Tuesday 30 November 2010

Frozen frustrations

It's an extraordinary sign of just how cold it is at the moment that Kelso's meeting on Sunday has already been called off.

All very frustrating, particularly as we have found market moves on the all-weather to be too unreliable to trust, hence we've had no selections at all (which have run) since Saturday. We did have a runner at Folkestone on Monday, but of course that meeting too bit the dust.

As we mentioned on Sunday, we've decided to add all days lost due to the weather to our member's subscriptions. It just seems the fairest thing to do.

Hopefully the forecasters have got it wrong and Britain will warm up again soon - although that looks unlikely right now!

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Sunday 28 November 2010

Slow Saturday

What a brilliant day of action at Newbury on Saturday. Sadly our one selection finished just out of the frame, The Betchworth Kid (1pt), in the 2.00. Advised at 9/2, he went off at the same price and ran pretty well, but finished just out of the frame.

Confirmation of result with SP

The Betchworth Kid, 4th/12, 9/2

All this cold weather, and meetings being abandoned, means it looks all but certain that November will end in a loss, which is very frustrating but brighter times are surely just around the corner!

By the way, if you are thinking of subscribing but concerned by a possible lack of racing in the coming days/weeks, you'll be pleased to know that any days when there is no turf racing because of the weather, we've decided to simply add those days to member's subscriptions.

Thanks

Sam
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Friday 26 November 2010

Looking forward to the weekend

Just a couple of selections today, and neither placed. Most of our selections recently have gone on to shorten in price, but today a big drifter which is always frustrating (unless they win with b.o.g in play of course).

Anyway both were at Musselburgh, the first in the opener, the 12.10. We had Vallani (1pt), having her first start for Lucinda Russell after being in Peter Monteith's stable, at 5/1. Going off at 9/2, she never really jumped particularly well and found herself a fair way behind. She stayed on quite nicely in the closing stages but was never going to trouble the leaders.

The next was in the 2.25, Overyou (1pt), advised at 13/2. She drifted before opening on course at 9/1 and then continued to go out to 14/1 at the off. Clearly not expected to run well, she didn't, finishing well behind.

Obviously the action's depleted tomorrow because of Newcastle and Towcester being off, but there's some decent racing about - hats off to Newbury for staging the Fighting Fifth - so hopefully a winner or two to be found.

Confirmation of result with sps:

Vallani, 5th/10, 9/2
Overyou, 12th/14, 14/1

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Thursday 25 November 2010

Not today

Another quiet day in terms of number of selections, with just a couple for us today, with a plugging on second and a run which was possibly too bad to be true.

First up we had Glenturn (1pt) in the 3.05 at Uttoxeter, advised at 7/1. They finished really tired in the slow ground over 2m 6 and the selection, which started at 5/1 was miles behind but did stay on well at the end to only go down by about six lengths. If he could have been closer to the pace he may well have justified his market support with a win, but not to be.

Ten minutes later we had a selection in the 3.15 at Newbury, the best race of the card, a Grade Two novices chase, which saw the sad demise of Tell Massini. The one for us was Be There In Five (1pt), advised at 5/1 and he went off at the same price, only to just never get in it. His jumping was a bit eratic and he just never landed a blow, finishing a tailed off third. Be There In Five actually beat the winner Aiteen Thirtythree over the same distance in a hurdles race back in March (and was actually giving Aiteen Thirtythree seven pounds too) but today just wasn't his day, and maybe there was more to it than just not taking to the fences. Will be interesting to watch what happens with him next time.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Glenturn, 2nd/7, 5/1
Be There In Five, 3rd/5, 5/1

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Wednesday 24 November 2010

999/1 winner

A good winner today from the one selection but my word it didn't look very likely about half a mile from home!

We advised Stow (1pt) at 10/1 in the 2.15 at Chepstow for Venetia Williams. A previous Triumph Hurdle runner (in 2009), he was being perservered with over three miles despite a couple of disappointing efforts over a similar distance. Really, from the formbook it would have been difficult to make a case for him but he was nicely backed this morning, and went off a couple of points shorter again at 8/1.

In the race Stow was scrubbed along quite early on, and couldn't go with the leaders when things began to get serious. The in-running layers got well and truly stuck in and before you know it he was trading at 999/1 on Betfair.

