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Top of the morning all. A 3/1 winner Komedy Kicks with an 11/2 each way placed yesterday (Just Gino / 3rd), and so we move on to today. Some selections to start with brief summaries and then we will move on to the big race of the day in Ireland, the Thyestes Chase: Huntingdon 2.30 SUPER SURVIVOR e/w @ 5/1 (B365) 3 places Wetherby 12.55 GET THE BEAT e/w @ 5/1 (general) 3 places Wetherby 2.40 IT'S MAISY @ 7/2 (general) Summary: 2.30 Old 9 year old warrior who should be competitive. 12.55 Needs to eke out a bit of improvement but should find ground today a plus for his chances. 2.40 Very interesting debutant over fences, ground should be right up her street. (THYESTES CHASE) What a puzzle to solve and ended up with a shortlist of four of which Bushman's Pass was discarded on return from a 306 day break (might need the run). Also, was a tad interested in Velvet Elvis (Cromwell lesser fancied) who would have needed his last run off a break and is maybe better judged off his previous Fairyhouse win (only 4 runners). Ended up with these two, again brief additional comments: Gowran Park 2.48 SHANNON ROYALE @ 15/2 (general) (cheeky f/cst with Stuzzikini) Gowran Park 2.48 STUZZIKINI e/w @ 20/1 (B365/L/C) 5 places Whether Shannon Royale has built up enough experience in his last three beginners chase runs for a test like this is highly debateable but we shall see the limits of his ability today. Not sure Stuzzikini is well enough handicapped to win this and the ground is also a big question mark but I have little doubt Gordon Elliot knew exactly what his next target was after his Troytown Chase win. Best of luck today all with whatever you play.

No joy and an 8 point Loss recorded yesterday. While we were a head away from a 12/1 winner, you will never see or hear me bemoaning my luck. Why is it every time someone backs a second, they blame the trainer, the jockey, the ground, the tactics?. They were unlucky, they hit the bar etc etc(yawn). I heard it everyday i worked in the betting shops and still have to endure it on the racecourses. Second place is the first loser,(unless your backing each way), don't make excuses-you got it wrong...deal with it and move on. Today's Wetherby Picks: 12.25 2 Points win Melon 11/2 14.05 4 points win Forest Blaze 11/4 14.40 2 points win Hever Rose 17/2 Sel/Wins: 59/14 Strike: 23.72% P/L: + 36 1/2 pts Prices are Betfred(Bog) prices at 10.45 a.m

Ah ...... two threads ! As I didn't post any tips let my one slide away here's what I wrote ....... 'Watch out for Palladian in the Maiden Hurdle at Huntingdon at 12.47 Last years German Derby winner is the most expensive horse ever to run over jumps ...... he cost connections 1.4 million Euros The Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham is on the cards, following which he'll be aimed at group races on the flat with the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot as his main aim'

Result: Chart Topper 1st. Won £20 January profit to date £152.13

King Of York 6 00Sth 1/40th of a pt ew 10/1

Won Profit +£100 Month +£73

Losing on the nod or the jockey dropping his stick on the run in is somewhat different to just having picked the wrong horse. If I'm not getting any money back, at least I can have a moan about it 😁

Placed +£30 +£665 day 127

Daily NAP 2.40 Weth - Largy Force- 11/4 generally (3/1 Hills) - Trainer Warren Greatrex travels almost 200 miles with just 1 runner, he is in good form ( 3 wins, 5 placed from last 16 runners). The selection finished 3rd LTO 15 days ago, and this Irish point winner is open to improvement tackling fences and stepping up in trip. Daily EW 3.40 Hunt - Anti Bridgie - 12/1 generally (1/5th 3 places) - Trainers Greenall/Guernero are coming into form, 1 win, 1 placed from last 5 runners. They also boast a very good 26% SR at the course. Although pulled up the last twice, the selection is dropping down the weights, and has won a novice chase so fences aren't a problem.

day 14 -£15 @Carole-dawney picks

i watched the whole match, during his interview at the end when he mentionned his injury i was like : what injury?? after the medical time out in the 2nd set and during the whole 3rd and 4th the guy was running like a greyhound and going side to side of the court as if it was a video game making Alcaraz absolutely helpless, so i doubt he was injured

One winner yesterday,small loss. Bet 171 P/L-£114.70

Regarding Keys and Swiatek. I watched the whole match between Swiatek and Navarro. Navarro did not play badly, she just could not hit enough winners. Even though the score was 6-1 6-2 it took 90 minutes. But, the rally ball v Swiatek got her nowhere. Maybe Keys with her power is more suited for this opponent. Swiatek has this ability to get back to neutral from a difficult position quickly. Then from neutral she dominates (very much like Sinner). So Keys has to stick to an aggressive game plan and try to overpower her. If it bombs out, so be it. At least you win or lose on your terms ... you don't play 'fetch' chasing a stick like Fido. I watched Key's matches against Svitolina and Rybakina. When she had her confidence she was excellent in both matches. Swiatek will try and dent/destroy this confidence early. If she does this it could be a blowout. My feeling is something like 6-2 6-3 to Swiatek here and am going under 19.5 games at 1.87 (6-4 6-3 also wins).

