shirleyswonderracingbirmingham

Myler Coppins only had her first pro ride 3 months ago and claims 7 pounds with her SR 16%. Amazed to see 10/1. Twelve months ago this fella was racing off a 13-pound higher mark. I'm prepared to give another chance to him on price alone. He's been well backed in his races of late, in particular at Lingfield last time, going off 13/8 favourite. I think he's a horse who needs his mind made up for him with the rider's claim. He's officially running off a mark twenty pounds lower than this time last year. Whether he's a suitable ride for an inexperienced apprentice we shall see. But this is an awful race even for a Class 6. Some of his best all-weather form has come around here. Considering the price I envisaged on opening triple my 3/1, I cannot let him go unbacked. He won off a mark of 71 back in Aug 2024 over 5 furlongs; I think his optimal trip is 6. This is soft 7 furlongs with a claim. On that line of form he's over 2 stone better off.

Bass Hunter has done nothing wrong and was only run out of things late on in the Bumper at Cheltenham and had a hard race. This might be a quick turnaround; 9/4 is short enough. In what looks a match on paper, LOOK AWAY at 7/2??"I envisaged her being shorter. Fair second on debut at Fairyhouse. Not seen for another 10 months until taking a Pro Am flat race, justifying her short odds. The third has won since, and the runner-up has been placed second again subsequently. Swerved Cheltenham, so comes here fresh. I can see her odds being significantly shorter in 72 hours' time for that reason more is invested than normal. Ofxall his entries this one is Willie Mullins sole runner. Paul Townsend takes the ride

Closed last season with a win in this race. Opening gift in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan back in February should have brushed the vob website away. Comes here fresher than most, having swerved Cheltenham. I'd be disappointed if he were unplaced at rewarding odds of 10/1 with 4 places up for grabs and 11 runners, especially as 5 of these have no chance on form. He represents value at the prices. Stable have been among the winners this week.

Boro vying for automatic promotion and Pompey to avoid relegation. Although Boro are not playing well, they should see off the south coast side, who are in poor form, leaking goals and looking short of confidence. Both sides are winless in their last 5 games; however, Boro's potency in attack against a poor defence gives them the edge.

Two sides that had dire starts to the campaign, but the away side are finishing strongly. The Tigers seem to perform better away from home. I can see them getting a point when they visit the Steel City, as they bid to chase down the second automatic promotion spot to the Promised Land. At the odds, split stakes with the away win or double chance. United are safe from relegation but lacking consistency in a season where a play-off spot was regarded as a given. Near 3/1 looks too big

Amazed to see odds against. SALVATOR MUNDI made all to win at Thurles last time and swerved Cheltenham. Comes here fresh and is a winner here over hurdles last season at this meeting. Looks potentially top drawer. I envisaged 4/5 odds, so some 72 hours prior happy to put up now. There is a danger, which will be an EW play if going to post.

This should be 3 points for the Sky Blues against relegated Wednesday. Coventry overcame their own wobble with 8 wins in their last 10 fixtures and only one loss. Despite their poor performance against Hull on Easter Monday, they should see off a Wednesday side who, despite recent improvement in their two recent draws, lost 8 of their last 10 matches and who have only won 1 and drawn 4 of their 20 away games all season.

East Anglian Derby kicks off the weekend. These two sides, especially the visitors, have promotion pretensions. Norwich lost 1 of their last 6 and won 4. Ipswich won 3 and drew 3. These derbies are closely fought with so much riding on them. I envisage a scoring draw, with neither back line looking solid. The Canaries have an outside chance of the play-offs, 6 points off 6th place. Ipswich lie second.

Exeter are in the bottom four but only two points behind a host of teams in what looks like one remaining place to be decided in terms of relegation. They won't give up without a fight and will be buoyed by the win at home to Doncaster last week; however, that was their first win in a while. They travel to Plymouth, who are two points outside the play-offs and have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5. It will be tight in this West Country derby, but Plymouth look more potent in attack. The last 4 matches between these two sides have been shared, 2 wins apiece.

Bristol City had a season to forget, but temporary manager Hodgson came in. They are 2/2. They look value to extend that against a QPR side that have a similar profile in terms of form. At around 9/4, they look value to continue their form.