Jumps Racing - Monday 10th September

[Bathtime For Rupert]

3.40 Newton Abbot - 1pt win Rita Speak @ 11/1 (VC) Posted this last time out:

4.50 Worcester - 2pts win Rita Speak @ 6/1 (Bet365) I think John Spearing's mare here is very interesting now pitched into handicap company. Obviously she's just not good enough to compete in novice events off level weights, but now she receives weight all round off a mark of 89 and I reckon she's up to it. The maiden and novice hurdle races she's been running in have worked out pretty well with some nice horses at the head of affairs - well into the 100s and she just never had any chance of going with them. However, in all three starts over jumps she's shown promise and if she can iron out her jumping problems she could win a couple of handicaps I think. Two starts back she stayed on well enough behind the first two (clear) to finish 5th but was in a battle for 3rd and arguably would have got that position with more experienced jumps at her flights. The winner is rated 127 and the runner-up 113 there so it wasn't a terrible effort and again she shaped ok last time out. She was held up in the rear and despite some scrappy jumps managed to work her way into 6th of 13 at the finish and although she was beaten by quite a distance, she stayed on nicely to put a gap between herself and the rest behind her so she finished relatively strongly but merely didn't have the ability to go with the front five. The step up in trip looks sure to suit on track evidence as she has been staying on in her own time and a weakish handicap over 2m4f should be right up her street. Her dam won hurdles over 2m6f so she has the pedigree to be capable in these sort of races and I expect her to go pretty close today if her jumping isn't appalling.

Drifted out to 11/1 on this occasion but jumped a bit better racing handier than before and had every chance before weakening with a couple of flights left. She steps back in trip which can hopefully suit based on that and this is an easier race as she drops into a 0-90 from a 0-100. The yard are in good form and the early market signals are better than last time out. Capable of going well.

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Re: Jumps Racing - Monday 10th September N/R - will have one in the same race. 3.40 Newton Abbot - 1pt win Chilworth Lass @ 7/1 (Bet365) Sheena West's horses are going well and this ex-Mick Channon runner looks to have every chance in this weak handicap hurdle - highlighted by the fact a 36-race maiden is a short-price favourite. My selection has shown bits of promise over hurdles but many of her runs have come on unsuitable soft ground I think and will prove more capable on a sounder surface. Her best run came last time out on such ground when staying on from an uncompromising position into 4th. Didn't travel with much urgency, however, so I believe the blinkers applied for the first time today could be a helping hand. If she travels into the race better I think she'll have a big chance today.