Wading into the Sunday action....

Saturday, 1st February 2025

Wading into the Sunday action….

Note: selections for today at Sandown, Musselburgh & Leopardstown were distributed yesterday – you can catch up here….

In ATC today….

…. I target two good handicaps on Sunday….

The Edinburgh National is the feature at Musselburgh….

…. the off time is 2.25….

…. and my pick of the prices is BODHISATTVA at 20s….

I’m also on SEQUESTRED in the 2.45 at Leopardstown – he’s up at 8s….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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I’m not one for playing it safe – in life or betting….

If I like a horse that everybody else and his dog are avoiding like something that stinks in a ditch….

…. I’ll hold my nose and go in anyway – and hang the consequences. If I end up looking like a prize clown – it won’t be the first time. Or the last….

BODHISATTVA is one of those horses in tomorrow’s Edinburgh National at Musselburgh….

He’s up at 20s, he’s well down the list – and I can’t imagine he’ll be on the radar of too many punters…..

But I liked his last-time-out performance at Doncaster over a 3m trip that I suspect might just be on the sharp side for him….

He was sticking on really well at the end and he’s a candidate to improve for the extra mile tomorrow….

He produced a promising effort in the Ulster National at Downpatrick last April when stepped up to 3m5f….

…. and now that he’s turned 8 he might just be physically mature enough to grow into the boots of a proper staying chaser….

Trainer John McConnell is no mug. He landed a nice touch for us last weekend. And I think he’s got another interesting runner here – at a price that encourages engagement….

Bodhisattva is rated 124, he’s got a nice racing weight, he receives from most of the opposition, and his talented claimer takes off 5lb….

I just think he can run bigger than his price….

At Leopardstown in the O'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase (2.45) I’m backing SEQUESTRED at the general 8s….

He absolutely hacked up last time over 3m at this track on handicap debut….

…. and whilst he’s stepping back in trip tomorrow and 12lb higher in the weights….

…. he’s clearly in fine form and there’s a load more to come from this four-race novice on the evidence of that last performance….

I think this is a case of connections looking to strike whilst the iron is hot – and I expect a good showing….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back next week….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd