Wednesday 9th January 2013

Chris Catlin gave Sewn Up an appalling tactical ride yesterday, managing to do everything I said he shouldn't in the write up, and in addition getting the horse unbalanced close home and losing second place. Third wasn't good enough as a late non runner and an even later withdrawl on course left only seven to run. Days like that are best forgotten. Remember the jockey was factored into the bet - had the selection been 10/1 and ridden by Adam Kirby, I'd have bet, at 16/1 and 18/1 under Catlin, it was also a bet.

One for this evening.

4.40 Kempton Presburg 5pts win @ 11/2 (Stan James betpack.com, guaranteed, 5/1 VC Bet, independents, get guaranteed)

Has more 2's than 1's to his name but Presburg kept good company last summer and looks attractively handicapped on this surface now with a rating of OR75. He didn't do much wrong during the summer, but was probably just a bit high in the weights. He travels really well on polytrack, indeed his only win to date was at Wolverhampton where he won his maiden cosily having cruised around like a horse who enjoys the surface. He has also run well here in a much better handicap than this. His trainer hasn't kept many on the go this winter but this looks a really nice piece of placement against lower class horses and any pace in the race should suit him (one or two tend to race prominently). He has also run well after a short break in the past. He might just be better than the likes of Purple 'N Gold and Whitby Jet and the price looks a point and a half too big.

Profit & loss: day: -5.00 / month: -29.29 / year: -29.29