Our expert presents two selections with analysis for Thursday's action at Monmore & Swindon.
With Hove’s Opens this week on Saturday, there is just the one Open tonight – a Stayers race at Swindon (2007), but the following race (2022), an A1, is a graded race in name only.
BLUEJIG BUZZ (6) and Gurtnara Paddy (4) have amazingly met for the last five weeks with the score two each in terms of races won.
However, the market has favoured the first-named in all five races and having beaten his rival on the last two occasions when he has had the outside draw is likely to be the favourite again.
And the betting will have it right with John Campbell’s charge expected to emerge on top. Unlike his rival who is clearly better with an easy lead, the selection’s turn of foot always gives him a chance to launch a late charge and he is fancied to nudge ahead in this on-going rubber – at least until next week!
SKYFALL VEGA (1) reaches A1 company for the first time at Monmore (2038) having been contesting A8 back in October.
The climb to the top for Paul Sallis’ charge is to be applauded, and she can emerge on top and in doing so complete a hat-trick.
Her last two runs have hit a level not previously seen from the April pup and with her consistent trapping coupled with a slow starting rival to the right she can get what will hopefully prove to be a winning first run.
Rivals of the calibre of Barnfield Barra (3) and Saka Falcon (5) will ensure it won’t be easy, but she has proved in those last two starts that she is ready to compete at the top level.
Best Bets
20:22 Swindon Bluejig Buzz (Trap 6)
20:38 Monmore Skyfall Vega (Trap 1)