Yesterday’s Review
No Investments
Today’s Advice
Nikovo (8f 5y Hcap) – This five-year-old has shown a real liking for this course and distance when trained by David O’Meara. Since having a wind operation back in March his course and distance record reads 1-5-2, and he looked a shade unlucky not to collar front-runner Baraq last time out in October having travelled sweetly from the rear. That horse has since ran to a RPR of 99, and a three pound rise looks fair enough for his latest effort. There looks to be a bit of pace on paper in today’s (5.20) Newcastle with front-runners Silent Move and Cavalry Call in opposition. The only question is will new trainer Michael Herrington be able to maintain his progress since acquiring the horse from the O’Meara stable? It may well be that connections have another day in mind for him, as it is his first run for the stable in 63 days, but at the prices on offer I am willing to have a small interest in this progressive, likeable type.
Pal’s Battalion (6f Hcap) – This three-year-old has been a model of consistency since the application of a visor back in October. He has yet to be out of the first four since in four races, and his latest effort showed his liking for today’s course and distance. On that occasion he raced keenly in touch with the leaders before running on well at the business end of the race just going down by a head to Fahrenheit Seven. It looked like he would have prevailed in another few strides, and the handicapper has only raise him a pound for that excellent effort. Their doesn’t seem to be any out and out front-runner in the field for tonight’s (6.50) Newcastle, although there have been a few that have led or raced prominently in the past, so jockey David Nolan will need to get him relaxed as much as possible.
Pink Oxalis (8f Hcap) – This three-year-old looked very unlucky when selected by this column when last seen 39 days ago at Galway. On that occasion she looked to be travelling very nicely before getting no sort of run in the home straight under Dylan Brown McMonagle. The handicapper has left her on the same mark for tonight’s (7.00) Dundalk and excellent apprentice James Ryan takes a valuable three pounds off her back. This will be her first attempt on the all-weather and she looks worth keeping on the right side of at the moment as her dam African Beat won over the extended mile at Wolverhampton, and had some solid form on the polytrack at Kempton too. She can race keen early on so the more pace from likely front runner Saxon Kingdom the better.
0.5pt e/way Nikovo (10/1 Paddy Power/William Hill/Unibet 4 places) 5.20 Newcastle
0.5pt e/way Pal’s Battalion (11/2 Paddy Power/Boylesports/Betfred/Unibet 4 places) 6.50 Newcastle
0.5pt e/way Pink Oxalis (5/1 William Hill, 4/1 General 4 places) 7.00 Dundalk