But hats off to Aidan Coleman, he never gave up and even a couple of fences from home when he still looked well beaten he was driving him on. Over the last fence he was still well down, but produced a terrific late burst of pace to win in the shadow of the post.

A very nice result, and hopefully something we can build on before the end of the month.

Confirmation of results with sp:

Stow, 1st/11, 8/1

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Tuesday 23 November 2010

Foiled

The money was well and truly down with our solitary selection today, which we advised at 5/1.

Mighty Magnus (1pt) had run quite well at Carlisle three weeks ago and he was very well backed to do the business in the 2.30 at Sedgefield, going off 9/4 favourite by off time.

He was very confidentally ridden, held up well behind the pace before gradually getting involved, but then found very little when asked to quicken, ending up third.

It's all about locking in that value over time and getting 5/1 about 9/4 shots pays dividends over the long term. They can't all do the business though of course and we'll hope for better tomorrow.

Confirmation of result with SP:

Mighty Magnus, 3rd/7, 9/4

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Monday 22 November 2010

Not a good start to the week

First of all, what sad news about Peter Monteith, our thoughts are with his friends and family. Reading tributes for him, he sounds like he was a very decent chap, and of course was a very decent trainer too, such a shame.

As for the selections, well, we were looking for a strong start to the week of course, but didn't get it.

We had five go for us, the first at Ludlow in the 1.10, where Glebehall Bay (1pt) was a pick at 9/2. Racing in snatches, he was squashed against the fence as things began to get serious and was never really in it afterwards, finishing sixth.

There was a good card at Kempton and we had a couple there, including in the 2.05 Picture In The Sky (1pt) at 12/1. He opened on course at 8/1 but drifted to an SP of 12/1, before running well for a good while. Sam Twiston Davies put in a brilliant effort to stay on when the horse slightly overjumped when in second about four out, but couldn't quite manage it so we had another UR on our hands.

It was to Wales next, in the 3.00 at Ffos Las where we had Doubletoilintrouble (1pt) at 10/1. After opening on course at 8/1, he continued to be backed into 9/2 at the off. He ran well until the last couple of furlongs before fading but at least picked up third place for those following the selections each way (not us of course).

Back to Kempton we went for the 3.10, where we had Rodrigo Gonzales (1pt), an 8/1 shot for us and another well backed type, going off at 5/1 in the end. Nothing doing here though either as the horse ran very poorly finishing a tailed off 5th.

So it was to Ludlow finally with Walls Way in the 3.25. Put up at 12/1, he went off marginally shorter at 11/1 before finishing well behind the leaders.

On to tomorrow where we'll hope things begin to turn for the month. Still not too late to turn things into a profit for November, but it's not going to be easy.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Glebehall Bay, 6th/9, 5/1
Picture In The Sky, UR/5, 12/1
Doubletoilintrouble, 3rd/8, 9/2
Rodrigo Gonzales, 5th/6, 5/1
Walls Way, 9th/13, 11/1

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Sunday 21 November 2010

Weekend catch up

Really tough going at the moment, more than 1 in 4 selections since last Sunday's big winner have come second, including two more this weekend, and yesterday we had our only 2pt pick of the weekend at 8/1 travelling powerfully and looking the most likely winner before fluffing the fence three out and falling at the last.

This is just natural variance and it's important to think long term about such runs. As long as we're beating SP with the majority of selections, which we are, things will turn around. Naturally it's incredibly annoying that the month isn't powering on with great profits given this is the first month of subscriptions, that's what you call sod's law I suppose.

Anyway let's catch up with results this weekend.

We had five selections yesterday, on a busy day in the markets and with some great racing on show.

Things started in the 12.55 at Ascot with Solitary Palm (1pt), advised at 10/1. Going off at 11/1, he got as far as the second fence before Liam Treadwell unseated, the first time the 7yo hadn't put in a clear round in his jumping career.

In the 1.05 at Huntingdon at we had Pearlysteps (1pt), at 5/1. It was the second time over fences for Henry Daly's runner, and he put in a decent performance after starting at 4/1, holding every chance near the end before being beaten by the useful Golan Way, finishing second beaten a couple of lengths.

