Wednesday 25th April 2018

14:10 Epsom

A competitive sprint to open the card at Epsom with a few of the usual suspects in the lineup. Boom The Groom made an encouraging start to the year, finishing second on his first two starts back in January, but he has disappointed since. Having said that, he is now down to a mark of 93, 3lb lower than when second (beaten a head) on one of those occasions in January, and with his trainer in flying form at present, it would be no shock if he got his head back in front here. Just That Lord comes here after bolting up on the sand at Lingfield and bids to take advantage of a turf mark which is 5lb lower than his new all-weather rating, and is just 1lb higher than when second in this contest last year. Having said that there doesn't look to be much juice in his current price so I am looking elsewhere. The one I like here is Justanotherbottle for Declan Carroll. He ran in some top handicap sprints towards the backend of last season and this race could suit him well. Declan Carroll's gelding ran a huge race in the Portland at Doncaster on St Leger day, finishing third off a mark of 93, then followed up that effort at York on his final start of the campaign finishing third in another big field handicap. He raced as though he'd improve for the run on his seasonal debut at Doncaster last month and gets to race off the same mark as in the Portland and although it is a slight concern he has never raced at Epsom, I'm willing to take a chance each-way at odds of 14/1. The in-form Tavener is also worthy of a mention with Andrea Atzeni on board again, but he might find it difficult to dominate from the front here.

Justanotherbottle 14/1 - 1 Point Each-Way


16:50 Lingfield

Not the most imaginative selection here, but I can't see past the favourite in the Lingfield opener. No More Thrills was impressive when winning a seven furlong novice event at Chelmsford two starts back and subsequently found the six furlongs here at Lingfield a bit on the sharp side. She rattled home last time out, stepped back up to seven furlongs off a mark of 75 on her handicap debut, she could prove difficult to beat. Even more so given the scintillating form of her handler, with four of his last eight runners winning. Another runner who will appreciate the return to seven furlongs is Line House, who has to be a danger with the return to Polytrack unlikely to pose any problems. While any significant market support for Archie Watson's debutant It's Not Unusual would have to be taken seriously, although new recruits tend to do better on their second start for Watson.

No More Thrills 7/2 - 2 Points Win


18:55 Lingfield

Plenty with claims in this, particularly Unforgiving Minute, who despite racing keenly early on was only a neck behind the prolific Spare Parts last time at Kempton. He finished off his race strongly that day suggesting this step up to a mile will suit, and there is no better jockey to have on board round Lingfield than Adam Kirby. However, there is one at a double figure price who interests me here in the shape of Wink Oliver. On the face of it this may look an odd selection, he is fairly inconsistent and he has never won off a mark this high, but he was a massive eye-catcher on his latest start over this course and distance. He was held up and cruised through the race and was the last horse off the bridle, the gaps didn't quite come for him at the right times that day but he still managed to finish just a length behind My Target, who got a much clearer run. He is 2lb better off with that rival today and I think he is the value play given he is double the price. Holiday Magic has been running well on the fibresand at Southwell and is a big danger under SDS.

Wink Oliver 12/1 - 0.5 Points Each-Way