Below par

July hasn't been kind to us so far, we're now 16.55pts down, and it all feels a bit frustrating.

But for much of the month, the point we can look back on is our ability to continue, in the main, to beat SP, and of course that's the thing that's going to continue to drive profits. So it's always a nice consolation when reflecting on a loser or two to know that that's happened.

Not the case these last couple of days though, three points dropped and no price consolation, not a happy mix!

Let's start yesterday where we had:

All the best to:

TIME COURSE SELECTION 1pt/2pt win Bookmaker(s) / Price(s)

1.50 Carlisle Lord Buffhead 1pt 4/1 generally bog 5/1 Bet365/Boylesports 11/2 Skybet

4.10 Carlisle No Quarter 1pt 5/1 generally

Lord Buffhead is a candidate for our worst performance of the year. Missing the break, within a furlong or so he was a few lengths adrift and being scrubbed along and the writing was on the wall. He finished tailed off (in a 5 furlong contest), after starting at 7/1, not pretty.

No Quarter was at least racing prominently for a good while and looked to have half a chance before being unable to quicken with the principles, finishing 6th, after going off at 6/1.

On to today and we had:

TIME COURSE SELECTION 1pt/2pt win Bookmaker(s) / Price(s)

4.00 Ayr Khandaq 1pt 8-1 + , including 10s Lads, Betfred, Tote, 9-1 Hills, S James

Khandaq was up there for a while, at least with a decent pitch, but weakened tamely out of things when things got serious, finishing last, after going off at 10/1.

Summary of results with prices (advised --- SP):

Sunday 24th July 2011

Lord Buffhead, 8th/8, 9/2 --- 7/1

No Quarter, 6th/9, 5/1 --- 6/1

Monday 25th July 2011

Khandaq, 9th/9, 10/1 --- 10/1

So not a terrific couple of days and no value had either. But there are reasons still to be cheerful; England won the cricket, for American Football fans the NFL lockout has finally ended, and of course we have a fantastic Glorious Goodwood to look forward to!

We'll be doing what we can to end July on a high, although one things for sure - we won't be chasing selections, we'll be keeping to basics, trying to find the value, and let the winners find us, as they will again soon, we're sure.