Two selections for this afternoon.
Peter Crate has become a very good trainer of sprinters, and having followed his string last year and had a big win with Taajub, he is a trainer I am looking to follow again this season. Taajub was second in this race last year and Crate sends another representative to try and land the prize a year on. I actually think Sandfrankskipsgo could be far better than his handicap mark of OR81, indeed I wouldn't be surprised to see him rated in the high nineties by the end of the year. He is an improving four year old who could be Crate's best horse, and given that he is on an upward curve I think he is worth supporting despite a poor draw in stall 2 today. Shane Kelly knows him well and he is a jockey who can execute the hold up tactics required well. He'll be a genius if he gets it right and a mug if he gets there too late, but there is a bundle of pace in this race as you'd expect and the selection should be able to challenge at some point. A midfield sit would be ideal and a late run no more than two deep, it is anyone's guess if we'll get that lucky but if we do, I think he wins. I think he'll end up much the best of these over the course of the year.
5.30 Punchestown First Lieutenant 5pts win @ 11/2 (Paddy Power, guaranteed, 5/1 generally guaranteed)
I would argue that First Lieutenant has the best form in this field and is probably still progressive, having just broken through the RPR170 mark I look for in a top class staying chaser last time out. His trainer won this race with China Rock last year, and also with War Of Attrition a few years back. He seems to have a knack for getting his horses to maintain their form over the course of a long season and the selection will have to be an example of that if he is to win here. He beat a proper Aintree horse in Menorah last time out, and the flat track bully of the season Silviniaco Conti. His second to Cue Card at Cheltenham looks strong, especially given the trip was too short for him. He was touched off on a bog in the Lexus by Tidal Bay, and gave weight to Bob's Worth in the Hennessy finishing around eight lengths third. I don't think there is any arguing with his form and I think today might be the day he really comes of age. He is only an eight year old, and I think if he jumps as well as he has been doing he should go very close.
Profit & loss: day: -11.00 / month: -66.10 / year: +22.56
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