Punting pointers from each of today’s race meetings . . .
Chelmsford: Jesse Luc seeks hat-trick
Jesse Luc bids to continue his excellent run of form this winter by landing a hat-trick in the 6f handicap (6.30).
The Mike Murphy-trained five-year-old has form figures of 421211 since the turn of the year.
Jesse Luc has been successful at Southwell on his last two starts, winning under Rossa Ryan last month before Alex Chadwick steered him to success in an amateur riders’ handicap last time. Ryan is reunited with the in-form handicapper, who has been raised 3lb for his latest success.
It is worth checking in on the 6f handicap (2.45) at Newcastle earlier in the afternoon as Call Glory, who Jesse Luc beat by a length on his penultimate start, makes his first appearance since that race last month off the same terms. If that runner-up were to frank the form, then Jesse Luc could be very short to make it four wins from his last five starts.
Jky: Rossa Ryan Tnr: Mike Murphy
Clonmel: Power Roche in top form
Tiernan Power Roche has steered four winners from his eight rides since last Saturday and has six mounts on this seven-race card.
Power Roche has bagged doubles at Punchestown and Fairyhouse in the last week and bids to continue his fine run of form.
The rider is reunited with Robinstown in the 2m claiming hurdle (2.50), having won a similar event at Limerick last month.
Other mounts with leading claims include Onlymammycanloveme, who was third in a Fairyhouse bumper last time and fourth in a novice hurdle behind Final Demand the time before, in the 2m3f maiden hurdle (4.00) and Limerick runner-up Mullanour in the 3m handicap hurdle (5.05).
Power Roche also rides the Philip Rothwell-trained pair Miss Lia and Mercury Mission in the 2m mares’ handicap hurdle (3.25) and 2m3f novice handicap hurdle (4.35) respectively.
Ludlow: Coeur seeks quick course repeat
Sacre Coeur seeks a quickfire course double in the feature Forbra Gold Cup (4.20). The Dan Skelton-trained mare was successful at the Shropshire track eight days ago, winning by nine lengths under 7lb claimer Harry Atkins.
The 19-year-old conditional joined Skelton’s team this season, having previously been based with Martin Keighley. He bids to ride his 12th winner and said: “It’s unreal to work there. You’ve got Nick Skelton, Dan Skelton, Harry Skelton who have all done brilliant things and you’re learning everyday. It’s an incredible atmosphere.”
Sacre Coeur’s victory came over 2m4f and she returns to 3m and is 2lb wrong at the weights carrying a 7lb penalty in this £18,000 event.
In this five-runner event, Heard That, second last time to a subsequent winner, and fellow course scorer Post Chaise appear likely threats.
Jky: Harry Atkins (7lb)Tnr: Dan Skelton
Newcastle: Economics camp unleash debutant
The team behind Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics unleash a newcomer in the 7f novice (3.55).
Regalian is a homebred for owner Isa Salman Al Khalifa and the son of Kingman is a half-brother to Theory Of Tides, who won his first two starts for the owner and joint-trainers John and Thady Gosden.
Tom Marquand rides the William Haggas-trained three-year-old on his debut in a race that lacks depth. Haggas has sent two runners to Newcastle so far this year and both of them won, so the fact that Regalian is his sole representative making the 500-mile round trip from Newmarket has to be of note.
Regalian’s likeliest danger is the Harry Charlton-trained debutant Go Out, who cost €90,000 as a yearling and is a half-brother to 2012 Falmouth winner Giofra. Go Out is owned by Mohammed Jaber, who recently sold last year’s Royal Ascot and York Stakes runner-up King’s Gambit to Wathnan Racing.
Jky: Tom Marquand Tnr: William Haggas
Newcastle stat: stable to note
Bryan Smart has a 38 per cent strike-rate (3-8) with three-year-old-plus handicappers at Newcastle this year and saddles the hat-trick seeking Castan (3.20).
Jky: Paul Mulrennan Tnr: Bryan Smart
Taunton: Pipe eyes race repeat
David Pipe won both divisions of the 2m3f novice handicap hurdle (2.25) last year and returns with the lightly raced Missy Mole.
Missy Mole was runner-up in her second point-to-point start but has failed to trouble the principals in six starts over hurdles.
Her mark has dropped by 7lb in three handicap runs and she steps back up in trip to 2m3f after finishing sixth over 2m at Lingfield last time. The daughter of Getaway cost £34,000 last May and given that Pipe has enjoyed success when buying from Paurick and Grainne O’Connor before including with the 132-rated Phantomofthepoints, Missy Mole should be getting competitive soon off a rating of 76.
Pipe won the race with Johannes and Activist last year but they brought a more promising profile into the race as Johannes was making his handicap debut and Activist had won his previous start.
Jky: David Noonan Tnr: David Pipe
Taunton stat: course trainer
Robert Walford has a 43 per cent strike-rate (3-7) at Taunton this season and sends out Grenadier Jed (2.25) and Flash Gorcombe (3.00).
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