Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Wednesday 25th July 2012


A nice 8/1 winner this afternoon and we've been in really good form.

One for this evening.

6.20 Sandown Dream Maker 4pts win @ 3/1 (William Hill, Coral, Skybet, Bodog, Independents)

Not a huge bet but most of these look ordinary and Dream Maker is a filly with a lot of size who represents a stable who are in very good form of late. Their juveniles have really come to hand and I'd expect a good performance from this one tonight. Dream Maker has been alotted a very fair handicap mark of OR66 for her nursery debut and I have marked up her Catterick run last time out because she seemed to be on the least favoured side of the track. She "won" the race on that side and done all her best work at the finish suggesting that a stiff finish like Sandown's hill might be in her favour. A good claimer takes the ride and she is a little bit of value at 3/1.

_______________________________________________


One for this afternoon, and a possible evening bet at 5.30pm.


5.10 Lingfield Proper Charlie 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 8/1 (VC Bet, William Hill, guaranteed, Coral, Stan James,betpack.com) - WON

Represents a stable who do quite well at Lingfield and, following a quiet June and early July, are beginning to hit form again (with the return of better weather) and have had a recent winner and more of their horses running to form. Proper Charlie is a course and distance winner whose three polytrack runs have yielded good figures and as a four year old, he is likely to have further improvement in him. He is only three pounds higher than his winning mark and appears to have ideal conditions today with a strong pace on the cards along with a draw which will allow him to take a handy sit. His jockey Jim Crowley usually rides the track very well and he makes plenty of appeal each-way with many of these looking bang out of form or with their best days seemingly behind them.


Profit & loss: day: +23.60 / month: +129.02 / year: -92.46



Monday 23rd July 2012

One for tonight.

9.00 Beverley Mercers Row 4pts win @ 9/1 (Totesport, Betfred, 8/1 Boylesports, VC Bet, guaranteed)

He has top weight to carry here but Mercers Row quite simply looks the most progressive and classy of this lot and odds of 8/1+ look to underestimate his chances this evening.  The selection has already posted two wins this season, at Musselburgh in May and over course and distance on his next start. He is 4lb worse off for a 3/4 length defeat of Select Committee but I would happily have him over that rival as the more progressive of the two. He has been off for 48 days since disappointing at Redcar, but might just have needed a short break and he has run well after similar absences in the past. He looks good value against a largely exposed field at the odds, we will play win only with just the 15 now running.

______________________________________________

A 16/1 winner yesterday meant we finished the weekend nicely in profit.

One selection this afternoon and a possible evening bet to follow at 5.30pm.

2.10 Southwell Tahnee Mara 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 8/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

Was quietly punted last time on her fibresand debut when she impressed with the way she travelled and was in front plenty soon enough considering her relative inexperience. She has gone up 3lb for that, but the filly that beat her looked very well handicapped off a stone lower mark than the same time last year when she was rated OR80 - she is a summer horse and found her form last time. The pair were well clear and as a result I'm inclined to mark up the performance of Tahnee Mara. She is entitled to improve again for her second run on the surface and as a relatively small filly I think this is a good piece of placement given that she carries only 8-7. Many of these have questions marks about them: Anton Chigurh has never been on the surface, Alpha Tauri was beaten over a furlong out last time he ran here (not like him), and Only Ten Per Cent hails from an out of form stable. Dark Falcon's course form is questionable. Tahnee Mara is selected as the best handicapped horse on the surface and with the dead eight, we'll play each-way.


Profit & loss: day: -9.00 / month: +105.42 / year: -116.06


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Sunday 22nd July 2012

One race of interest today.

5.05 Ascot - SIS Sprint Handicap

Taajub 1pt each-way AND 1.5pts win @ 16/1 (Boylesports, VC Bet, William Hill, betrogers.com, independents, guaranteed) - WON
Courageous 1pt each-way AND 0.5pts win @ 33/1 (Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Skybet, independents, get guaranteed where possible)

An absolute beast of a sprint handicap in terms of its quality, quantity and the sheer number of different ways you could approach it. It is important for us to watch this at least, because there are so many good horses in here who will be winning over the coming weeks at the likes of Glorious Goodwood and right through to Ayr in September. There are fairly simple angles in, however, and I like the look of two of these at prices that much that I've decided on a rare Sunday bet.

Going back through the years, this is a race that can be won by a classy horse or a well handicapped one, but it generally requires a horse who has some sort of decent recent form at the distance and is drawn around the pace - they are massive factors and our selections come out well on both. Taajub has an absolute standout topspeed figure of 126 at this course, when he split subsequent Ayr Gold Cup winner Our Jonothan and Iver Bridge Lad over course and distance in the Cornwallis Stakes in 2008. It wasn't his only good run here and the fact that the figure is fully 20lb in excess of what the next best has achieved at the course warrants attention. His recent form is strong, Peter Crate has him in very good nick and an excellent run in the Epsom Dash was followed up by a strong second behind Sacrosanctus over six furlongs on the Downs last time. If he improves for the return to Ascot, he shouldn't be far away from winning this and his draw in stall 12 sees him close to Judge N Jury, Magical Macey and Taurus Twins who all have strong early speed and should give him a good tow into the race.

The presence of two extremely speedy horses in stall one and two, Fratellino and Verinco, leads me to think that there will be plenty of pace on the far rail and the ones to benefit might be Jedward, Rasaman and Courageous. Jedward is unproven at Ascot, and he looked a typical "galloping" type Fahey sprinter when winning at Newmarket last time out - he is overlooked as I feel he is the wrong type of horse for this track. Rasaman has been well punted and with good reason, but there is no juice in his price and he comes with the attached caveat that he can be slowly away. Courageous has recently gone to Milton Bradley and his run at Bath three days ago was promising. Hold Up tactics were executed for the first time in a while, and he was given a very tender ride into the race by Eddie Ahern and not overly pushed when his chance had gone having met a bit of trouble in running off a pace slower than ideal. He will not lack for fitness and the easy time of it at Bath might pay dividends here today. He has plummeted to a rating of OR78, and he also has one of the best course topspeed figures from a very decent 6/25 behind Manassas in last year's Buckingham Palace Stakes. Again he is too big a price at double carpet and if he gets the breaks at the right time, he can bely his odds.


