Horse racing predictions: Punchestown, Hereford and Wolverhampton
There’s plenty of racing in store across Britain and Ireland on Monday, with five meetings scheduled.
It’s jumps fare all the way in the afternoon with cards from Punchestown (12.47-4.17pm), Hereford (1.15-4.40), Plumpton (1.30-4.24) and Huntingdon (1.40-4.30), before the evening all-weather action on the level at Wolverhampton (5.30-8.30).
Monday’s nap looks a promising sort for Gordon Elliott and can motor his way to further success as he steps up in trip at Punchestown.
Horse racing predictions today: Punchestown, Hereford and Wolverhampton
Enda McElhinney’s Monday predictions are below. Scroll down to read the expert analysis behind them.
Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.
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Horse racing predictions: Punchestown 3.07
Gordon Elliott will be getting set for a major weekend at the Dublin Racing Festival but SA FUREUR gets a chance early in the week to showcase his possible credentials for the major spring festivals.
The Walk In The Park gelding holds two Grade 1 novice hurdle entries for Cheltenham and will be targeting a second hurdles victory on the spin at Punchestown.
In late December, he finished second on his hurdles bow in a maiden at Limerick (2m, soft/heavy), the form of which was franked when the fourth won next time out, and a fortnight ago he shed his maiden tag with a five-length win under Davy Russell over the same trip on heavy going here.
Today’s step up to 2m 4½f should be a plus factor for him and, with top-weight of 12st to carry, it’s not a major shock that Rob James takes over, armed with his handy 7lb claim. Sa Fureur should be too good for these rivals and can add to his potential as one who has bigger days ahead.
Selection: Sa Fureur @ 9/4 with Paddy Power
Horse racing predictions: Hereford 3.35
ONLY THE BOLD made a bright start for new trainer David Pipe when scoring by nine lengths on his chasing debut in November at Bangor (3m, heavy). He raced close to the pace that afternoon, before cruising clear under Fergus Gillard and ultimately being coasting through the final stages.
The application of first-time cheekpieces and tongue-tie that day appeared to be positives, as was the switch to larger obstacles for a horse who can lay claim to beating the smart Tommy’s Oscar when winning a point-to-point in early 2020.
He was useful over timber for Evan Williams, winning once and placing in three more of his eight starts, but it should come as no great shock if he achieves more as a chaser. To that end, he can defy a 10lb ratings rise in this 3m handicap chase to make it 2-2 in this sphere.
Selection: Only The Bold @ 2/1 with Paddy Power
Horse racing predictions: Wolverhampton 7.00
Charlie Fellowes’ filly COLOMBIDEA was in fine tune and making progress prior to coming up short in a Listed event over 1m 1½f at Deauville before Christmas. She was a 22/1 chance in that contest and, on her eighth career start, probably had too much on her plate.
Prior to that, she won a maiden over 7f at this track in late November and came within a whisker of a winning handicap bow at Kempton over a mile carrying a 6lb penalty.
She was giving away lots of weight that day and, from the same mark, the daughter of Churchill can get back on the up.
Selection: Colombidea @ 5/1 with Paddy Power
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