Antidote – 2.40 Newton Abbot – 2M 1F Handicap Hurdle – 25/1 Bet365 – 1 point each way.
Jimmy Frost won this race in 2016 and hasn’t had another runner in the race since. Today he sends Antidote for his handicap debut, and he looks to have a decent chance after just three runs in maiden hurdles.
He ran on the flat without success and only peaked at a mark of 55, but on his maiden debut he ran promisingly, jumping well and was not knocked about at the end of the race postmarking 91. The other runners around him that day are now rated 10lb higher so you feel Antidote could at least match that increase.
He was then pulled up on heavy ground, but that ground didn’t suit him (he was a non-runner due to unsuitable soft ground when on the flat). On his last novice hurdle start he ran satisfactorily with a claimer on board, which set his handicap mark at 89.
The big pointer about finding Jimmy Frosts winners is having his daughter Bryony Frost on board, and Bryony comes here for her only ride on Antidote.
The faster ground will be ideal for him and certainly has scope off this mark to be involved.
At 25/1 in this 8 runner evet we get 3 places and I therefore recommend 1 point each way with Bet365.
He is still value at 14/1.
Mukha Magic – 7.25 Windsor – 1m 4F Handicap – 33/1 Bet365 – 1 Point each way.
Mukha Magic was an easy 6 length course and distance winner on good to firm ground in 2019 off a mark of 61.
He was as high as 92 last year and has been in fair form this season without troubling the judge, but the handicapper seems to have been incredibly lenient on him dropping him 15lbs for his last three runs. Three runs ago he ran off 82 and postmarked a respectable 80, then on his last race he ran over 2m 4F off 70 postmarked 74. This big drop isn’t warranted so connections must feel he is nicely handicapped.
He runs off 67 today and returns to his winning trip of 1m 4F at a track where he goes well.
Mukha Magic is in fair form and with ideal conditions he must have a chance in an open race.
Bizarrely he can be backed at 33/1 with Bet365 and we must get involved each way.
I still feel he is value at 14/1.
Al Mikdam – 8.40 Wolverhampton – 1m 1.5F Handicap – 100/1 Bet365 – 1 Point Each Way.
The 5 year old Al Mikdam was originally trained by Godolphin. He ran respectably in his maidens over 1m to 1m 2F postmarking a high of 71.
He was then off 2 years with injury and was sold on, moving to the small yard of John Norton.
John Norton is not renowned for many winners, so it was no surprise to see Al Mikdam needing his first few runs to establish his fitness and wellbeing.
His recent runs have been over 1m 4F and from his breeding this is too far for him, 1m to 1m 2F is his optimum.
Like many horses that have time off they also develop breathing problems, and he was operated on before his latest start where again he was over 1m 4F and trailed in last.
I feel Al Mikdam can now take a step forward with his form as he has now run 5 times this season so his fitness and wellbeing should now be in order. Most importantly he comes back to a more suitable trip of 1m 1F. This coincides with a return to Wolverhampton where he has run his best races and with a run under his belt his breathing shouldn’t be a problem.
Al Mikdam also has Jack Garrity in the saddle and that’s a good sign as John Norton uses him when his horses have a good chance. He also has an ideal draw in stall 3.
These are all good reasons to feel Al Mikdam can bounce back to form, but the massive factor in his favour is his handicap mark which has dropped from 71 to just 49 in 5 runs. Considering he has postmarked 71 over this course and distance he really has a good chance at the weights.
He only has to run to 53-58 to win or place in this and that looks very achievable, just a small step up in form is required.
So at 100/1 with Bet365 we have to get involved and I recommend 1 point each way. As John Norton doesn’t get many winners, he could easily drift out further so please make sure you bet with a best odds guaranteed bookmaker.
He still looks value at 25/1.
