Mazurati Can Motor Home At Towcester

Trans Wood ran a very nice race for us at Punchestown earlier this week, and with a bit more luck I believe she would have gone a lot closer than 5th beaten 8L. Her young jockey always had her tucked away on the inner, but unfortunately she got caught behind a couple of horses that were going backwards as they turned for home.

Just as the pace lifted Trans Wood was caught in a pocket. Power-Roche had to sit and suffer for the guts of a furlong, but when he did find daylight 1.5f out Trans Wood pinged the last and flew home. Her turn is not far away and 2 miles looks her optimum trip for now. She is definitely one to stick in your tracker for her next few runs. A winner in waiting if there ever was one.

Mazurati is no Croco Bay but he could go well at Towcester. 

Tomorrow I am turning to an old friend of the blog in the hope he can get us back into the winner’s enclosure. Ben Case, trainer of one of my favourite ever chasers Croco Bay, has his string in super form at the moment. He has had two winners and a place from his last 6 runners and I think Mazurati could go well for him and young Max Kendrick at Towcester on Thursday.

This 9yo son of Definite Article has a very nice pedigree, being a half brother to top class jumpers Asian Maze and Quantitativeeasing. However, after a promising start in bumpers it has all gone Pete Tong for Mazurati and I think it is safe to say at this stage that he won’t be rated anywhere near as highly as his illustrious siblings.

However, he has managed to win a couple of point to points, including one on soft ground, and he ran a very nice race on his penultimate start over 26f at Doncaster (gd/sft). He went well for an awful long way there off a mark of 77 but he faded between the last two fences and was just run out of it for second.

Ben Case has his string in super form.

It was disappointing that he couldn’t build on that when pulled up last time out at Southwell, but that effort came just 15 days after his fine Doncaster run and he had a hard race that day. Case has given him a lovely 6 week break since and the drop back in trip looks sure to suit on the evidence of his run over 2f further at Doncaster. If his point win is anything to go by, soft ground will hold no fears either.


I think that Max Kendrick will go straight to the front with Mazurati and try to get him into a nice jumping rhythm. Hopefully he isn’t pestered in front and he is allowed to dictate the tempo on his own terms. Off a feather weight of 9st 9lb when Kendrick’s claim is considered, 4lb lower than at Doncaster, I think Mazurati could make a bold bid. At odds of 20/1 he is worth chancing each way for small stakes.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: 14.50 TOWCESTER-MAZURATI E/W @ 20/1

Removal Of Tongue Tie Could Transform Wood At Punchestown

It looked for a long way as though West Wizard would play a big part at the finish for us at Uttoxeter on Saturday. He seemed to tank through the race, jumping flamboyantly at times, but he simply ran out of petrol in the last couple of furlongs, frustratingly fading into 4th. Judging by how exuberantly he travelled, it would be no surprise to see him dropped back in trip next time.

 

Trans Wood could go well at a huge price at Punchestown.

We are given the rare treat of a Tuesday jumps card in Ireland this afternoon, and the one I am taking a chance on at a massive price is the Gordon Doyle trained Trans Wood in the 2 mile mares’ handicap hurdle at 14.55. This very nicely bred 6yo daughter of Trans Island ran a shocker last time out, but she has been given a month off to freshen up and the tongue tie that has been on for her last two runs is discarded.

Ricky Doyle rode this mare on her last three outings, but this time Mr. T Power-Roche takes over in the saddle. I have to admit I had never heard of him until seeing his name in the race card tonight but, after doing my due diligence, I discovered that he has ridden a couple of winners in the point to pointing field, with his 2nd victory coming last time out earlier this month. He also finished 3rd on his last ride in that sphere for Doyle so he should be full of confidence at the minute.

Perhaps Doyle thinks that the extra 2lb that Power-Roche claims might make all the difference on Trans Wood in very testing conditions at Punchestown. The mare should have no issues on the ground, as it was a similar surface for her fine run on handicap debut at Gowran off 88. She pulled well clear with the winner Roja Dove, beaten just over 3L in 2nd. With her jockey’s claim, Trans Wood is 10lb better off with that rival here.

