← Honest Record · Pick Winner · Mr Fox
O'Neills.com Irish EBF Beginners Steeplechase
Mr Fox’s call
Straight John
SPECULATIVE Advised 13/8 Est. 35%
Mr Fox says
Straight John (SR:111, 13/8) is Gordon Elliott's nominated number one here — Jack Kennedy (23% strike rate, 1,235 career rides) is a materially stronger booking than Jordan Gainford on stablemate Kainsbourg, and Kennedy only takes these rides when the yard is serious. The market has steamed in 15% since opening, confirming professional money is behind this 5-year-old. At 5 years old, Straight John is the most forward-going type in the field, and Elliott's 18% yard strike rate gives the operation real credibility on a beginners' chase. The form figure of '1' in the recent string shows a win within the current sequence, and the tongue-tie (HG:t) is a tactical aid rather than a flag of concern at this level. Each-way alternative: Walks The Talk. Main danger: Walks The Talk — Walks The Talk (SR:109, 7/2) carries 7lb less than the field at 11-5, holds proven going fit (GoingFit:+), has steamed in 9% in the market, and earns the field's only four-star AI rating — the weight allowance over 2m5f on good ground is a genuine physical edge.
Full result
Winner: Antrim Coast (IRE) at SP 6/1. Mr Fox’s picks highlighted in gold.
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1
Antrim Coast Fox #3 4/1
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2
Kainsbourg 17/2
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3
Our Soldier 7/1
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4
Walks The Talk Fox #2 3/1
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Big Tom 125/1
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Fort Dino 5/1
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Straight John Fox #1 5/4
Top 4 — how each finished
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1
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2
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3