Grafting for wages at Newcastle & Kempton....

Friday, 21st February 2025

Grafting for wages at Newcastle & Kempton….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in the weekend’s big betting heats….

The Eider is the feature at Newcastle tomorrow….

…. the off time is 2.10….

…. and my pick of the prices is LORD ROCO at 22s, 20s & 18s….

I’m also on CORRIGEEN ROCK in the Ladbrokes Trophy at 3.35 down at Kempton – he’s up at 33s ….

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….

-----

It’s the Eider Chase up at Newcastle (2.10) that attracts the day’s really big handicap field – with 18 headed to post….

…. and the one I like at the prices is LORD ROCO at 22s, 20s & 18s….

It’s a competitive affair and he’s not the only candidate in with a shout….

…. for what it’s worth Choosethenews and Bodhisattva both figured prominently on my radar….

…. but James Ewart’s 9yo gets the nod at the price….

He’s gone well both times he’s hit the track this term following a 655-day layoff….

…. and last time – at Newcastle – he was sticking on well at the end of 3-miles….

He’s untried at marathon trips – but the way he ran that last day suggests this test could be right up his street….

The cheekpieces had been off for both runs this term – but they’re back on tomorrow….

…. and the suggestion is that this assignment has been something of a target….

…. a view reinforced – in my view – by the decision to put 5lb claimer William Maggs in the plate so that the horse runs off an effective mark of just 108….

He like the track and – if he stays – then he’s set up to go close and this morning’s prices can’t be ignored….

-----

The Newcastle race has the numbers….

…. but it’s in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton (3.35) where they race for the big money – the winner waltzes off with £85k….

I’m never afraid to have a big swing of the bat and at the 33s & 28s I simply cannot resist having a go at CORRIGEEN ROCK – I think that’s a big price….

He needs to go right-handed and he’s never going to turn out at Cheltenham or Aintree – so this can be considered a major target for him….

Connections had the option to stay over an intermediate trip in the 4.10 at the same track….

…. off a mark just a pound in advance of the rating he won the Scottish Champion Chase off at Musselburgh last term – and under a similar weight burden….

Instead he steps up to 3-miles for the first time and goes for the bigger money….

Like I say, he’s down to a mark of 140 – 4lb lower than he started the season….

…. and whilst he was probably a little disappointing at Musselburgh last time when defending his Champion Chase crown at Musselburgh under a 5lb claimer….

…. I wonder if tomorrow’s race is his real target this time around….

Derek Fox is back in the saddle for his one ride on the card….

…. the ground looks like it’s going to come up right….

…. and if the 3m trip eeks out the hoped-for improvement then he can outrun his big quote….

-----

Now, just to recap….

-----

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