ALL VIEWS ARE MY OWN
Truth is I have some back carrying some fascinating infection from the Far East (Ok, it’s probably just a cold/man flu), but I am not at the top of my game, nor am I up to date with all the racing gossip – so common sense suggests I settle for a few selections for the weekend’s racing – and call that it for this week before getting back to “normal” next week?
Enjoy – no promises as usual, just my thoughts for some racing both Saturday and Sunday for a change…
Saturday
To my genuine surprise Cheltenham did not appeal that much to me this Saturday with the one exception, and that has to be Coquelicot ahead of the 3.35pm where she looks a decent price on the tissue at least. Still only a youngster at the age of seven, she has won eight races in total from two miles to three miles and half a furlong last time out, suggesting she has a decent mix of speed and stamina to bring to the party. Add a return to handicap company after winning a Listed race on her return last month, plus the probability that she will improve for her first start over hurdles since February, and at odds of 7/1 or thereabouts she will hopefully prove difficult to keep out of the first three home.
At Newcastle on the all-weather this afternoon I am pretty keen on Enola Grey in the apprentice handicap at 5.15pm. A frustrating sort who has finished second on five of her last six starts, she was beaten less than a length at Southwell last week in a Class Three handicap as and is entitled to be far more comfortable in this Class Five event. Add top apprentice Ethan Jones in the saddle and you can see my thinking, making the three-year-old look a good bet, on paper at least.
Anyone who reads this regularly will know I am a big fan (and friend) of jockey Lorcan Murtagh, and I am really hoping he can add to his win tally for the season on board Harry Fry’s Deeper Blue in the 2.05pm at Doncaster. The winner of his last two start over hurdles in march 2022 he showed very little on his chasing bow when sixth at Uttoxeter but returned after a year off with a length second at Plumpton in October. Entitled to both learn from that and strip fitter now, and added 2lb may not stop him getting off the mark over the larger obstacles at the third attempt.
Sunday
Not the strongest racing you will ever see this Sunday but if Unsinkable Molly B lives up to all the hype, she can get off the mark under rules in the Carlisle bumper that closes the card at 3.20pm. Bought for 45,000 Euros at the sales in 2021, the daughter of Blue Bresil has the one run at the end of March at Wetherby where she was beaten half a length when passed close home by favourite Miss Goldfire, and if she learns from that and has strengthened during her absence then she could take all the beating here.
If all eight runners stand their ground (hopefully) then there may be a spot of each way value to be had courtesy of Christopher Wood in the Carlisle handicap chase at 1.35pm. The Venetia Williams trained eight-year-old has been pretty frustrating with more places than victories, but he runs for the first time here following wind surgery which may see the required improvement. His last run over fences saw a good fourth at Ayr in a better race off 2lb higher, and if he can repeat or better that today, he won’t be too far away at the finish.
Small fields ruin the Southwell card as a better spectacle with the possible exception of Supremely West (2.30pm), who is looking for his hat-trick after easy wins here at Carlisle over shorter and then at Sedgefield over two and a half miles. He was, if anything, going too easily last time out hence mistakes, by the still won with his head in his chest and could be a fairly useful tool for his connections. He does have to give 4lb or more to all his rivals for that victory making this a true test with some better opponents to take care of, but he looks to have a touch of class about him which will hopefully see him home in front.
Sean’s Suggestion:
Enola Grey 5.15pm Newcastle Saturday each way
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