Mick Fitzgerald’s Lucky 31 Tips
14:10 Clap of Thunder
14:45 Regatta De Blanc
15:15 Juventus De Brion
15:50 Good Boy Bobby
16:25 Destroytheevidence
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at the time of publishing but subject to change.
14:10 Clap of Thunder
A 2m novice hurdle gets us underway as we officially start the new National Hunt season in the UK. Nigel Twiston-Davies usually has his string well forward in the early part of the season and Clap Of Thunder ridden by his son, Sam, fits the bill. The four-year-old travelled to Ireland for a valuable sales bumper last season, when a well beaten second to Kopek Des Bordes.
He’s been sold by the trainer since and looks set to make his mark as a novice hurdler this campaign. French Ship and Kap Boy could be others who should get competitive and be ones to watch for in the weeks and months ahead.
14:45 Regatta De Blanc
A 2m 3f mares race where Regatta De Blanc is a multiple point-to-point winner and should be returning to the winners enclosure for Paul Nicholls. This looks an ideal opportunity for the six-year-old to win her first race over hurdles.
15:15 Juventus De Brion
The Persian War novices hurdle is usually an informative Grade 2 contest and the Irish challenger Intense Approach is towards the head of the market. He sets a good standard off a mark of 130 but I’m not convinced by his jumping. Juventus De Brion looks interesting for the Skeltons. He’s been given time to develop since a very good run at Ascot when a close-up third to Pic Roc and Inthewaterside (now both rated in the 130s) when only a baby last season. The Skelton’s wouldn’t throw him in at the deep end unless they thought he’d really improved for the time off during the summer. He looks a bit of value in this tricky contest.
15:50 Good Boy Bobby
A veteran’s handicap chase where Good Boy Bobby can repeat last year’s win. The now 11-year-old stayed on strongly to beat Aye Right last year and is just 1lb higher in the weights now. Proven form at Chepstow is always a positive. He can be another winner for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies.
16:25 Destroytheevidence
Kim Bailey has his team in good form and Destroytheevidence has some smart hurdles form in the book as he embarks on a chasing career, in this novices handicap. A good back-to-back winner at Kempton last season, his form tailed off a bit after that but he can make his presence felt over the larger obstacles.
Friday’s racing Tips
14:10 Clap of Thunder
14:45 Regatta De Blanc
15:15 Juventus De Brion
15:50 Good Boy Bobby
16:25 Destroytheevidence
*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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