Yesterday’s Review

1pt e/way Lightening Company (98) – We were right to take on the short priced favourite who just missed out by a nose, but landed on the wrong one. The forecast rain never materialised, but that would be no excuse for the effort from the selection. As soon as he was asked to find another gear he went backwards before the home straight.

 

Today’s Advice

Quest For Fun (7f 37y Hcap) – Today’s Heavy going description for the (5.10) Haydock should suit this Tim Easterby trained gelding who’s last win came on similar going at Catterick last year from a one pound higher mark. His latest second behind Paws For Thought at Chester under the welter burden of ten stone reads very well, both on the clock and on form, when comparing him to today’s opposition. On that day he was the only one to emerge from the pack, and put a challenge up to the comfortable winner whilst trying to give him seven pounds. His main dangers look to be the front-running pair of Lexington Belle and King’s Vanity. Hopefully he can keep those two within his sights before pouncing late in the home straight.

 

First Officer (9f Hcap) – With ground on the soft side for today’s (5.20) Newmarket most of the contestants have very little form on this type of surface. The selection is one who has won on Sofft ground in the past, and has yet to be unplaced from three efforts at Newmarket. His seven pound claiming apprentice has won on the horse before, and his most recent effort at Chester reads a lot better than it looks at first glance. On that occasion he was drawn on the inside rail, and tried to make all the running. The first three home that day raced wide, and the way Chester has been riding the past few years it looks like when the ground is riding on the slow side that the inside is not the place to be. He looks worth an interest at the current prices on offer.

 

Thompson Gunner (8f Hcap) – This lightly raced three-year-old has been improving on the clock with every race so far. His latest effort behind Marble Angel looks very solid when compared to a lot of today’s rival’s recent form. The seven day turnaround for today’s (6.15) Dundalk is a slight concern, but he looks the right price for an interest with Adam Caffrey taking three pounds off his back.

 

Catch Cunningham (5f 21y Hcap) – Michael Herrington’s five-year-old has shown a real liking for this course and distance with two big performances on the clock round here this year. The first was behind the improving Gustav Graves in February, and the most recent when finishing a half length ahead of Aces Wild. He was held up for his most recent win, and prominent racers such as Grace Angel and Cast No Shadow should ensure a decent pace for tonight’s (6.30) Wolverhamton. A recent third place in a slowly run race at Yarmouth shows his wellbeing, and he looks worth taking a chance with back on Tapeta. The favourite El Bufalo is an interesting runner for the Dylan Cunha stable who has recently had a wind operation, and has some strong Tapeta form from last season, but at the prices I am willing to take a chance on Dylan Hogan’s mount.

 

1pt e/way Quest For Fun (4/1 General) 5.10 Haydock

1pt win First Officer (9/2 General) 5.20 Newmarket

0.75pt e/way Thompson Gunner (7/1 William Hill, 13/2 Paddy Power, 6/1 others 4 places) 6.15 Dundalk

0.75pt e/way Catch Cunningham (7/1 William Hill, 13/2 Paddy Power/Ladbrokes/Unibet) 6.30 wolverhampton