Next up was the only 2pt pick of the weekend, and we got a cracking performance with what we thought looked a very likely winner. My Moment (2pts) was an 8/1 selection in the 1.15 at Haydock, another Henry Daly runner. Dropping back in trip, he continued to be well backed into 5/1 at the off, and then ran really well for a long time, jumping into the lead after cruising up with the pace for much of the race. Just as he was stretching his advantage he seemed to put in a good leap three out but slipped on landing, losing momentum. He picked up again but the mistake seemed to throw him off stride a little, and he was in second when he came down at the last fence when beginning to rally again.

In the 1.30 at Ascot, a mare's handicap hurdle we had Manele Bay (1pt) at 6/1 Richard Rowe. Another selection supported further before the off, she went off at 5/1 before putting in a poor effort, never in contention.

Next up it was the 2.45 at Huntingdon, where Yetholm (1pt) was a selection at 9/1. Going off at 10/1 he was very badly hampered by a faller at an early fence and then was never really travelling afterward, ending up well beaten.

On to today and we were looking to get things back on track with a couple of selections.

First up we had Raysrock (1pt) in the 2.30 at Kelso, a handicap hurdle over the minimum trip, at 8/1. Backed into 5/1 at the off, he was always in contention and stayed on well, beaten a length into second.

In the 2.55 at Aintree, we had Whereveryougoigo, at 5/1. Nicely backed all day he started at 3/1 but put in a poor display of jumping, constantly losing ground by jumping right at his fences and ending up very well beaten.

Let's hope the coming week is brighter, it's only a matter of time before things bouce back but we'd obviously prefer it to happen sooner rather than later.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Saturday:

Solitary Palm, UR/10, 11/1
Pearlysteps, 2nd/6, 4/1
My Moment, F/8, 5/1
Manele Bay, 11/15, 5/1
Yetholm, 8th/13, 10/1

Sunday:

Raysrock, 2nd/12, 5/1
Whereveryougoigo, 8th/10, 3/1

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Friday 19 November 2010

Seconditis

Ok it's not quite the seconditis suffered by Forpaddydeplaster but we've had three 2pt selections this week and all have finished second, including two today.

First up we had Smokey Oakey (2pts) in the 2.10 at Ascot, a competitive introductory hurdle, at 9/1. The selection was always going to have the biggest test from the Champion Bumper fifth, Megastar, and so it proved, with the winner quickening away impressively in the closing stages. Still, a decent performance from our pick, leading much of the way and staying on nicely to be clear of third. With an SP of 8/1 we also grabbed a bit of value which is the idea.

Fifteen minutes later, we had Russian Song (2pts), in the 2.25 at Exeter. A 5/1 shot for us, the Colin Tizzard trained 6yo went off a well supported 7/2 and ran really well. Travelling smoothly he really looked to have a big chance in the closing stages (trading at 1.25 in running). But he clattered the second last which lost his rhythm and he took a bit of time to get going again. Over the last fence, he looked beaten but rallied brilliantly to fly home, going down by a neck. If the line was 15 yards further away he'd have won.

That's racing though of course, and at least both selections started shorter than we backed at, and ran well. Hopefully things turning just in time for the weekend, we're looking forward to our next decent return, it won't be far away.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Smokey Oakey, 2nd/8, 8/1
Russian Song, 2nd/5, 7/2

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Thursday 18 November 2010

Slow week

What's proving to be a slow and unprofitable week continues, with four selections over the last couple of days, none of them placing.

Yesterday we kicked things off with Red Perfection (1pt) in the 1.00 at Warwick, at 16/1. It wasn't a good sign as she drifted to 25/1 at SP, and so it proved. She was up with the pace setters for a fair part of the race, before just falling away really tamely, ending up pulling up. We've had quite a few poor performances this week and this one up with the worst of them.

Just over a couple of hours later, our second and final selection for Wednesday was Young Buddy (1pt) in the 3.10 at Hexham, at 9/1. Going off at 17/2, we had another possible candidate for worst performance of the week. Shoved along early, he lost contention and ended up well back, finishing sixth. Certainly more was expected in conditions he perhaps would have been thought to enjoy.

So that was Wednesday, on to today and at least a couple of slightly better runs, if still no returns.

First up we had Form And Beauty (1pt) in the 2.00 at Hereford at 8/1. Starting at 6s, he ran a frustrating race, starting really slowly and jumping poorly to leave himself well out of the back and seemingly out of contention. He did pick up qute well in the last half furlong or so and ended up fourth, although still beaten quite a way. Great name though.

