Tuesday 24th May selections

Unfortunately, my 2 longshots at The Curragh on Sunday didn't run very well.

See You Smile was prominant in the early stages but faded poorly to finish down the field.


Vivacious Vivienne had a tough job on from such a wide draw, but she tracked across well to run at the back of the pack early on. I thought the jockey could have done more throughout the race to get her in a more prominant position, because when she did get into the home straight she ran on well for 7th. With more positive tactics early on in the race I feel it could have run into a place.

-4 points for the day.

I didn't back anything on Monday as the quality of racing wasn't great, but I've got twos bet picked out for tomorrow's cards at Chepstow and Ripon which will hopefully go well at tasty odds.


Chepstow 3.20 - Swift Chap - 1pt win @ 10/1 (Bet365)
Swift Chap hasn't won a race since October 2009, but that losing run has to come to an end eventually and I feel tomorrow is that day. He won that race well off a mark of 76, and tomorrow he runs off an attractive mark of 67. 2 of his 4 career victories have come over tomorrow's 8 furlong trip, and he'll certainly be a fan of the good to firm ground. Swift Chap has also placed off marks of 83 and 85 in higher class races to the one he runs in tomorrow, so a case can certainly be made for him being "well in" here. He ran an average race on his return to action at Sandown 31 days ago, but he's never ran very well off a long break throughout his career so that outing wouldn't worry me too much. That race was a better race than he runs in today, and he's been dropped a further 3 pounds by the handicapper since then, so he looks to have a great chance of getting his head in front here tomorrow. Small win stakes for me as the long losing run is a concern, but he's potentially thrown in here off this mark in this standard of race.

Ripon 3.40 - Ginger Jack - 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (Paddy Power)
Ginger Jack switched hands during the winter months for quite a sum, having progressed well in handicaps last season. He made his comeback 11 days ago from a lengthy winter break over an inadequate 7 furlongs trip, and he clearly needed the run to blow off the cobwebs. He returns to his favourite trip of a mile here tomorrow, having recorded all 4 career victories over this trip. He's only 2 pounds above his last winning mark, and I feel there's more progress to come from this horse. He's certainly got the ability to run a big race here judging by his form last season, and the 25/1 looks far too big. He's got a good draw in stall 2, which will help his chances of using his favoured tactics of racing prominantly throughout. The ground conditions will suit, and with a run under his belt, he'll surely strip fitter for this race tomorrow. Small e/w stakes in what looks a competitive heat.