Tipping at a RATE OF KNOTS!

Last weekend was filled with the feeling of bittersweet, with all selections running well, with nothing to show for it. In the Racing Post trophy, Nacarat (Advised at 7/1) ran another fantastic race. Looking to have every chance four fences from home, he tired in ground unsuited and running with top weight, eventually finished a gutsy third. Razor Royal ran a very game race considering again conditions were not to suit, and sixth was very respectable given the competitive nature of the field. More disappointment came in the novices’ race, with Toubab being extremely disappointing, never going and making mistakes early on, before eventually being tailed off 3 out. The last horse, Soixante I was very sweet on, but again, finished a well beaten and finished second to Coup Royale who was the 7/2 favourite. The NAP Royal Charm was declared a non runner at the 48 hour declaration sentry stage unfortunately. Onwards and upwards!

Ludlow specialist CEDRUN LIBANI is aiming to make it a hatrick on Thursday in the Chase Meredith Memorial Trophy, a 3 mile Hunter Chase event. He hacked up last time he was here, winning by 30 lengths beating Silver Adonis last March. Silver Adonis followed this up by going onto the win the foxhunters chase at the Aintree festival, so the form has been given a very nice boost. Rated 130, he has 10lb in hand of his nearest rivals, and although given a 4lb allowance out, he still is the course and distance specialist, and should be in good order to win comfortable in this opposition en route to more higher profile hunter chases.

A very interesting runner at Bangor on Wednesday is a horse by the name of PLUS ULTRA. Son of multiple Group 1 winner Rock of Gibraltar, he was trained on the flat by Henry Cecil, and ended his flat career still a maiden. Switched to jumping and now gelded, there has been some improvement, albeit rather minor. He has finished 4-6-4 in three maiden hurdles, but beaten by a combined 104 lengths. However in his last start, he ran behind Local Hero and Dhaafer, both of which are subsequent winners. Thrown in off bottom weight could be very interesting proposition, especially when he had his best ever run with a break of 268 days, when ½ second to the Sir Michael Stoute trained Visualise. Fresh and off a low weight, Plus Ultra could easily winner a rather modest handicap.

The final selection revolves around the Kent National, at Folkestone racecourse on Wednesday. The man for National races in the last 12 months has been none other than AP McCoy, and he takes the ride on our choice RATE OF KNOTS. The same connections that have won the Welsh and Midlands National with Synchronised and the Grand National with Don’t Push It team up once more and have a very strong chance. A beaten favourite last time out, he was beaten a head only a head, and with that being only his second run of the season, improvement cane be expected.. The form of the race has worked out well, connections flying and an average field, Rate of Knots should have the beating of this very mediocre field.

Ludlow Thursday – Cedrun Libani 3pts Win (NAP)

Bangor Wednesday - Plus Ultra 2pt Win

Folkestone Wednesday – Rate of Knots 2pt Win

Jack Milner