October 16th

12/1 and 10/1 placers from 3 bets yesterday. Cayman Fox ran a fine race but was sent off to quickly by the 7lb claimer who was drafted in because Franny Norton was caught in traffic (ironic after his ride on Brad's Luck the other night?!?!) and was caught inside the final furlong. Autocracy got third but Hold The Star disappointed after travelling well into the home straight and doesn't look like a horse worth following.

Another busy day ahead with two bets this afternoon and possibly more to come this evening. Also a bit of bad news in that Hugh Taylor has nicked our Cesarewitch tip Dayia, which I was pretty sweet on at 50/1, but now trades generally at 25/1 across the board. I've spoken about the horse before, she has been targeted at the race since last year and looks an out and out stayer. Those of you who still want to get on can avail of some stray 33/1 with www.brucebetting.com .

My eyes will be on Cheltenham for most of the afternoon, but it is not a betting meeting for me and the wallet is at Redcar. Wasn't Sizing Europe impressive yesterday, by the way?

In Redcar's 3.20, Royal Record looks overpriced. She was outclassed in a valuable sales race last time out but did not disgrace herself and this is more her level. The market principals don't look like superstars and there is some flotsam and jetsam in here too. It interests me that Royal Record was so well supported at Thirsk on her penultimate run, and she ran a really nice race in a fair maiden but shaped as if she got bogged down in the ground towards the finish. Redcar rides good to firm today and I think that should see her get close to winning this. John Cavanagh is worth his 7lb claim and while stable form is a worry, the fact that the selection ran ok three weeks ago means I don't mind risking a small each-way with the dead eight runners.

In the mile maiden at 3.55, Fourth Generation of the Alan Swinbank stable looks overpriced. The stable have a decent 4-25 16% strike rate with their 2yo's at this track in recent seasons returning a good level stakes profit. This race is generally won by a low to mid 70's type and I think the selection is capable of just that. He is by Kris Kin, whose progeny seem to show a preference for good or better ground like their Dad. Fourth Generation's debut was on soft ground at Thirsk but he ran a perfectly reasonable race, slowly away and showing promise by progressing through the field to chase the leaders in the home straight. He faded and was green under the whip but wasn't given anything like a hard time of it. The form of the race is open to debate but the horse who finished behind him has won his maiden since and at 20/1 I expect a better performance today on good to firm ground - the stables juveniles often improve significantly for their first run and are underestimated in the markets.

Look out for an improved run from Drop The Hammer in the staying handicap (4.30pm). I thought he was given a strange ride last time out but I bet on form and I'm not a conspiracy theorist, so will happily take a watching brief.

Wolves bets out at 5.30pm.

Best Recomendation:

3.20 Redcar Royal Record, 2pts each-way @ 7/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

3.55 Redcar Fourth Generation, 2pts each-way @ 20/1 (Generally, get guaranteed) placed