NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No10 SHARED ODYSSEY
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: David Probert
Study Of Man colt SHARED ODYSSEY is matched against others with public form to their names and from high profile stables. That said, he brings strong form to the table after finishing second at 20-1 in a Salisbury novice over this 1600 metres trip. He’s well drawn to obtain a handy early position, and can open his account.
Race 4 No3 KNIGHTS CHARGE
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Shane Foley
KNIGHTS CHARGE went down fighting when losing his unbeaten record this season in a better race than today’s at Doncaster. That head defeat by Bourbon Blues can be avenged in this attractive betting race.
Race 5 No1 BELIEVITANDUCAN
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: William Buick
BELIEVITANDUCAN is 5lb higher for the latest of three successes this season and returns after a solid enough run to chase home Senor Cortez at Kempton. Although he’s taken a hike in the weights he should greatly appreciate the return to grass and arrives as a horse with few miles on his racing clock.
WETHERBY
Race 5 No1 BREIZH RIVER (Nap)
Trainer: T Davidson – Jockey: Harry Reed
The featured Bobby Renton Handicap Chase can see BREIZH RIVER putting his best foot forward. This demanding course is tailor made for such a good jumper who can be seen at his most effective on a first visit to the chase course here.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No5 POURQUOI PAS PAPA (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
PORQUOI PAS PAPA signals the arrival of a new trainer/jockey combination with Twiston-Davies getting back his old job with multiple champion Nicholls. Putting a four-year-old straight over fences in handicap company is not commonplace in National Hunt but Nicholls probably means business with the selection, who I gather has taken well to fences at Ditcheat.
Race 3 No8 SHERBORNE (Each Way)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
SHERBORNE did us a couple of good turns last season and is respected on his return in a competitive veterans’ chase. He’s a very good jumper who can prove the value play against IRON BRIDGE, NOCTE VOLATUS and GUARD YOUR DREAMS who are the horses I think can fill up the exacta and trifecta.
Race 4 No4 TUTTI QUANTI
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
TUTTI QUANTI is the best horse to run in England this season as he makes an eagerly anticipated debut over fences. The six-year-old is unbeaten in two visits to this course and was in with every chance at the time of his departure in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. He’s in great form for his return to the fray.
Race 5 No3 CRUZ CONTROL (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Stan Sheppard
CRUZ CONTROL has shown his best form in the spring, but as that didn’t happen for him earlier this year he’s entitled to represent value after a noticeable drop in the ratings. It would be no surprise to see him run well.
Race 6 No5 MATTERHORN (Each Way)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Tristan Durrell
Along with the talented but problematic IL EST FRANCAIS, MATTERHORN makes his debut out of the Skelton yard in the colours of Jonny De La Hey. He’s also endured training issues, but it will be interesting to see what improvements are forthcoming now he returns out of a different stable.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No6 ASSIRI HEIGHTS (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Frankel colt ASSIRI HEIGHTS put in a solid enough effort when taking away a minor cheque at Southwell and can improve on that first run in a handicap with Loughnane a rare booking for the Balding stable.
Race 5 No9 HIDDEN BEYOND (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Jason Watson
HIDDEN BEYOND has been well held in her three earning defeats but in this fillies’ restricted novice I fancy her to up her game. The daughter of Lucky Vega gained valuable experience of this course when outrunning her lengthy odds last time, and this is more straightforward.
Race 6 No1 BLUE PRINCE (Each Way)
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
BLUE PRINCE maintained his earning streak with a near miss in heavy ground at Chester and is teamed with a jockey who knows how to get the best out of him. The selection’s AW racing is infrequent these days, but he has a good draw for this 1400 metres contest.