Paul Jacobs’ Sunday Racing Tips
14:30 Exeter – Malton Groove
15:05 Down Royal – Intent Approach
15:15 Plumpton – Royal Pretender
15:50 Plumpton – Blame The Game
*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.
14:30 Down Royal – Malton Groove
Perfect Pupil won nicely enough over the course and distance last month, but now that his young jockey cannot claim off him, the son of Leading Light is fully 14lbs higher in the weights. And even if this is a race with very little strength in depth I suspect he may find it hard to double up.
On her fourth at Musselburgh in a novice event earlier in the season, I couldn’t put anyone off the mare Noble Annys especially as she runs off a low mark. But her last two runs have been massively disappointing, leading me away from her and toward MALTON GROOVE.
He wasn’t suited by the way the race was run last time out at Navan in a Listed novice handicap chase and this looks a much better opening giving weight away to lesser animals. Add to that there seems to be the possibility of a much more pace on here and this hold-up charge, who has low mileage with only five career starts could well be one of the better bets of the afternoon.
15:05 Down Royal – Intent Approach
Even though there are only eight in the race, this looks like one of the more difficult contests on the card and therefore offers plenty of alternatives. I was first drawn to El Capitane moving up to this trip for the first time. He has always looked as though a relative test of stamina would suit him and it is worth noting that his last start at Navan was his first for 399 days so there should be another step forward in sharpness here.
More was obviously expected from Annaghbeg last time out, but I’m not sure this is his trip and I much prefer the claims of INTENT APPROACH. Like the top weight, the Charles Byrnes runner remains relatively unexposed and shaped much better than his finishing position suggested over two and a half miles at Punchestown two outings back.
The drop back to a bare two miles was a total waste of time at Naas last time out, so, I am hoping this first run over the intermediate trip will be his port of call with Aileen O’Sullivan taking a further 7lbs off his back.
15:15 Plumpton – Royal Pretender
Joe Anderson’s rodeo trick enabled Transmission to land a valuable prize here over the course and distance at the beginning of January. He then ran well in a much better grade three handicap hurdle at Sandown Park before being tailed off at Uttoxeter in a class two hurdle. A pound lower in an easier race, he could play a part here if he remains on top of his game, but there are plenty of alternatives to him getting bundles of weight, none more so than ROYAL PRETENDER.
Some 2lbs lower than when second on his seasonal debut at Exeter, this lightly raced eight-year-old has only been seen on the race course on two further occasions, but in both races, he has faded rather tamely. Given time to freshen up, the Alan King-trained charge is down to his lowest-ever handicap mark and I shall be disappointed if he can’t be involved at the sharp end in receipt of 4lbs from the top weight under the astute Tom Cannon.
15:50 Plumpton – Blame The Game
I thought this was the best betting race of the day with a good spread in the weights which is the shape that a handicap should always be; a 27lbs differential from top to bottom weight. I See You Well has a tremendous record around here over several different trips and on his second over the course and distance behind Blade Runner in November he has to be a player with anything like a clear round.
However, I am a big fan of BLAME THE GAME, another C&D winner from a stable having a cracking season. This bay gelding hasn’t won in nine outings since a good ground success at Doncaster in November 2022 and is now 2lbs lower in the weights. The deep ground in better races wouldn’t have been his cup of tea recently and if the surface dries out again then he has solid each-way claims. Of the remainder, Head On is another outsider becoming very well treated (5lbs below his last winning mark) and any positive movement in the market should be noted.
Paul Jacobs’ Sunday Racing Tips
14:30 Exeter – Malton Groove
15:05 Down Royal – Intent Approach
15:15 Plumpton – Royal Pretender
15:50 Plumpton – Blame The Game
*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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