I was mightily impressed with MULLENBEG on debut at Ludlow and now think she is going to take the world of beating at Market Rasen today. Milton Harris is enjoying a fine season and this point to point recruit looked a well above average mare when coming right away from her rivals with the minimum of fuss at the Shropshire track. I’ve seen plenty of Ludlow bumpers and I haven’t seen many go 7 wide around the home bend and canter home like she did. For me, she’s a solid bet at double figures prices.
Market Rasen 2.40 – Mullenbeg
Saturday
It’s a tough day for punting tomorrow I think. The ground is likely to dry out by the time we get to race day and that has a big effect on which horses I may back.
HARDY DU SEUIL is probably going to be a bet whatever the ground as 11/1 looks a little too big for a horse who should improve markedly for the step up in trip. He rallied strongly at Hereford last time out and everything about him suggests this trip will ideal for him. The allowances he receives are also very helpful and he may make some of his older rivals sweat a little.
Down at Taunton I think Olly Murphy has found TEASE AND SEIZE the ideal opportunity to get his head back in front. He impressed me when winning a couple of juvenile hurdles earlier in the season and I thought he ran well at Chepstow last time when stepped up in grade. He travelled sweetly that day but maybe got stuck in the Chepstow mud slightly up the straight. The better ground and softer company should see him regain the winning thread here.
I find it hard not to fancy FANION D’ESTRUVAL at Ascot given how dominant he was at Newbury last time. Lucy Turner virtually negates the 8lb he was put up for winning so easily and theoretically he should go very close again. Yes he has to give some weight to plenty of unexposed types but the form of the Newbury race is strong enough to suggest he may just be classy enough to do it. At 5/1 he’s certainly worth a chance.
Haydock 12.50 – Hardy Du Seuil
Taunton 1.33 – Tease And Seize
Ascot 2.55 – Fanion D’Eestruval
