BBOTD Wednesday 23rd April

[Blazing Bailey]

340 Punchestown - Rawnaq 10/1 Boylesports BOG This progressive horse has a slightly odd profile having only ran in one hurdles race this season with the rest being predominantly on the flat. However his last two runs over hurdles have worked out pretty well and give him a definite chance off of this mark. Even his prep run on the flat more recently has worked out pretty nicely and the conditions should be spot on for him tomorrow. This is a step up in class and my main concern would be that this is the amateur jockeys first race under rules but a lot of the field seem to be no hopers and the other horses I think could figure seem to have something going against them. The main danger will probably be Brian Who but the 8lb rise and softer ground that last time could make this a much tougher assignment than he win LTO.

[robertob]

Re: BBOTD Wednesday 23rd April 15.55 Epsom: Spanish Duke @ 9/2 Boylesports Spanish Duke looks very well handicapped, is now down to 3lb below his last winning mark, when he won of 95 here at Epsom almost exactly two years ago. He goes well on fast ground as well as on this track, as besides his win, he finished 3rd and also an only 2½ beaten 6th against some tough opposition last year here. What makes him really interesting though is his comeback run which came at Pontefract a fortnight ago. He was slowly into stride and dropped in, trailing the field, which isn't the best position to be at that track, even more so in a race that wasn't run on a rattling pace. Turning for home he was in an impossible position and the only way to make ground was to turn wide. Once in a clear he really powered home in the closing stages, staying on as the only one from behind while a front-runner won it (Lady Loch). With a track much more to suit his running style, what Epsom clearly is, he should be very competitive on his second start this season, particularly with handicap mark and conditions in his favour. It's an obvious bonus that William Buick is booked for the ride.