcap) This 7-y-o gelding has been in the doldrums since posting an excellent (107) behind Freak Out at Newcastle last October. A decent third place (106) behind Mighty Power over 6f here in March was a nice return to action showing his liking for today’s venue. Another break of 102 days was needed before his comeback run at Southwell 17 days ago when second behind Star Zinc over today’s distance. He is racing off a handicap mark of (73) tonight, which was his last winning mark on the sand. It shouldn’t be too long before he can return to the winner’s enclosure.

 

COURT OF APPEAL (9f Hcap) Readers of this column will be familiar with this 6-y-o who done us a favour when winning at 25/1 lto at Navan over 10f. The partnership with Conor Stone-Walsh remains intact, and he can still be competitive off a 6lb higher mark.

 

PARADISE PERFECT (9f Hcap) This 3-y-o has been crying out for a step up in trip and a stronger ride following some eye-catching efforts staying on over shorter distances under 10lb claimer KW De Oliveira. Mikey Sheehy takes the ride in tonight’s (7.50) Curragh, although caution is advised due to the quick return to the track six days after finishing third at Limerick.

 

QUEEN OF THE SKIES (10f Hcap) Jane Chapple-Hyam’s 4-y-o filly finished an excellent third on seasonal debut behind Reach at Beverley and looks a shade overpriced for tonight’s (8.45) Newmarket. Her trainer is adept at revitalising other trainer’s horses, and it appears she already has her heading in the right direction since acquiring her from John & Thady Gosden. I can’t resist a small interest in INIGO JONES who has been plying his trade out in Sakhir recently for Jamie Osborne. He is now switched to Alice Haynes and races off a career low mark of (84). Two placed efforts behind last year’s Brighton clockbuster The Covex Kid and Goemon indicate that he is not a back number yet.

 

1pt e/way Red Evelyn (9/2 Generally BOG only) 1.45 Yarmouth

0.5pt e/way Hightimeyouwon (14/1 5 places Generally) 6.05 Curragh

1pt win Alma Libre (5/1 William Hill/Betvictor, 9/2 Generally) 6.40 Curragh

0.5pt e/way Crassus (18/1 4 places Paddy Power/Betfred/888sport/Unibet/Skybey) 6.40 Curragh

1pt win Pretence (6/1 Generally) 6.50 Chester

1pt win Love Your Work (9/2 Generally) 7.10 Newcastle

0.75pt e/way Court Of Appeal (15/2 5 places Paddy Power/William Hill/Unibet, 7/1 Generally) 7.15 Curragh

0.5pt e/way Paradise Perfect (16/1 4 places Paddy Power, 14/1 Skybet/Unibet/Bet365) 7.50 Curragh

0.5pt e/way Queen Of The Skies (14/1 4 places Skybet/Bet365, 12/1 Coral, 11/1 Unibet) 8.45 Newmarket

0.5pt e/way Inigo Jones (50/1 4 places Skybet/Bet365, Coral, 33/1 Unibet) 8.45 Newmarket