It would be a disappointment if Mattmu (2.30) couldn’t go one better at Beverley than when runner up at Doncaster last month on debut for Tim Easterby although the yard, at the time of writing, have only had one winning juvenile so far this term. The selection will get further in time but this stiff five should suit in the short term although there are a couple of interesting newcomers in the field.
Oscarslad (2.40) ran a cracker in a decent Exeter handicap on his first start for 674 days when well supported back in March and ran another decent race when runner up over today’s C&D at Wincanton last month. He has had another four week break to get over those exertions but gets the vote in a hot handicap where the Philip Hobbs’ pair of Thomas Wild and Jayandbee are big dangers.
I have long thought Bostin (3.40) was, potentially, very well handicapped and he was a desperately unlucky loser when coming a cropper at the last over C&D with the race at his mercy only five days ago. He really should make amends from the same mark this afternoon and has improved since encountering better ground of late.
At Southwell money for Accordion Exhibit would be worth noting in the novices’ handicap chase but he wouldn’t want any more rain and a chance on his chase debut goes to Up For An Oscar (6.30) who has a course win to his name over hurdles and always hinted that he could make up into a better chaser for trainer Kim Bailey.
A more speculative recommendation is for Johnny Og (7.05) in the following handicap hurdle; there are bits of form in the book which suggest Martin Keighley’s runner is very well treated and a check of the market might suggest if his trainer feels he has got him back to something like his best.
The maiden hurdle can go to Broughton’s Warrior (8.05) a gelding who has improved with each of his three starts and only went down by half-a-length at Market Rasen last time on the best ground he has encountered to date. Another who might not want any more significant rain and represents a yard who don’t have too many runners over jumps but they can certainly get one ready. The selection returns from a seven-week break but must go close.
AP McCoy has been riding a number of winners for Donald McCain in the absence of the injured Jason Maguire and he can add another to his tally aboard Up And Go (3.20) a decent hurdler who has taken time to adjust to the larger obstacles although there was nothing wrong with his penultimate effort when runner up at Ayr back in February. The forecast soft ground is no concern and it will be disappointing to his leading connections if he can’t get his head in front at Sedgefield.
Recent course winner Shadrack looks opposable up in trip in the 2m 4f handicap chase and the vote goes to Frank The Slink (4.20) dropping back in trip having scored over 3m 2f at Carlisle last time. The runner up Lively Baron did us a favour last week and the selection looks sure to make this a proper test in a decent little race.
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