Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Bluebells Boy (105) – An excellent performance from the selection recording a time three lengths per mile faster than the number I had in mind for him. Trainer Darryll Holland has had him in fine health this year having won his fourth race of the season, and it is worth noting the horse had only won one of his previous twenty two races before the first of this year’s victories. As usual he travelled nicely through his race, and when brought down the outside to challenge in the home straight kept finding for top jockey Luke Morris to lead inside the final furlong. He looks equally effective at five and six furlongs, and should provide plenty of fun for connections this winter. Result 1st 13/2, 6/1 adv…9/2 SP.
Today’s Advice
Alfalfa (10f Hcap) – Today’s (3.10) Curragh looks a competitive contest on advertised Yielding (Yielding to Soft) ground with twenty one runners declared. This Timothy Doyle trained six-year-old was noted finishing strongly in third place behind Bear Profit at Naas nine days ago, and the excellent five pound claiming apprentice Wayne Hassett is a positive booking for this son of Sir Prancealot. The selection has been performing with credit since last Autumn when there is a bit of cut in the ground, and although well found by the market he looks to have a lot of boxes ticked having also received a kind draw in stall three.
Rockley Point (5f Hcap) – Katie Scott’s eleven-year-old has been a grand servant for connections over the years, and horse racing enthusiasts would understand if he was allowed a happy retirement following a winless 2023/2024 all-weather season. He had struggled for consistency before returning from a 145 day break this month. However, he has put two solid efforts together now, and he looks a shade overpriced for tonight’s (6.25) Newcastle if he can reproduce those two recent performances.
Million Thanks (8f 5y Hcap) – This five-year-old has dropped fourteen pounds in the handicap ratings since the beginning of the 2023 All-Weather season. Connections have tried different types of equipment during that spell, and last time out a tongue tie and visor brought about one of his better performances on the clock. The excellent Kaiya Fraser has been booked for tonight’s (6.55) Newcastle, and his three pound claim will come in handy. Unexposed short priced favourite Pursuit of Truth looks the obvious one judging by his profile, but I am happy to have a small sporting interest on the selection at the prices on offer despite his less than robust profile. He has won from a pound higher mark this season at Pontefract on seasonal debut.
Galel (7f 14y Hcap) – Kaiya Fraser has also been booked for this unexposed three-year-old filly who looked slightly unlucky when selected by this column last time out at Wolverhampton. As a hold-up performer she needs luck-in-running, and it is hoped that the uphill finish for tonight’s (7.55) Newcastle might bring about more improvement. She has been backed this morning, but still warrants an interest in a low grade contest such as this.
0.75pt e/way Alfalfa (9/2 General 5 places) 3.10 Curragh
0.5pt e/way Rockley Point (14/1 Unibet/Skybet/Bet365 4 places) 6.25 Newcastle
0.5pt e/way Million Thanks (25/1 Bet365, 20/1 Unibet, 18/1 Skybet 4 places) 6.55 Newcastle
0.5pt e/way Galel (4/1 Paddy Power/William Hill/Betfair Sportsbook) 7.55 Newcastle