FROM THE OFF

Former jockey Liam Hall looks at the weekends maidens and tries to pinpoint a few runners he expects to lose their maiden status this weekend.

SATURDAY

16:50 NEWBURY 

A six runner field where a case could be made for app of them. The two likely to be at the head of the betting are There Runs Mary and Hill In Brazil. They finished first and second on debut last time with There Runs Mary being the one who came out on top but therefore will carry a 4lb penalty this time. The manner of the way she travelled through the race and looked comfortably on top at the finish, she is tipped to confirm the placings once again. Ace Artist is out a of a listed bumper winner/smart on the flat over middle distances, with a trainer who does well in bumpers so she's one to keep an eye on. 

THERE RUNS MARY (WIN) 

SUNDAY

16:37 LEOPARDSTOWN

Carrigmoorna Beach and Eternal Echo come into this race with a victory on their only starts which should leave both of them at the top of the market. Carrigmoorna Beach was very impressive however and gets the 7lb fillies allowance so she is tipped to finish ahead of Eternal Echo. Oneinthewell is a debutant here, he's closely related to the great Altior, his dam was placed in a bumper, has Patrick Mullins in the saddle which culminates into a huge threat to the pair however Carrigmoorna Beach was that impressive on debut she should just be too good.  

CARRIGMOORNA BEACH (WIN) 

ONEINTHEWELL (E/W) 

16:50 DONCASTER

A Junior bumper to conclude the card at Doncaster with plenty of the field having their first outings. Blue Sky Dreaming is out of a bumper winner and related to the owners Gold Cup winner in Long Run, by a top sire also. 

Eternity Rose has a family stacked with winners including a bumper winning dam, most of the family improve with Racecourse experience but trainer Fergal O'Brien can definitely ready one first time out. Lovis De Sceux is another Tom Weston runner with a smart French family, this one being related to Bristol De Mai so the ground shouldn't be of any concern at Doncaster and with Danny Mcmenamin in the saddle could be one too go close.  

BLUE SKY DREAMING (WIN) 

LOVIS DE SCEUX (E/W) 

17:02 HUNTINGDON

On paper this contest looks a competitive one and may just take a smart one to land it. Likely favourite Lock Stock has finished second twice on both his Racecourse bumpers running to a fairly similair level, that level should be good enough to win an ordinary bumper but this may not be an ordinary bumper, will have to improve I'd say. Bobajob is closely related to Bob's Worth so should be talented, he looked to be cruising on debut until being passed quite easily by a very smart winner. Is tipped to finish ahead of those that have Racecourse experience. Indigo Sky and Lirion both bring smart pedigrees to the table for their debuts, Indigo Sky has bumper winners right through the family where as Lirion is related to talanted French families and the Tom Weston team are sending out smart runners recently in bumpers. Both should be each way value. 

LIRION (E/W) 

INDIGO SKY (E/W) 

written by Liam Hall