Twenty minutes later, in the 2.20 at Wincanton, an interesting novice hurdle race, we had Fortification (1pt) at 8/1. Another selection backed further in, he started at 13/2 and looked a contender for a good while before finding things just a bit too quick when push came to shove, although stayed on pretty well into fourth.

So since Monday we've not hit the target from eleven attempts, and had just the once placed as well (our only 2pt selection of the 11 - finished second). What's been particularly annoying is that we've had many just never looking like getting involved. It's been quite frustrating too only having two selections on each of these last three days, it just always takes longer to get things motoring when it's a slow period. But we'll maintain our discipline and not push things, that's absolutely vital. Who knows what tomorrow could bring..?!

Confirmation of results with sps:

Wednesday:

Red Perfection, PU/14, 25/1
Young Buddy, 6th/9, 17/2

Thursday:

Form And Beauty, 4th/8, 6/1
Fortification, 4th/16, 13/2

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Tuesday 16 November 2010

Forgettable day

A fairly quiet Tuesday with just two selections, good value with one of them, but neither doing the business. It's been a frustrating couple of days since since Sunday and we look forward to getting back in front again soon.

Both picks were at Fakenham, the first in the 1.30. We had Shouldntbethere (1pt), at 13/2. Still searching for his first win over fences for Jo Davis, he'd unseaten and fallen on his previous two attempts. At least today he got around, but sadly he could only come third of the three to finish.

A couple of hours later, at 3.30, we had Chalice Welcome, advised at 8/1. Dropped back in trip, there was lots of confidence about, opening on course at 5/1 before supported further into an SP of 9/2. He ran a funny race, coming off and on the bridle and at one stage, not far from home, looked to be moving nicely into contention. But in the end he couldn't go with the front three when the pace quickened and he could only finish fourth.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Shouldntbethere, 3rd/7, 15/2
Chalice Welcome, 4th/8, 9/2

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Monday 15 November 2010

Small margins

Well we were of course looking to follow up a good day yesterday, but it didn't happen. The closest we came was our 2pt selection finishing second, not beaten far, but otherwise it was a poor set of performances and we'll be looking for better tomorrow.

We started in the 12.50 with Call It On (2pt), in the 12.50 at Leicester, at 6/1. Going off 4/1 for James Reveley, he ran a decent race, running prominently much of the way but was beaten off by the favourite (which incidentally drifted hugely on course). He stayed on again to finish second, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths, but was never really going to get there.

That was the best performance of our five picks.

Next up we had Shrewd Invester (1pt) in the 1.20 at Leicester, which we advised at 8s and went off at 7/1. Losing his footing in the race at one stage didn't help, but he was beaten a long way in fourth.

Then in the 2.30 at Plumpton we had Amble Forge (1pt), at 7/1. Starting at 15/2, he ran a stinker beaten a long way.

Up next was our biggest priced pick of the day, Monash Lad (1pt), at 12/1, in the 3.00 at Plumpton. Again a slight drift saw the selection go off at 14/1, and he was never in it.

Finally it was Kielder Rise(1pt) in the 3.50 at Leicester and we certainly hoping for at least a better performance than the previous three. Not to be though, first there was a drift from our 5/1 to 9/1 at SP and then Evan Williams' mare put in probably the worst display of the day, finishing hopelessly detached.

Strange to think that despite the majority of selections running really poorly today, if we'd gone one better in the first we'd have been looking at an 8pt profit for the day. It's on small margins these things are decided, and hopefully things will fall the right side for us tomorrow.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Call It On, 2nd/9, 4/1
Shrewd Invester, 4th/7, 7/1
Amble Forge, 8th/9, 15/2
Monash Lad, 5th/6, 14/2
Kielder Rise, 8th/8, 9/1

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Sunday 14 November 2010

Bouncing back

A cracking day with 20pts of profit thanks to two winners from our four selections.

The Market Examiner team were at Cheltenham today and it was a great 15 minutes watching two winners go in back to back in a Totesport betting shop, including a 2pt winner at 9/1, which went off at 5s. At that stage it was looking like it could be an exceptional day, with two more selections left to run, but sadly we couldn't follow up, although the next two both ran pretty well too.

