Punchestown & Wetherby – Wednesday 13th October

Another solid day yesterday with some good success recorded with wins from Cape Gentleman Lizlucky – who both did it nicely in their respective races at Punchestown. After a severe blip in the month of September, October has been a lot more solid to date and I am hoping that can continue on an upwards trajectory. There is good jump racing both sides of the sea today, and there are two selections from Punchestown and Wetherby, all at contrasting prices. 

The two selections from Punchestown come in the same race, which is the 2.55 2m4f handicap hurdle and is going for a decent pot of just under 10,000. 11 are going to post in this opening handicap, with Grange Walk topping the betting for John Ryan. He is a horse with plenty of ability, but also can be a small bit inconsistent – and is taken on at the top of the market. Instead, the more obvious selection comes in the form of Broomfields Jeremy, who has to concede race fitness to some of these rivals, but brings a progressive edge to the race and a horse that may well still be well ahead of his mark. Having won convincingly at Clonmel from French Light, he fell last time out in a good novice race won by Velvit Elvis. His form would entitle him to a massive say in this race if fit enough to himself justice. At a price of 8/1 with SkyBet, who offer 4 places in this race, I’ll be backing each way.

The other horse that I will be backing is Nazine, who is a horse I am still convinced will come good at some occasion soon in the near future. Despite some fairly uninspiring looking form figures, Nazine looks like he might be approaching a position of being well handicapped in the near future off a mark of 109. He should also be helped out by this step up in trip, which has been needed for a while at this stage. Under typically positive tactics, and with his jumping improving all the time, he might well outrun his odds. At a price of 33/1 with SkyBet, he is also an each way bet. 

The two selections from Wetherby are less off the beaten track, and these two horses represent the same trainer, who is a trainer I have a lot of time for. The first comes in the three runner novice chase at 2.13. Pay the Piper is a horse I have been looking forward to this season and his seasonal/chase debut at Perth was a very taking one, when only failing to get by Minella Trump in a competitive Novice Handicap. He returns to strictly novice company on this occasion, and takes on Third Time Lucki – who does bring a class edge to the party. However, he is not bomb proof and Pay The Piper has already had a run over fences, which could prove to be crucial. At a general price of 11/8, I am looking to get another bubble burst.

It takes until the 5.05 to get our final selection of the day and this small field handicap hurdle looks the ideal starting point for top-weight, Tommy’s Oscar, who enjoyed a highly lucrative campaign last year. Tommy’s Oscar won four times last season and finished off with a highly competitive third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. He is now off a mark of 139, but the in-form William Shanahan takes 5 pounds off his back – which could prove to be crucial. At a best price of 9/4 with William Hill – I’ll be backing him.

I will also be placing a 1 Pt Win Double on the Hamilton pair at Wetherby at 6.72/1. Best of Luck.