Monday 29th October 2012

One race of interest for Monday. Some great jumping action too which I'll be watching with interest - really looking forward to the National Hunt season getting back into full swing.

3.10 Redcar 

Quan 3pts win @ 9/1 (VC Bet, Paddy Power, William Hill, independents - guaranteed)

Kuwait Star 2pts win @ 14/1 (Totesport, Betfred, Stan James, www.betpack.com, independents - guaranteed) - WON

An interesting maiden for older horses, neither of the top two in the market can be described as rock solid and I'm keen to take them on. Make sure to get guaranteed prices here as either selection may drift.

Quan represents a stable who do well with three year olds. His sire gets plenty of runners who handle soft and heavy ground, and it is interesting he runs again in maiden company despite being assigned a mark of OR58. He was not inexpensive, but he has looked a bit of a nutter and a slow learner in three runs to date. However, there was abundant promise in his last run at Pontefract. He pulled really hard in the early stages but ran all the way to the line to finish third (albeit well beaten) behind two half decent horses. His early exertions really took their toll in the closing stages and the distance he was beaten doesn't tell the full story. He steps back to seven furlongs this afternoon and if he is more professional, he can go close. The stable 5lb claimer takes the ride, it was he who got a tune out of the horse last time out and he rates good value for his allowance.

Kuwait Star is by a sire who seems to be favoured by trainer Jason Ward. Resplendent Glory isn't a prolific stallion by any means but he is tending to get progeny who win on soft and heavy ground. Kuwait Star showed promise in a Thirsk maiden, pulling clear of the field to finish fourth behind two OR80+ types, one who has won impressively since, the winner unraced since, and another horse who ran once disappointingly. He had a short break before reappearing at Wolverhampton the other day, where the market gave him no chance. He showed up for a few furlongs before fading and it may be he was out for a gallop. He reappears quickly but the ground will suit him and the booking of Ted Durcan is an interesting one. At 14/1, he looks like a bit of value and the market close to the off will probably tell if he is fancied against his stablemate who happens to be second favourite.

Profit & loss: day: +25.00 / month: +13.70 / year: -32.91