3 minute read
Sam King’s last four selections have won and he’s back with two more on Thursday…
There is just no stopping Lucinda Russell at present and her progressive Rattling Road looks to hold obvious claims in the Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Chase at Newcastle (1.35) this afternoon.
The son of Arctic Cosmos looked to find the two-mile and half furlong trip on the sharp side when staying on into fourth on his chasing and handicap debut at Ayr in October. It's no surprise that connections opted to go up to two and a half miles with him at Hexham last month, a decision that proved fruitful as he effortlessly jumped his rivals into submission before galloping out well to score by three- and three-quarter lengths.
He left the impression there could be plenty more to come from him over the larger obstacles that day and a 6lb rise in the weights ought not be enough to prevent the follow-up.
WIN - Rattling Road
Odds – 15/8
We head to Ludlow for our second selection, where Monty Bodkin catches the eye in the Ian Meadows 65h Year Maiden Hurdle (1.15).
Previously trained by Ben Pauling, Monty Bodkin chased home the now 133-rated Formby Novices' Hurdle fourth Celtic Dino in a bumper at Ascot on his debut in 2023 before beating two solid yardsticks to get off the mark at Doncaster last February.
He made a disappointing start for new trainers Jonjo and Anthony O'Neill when weakening into sixth on his hurdling debut at Carlisle in November, but he's subsequently undergone a wind-operation and surely has more to offer over obstacles.
Jonjo and Anthony O'Neill's recruit might not be that straightforward, but assuming his breathing has been sorted out, he can show enough pure ability to get off the mark on his second attempt over hurdles.
WIN - Monty Bodkin
Odds – 7/2