Saturdays Selections

HAYDOCK 3.30 NORMAN THE GREAT E/W @ 12/1
Norman The Great looks a great price @ 12/1.
His last outing will have to be ignored when pulled up on rain softened ground, and although he handles most going, his best running Flat and Jumps has been with good in the going description.
His penultimate outing behind Secret Tune is working out with that one scoring again next time out with rivals rated 130 behind.
The race that gets the attention is his 3rd to Cockney Trucker (county hurdle 3rd) in November where he also had County Hurdle winner American Trilogy 4 length behind.
The 2nd from that event 'Unfurled' is a good yardstick as he was rated 102 on the flat and ran with credit (3rd) on heavy going at Cheltenham behind Awesome George and Presenting Copper when last seen.
Clova Island would look the one closest on ratings having ran well to Somersby (who has since gone close, getting 8lb, to American Trilogy in a Grade 2 at Aintree) but Alan King has good line to the form of that one with Medermit who had Clova Island well behind at Exeter giving him 10lb.
Well Disguised would appreciate a fast pace but this sharp track may not suit this galloping sort and he is another 10lb higher than last time.
Arctis Ben would also want a good pace, and a good run from Fredo in the earlier race here would give more credit to his chances, but his jumping needs to hold up.
Stellino looks to have been given a stiff mark for being highly tried and didn't handle the turns at Chester on the flat so is another with doubts on this course.
Norman The Great, hasnt been so far in the sense he has only won once, but he is a consistant sort who at worst should be placed, but considering on his very 1st hurdle outing he split Binocular & Crack Away Jack and those 2 are now racing off 169 and 156 respectively, a win here is well within his capabilities.

Norman The Great 1/2 point E/W @ 12/1

plus 1.2 points

FULL RESULT>>


CARLISLE 3.25 ... RIMSKY @ 7/1
Rimsky ran 2 good races here last November, firstly to the 166 rated Tidal Bay finishing 2nd. Then a week later finished 3rd only 4 & 1/2 length behind 159 rated Faasel, again in a Class 2 event.
His run in the Eider Chase at Newcastle stands out as a decent effort on heavy going, the same position he got behind Comply Or Die the previous year.
Last time out again wasn't beaten far and runs off the same mark here.
David England done us a favour on Wun Chai, and having ridden Rimsky to success at Towcester last time he won, is familiar with the horse.
Royal Macintosh is a bit of a specialist round here but surely needs it softer on past evidence.
Open de Lisle is going the right way and looks the danger if lasting the longer trip.

Rimsky 1 point win

minus 1 point

FULL RESULT>>