It started in the 2.00 at Fontwell, where we had Warne's Way (1pt) at 5/1. Returning to hurdles after three flat outings, he was very well supported and went off 7/2 favourite. Liam Treadwell gave him a peach of a ride, as he looked up against it after the last, but rallied brilliantly to win by a neck.

It wasn't long to wait before the next of ours, the 2.10 at Market Rasen, where we had Ursis (2pt) at 9/1. Going back to the scene of his last win, he opened at 15/2 before being backed into 5/1. The support was absolutely justified as he absolutely hosed up by nine lengths to give us an 18pt return.

23pts to the good then, we looked forward to the 2.45 at Market Rasen with expectation of another big ride with another selection extremely well backed. Pennek (2pt) was an 8/1 pick, and opened on course at 6/1 before being supported further into 4/1 at the off. James Reveley had him in the lead for a good while, and he was going very well before suddenly hitting a flat spot, and fading. He traded as low as 1.77 in running, but in the end could only finish third. Still, excellent value had and we looked forward to the next and final pick for the day.

Sybarite (1pt) was a 6/1 choice for us, but actually went off at at 8s in the 3.30 at Cheltenham. It was the gelding's first try over hurdles for Nigel Twiston-Davies and he ran a cracker, briefly leading a couple of furlongs out after being prominent throughout. A poor jump two out didn't help though, and he ended up staying on well into second behind the impressive Champion Court.

So a really good day all told, 20pts up and things pulled back really strongly for November. Hopefully we can keep things moving forward this week.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Warne's Way, 1st/9, 7/2
Ursis, 1st/6, 5/1
Pennek, 3rd/5, 4/1
Sybarite, 2nd/8, 8/1

Saturday was altogether less eventful. Just the one pick, Jeringa (2pt) at 6/1, in the 1.45 at Wetherby. Nicely backed, he went off at 9/2 and went on to run well for a while, before fading abruptly and pulling up. Not sure something went amiss, but all the same, two points lost on the day.

Confirmation of result with sp:

Jeringa, PU/5, 9/2

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Saturday 13 November 2010

Frustrating Friday

A good day of racing yesterday then, but sadly five points lost after a couple of decent performances and an unseated rider.

First up we had the spirited campaigner Knowhere in the opener at Cheltenham (1.15), the amateur riders' contest, at 15/2 for 1pt.

He put in a decent performance, was close up throughout, but hit a flat spot two or three furlongs from home. He stayed on again after going over the last but was never getting there, and finished third, two and a half lengths behind the winner, Rustarix.

Then came the only 2pt pick of the day, Pamak D'Airy, at 5/1 in the 2.15 at Newcastle. He was dropping back in trip and clearly plenty was expected as the 7yo continued to shorten into 7/2 at the off. We'll never know if the money was right though as Robert Walford couldn't stay on after the horse made a mistake at the second.

Up next was Sizing Australia (1pt) in the Cross Country race, at 3.00 at Cheltenham. A 6/1 shot for us, he ran a decent race over the marathon trip, bang there for most of the contest before a poor jump just seemed to knock his rhythm a little and he ended up finishing third, beaten just over four lengths.

Finally, then came Brave Spartacus (1pt) in the bumper at Newcastle, the 3.55. There was a bit of a drift for this one from the 10/1 we advised at, and in truth he was never really in the race, looking a bit tapped for toe early on. However he really did stay on quite strongly at the end to finish fifth, and might just be one to keep an eye on. Clearly there was confidence about for him, and he did put in a reasonable display.

Confirmation of results with sps;

Knowhere, 3rd/12, 15/2
Pamak D'Airy, UR/7, 7/2
Sizing Australia, 3rd/10, 6/1
Brave Spartacus, 5th/15, 14/1

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Thursday 11 November 2010

No return on a quiet day

Well after yesterday's one winner from one selection, today it was no winner from one selection.

We had Time To Think as an 11/2 shot in the 1.10 at Taunton. Extremely well backed this morning, it was her first run for Seamus Mullins, and obviously decent things were expected.

She actually ran a pretty good race. Prominent for most of the contest, she was bang there two out, although was being asked to pick up. She ended up being just run out of things when others were able to quicken, in a pretty messy finish. She wasn't beaten far though, just over five lengths or so, and might be one to look out for in the future.

