Donald McCain's GOOBINATOR really struck me last time when he won at York and I have been keen to see him run again. He runs today in the Colwick Cup at Nottingham and has been well supported overnight. I can see why after he stayed on strongly to win at York the last day and was only hiked up 4lb. It doesn't look the deepest event today and an improving type like this one could be the way to go.
Nottingham 3.35 – Goobinator
Saturday
With Newbury being so underwhelming today I am switching my attention away from the Berkshire track and instead eyeing up a raid up north at Ripon. It is Great St Wilfrid Day at the North Yorkshire track and their feature race day of the year. The race itself is a tough one to call every year given the unique nature of the course but recent runnings of the race would tell you to look high.
Most of the ones that jump out at me in the Consolation race and the main race are unfortunately drawn low so I am drawing a line through them and focusing on the key stat. I'm playing two in the feature race and they are GALE FORCE MAYA and INTRINSIC BOND.
The pair finished 3rd and 2nd respectively over course and distance last time out in a race which I thought was pretty hot for a small field event. The former is a real genuine mare trained by Michael Dods who always seems to run her race. Interestingly enough she has never lined up in a field of more than 12 runners which surprises me as I think it might just suit her. She likes to sit handy and force the pace but I think she is left alone in front for too long in these 7/8 runner events and should be better suited in a bigger field where something is likely to tow her along for longer. At 16/1 she looks worth a punt.
I couldn't really tip the one without the other given how close they finished last time out so the latter makes the tip list also. Tracey Waggott's horse seems to be bang in form and the 10lb hike he received for winning at Catterick didn't seem to burden him last time. An in form horse is a dangerous beast in these races and looking at it's form on the whole you could say there may be more to come as he isn't that exposed. At a double figure price he is worth supporting.
Down at Newmarket the 3.05 looks one of the better races of the day and on Thursday night when I write this I thought SUNSET BREEZE was over priced. Granted, Luke Morris hasn't done me many favours whenever I tip one he is on but this filly looks a really nice type and similar to Gale Force Maya in the fact that she always seems to run her race. She drops back down to 6f today which could be a wise move given the rising ground catches a few out here late on. Her recent form suggests she is good enough to at least be in the places and I will be disappointed if she isn't.
Ripon 3.45 – Gale Force Maya / Intrinsic Bond
Newmarket 3.05 – Sunset Breeze
