Tuesday's Colwick Park Carnival
Right then, punters, we're off to Nottingham this Tuesday afternoon for what looks like a proper midweek treat. Seven races of National Hunt action at Colwick Park, and while the fields might be smaller than a jockey's appetite, there's plenty of meat on the bone for those willing to dig a little deeper.
The going hasn't been declared yet, but with late May weather being as predictable as a politician's promise, we'll be keeping a close eye on conditions. The Nottingham racecard shows some interesting contests, and with small fields throughout, every runner has a genuine chance if connections have done their homework.
The Feature Race: Kalm Club Chase at 18:39
The pick of the card has to be the 2m 219y handicap chase worth £14,000 to the winner. Four runners, but what a quartet we have here! Seeyouinmydreams tops the weights on 121, and rightly so - this Tom Ellis-trained eight-year-old is a course winner and knows exactly what's required around these turns.
But don't be writing off Frere d'Armes just yet. The nine-year-old carries the silks of the Skelton operation, and when Harry Skelton is in the saddle, you know they mean business. He's another course winner and at 112, he's getting a handy 9lb from the topweight.
The danger could well be Lakefield Flyer, making the trip over from Ireland with Paddy Hanlon doing the steering for trainer John Joseph Hanlon. The Irish raiders don't make the journey for the scenery, and at the same mark as Frere d'Armes, he'll be fancied to give them all something to think about.
The Handicap Hurdle Marathon
The 3m 217y handicap hurdle at 19:39 is where the stayers get their chance to shine, and Earth King looks the one they all have to beat. Neil Mulholland's ten-year-old veteran has been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt when it comes to these staying contests.
Escapologist represents the Sean Bowen and Nick Scholfield combination, and at seven years old, he's still got improvement in him over this trip. The 116 rating suggests he's no mug, and in a small field like this, class often tells.
Don't overlook Jubilant either - James Owen's seven-year-old is both a course and distance winner, which counts for plenty around here. Jonathan Burke knows the horse well, and that partnership could be the value play of the race.
The Conditional Jockeys' Showcase
The 18:09 conditional jockeys' contest might not have the biggest field, but it's got some proper horses in it. Goodwin is the class act here on 122, and being both a course and distance winner gives him a massive advantage. Rian Corcoran takes the ride for Chris Gordon, and this looks like their race to lose.
Everyonesgame is an interesting runner at 110. Chad Bament has been riding with confidence lately, and Andy Irvine wouldn't be sending him here without a genuine chance. The nine-year-old has experience on his side and could outrun his odds.
Small Fields, Big Opportunities
The beauty of today's card is that with such small fields, every horse has a realistic chance if the stars align. The maiden hurdle opener has just three runners, which means one of Anthony Honeyball's pair - either with Ben Godfrey or Sam Twiston-Davies aboard - should account for Nelson Gate, unless Caoilin Quinn can work some magic for the Moore team.
The bumper to finish looks wide open, with six runners all rated null making it a proper guessing game. Harry Skelton on Getmyfriend for Dan Skelton catches the eye - they don't send their stable jockey for these unless they fancy their chances.
The Verdict
This is the kind of card where local knowledge and trainer intentions matter more than raw form figures. Goodwin in the conditional jockeys' race looks the safest bet of the day, while Seeyouinmydreams should take some stopping in the feature chase if the ground conditions suit.
For the each-way punters, Jubilant in the staying hurdle represents cracking value with his course and distance form, while Frere d'Armes could easily upset the apple cart in the main event.
Remember, with fields this small, one faller or mistake can change the whole complexion of a race. Play accordingly, and may the racing gods smile upon your selections!
