Tuesday 8th April 2014

A good card at Pontefract, and a lesser one at Southwell. That said, opportunities look hard to come by but one at Southwell takes the eye at the prices.

3.00 Southwell Very First Blade 3pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 8/1 (Generally guaranteed) - E/W 2nd

Very First Blade isn't the most talented horse on display this afternoon, but he is fairly handicapped and probably has his ideal conditions over Southwell's seven furlongs. He has shaped as though needing this kind of trip on his last few runs, and solid displays for the grade behind All Right Now (beaten a nose, 1lb better off here) and Mont Signal at Wolverhampton (holds Sam Spade on that form) give him a good chance here. He is turned out relatively quickly today, which is interesting given he has won after a three day break in the past. He was always outpaced over six furlongs at Wolverhampton but kept plugging away as he usually does. Having been caught wide for most of the trip, his jockey took it very easy on him close home. Back on this surface, and with Silvestre De Sousa booked for the first time, he makes plenty of appeal at the prices. Some of these look certain not to run their races, and given the selection's consistency I'm going to suggest backing him each-way and win.

Profit & loss: day: +0.80 / month: +46.50 / year: -4.85