We had a fairly average day yesterday with the NAP winning for the third consecutive day, along with five other winners and five seconds. Let's hope we can carry on that good form on Saturday.
April 1 is a pertinent day because it marks the return of flat racing on the turf in Britain with Doncaster hosting the annual curtain-raiser of the flat season. Racing also takes place over the jumps at Stratford and Uttoxeter, whilst whilst All-Weather meetings take place at Kempton in the afternoon and Chelsmford in the evening. Navan in Ireland hosts a jump meeting.
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Here are the selections...
Foxy to prove Forever too hot to trot at Chelmsford
6:15: Chelmsford City - Bless Him 15/8 NAP.
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Heavily backed on his debut but just found one too good that day. Entered in the 2000 Guineas, this superbly bred son of Sea The Stars should improve markedly for that outing.
7:15: Chelmsford City - Foxy Forever 4/1.
Won at Wolverhampton last time and a 2lb rise seems pretty fair in this event. There could be more to come from him now he has got his head in front and it's interesting that he has won off this mark before.
8:45: Chelmsford City - Mighty Zip 8/1.
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Disqualified after being first past the post here last time over five furlongs. The step up to six furlongs is manageable and he looks interesting at a big price.
Antarctic to cause a Storm at Doncaster
1:50: Doncaster - Absolutely So 6/1 and Blue Bayou 25/1.
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Absolutely So was not particularly over course and distance in November but he goes well fresh and is interesting at a prince.
Blue Bayou didn't make the frame in two starts last year but the daughter of Bahamian Bounty was a Group Three winner as a two-year-old. Brian Meehan is a canny handler who places his horses well and at a massive price, he is interesting.
2:25: Doncaster - Ballet Concerto 8/1.
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Landed back-to-back successes at Kempton and Yarmouth in August before finishing a narrow second at Thirsk last time. He looks a strong staying and this race could be run to suit.
3:00: Doncaster - Stormy Antarctic 4/1.
Easy winner of the Craven Stakes last season and soft in the going description here will be a massive help. Ran better than the bare result suggests in the QEII on Champions Day when he was sixth to Minding and a reproduction of that effort would make him very hard to beat here.
3:35: Doncaster - Yuften 5/1 and Instant Attraction 25/1.
The focus of an ante-post gamble for this event, Yuften was a fast-finishing third in a Listed event at Wolverhampton last time which should have put him spot on for this.
Instant Attraction is also interesting at a price given he ran well in some big-field handicaps last year before putting in his worst performance of the season in the Irish Cambridgeshire. He'll enjoy a fast pace here and he represents solid each way value.
5:20: Doncaster: Wasatch Range 15/8
Early season turf maidens are never easy but Wasatch Range was an excellent third over a mile at Nottingham in November. The step up to a mile and a quarter should help and he should be in the frame.
Final to finish fast at Kempton
1:30: Kempton - Amlad 2/1
Run four times in maidens but Ed Dunlop persists with trying to win one instead of heading down the handicap route. That loos interesting enough and he has a strong chance in this event.
3:15: Kempton - Final 8/1
Has been in sensational form on the All-Weather this year and whilst this is a hot contest, it could pay to stick with a horse running in the form of his life.
3:50: Kempton - Arabian Hope 4/5
Fourth at Newmarket in what has turned out to be a decent race in May. That looks the strongest form on offer and this three-year-old son of Distorted Humour is taken to get his head in front at the second time of asking.
4:25: Kempton - Brief Visit 6/4
Has been off the track for 248 days but was a decisive winner at Leicester on her last start, quickening up well under today's jockey. Has to prove he will act on the All-Weather but he could prove to a class above these.
Build me up Buttercup at Uttoxeter
3:05: Uttoxeter - Silverhow 2/1
Raised 8lb for his win last time but Nicky Henderson is in desperate need of winners to maintain his position at the top of the trainer's championship and the race Patricia Pugh's gelding won last time looked better than this event.
3:40: Uttoxeter - Buttercup 15/8
Seeking a four-timer and a further 6lb rise in the weights might not be enough to stop him as he was very impressive again last time at Haydock, when beating some solid yardsticks with a bloodless five-length victory.
Californication for Redhotfillypeppers at Navan
4:00: Navan - Oscar Knight 5/1
Sixth over fences last time in which he jumped terribly and did brilliantly to finish as close as he did. Reverting back to hurdles here looks a great move off a mark 20lb lower than his chase rating. He is a very interesting runner.
4:35: Navan - Balbir Du Mathan 9/2
Pulled in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time but today could finally be his chance to gain his first success over fences.
5:10: Navan - Hurricane Darwin 12/1 and Guiding George 25/1
Hurricane Darwin won on his second start over fences and interesting has since been switched back to hurdles in his last two outings. Reverting back to fences could prove a profitable move in this open-looking event.
Guiding George is a massive price but has joined one of Ireland's shrewdest operators Tony Martin from Dan Skelton. Has to overcome a 611 day absence but he could be worth chancing here.
5:40: Navan - Redhotfillypeppers 7/4
I was at Sandown last time where this expensive daughter of Robin Des Champs pulled like a cart early on and struggled to see out the trip. She needs to learn to settle but I do think she has a touch more quality about her than today's rivals.
Each-Way Double
3:15: Kempton - Final 8/1
3:35: Doncaster - Yuften 5/1
Words By: Danny Archer
