3:12 Market Rasen: Class 1 Summer Plate

Hang In There 22/1

Likes the easier fences at Market Rasen rather than places like Cheltenham ~ which is why he goes well in these top grade races when the emphasis is not so much on jumping ~ because he's a bit scratchy at times.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 14/1 from 22's) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, mistake 2 out and faded, 7th.

4:10 Sandown

Threeunderthrufive 28/1

Paul Nicholls horse looking to atone for a not so great Grand National run. Looks very generously priced at 28/1 to me. I'll play.

Result⏵ (PU 33/1) Midfield, dropped to rear 17th, pulled up after 4 out, PU

• Sandown 4:10⏵ Bet365 Gold Cup Race Preview⏵ Geedee
• Sandown⏵ Whitbread Gold Cup Day 2025⏵ Steve Mullington

3:59 Perth

Chasing Fire 20/1

Probably needed the last run. If fully fit, will give these plenty to think about with Lewis Saunders on board claiming 7lb, bringing Chasing Fire's mark down to a career low 124.

Result⏵ (3rd 11/1) Waited with in last trio, headway chasing leaders out wide before 2 out where not fluent, went 3rd between last two, ridden hung right and no extra run-in, 3rd.

5:36 Perth

Gemini Man 18/1

1st time in a handicap over the jumps and may well prove a to be a real handful, even in such a large field, with Charlie Maggs on board claiming a very handy 5lb.

Result⏵ (PU 28/1)

4:45 Kelso

Destiny Is All 22/1

Goes well over the distance from this kind of mark. Looks to have been underestimated, judging by the 22/1 price on offer at the moment.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 20/1) in touch in mid-division, jumped right at times, lost place before 9th, well beaten after 2 out, 6th.

4:19 Newton Abbot

Galop De Chasse 28/1

Comes from the Venetia Williams yard fit, but not running brilliantly. A good day to bounce back to form from a decent mark, at huge odds, now the rain has come and he has the heavy going he likes.

Result⏵ (PU 22/1) Always in rear, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, PU.

5:29 Newton Abbot

Christopher Wood 18/1

Another from the Venetia Williams (@𝕏) stable. Currently running at 30lb lower than his best. I thought he showed a glimmer last time out. Has been sent back hurdling, which I'm taking as a sign the big fences have been getting in his way. If that's the case, he could well leave these way behind from today's mark over the smaller obstacles. If so, it'll be another smart training performance from a master trainer.

Result⏵ (3rd 40/1) Led, not fluent 8th, hit 3 out and soon headed, ridden home turn, stayed on one pace 2 out, 3rd.

2:45 Cheltenham

All The Glory 33/1

• Rated 12lb above his nearest rival.
• Jockey Lewis Saunders claims 7lb.
• Priced up as a 33/1 no~hoper in a hugely competetive race.
• Goes on the good going well enough.
• I'll take my chances at the odds.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 40/1) Started in the rear, raced in the rear, never put into the race.

2:18 Stratford

Grillon De Monty 25/1

Comes from the Oxfordshire based yard of Stephen Allen ~ who currently trains 2 horses and has never had a winner.

Grillon De Monty, once of the Skelton stables, has a modicum of ability with 3 French cross country chases to his name, and will be looking to break the trainer's duck. After a 2 year break, 3 runs in 3 months should mean he's fit enough if good enough. At the prices, on the fast going, I'll take my chances, as the horse has a reasonable effort under his belt running on good to firm also.

Result⏵ (PU 18/1) Led 1st, headed 5th, led 8th, headed before 9th, lost place and pulled up before 4 out, PU.

2:55 Ayr (ITV)

Pinot Rouge 28/1

Hinted at a return to form last time out. The Susan Corbett yard will be hopeful she continues that progression. I think she may just do that. Hence, she looks way overpriced to me.

Result⏵ (PU 16/1) held up towards rear, mistake 8th, well beaten after next, pulled up before 2 out. PU.

3:35 Ayr⏵ Scottish Grand National (ITV)

Our Power 40/1

Went well in the 2023 Aintree National until nearly falling, then weakening 2 out. 2 years later off the similar mark, over the slightly shorter Scottish National course, I think he's a danger to them all at a price.

