Wednesday 31 March
IRELAND'S EYE
Hereford is our sole ‘port of call’ today as it provides the days only jumps action after the abandonment of the Exeter and Gowran cards yesterday. On the flat Southwell in the afternoon and Kemptons eight race card starts at 5-30 provide plenty of betting opportunities for BETDAQ customers.
The winning tide does not show much signs of abating and we rattled up another double yesterday with Recif De Thaix (evens) in a two horse novice chase at Fontwell and former Stradbally point winner Laureldean River (5/2-9/4) landed a Market Rasen novice hurdle for the Gollings yard. However our nap Lightening Rod (6/4-6/5) and Irish Symphony (4-11/4) proved no match for top weight Isaaquah whilst we did register the 1-2 (not the right way round however) in the closing bumper at Market Rasen when Master Fiddle (11/10) and Dixie Bull (6-4/1) finished miles clear of their field.
The Henderson yard continue to chalk up the winners and they can add to their impressive seasonal tally with the thrice raced Shakalakaboomboom in the 2m 1f novice hurdle at Hereford at 2-40.
A son of Anshan the 6yo stepped up well on his bumper debut when finishing second to a decent Paul Nicholls trained favourite at Taunton where he finished well clear of the remainder on soft ground. Though he was somewhat disappointing when only finishing a fair fifth in a competitive Ffos Las novice hurdle over 2m 4f where he faded after erring badly at the second last. The drop back in trip and the assistance of Tony McCoy could see him open his account over flights at the second try here at the expense of the more experienced and penalised Evan Williams trained Oscar Gogo who finally opened his account by landing a heavy ground Chepstow extended 2m handicap hurdle off 101 (now 112).
Donald McCains Gilsland had little difficulty in beating just one rival (the favourite) at Ayr in a chase less than three weeks ago but the lightly tried 7yo can make it a double by landing the 3m 1 1/2f hc chase at Hereford at 4-10. The son of Alderbrook who tended to jump right at his fences last time should be suited by this circuit and with ground to suit and his stable in form he can overcome a 5lb penalty here under stable jockey Jason Maguire and give 16lbs away to beat another last time out victor in the improving Brimhan Boy from the Michael Keighley yard who opened his chase and career account by landing a 2m 3f hc chase on this track just a week ago.
Mark Rimell has been experiencing a quiet year to date but they can visit the winners enclousure following the 4-40 at Hereford this afternoon – a 2m 4f maiden hurdle. Their runner here the relatively exposed Azulada Bay has been showing signs that a hurdle victory could be imminent with some fair efforts of late and the 6yo also boasts a placing over the course. His close third to the useful Peveril (gave 5lbs) in a Leicester novice hurdle over half a furlong further last November reads well in a race of this quality and though he could only finish a fair fourth to Hoback Junction over 2m 5f at Plumpton on latest the Peter Toole (claims 5lbs) ridden gelding can gain an overdue success here at the possible expense of the less exposed Flanagan who stayed on pleasingly to finish a reasonable runner up to warm favourite Sir Kezbaah in a heavy ground Lingfield 2m 3 1/2f novice hurdle.
5-10 HEREFORD – 2m 3f hc chase
Dr Newlands course winner (2m 1f) Glimmer Of Light must carry top weight in this open looking handicap but the blinkered 10yo can reverse placings with a couple of his opponents here under a 7lb claimer here and land his 8th career win at the expense of last time out winners Abbey Dore and Wishes Or Watches.
ADVICE
BET 4pt win (nap) SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM 2-40 Hereford
BET 2pt win (saver) OSCAR GOGO 2-40 Hereford
BET 4pt win GILSLAND 4-10 Hereford
BET 3pt win (saver) BRIMHAM BOY 4-10 Hereford
BET 4pt win AZULADA BAY 4-40 Hereford
BET 2pt win (saver) FLANAGAN 4-40 Hereford

Wednesday 31 March