Paul Jacobs’ Sunday Racing Tips
14:10 Doncaster – Priscillas Wish
15:25 Salisbury – Valadero
17:45 Thirsk – Mondammej
18:15 Thirsk – Billy No Mates
*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.
14:10 Doncaster – Priscillas Wish
This first division of the 7f event at the top of the card is probably the strongest of the pair, but it still offers a cracking chance for the top weight to return to winning form. A winner off 78 last year, the bay mare was then given some tough tasks up to as high as class two level.
Two runs this season have seen PRISCILLAS WISH run cracking warm ups and now seems the time to strike on her third successive run in a class five contest. I thought that a bit too much use was made of her last time out at Yarmouth last time out behind the rejuvenated Society Lion when to an extent she had to be part of the ‘team’ that made the pace in the race.
A more patient ride should unveil a better performance here against lesser opponents. Any of the rain forecast will not count against the likes of the very well treated Zu Run (may be worth a saver if backed at huge odds) and the unexposed Falcon.
15:25 Salisbury – Valadero
Racing wide early followed by being very keen on his starts at Yarmouth and Newbury make for viable excuses for VALADERO who was rated 82 some eight months ago but is now down to a rating of 65. But that handicap fall from grace alone is not a reason to back an obviously declining handicapper.
What is though is my view that Tom Queally was riding him for the first time just to get a handle on him. Despite running very keen, the jockey was at huge pains to keep him out the back of the pack instead of letting him have his head and at least get into race at Newbury.
Based on his first two career runs in novice company at Doncaster/Thirsk and two career bests at Wolverhampton, this 11 race maiden needs to be hidden in mid-field to show his best form and without a shadow of a doubt to not see any daylight.
This could be his day to finally visit the hallowed winner’s enclosure. Of his rivals, Rich Harry has to be better than he has shown so far and now cheekpieces are added, while New Kings Road should be suited to this stiff uphill finish better than the flat track at Kempton last time. He could be very fairly treated off a basement level mark of 62.
17:45 Thirsk – Mondammej
This speed contest is full of early toe and those set to be at the sharp end are mainly drawn middle to low headed by last week’s Achilles Stakes eighth Tees Spirit. And to be fair there are plenty of mid-div and hold up charges ready to take advantage of a likely pace collapse. Intrinsic Bond is handicapped to be involved here off a mark of 90, but as a presser and sometimes front runner I am worried that he too will be drawn into a battle too early.
The same remarks goes for Lethal Nymph (drawn high). He too has looked very nicely treated for a while and may well be the best of those at the top end if Joe Fanning manages to hold a bit back for late on. But the vote goes to confirmed the hold-up runner and veteran speedster right at the bottom of the weights, MONDAMMEJ. It has been a long time since the seven-year-old held onto a gold medal, his last win off 97 at Wolves in 2021.
Placed since off marks of 104, 102 and more recently off 94, he finally showed signs of some return to form when just beaten over four lengths by Clarendon House at York two outings back. He should get a lovely tow into this race and if getting some cover, the veteran could well be a surprise player.
18:15 Thirsk – Billy No Mates
I love the make-up of this race and with enough rain expected at the track over the weekend this could be more of a test of stamina than first appeared. Jack Channon had a welcome winner on Thursday at Newbury after going through a fallow time in the past few weeks following a decent start to the season. His Rathgar has to be a major player despite being in the wrong place at the wrong time at Salisbury last time, despite a never nearer third of 12 behind Kyle of Lochalsh.
Once again this race looks to be top heavy with those that like to race at the sharp end and that means that Kitsune Power was also an obvious player after running well down the home stretch here last time. However, I am worried about the impending weather forecast and the selection baton is passed over to the old boy of the party, BILLY NO MATES.
Unlike plenty of those at the top of the market, any further ease in the ground would be a plus for this grand eight-year-old. His run at Doncaster showed he retains almost all of his ability. Connor Beasley taking over in the saddle from a claimer is a huge plus as he takes a deal of knowing.
Paul Jacobs’ Sunday Racing Tips
14:10 Doncaster – Priscillas Wish
15:25 Salisbury – Valadero
17:45 Thirsk – Mondammej
18:15 Thirsk – Billy No Mates
*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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