Profit & loss: day: +41.50 / month: +114.42 / year: -107.06


Saturday 21st July 2012

A busy day for us after a fairly quiet week with a large outlay, a maximum bet, and four selections.

2.35 Newmarket - Noverre To Go 3pts win @ 6/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

My feeling having studied the weather charts is that Newmarket will dry out quite a bit as it tends to do, following a dry morning and early afternoon. That, combined with the fresh ground being utilised for this sprint, might make the ground ride a bit better than it did last night and I feel it may be no worse than good to soft come post time. That brings Noverre To Go right into it. I felt he was ultra impressive when landing the odds for us at Kempton last week and he looks one to follow. Obviously that was on polytrack but he has some very strong back class on turf including a fifth behind Evens And Odds in the Stewards Cup. Stakes have to be relatively small here as we're only making an educated guess with the ground, but at 6/1 and with a good run on good to soft at Haydock last year to his name, I'm inclined to take the chance - once Ron Harris gets these sprinters rolling, it can take a while before they stop winning.

3.40 Ripon - Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap - Maastricht 4pts win @ 15/2 (William Hill, guaranteed, 7/1 generally guaranteed)

The ground is already being described as good at Ripon and with no further rain due it will only quicken as the afternoon progresses. Mark Johnston's horses have been giving signs of returning to form with the drying ground and Maastricht is readily forgiven his Chester run on soft ground, having previously shown a liking for a sound surface. A small field and the canny Franny Norton in the plate can only mean he will go from the front here, and the others might well struggle to catch him if he gets an easy lead. None of the opposition look like world beaters, and the selection looks overpriced at around 7/1. Johnston's stable have a great record with horses with a zero beside their name, and the disappointment last time out shouldn't put anyone off.

4.20 Ripon - Assizes 3pts win @ 7/1 (VC Bet, guaranteed, 13/2 Ladbrokes, guaranteed, 6/1 generally guaranteed)

Another from the Johnston stable. Assizes was held up in an ultra competitive York handicap last time out and he looked ill at ease with it and a bit one paced. He steps up to an extended nine furlongs today which should suit being a son of Teofilo, and in a smaller field today, again with Norton in the plate, and I would expect a return to the front running tactics which saw him finish second at Haydock. I think the better ground will see him improve along with the trip and despite that disappointment last time, there is good reason to expect better today and he looks overpriced.

4.35 Ascot - King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - 

Sea Moon 5pts each-way @ 3/1 (Generally, make sure to take a guaranteed price - Maximum Bet)

The best horse in Sir Michael Stoute's yard in my view and the one horse in this field who is capable of pushing through the OR130+ barrier. Sea Moon travelled really strongly over course and distance last time and I was really impressed with the turn of foot he showed to put distance between himself and the field, with minimal recourse to the whip. I think Ascot suits him perfectly and I expect him to land his first group one today. He has had a better preparation than Nathaniel, who I feel is returning too quickly after a hard race and is ultimately probably 2lb - 3lb inferior, and provided the selection runs his race and improves as he should from his last run, I think he can win with something to spare. Stoute has campaigned the horse sparingly - two starts as a two year old, four as a three year old, and this his third four year old start. It bears all the hallmarks of a typical Stoute improver and I think the team will reap the rewards of patience today. I have played each-way because of the small field of ten runners. I don't see the horse getting beaten on merit, but if this turns into a messy race and something nicks it by getting an easy lead or racing on a different part of the track to the rest of the field, then I still think we'll run a place and get most of our large outlay back (we would only lose 2pts). The difference on the win return is 12pts, but the security of getting the stake back looks the smart way to play and it's a bet your bookmaker will not like.


Profit & loss: day: -20.00 / month: +72.92 / year: -148.96


Friday 20th July 2012

One race of interest this afternoon.

We will likely have an evening bet released at 5.30pm, also we will very likely have a bet for tomorrow released either this afternoon or this evening, I will update when possible, lets just say you don't want to miss it!

4.30 Ascot

Italian Tom 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 16/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)
Moretta Blanche 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 9/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

Italian Tom has been a revelation this season, as has his trainer Ron Harris, who for my mind has replaced Dandy Nicholls as The Sprint King for the time being at least. Strike off his last run at Epsom which didn't suit him and Italian Tom looks cracking value here at 16/1. He is a course and distance winner who revels in coming off a strong pace which he will get this afternoon. He has taken a hike in the handicap since the start of the season but Harris' horses are extremely tough as a rule and they know how to win. Darren Egan remains tremendous value for his 5lb claim and the selection should be backed each-way and win as is our strategy in these big field handicaps.

Moretta Blanche has crashed a little bit in price but I think she might drift back out on course so make sure you get a guaranteed price here. She is a course and distance winner who has a fine turn of foot and has looked progressive all year. This bigger field will suit her really well and she should have no problem travelling well just off the pace. After that, it is pretty much down to luck in running but she was extremely brave in squeezing through two horses last time she won over course and distance and it marked her down as a mare with the guts and courage to succeed against colts and geldings.


Profit & loss: day: -6.00 / month: +92.92 / year: -128.96

Friday, July 20, 2012

Thursday 19th July 2012

Really unlucky not to bag another big priced winner yesterday but having traded 1.2 in running we were done in the last 50 yards. Still, we landed a small profit with the each-way money taken.

One for this afternoon.

4.30 Hamilton Skiddaw View 1pt each-way @ 66/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

You won't often find me starting a write up with a warning, but this one is strictly, strictly for minimum each-way stakes as the advice suggests! Chances are Skiddaw View will trail in a remote last, but there are reasons to believe she might be overpriced in this field. She is a four year old filly bred to sprint, but seems to have had physical problems aplenty and missed the entire of 2011 as a result. Her efforts this year have not been entirely without hope, though, and she showed enough pace to lead a field of 0-50 rated sprinters at Wolverhampton earlier this year before fading. It has to be of interest that even this small yard keep her in training off a mark of just OR39, and the fact that she has another entry at Ayr in a couple of days time suggests there might be more than just blind faith at work here. The trainer Maurice Barnes does get the odd winner, and a first time tongue tie would suggest previous breathing problems and a likelihood that they have done plenty of physical work on the horse in order to help her overcome her problems. I do recall the Featherstones having a 66/1 success with a horse named Commander Wish in 2007 which had a very similar profile (those of you with ridiculous memories will note we tipped a horse called Dodaa in the same race!) and it is a situation I've seen repeated a couple of times since. This is a very poor bunch of sprinters, and if the selection is ready to put her best foot forward, she could cause a massive shock. It is more likely she will not, but at the prices, in such a poor race, it is worth taking the chance to very small stakes.


