Just a short post tonight with selections.
Very pleased with the news about Quatre Heures in France. Entered for the feature hurdle in Enghien next Friday and the Grand Prix d’Automne (Grade 1) in Auteuil next Saturday (former more likely).
OK, Ascot is quickly dealt with. Safari Journey is worth a go at 13/1 in the 2.30 and Nearby is outstanding each way value (23/1 – is he a runner?) in the 3.00. A Media Luz is also worthy of attention at 8/1.
The United House Gold Cup (3.40) has a number of iffy horses, any one of which could put in a good performance and should therefore be approached with caution. My choice is Muirhead on the basis that he’s well placed in this. Have to say that Paul Carberry jockey booking is significant given all the current fuss because others would need a level of encouragement that jockeys may be unwilling to provide!
The 4.50 beginners’ chase has some interesting candidates and Michael Flips is good value at slightly odds on. Not an obvious betting option.
So, on to the main fare at Wetherby. We’ll start with the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle (2.45) and a confident selection which is Carlito Brigante. A good horse who was fully campaigned in his juvenile year and has now had a decent break, putting aside the Dundalk run which was hopefully just a day out. 4/1 is good value because the others have serious questions to be answered.
This is the best Charlie Hall (3.20) for some time and hopefully a justified vote of confidence for trainers who have been concerned about putting their good horses out on a course which has had its criticisms. I’m all against Time For Rupert and Chicago Grey so, for me, Poquelin to beat Diamond Harry is the call. I’ll probably do a reverse exacta to cover the options. Poquelin is tried and tested, particularly at this time of year, and could be lot better than the opposition.