3.40 Exeter Marleno 20/1 NAP Like Stick, Anthony Middleton's 6 year old went straight into my notebook on stable debut last Thursday when a big eye catcher at Wincanton over 2m. Under todays pilot Charlie Poste, Marleno was dropped out in the rear of the field and was given very tender handling and was never really asked for an effort of any sort. It screamed as if he was just out for the spin, which makes a lot of sense considering it was his first start for 7 months. Prior to joining Middleton, Marleno had a spell with Brendan Powell (1 start) as well as Martin Keighley and Milton Harris and he showed some decent form with the latter trainer that makes him look quite well handicapped. Having run a good 3rd in a Listed Novices hurdle in October 2010, he got off the mark on his handicap hurdles debut off a mark of 106 that December and at the time he looked to be a rather progressive animal. The form of his handicap victory at Taunton looks extremely strong. The 2nd Dream Esteem (now 142), 3rd Bold Addition (now 136) and 4th Bally Legend (now 131) have won plenty of races between them and are now 22lb, 18lb and 15lb higher rated respectively so it was a really nice win looking back. I'm not for one second saying that he's going to progress to that sort of level but you don't beat 3 horses that improved so much and in a relatively short period of time without having a decent bit of ability, especially as he is now 2lb below that victory. In addition to this, he ran a couple of good races off marks of 114 and 112 (latterly for Martin Keighley) last year over hurdles as well. For the rest of last year, he mixed chasing with hurdling for Keighley off higher marks than he has to contend with today and he ran ok but not amazingly. After leaving Keighley, he joined Brendan Powell where he was sent off favourite for a chase at Plumpton in March where he finished last of the 5 and his last effort was on Thursday for Middleton when giving what I thought a very easy time of things on what looked clearly a pipe opener. Its very interesting to also note that his current owners have kept hold of him despite changing trainers 3 times and if Middleton has worked the oracle with him I think he looks primed for a massive run. 12/1 best priced available now.
Don't really know what to make of Marleno. Seemed to travel into the race well enough but Charlie Poste seemed to give up pretty quickly. Anyone elses insights are welcome.
I thought Marleno was pulling for the first 5-6f's before Charlie settled him.. For the last half of the race up to 2 flights out looked ok, and prob in with a chance if he could make his move... But as soon as he pushed he gave nowt and maybe the initial part of the race took a bit out of him... Thats how i saw it ROTO... Charlie didnt exactly go for it at the end and maybe its one to see where he pops up next time...
Lol, Ruby Walsh puts in the first contender for **** ride of the season on Rocky Creek. Why oh why when you have a horse who has stayed on into a lead, would you stop his momentum at the last flight?
Because he was obviously going to meet the fence all wrong if he didn't. Ruby is a master horseman and I can bet you anything he slowed him down because he felt he would clatter it otherwise.
Away from horses but I believe there is a great bet in the Championship this evening: According to Oddschecker you can get 7/5 at WH on Huddersfield this evening away at Peterborough. Peterborough are yet to collect a point at home and have scored just 3 goals in 5 home games. They have lost there last two without troubling the scorers having won 2 games on the trot away at Bransley and Hull. They were very fortunate against Hull scoring 3 goals on the counter attack despite been battered for much of the game. Huddersfield boast the best away record in the league and have won there last 2 after a run of 2 defeats. They have won there last 3 on the road including trips to Blackpool, Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday and there only defeat on there travels was on the opening evening away at Cardiff (a last minute goal) Cardiff have a 100% home record so that defeat doesn't look too bad. At 7/5 I think this is a corking bet and I will be having my biggest single bet of the football season and also a treble with Southend and Juventus
