Steve Ryder is back with four selections for today's action with one runner at Doncaster, one at Kelso and two at Curragh.
15:06 Curragh
The likes of Culcor, Ivy League and Malex are well bred newcomers but they should struggle to make a winning debut against the 100 rated BOUNDLESS OCEAN NAP (best priced at 5/4) in this race. Trainer Jim Bolger often makes a fast start to a season and his home-bred son of Teofilo sets the standard on his three runs last season. The three-year-old finished a neck second on his debut over this course and distance last season before running with credit in a pair of Group 3s on his next two starts.
If Boundless Ocean has progressed over the winter then he sets a high standard for the newcomers to aim for and he should prove hard to beat.
15:35 Doncaster
David O’Meara and Akela Thoroughbreds have a more fancied runner in Darkness for the Lincoln this year but I prefer the chances of HORTZADAR (best priced at 28/1) who looks overpriced again this season. The seven-year-old outran odds of 66/1 to finish 3rd in this race last season off a mark of 97 on his reappearance and he runs here off a mark of 90 this season.
Hortzadar finished 2nd at Redcar off a mark of 93 in August so he hasn’t completely lost his form and he looks overpriced with Cam Hardie on board for the first time with up to seven places on offer.
16:16 Curragh
The booking of Ryan Moore on the Ado McGuinness trained BOWERMAN (best priced at 10/1) has meant that he has shortened in the market but I do feel he holds strong claims of a repeat victory. The eight-year-old won this race in 220 off a mark of 97 and runs here off a 1lb lower mark. He looked to have completely lost his way but has bounced back to form at Dundalk in recent months and that fitness could prove vital in this race against rivals making their reappearances.
Bowerman was only beaten 3 lengths by the reopposing San Andreas last time who is rated 8lbs higher and was getting weight so I expect him to reverse form with that rival and he should run well with up to seven places available.
16:21 Kelso
The Nicky Henderson trained BOLD REACTION (best priced at 2/1) finished 2nd by a short head on his rules debut and should be able to go one better in this race. The five-year-old won an Irish PTP in October before joining Nicky Henderson where he travelled best of all over the 2 mile trip.
The first and third haven’t ran again since but the fourth Haas Boy won on his next start in a maiden hurdle by 1 ½ lengths to give the form some substance and I expect him to go one better in this race.