Back in 4th at Gowran was today’s top weight Pat’s Oscar, and with a 7lb claimer booked for her she is 5lb better off with Trans Wood. However, the Doyle horse finished over 11L clear of Pat’s Oscar and if she can repeat that run than the Elliott inmate could struggle to reverse the form. The 4th and 5th home that day at Gowran have both run well since, and the 7th home Cerca Trova won next time up so it looks more than decent form for the grade.

Obviously, Trans Wood must be forgiven a really poor effort last time out at Limerick where she was ridden more patiently than on her previous two runs. She finished well down the field having faded badly after the third last, but that was her 4th run in the space of 8 weeks and perhaps she was feeling the effects of such a busy schedule.

She wasn’t beaten a million miles on her penultimate start against the boys in a stronger heat than the one she contested at Gowran when 6th at Fairyhouse off a mark of 91. The tongue tie that she wore there, and last time at Limerick, is removed and she is back in against her own sex. On her run at Gowran there is not a chance she should be 40/1 while Pat’s Oscar is 9/1 and Roja Dove is 10/1. If she can get back to that sort of level she could go well if ridden positively, and at odds of 40/1 she is worth chancing each way for small stakes.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 14.55-PUNCHESTOWN-TRANS WOOD E/W @ 40/1

Wizard Could Weave Magic Back On Heavy At Uttoxeter

Well, Flaxen Flare ran a stinker for us in the Thyestes, and my prediction that he would be travelling best 4f out proved to be just a shade wide of the mark. However, Wounded Warrior ran an absolute cracker. His fine record first time up in January continued as he chased home Monbeg Notorious in 2nd. He clearly likes Gowran Park, and he will surely be back for a repeat bid in 2019.

Wounded Warrior ran a stormer at Gowran.

Sophie Leech is a trainer that I have a huge amount of respect for, especially on Saturdays. Milrow ran a cracking race for us at Cheltenham at the tail end of last year at 66/1 under Sean Houlihan and I think Leech and Houlihan can team up to good effect again with West Wizard at Uttoxeter in the 20f handicap chase at 16.00.

This 9yo son of King’s Theatre hasn’t won since scoring in a soft ground handicap chase at Ffos Las in December 2016 off 122 (21f) for Paul Morgan and Davy Russell. His only good run for Sophie Leech came on his third start for her on good ground at Bangor (24f) when beaten 1.5L in first time blinkers off 127, and he races off 119 today.

Although his best effort for Leech came on good ground over 3 miles, West Wizard showed some of his best form on heavy for previous connections. His run at Ffos Las back in March of 2017 over 19.5f on bottomless ground was a cracker (19.5f hvy) and he just failed to get up by a neck off 129. With Houlihan's 7lb claim a repeat of that would see him go close here.


He was well beaten on heavy at Haydock in December, but that run came over 23f and that distance is too far for him on that sort of ground. He will be much more at home now dropped back to 20f, and with Sean Houlihan’s claim he is effectively off a mark of 112, 10lb below the mark off which he won by nearly 5L at Ffos Las in 2016. And 17lb lower than for that superb 19.5f run back in March.

Houlihan is a jockey with a lot of potential, and his 7lb claim probably won’t last for long. He is yet to ride a winner for Leech, but he has an impressive frame hitting strike rate of just under 70%. From 13 rides he has 9 top four finishes, and when Leech books him she usually means business. I think this trip could be perfect for West Wizard on that Ffos Las 2nd back in March, and at odds of 20/1 in a first time hood he is well worth chancing each way.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 16.00 UTTOXTER-WEST WIZARD E/W @ 20/1

Warrior Could Be Wound Up For Thyestes Test And Don't Discount Flare Either

I somehow managed to pick out another non-trier last Saturday with Fruits Of Glory, and he is clearly being lined up for something later in the season, more than likely at Fairyhouse over the Easter. Anchored in rear throughout he found trouble when making minor headway and he was never involved. He is one to keep in your tracker for his next three runs, because he certainly has it in him to pick up another small handicap at some stage.

Wounded Warrior goes well in January.

