Morning, troops. How are we??? Good, good. No bet for me today but a couple of interesting and nicely bred types do make their debuts today. On the level at Kempers Park Punditry (6.00) and in the ‘lucky last’ at Catterick Bridge Je T’aime (5.20), what a lovely name for a filly by the way. Will be keen to see how they fair. Meanwhile I see that old boy ‘Choc’ Thornton is set to miss the Festival. Don’t think he had a strong book of rides though and certainly wasn’t due to get hop aboard the county’s best hope of a Cheltenham winner this season. Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink. Say no more. Good luck if you do wager though.
It's complete rubbish Bob and rain is forecast. At least I'm not driving so can have a few scoops. The 4.15 looks a good e/w opportunity with 3 places and 10/1 bar the fav who could tip up or blow out in this quick reappearance under a 6lb penalty. Any thoughts guys?
I've looked at Fontwell. Not bothering with Catterick, the AW or Ireland. In the 2.10 the Paul Nicholls horse, Noble Friend, is attractively priced at 9/2 for an each way bet in an 8 runner race so i've had a pop on that one. I think it's out of the three at the head of the market and expect them to come home in the money. He had a decent spin on debut then ran disappointingly the next time but if you take a look at that race it wasn't bad at all with 120 horses knocking about. He's been given a break presumably to freshen up and it wouldn't surprise if Nicholls mentions he's had a wind op in that period when he's getting interviewed in the winners enclosure post race. I'll be disappointed if this fellow doesn't win today but a place will give me the lions share back anyway. An hour later in the 3.10 Billy Twyford is attracting support in his attempt to double up and with the last race working out well I think 7/2 is a cracking price. So there we have it. 2 bets. If Boris needs proof i'll PM the receipt numbers and he can call Paddy himself.
Mares bumper on Saturday at Sandown. Honeyball targeted that last year with Midnight Minx only for her to be less than 100% so she didn't run. I wonder if they've got her cherry ripe for this year?
4.40 Fontwell Flemi Two Toes 7/1 looks a good bet. I think a mark of 109 on handicap chase debut is definitely lenient. Chase debut was ok as he put in a few sloppy jumps and ran in snatches but addition of cheekpieces will focus him up. On his hurdles form, his current mark would be lenient but when taking into account that breeding heavily suggest he'll be a much better horse over fences then it looks very appealing.His half brother Bless The Wings went from being a modest hurdler to a current 149 rated chaser and Flemi Two Toes looks set to achieve significant improvement over the larger obstacles. If today isn't his today for whatever reason, he's definitely a chaser worth following as I'm convinced he has the potential to be a 130+ rated animal.
Tremendous card at Downpatrick, I hate my low grade jump racing but I love my Irish low grade jump racing. In the handicap at 3.15 Mill Bay 9/2 looks very interesting, he was only a length or so behind Bondage last time when showing much improved form at this track, that went on to win two handicaps off 115 and 127 and the 3rd from the race, Katys Girl, also easily won a handicap of 92 a couple of runs later. So off 85 here with a 3 pound claimer, bottom weight in a weak race, if they have been holding this back now looks the time to let the handbrake off, and there has been some money around for him. One has been on the Masters radar for a while and could have a chance off top weight today in a very poor race, Clear Hills 12/1. write up to follow And in the bumper, Benemeade 10/3 looks the one to be on, he ran well when 3rd behind Milan Bound in atrocious conditions last time, the form of that race looks very strong in the context of this race, id expect him to come on again for that he should take a bit of beating here.
Asker can run a place for the Moore team after a respectable run behind behind Valdez 2 runs back. 14/1 (to win).
Only 10 left in the Champion Hurdle now – Hurricane Fly, Rock on Ruby, Grandouet, Binocular, Oscar Whisky, Zarkandar, Cinders And Ashes, Cotton Mill, Balder Succes and Countrywide Flame. Not since 1980 has there been a single figure field but reckon it long, long odds-on we will get one in 2013.
Afternoon guys not much of interest but I've gone for a Moore double RIGHT STUFF and DOROTHY DANCING 2.0 & 2.30 5/4 2/1 good luck if uou play
