GREAT to be at Epsom Racecourse yesterday on a beautiful morning for The Investec Derby Festival Breakfast with the Stars.
We had a lovely breakfast, racecourse gallops to view, with some excellent insights on the Oaks, Derby and and Coronation Cup. This included a top interview with our own Ed Nicholson, Head of Racing Communications & Sponsorship for Unibet, Official Bookmakers of The Investec Derby Festival.
I'm really looking forward to presenting at The Investec Derby Festival, as I love this two day meeting. I'll be writing my Unibet blogs for this meeting next week for Friday and Saturday, instead of my usual weekly Wednesday blog.
In the meantime, enjoy today's jump racing from the excellent May Carnival at Warwick, as well as racing action from Southwell over the jumps, with flat cards at Ayr, Kempton and Yarmouth.
Cheers!
2.55 Warwick Handicap Hurdle 2m
Carnage has shown more than enough in novice hurdles to think he can be competitive in the context of this race, and he finished off quite nicely (under tender handling) at Hereford when last seen to finish third. More to come in his first handicap today, and has every chance.
Unibet each way 20/1
3.15 Yarmouth Handicap 1m 6f
The Resdev Way gave notice his turn is not be far away again when fourth at Redcar last time out, only beaten off late in the day and the small drop back in trip here in very much in his favour. Trainer Philip Kirby rarely sends them here but is 2-5 when he does, and the hint should be taken.
Unibet each way 6/1
4.25 Warwick Handicap Chase 2m
The beautifully named Vosne Romanee (nap) has a tremendous chance back in Handicap company and on good ground that will definitely suit.
Last time out he finished seven and half lengths behind the mighty Altior at Sandown and that was a very impressive performance in top notch company.
His trainer Richard Newland has a current strike rate of 30%.
Unibet win 3/1
6.15 Southwell Handicap Chase 3m 1½f
Mahlermade for Alan King won a better race than this last time out, jumping well and bouncing off the quick ground, and once joined at the last, showed a very willing attitude to win. He’s up 8lb for that, but that’s fair, and a similar display here will make him hard to beat.
Unibet win 2/1
7.55 Kempton Handicap 1m 3f
The rapidly improving Lexington Empire might be able to make all, as there is not much in the way of pace here. An easy winner at Chelmsford last time on seasonal debut, he ran perfectly well over 12f here last September and this 11f trip might be ideal, given how he weakened close home. Just looks a stronger horse this time around, and is the one to beat.
Unibet win 3/1