Thursday is the biggest day of the year at Gowran Park, where the Thyestes Chase will be run for the 64th time since its inception all the way back in 1954. One of the nation’s favourite handicap chases is always a popular betting heat, and I managed to find My Murphy who won at a nice price two years ago. We were out of luck last year with Monty’s Meadow, but this time I am backing two and hopefully at least one of them can hit the frame.

When I started writing this piece Wounded Warrior was a 40/1 shot with Paddy Power. That has since been clipped in to 33s, but even so I still think it is worth giving one more chance to this clearly talented, but deeply frustrating, 9yo son of Shantou. He has had more letters than numbers in his form in the past two seasons, but he ran his best race in that period when 6th behind Champagne West in this last year off 152, beaten 22L, and he is 18lb lower now.


If Adam Short’s 7lb claim is taken into account Wounded Warrior is 25lb better off than for last season’s decent run here. Short rode him on his first two runs this season so he has gotten to know the horse, and though he has yet to ride a winner for Gigginstown he has had 4 2nds from just 14 rides. Wounded Warrior will be carrying just 9st 6lb thanks to Short’s claim, and he will think he is running loose at Gowran.

Another cause for optimism regarding Wounded Warrior’s chances is his more than decent record on his first run in January throughout his career. Since making his rules debut in November 2013 his form figures first time up in January read 1126, with the 6th coming in this contest last year. If he is ever going to bounce back to form it will be in this race, and at 33/1 he is worth chancing e/w for small stakes (5 places powers).
 

Denis O'Regan could bring out the best in Flaxen Flare.

Another horse that I am giving another chance to was my fancy for the big handicap chase at Leopardstown over Xmas, Flaxen Flare. Gordon Elliott’s 9yo son of Windsor Knot endured quite a troubled passage that day, and he was never able to land a blow. He finished well down the field, beaten 65L in 18th of 28.

Flaxen Flare could appreciate the return to a slightly smaller field at Gowran, and he will have learned plenty from that first start in a big handicap chase at Leopardstown last time. The handicapper has only eased him a measly pound to 137 after that moderate effort, but on his very smart handicap hurdling form he should be well capable of making an impact off that rating.

Denis O’Regan gave Kopookris a lovely ride to score at Thurles on Sunday and he is a very interesting booking on Flaxen Flare. He rode him to finish 2nd here behind Min over 20f on his penultimate start, and in hindsight perhaps Elliott wanted to give O’Regan a spin on Flaxen Flare because he had him in mind to ride him in this race.

There is no doubt that O’Regan’s quiet style will be ideally suited to this hold up performer, and if he can get him into a nice jumping rhythm out the back there won’t be many travelling better half a mile from home. If Flaxen Flare’s stamina holds out he could run a big one, and at 28/1 he is my second selection for what looks a cracking renewal of the Thyestes Chase (5 places e/w powers).

STEVOS’ SELECTIONS: 15.00 GOWRAN PARK: WOUNDED WARRIOR E/W 33/1                                                                                      FLAXEN FLARE E/W 28/1

Go For Glory At Navan

Emigrated drifted like a barge on Sunday at Southwell, and he ran accordingly. To be honest, I have no complaints about the ride he was given, or the tactics employed. Paddy Mathers drove him along early to keep him in touch with the leaders, and he was close enough if good enough 3f out. When the pace lifted at the business end of the race Emigrated looked like he wanted to be somewhere else (in another country perhaps!), and he ended up well beaten in 7th. It was a poor effort but, mark my words, he will pop up at a big price at some stage.
 

Eddie Cawley is a shrewd operator.

Saturday is a very interesting day of racing, and I have already posted a trio of tastily priced fancies for Mybettingbonus here. My blog selection goes in the 20f handicap hurdle at Navan at 14.10 and I think Fruits Of Glory could go well for Batterstown trainer Eddie Cawley. Based between Dunboyne and Dunshaughlin, Cawley isn’t based far from Navan at all, and he may well have targeted this race with Fruits Of Glory.

