Monday 30th April 2018


17:35 Thirsk

 Only advising a small bet in this race so I will try and keep this short and sweet. Zig Zag was having just his second start for Phillip Kirby on Wednesday and that was off the back of a 213 day absence. He shaped as though he may have needed the run and based on some of his hurdles form when in the care of Joseph O'Brien, and his official hurdle rating of 125, he looks potentially chucked in off 57 today. On jockey bookings he could be the perceived second string, but Callum Rodriguez claims a valuable 3lb and he could go well at an each-way price.

Zig Zag 9/1 - 0.5 Points Each-Way


18:20 Southwell

 Battle Lines sets the standard here with an official rating of 77 but he has been a frustrating horse for his backers, failing to fulfil his early promise and still yet to register a number one on his form figures. Having said that, the form of his recent second at Chelmsford was given a boost when the fourth outran huge odds on the Rowley mile to finish second on his next start. I will still be looking to find a slightly less exposed alternative in this though. Given his excellent strike rate here, it pays to keep Andrew Balding's runners at Southwell on your side and Face Like Thunder looks like he's one to back here. He ran a race full of promise at Leicester on his second start back in October sticking to the task well, finishing third and just a neck behind Cuban Heel who was rated 77 and was beaten only a neck at Epsom on Wednesday. Andrew Balding's charge has been gelded since and with his string in fine form at the moment, it is expected he will be ripe and ready for this contest. Raaqyah is likely to prove popular with a handy fillies allowance on her side, but she made no significant ground up on an admittedly impressive newcomer over course and distance and could only manage third. Convinced is another worthy of mention on his first start after wind surgery and switching from Richard Hannon to Archie Watson.

Face Like Thunder 4/1 - 1.5 Points Win

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