Noor looks set to score
WITH the feature cards shunted to Sunday it’s a rather low-key afternoon of racing today but there are a couple of decent bets to get stuck into.
Thirsk’s early card contains a few intriguing sprint handicaps and NOORBAN (11.40) looks worth a punt in the 5f contest for three-year-olds.
She overcame a poor start when squeezing through in the closing stages to win on her debut at Beverley in August last year.
Her trainer David O’Meara (above) chose to step her up in distance and class for the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. That was a big ask but she was not disgraced in a race run at a fast pace. Then, her blindfold came off late on her final start of the season in a valuable Newmarket sales race.
There should be plenty of pace in this race and that would suit her. Have 1pt each-way at 9-1.
My next bet comes at Nottingham’s lateafternoon meeting. Russian Virtue is likely to be over-bet after his fastfinishing fifth at Doncaster last month. This is not the track to be trying to come from off the pace and HUNDRED ISLES (6.15) might well get his own way up front. He looked extremely well weighted when making all the running at Chelmsford a couple of weeks ago. Mick Channon’s hope is bred to stay further so he will be hard to pass if getting first run on his rivals. Have 3pts to win at 100-30.
Sunday’s Coral Scottish Grand National looks an ideal race for SOLDIER OF LOVE (3.35).
He thrived on good ground last summer and his second behind subsequent National Hunt Chase hero Galvin at Cheltenham in October was a fine effort.
His pedigree suggests he should love going up to this marathon 4m distance for the first time. Have 2pts each-way at 10-1 with a bookie paying out on six places.
Newbury’s Guineas trials have also been moved back a day, but I’m more interested in the MansionBet Spring Cup.
MATTHEW FLINDERS (3.20) breezed home at Doncaster in September before getting stuck in the York mud.
He looks sure to improve this season, especially as he’s been gelded over the winter, and big-field handicaps should bring out the best in Ed Walker’s fouryear-old.
Have 1pt each-way at 10-1 with one of several bookies paying out on six places.