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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