This 9yo son of Fruits Of Love is notoriously difficult to win with, but he has ability and on his day he can be dangerous at a certain level. His sole win from 22 starts came in a 16.5f soft ground Clonmel maiden hurdle back in February 2015, and his recent form figures are far from inspiring. However, he was an eyecatcher on his last visit to Navan over 16f back in November 2016, and he is of interest over 4f further off an 8lb lower mark.

He was held up in rear that day under Chris Timmons, jumping nicely and travelling well. Still 5th last as they turned for home, he found trouble coming down the hill as he tried to make ground into the race. Approaching the 2nd last Timmons switched him towards the inner, and between the last two flights he had to switch again. By the time Fruits Of Glory found daylight the leaders had flown, but he did finish well up the hill for 8th.

He was only 8L behind the winner that day and given his troubled passage, how he stayed on up the hill and the fact he is off a mark 8lb lower now, I think he could outrun his very generous odds. Chris Timmons knows him well, and he has ridden more winners for Cawley than any other jockey. 29 top 4 finishes from just 76 rides, including 6 wins, is a fine record and at odds of 33/1 hopefully Fruits Of Love is cherry ripe and gives each way supporters a good run for their money at Navan.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: 14.10 NAVAN-FRUITS OF GLORY E/W @ 33/1

Shaw’s Charge Could Find Spiritual Home At Southwell

We drew a blank yet again in the Lanzarote with Dino Velvet. There was a bit of each way money around for him before the off, but bar for a fleeting moment down the far side it never looked as though he would be involved at the finish. He looked to be travelling okay, but as soon as there was an injection of pace he was found wanting. I would imagine they will still try to get a run into him at Cheltenham, but given his current rating it won’t be at the festival.

Derek Shaw has a fine record at Southwell.

On Sunday I am having a small each way bet on one at a massive price in the last at Southwell, and I think Emigrated could go well for track specialist Derek Shaw. This very well bred 5yo has failed to live up to his illustrious pedigree, and some good trainers have tried to conjure a win out of him. Jessie Harrington and Gavin Cromwell couldn’t crack the code with Emigrated, but I think Derek Shaw could be the right man for the job.


He knows this family well, as Emigrated is a half brother to stable stalwart Loyalty. Emigrated is by Fastnet Rock, so it is no surprise that Shaw took a chance on him given that sire’s good strike rate at Southwell. His progeny have displayed a definite fondness for fibresand, and from a total of 40 runners at the track he has had 7 winners and 15 places. That is a frame hitting strike rate of 55% and Emigrated showed promise here on his first start for Shaw.

He was hampered at the start in that mile maiden handicap, and after being shuffled back he was soon switched very wide by Paddy Mathers. He stayed on the outside for the entirety of the race but even so, as they turned for home he was finding well for pressure. 2f out it looked as though he might stay on to press for a place, but his wide course eventually took its toll and he kept on at the one pace for 6th. He was well behind the winner but I thought it was a pleasing effort.

He built on that run when not beaten far at all in another mile handicap at Chelmsford just four days later, getting outpaced as they came out of the back straight but staying on well for 5th, beaten just over 2L for the win. He was sent off at just 6/1 upped in trip to 10f at Chelmsford just a week later but he ran a stinker and he has been given a month off to recover from those three quick runs.

I think that Shaw has targeted a race back at Southwell for Emigrated after his encouraging effort here for him last month, and also because of Fastnet Rock’s stats at the track. Three quick runs in succession will have done wonders for his fitness, and he should be in tip-top shape on his return  from a month's break off a bargain basement mark of 45. Shaw has a fantastic record at Southwell, sending out 31 winners and 83 top 4 finishers from 222 runners in last 5 seasons.

Emigrated has been handed a nice draw in stall no.5 and hopefully there is no drama at the start this time. There are a couple of front runners in the race so this should be run at a good clip, and the quicker they go the more it should suit Emigrated. Hopefully he can stay within striking distance in the early stages and doesn’t get completely outpaced. If he does he could be dangerous, and hopefully he stays on late to reward each way support at odds of 25/1.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: 15.55 SOUTHWELL-EMIGRATED E/W @ 25/1 

Don’t Discount Dino In Lanzarote

Majeed ran a mighty race for us at Meydan on Thursday night, just missing out on 4th in the dying strides. The gaps that I hoped would come on the inner never materialised, and as they turned for home Morris had to angle Majeed out wide. Once he found daylight he looked as though he might even challenge for victory, but the extra ground he had to cover told in the final 100 yards and he was just pipped for a place in 5th.

