Today's Racing Tips: Count on Koodini to strike at Colwick Park

Nottingham, 14.00 - Back Koodini each-way @ 9/25.50

3 (7)

Koodini (Ire)

• J: Oisin James Orr
• T: Hugo Palmer
• F: 9022

• SBK 9/2
• EXC 3.4

Nursery season is amongst us and, although the normal modus operandi is often to side with the most unexposed contender who has been concealing their talent by a raft of different ways, Koodini is the pick to win the first race of its type this term.

Trainer Hugo Palmer has been pretty streightforward with his campaigning of the selection, so much so that he has had one more outing than is required to qualify for this afternoon's contest.

That fourth run came over course and distance last week when the Kodi Bear colt was outclassed by a smart debutante in Chan Soir who in turn landed some tasty bets to win tidily for Jane Chapple-Hyam and Harry Davies.

Koodini finished a couple of lengths clear of the third seven days ago and connections reach for the cheekpieces today in order to try and eek out a little more improvement from a horse who had previously run creditably behind Metamouse at Chester.

The selection's knowledge of the track should help here and Palmer's juvenile could upset one or two of those rivals who boast more enticing profiles on paper.  

Bellewstown, 18.10 - Back Carvalhal @ 11/43.75

3 (1)

Carvalhal (Ire)

• J: Nicola Burns
• T: R. P. Burns, Ireland
• F: 90690-021

• SBK 9/4
• EXC 1.15

In more than a year of writing this column, I can't ever recall putting up a horse at Bellewstown, but we live in challenging times so Carvalhal gains the nod in this modest 0-60.

The five-year-old served notice he was striking peak form with a fine second over seven furlongs at Limerick when a big price and he duly obliged on his return to that venue a week later, clocking a smart time in the process.

The selection was fifth in this race 12 months ago when he was overhauled late on and, given he was drawn on the wing in stall 18 (the winner was drawn 2) it was a highly respectful performance from the son of Profitable.

He is much better berthed in stall one today so Nicola Burns ought to be able to ride her own race from that gate and a repeat of his Limerick display on the figures should ensure Carvalhal is extremely competitive here.

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