Author: Joel Roberts

2m4f Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (5yo+) On balance THE YELLOW CLAY is the play here as he’s 3/3 over hurdles and progressed as a bumper horse to finish a strong second in the Punchestown Champion Bumper, where Cheltenham bumper winner Jasmine De Vaux was well beaten and…

2m4½f (2m4f118y) Coral Racing Club Join For Free Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-135) MR HOPE STREET has the profile of an improving horse having won four of his last five. He’s a very sound jumper and will stay this trip comfortably. Described as raw last season and aged six-rising-seven, he should have plenty…

2m (Winter) Ladbrokes ‘Gaffer Of All Accas’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140) Top of market is dodgy here. Willmount hasn’t completed in two of his three hurdle starts, Valgrand was shocking on handicap debut, Jet Powered hasn’t been seen since pulling up over a year ago, and Aucunrisque is…

2m Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) Romeo Coolio looks like a dodgy favourite here as he’s got very little fight in a finish and fluffed his lines in the Royal Bond. Sea Of Sands, like most by Sea The Stars, is a dodgy jumper and Patrick…

3m Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) An excellent betting heat this year with no clear favourite and good ground, which really helps narrow the field. I can’t have Grey Dawning who had a brutal race in the Betfair Chase and tends to jump…

3m Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Rarely does the phrase horses for courses apply so well as this particular course and distance, and I’m concerned about The Jukebox Man’s tendency to hang left here. I’m not sure Massacio…

1m7½f (1m7f152y) Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) DYSART ENOS is a confident selection here as I’ve been waiting to back her in this race ever since she crossed the line in the Greatwood. Many forget this race is a furlong shorter than the Greatwood and…

1m7½f (1m7f99y) Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Sandown goes ahead despite storm Darragh with Jonbon a warm order for back to back Tingle Creeks. In horrible weather with strong winds and bad ground this race smells of an upset. I’ve come down on MASTER CHEWY being overpriced at…

2m3½f (2m3f150y) John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+) A brilliant race full of Grade 1 winners, but this is very much a season opener for all and the question for punters is who is ready to win. Fact To File lost first time up last year and will…

2m3½f (2m3f58y) Howden Ascot Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) I’d be pretty sweet on LUCKY PLACE being overpriced here. He’s significantly wrong at the weights with Thunder Rock but that horse hasn’t been seen over hurdles since 2022 and his highest hurdles rating was marginally below…