Day: February 2, 2010

I won’t spend too long on tonight’s preview as the weather looks likely to disrupt the jumps racing.

At Exeter the 4.15 looks to be between Copper Bleu and Shoreacres. I will give Copper Bleu the edge on the basis that the ground is more likely to suit him.

Diamond Brook was a beaten favourite last time out at Exeter. He returns to the same course tomorrow in the 4.50 where he is likely to appreciate the longer trip. He ran badly on soft ground last time though and that is a concern. Another to consider is the Emma Lavelle trained Court in Motion who is related to the useful Bensalem.

If Leicester goes ahead Sandynow should give us a run for our money in the opener at 1.45.

At Newcastle Hollins, a winner at Kelso on his last start is my selection in the while Turbo Island will be hard to beat in the 3.15.

They race at Down Royal in Northern Ireland where Hugo de Vindecy has a sound chance in the 2.10.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Alison Wilson.

Folkestone has fallen foul of the weather but it looks as though Taunton will go ahead so we will have a look at some of the races on their card.

I had hopes that Tara Taylor would be a horse to follow this season but thus far has been a disappointment. She has not built on her promising 3^rd at Uttoxeter in October. Her trainer Charlie Longsden has been pretty short on winners recently although he has had some placed horses. Tara Taylor is on a decent mark if she can find her best form and at 14/1 might be worth a small each way interest.

Normally the two that would interest me in the 2.40 would be King’s Forest and Vodka Brook but neither is over big and both prefer decent ground. If we get a lot of rain in might be worth an interest in Quartz de Thiax as he has winning form on heavy ground. I will go with Vodka Brook if conditions are not too testing.

Another that would not want the ground to be too soft is Via Galilei, twice a winner on the flat for Jim Bolger. He would be my selection in the 3.10 as long as they don’t get too much rain in the west country.

Festival winner Cappa Bleu has been disappointing over fences this season and reverts to hurdles in the 3.40 where his main rival could be Valentine Vic a course and distance winner trained by Paul Nicholls. These look the pair to concentrate on and if pushed to, choose a single selection I would side with Valentine Vic.

My thanks to Emily Russell for today’s photo.