Owen’s Outsiders! 33/1, 25/1, 22/1 and 14/1 Selections (July 1st)

We’re edging closer to a weekend of incredible action, with both Epsom Classics followed by the Coral-Eclipse, a race that is shaping up into an early race of the season contender with a star-studded line-up.

Wednesday welcomes back jump racing to British shores, with Southwell hosting a card with plenty of familiar names. Propped up by cards at Musselburgh, Tipperary, Leopardstown and Kempton, there’s plenty of action to look forward.

Delving through the cards, I’ve come up with four bigger-priced selections, that could provide you with some midweek magic!

12:35 Southwell – Grania O’Malley (14/1)

The fact that we’ve had a small break from jump’s racing is more of a positive than a hindrance to the chances of Grania O’Malley. Evan William’s mare has a great record fresh, with form figures of 23224 when returning from absences of longer than 50 days.

She went down narrowly at Uttoxeter in October off three pounds lower and although she’s not the most consistent, she has conditions to suit and the aforementioned positive of arriving on the back of a break. She’s handicapped to go close and needs plenty of respect.

3.10 Kempton – Stynes (22/1)

Last seen over obstacles winning at Cartmel in May 2018, Stynes is hugely interesting for Graeme McPherson. He’s campaigned on the flat since that success, running on three occasions earlier this year, including at Chelsmford last month.

He makes his return to obstacles off a dangerous looking mark, winning that race at Cartmel, albeit over fences, off a six-pound higher rating. He’s fit from his runs on the flat and off a very low weight in this contest, he’s one to take seriously.

5.10 Kempton – Lilkian (33/1)

A winner at Southwell in November off today’s rating, Lilkian has been labored in three subsequent starts over varied trips, never dangerous over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton on return. It’s more than fair to suggest he would have needed the run, however, and connections now drop him back to six furlongs.

Perhaps more crucially, connections reach for the cheekpieces, which should sharpen him up. If they have a positive effect, he’s on his last winning mark and coming up against rivals he’s capable of beating at his best.

5.55 Leopardstown – Eyeoweyou (25/1)

Karl Thornton couldn’t have his string in any better form at present, with four of his last eight runners returning to the winner’s enclosure, including at prices of 22/1 and 11/1. He saddles the very interesting Eyeoweyou in the 5.55, who ran very poorly on return at Fairyhouse in June.

He was much improved, however, when eighth in a blanket finish at Naas seven days ago. He didn’t have the best of passages that day and perhaps would have finished closer with a clear run at the leaders. He’s yet to score in seventeen starts, but he’s fallen to his lowest rating and was beaten a neck in this grade over course and distance last June off eight pounds higher.