8th November 2012

Another result yesterday with Seefood finishing stronger than the rest to win at Fairyhouse. Viking Storm unfortunately was unable to land the double but still a profitable day.

Thank you as well to all those that entered yesterday's Twitter competition. The winner was Pete Rawlins who wins a copy of Timeform's Horses To Follow 2012/13. I'll be hoping to try to find more prizes and competitions for everyone to get involved in.

Back to the racing and here are today's best selections.

12.50 Towcester

This is a very interesting Beginners' Chase for us to decipher as each of these has the ability to make an impact at some point or another this season. Maringo Bay provides a decent starting point, racing against some good opposition last year over fences but often let down by sporadic jumping. If straightened out he should be involved in this, but until we witness his jumping he is overlooked, especially as his record fresh isn't great. Same Difference has also had a start over fences but again his jumping doesn't inspire confidence. Although he finished ahead of Emma Lavelle's HIGHLAND LODGE previously, I'm going to side with the latter to continue his trainer's fine run and score at the first time of asking here. She has stated so far that he is an excellent jumper, and that he has a good chance in this sphere this year where he should appreciate today's conditions around this stiff track similar to Haydock and Exeter, where he secured his two wins over hurdles. Add to that he is already a winning Irish pointer and he looks a good bet. Unfortunately his price looks set to reflect all of this. Red Rocco looks another likely to do well whilst Kasabadali might prefer better ground. 6/5 Sky Bet

13.50 Towcester

ARDKILLY WITNESS catches the eye in this race with the booking of McCoy. It's not unusual for the Champion Jockey to pair up with a Dr Newland mount, often with success, but the fact that McManus has a horse in the race and McCoy is not riding it must mean there must be something else really worth his time and effort. The horse is also part owned by his trainer and was recently purchased so I'm sure there are big things expected, or at least bigger than this prize and he must be expected to put up a decent showing. He's previously won over point to point fences so his jumping shouldn't be a worry in this event and he has raced as far as 3 miles so shouldn't be lagging towards the end of the race. The rest of the field includes a mix of horses who look similarly matched and this intriguing pairing on the selection is what tips the balance here. 6/4 William Hill, Ladbrokes

13.25 Thurles

Some names we've already seen this season pop up again in this Listed contest from across the Irish Sea. Quarryvale and BOSTONS ANGEL reoppose from a hurdles defeat to Mossley which was successfully predicted on here a fortnight ago. The former was the subject of a gamble that day that didn't pay off and back over fences he makes little appeal. The latter however has been a bit of an enigma, trying to recapture the former glory of his novice season chasing which culminated in the 2011 RSA Chase. His two runs this year over hurdles will hopefully have helped sharpen him up and he's due a good run. It's a chance backing him against Roi Du Mee who won last time out beating Joncol and Magnaminity, but that was against unfit opposition and you can be sure Jessica Harrington will have been doing all she can to get one of her former stable superstars back on track. Ballinhow Lady recently had the beating of Ordinary Man, but that was at far more favourable weights and the mare will struggle to confirm those placings. Ordinary Man has more of a chance of impacting on proceedings but should ultimately be outclassed here. 9/2 Boylesports

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer