JACOBS’ Crackers
SUNDAY SERVICE Rated as high as 107 on the flat, MOHAAYED can open his account over hurdles at the third time of asking in the opening race at Taunton (1.50).
A cracking second to the smart Elgin on his timber-topping debut, the son of Intikhab backed that up with a 15-length fourth of seven behind the Cheltenham Festival-bound Neon Wolf at Haydock.
This sharp two miles should be perfect for my nap selection and he gets the nod over Volpone Jelois and Theatre Stage.
Dan Skelton and brother Harry can complete a double in the 2.20 with BUBBA N SQUEAK, while Dan’s old boss Paul Nicholls (above) should strike with WARRIORS TALE in the staying handicap chase at 4.20.
The Musselburgh card looks pretty competitive but the one stand-out for me has to be HIGH SECRET in the 2.40. A smart stayer on the flat he looked a natural over hurdles when winning on his debut at Taunton.
DOUVAN should be a shoo-in for the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown (3.00) but he will be a very short price and the value bet on the card could come in the form of SAMBREMONT in the Grand National Trial Chase at 4.00. This youngster has simply had no luck in running this season and looks nicely treated off a mark of 136 and can finally come good in this valuable lung-bursting event. THE WEEK AHEAD CRAFTSMANSHIP is a victim of his own consistency but has a good record fresh and I will be desperately disappointed if he is not involved at the business end of the 2.50 at Wolverhampton tomorrow. Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury is as competitive as ever but, granted a nice bit of juice in the turf, I think this race is made for the enigmatic MICK JAZZ, who is currently trading at around the 20-1 mark.
HOT TO TROT COGBURN was backed off the boards for the bumper at Wincanton on Thursday but was never going at any stage. A faster surface should see him leave this form well behind.
Back on a winning mark, CAMDORA had the run of the race at Chelmsford over 6f last week and looks as though she is steadily coming to hand, so don’t miss her next time out. SAM SPINNER won his third novice hurdle at Catterick on Friday and looks poised to step up in grade.