Our tipster is back for the best of today’s horse racing at Newcastle and Ayr.
Here are Paul O’Brien’s top picks...
Monochromix (Ayr, 15:30 @ 9/2)
This six-year-old gelding is 4lbs better off in the handicap rating than his last race when he came second by 3/4 length to repeat opponent Artic Row at this course and distance on February 13 .
Monochromix is a much more reliable horse and better jumper than Artic Row who fell at Kelso on January 14, and was pulled up at Musselburgh on November 8 last year. The change in the weight means they are now similarly rated and this should be enough to reverse his form.
Star Jasmine (Newcastle, 18:30 @ 4/1)
This is the debut race for Lady Bamford's £420,000 yearling purchase, a three year old filly out of Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Churchill. She is a half-sister to Blue Rose Cen who won the fillies and mares Group 1 at Paris Longchamp at the end of the flat season last year and is full sister to River Thames who beat Changingoftheguard on his two year old debut.
Starting out over 7f, everything points to her showing her class, putting in a quality performance and then an immediate entry into the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Elzaal (Newcastle, 19:00 @ 6/1)
Elzaal was second last time out at Newcastle on February 22 after being held up at the rear and having to contend with traffic by halfway.
The six-year-old gelding made headway in the final furlong and chased the winner Phoenix Star in the last 110 yards but made no real impression at the end. He is now weighted 3lbs better off than the same opponent and as long as he can find a gap he should reverse that form.
