Today Selections

3:25 Carlisle - De Bee Keeper (4/1) - 1pt e/w - Lucinda Russell has always targeted this early season meeting and this looks like the type of horse who has been played perfectly for this race. In April the horse race in a good look PTP race, finishing 3rd. The two horses in front of him that day both sold for significant money at the subsequent sales and the general feeling is that the race should work out quite well. De Bee Keeper was purchased for 80,000 euros and was the subject of a considerable amount of praise during one of Lucinda's recent stable tours. The plan was always to run the horse in a bumper on debut and he performed with credit on his reappearance and was not pushed for an effort at any time during the race. He turns out today in what looks to be ideal conditions and the jockey's 10lb claim can only help his cause and in my opinion Craig Nichol has plenty of raw talent. Usually this would be the type of horse which I would be backing to win but BIT OF A JIG is a horse that features in my horses to follow list and for that reason I decided to stick with the e/w bet rather than the win.


3:55 Carlisle - Vamizi (11/4) - 3pt win - This horse was very nearly a max bet today as I know that this particular race has been on the horses schedule for a considerable amount of time and his track record is impeccable. Vamizi is a horse which has always thrived in bad conditions and his stride pattern and the nature of his action mean that the course at Carlisle is perfect for him. For a class 3 race the opposition do not look particularly strong and I would be very surprised if anything in the field could beat him if he puts in a clean round of jumping.


5:00 Carlisle - Super Duty (4/5) - 3pt win - For me this is a two horse race between my selection and his old foe Nuts and Bolts and although it was difficult to choose between the two, I just feel that the drop back in drip will be too much for Nuts and Bolts when faced with Super Duty's speed. There is no doubt the Super Duty is a very smart and progressive individual, he campaign last season was extremely promising and his second placed finish behind Simonsig is impressive form in the context of this race. Having read plenty of reports about SD over the last few months it's safe to say that McCain has high hopes for this horse and a race at today's track has always been the plan as the nature of the course seems to suit him, as was evident when he destroyed his opposition on his second career start almost a year to the day ago. I know for some readers that backing an odds on shot coming back from a break isn't the most appealing betting proposition but I honestly believe that he will be a cut above his opposition today. Those looking for an e/w alternative should definitely take a close look at Nuts and Bolts.


5:30 Carlisle - Clondaw Flika (5/1) - 1pt e/w - For those readers that aren't familiar with PTP racing, I suggest that you remember the name CLONDAW this season as there are a number of very promising types who were purchased out of the Colin Bowe yard in the spring and all share the same first name. Clondaw Flika was the cheapest of them at £40,000 but I still think he will be extremely competitive today. Having read the reports of his debut PTP race back in April, it's safe to say that this horse is an imposing type with a strong galloping action. Although his pedigree doesn't exactly leap off the page when you analyse it, I'm a fan of his Sire's bloodstock and he's produced plenty of NH winners from a limited number of opportunities and they all seem to relish soft conditions.

When you analyse today's race as a hole it looks pretty weak, the Easterby horse has a reasonable NH pedigree but the trainers terrible record in races of this type would definitely put me off, even with McCoy booked to ride. Taxi Des Obeaux probably deserves to win a race after two valiant performances in bumpers this season but he has the profile of a horse who maybe found wanting at the business end of a race and although McGrath has a good strike rate for the trainer, he doesn't to be a particularly appealing betting proposition. Finally, you have the McCain horse, BALTIMORE and I have to admit that it was a very close call between him and Clondaw Flika. He's a well built gelding out of Flemensfirth and his Dam (Glenflag Princess) has already proven herself capable of producing winners. The horse won on its PTP debut in an average looking race over 2m 4f but the form doesn't look particularly strong as the second placed horse (now with Elliot) looks average and the third placed horse was beaten when falling in the race won by Clondaw Flika.

Now I have to admit that there is every chance that Baltimore will have a quicker turn of foot that Clondaw as he's related to a bumper winner and his Sire's progeny usually excel over 2m-2m 3f but I just have a feeling that Clondaw could potentially have the ability to gallop his opposition into the ground today and there is no doubt that the stiff up hill finish will really bring his stamina into play today.
Side Bet - 0.50pt Reverse Forecast - Clondaw Flika and Baltimore (1pt total stake)