Saturday 9th August 2014

Two selections for this afternoon, and there is a chance of an evening bet - details on that either way before 5.30pm.

1pt each-way double on today's selections, 10/3 and 13/2 and better generally guaranteed (Boylesports and Bet Victor best prices)

2.30 Newmarket Clon Brulee 6pts win @ 7/2 (Generally guaranteed) - WON

Clon Brulee is a relatively lightly raced five year old who is a ten furlong specialist, and goes well on rain softened ground. Godolphin have done well with this type of acquisition in the past and I'd expect this gelding, whom they bought from David Barron, has been aimed at an autumn campaign in top handicaps. Bin Suroor's stable are in good form, and this is the time of year that they tend to pick up these "stepping stone" races on their way to bigger autumn targets. The overnight deluge will be in the selections favour, and I don't think he'll have trouble with his big weight. Silverstre De Sousa rides this track very well, and is savvy to what is required when the ground is testing here (witness his ride on Cavalryman for that horses pre-Goodwood win). I made the selection favourite on my book given the ground conditions, and I think the 7/2 will disappear come post time. We'll include him in an each-way double with our second selection.

3.05 Newmarket Gramercy 5pts win @ 7/1 (Boylesports, SeanieMac.com, guaranteed, 13/2 generally guaranteed)

Gramercy is a son of Whipper, whose progeny have an outstanding actual versus expected ratio on ground described as soft or heavy. Gramercy handles such conditions well, and his Doncaster second behind Red Refraction on soft ground earlier this season suggests he retains all his ability. He tends to come to hand around August these days, and he looks well handicapped enough off OR87 to resume winning ways today. Many of his rivals are unproven on the ground, or have question marks about them with regard to their recent form. David Simcock's stable have been in good form, and he had two winners here last week. Gramercy hasn't been the easiest to win with, but his handicap mark and the 5lb claim of the excellent Cam Hardie gives him every chance here. A potential far rail bias might throw a spanner in the works if this apprentice jockey isn't alive to it, but all things considered the current 13/2+ is too big and looks worth taking.

Profit & loss: day: +14.00 / month: -45.25 / year: +340.55