BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY RACE MEETING SELECTIONS

Bit of fun for Monday, we have meetings all around the country and so thought I’d have a look through the cards and aim to pick out my best selection from each course. 

Six UK meetings during the day are being held at Epsom, Chepstow, Newcastle and Ripon on the flat as well as National Hunt cards at Cartmel and Huntingdon. We will target the "big" race at each meeting, and make a selection from there. 

This will include the likes of the "famous" Blaydon Race being held at Newcastle although these days it's just a 2yo nursery but it's nice to have these historic names around now since most races have been renamed by sponsors to something ridiculous. 

EPSOM
3:05 -- 5f Handicap
Nice little 8 runner race on this unique track so it might pay to focus on the three course and distance winners in the field. 

This gives us Duke of Firenze, Captain Dunne and Monumental Man against the field but we'll have to pick one which leads us to DUKE OF FIRENZE with Adrena Atzeni on board. Was last in the "Dash" here on Derby day, but ran well until near end and eased, this race should be more to his liking. [7th 8/1]


CHEPSTOW 
4:30 -- 1m 14y Handicap
Good field of eight declared for this handicap, it will be interesting to see if PEAK STORM takes his turn having finished last at Goodwood on Saturday and seemed to struggle there, was in good form before that but maybe needs a break now.

Don't see too many 8yo's with Godolphin so QUICK WIT [3rd 8/1] must still be showing something to be retained by them, will find it hard off top weight though and our selection will be MIME DANCE who has won twice around here already this year. [6th 11/2]


NEWCASTLE
2:25 -- 1m 3y BLAYDON RACE (Nursery)
A good line up of seven previous winners with top weight KINGS PAVILION [2nd 7/1] setting a good standard but the penalties he has might be his downfall today. I fancy SHAHBAR [3rd 9/4] from the Marco Botti yard who took this race last year and Frankie on board again as he was when winning a Sandown maiden last time out.


RIPON
3:45 -- 6f Champion 2yo Trophy (Listed)
It's not quite in the same league as some of the other 2yo Trophy races (thinking Redcar, Newbury etc) but it's a nice contest for the Bank Holiday meeting and could go to HOLY GRAIL (R Fahey) who's yard took this race last season. She won her maiden here on debut and has followed that up with a win at Newmarket in a nursery, with just the 5 runs has scope to improve still. [4th 9/2]


CARTMEL
4:00 -- Cavendish Cup (Handicap Chase)
Just the 6 for this lively renewal, of which only DANIMIX looks a little likely to struggle on his return to chasing having been pulled up at Exeter in February in a veterans event.

I do fancy the top weight here ALDERBROOK LAD who has the benefit of a 10lb claimer Finian O'Toole who has been on board for the last two starts winning at Cartmel and runner up at Southwell. Seems to have taken to chasing ok, a winner of 9 races and further 10 places that's a good effort at any level looks a safe jumper too which can't be said for a few of these. [4th 15/2]


HUNTINGDON
2:05 -- BDN Construction Handicap Chase
10 runners for this 2 1/2 mile chase, they all quite closely matched but only MILGEN BAY has CD winning form and that might make a big difference, though ran disappointedly after running up a hat trick of wins but the month off might have done the trick. [Non Runner]

TANGOLAN [WON 3/1] has a couple of wins around Market Rasen and might still improve a bit and is the one to give us most to think about today. I will try and Dutch the pair if the market allows, need 5/1 or better ... only one selection due to non runner. 


Have a wonderful Bank Holiday, especially if you going racing or partying at the Notting Hill Carnival.