Thursday Preview – It’s Not Rocket Science

Michael Wigham’s 7-year-old Trojan Rocket has really taken off in recent months and can defy another 5lb rise in the weights in the Olswang LLP Backing Winners Handicap (8.10) at Chelmsford City on Thursday evening. The Elusive City gelding only prevailed by a neck over course and distance last month, but was always holding the runner-up on that occasion.

Furthermore, the second, third and fourth from that race went on to fill three of the first five places in a similar, but more valuable, handicap at Wolverhampton earlier this month and the fifth, Glen Moss, was only just touched off in a Listed event at Lingfield last Saturday, so the form looks significantly stronger than it did at the time.

Trojan Rocket has been raised a total of 11lb since returning to action at Kempton in November but, in light of subsequent events, the latest 5lb rise is probably neither here nor there and he looks to have an outstanding chance. It’s unusual for a horse to find significant improvement at the age of seven, but improve he most definitely has and looks one to follow until beaten. George Baker, who has an excellent 5-18 (28%) strike rate for Michael Wigham on the all-weather, for a level stakes profit of £18.63, comes in for the ride.

Selection: Chelmsford City 8.10 Trojan Rocket to win

Wednesday Preview – It’s Oscar Time Again

Although now a 14-year-old, Oscar Time proved he was no back number with game win in the Becher Chase, over 3 miles 2 furlongs, on the Grand National course at Aintree in December and, although 6lb higher in the weights, must have every chance of winning the Betbright Cheltenham Festival Fund Veterans’ Handicap Chase (3.25) at Doncaster on Wednesday.

Robert Waley-Cohen’s charge remains 3lb lower in the weights than fourth in the 2013 Grand National and, having won all three of his completed starts since, is a confident selection to beat his fellow senior citizens. The weight rise is offset by the drop back into 0-150 company and, although he’s been off the course for 74 days, he’s won after much longer absences in the past and presumably doesn’t take much getting ready.

Three miles on the prevailing good to soft going should suit him admirably and, with regular partner Sam Waley-Cohen taking off a useful 3lb, he’s frankly hard to oppose. Robbie, Reaping The Reward and Aachen have their stamina to prove, Burton Port and Shoegazer appear woefully out of form and last year’s Grand National fourth, Alvarado, has an absence of 319 days to overcome.

Ikorodu Road, on the other hand, is 1lb lower in the weights than when third, beaten just 2 lengths, in this grade over course and distance in December and looks the principal danger if none the worse for his fall at Catterick last month. Graham McPherson’s 12-year-old has been lightly raced in recent seasons, but one win from his last thirteen starts hardly inspires confidence.

On balance, Oscar Time looks the one to be at 9/2 with Betfair Sportsbook.

Selection: Doncaster 3.25 Oscar Time to win (9/2 with Betfair Sportsbook)