Author: Joel Roberts

1m6f  Vintage Crop Stakes (Listed Race)  (4yo+) This trip is well worth a try for the classy LEO DE FURY, a half brother to Derby favourite Luxembourg and by Australia, a strong influence on stamina. He’s a Group Two winner who couldn’t find his best form last season but ran consistently well,…

2m  (1m7f216y) bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)  (Class 2) (4yo+) I don’t think the disappointing Knappers Hill is a worthy favourite here – whatever happened to him needing to go up in trip? It’s a proper handicap with nearly two stone separating top from bottom, though the top rated DOCTOR PARNASSUS…

7f (Str) Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) With respect to Wild Beauty and Jumbly, there’s unexposed depth to this race and it might pay to take a chance on HEAT OF THE MOMENT at 16/1. A 33/1 winner on debut, she showed a…

3m½f (3m149y) JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Flooring Porter was much the best at Cheltenham for the second year running but Aintree is an altogether different test and his exertions might level the playing field – he was very disappointing at Punchestown last year. THYME…

2m4f Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) I was sweet on WALKING ON AIR as a Ballymore contender before he was ruled out, and nothing puts me off here. He was uber impressive on debut and has always been spoken of by connections as a…

2m4f 20 Years Together, Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) A non-runner when put up at Ascot earlier this year, HIGHWAY ONE O TWO is worth an each-way bet in the opener. His Lanzarote Hurdle form – for which he only went up 1lb –…

2m4f (2m3f200y) (Mildmay) SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) I’m not sure what PIC D’ORHY needs to do to be favourite here. He’s 7/2 and the clear form pick – confirmed by official ratings who have him 5lb ahead of next best. Flat tracks really suit him and…

1m  Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Nakheel (Group 2) (Dirt)  (3yo+) Having lowered the Meydan 7f track record not once but twice this season, STORM DAMAGE is surely the best horse in this race based off his turf form. The big question is whether he can translate that to the dirt and stay the mile…

1m  Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Nakheel (Group 2) (Dirt)  (3yo+) Having lowered the Meydan 7f track record not once but twice this season, STORM DAMAGE is surely the best horse in this race based off his turf form. The big question is whether he can translate that to the dirt and stay…

3m2½f (3m2f70y) (New) Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) Last year’s Gold Cup saw A Plus Tard and Minella Indo surpass the form of dual winner Al Boum Photo, and to me that is the standard everything else have to reach. For me, only one horse has reached that…