Good Morning/Evening to you all, I hope you are all ready for a gruelling day of racing with testing ground pretty much assured all round. Today marks the official last day of the jumps season with the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and the Celebration Chase which is a Grade 1 for the first time in it's history. Them races come from Sandown which is also the main meeting today but there are good support cards at Haydock and Ripon. There are also good evening cards at Doncaster and Wolverhampton whereas Leicester stage a seven race flat card in the afternoon. We only have one meeting in Ireland today and that comes courtesy of Limerick where Parish Hall seems to be the star attraction.
As always we have a video preview prepared for you which this week features myself, @Mytentoryours, @Adamwebb121 and a special visit from @RMBloodstock. Join us as we preview the day of racing and give our thoughts as well as some lovely colourful signs... You will understand if you watch it. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_lAbXbfAwg
Now onto today's selections!
2:20 Haydock - Louis The Pious
Dave O'Meara has returned to form with a bang in the past few days with five winners from his last nine runners including one at Sandown yesterday. Louis The Pious however has been known to need a run so a recent outing at Pontefract will see him put race fit and a two pound ease in the handicap helps big time. One added positive is the fact he has been fitted with a hood for the first time in his life which should help him settle over a longer trip. I mentioned earlier that he has eased a couple of pounds in the handicap, which puts him two pounds lower than his performance when runner up in the Ayr Gold Cup last year. Unfortunately Pricewise has selected Louis The Pious but we should still get a good price about our first selection for today.
2:40 Sandown - Rolling Aces
Rolling Aces came good once more when beating all bar Boston Bob at Aintree in the Melling Chase, which was a big step up from his previous Ascot run. Earlier on in the season he had won a Grade Two over in Ireland when giving prolific winner Toner D'Oudairies a two length beating at Down Royal. Since then he has disappointed when beaten by Vino Griego here and was then pulled up behind Captain Chris at Ascot, but returned to form last time out as aforementioned. One negative would be that he must give Hunt Ball six pounds along with Menorah, but the ground should discount both of them as it will be very testing today after continuous rainfall yesterday. Rolling Aces to carry on the form of his last run and land another deserved success.
2:50 Ripon - Hillbilly Boy
Hillbilly Boy has improved 13 pounds since bought out of a Lingfield seller and put into training with Martin Smith. He proved that his mark is by no means beyond him when winning impressively at Doncaster under Andrea Atzeni last time out. That victory came over seven furlongs and was raised four pounds for the decisive manner of his performance, but a mark of 86 still looks lenient over this shorter trip. With the yard in flying form and Hillbilly Boy seemingly refinding his form for his new yard he is taken to score again.
4:25 Sandown - Medinas
Medinas has had an easy season so far after winning the 2013 Coral Cup off a mark of 148 but started this season well when finishing a length behind Tidal Bay. He was last seen when outclassed in the World Hurdle but this is much more his class with the improving Polly Peachum vying for favouritism. He must give weight away to all but Clondaw Kaempfer who he comfortably holds on the ratings and is closely matched with the main two in the betting. With the ground no issue for him and others having doubts about it we can take Medinas with some degree of confidence.
NAP - Medinas
Nb - Rolling Aces
As always good luck and happy punting today!
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