Profit & loss: day: -2.00 / month: +98.92 / year: -122.96


Wednesday 18th July 2012

One bet for this afternoon and a possible evening bet, details either way at 5.30pm.

4.30 Lingfield Spicy 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 11/1 (Boylesports, guaranteed, 10/1 generally guaranteed) - E/W 2nd 

Represents Marco Botti, whose last two year olds have both won and whose juveniles tend to come on markedly for their first run. The selection is bred to make a good two year old at around this trip, unlike some of the opposition who seem to be three year olds in the making. She made her debut at Newbury two weeks ago and travelled well before showing signs of greenness and losing her place. She wasn't given anything like a hard time and it is interesting William Buick retains the ride this afternoon. Her draw in stall seven is fine and, being by Footstepsinthesand, whose progeny are 14% on the all weather, out of a Rahy mare, I would expect her to act well on the surface. She looked a sizeable filly at Newbury and I'd be very surprised if there isn't better to come.


Profit & loss: day: +0.20 / month: +100.92 / year: -120.56


Tuesday 17th July 2012

We went close this afternoon but Foreign Rhythm picked up each-way money at a big price to give us a very small profit on our outlay.

One for this evening.

7.00 Southwell Caledonian Lad 5pts win @ 9/2 (Generally, get guaranteed)

This is pretty much par for the course for Hughie Morrison - send a 3yo to Southwell in July / August having gotten it well handicapped, step it up in trip to make use of the allowance it receives against bad older horses. The selection is well bred being related to the stable's Sagramor amongst others, and he gave the impression on his last start at Windsor that a step up in trip would suit, staying on under very tender handling and doing all his best work at the finish although it is hard to be sure given the ride he received. This looks a very poor contest and a good piece of placement, the trainer has fibresand gallops at home which the selection will have worked on and if he has it in him mentally to run his race against more experienced horses, I think his physical ability should see him home in front.

___________________________________________________

One race of interest this afternoon, and it looks like we'll have at least one evening bet, details before 5.30pm.

3.00 Beverley

Meandmyshadow 3pts win @ 9/1 (Betfred, guaranteed, 17/2 VC Bet, guaranteed, 8/1 generally guaranteed)
Foreign Rhythm 1pt each-way @ 25/1 (William Gill, guaranteed, 25/1 with Sporting Bet, Stan James, www.betpack.com, Bodog, independents) - E/W 4th (10c rule 4)

An interesting sprint handicap despite the low grade. Meandmyshadow is a dual course and distance winner who needs fast ground, and has probably not been seen to best effect yet this year for that very reason. She has had little chance to race on her preferred surface, but the absence of rain from Beverley means the surface now rides good to firm and reported wind in the area is drying the ground further all the time. Satellite pictures suggest little to no chance of rain before this race goes off. The selection was not disgraces here last time, running her usual game race having been drawn widest and starting awkwardly, she wasn't given a hard time at all once it became clear she wasn't going on the ground, and she showed herself in good heart by doing her best work at the finish. The booking of a jockey who rides this course extremely well, the stables recent winning form, and a good draw in stall 7 add to confidence. Meandmyshadow has won five times in her short career to date, which says a lot for an OR60 rated horse, and she is well handicapped having been dropped 5lb since her last run. One caveat is that she has not won carrying a weight this big before.

Foreign Rhythm is worth a few quid each-way at a much bigger price. She was noted travelling very well on a fairly isolated part of the track up at Ayr, she led a furlong out but was bumped by the winner Ryedane and lost a couple of places near the finish ending up in fourth. She is also a course and distance winner, and the fact that three of her five career wins have come in fields of thirteen runners or more suggests that she will have conditions to her liking today. Three of those wins have come on good to firm ground, she is back on a winning mark, and having won three times in class 5 handicaps, she should be able to get very competitive in this class 6. Her drawn in stall 13 isn't too bad as she needs holding up, and young Gary Whillains is fair value for his 5lb claim - each of her five wins has come when ridden by a claimer or inexperienced pilot (responds well to hands and heels riding).


Profit & loss: day: -3.38 / month: +100.72 / year: -120.76

Monday 16th July 2012

Just one bet for Monday afternoon, we have a possible evening bet, details either way at 5.30pm.

2.35 Ayr Hills Of Dakota 5pts win @ 11/2 (Bet 365, Boylesports, Betfred, Brucebetting.com, Independents, get guaranteed)

Represents an in form stable who are doing well with their sprinters just lately. The selection is more lightly raced than most of these, and has yet to set the world on fire this season, but he was sent off a well backed 2/1 favourite for his first run this year which suggests he is well thought of - a Stewards Cup entry would back that assertion up. He disappointed there, but his run at Haydock last time offered more hope and he stayed on well to finish 6/15 having been drawn closest to the stands rail which did not appear to be favoured - those racing closer to the centre seemed to be on the best of the ground. Having won at Hamilton last year, and looking visually like a grinder rather than a turn of foot sprinter, the selection should be suited to Ayr's stiff track and with question marks around some of his rivals, he may well end up fighting this out with the favourite and possiblly No Hubris. His profile is the most appealing, and at 11/2 he looks worth betting win only.


Profit & loss: day: -5.00 / month: +104.10 / year: -117.38

Monday 16th July 2012

Just one bet for Monday afternoon, we have a possible evening bet, details either way at 5.30pm.

2.35 Ayr Hills Of Dakota 5pts win @ 11/2 (Bet 365, Boylesports, Betfred, Brucebetting.com, Independents, get guaranteed)

Represents an in form stable who are doing well with their sprinters just lately. The selection is more lightly raced than most of these, and has yet to set the world on fire this season, but he was sent off a well backed 2/1 favourite for his first run this year which suggests he is well thought of - a Stewards Cup entry would back that assertion up. He disappointed there, but his run at Haydock last time offered more hope and he stayed on well to finish 6/15 having been drawn closest to the stands rail which did not appear to be favoured - those racing closer to the centre seemed to be on the best of the ground. Having won at Hamilton last year, and looking visually like a grinder rather than a turn of foot sprinter, the selection should be suited to Ayr's stiff track and with question marks around some of his rivals, he may well end up fighting this out with the favourite and possiblly No Hubris. His profile is the most appealing, and at 11/2 he looks worth betting win only.


