Thursday 26th April

3.55pm Warwick – Perfect Pirate 1pt Win (8/1)

Perfect Pirate is still unexposed having had just the 6 runs over obstacles with a couple of wins to his name, both of those victories have come on ground with ‘good’ in the description which should see him in a better light today. He has struggled in his past couple of starts, but they have been on soft and heavy ground which hasn’t suited him. Based on his two wins he’s on a lenient mark of 124 and with the assistance on Nico De Boinville, I’m expecting a big run.

5.25pm Beverley – Wind Storm 3pts Win (15/8)

When Ralph Beckett sends one to Beverley, it pays to keep it onside. He’s had 13 runners here in the past 5 years, 4 on them have won and 7 have placed, even more recently he’s had 2 winners from 3 runners in the past year. Wind Storm is a half-sister to 4 winners, including Beckett’s Group 2 winner Electrelane and she split a smart pair who had experience on her debut at Lingfield. She’s her trainers only runner on the card and she has plenty in her favour.

6.05pm Punchestown – Folsom Blue 1pt Each Way (8/1 bet365 (1/4 odds 5 places), 9/1 general)

This 11-year-old has been in the form of his life since joining Gordon Elliott at the start of this season. Gaining a pair of handicap wins and an extremely unlucky 4th in the Irish National last time where he arguably should have won. Bellshill gave that form a very nice boost in the Gold Cup yesterday too! Folsom Blue ran more than creditably in a Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in February and has actually been dropped 4lbs for that. He’s a huge 16lbs lower than his chase mark and a big run looks assured under Jack Kennedy.

7.15pm Punchestown – Glens Harmony 2pts Win (4/1)

Willie Mullins had an unbelievable day yesterday with six winners out of seven on the Punchestown card, he can continue in fine form with the unexposed Glens Harmony. She’s a full sister to the yards Grade 1 winner Glens Melody and her bumper form was strong, especially her debut effort where she was a close third behind Augusta Kate and Forge Meadow. She made her hurdling debut in October and was a ready winner, with her rider David Mullins full of confidence after his Gold Cup win on Bellshill, she should go well.

7.25pm Kempton – Black Mischief 2pts Win (5/2 William Hill, 9/4 general)

Harry Fry must have been expecting big things from his gelding this season, he started his campaign in the Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow back in October but hasn’t been able to get his head in front yet in 4 starts. A promising effort on handicap debut last time however got him back on track, he drops in grade from that run and has been dropped a pound for a third place finish. He’s well-handicapped on previous form and Aine O’Connor, who has ridden 3 winners from 5 rides for Harry Fry in the past year, claims 7lbs.

7.35pm Chelmsford – Ice Age 1pt Win (7/1 bet365, 13/2 general)

A track that lends itself well to front runners, especially over shorter trips, Ice Age looks a solid bet to get his head back in front. He was a big improver last season, gaining a hat-trick of handicap wins before a very good third in the Ayr Gold Cup (which was run at Haydock). Coming on plenty for his reappearance effort, he was third in the Cammidge Trophy last time when ahead of Lancelot Du Lac. Mubtasim is a good horse and I think he’ll have a productive season for William Haggas, but a lack of race fitness may just catch him out here. There should be more to come from Ice Age and he’s taken to make all.

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