This afternoon sees Wincanton and Towcester host decent cards over the sticks, with Chelmsford City offering some all-weather action before evening cards from Kempton and Dundalk.
We’re spoiled for choice but the competitive action at Wincanton means it is there we head for today’s placepot picks, aiming to make up for yesterday’s five out of six!
Leg One: Spellbound
The opener looks set to be a straight battle between Spellbound and She’s Da One, and preference is for the former, after Alan King’s mare looked a potential improver when scoring in dire conditions last time out. This afternoons better ground is sure to suit and the step up in trip should bring out the best in the six-year-old and the fact we still have five runners at the time of writing means that a spot in the first two will see us through.
James Banks keeps the ride this afternoon and his three-pound claim will come in handy as she lines up against Paul Nicholls’ She’s Da One. Her pedigree suggests the further she goes, the better she will be, so it would be no surprise to see Spellbound go very close in the first.
Leg Two: Man of Leisure
After a fantastic 2013, which seen Man of Leisure rattle up five wins and a solid second to the classy Sea Lord during a six-race spell, the eleven-year-old has rather flattered to deceive of late. He has been keeping good company, but he has failed to click after his lengthy seasonal absence, although his final effort suggests he may not be one to give up on just yet.
He travelled into the race nicely for Rachael Green and he looked poised to mount a challenge when a mistake three out stopped momentum and effectively ruined his chances of going close. He weakened into a rather disappointing seventh after the error, but he has shown enough promise to suggest he has retained enough ability to mount a challenge and defy his lofty odds.
Leg Three: One For The Boss
There are sure to be plenty of supporters for the Paul Nicholls-trained Vesperal Dream, but the manner in which he jumps his fences is a slight cause for concern and he won’t be allowed to get away with any mistakes this afternoon. This mean the nod goes to One For The Boss who has been in good form of late, and looks sure to land a blow,
The eight-year-old sneaks in off bottom weight and after bumping in to some unexposed sorts on his last two visits to the track, he looks sure to make a bold bid in what looks a good opportunity to get back to winning ways. The consistent sort is a joy for placepot punters and with five runners at the time of writing, he can afford to finish in the first two places to ensure placepot progression.
Leg Four: Aristocracy
After some rather short fields we’re treated to an extremely competitive ten-runner affair, where Aristocracy gets the vote now back over hurdles. He has had an encouraging season and after going well on the level the four-year-old made an eye-catching progression to hurdles, finishing runner-up to the classy Bishop Wulstan and the well-regarded Golden Doyen.
He comfortably seen off a decent over course-and-distance three starts ago, before looking set to mount a big challenge at Ludlow on his penultimate start. A crashing fall three from home meant that she was set back to the all-weather to see how he was, and the market told as he drifted badly before failing to really show, fading tamely late on. He arrives fresh after a short-break and if he is none the worse for his previous fall, he should mount a serious challenge under James Banks.
Leg Five: Tarraco
Venetia Williams sends Tarraco to Wincanton and the eight-year-old looks to be in good order, given his battling third at Fontwell two weekends back. He was hampered at a crucial stage and he did remarkably well to finish within two necks of the winner.
Aidan Coleman looks set to ride the gelding in a positive fashion in the six-runner field, and the slight drop in drip should see him go well, given he has won over the distance before. He battles when needed which could be important and in what looks set to be a tactical race, he certainly has the right man on-board.
Leg Six: Merrion Square
It is hard to get away from Merrion Square in the finale of this afternoon’s placepot, given his recent second in the Grand Military Cup. He made a couple of errors and was hampered when tracking the leaders, yet he still found himself battling up the run-in, only going down by a neck from Loose Chips.
He is sure to come on for that run, given it was his first visit to the track since August and even if he manages to maintain his form he should manage to prove his class against this field. He has a seven-pound claimer to help, and it would be somewhat of a surprise should he not make the frame.