Jumps Racing - Wednesday 19th December

[Bathtime For Rupert]

1.50 Newbury - 2pts win Balinroab @ 9/2 (VC) AP McCoy sides with this one out of Jonjo O'Neill's two runners in this race and the jockey was a decent 2nd on his only previous ride on the horse over hurdles. His three runs over hurdles were encouraging - finished close with the rest of the runners behind a wide-margin (and classy) horse on his hurdling debut prior to twice finishing second. He faced a tough task on his chase debut given his hurdling form as he faced some good horses. The winner is rated 140 now, the runner-up 127 and the 3rd 125. Given my selection runs in a handicap off 113 today he must have a much better chance. He jumped fine, if a little unsure going into the flights but that should improve here as should his fitness as that was his first run of the season. Wasn't disgraced, nor given a really hard time so should have learned from that and can go close in more suitable company today. 2.45 Ludlow - 1pt win The Falklander @ 10/1 (Bet365) Henry Daly's runner hasn't really pulled up any trees in two starts this season but he's a big horse whose record suggests he thrives on racing and should be in tip-top shape now having blown away any cobwebs. He's a stout stayer who usually jumps well and this time last year he was a close 2nd and then a subsequent ready winner over fences so perhaps this is the right time to catch him and he beat a pretty solid yardstick at Ffos Las when getting off the mark. Since then he has been well-held in three starts but his best effort of those came last time out and it's interesting that there have been nibbles of support for him this morning considering his recent form. This looks a bit weaker than the races he's competed in lately and many of these have questions to answer on ground (Allthekingshorses, Moonlight Drive, Basoda, Donttellsailor) and wellbeing/jumping (Tour Des Champs, Take Of Shoc's, Milo Milan) so even though my selection has something to prove, he's a decent price and he definitely stays and goes on the ground. Went best at this time last year so that's potentially a positive and I'm hopeful he'll go better today.