Horse Racing Tips: Paul Jacobs’ value plays across the tracks on Sunday

Paul Jacobs’ makes his picks across the tracks.

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12.35 Kelso – Domandlouis
12.55 Fairyhouse – Punitive
1.55 Fairyhouse – Three Stripe Life
2.20 Huntingdon – First Impression

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

12.35 Kelso – Domandlouis

The make-up of this 0-120 rated handicap chase suggest to me that despite a small field of six runners there should be plenty of pace on with the likes of the free running pair If Not For Dylan and Hold The Note set to be at the sharp end throughout.

That should play into the hands of the Lucinda Russell charge who could be a really classy marathon performer in the making as he garners more experience. He always looked way short of pace when he was campaigned over two miles over hurdles, but that is the way that his astute handler likes to campaign her youngsters, bringing them along slowly and then unwinding that almost guaranteed stamina from their pedigree (by Getaway out of a Milan mare) as they gain race experience.

A winner of his final start over hurdles when stepped up to 2m5f from a bare 2m, he simply relished the extra distance when slamming his five rivals at the Borders track, only getting going on the run down to the final flight that afternoon and then powering through the line.

On his chasing debut here, he looked to be going best of all down the far side for the final time, but then got the fourth last all wrong, losing plenty of ground. It took Derek Fox plenty of time to get him back on an even keel, not rushing his partner, but under hands and heels he fired up the home stretch to finish an eye catching closing third of nine. Set to race off the same mark, he could be very nicely handicapped with that experience under his belt.

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12.55 Fairyhouse – Punitive

Of an 11lbs higher mark it will be interesting to see how Irish Grand National hero Lord Lariot fares in this staying handicap chase over the same course and distance as that famous day earlier in the year. Following that ultra game victory he was far from disgraced in grade one company behind Galvin last month.

However, several of his 11 rivals look unexposed over this kind of stamina test and the selection could well be one of the very best bets on what looks a hugely intriguing punting card at the Co Meath track.

He may well be a maiden over the larger obstacles after eight runs, but he been campaigned mainly over two and a half miles. However, when his stamina was finally called into play, the son of Shantou stepped up considerably with a strong finishing third at Cheltenham last month. He couldn’t follow up that promising run as he departed early on in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan last week. He is definitely worth another punting chance in my book.

1.55 Fairyhouse – Three Stripe Life

Strength in depth wise I think this is one of the very best Drinmore Novice Chases for a long time and it’s nice to see a field of 11 set to go to post.

All eyes were on Mighty Potter when he made his chasing debut at Down Royal last month and although he ran out a three and a half length winner from Mars Harper and Largy Debut he seemed to lack an edge. I counted at least three poor jumps during his round and it was only his big engine and heart that eventually got him home. Of course with that experience behind him, Gordon Elliott’s charge could take a major big step forward, but he will need to taking on much better rivals in a vastly different class of race.

Of the other 10 runners, Gaillard Du Mesnil is by far the most experienced in the field, but on several occasions, even over three miles, he looked short of pace so this drop in trip is a huge negative. El Barra surely needs to brush up his jumping and the fact that Mullins runs five here smacks of him not knowing where his number one lies, I suspect Adamantly Chosen could outrun his price of that quintet.

However, the selection could easily boss the lot of them after he jumped for fun when landing a two and a half mile novice chase at Naas with his head in his chest. Gordon Elliot has always regarded this trip as his optimum and hopefully this is merely a stepping stone to the big festivals.

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2.20 Huntingdon – First Impression

I thought that this class three handicap hurdle had a lovely shape to it with a nice mix of exposed, seasonal campaigners up against some progressive sorts that we have yet to see the best of of in their careers.

There are no less than four four-year-olds in the field of 10 and the one I shall be keeping a close eye in the betting from that age group is the Gary Moore trained Privatory. He was quite highly tried last season and was allocated an initial mark of 120 when he finished last of the 12 runners behind Knappers Hill in the big novice championship final hurdle at Sandown beaten fully 70 lengths. However, he was very keen that day and following a mistake two out was eased right down by Jamie Moore. His comeback run at Plumpton at first glance looks poor, beaten 35 lengths, but he was still bang in contention turning for home before weakening badly. If Jamie can get him to settle his reduced rating of 114 looks very interesting.

However, I want to see more and although I may have a saver on him, I much prefer the John Quinn runner. He has caught my eye on more than one occasion with his comeback run in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham a cracking comeback.

A step up to two and a half miles could be in the offing, but a fast run race over the minimum trip could still see him come good and dropped to a mark of 123 he looks potentially well treated here.

Paul Jacobs’ value plays:

12.35 Kelso – Domandlouis
12.55 Fairyhouse – Punitive
1.55 Fairyhouse – Three Stripe Life
2.20 Huntingdon – First Impression

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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