Blazing Griddles

Early Spring horse who seems to run its best races in April and May with form figures of 2, 2, 3, 5, 1, 2, of which three of those were over CD, 2, 2, 3. Goes well fresh and is currently 5 lb below its highest winning mark, a worthy e/w shout at 13/2.

I was going to have another day off, but I can't let Another Choice go at a massive 80/1. Thirteen of the last 21 winners of this race have won carrying 10st 6 lb or less, so that leaves just five to concentrate on, and Another Choice ticks a lot of boxes, especially his 2nd over CD 114 days ago. The 3rd horse that day, Daily Present, won a big handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, and that one also runs today, currently 25/1, so that form stacks up well. The trainer has gone for a very experienced jockey today, which adds more confidence. My only concern here is the horse likes to come from off the pace, and in a big field like this, that will not be easy, hence why the more experienced jockey is booked. Has to be worth a couple of quid e/w with 6 places on offer at 80/1.

All his best form has come in the spring months, including a 3rd of 16 on this card last year over 2.4 miles. He had a warm-up run over the sticks 10 days ago at Naas. Very little effort was involved that day, and connections probably had this race in mind. This won't take a lot of winning. The 17/2 on offer looks a sound each way bet if all eight go to post. If not, then straight win.

Finished 2nd in this race last year and 2nd again over C&D in January. Similar ground conditions again today. Trainer has a 19% strike rate with its chasers. Looks a solid e/w bet to nothing at 11/2.

A tricky little race and the betting suggests just that. I'm siding with Quest With Speed, who was given a very tame ride last time out at Cork, finishing 10th of 20 with very little effort from the saddle. He came good in April last year when 2nd of 24 at Punchestown, with today's current favorite, Milltown Lady, a further 11 lengths away. Racing off 1 lb lower today and has also won at this course in the past. Paddy Hanlon, claiming 7 lb, is also back in the saddle. The trainer looks to be coming into form as well. Looks a decent e/w bet at 15/2.

Ticks a lot of boxes. Won three out of five at the course, once over CD in this race two years ago off the same mark as today. Went well after a break last season when 2nd of 12 at 33/1 at Uttoxeter. Trainer's last three runners have all run well with one of them winning. I really can't see a negative for a horse who knows how to win races as he's won 8 from 42 starts. The 18/1 is way too big in this small field. Looks a good e/w bet to me.

Ticks a lot of boxes, especially with his course form 3, 1, 4 over the larger obstacles and also won over hurdles. His 4th in a big field here only 19 days ago last time out was stretching his stamina, and the drop back in trip makes sense. Also, nicely weighted 1 lb below the highest winning mark. The trainer only has a small string of horses, and its last runner outran its odds. My only slight worry is the ground for this horse, but his opponents haven't shown much form on it either. The 12/1 on offer in a 14-horse race is slightly shorter than I would ideally want, but there are a few in here that look to have absolutely no chance. So with 4 places on offer, I'm happy to go e/w and still show a small profit should he only place and not win.

I've been tipping a lot of this trainer's horses at big prices each way in the past 6 months and have made a nice tidy profit. He has another big-priced runner again here. Dreams Fled Away's recent form looks very poor, but that one run at Fakenham tells me he's capable of winning this race. He finished a close 2nd of 8, and the form of that race is working out well. Jockey Isabelle Ryder has started riding for this stable, and she can ride, mind you, and is taking off 7 lb today. I think the 90-day break would have done this horse good and is worth an each way punt at 20/1.