Nine days to go

We continue the build up to www.themarketexaminer.co.uk launching on November 1st with another look back at the year so far.

Today we look back at what was probably the most frustrating day of the year. Let's call it Saturday Seconds.

It was April 17th, and it was a busy day, with seven selections picked, a couple of them "double stakers" - the original term for 2pt win selections.

It started at Ayr when 9/2 shot Ascendent went off a nibbled into 4/1 but could only finish fourth.

Up next, Manifest was the pick in the 2.00 at Newbury, in the John Porter stakes. 15 went to post and our selection was backed at 11/2 in the morning. By off time he was a 9/2 shot, and went on to run a decent race but ran into one of the best horses of the year, Harbinger, who of course would go on to greater things including that incredible King George win.

Wvooka next up at Thirsk who didn't do a lot, but then it was the turn of Gloucester, back at Ayr for the Scottish Champion Hurdle. A 6/1 shot, he was travelling really nicely about three furlongs out and even reached 1.32 in running, but just couldn't pick up as expected and Overturn beat him into second.

We then moved on to our first 2pt win selection of the day. Nom de Guerre in the 3.45 at Bangor, who again ran a good race after being backed at 13/2, pushing the eventual winner two out before flattening out to finish second - the third of the day.

On to Doncaster and the 5.10, and the second 2pt selection. This was an unraced two year old maiden of Tom Dascombe's, Malpas Missile. Backd at 9/2 the market went on a crazy and unexpected drift and the horse went off at 12/1. Almost a fantastic return with best odds guaranteed in play, as he had every chance going into the final furlong, before finding very little. Yet another second.

A little wait until the 7.25 at Donaster, and Lady Artemisa. Backed at 4/1 she went off at 7/2 and ran a solid if unspectular race - to finish - you guessed it - second.

Each way muiltiples would no doubt have seen a reasonable return, but for us win only backers it was just a long hard day of what might have beens. Five second place finishes out of seven - at average odds of more than 5/1. Not a good day!

Will return to happier times with the next look back tomorrow!

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