Triskaidekaphobia for Almaty at Wolves….

After the excitement of the weekend it’s back to the drawing board this Monday afternoon with Ffos Las,Folkestone and Wolverhampton all racing today. Not quite as competitive as Newbury or Newcastle on Saturday but nevertheless some decent opportunities to get a few quid if we box clever.

Ffos Las gets under way at 12.45, a race where odds on players will be looking for Hollow Tree to get them off to a good start. He should win but backing a big odds on loser in the first race of the week is something I cannot have on my mind. Jockey  Dominic Elsworth travels here for one mount only, Super Directa in the beginners chase at 1.15.Trained by Lucy Wadham,Super Directa undoubtedly has Thelobstercatcher to fear in this heat. Tom  Scudamore is another one trick jockey here at Ffos Las,he rides Buddy Bolero for Dave Pipe in the maiden hurdle at 1.45.Nicely fancied for a Fontwell bumper on his debut, he’s sure to have come on for that run and could run into a place this afternoon. Bugaku catches the eye in this race also, he was decent a few years back when with Sir Michael and no doubt the market will reveal all in relation to his chances today.

Azione (2.55) escapes a penalty for his latest success in a conditional jockey’s race at Exeter and will be a leading fancy for the two mile handicap hurdle at 2.55  under jockey Nicky Schofield. Finally watch for the Rebecca Curtis newcomer First Quarter in the concluding bumper .This locally based trainer has a superb 33% strike rate in bumpers here at Ffos Las and if the market offers any encouragement he is certainly worth keeping on your side.

Seven races at Folkestone this afternoon with fields quite small due to the unseasonal good to firm ground. The champ AP McCoy graces the track with his presence this afternoon and he might get a return for his Charing Cross return rail ticket courtesy of Temple Lord in the three runner handicap chase at 1.00. Joseph Lister is of interest in the maiden hurdle at 1.30.Useful on the flat for John Gosden and now with Nicky Henderson his young jockey Gary Derwin claims a valuable ten pounds in this contest.

McCoy and Lewes based trainer Jim Best have a 29% strike rate here at Folky’ and Free Speech seeks to enhance those figures in the handicap chase at 2.00,a race where Hennessy hero Mattie Batchelor  would be a popular winner  on Maderson Blue. A little later on the card Road Train Bob is worthy of consideration in the three miler handicap  at 3.10, given that his trainer Neil King has a 29% strike rate in handicap chases at this track. Final mention for Golden Firebird in the mare’s bumper at 3.40, trained by Alan King this filly is the only mount on the card for jockey Robert ‘Choc’ Thornton this afternoon.

Eight races from Wolverhampton this afternoon with a 2.10 start. Watch for C P Joe in the opening amateur riders handicap ridden by leading amateur Simon Walker. He’s the man in these amateur contests and regularly gets the pick of the mounts in these races. Ireland’s best dressed trainer Michael Browne sends Ability N Delivery over for the sprint handicap at 3.50,a race where the course specialist Almaty Express looks for an amazing thirteenth course and distance win.

Jockey Philip Makin travels here for one mount only,Anginola in the nursery at 4.50 while Gordon Elliot’s Priors Gold will look to follow up last Friday’s course win in the two mile handicap at 5.20.Note also in this race Gordon runs Sounds Of Thunder .Useful over hurdles this year, Sounds Of Thunder carries the same colours as the likely jolly and should be respected if the market speaks in his favour.

Enjoy your Monday racing here at Star Spreads .Why not call us on 1800 624 624 (Irish Freephone) or if ringing from the UK (0808 2349709).You won’t be disappointed!

Donal