Profit & loss: day: -5.00 / month: +104.10 / year: -117.38

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Saturday 14th July 2012

Great racing today, and we have a few interests.


**Already Advised** 3.00 York - The John Smith's Cup 

Media Hype 5pts each-way @ 12/1 (Generally, Maximum Bet) - E/W 3rd

Most bookmakers pay 1/4 odds 4 places, please use them - link to market

Media Hype is a horse I have followed since seeing him bolt up at Pontefract on his seasonal debut in April. He followed that up with a second in a messy race at Haydock, and a very impressive course and distance win here in May, after which this became the automatic target. His unplaced effort at Newmarket can be put down to good to firm ground, which his trainer has stated was not to his liking. The intention was to pick up a penalty for this race, but it seems now he may get in without one after all. The reason for maximum confidence is that I had him priced up as a 7/1 shot for this and was amazed to see 16/1 in a place as well as 14/1 when prices were first published. The money has come, which speaks volumes in terms of his participation, and his trainer has been bullish this week regarding his chances. Personally, the York effort marked him down as an extremely well handicapped horse, and I feel he is probably capable of a rating of OR100+ in time. If he gets in here, his price will contract quite a bit in my view. If he doesn't get in, we'll get our money back provided he is declared which the trainer has stated is very much the intention. As a course and distance winner, who excels in coming off a strong pace, this race is tailor made for him, and he is our third maximum bet of the year.

3.20 Newmarket - The July Cup - 

Hawkeyethenoo 2pts each-way @ 33/1 (Brucebetting.com, or take 25/1 guaranteed with Paddy Power, Betfred, VC Bet and others) 
Sirius Prospect 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 12/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

Hawykeyethenoo is probably better than his Wokingham run suggests. He stayed on really well late on but was probably hampered by being drawn right in the middle of the track on a day when everything tacked over to either side. He coped with the drop back in trip fine and was doing all his best work at the finish. He is unproven on ground as testing as todays, but handled cut at Ascot and it may be his stamina for seven furlongs might win the day.

If he fails to fire, Sirius Prospect looks a big price at 12/1 to build on his Diamond Jubilee promise. He has no issues with the ground, but he struggled with form like many of his stable early in the year, before an improved run at Ascot. Again, he did all his best work at the finish behind Black Caviar, and he may have finished closer had he not been drawn on the wrong part of the track. He looks the type to progress again this year and may prove to be a top class sprinter before long.

3.35 York Stepper Point 3pts win @ 10/1 (Bet 365, VC Bet, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, guaranteed)

A three year old who looks well in at the weights here. Stepper Point was completely unsuited by Ascot last time, and has always in my mind been a Nunthorpe candidate. Today's race is a perfect starting point, and it seems strange that he is 10/1 and Hamish McGonagall is 5/1 when he holds that rival by 1/2 length (1lb worse off) on Chantilly form from May. His draw in stall 1 may not be ideal, but he has plenty of tactical speed and if he gets it all together, today might be the day when he confirms the promise he has shown on recent runs over a sharp, flat five furlongs.


Profit & loss: day: +0.00 / month: +109.10 / year: -112.38

Friday 13th July 2012

Another good day yesterday with Anton Chigurh winning easily, it has been a fine week. Two bets for this afternoon. Look our for updates for Saturday's racing throughout the day.

3.45 York 

The Fun Crusher 2pts win @ 20/1 (William Hill, guaranteed, 18/1 VC Bet, guaranteed, 16/1 generally guaranteed)
Also 1pt place @ Betfair SP (pays 4 places) - Placed @3.2

Not a massive bet as I'm not a fan of backing horses from a 58 day break at this stage of the season. Saying that, The Fun Vrusher represents a stable whose horses are bang in form and tend to be targeted for York meetings. The selection is out of Halling, and looks bound to improve with time and distance. His form from the end of March behind Qaraaba at Doncaster is working out well and that came at a time when the stable's horses weren't firing. He was sent off favourite for a valuable handicap here last time but disappointed, the break since would suggest all may not have been well. He returns today and has largely been overlooked, well worth a punt at a big price. Take Betfair SP for the place part of the bet, 4 places will be paid.

5.30 York Boris Grigoriev 1pt each-way AND 2pts win @ 14/1 (Betfred, Totesport, Stan James, www.betpack.com, Coral, Independents)

Represents Tim's uncle Mick Easterby. Was noted staying on under very tender handling last time out and it is interesting he is sent back to York off a mark of 84. He has dropped 17lb in the handicap since his days with Aidan O'Brien, and at a guess I'd say he must be on an Ayr Gold Cup programme. If so, he needs to start winning and picking up penalties soon. His trainer is a good supporter of apprentice races, and the fact that horse tends to respond to tender handling would suggest this might be the ideal contest with which to give him a confidence boost.


Profit & loss: day: -3.90 / month: +109.10 / year: -112.38

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Thursday 12th July 2012

12/1 and 8/1 winners yesterday made it a very profitable day.

Newmarket's July festival kicks off today, but our main bets there are not today and we'll be watching and taking some clues as to how the ground is riding. We have one bet at Doncaster and a possible evening bet, details either way at 5.30pm.

5.25 Doncaster Anton Chigurh 1pt each-way AND 2pts win @ 12/1 (Generally, get guaranteed) - WON 

Changed his legs repeatedly at Yarmouth last time when finishing three lengths off the leader and my take on that is he was unwilling to let himself down on the good to firm ground. The selection has already shown a liking for softer conditions, and his performance at Pontefract when outpaced but staying on over six furlongs was promising. Doncaster's galloping track will suit him much better and this race might not be as strong as it looks at first. 9/1 or better is fair and hopefully most of you will have gotten double figures when the price alert went out this morning.


Profit & loss: day: +39.00 / month: +113.00 / year: -108.48


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wednesday 11th July 2012

A good winner earlier today and we're well ahead for the month now.

A couple of bets for this evening.

