I'm looking for a bit of revenge on the bookies today after two of my tips today were confident bets last time out but ultimately I ended up out of pocket. Both back at their favourite course I am hopeful they can do the business today.
I'm pretty confident BOLLIN JOAN is a sound bet at 3/1 in the 3.05 at Ripon as she will love the ground and goes so well over this unique course. The favourite has been busy of late and is trying this trip for the first time so I would be keen to lay him and I think the selection is the obvious danger. She travelled supremely well at York last time out in what looked a good race and ultimately she probably travelled too well as she hit the front far too soon. Back in a lower grade, she looks to be the one to be on.
FISHABLE was my most confident bet of the flat season so far last time out as I have no doubt he is well ahead of his mark. He looked to be coming with a promising run at York but got the door shut in his face quite badly and he was never going to challenge after being cut up at such a crucial point in the race. His earlier run at Ripon is incredibly strong form and a repeat of that run will see him win here but I think he has probably improved for that run anyway. I was hoping to get a better price about him but 2/1 will have to do.
The race that SHARPCLIFF ran in at Leicester last time out caught my eye for several reasons and I did take a few horses out of the race with John Mackie's charge being one of them. It looked a race where it paid to sit handy so considering the selection was held up he did very well to finish a close fifth. The sectionals backed up what I thought and Sharpcliff ran the second fastest final three furlongs suggesting he should have finished a bit closer than he did granted a truer run race. He attempts to go 4 better today at Haydock in the amateur riders race which represents a step down in grade. He only has a few to beat and if handling the softer surface I am pretty confident he will go well here.
Ripon 3.05 – Bollin Joan
Ripon 3.35 – Fishable
Haydock 5.35 – Sharpcliff