Alan King bids to win the Lanzarote for the first time with Dino Velvet or River Frost.

My fancy for Saturday goes in the Listed Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton, and I think Dino Velvet could go well off a mark of 123 for in form Alan King with Wayne Hutchinson in the saddle. This 5yo son of Naaqoos showed some smart form when winning, and also in defeat last season, and he has steadily improved on his two runs to date this term. King also runs joint fav Silver Frost, but I prefer the chances of the so called 'second string'.


You would imagine all roads will lead to one of the handicap hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival for this fella, as he ran a huge race in the Fred Winter there back in March, staying on well from the rear after making a dreadful mistake at a crucial time. He was only beaten 9L for the win in 8th and it was a superb run considering the circumstances.

That fine effort came off 125 and if he has any hope of getting back to the Festival he will need to be winning at least one race between now and March. Judging by the considerate ride he was given when 5th at Newbury last time (20f gd/sft), I believe that was a run to tee him up for something else, and I believe it might be this race! If Dino Velvet puts in a clean round of jumping at Kempton I think he could be a huge player here off a feather weight of just 10st 4lbs.

Soft ground holds no fears for Dino Velvet, as he was a winner on the level in France on an easy surface. His dam is a half sister to mudlark Pop Art, a gelding that won 6 hurdle races on soft/heavy in France, including a Listed handicap. Hopefully Dino Velvet can follow in Pop Art’s hoofsteps by landing a similar race at Kempton, and at odds of 28/1 he looks worth chancing each way.

As an aside, it also makes sense to keep a close eye on anything that Nick Williams runs in this race given his stellar record in it. Small savers on his two entries at 50/1 and 28/1, Man From Mars and Dentley De Mee, might not be the worst idea ever.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: 14.40 KEMPTON-DINO VELVET E/W @ 28/1

Red Hot Simcock Could Strike At Meydan

I can have no complaints really about the ride given to Rossmore’s Pride at the weekend. He was ridden more forward, just as I hoped he would, but the swing in the weights with Urbanist made no difference and he faded out of it in the closing stages. Maybe slightly better ground will help his cause, and on yielding or better he might be worth giving one more chance to.

Majeed was just touched off at Ascot off 100. 

Although the national hunt racing is usually at the forefront of most racing fans’ minds at the moment, it is always nice to look forward to some high quality flat action at Meydan during the Winter months. For the next few weeks there will be high class handicaps and Group races galore, and the one I like on Thursday goes in the lucky last, a 12f handicap worth £71k to the winner.

Majeed went into my notebook at this meeting last year when he ran a super race behind Gold Trail over this evening’s course and distance. A muddling early pace didn’t play to Majeed’s strengths, but he stayed on strongly in the closing stages for 4th, beaten just over 3L off a mark of 102. He ran better than his finishing position suggests here on his next start too off 103, beaten just 3L in 8th having made his challenge widest of all. He also ran a huge race at Ascot during the summer, beaten a neck off 100 (10f gd/fm).

That run behind Gold Trail was his second start of the Winter after a quiet run in Dubai first time back. This time, Mr. Simcock chose to give Majeed a prep run at Lingfield last month. The young apprentice jockey on board didn’t cover himself in glory that day, and he was slowly away, challenged out wide and never landed a blow. However, that run should have taken the edge off him after his four month break and another cause for optimism is Simcock’s form, 4 wins and 4 places from his last 12 runners.

Luke Morris rides Majeed for the first time and he will need to be at his very best on this tricky customer from stall 4. Majeed travels so well through his races Morris might be best served to just drop him in and sit and suffer, praying that the gaps come at the right times. If he gets the rub of the green Majeed is well capable of making his presence felt off a mark of 98, and at odds of 25/1 I think he is worth chancing each way.