It's been a quiet couple of days for selections, with just two in the last two days. We will never put up picks for the sake of it though, as half the battle with watching the markets is knowing which moves to take note of, and follow, and which to ignore. There'll be days ahead when we have no selections, and there'll be some days when we have six or seven, or even more, like on Tuesday.

Some great racing coming up, including Cheltenham's Open meeting getting underway tomorrow of course. Hopefully some nice touches will be landed here or there, and we'll be celebrating too.

Confirmation of today's result with SP.

Time To Think, 6th/15, 6/1


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Wednesday 10 November 2010

One bet one winner

Well that's the way to do it! One selection this morning, and an incredibly easy winner, great stuff.

It was a clear cut selection, a very well backed runner for Alan King, in a 2m handicap hurdle. Dona was a 5/1 pick for us in the 2.20 at Huntingdon.

Going off at 9/2, Wayne Hutchinson held the 6yo up early on before smoothly moving into contention. He took the lead two out, and after that point the result was never in doubt, coasting into a big advantage approaching the last and running on well to win in a canter. If only it could always be that easy!

Hopefully things will continue to push on tomorrow.

It wasn't just the winner which made the Market Examiner team happy today, we are now officially being featured on the respected proofing website - http://www.racingproofing.com/ - and are showing prominently already in the tipster leagues. We thought it vital to have a proofing service monitor our results without being able to place the selections on this blog prior to racing as was previously the case, and are delighted to be proofing selections there.

Confirmation of result with sp:

Dona, 1st/10, 9/2

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Tuesday 9 November 2010

Missing the jackpot

Well today could have been a cracker, six selections and some really strong moves about. Sadly things didn't quite turn out to plan, staking was annoyingly a bit off and we ended up three points down on the day after one winner.

It started in the 1.10 at Lingfield, a novices hurdle race, we had Golbelini as a 2pt win at 14/1. This was a shocker, drifting out massively pre-race to an SP of 25s she then ran an absolute stinker to be tailed off last. Not our finest hour.

There wasn't much time to dwell on that as the 1.40 at Lingfield came soon afterwards, where we had another 2pt selection - Delgany Gunner, at 9/1. Running off a feather weight in his first novices handicap, he was absolutely hammered into all the way to the off, starting as a co-favourite at 4/1. At this point things looked good, but unfortunately the selection had other ideas (or just wasn't good enough) racing prominently he faded from about four out to be well beaten. Fingers burnt with that one, but we'll take 9/1 about 4/1 shots every day of the week.

Then came the winner. A 1pt selection, we put up Tyrone House in the 2.00 at Sedgefield. Again we had good value here, backing at 5/1, he went off at 3/1 and then put in a cracking display, winning well despite the odd sloppy jump.

At 3.30 we had Clearly Now at Sedgefield, another 1pt selection, at 8/1. Another good choice value wise as he went off at 11/2. No returns though as the 12yo eventually finished PU.

It was another 2pt selection at 3.40 - Mister Matt at Lingfield, at 6/1. Infuriatingly our second 2pt runner which drifted pre-race, he started at 12s and ran a stinker.

So it was on to our final pick, in the 4.00 at Sedgefield. Scrum V was advised at 10/1, at 1pt, and started at 8/1. He ran a decent race, but had no chance with the very impressive winner Emirate Isle, and picked up second place after plugging on well at the end.

So three 2pt selections very well beaten - and of the three 1pt selections, a winner and a second. Not really what we were looking for, and it all ended in a 3pt loss for the day. At least with best odds guaranteed we would have picked up an inflated return had one or two of the drifters had done the business.

Plenty more racing tomorrow, and some interesting types running. We'll be back studying things tomorrow morning when the first odds are priced up.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Golbelini, 13th/13, 25/1
Delgany Gunner, 4th/6, 4/1
Tyrone House, 1st/9, 3/1
Clearly Now, PU/10, 11/2
Mister Matt, 7th/9, 12/1
Scrum V, 2nd/11, 8/1

Monday 8 November 2010

Poor start to the week

A poor start to the week, with three selections put up, and only one getting placed.

First up we had Aboukir Bay in the 12.40 at Southwell where the race was run in torrential rain. Put up as a 12/1 shot, John Cornwall's six year old went off the same price and while he led early on, he didn't jump fluently and ended up pulling up.

