It was a hit and miss weekend for this column but for such a
strange weekend I think I will take a slight loss and run. It's time to reset
now and focus on the rest of the summer with the Classics out of the way. We
have form to work with and we have a fair idea of who's hot and who's not.
Just
the one selection on the level today and it's SALAMANCA SCHOOL at Windsor who I'm expecting to show a lot more
than he did at Haydock last time out. I suspect connections were expecting more
from him but like so many of Mark Johnston's first time out, he proved rather
underwhelming. However, I do think he is a lot better than that and I do think
he is better than his current mark of 77 and if this was a slightly weaker race
I think I'd be more confident but as it is, he gets a speculative vote each
way.
Jumps
racing returns at Uttoxeter and I think it is a very interesting card. I won't
be going mad there that is for sure, but there are a few which I think are
overpriced who could be worth siding with.
First up is ROCK ON TIGER who is a lot better than what he has shown so far.
Henry Daly has a lot of faith in this horse and thought he had enough boot to
win a bumper but as it happened he ran in two very good bumpers and couldn't
get his head in front. However, he ran a blinder at Huntingdon when he stayed
on from a mile back to finish in the places and although he probably would get
further he should be able to make his presence felt in a race like this. He got
stuck in the mud the next time so should be much better off on this sound
surface. The favourite hails from a yard in red hot form but has no experience
over hurdles and similar comments apply to the second fav. I have doubts over
the rest and therefore I think the selection is a cracking play each way at
9/1.
The Summer Cup at Uttoxeter is
often a highlight of the jumps season and although I am slightly underwhelmed
by the quality of the field I do think one stands out from the rest. PADLEYOUROWNCANOE looked to be a novice
going places when beating a good horse at Exeter on good ground. Bad ground led
to a number of jumping errors on his next start so he should be another horse
who is suited to his better ground. A mark of 140 doesn't look insurmountable
and I hope/think his master trainer will have him tuned up for this decent
prize.
BLACK BUBLE has been on my radar for a few runs now after showing
obvious promise in his last few runs. He ran in a messy race last time at
Fakenham but still performed well and he is now below his last winning mark.
Jonjo O'Neill takes over in the saddle and he has a good relationship with the
horse so I'm hopeful he can capitalise on a lenient handicap mark.
Windsor 6.45 – Salamanca School – 0.5pts e/w
Uttoxeter 1.25 – Rock On Tiger – 1pt e/w
Uttoxeter 3.30 – Padleyourowncanoe – 1pt win
Uttoxeter 4.00 – Black Buble – 1pt e/w