STEVOS’ SELECTION: 18.00 MEYDAN-MAJEED E/W @ 25/1

It Could Pay To Side With Pride At Naas

Billingsley travelled well for a long way for us at a huge price at Ludlow and he ran better than the distance beaten suggests. He was far too fresh and free on his first run back of the season and he was never going to get home given the pace he set. However, he definitely displayed some ability and he is a horse that could win at tasty odds before the season is out. 

The ground will be testing at Naas.

Today I like the look of one at Naas, a horse I have followed closely ever since tipping him up almost a year ago (see here) at Down Royal. He looked very interesting on his Irish debut on the form of his Wetherby run back in 2014 when splitting The Grey Taylor and Ma Du Fou in a 2m soft ground maiden hurdle when trained by Ian Williams. He showed a bit that day at Down Royal but finished well beaten in 7th, and his three subsequent maiden hurdle runs weren't much better. 

The Irish handicapper handed Rossmore's Pride a mark of 92 on the back of those runs, and he didn't show much on his handicap bow over 2m 6f at Navan back in December. That trip was always going to stretch him though, and it was likely one to fine tune his fitness. It was a lot more like it next time out at Down Royal on St Stephens' Day, when beaten just over 5L in 5th by Cubomania, today's favourite. That horse won again on his next start and he arrives here off a 16lb higher mark than Down Royal.

Urbanist ( who I tipped up) was a couple of lengths behind Rossmore's Pride in 6th at Down Royal, form that was franked by Urbanist winning easily on his next start, and he is 6lb worse off with Rossmore's Pride here. Although Rossmore's Pride is a 10yo, he is very lightly raced for his age and there could be more to come from him. He must have had some issues, being off the track for so long, but Christian Delcros could be coaxing him back to form and his last run was his best yet for the Donegal trainer. 

The bookies have priced Rossmore's Pride up at 20/1 and I think that looks far too big. He is handicapped to turn the tables with the favourite (who is having his 3rd run in 2 weeks) and 6lb better off with a horse he beat 2L last time out (8lbs when Short's 4lb claim is factored in). He finished off his race strongly at Down Royal, and if ridden closer to the pace I think he can make a bold bid on ground that will suit. At 20/1 he looks well worth chancing each way. 

STEVOS' SELECTION: 15.25 NAAS-ROSSMORE'S PRIDE E/W @ 20/1  

Ralph's Charge Could Fit The Bill At Ludlow

I thought Agent Boru again demonstrated he is a horse with lots of ability at Leopardstown, it is just a pity he didn't get much assistance from his jockey. Posted ridiculously wide throughout he travelled further than any other horse in the race, and even so he still led them as they turned for home. The first four home flew by him between the final two flights, but he kept on well for 5th and there is a nice race to be won with him if given a bit more help from the saddle.

Alistair Ralph is having his best season yet.

At a monster price I can't resist having a small each way bet on a horse in the 2m 5f maiden hurdle at Ludlow tomorrow. Billingsley makes his first start over timber for local handler Alastair Ralph, and his stable couldn't be in better form with his last runner winning on New Year's Eve at Uttoxeter. Ralph is having something of a breakout year in the training ranks. He has sent out 9 winners from just 38 runners this season, already more than double the winners he had last year.

Clearly something seems to have clicked at Ralph's yard and Billingsley looks well overpriced for him tomorrow. This nicely bred son of Millenary returns from over a year off, his last run coming in a soft ground bumper at Chepstow when a very good 4th behind Cadeyrn. He was in a sustained duel in the closing stages and just faded late on, and he had Aye Aye Charlie 5L back in 6th, a horse since thought good enough for Listed and Graded races.

He also showed lots of promise on his debut in June 2016 when a fine 3rd beaten just over a length on good ground, but there is a bit more substance to the form of his second run. Alistair Ralph has a decent record at his local track, with 4 wins and 4 places from just 19 runners. Lee Edwards was placed on his only previous ride for the stable, Billingsley is bred for this longer trip and at odds of 66/1 he looks worth having a small bet on each way.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 13.50 LUDLOW-BILLINGSLEY E/W @ 66/1