7.20 Kempton Noverre To Go 1pt each-way AND 2pts win @ 12/1 (Generally, get guaranteed) - WON

Not a bombproof type of each-way bet but with 12 runners and 1/4 odds on the place this staking ensures we get our money back if the selection runs in the first three. Noverre To Go represents Ron Harris, who is very much the sprint trainer of the year. His horses are generally very fast and very tough, but Noverre To Go has disappointed despite showing signs of form on a few of his runs this spring. He should be fit now and I find it interesting the headgear is taken off him tonight. He wandered all over the track at Salisbury last time and he doesn't seem to enjoy blinkers. He has some very good previous form on all weather surfaces and the hope is that the return to polytrack and lack of headgear will see him find his sparkle again tonight. If he does so, he is very well handicapped and could be a danger to all. James Doyle is a positive booking.

8.50 Kempton Russian Ice 2pts each-way @ 22/1 (Bet 365, VC Bet, 20/1 generally guaranteed)

The favourite looks a fairly crazy price here and she is taken on with three time course winner Russian Ice. The jury is out as to whether she will stay a mile in this strong company, but there is no reason to assume her improvement over the last year has come to a halt and she was doing all her best work at the finish in a strongly run race here when beaten a nose here in a claimer last October. Her trainer Dean Ivory has a very good 12% strike rate from a large sample size of 4yo+ horses at Kempton, and after a quiet spell his string are returning to form. A strong pace should suit, the filly goes well fresh, and she came to hand this time last year. Too big at 20/1+.

_____________________________________________

One bet for this afternoon and a possible evening bet.

4.10 Yarmouth Comrade Bond 2pts each-way AND 2pts win @ 17/2 (VC Bet, guaranteed, 8/1 generally guaranteed) - WON (Settled @ 15/2)

A course and distance winner last time out who likes Yarmouth having won twice here and will handle the soft ground well. Many of these horses look exposed although of a better class than what usually races at Yarmouth, but there are serious question marks about the likes of Born To Surprise, who is dropped alarmingly in class having contested the Craven Stakes, and has disappointed on his last two runs including on this type of ground. The Confessor and Loving Spirit have chances of sorts but aren't troubling the judge just lately and neither have ever run at this track. Comrade Bond and Rough Rock looked the pair to concentrate on, but Comrade Bond is open to more progression and his performance last time out is marked up because he raced on a part of the track where it looked disadvantageous to be. Soft ground poses no problems, he looked to revel on it when he won here last October. The booking of Ryan Moore, who won on him last time, would suggest that connections feel the horse is in good enough form to win here, and I've staked the bet in such a way that we should get almost the entire stake back should he run in the first three, given the fact that the profiles of some of the opposition are far from solid.


Profit & loss: day: +68.00 / month: +74.00 / year: -147.48

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Tuesday 10th July 2012

Really unlucky today, we called it to the letter except the 10-0 weight told in the final 100 yards - we were done for a place by a head.

One for this evening.

6.35 Southwell Max The Machine 2pts each-way @ 18/1 (Stan James, www.betpack.com, 14/1 generally guaranteed) - E/W 2nd

Represents Derek Shaw, who has provided us with successes such as Shawkantango (adv 50/1) and Nially Noo (adv 40/1) at this course in recent times and is a dab hand with sprinters over this course and distance. It beggars belief in my view that this colt is priced up 14/1+, behind two unraced horses, a filly who has achieved roughly the same figures in Mrs Warren, and Masai King, who made a promising debut but will need to have come on a tonne to win this. The selection is forgiven a poor run on a bog at Newcastle last time out. Previously at Haydock, he had shaped very encouragingly, and his exaggerated action looked exactly that of a horse who will relish this surface - no wonder, he is related to three different course winners, including Glaramara who was very good here on his day. Dale Swift is good value for his 3lb and knows the horse well having ridden him twice, the price is far too big and this looks a cracking each-way bet. The only caveat I can see is a possible negative draw in stall one but it is impossible to tell with no recent racing here and it could just as well be a positive.

________________________________________________________

One bet this afternoon and a possible evening bet released before 5.30pm.

3.15 Wolverhampton Flying Power 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 16/1 (Stan James, www.betpack.com, 14/1 generally guaranteed)

An interesting contest which tends to favour three year olds, but none of these three year olds have particularly impressed me. Venegazzu was well backed when winning here last time but my view is that it wasn't a great race. Yours Ever is underpriced as many of Prescott's are, he looks unlikely to get the sort of pace that will bring him into the contest today and he looks vulnerable. Flying Power has to lumber ten stone, but he is in good form and all his polytrack form reads well bar one effort in blinkers which he resented - his record on the surface is 2218 with the eight being the aforementioned affort in headgear. He was second to Brown Panther and Prince Of Burma, and off a mark of OR75 here he looks fairly handicapped - he ran to a mark of 80 on his last start three weeks ago. He is drawn in stall one which will suit his front running style, and there is a suggestion that he may be difficult to catch if he gets his own way on or close to the lead in this relatively small fiels - it has rained heavily around Wolverhampton, and the track is expected to ride faster than usual, favouring those who race on the pace.


Profit & loss: day: -1.40 / month: +6.00 / year: -215.48


Monday 9th July 2012

A 14/1 winner today was a good start to the week.

One race of interest this evening.

9.20 Ripon 

Keys Of Cyprus 2pts win @ 20/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)
Icy Blue 3pts win @ 7/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

A difficult race to get to grips with, and with fifteen runners it may pay to select two against the field on a win only basis. Keys Of Cyprus is similar to today's winner Mayoman in that he tends to turn up and either win or run a stinker, but his record is very strong on soft or heavy ground in big fields, and conditions look ideal for him this evening. He has a course and distance win to his name and despite being ten years young, his win record of 8/41 is very smart for a handicapper. He has dropped to a very favourable mark and the excellent Shirley Teasdale, who won on him last year, takes the ride.

Icy Blue ran really well to a point in a very hot Doncaster handicap that threw up the Carlisle Bell winner as well as three others who have run and won since. The selection was on the wrong part of the course at the business end of the race and was bumped at one stage, although he may have run his race at that point. He stayed on again at the finish and he is forgiven his run last time out as he seemed to completely resent the first time visor. The handicapper has been kind in dropping him to OR67, and he looks extremely dangerous dropped in class this evening.

___________________________________________________

Just one bet for this afternoon, a possible evening bet will be released at 6.00pm.

