The bumper that THE BEES KNEES ran in last time developed into a sprint up the
straight which really did not suit this ex Irish Point to pointer. He should be
much more effective stepped up in trip and faced with a hurdle which he
encounters today. It won’t be easy as it looks a pretty smart race on paper but
I do think Callum Gilhooley will do well to concede a penalty to some
potentially nice horses and the experienced Ultragold is surely here for the
run.
Fergal
O’Brien has his string in fine form, as you would expect at this time of year,
and I really like the look of this horse and he gets the vote.
WEATHER FRONT was a confident tip for
this column a few weeks back but he disappointed slightly over 2 miles. He had
earlier been a big eyecatcher over 1m 6f when being the only one to stay on
from the back in a race where a well handicapped rival tore the field apart.
Ian Jardine drops his charge to 1m 4f today and I think he might just ruffle a
few fancy feathers at a decent price. He has form at the course albeit off a
much lower mark but if the switch to Jardine’s stable has brought about some
improvement like the Haydock run suggested then he could still be hiding a bit
from the handicapper.
I’m
hoping to hit the bullseye in the finale at Newcastle as VAN GERWEN looks to have a belting each way chance in a weak enough
race. Currently priced at 5/1 I do feel he is an each way bet to nothing given
the form he has been in on turf. He can race off a lower mark on the all
weather and he is definitely worth a poke in a race where not much else is in
form.
Newton Abbot 1.30 – The Bees Knees – 1pt win
Newcastle 4.45 – Weather Front – 0.5pts e/w
Newcastle 8.50 – Van Gerwen – 1pt e/w