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Remind me next time

The turf season on the Flat may be getting some people excited this weekend, but for me there’s still plenty of fun left to be had over Jumps – so I’ll keep flying the National Hunt flag all the way through until Punchestown and Sandown finishes on the 29th April!

Saturday Horse Racing Tips

16:37 Stratford Tips

Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m6½f

Dom Of Mary 1pt Win @ 10/3

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A Horse who I’ve had in my tracker all season is Dom Of Mary, and I think he’s finally going to have everything in his favour to get off the mark over fences following some decent efforts.

Throughout his career thus far Dom Of Mary has shown a liking to Softer ground – winning his Point-to-Point at Moig South on Heavy, before then winning a Bumper at Fairyhouse on similar ground in February 2021 – both when trained by previous handler Sam Curling.

Moving to David Bridgewater afterwards, Dom Of Mary ran some decent races as a Novice Hurdler last season – finishing 4th to Ballygriffincottage (136), 2nd to Bourbali (126), before then wining a 2m3f Maiden Hurdle at Fontwell this time last year on his fifth attempt over timber.

This season over fences is very much a similar story for Dom Of Mary – as again he’s been a bit of a slow burner. A fall at the second last when running well on Chase debut probably knocked a lot of confidence out of him, and he was subsequently only 5th on his return after a 53-day break.

His latest two starts with cheek-pieces applied have been of significantly more promise however; as he went and finished 3rd behind dual subsequent winner Le Ligerien (131) over 2m1f at Plumpton, before then last time out (27 days ago) only denied a nose by Dibble Decker (125) over 2m4f at Huntingdon.

That latest effort was clearly by some distance his best over fences, and with the way he stayed on over that 2m4f trip, you’d have to imagine the increase in distance to 2m6½f at Stratford will greatly help him – as will going back left-handed as he did hang left a fair few times on a right handed track last time which is clearly not ideal. The softer ground at Stratford should also suit considering his previous exploits.

5lbs claimer Caoilin Quinn has got on well with Dom Of Mary on their previous two spins so it is very much a positive that he retains the ride, and a 2lbs rise to a mark of 115 looks more than fair considering how close he came to victory last time out. I’m very hopeful that David Bridgewater can finally get a win over fences with this lad.

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