2.30 Ayr Mayoman 2pts each-way @ 12/1 (Generally, get guaranteed) - WON @ 14/1

Head Space may well be hard to beat but Mayoman is a horse who can dominate on his day and he might have what it takes here back under a jockey who is now 5/13 on him. The selection has a habit of bouncing back from a poor run, and it seems he likes to get a prominent sit but tends to spit the dummy if he can't get his own way either in front or close to the front. A visor has helped with his consistency in recent months and the fact that he is drawn one of the rail (favourite on the rail, hold up horse) might mean he can get a nice sit today, with the stalls on the stands side. Mayoman ran a very strong race on his only visit to this track last September, relishing the stiff finish and finishing 2/10 on the near side, and although he is handicapped close to his best he appeals as an each-way selection given that many of these do not have course form or have not been in good form this season.


Profit & loss: day: +28.60 / month: +7.40 / year: -214.08

Monday, July 9, 2012

Saturday 7th July 2012


Two races of interest today, one at Haydock and the Eclipse at Sandown.

3.45 Sandown - The Coral Eclipse - Twice Over 2pts each-way @ 16/1 (Bet 365, Boylesports, VC Bet, Independents, get guaranteed where possible) - E/W 3rd

Apparently age "may be taking it's toll" on the old boy Twice Over (he's only seven!), but the way I see it he was entitled to go down a battling head on his seasonal reappearance to a decent horse of Gosdens, and I can forgive any horse a bad run on the ground that Sandown had last time out. The selection won this race in 2010 and, with only one genuine proven Group 1 turf performer in opposition (Nathaniel), the selection looks overpriced at 16/1. He has few questions to answer if he is in top form where others have many - Farhh has to show he has enough class to maintain a Group 1 gallop from pillar to post, Cityscape needs to prove he is good enough for the grade, Crackerjack King and Bonfire likewise - they all need to improve to get to the level usually required to win this. Twice Over posted an RPR of 126 as recently as last August and, having foregone his usual trip to Meydan, is entitled to be slower coming to hand this year. Nathaniel is the big danger but will perhaps come on for the run and I don't like the fact that he scoped dirty as recently as May.

4.00 Haydock Delores Rocket 2pts each-way @ 14/1 (Bet 365, VC Bet, guaranteed, or take 12/1 generally guaranteed)

She's only a wee stump but Delores Rocket seems to make up for it with her attitude and she has battled on very well in her last two starts over five and six furlongs, trips which haven't seen her to best effect in my view. She was prominent early before getting outpaced and staying on strongly over six furlongs here last time, and the step up to seven furlongs and nursery company looks sure to suit. She carries only 7-13 on her back here taking into account the excellent Julie Burke's 3lb claim, and she is well drawn in stall one to be sent on and make use of her light weight. This actually looks a weak contest, and barring the favourite improving again or an improved performance from Bayan Kasirga, she looks to have a strong chance and is overpriced at 12/1+. Trainer Kevin Ryan has an 11% strike rate at this track over the past five seasons returning a level stakes profit of +£51.07.


Profit & loss: day: +2.00 / month: -21.20 / year: -242.68

Friday 6th July 2012

A busy day for us today.

2.20 Sandown 

Ganas 2pts win @ 9/1 (Generally, get guaranteed where possible)
Rafaaf 2pts win @ 9/1 (Generally, get guaranteed where possible)

A really competitive sprint. Ganas is another from the Cox yard, who had a double yesterday, who is entered in the Stewards Cup and there is an added bonus in that William Buick replaces Adam Kirby today (check the ride on Seeking Magic, didn't do his homework on the fact that Mac Gille Eoin routinely hangs left!). Ganas has a similar profile to Seeking Magic, looking unexposed and coming here off the back of a Windsor run that suggested he is coming right back into form.

Rafaaf won over course and distance on his only visit here and his run last time was really positive, he ended up finishing only fourth but was in front far too soon and I immediately marked him down as a horse who would improve for the step back to five furlongs. He could yet have a big year and if the gaps come his way he can win this despite a wide draw.

2.30 Doncaster King Pin 3pts win @ 11/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

A son of Pivotal who is suited by bog like ground. He has a bit to do on ratings here but the way he saw it out last time at Redcar against a better treated rival marked him down as a horse to follow in these conditions. I can see no reason why he is as big as 11/1+, and I think he represents an excellent value bet to smallish stakes.

2.50 Sandown Botanic Garden 3pts win @ 10/1 (Boylesports, guaranteed, 9/1 generally guaranteed)

Has it to find on the book with the fav but is better drawn and is a faster horse. This race tends to throw up "shocks" with Royal Ascot horses sometimes getting beaten by speedier types who get the run of the race, and if Botanic Garden breaks well, he has the necessary gears to defeat Morawij. It will be imperative that he keeps the rail, any late rain will do his chances no harm.


Profit & loss: day: -10.00 / month: -23.20 / year: -244.68

Thursday 5th July 2012


One for this evening.

7.10 Epsom Seeking Magic 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 9/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

Is being prepped for the Stewards Cup and from two efforts this season has finished second twice, laterly in a decent handicap at Haydock. This horse travels very powerfully and likes to sit in just behind the leaders, so I would strongly fancy him to act well on Epsom's downhill incline. Goodwood will be much the same. His trainer Clive Cox has always rated the horse highly, and it is interesting that the stable were so badly out of form when this horse managed those decent runs earlier this year. Things have picked up just lately and the good horses are running well, this is one who I think is well ahead of his current mark. He is drawn well and given that he has never been out of the first three, an each-way bet looks the obvious call.

_____________________________________________________

Two races of interest this afternoon, and a possible evening bet.

Evening bets if any will be released at 5.30pm sharp, an e-mail will be sent either way.

2.10 Yarmouth Meet Me Halfway 1pt each-way AND 1pt win @ 33/1 (Generally, get guaranteed where possible)

Represents a trainer whose horses, including his occasional two year olds (3/22 14% last five years) , tend to run very well at Yarmouth. The selection is completely overpriced against those around her in the market. Whitford, Likelikelikelikeit and Vinifera don't make any appeal on their debut efforts and / or stable form, but I had the selection down as a 14/1 shot and 33/1 is a nice surprise. She showed good signs of ability on debut in a fillies maiden that has thrown up pattern class horses, and she had no trouble travelling with them before fading around a furlong out and staying on again towards the finish. She steps up to six furlongs today which is perfect on her running style and breeding, and I would expect improvement from that debut effort. I think the form of some of the principals is very questionable, Ajmany looks underpriced for starters, the Ascot race he ran in (Windsor Castle) doesn't always work out well and he only stayed on very one paced anyway. Much rather take the filly here with the dead eight and an incorrect price.

