Author: Joel Roberts

2m (2m11y) Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4) (4yo+) The top two in the market here concede a stone to the mare FOLLOWANGO of whom Isobel Williams takes off another 3lbs. That’s a huge amount of weight in what could be very testing ground.…

3m Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) I’ve been waiting for the betting markets to latch onto Hermes Allen here and ease the prices of others as he’s the obvious favourite after such an impressive start to life over…

3m Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) You can throw stones at most of these. Allaho’s best form is two seasons old and he goes left at his fences, Shishkin might not start and hasn’t had a prep run, Bravemansgame has regressed since his second in the…

3m½f (3m97y) Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Another case of young guns trying to dethrone the old guard Paisley Park, Dashel Drasher and Champ from top British staying races. I struggle to find much to like about Crambo’s chances and he’s 8lb wrong with…

1m7½f (1m7f152y) Betfair Exchange Trophy (A Handicap Hurdle) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 1/5 1-4 With 11 runners and bookies paying four places, this looks like an each-way betting race. Iberico Lord is going to improve when he steps up in trip but his stamina might not come into play here over what’s…

I’ve backed FIREFOX for Ballymore success off the back of his defeat of Willie Mullins’s Ballyburn in a maiden hurdle. It’s pretty clear he and Down Memory Lane are the two talking horses from Gordon Elliott’s yard this season and I’m not expecting anything else to come from the leftfield…

2m (1m7f216y) Rachael Blackmore Serial Winners Fund Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-150) I shortlisted four for this race. Arqoob, Bucksy Des Empieres, Punta Del Este and finally JILAIJONE, who gets the verdict at the biggest price of the four. This is a very solid and consistent handicapper who’s placed in every…

2m4½f (2m4f118y) Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-150) A good betting race with plenty having chances. Jet Powered made my shortlist because he’s always had a big reputation and ran too bad to be true on his second hurdles run. Off a mark of 131 you’d have to say…

2m4f (2m3f187y) Coral John Francome Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Formerly Known As The Berkshire) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Hermes Allen is the right favourite here as he’s a Grade 1 winner at the track over hurdles, but he struggled to make a mark in two Grade 1s thereafter and is a little exposed.…

2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) LUCCIA ticks a lot of boxes here. Like half of this race’s winners in the last decade, she’s only five and has loads of scope to improve past her 136 rating. She has Grade 1 form…