The parade ring was a swimming pool. The dips in the course were full of water. I have the utmost admiration for jump jockeys, even racing in the torrential downpour , perhaps it is because you have to be a little bit mad, but those conditions were not fit for running horses on.
Woke up this morning to find a few quid in my exchange account. Aha, Eltham Place at 23. Profitable day yesterday all in all.
Here we go again…… Not an advised bet, but it’ll be interesting to see how Eyed gets on in the 12.20 at Ascot. He ran a promising race on debut despite being beaten a long way by Constitution Hill and then ran in a Grade 1 at Aintree. This is likely to be a run to get handicapped and he should appreciate this step up in trip. Two at prices for today. 2.05 Ascot – Belargus (e/w) – 33/1 Bet365, generally 22/1 Majority of bookmakers paying Top 4 Places. Looks to have been underestimated in the market based on a couple of efforts over 3 miles, where he didn’t look to stay that extended trip. The last of those being in the Ultima at Cheltenham, so a hugely competitive race. Prior to falling at the 1st in the Paddy Power Chase of 2021, he’d been a really progressive chaser, winning impressively at Sandown with a number of subsequent winners behind. He also looked to be going well on his previous start before falling and the time before again winning impressively from subsequent winners. This trip looks ideal, the ground should suit and he’s only 2lbs higher than his last win, so is perhaps as well or better handicapped than the majority of his opponents. 3.15 Ascot – Doctor Parnassus (e/w) – 16/1 Bet365, generally 14/1 Made a seriously good impression when making his hurdles debut at Ascot on soft ground when bolting up by 10 lengths and then followed up at Taunton winning with his head in his chest. He then ran really well in the Triumph Hurdle before disappointing on ground quicker than ideal at Sandown. He was disappointing on his reappearance at Cheltenham, but the ground would have been a good deal quicker than he’d have wanted, as it was at Sandown at the end of last season. Back on a softer surface, he’s taken to show a return to form and he’s over priced due to that quick ground run at HQ last time. He has the ability to win this and will hopefully be ridden a little more patiently than he was at Cheltenham, as he was on his first few outings over hurdles. Two quite short prices today, 1,30 Ascot, Kandoo Kid, highly regarded, impressive hurdles debut, back from a break, well fancied. – 13/8 with most bookies. 1,55 Catterick, Masked Crusader, nice type, improvement expected over fences, well fancied. – 10/11 with most bookies. 14:05 Ascot, Revels Hill 0.5pt each-way @ 7.50 most bookies (4 places @ 1/5) 14:30 Catterick, Imperial Merlin 1pt win @ 2.25 most bookies 15:15 Ascot, Onemorefortheroad 1pt win @ 3.50 several bookies 19:45 Kempton, Noble Order 1pt win @ 1.53 several bookies
Ew bets for later: 16:10 Kempton, River Wharfe 0.5pt each-way @ 15.00 several bookies (4 places @ 1/5) 18:00 Dundalk, Scipos Defense 0.5pt each-way @ 21.00 several bookies (4 places @ 1/5) 18:30 Dundalk, Kudbegood 0.5pt each-way @ 8.50 several bookies (4 places @ 1/5) 19:15 Kempton, Satono Japan 0.5pt each-way @ 23.00 several bookies (4 places @ 1/5) 19:30 Dundalk, No Speed Limit 0.5pt each-way @ 12.00 several bookies (4 places @ 1/5) 19:45 Kempton, Rhythm N Rock 0.5pt each-way @ 15.00 most bookies (3 places @ 1/5) 20:00 Dundalk, Lord Park 0.5pt each-way @ 19.00 most bookies (4 places @ 1/5)
13:10 Lingfield, Night Battle 1pt win 13:10 Lingfield, Victoria Grove 1pt win 14:20 Lingfield, Pop Dancer 1pt win 14:55 Lingfield, Marion's Boy 1pt win 16:30 Wolverhampton, This Ones For Fred 1pt win 17:00 Wolverhampton, Intervention 1pt win 18:30 Wolverhampton, Diamond Ranger 1pt win
Yes, as you say small reward. As for risk, I didn't fancy the second favourite, the other runner there for a day out. That was how I saw it. Need to give the crystal ball a good clean.
