Wednesday 26th May

Barney's pair had an off (or not off, as the case may be...!) day yesterday, but as I mentioned, he owes us nothing.

Wednesday already, we've had little in the way of ammunition so far this week with dire racing and nothing much sticking out in the way of value. We're eight points to the negative for the week which is very little on our scale, but I think that should change today as we have three decent opportunities at Beverley.

6.30 Beverley Shaluca 3pts each-way @ 7/1 (Stan James, Paddy Power, guaranteed)

Showed loads of promise on her debut in a half decent contest last year when she tried to make most of the running over a mile, pulling hard and only running out of puff and being overhauled late on after a game performance. She was stepped up in trip next time but disappointed after pulling too hard again and it may be that a mile trips up to a mile will prove to be her optimum. A stiff 7f 100yds looks a step in the right direction today and she finds herself in a contest that is much weaker than it looks. The odds on fav duelled with a Stoute horse last time out and was just done on the line but the form has not worked out, nor did I rate her Windsor race very highly. I have analysed the second favourite's debut and I think everyone should take a look at it - it's pretty much a bunch for the minors and she never actually passes any of the horses around her when she "stays on". She did not impress with her head carriage either. Linda Stubbs' horse looks best of the rest and unless Richard Fahey's improves from nowhere, or Clive Brittain's newcomer is exceptional, the selection looks likely to go close to winning if fully tuned up. She has the favourite to beat in my view and it could be pretty close between the pair.

8.00 Beverley Living It Large 3pts win @ 6/1 (Stan James, Paddy Power, guaranteed)

The favourite likes holding up here, and if any of you like to back Jamie Spencer on hold up horses in four runner races at a shade of odds on, give me a bell because I'll give you best price! Living It Large is a progressive front runner who unfortunately is drawn 1, but if Tony Hamilton can tack him across and grab the lead, I think this race is his for the taking. He is priced up on his official rating in my view, but I reckon that's lazy bookmaking because he ran 5lbs above that last time out and that leaves him very little to find with the other market principals here. The Fahey horse makes his seasonal debut, and the fav is the hold up horse. These both rate as negatives against their chances in my view and with the benefit of a run in a very hot conditions race at York, Living It Large is taken to show that he remains progressive, he may be worth trading in running at a shade of odds on for those of you who wish to lock in a profit.

8.30 Beverley Raleigh Quay 2pts win @ 20/1 (generally, guaranteed)

Represents Mickey Hammond whose stable is in fine form and whose horses tend to run well on firm ground. The selection looked a right battler when winning over seven furlongs at Musselburgh last year and looked completely at odds with the left handed track at Pontefract next time out, when we was well supported but bombed out after blowing the turn. It is interesting he is sent to Beverley, a right handed track, with a stiff finish that should allow his stamina to come into play - he is stepped up in trip here and looked a right galloper even over shorter last year. He is drawn seven of seven and I hope he makes all.