Then it was the turn of our best run of the day, Si Bien in the 1.20 at Carlisle. Very nicely backed, we made him a 5/1 selection (11/2 Boylesports) this morning, and he continued to be supported into 7/2 at the off. He looked to have every chance approaching the last, hitting about 6/4 in running but then just tired a little in the closing stages to be picked off for third, beaten just over a couple of lengths.

So it was then all eyes on Master Sebastian in the 3.30 at Carlisle to see if he could push us into profit for the day. A 5/1 selection for us, he actually went off at 11/2 and while it appeared the ground/course and trip should have suited, the 11y.o ran no race and was very well beaten.

Since the beginning of November, we are 14.5pts down, obviously not the start we would have wanted, but it won't take much to turn things around.

Confirmation of today's results with sps:

Aboukir Bay, PU/6, 12/1
Si Bien, 3rd/9, 7/2
Master Sebastian, 5th/8, 11/2

Sunday 7 November 2010

Profitable weekend

We had five selections over the weekend, three of them at 12/1 or more and managed a small profit. Overall, a good set of runs, and generally we got decent value so reasons to be pleased heading into the new week.

The first of three runners on Saturday was Captain Americo in the 2.05 at Kelso, at 11/2. It was the eight year old's first attempt over so far, a three mile three furlong handicap hurdle, but he absolutely loved it, hacking up incredibly easily.

A great start to the day, and the 2.10 began as that race reached a conclusion. We advised Paul Nicholls' Tito Bustillo at 6/1. Drifting a tad to 13/2 at the off, he ran a good race, trading at about 6/4 at one point, before being left behind by the really impressive winner Nearby to finish second.

In the 2.40 at Kelso, an interesting class two handicap, we had Gringo, a 14/1 selection in the morning. He was well backed right up to the off, with a 7/1 SP in the end, and ran a decent race but was never really close enough to the principles to get in with a shout of winning, beaten five lengths in the end by another impressive victor, Noble Alan.

A 3 1/2 point profit yesterday in the end then, and today a couple of big priced selections at Hereford.

First up, at 12/1 we had Jug Of Punch in the 1.30. An interesting runner, seemingly well handicapped on the best of his old form he was clearly expected to run well, going off at 17/2 in the end. He was being scrubbed along early and was out the back for the most part, before staying on quite well at the finish to not actually be beaten that far in the end. Over further he could perhaps be interesting.

We had another well backed sort in the 3.40 - Kilbready Star. Advised at 14/1 he went off at 8/1 in the end. He was seeming to run a good race before clattering the fifth fence, and then coming down at the next. One which got away perhaps, but obviously we'll never know.

So all in all a 1 1/2 point profit for the weekend, and we look forward to hopefully pushing on this week.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Saturday:

Captain Americo, 1st/11, 11/2
Tito Bustillo, 2nd/10, 13/2
Gringo, 2nd/5, 7/1

Sunday:

Jug Of Punch, 6th/12, 17/2
Kilbready Star, F/12, 8/1

Friday 5 November 2010

It'll come

Still waiting for that first winner of the week, it's been a frustrating few days and today no different, with our final selection falling at the last fence when upsides and still with every chance.

First of all, in the 1.20 at Fontwell, we put up Admirable Duque, at 8/1 (9/1 Stan James), who ran a reasonable race for a while before fading out of things to come fourth. At least the value was just about had as the selection went off at 7s.

Then it was the turn of our biggest priced selection of the week, My Rosie Ribbons, at 20/1. An 11yo mare she was still searching for her first racecourse win before today, and was backed into 14/1 at one point before drifting out again to 20s at SP. She ran a decent race for a long time, trading at around 3/1 in running at one point, before not having the best of jumps four out which seemed to knock the stuffing out of her a little and she began to fade, giving us another fourth place finish.

