The 12.30 at Sedgefield looks a good little race and I think it will work out quite well. Henry Daly is in good form at present and his REGAL RENAISSANCE is catching my eye here. After a complete blow out on debut she stayed on very well last time out at Ludlow in what was a good race. The step up in trip at a track like Sedgefield should really suit her and I expect her to have plenty in hand.
Down at Exeter I like the claims of REE OKKA who again could make his mark look silly if all goes to plan. As a novice hurdler he was certainly highly touted and being so lightly raced I hope he can go on and improve from here as I think he could be quite smart. He will come on for his run at Aintree and should be very competitive in what is again, a competitive race.
Sedgefield 12.30 – Regal Renaissance
Exeter 2.35 – Ree Okka
Saturday
I’m hoping the Henry Daly yard remain in good form as I am following them in tomorrow as well. BRIDGE NORTH is a horse who has caught my eye once or twice already in his career but he’s just been a bit immature but his run at Aintree last time was much more like it. He just seem to tire and get outpaced by speedier types so this course will be much more to his liking and although we won’t see the best of him until he jumps a fence I do think he is better than a mark of 126 and hopefully can prove it here.
I think Olvier Greennall and Josh Guerreiro could have a landmark day today as their three best horses all run. Gesskille is favourite for the Becher and has a great chance but there isn’t much value at 9/2. Herbiers will surely improve for the step up in trip at Aintree but it is a hot race. That leaves HOMME PUBLIC who I think could be the best chance of the day after a dominant success at Wetherby last time out. He was really strong at the finish and got a 7lb hike of which Toby Wynne negates 5lb so an extra 2lb looks very lenient for how he won the race. I don’t think this is the strongest of races and the stiff finish will bring out the best in the selection I hope.
I’m finding it hard to reason why course favourite, WISHING AND HOPING is 20/1 in the Aintree 2.40 tomorrow. Mel Rowley’s veteran loves it around here and his bold jumping is a sight to behold. It looked like he would take another race on Merseyside when he gave it a bold showing from the front when last seen but he just tied up close home and a late finisher did him late on. A drop in trip looks sensible with that in mind and if he can get his own way out in front then he could take some stopping.
Sandown 1.10 – Bridge North
Sandown 2.20 – Homme Public
Aintree 2.40 – Wishing And Hoping
