Steve Ryder runs through the key races on 6th February and names his best bets for the day.
13:45 Huntingdon
Hopefully both Huntingdon and Doncaster pass second inspections this morning so they can join Ffos Las and Thurles in providing jumps racing on Thursday 6th February. Later, Southwell stages an all-weather meeting this evening.
Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder
The Lucy Wadham trained JAX JUNIOR (best priced at 11/8) has looked a different proposition since a wind operation in November and he is a worthy favourite in this listed contest. The six-year-old won over this trip of 2m3½f in December by 10 lengths when making all before repeating the same tactics at Ascot under a penalty in January when beating the 121 rated Country Park by seventeen lengths.
The handicapper has awarded Jax Junior with a rating of 137 following that victory which puts him over 6lbs clear of his rivals in this race and he should be able to complete a hat-trick of wins under Tom Cannon.
15:20 Doncaster
De Tellers Fortune has to be respected in his hat-trick bid having made a successful chasing debut last time but I prefer the chances of KELCE (best priced at 7/2) who has looked progressive since going over fences. The Neil Mulholland trained seven-year-old has shown improved form since the application of cheekpieces with form figures of 221F over fences this season.
Kelce was an impressive six-length winner at Market Rasen in December before falling when booked for second at the same course on Boxing Day.
The winner that day O’Connell, who was only a length ahead at the time, went on to win by 9 ½ lengths and has since followed up in a Class 2 handicap at Sandown and is now rated 17lbs higher. Kelce runs here off only a 5lb rise and he should get back to winning ways in this small field.
15:30 Huntingdon
Tom Cannon has a strong book of rides at Huntingdon today and he will be hoping ROCKOLA (best priced at 5/2) can round off his day with a winner. The Alan King trained five-year-old caught the eye on a couple of occasions in novice hurdles and has since made it 2/2 in handicaps.
Rockola won by 4 ¾ lengths at Southwell in November off an opening mark of 91 before following up over 2m4½f here in January off a mark of 97. The handicapper has raised him 3lbs for that success which is fair and he should prove hard to beat if coping with the extra distance today.
