Hollow Blue Sky and No Comment among tips for Ffos Las and Plumpton
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Hollow Blue Sky weighted to shine at Ffos Las
Hollow Blue Sky looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights and provide in-form trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies with another winner in the 3m 1f handicap chase on today’s card at Ffos Las (15.20).
The nine-year-old was in good form in 2014, easily winning a 2m 5f handicap chase at Huntingdon on soft ground by eight lengths before posting a cracking effort to finish third of 19 to Streams Of Whisky in a hot class 2 contest at Haydock off a rating of 117.
Hollow Blue Sky then posted a series of solid efforts to be placed three times off marks as high 122 before getting back to winning ways in a class 2 contest at Haydock in April 2015 when scoring by six lengths off a mark of 114.
The son of Turgeon is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair off a reduced rating of just 107, 7lb lower than when last victorious and his lowest rating in three years.
It gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective, especially if taking into account the 3lb claim of promising young jockey Jamie Bargary.
Lots to like about Laser Hawk
Laser Hawk has become dangerously well-treated and looks worth an each-way wager in the 2m 4f handicap chase (13.45) now fitted with the visor for the first time.
The Evan Williams trained gelding ran well on his first start last season on debut over fences when an 18 length third to Arzal in a class 3 novices’ handicap chase at Newbury off a mark of 133.
Laser Hawk subsequently only managed to make the frame once in four starts, when third in a class 3 at Taunton, and was pulled up on the other three occasions.
The nine-year-old has clearly not been the easiest to train but has shaped better than the bare result suggests in two starts this season despite being pulled-up and finishing a well beaten fifth.
On each occasion he has travelled well until making costly errors and being eased once beaten in the hands of 7lb claimer Lewis Gordon.
Laser Hawk has shaped as if retaining plenty of ability and now gets the professional services of Adam Wedge in the saddle.
The fitting of the headgear also looks a positive move, and if it has the desired effect there is little doubt that the selection is weighted to run a huge race off a mark of just 114 based on his run behind Arzal.
Ffos Las tips
12.45: Attest
13.15: Jameson
13.45: Laser Hawk (E/W)
14.20: Prussian Eagle
14.50: Top And Drop
15.20: Hollow Blue Sky
15.50 Duke Debarry
No Comment the standout punt at Plumpton
No Comment looks a worthy favourite to get the better of Stowaway Magic and land the 2m 4f novices’ hurdle on today’s card at Plumpton (13.30).
The five-year-old, who is trained by Philip Hobbs, had some top class form in bumpers last season when finishing placed on two occasions before landing a competitive 24-runner contest at the Punchestown Festival.
No Comment stayed on strongly to beat Monalee by 1/2 a length it it was a performance which suggested he would make up into a smart hurdler this season.
However, the gelding has taken his time to find his feet over the obstacles, unseating his rider at the second on seasonal reappearance at Chepstow before finishing runner-up at Aintree when sent off a heavily backed favourite.
No Comment then showed the benefit of that experience when readily landing a seven-runner contest at Market Rasen last month by 2 1/2 lengths.
The J P McManus owned son of Kayf Tara travelled ominously well throughout and overcame a mistake at the last to score with tons in hand.
This is tougher but No Comment is clearly now getting his act together and remains a horse with tremendous potential who can take this en route to better things.
Quarryman each-way value in finale
In the 2m handicap hurdle that brings proceedings to a close (15.30), Quarryman looks on a handy mark and decent each-way value at the odds on offer.
The Ron Hodges trained five-year-old hinted at ability in bumpers and ran well two finish runner-up twice over hurdles last season.
In the first of those, Quarryman stuck to the task well to be beaten seven lengths by Verni at Newcastle.
The winner is s useful sort who has won again since to be rated 125 and the selection finished just over 11 lengths in front of the fourth home Winning Ticket who is rated 110.
That gives the form a strong look in relation to this weak looking class 5 contest and suggests that Quarryman is potentially very well treated off a handicap mark of just 98 in a contest lacking any real strength in depth.
Plumpton tips
12.30: Khezerabad
13.00: Theinval
13.30: No Comment (NAP)
14.00: Sartorial Elegance
14.30: The Game Is A Foot
15.00: Miss Oscarose
15.30: Quarryman (E/W)
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