Sport

Weekend betting: Smoking Aces a hot thing

SATURDAY SELECTIONS

KEMPTON

2-05 BETBRIGHT.COM ADONIS JUVENILE HURDLE – 2 MILES

Activial made his British debut at Newbury last Autumn and ran with credit to finish runner up to the highly touted Calipto. Plenty of winners have come out of that race subsequently as Calipto, Baradari, Dawalan and Shalianzi have all won since. Being a French bred gelding, Activial should find the testing conditions more to his liking this afternoon. Harry Fry has his team in great form and Noel Fehily is once again booked to ride. He should know a bit more about his mount this afternoon and they command utmost respect.

Agreement was a smart performer on the flat for Aiden O’Brien and has since moved to the yard of Rebecca Curtis. If taking to hurdles at the first time of asking, he could provide the main threat to the selection. Paul Nicholls bids to win this race for the third time in four years. Solar Impulse seemed to hate the heavy ground at Chepstow and was beaten almost forty lengths. He will need to show significant improvement if he is to land a blow here whilst Alcala makes his first appearance for the trainer and is Daryl Jacob’s preferred ride. He may just lack the experience of some of the others and will almost certainly come on for the run. Both are given watching briefs today. Activial is taken to carry on progressing and continue the good form of Harry Fry.

3-50 BETBRIGHT CHASE – 3 MILES

Planet Of Sound was a class act a few years ago and following a long time in the wilderness, he managed to secure a confidence boosting win over this course and distance just last month. The trainer and jockey have a good record in this particular race having won it with the likes of Quinz, Farmer Jack and Gunther McBride. Richard Johnson has been on board Planet Of Sound for all seven of his career wins and despite being a twelve year old, he is still capable of going close.

The biggest threat to the selection could come from Standing Ovation. He has been off the track since November but he racked up a four timer earlier in the year. Those wins came over a variety of staying distances including when winning over this trip at Exeter in October. He has the ability to go well fresh but with his yard only in ordinary form he is one to treat with caution.

Bury Parade is the antepost favourite and having won two of his last three starts he is clearly in good shape. Paul Nicholls’ charge has no form at this trip and may struggle to give weight away to far more experienced rivals. His stablemate, Grandioso looks a far bigger threat given that he is a previous course winner. This also appears to be his time of year and Daryl Jacob knows him inside out. Ardkilly Witness struggles to see out this three miles and is passed over on this occasion. Planet Of Sound handles this type of going perfectly well and he looks decent value.

NEWCASTLE

2-25 BETFRED EIDER – 4M 1f

Smoking Aces is fully at home under these testing conditions and gets weight from most of his rivals this afternoon. Maurice Linehan is good value for his five pound claim and despite this being his first ride on the evergreen ten year old, they have strong claims for an in form Jonjo O’Neill team. Smoking Aces has run well in defeat in his two most recent appearances for the handler and he is likely to be held up to see out this marathon trip.

Sun Cloud relishes bog like conditions and has stamina in abundance.He is looking for a third win in a row following smooth successes at both Hexham and Catterick. Despite carrying just over eleven stone, he is clearly in form and is another for the shortlist.

Swatow Typhoon was heavily punted when sent off as an odds on favourite at Sedgefield last month. He was very sticky with his jumping and ulimately disappointed when finishing a laboured fourth in a five runner field. He remains a progressive sort and if he is fully over those exertions, he too could make the frame. Ballypatrick and Royale Knight would prefer better ground and are both passed over on this occasion. Smoking Aces can confirm recent form with topweight Junior and go close in this Grand National trial.

FAIRYHOUSE

3-10 AT THE RACES BOBBYJO CHASE – 3M 1f

Mount Benbulben ran as well as could be expected against solid Gold Cup horses in the King George at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. There should be nothing of the same calibre in this race and he is back at a track that he has won at in the past. He does have to give weight to all of his rivals, but he has the class to do so. He has plenty of winning form on soft and heavy ground so conditions will not be a barrier.

On His Own returned to somewhere near his best with a six length demolition job in a competitive handicap at Gowran Park last time. He has been punished with an eleven pound rise in the ratings and that may just prove too much even with Ruby Walsh in the saddle. Gigginstown stud come here mob handed and Roi Du Mee looks to carry their biggest chance. Bryan Cooper won the JNWine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on board this nine year old and this proven course and distance winner may prove the biggest threat to the selection. Quito De La Roque seems to have lost the plot, whilst Make A Track disappointed on his only previous start at this track. Mount Benbulben still holds entries for the Ryanair Chase and The Gold Cup at Cheltenham and he can secure his place in either line up with a smooth success here.

Course Pick