Saturday 9th June 2012

Two races of interest for this afternoon, and a possible evening bet (5.00pm).

 

2.55 Newmarket

 

Mirza 3pts win @ 9/1 (Bet 365, Betfred, guaranteed, 8/1 generally guaranteed) - WON

High Standing 2pts win @ 20/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

 

A really interesting sprint, and I'm keen to take on Pearl Ice at the prices because Newmarket's July course is totally different to Ripon and I couldn't back a horse at less than 2/1 in this company returning to action so quickly who is not proven at the track. Mirza looks really good value at 8/1+. Rain softened ground will hold no fears, and his first two runs this year were basically career best performances and he looked an improving performer. He was having his third quick run when disappointing behind Shropshire but has had a 43 day break now which at this stage of the season would simply suggest a refresher. The booking of Richard Hughes, who rides this course really well, takes the eye and there is further room for progression in my view.

 

A flyer is taken on High Standing at a big price. Chester last time out was not his bag, but his previous run on the Rowley course in the Abernant was better than the finishing position suggests. He was blocked in his run twice, it is hard to know if he was unlucky or simply lacked the fortitude to take the gaps, but he was eased when his chance had gone and, having dropped to a mark of OR100, he might be well handicapped enough to get back on track. Cheekpieces are tried and Ryan Moore rides.

 

4.15 Chester Flameoftheforest 4pts win @ 11/2 (Generally, get guaranteed) - WON

 

Flameoftheforest represents a stable whose horses are really beginning to fire, and he looks the form horse in this classified claimer. Joe Fanning, one of the best around Chester, is booked and his three runs this season have all offered promise. He doesn't look as good on the all weather (doesn't really quicken on the surface) but his run at Kempton last time suggested he is in good heart and this looks akin to a class drop today. I make him a 4/1 shot tops so I think 11/2 is very fair.

Profit & loss: day: +47.00 / month: +77.81 / year: -213.26