Finally, at 5/1, we had Gavrouch Gaugain in the 4.10 at Hexham. This one drifted before the off for Ferdy Murphy but ran a cracker. He moved very stylishly for a good portion of the race and traded as low as 1.54 in running. It was heavy going for the runners, and they were getting tired, Gavrouch Gaugain not the exception, but he was staying on again and challenging for the lead when he came down at the last fence. Our feeling is he would have been there or thereabouts at the finish if he'd got over safely, but that's racing, and we look forward to tomorrow.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Admirable Duque, 4th/12, 7/1
Miss Rosie Ribbons, 4th/11, 20/1
Gavrouch Gaugain, F/10, 7/1

Thursday 4 November 2010

Getting closer

Well that one hurt, a really tough defeat in the opener at Towcester today, set us on our way to a two point loss today. The first selection this week to really put in a good display though, and a nice price contraction too, so things beginning to click into gear.

We put Risaala up as an 8/1 selection (9/1 Stan James) in the 1.10 at Towcester. It was her first try over hurdles, and she was returning to the course she won at in a bumper this time last year. Well supported, she continued to be backed before starting at 13/2.

Always going well, she moved into the lead about three out, really travelling smoothly while all the others were being shoved along. She eased into a good lead, before clattering the second last really hard, which stopped her in her tracks for a moment, although she moved well again soon afterwards. Line Freedom for Andrew Tinkler wasn't giving up though, and got within a couple of lengths going into the last flight and stayed on past the selection near the line.

She traded at 1.04 in running, and we reckon possibly an unlucky loser. A good jump at the second last would probably have got her home, but I suppose we'll never know.

There was just the one other selection today, Laredo Sound in the 2.40 at Haydock, at 13/2. He was being tried back over the minimum trip over hurdles for the first time for a while, and it appeared plenty was expected. It wasn't to be though, up there for a good while, unfortunately he faded out of things quickly when push came to shove.

Could have been a cracking day, but as it is, two points lost. It's not been a great start to November but things can turn very quickly, hopefully starting tomorrow!

Confirmation of results with SPs.

Risaala, 2nd/15, 13/2
Laredo Sound, 9th/10, 11/2

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Chepstow not so charming

A bleak day weather wise in Chepstow for our two selections today and the performances of both were similar.

In the 1.35, we put Chilla Cilla up at 5/1 as a 1pt selection, on his second run for Anthony Honeyball. Still searching for her first career win she was being nicely supported, but things didn't work out in terms of price and result. Going off at 7/1 she was up there for a while, but dropped away tamely and was very well beaten.

At 2.45, we had Glebehall Bay as an 8/1 shot, trying to win at his first attempt over fences. He was always off the pace, but did stay on to grab fifth in the end as the fog and drizzle descended, but well behind the winner.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Chilla Cilla, 13th/14, 7/1
Glebehall Bay, 5th/11, 8/1

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Slow Start

Very much a non-descript day, with just the one selection which ran poorly, and drifted, so not good at all.

Boomtown Kat was put up as a 9/1 pick in the 4.05 at Exeter, a two mile 7 furlong handicap hurdle. Karen George's six year old was trying the longer distance for the first time, but it didn't work out. He was in contention for much of the race, but began to struggle around three furlongs from home and fell right away to come tenth. The drift pre-race wasn't a good sign, and so it proved.

Confirmation of result with sp:

Boomtown Kat, 10th/14, 14/1

Monday 1 November 2010

Up and running

It was great to finally send our first selections out after the two month break. It seems to have been an age since the end of August, and it was a lovely feeling to get going again.

What wasn't so great was the fact we ended the day five points down.

First, Double Banded was a 1pt selection at 8/1 in the opener at Plumpton, a two mile maiden hurdle. Jim Best's gelding, having his first run for the stable, hadn't actually been on a racecourse for more than a year. He put in a decent showing for a good part of the race, racing prominently and travelling well for the most part. But something looked to go amiss just as things began to get serious and he was quickly pulled up.

In the 1.55 at Plumpton, also a two mile hurdle, but this time a handicap, Baby Car was a 2pt pick at 11/2, but didn't really ever look like getting into things, finishing halfway down the field after drifing to 8/1 before post time.

Then it was on to our third and final selection, in the 2.05 at Kempton, a novices handicap over 2m4f. Alteranthela was another 2pt selection, at 5/1 after being heavily backed this morning. Up with the pace for a good part of the race, he faded in the closing stages to be a well beaten fourth.

Not a great first day by any means, but we look forward to tomorrow for better.

Confirmation of results with sps:

Double Banded, PU/12, 8/1
Baby Car, 6th/10, 8/1
Alteranthela, 4th/7, 5/1