Ginger Joe Racing

The 2m4f handicap hurdle is a pretty open race and even though there are bits of form floating around, none are that consistent which makes them hard to trust. However, Tomas O’Maille (best price 11/2) has been steadily progressive and I think he is still a little bit better than his current mark of 105. He won at Balinrobe over 2m5f, he then went back and ran well over 2m6f, and after a 76 day break he returned to action over 2 miles and ran with great credit to finish second. That 2 mile trip is probably a little on the sharp side for him really so with that run under his belt, and the step back up in trip, we should see him prove to be even more effective. He is a very consistent horse which is more than you can say for most in the field, and I expect a solid performance out of him today.

I want to take a chance on Bryant (best price 6/1) here who is still a maiden after four starts to date. He does however have some nice form in the book and his 5 length 3rd behind the progressive Furthur is worth plenty in a weak looking race like this. What is also significant is the fact that he makes his first start for Adrian Murray here and the stable are in great form of late. Bryant has confirmed form on this sort of ground and the step up in trip could well see him improve. He offers plenty in this race and the fact he is backable at an each-way price has tempted me in.

The 2m6f novice hurdle looks to be a good race despite having just four runners. I do however think Knight’s Affair (best price 13/8) is the standout selection for the Jamie Snowden team.

He has only had the three hurdle starts to date, but he has improved nicely with the experience shaping like this longer trip will suit him.

So far he has been a really slick jumper of his hurdles and It’s highly unlikely that we have seen the best of him yet. I expect him to take another step forward here, and he should be very tough to beat.

This race features plenty of unexposed 3yo’s who look well treated, with favourite Revoir the standout for Ralph Beckett. She’s a classy type and should be seen to best effect if they go a strong gallop. Wujjood and Azaniya also look capable of better, but I’m siding with the 5yo Rose Prick (best price 11/1) for Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark. She has plenty of ability, and while wins haven’t been regular, this 1m2f trip could bring out further improvement. She was third over the distance on her penultimate start, then returned from a break with a solid 8th of 23 in the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot. She’s entitled to step forward from that run, and the return to 1m2f looks a big plus. She is worth a squeak.

Brave Soldier (best price 5/1) gets the vote in the 2m4f handicap hurdle and he comes into this race on the back of two good efforts in defeat.

He ran well in a handicap hurdle at Balinrobe and then built on that to finish fourth in a decent enough novice hurdle.

He is seemingly only just getting to grips with his racing, but that leaves him very much unexposed off this mark, and he could be better handicapped than most in the lineup. Won’t need to improve to get heavily involved here. BRAVE SOLDIER 1pt each-way 11/2

There are a fair few out of form horses in the lineup here, but Torquay Road (best price 6/1) has been running well and could still be on the improve. He won here over course and distance last season and even though his form dropped off for a while, his last two starts have been a big step back in the right direction.

If he builds on them efforts, then he comes here with a big chance and looks more appealing than most. His jumping has been pretty solid and whilst he is starting to find his form again, the 6/1 is enough value to tempt me in with 5 places available. TORQUAT ROAD 1pt each-way at 6/1 (5)

The Tote Handicap Chase over 2m3f looks a wide open contest and A Nod To Getaway is worth a mention. He’s certainly been difficult to win with, but now runs off a significantly lower mark than his hurdles rating. A clear round of jumping would see him get competitive, though his tendency to make mistakes is the big concern. Crowsatedappletart arrives on a hat-trick bid and surely goes well again, but the one I like most is Finnians Row (best price 5/1), who actually finished fourth behind him last time out. That run came after a 183-day break, and he shaped with a lot of promise. He lost his position mid-race over 2 miles before staying on well late and that makes this step up in trip look ideal. He’s now just 2lb higher than his last winning mark and is entitled to come on plenty for that reappearance. In an open race, he appeals as one who could improve and the 5/1 is solid value.