3.50 Haydock 

Defence Council 3pts win @ 10/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)
Rio Cobolo 2pts win @ 22/1 (VC Bet, guaranteed, 20/1 generally guaranteed)

Both these horses have solid Haydock form to their names. Defence Council ran an absolute blinder in pulling clear with Johannes, who is very well handicapped, at the weekend and this doesn't look quite as strong a race for him. He looks very well handicapped based on that run and his trainer won this race in 2009 with Sea Rover. He seemed to struggle as a three year old as many British sprinters do, and we might just get to see the best of him this year.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since a red hot Dandy Nicholls sent most of us on holidays with Joseph Henry (33/1) and Evens And Odds (25/1) in 2010 when we supported them for the Stewards Cup consolation race and the Stewards Cup itself on consecutive days. Dandy's stable have been quieter than usual an a poor 2011 never really got off the ground. This year has been equally bad, but there have been signs of a revival just lately and he has an impressive sprint winner at Pontefract the other day. I checked through the Stewards Cup entries last night ans this fella is in, Dandy targets the meeting and it is generally around now his horses come into form and this year more than others the ratings suggest a good few of his horses will need to pick up penalties to get involved. Rio Cobolo languishes on OR68, but there have been signs lately that he is running into form. He ran all the way to the line at Hamilton last time having been stranded with very little in the way of cover, and a stronger pace and a good draw to get cover in stall ten are both likely to be in his favour today. He arguably runs his best races at Haydock, and he is dangerously well handicapped - 20/1+ is too big.


Profit & loss: day: -13.00 / month: -13.20 / year: -234.68

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Wednesday 4th July 2012

We'll be picking and choosing our bets in July, there are winners to be had but not in the volume of the likes of Royal Ascot and with the ground such an unknown we'll be careful not to dump any of June's profits willy nilly. There is one decent opportunity at Kempton tonight.

6.50 Kempton Galleon 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 12/1 (Boylesports, VC Bet, guaranteed, or take 11/1 generally guaranteed) - E/W 3rd

Represents Sir Michael Stoute, and is apparently his second string on betting, but Pat Dobbs has ridden a few nice horses at this track for Stoute just lately and I expect Galleon to acquit himself really well. Looking at the betting, the top two look opposable. Muntasir has had a few chances now, and although he finished well last time out, that is no guarantee he will get 12 furlongs and with form figures of 44322 I feel there is a bit of a pattern forming and he may not be the most resolute. Presume looks the stable number one, but she got her own way in front on her debut and didn't show much in the way of a turn of foot at the business end. The form isn't working out on limited evidence and she is also too short. Regal Aura looks a better bet, but it worries me that she got her own way in front last time out and although the form looks strong at first glance, she was readily left behind once the better horses came at her. Galleon is very much bred to improve with a step up in trip and his debut run over a mile came in a very hot Sandown maiden which has worked out really well. He was putting in all his best work late on and given nothing like a hard time. He was sent off 13/2 for his second start but disappointed when this stable were out of form and on ground which may not have suited. He should have no problem on polytrack and he is very interesting at a fair each-way price. He is related to some very classy horses and seems to have been written off based on jockey bookings and form figures, the price looks very fair.


Profit & loss: day: +1.80 / month: -0.20 / year: -221.68

Tuesday 3rd July 2012

One bet for this evening.

6.50 Kempton Secret Symphony 2pts each-way @ 20/1 (Bet 365, Paddy Powers, guaranteed, also 20/1 Skybet, independents) - E/W 2nd 

Attracted cash at huge prices before showing some promise in a Newbury maiden which is working out very well back in May. His stablemate Star Breaker finished just ahead of him, and was sent out two weeks ago to win a Salisbury maiden having been quite well supported. Tonight's race has an interesting shape to it. The favourite looks the one to beat, but he shouldn't be as short as 1/2 in my view and he didn't finish very strongly on debut. The stable are largely out of form and at the prices I feel he must be taken on. Classic Art looks nothing special despite being as low at 5/1. Typhon looks promising but his yard tend to do better with three year olds and he is bred to improve over further. The Hannon horse Magic Channel is interesting at 14/1, with the ground probably against him last time, but Secret Symphony represents a sire whose progeny have already shown themselves to be precicious and, having showed plenty of speed early doors at Newbury, a chance is taken on him improving for that run at the prices. He is well drawn in stall two and has the assistance of the excellent James Doyle.


______________________________________

Two selections for Tuesday afternoon, and a possible evening bet to be released before 5.30pm.


4.30 Hamilton Oops Caroline 4pts win @ 7/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

An interesting little contest, which seems to have been priced up on stable rather than on recent form. Za'lan looks ok but might be better on the all weather, his Lingfield form isn't great and his ability to handle soft to heavy ground is questionable. Solar View achieved nothing last time out and is priced up based on the fact that he is unexposed and is from the Prescott stable. He could win by ten lengths and turn into a group horse, but based on track evidence that is unlikely. Oops Caroline improved loads for the application of blinkers last time out and she is too big at 7/1 based on what she achieved at Beverley. She hinted at ability on a few occasions, for example at Redcar on her penultimate run, but she was difficult to steer, looked unfocused, and was all at sea on good to firm ground. She was much more comfortable at Beverley on good to soft, as her knee action would suggest, and the blinkers helped with her focus. She made rapid headway from the rear to take up the running at halfway and was only run out of it late on, which bodes very well because usually horses who make mid race moves like that fade late on - she used a lot of energy in the process. Za'lan should put some pace to this race today and if she settles, I would hope she can get in a rhythm and make her challenge late on. 7/1 is too big.

5.45 Brighton Big Wave 4pts win @ 10/3 (Betfred, Paddy Power, guaranteed, 3/1 generally guaranteed)

Big Wave should have no problems with softer ground in my view, indeed she handled good to soft at Yarmouth with no problems. I feel there is further improvement to come from her stepped back in trip to five furlongs, she certainly isn't short on speed and she has tended to pull hard throughout her races over six. Cape Royal should set a strong pace here and I would hope she can sit off it. She has drifted this morning as the Brighton specialists have been backed, but I am happy to take a chance at the prices because I think she is improving fast and can probably outclass these. 3/1+ is too big.


