Saturday's Meetings Meydan(UAE) Dirt&Turf 8 Races 12:05-4:35p.m. Cork Flat 8 Races 1:15-5:15p.m. Haydock N/H 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Carlisle N/H 7 Races 1:55-5:25p.m. Fairyhouse N/H 7 Races 2:10-5:40p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 7 Races 5:30-8:30p.m. Musselburgh Abandoned Newton Abbot Abandoned Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Fairyhouse 17.05 At 11/2, Comfort Zone must be a decent ew shot. Only beaten 6¼l by Lossiemouth in a G3 and subsequently won her 2 G2 races. Not seen over hurdles since then (Jan 23) but ran respectably in a €90,000 handicap on the flat in Sept, finishing second. Taking a chance that he has been got ready for this return over hurdles. If returning anywhere near the form he showed when winning the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle he should win this
One selection only today and that's in the (17:20) at Musselburgh, a Class-4 event over 1m on heavy ground. Selection is the Kodiac gelding, Reidh, (Damsire: Manduro), who ran some good races last season off higher marks and is still not fully-exposed. Should handle the current heavy going at the track. Enough said, Ryan Sexton rides for the Richard Fahey yard. 5/1 (Bet365/BetUK) best price at time of writing, on the ATR site. Note - already been backed from the opening show. Tough race so E/W preferred option. Best of luck today, folks, if you have a go. Have an enjoyable weekend! Musselburgh abandoned.
Given the "wrapped in cotton wool" debate on the forum in recent weeks, it is worth noting that there are a number of horses who ran at the Cheltenham festival running again already today at Fairyhouse. It will be interesting to see how they fare: 2.45 Ferns Lock (Pulled up in Foxhunters) 3.20 Instit (5th), Harmonya Maker (7th) ran in Mares Chase 4.30 Built By Ballymore (14th), Lombron (11th) behind Langer "Lazarus" Dan in the Coral Cup 5.05 Westport Cove (PU), Risk Belle (8th), Samui (9th), By Your Side (10th) all ran in the County Hurdle With the additional exertions of travelling to Cheltenham and back these feel like very quick reappearances. Built By Ballymore was a real eye-catcher in the Coral Cup before fading late but that run didn't scream "step up to 3 miles on heavy ground" at me. Watching brief, just for academic interest.
They are going some way to filling the time by putting on 3 'extra' races - 2 from Meydan and 1 from Cork. We also lost a fixture at God's own racecourse today. Big blow to Newton Abbot that - to lose their first fixture of 2024 and a potentially lucrative Easter Saturday one to boot. That leads me on to wish everyone, and I do mean everyone, a very Happy Easter.
Disappointed Musselburgh abandoned, but am weaving my way through the survivors in today's events. The (13:55) at Carlisle, a Class-4 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, over 2m1f on soft (heavy-in-places) ground, is worth a look at in trying to make a decent start to the day. Selection is the Mahler gelding (Damsire: Presenting), Sleeping Satellite, Should handle the soft/heavy going at the track today. Enough said. William Maggs (6) rides for the Donald McCain Jr. stable. 11/4 (SkyBet/Unibet) best price early-doors, on the ATR site.
The top-class Japanese mare Stars On Earth (e/w) has a squeak at a decent price in the Group-1 Dubai Sheema Classic(16:00) at Meydan. 10/1 in many places on the ATR site, best price indication at the moment.
I'm having an EW play on Josies Kid in the 8.30 at Wolvers. Difficult not only to win with but to even be placed. I'm ignoring the fact its only won over 5f as its run credibly at this low grade over 6f. See Chelm Feb beaten couple of lengths keeping on. Not without a chance off a lowly 56. Christian takes of 3lb also. 20/1. Could be bigger on the exchanges unlikely to attract support.
Beaten 84¾l . Now that is enough to stop me looking. I have lost all interest in racing from a "punting" angle and will just enjoy watching the top races
All beaten - Ferns Lock and Instit (both 2nd) with the best finishing position. Built By Ballymore pulled up, no doubt today was all about getting his mark down for Punchestown
