The Eider chase is usually a tough race to have a bet in, but I have a strong EW fancy for the race in ALPHA VICTOR @12/1 ante post. He had a dodgy start to the season with 2 bad efforts in chases, which have seen his handicap mark drop down to 133. But he showed in a hurdles race at Wetherby recently that he still retains his ability with a good effort to finish 2nd. They clearly ran him over Hurdles so they didn't spoil his handicap mark over fences, and Saturday will be the day they look to exploit it. At the back end of last season he finished runner up in the midlands Grand National off a mark of 135, so he is 2 pounds better off on Saturday. This proves he will have no problems staying the 4m1 furlongs, and the soft ground won't be an issue as 4 of his 5 victories have come on either soft or heavy ground. I think this is definitely worth a punt EW, and I'd be surprised if his price doesn't shorten up a lot come Saturday. I can't see him going off at 12/1.
I don't think Wyck Hill is that well handicapped myself, he is 8 pounds higher than when he won this last year. He will love the ground, and he's obviously proved he can win over course and distance, but 8 pounds is a lot of extra weight to be carrying, particularly in such a long gruelling race
I'm very well thanks, good to see you are still posting on here. I was going to call it that, but didn't want to come across as to cocky after so long. You know me, I'd never want anyone to think I was cocky If though I can find some winners, the famous shoo in could make a return
Yea still plugging on, enjoying my racing so everything is good! I'm sure there's not many on here that think that You hve to bring it back especially for for the grand national meeting Quito De La Roques victory still fresh in the mind.
Welcome back Shergs I had been looking towards Scotswell for Saturday's slog, but now I'll have to Dutch him with yours
Good to hear that, you must be getting good at picking winners these days. Quito De La Roque scrambling home just infront of some 50/1 rag, after jumping like a donkey throughout I had some real fun on 606 ribbing all the doubters when he and Oscar Whisky went in on the same day. I might bring it back if my selections do well. Cheltenham would be a fitting place for the return. I've not been following to much racing, like I used to, but I find I do a lot better when I've taken a break. As it's easier to look at the form more objectively. It's easy when you watch to much of it, to fall into the trap of becoming emotionally attached to some horse that have won for you in the past, and you wrongly overlook other good horses in favour of them. Being able to look at the form objectively is key to being successful
It always concerns me when people switch from a 20/1 shot in favour of my pick I would feel rather guilty if Scotswell came in. I think though he has got a lot to find on the form book. 126 equals his highest ever mark, and he didn't run to well the last time he was up that high.
Welcome back, Shergy! Good to see you posting. I trust you're now enjoying lie-ins, assuming you're not getting up at 6am to study the form in the Racing Post these days?! Any strong Festival fancies mate?
Thanks BOS it's good to be back. I still get up at that time, the early bird catches the worm as they say Believe it or not, I actually don't have any strong festival fancys yet, however I have been saving up a big war chest to go to war against the bookies that week. So I will be spending the whole week prior to the festival going through every scrap of form, and il inform you of my picks after that. Il likely pick out a few horses in the coming weeks just to get my eye back in, like a top striker in pre season warming up those shooting boots
A poor showing from Alpha Victor, I'm not really sure what went on but he ran like abit of a donkey. Was pulled up with 4 left to jump
