JONATHAN HOBBS SUNDAY: Towcester continues its popular Sunday afternoon open-race cards with another open-fest today – live on SportyStuff TV/RPGTV.

Four quarter-finals of the Premarket Pets Blue Riband, the first Category One event of 2022, take centre-stage and the event is absolutely top class, but a host of other opens also grace the card.

Let’s have a look at the pick of the bets.

Towcester

1.57: A cracking sprint kicks off the card and it’s difficult to look beyond Peter Harnden’s Salacres Lee. The red jacket eyes a five-timer from his favoured inside slot but, with top-class Shrewd Call helping make the market, backers could be sitting pretty – if he breaks.

Play: Salacres Lee

2.32: Mark Wallis has a strong hand in this 712m contest with Blueberry Bullet and Antigua Lava. Preference is just for the blue jacket who came through strongly to win over C&D on New Year’s Day – form which has worked out well with the runner-up a winner since.

Play: Blueberry Bullet

2.52: A tricky maiden contest now where Chelms Yes will have his supporters, but a viable alternative is the Kevin Hutton-trained Wota Swell Party. The latter was involved in all sorts of problems latest but had previously ran amok in A4 – and a 29.58sec return stands out.

Play: Wota Swell Party

3.11: The first Premarket Pets Blue Riband quarter-final and Forest Gold and Aussie Captain look set for a great tussle. Preference on the draw is for the Hutton-trained trap-four runner who, while still pitched wider than usual, has the early pace to steal a march. Drumcrow Brent is a powerhouse performer who pounces if those inside fluff their lines.

Play: Forest Gold

3.28: Savana King caught the eye in the first round. Diane Henry’s dog started well last week before being pegged back at the bend. He eventually finished third to Brookside Richie but could get away in this second quarter-final. He’s lightly raced and still improving, although keeping the speedy Signet Otis at bay is key early doors.

Play: Savana King

3.48: The aforementioned Brookside Richie could be obvious in the third quarter, especially given his favoured red draw. However the value might be John Mullins’ Chelms Fred next door. He boasts cracking early and impressed clockwatchers last week with a superb 29.30 and is still coming forward. Expect Candy Man to run a decent race, too.

Play: Chelms Fred

4.08: The fourth and final quarter-final and Thorn Falcon did enough in the heats last week to suggest victory is on the cards here. Patrick Janssens’ Derby champion has a plum trap six draw and, while his unlucky kennelmate Fabulous Azurra impressed off the front then, Thorn Falcon stayed on well enough to catch the eye and could have the race run to suit.

Play: Thorn Falcon

4.48: Nearlylagertime was quietly fancied in the Blue Riband but the youngster failed to overcome a slow start. He will have his supporters here, but preference is for Bubbly Tomahawk. Paul Young’s dog trialled back well and his strong-running style is suited to the Northamptonshire venue, although he needs a clearer run than on debut here in November.

Play: Bubbly Tomahawk

5.28: Sharon Thompson has a nice type in Master Ten Ten. The trainer of the popular Sparta Master sent the pup to win on debut over 500m, but he arguably ran an even better race behind the useful Deelish Frankie latest. His all-round pace can seal the deal.

Play: Master Ten Ten

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67