Jumps Racing - Friday 8th February

[Bathtime For Rupert]

2.50 Kempton - 2pts win Wings of Icarus @ 9/2 (PP) David Pipe's runner was a bit of an eyecatcher last time out at Ascot when running over three miles. He's unexposed with just six career starts under his belt and conditions today look ideal. He was plenty promising enough in novice events last season when not beaten too far by some nice types prior to a staying on 3rd at Wincanton on his final start of the season. He obviously needed stepping back up in trip on that evidence and was sent off at 4/1 for his seasonal debut this time around at Sandown. He did trail home 71l behind the winner but it was his first run for a while so can be excused. Although he was 8th of 13 last time out it was very testing at Ascot and he simply didn't get home. However, he was bang there for a long way before fading at 2 out and should be suited by this trip today. Blinkers are added for the first time as well and he just looks an ideal candidate for this sort of race. 3.10 Bangor - 1pt win Nodebateaboutit @ 10/1 (Hills) The money is coming again for Tom George's charge but as of yet he's failed to justify the support this season. He won two three mile events last winter on testing ground but since that final victory he's been brought down and pulled-up twice from three starts. He was, however, in the process of running well when coming to grief late on at Perth and has also had excuses this time around. He got tired very quickly on his seasonal return which can be expected, for all he was the well-supported favourite, and last time out he just made a blunder and was pulled-up immediately. That was at the 6th flight but he jumped the first five well so I think he can be excused that run also. He's a big horse who looks like a stayer and it's obvious that connections feel there's a win in him sooner rather than later. Paddy Brennan hops back aboard and fingers crossed he can provide compensation for his backers this afternoon. 3.45 Bangor - 2pts win Swaledale Lad @ 8/1 (Bet365) This wouldn't be a very strong affair and Richard Ford's runner has shown enough to me to suggest he can take a race of this nature. He has been hampered by his tendency to take a keen hold but has twice finished second over hurdles and conditions should be good for him today. His handicap/seasonal debut this year saw him make some nice progress in the latter stages of the contest before backing out of things and just suggested that he was a horse in need of the run. In an attempt to combat his exuberance he was sent to the front at Doncaster last time and ran okay for a long way prior to weakening. That was in a stronger contest than this and the smaller field today (also lacking in obvious pace) should see him be able to dominate a bit better. This track ought to suit the front-runner a bit better as well (should suit him regardless of tactics) and he's been dropped 3lbs. The form of the Doncaster race looks pretty solid and there have been nibbles of support this morning for this one so I'm quietly confident of a big run.

[Primevil]

Re: Jumps Racing - Friday 8th February 3.35 Newcastle Little Glenshee 8/13 Paddy Power. In this mares only event the selection is a stand out bet, only having to stand up to win IMO. LA has passed the doctor so takes off the 3lb. I rate the mare a full stone of anything else here, and I loath choosing odds ons i simpley cannot let this 1 go. Should be 2/5 in my book. Will be up there from the off out of trouble to extend and blow these away today.