A new month begins and there are five midweek meetings across Britain and Ireland to herald the start of February as jumps action takes place at Ayr, Exeter and Leicester while the all-weather racing comes from Dundalk and Kempton.
Trainer Sandy Thomson looks to have an improving chaser on his hands in Donna’s Double and victory is forecast for them on the card at Ayr.
Selections
- Ayr 3.00 – Donna’s Double @ 10/3
- Exeter 3.55 – Broadway Boy @ 9/4
- Kempton 8.30 – Princess Nieve @ 9/2
Tip 1
DONNA’S DOUBLE (10/3) is a quite lightly-raced sort and should prove a trademark improver from the Sandy Thomson yard now making his way as a chaser.
He was a hurdles winner at Newcastle over two-miles 12 months to the day and he showed promise again next time at the same venue when second over 2m4f. He didn’t quite see out three-miles at this venue in April on his final start of the season and, again, at Hexham (3m, soft) in November’s chasing bow.
Connections went for wind surgery after that comeback run and Donna’s Double seemed to benefit when making a success of his second start over fences at this venue (2m4½f, heavy) in early January.
He saw that race out well and should have no issue with an extra furlong now. He is 4lb higher in a better race today but should progress and is fancied to justify his spot on the Most Napped table via the Betfred Betfinder with a follow up success in Scotland.
Tip 2
Stamina should be the key for the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained BROADWAY BOY (9/4) in this handicap hurdle over nearly three-miles at Exeter.
He got off the mark over hurdles at Aintree (3m½f, good to soft) in December in what was a winning handicap debut.
He really picked up when asked and was in complete control passing the line, with the pair that finished behind him combining to win three of their four starts since.
His earlier runner-up finishes at Market Rasen and Lingfield were solid showings, including when second to smart performer Authorised Speed in the latter contest.
He’s up 7lb for that win on Merseyside but this stamina-laden youngster may still prove too strong for his rivals at Exeter.
Tip 3
George Boughey and Kevin Stott have formed a strong alliance on the all-weather circuit this winter and PRINCESS NIEVE (9/2) could be a leading contender to give them a winner in the final race at Kempton tonight, a contest that benefits from the Betfred Extra Place (four places) boost.
The Australia filly was a winner in Classified company a Lingfield over 1m2f last month and has run two solid races at Kempton and Newcastle since under this rider.
She hasn’t quite been able to add to her tally but she still has time on her side and the applications of a pair of first-time cheekpieces could be key to unlocking some further improvement now.