Profit & loss: day: -2.00 / month: -2.00 / year: -223.48

Saturday 30th June 2012

Two selections for Saturday.

2.30 Newmarket Tipping Over 4pts win @ 11/2 (Generally, get guaranteed)

Created a really good impression when winning last time out over course and distance. She represents a trainer who is beginning to get better quality horses into his yard, and this filly might just be the best of them. She travelled powerfully last time and handled Newmarket's undulations profesionally. I can't see why she isn't closer to favouritism and she deserves to be backed at 11/2.

4.15 Chester Church Music 4pts win @ 8/1 (Paddy Power, Boylesports, guaranteed, 7/1 generally guaranteed)

Church Music has an interesting piece of course form behind Ballesteros to his name. That was only his third start of the year and he may not have been at 100% at that stage of the season, but he handled the track well and it is interesting connections send him back here again, and take the trouble to book Franny Norton, who rides the course really well. Three year olds have won this contest in the past and Church Music really only gets his ideal conditions - five furlongs on good ground. His draw in stall two and the proximity of hold up horses in the boxes beside him means he may well get the chance to dominate.


Profit & loss: day: -8.00 / month: +69.49 / year: -221.48


Friday 29th June 2012

15pts profit on the day yesterday, a nice return and we called the Newcastle maiden pretty much to the letter.

An interesting Chester card this evening and a couple at decent prices in the maiden take the eye.

6.15 Chester

Oriental Romance 1pt each-way @ 25/1 (Bet 365, guaranteed, 20/1 generally guaranteed) - N/R
Her Royal Empress 1pt each-way @ 50/1 (Bet 365, guaranteed, 40/1 generally guaranteed)

The favourite Savanna La Mar didn't look blessed with a high cruising speed on here debut, and being by Curlin she might well have been better suited by the polytrack on debut than she will be by turf tonight. She may not be suited by the sharp track. The Godolphin second fav looked typically fizzy, as many of Al Zarooni's were last season. They don't always pregress and I find the money hard to believe. At big prices Oriental Romance and Her Royal Empress make each-way appeal with the dead eight taking part. The former represents Richard Fahey, and showed a good cruising speed on debut but didn't really get much luck in running. She was caught on the far railat Musselburgh, didn't see much daylight, and ended up racing on the wrong part of the track. The stable's two year olds are starting to run well and she is worth backing at 25/1 from a decent draw. Her Royal Empress is more speculative, but she showed on debut that she has an engine, travelling easilt on the heels of the leaders before fading. She has to come on a lot for that but she is from a stable who target this meeting and she looks overpriced at 50/1.

7.55 Chester

My Kingdom 3pts win @ 11/2 (Generally, get guaranteed)
Beckermet 3pts win @ 7/1 (Generally, get guaranteed)

My Kingdom has some back form which entitles him to be favourite here. His handicap mark looks fair and he has been in good form this season, just failing to get the breaks and running up a sequence of four seconds. I don't think there is anything wrong with his attitude and he is worth backing at the prices. Of the others, Beckermet appeals. He has bundles of form on tight turning tracks and can be forgiven his recent poor run on soft ground at York. He is also well handicapped and has a decent draw here for his style of running. His trainer has done well at Chester this year and she can continue that good run. I think we've a strong hand between the above pair.


Profit & loss: day: -8.00 / month: +77.49 / year: -213.48


Thursday 28th June 2012

We may also have an evening bet today, to be released before 5.00pm.

2.00 Newcastle Jubilee Games 5pts win @ 7/2 (Generally, get guaranteed) - WON @ 4/1

Jubilee games impressed very much with his attitude when winning his maiden at Musselburgh, looking a galloper rather than a quickener, and bravely coming between two rivals late on, doing his best work at the finish to win cosily. He has it to find on ratings with New Pearl, but that rival is beginning to look regressive and he may be vulnerable late on on this heavy ground with Newcastle's stiff finish, particularly as he had a hard race in the Coventry only nine days ago. Jubilee Games looks a very fair price at 7/2 here and he probably rates the bet of the day.

2.50 Yarmouth Elusive Hawk @ 9/2
3.30 Newcastle Rock Relief @ 4/1
5.50 Yarmouth Sommersturn @ 7/2

3 x 1pt doubles, 0.5pts treble - best prices with Stan James, www.betpack.com, VC Bet, Ladbrokes in that order.

Many of you will fondly recall May 2010 when we pre-empted Barney Curley's coup and made a really nice profit on the day. With Curley's string in very good form, and his horses having ideal conditions, the alarm bells rang last night when I saw Chris Grant, who trained the last horse in the Curley 2010 gamble, had a horse running at Newcastle today. I keep a close eye on both stables and as far as I know, today is the first day both have had runners on the same day since. I've thrown 3.5pts at doubles and a treble, all three selections have a strong form shout and, while we might be way off the mark, I wouldn't be surprised to see two of them win anyway.


Profit & loss: day: +16.50 / month: 85.49 / year: -205.48

Wednesday 27th June 2012

A small profit from the each-way double yesterday, but second and third placed finishes meant we lost overall.

One bet for this evening.

6.20 Kempton Volcanic Jack 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 7/1 (Bet 365, guaranteed, 13/2 generally guaranteed)

Volcanic Jack is moderate at best but his handicap mark reflects that and he is now with a trainer who excels at getting the best out of an animal with this profile in Tony Carroll.  He has an 11% strike rate with his older horses at Kempton, and he tends to target these apprentice events when he has a horse on the right handicap mark for them. The selection is now a four year old, but he has recently come into something like decent form and his recent second over seven furlongs at Lingfield was very much a step forward. The selection was ridden along early and stayed on very well, indeed almost on the bridle at the finish, eventually beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Clear Spring, who had the advantage of the rail and has franked the form since with a win at Brighton. Connections have tried various trips with him but his best run as a two year old in Ireland came over a mile at Dundalk and he reverts to a mile on polytrack tonight. Some of the opposition are quite badly out of form at the moment, and for that reason I'm happy to play each-way despite relatively skinny odds for such a bet - I think he the odds underestimate his chance of winning and with 1/4 odds paid each-way we can take a small profit provided he finishes in the three.


Profit & loss: day: -5.00 / month: +68.99 / year: -221.98