Result⏵ (3rd 33/1) Chased leaders on inside, not fluent 9th, every chance 2 out, lost 2nd before last, no extra flat, 3rd.

• 3:35 Ayr⏵ Mr Incredible 100/1 (PU 66/1)

• Excellent Write Up Of The Scottish Grand National by Geedee

2:45 Kelso

Gold Des Bois 33/1

Never won over 2.5m so it's hardly surprising he's not all the rage. Used to run off a stone higher though and ran ok over the distance without winning, especially on today's going. Today might be the day. I make him half the price he is currently.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 40/1) held up towards rear, not always fluent, struggling 10th, behind 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, PU

4:27 Plumpton

Hardy Buck 33/1

Ran well enough for 2m last time up, weakening the last 2f. I think the drop back to 2 miles 2 weeks later isn't a bad idea. Looks way overpriced at 33/1.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 40/1) Towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, ridden along home turn, weakened from 2 out, 5th.

2:20 Aintree

Steel Ally 18/1

Welshman Sam Thomas knows about big races and his Strong Ally could prove the answer to a tricky 21 runner hcp. He might just lead all the way. If he gets a good start, he could be in like Flynn before they know it, at decent odds too.

Result⏵ (PU 12/1) Held up in behind leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon faded, pulled up before last, PU.

4:05 Aintree

Ga Law 33/1

Jamie Snowden will bring GA Law to Aintree with every chance now back over the big fences. I was surprised to see him over hurdles at Cheltenham last month. He'll be a different proposition today, that's for sure. It's a 30 runner hcp, so 33/1 is not an extroadinary price, but it's plenty big enough to rope me in.

Result⏵ (PU 25/1)

Aintree⏵
• 2:20 Beacon Edge 80/1 (Unp 40/1)
• 4:05 Gentleman De Mee 28/1 (Won 14/1)
• 5:15 Kings Hill 100/1 (Unp 40/1)

2:42 Sedgefield

Carnet De Stage 25/1

Needed the last 2 runs after an 8 month break and a change of yard to the Andrew Hamilton stable. Ran a couple of decent races similar to this previously. Should be able to trouble these on good ground if fit enough now to show a leg.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 33/1) In touch, dropped to last 2nd, detached 10th, tailed off, 5th.

4:40 Aintree

Tommys Oscar 25/1

As good, if not better, than any of these on his day. Probably needed the last run. Drifted out to 25/1 (44 on the exchanges) as I am writing, so I'll go take that offer up asap.

Result⏵ (Fell 16/1) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, in touch but still about same position when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, Fell.

4:30 Newcastle

Goodtimes Badtimes 25/1

Needed the last couple of runs. Should be ready to continue running as he was half way through last season. If that's the case, he'll be in there at the end, with a shout, at a price.

Result⏵ (2nd 16/1) led, pushed along before 2 out and forged on, reduced lead final fence, ridden run-in, stayed on, headed near line, 2nd.

2:10 Uttoxeter

Iolaos Du Mou 50/1

The leap of faith is Stella Barclay can get this one fit and ready to run, with work at home plus 1 run on the track. He has the ability, shown while at the Henderson yard, to win a C5 hurdle from a lowly mark of 94 after a couple of years of indifferent performances on the track. Without the giant odds on offer, you wouldn't bother take the chance, but that's racing.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 40/1) off the pace in last trio on inside, never involved, tailed off, 7th.

4:30 Uttoxeter

Poppa Poutine 40/1

Won an identical race to this 3 runs ago from the same mark at Wincanton for the Twiston Davies yard at 15/2. Ground is slightly quicker today, I grant you. He's gone on it before. The 40/1 is a bit strange imo, in a very open looking race.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 40/1) Off the pace and towards rear most of way, tailed off and pulled up before the last, PU.

5:20 Wetherby

Chatshow Host 40/1

Spotty form but has been returned to hurdling where he's run a couple of decent races in better company. At the huge price on offer I'll play.

Result⏵ (Unplaced 50/1) Held up in rear, reminders before 8th, lost touch and pulled up before 3 out, PU.