I've no idea if it's a full comeback or not, but even if it is I can't see it leading to much. She was declining when she retired and now she's a few years older it's hard to imagine she'll make much of an impact. Having said all that, if she's coming back just for the love of the game then the best of luck to her.

Here's a no brainer for Saturday as it's MONEY BACK AS CASH if bet loses... Skybet---Liverpool / Brighton / Newcastle treble at 2/1 Thursday to follow....

Thursday 23/01/25 Southwell (AW) 18:00 Ash Wednesday f/c. 4/7 Stake = 10 pts. WIN Southwell (AW) 19:30 Master Of My Fate f/c. 13/8 Stake = 10 pts. WIN

240 weth MICKS JET 6/1 WH

A lot depends on Djoko's fitness as well. If I remember correctly, he claimed that he would retire due to pain if he lost the second set against Alcaraz. Then his painkillers kicked in and he managed. A day off might not be enough, so I'd wait for the live action if anyone wants to back him. If you want to back Zverev, on the other hand, it's probably better to do so pre-match.

Lucky 15 E/W Huntington: 1:20- Doc McCoy 11/1 2:30》- Itchy Feet 11/1 Wetherby 3:50- The Questioner 11/1 Newcastle 4:06- Stallone 10/1

Zverev is playing solid tennis. He is doing the basics exceptionally well. Serving great, with excellent 1st strike tennis. He moves incredibly for a big man ... he is not a serving bot. He is one of the few players who can go toe to toe with Djoko on the backhand side. Both look like they are never going to miss. The match that sticks in my mind was the Olympics, where he lost the 1st set to Djoko, and then destroyed him in sets 2 and 3. I see that Djoko/Zverev has the day session and Sinner/Shelton is the night session. Day session plays slightly different. It is warmer and the ball flies faster. It is easier to hit through your opponent. Night session, slightly heavier conditions, ball flies a little slow = more difficult. For me a day session favors Zverev. Stats wise Zverev has better hold percentage 90% v 86%, Djoko slightly better returner. There is nothing much between them and I will make a small bet on Zverev to win.

Ran stupidly good, as usual, but don't worry....I can't play next week as I'm off to Vegas in the morning!

22nd January 6 runners - 2 winners Tribal Act (C Appleby) @ 6/5 Misty Sky (H Palmer) @ 11/2 +£2.70 YTD (£30.30)

Outsiders ran ok but not placed. Misty Sky wins so a small profit on the day 4.47. Bal C/Fwd = 8.74 less L15's balance -7.70 = + 1.04 net

A win double today = a profit 2.40. Net Bal C/Fwd -7.70

Result: Paradias 1st. Won £66.67 January profit to date £132.13

I one bet to play in this, i didn't really fancy anyone other than Zalitoris and Aberg (too short for me) Zalitoris withdrew on the last minute so got my money back and not planning to go in again. Been trying to fathom why he withdrew (it doesn't say) but if its his back problem returning he will be off my list for the foreseeable.

Off to a flyer.

1430 Huntingdon Super Survivor 11/2 ladbrokes each-way

Partly glad that Joe lost the final cause that would have been annoying. Trump wins the final 3-0. Final "group" matches tomorrow. I fancy Guodong tomorrow but haven't seen any prices up yet.

Good luck still with me, no goals in the second half of the Burnley match and Man City throwing away a 2-0 lead, only the Owls let me down Profit on the day £57 Total 23 from 126, profit £386.52, ROI 36% MAN UTD over 2.5 under 6.5 goals 2.88 +50% £5 BIRMINGHAM over 2.5 under 5.5 goals 5.60 +25% £10

I hate it when I miss a winner. It almost puts me off backing anything later on. This was Spirit Of Jura which was available at 11/2. 6.30 Sou Valadero 0.50 win at 10/3 +Devilwala 0.25 ew at 80/1 3p 7.30 Sou Blind Beggar 1 pt win at 10.0 with Betfair 8.30 Sou Further Measure 1 pt win at 6.6 with Betfair Not bothering with an L15 today 3 pts staked

I'm not sure it's even worth the trouble to open an account with them to be honest. One of the quickest to limit in my experience and anything you do win you'll be jumping through hoops to withdraw.

MGM offer decent boosts occasionally, but as @bymatrix has demonstrated elsewhere you've got to be selective as not all boosts and offers are as good as they sometimes appear. It reminds me of supermarkets years ago that used to mark stock as reduced when what had actually happened was the price had been artificially inflated only to be put back to the previous price and labelled as reduced, which of course lead some to buy things they wouldn't otherwise have bought on the pretext they were getting a good deal.

She's been back since the end of last season I think. Was surprised to see her come back and I'll be even more surprised if it leads anywhere.

Newc 1.11 - Beaumadier - win at 10/3 wm hill 5 furlong handicap I think the favourite here, Lady of the Garr, can be taken on ....... she won a classified stakes over CD last time but has a poor record in handicaps (12 runs, 0 wins) and is now on her highest ever official rating My horse won at Newcastle on his first UK run after coming from Ireland. Ran a bit flat next time out but has some cheekpieces on today which might just liven him up a bit If you take out the favourite and the rank outsider there's not much between the other four, so it is a bit pin-sticky

Current loss - 1.74

Huntingdon 12.47 Wolf Moon 100/1ew365

Wetherby 12.55 £20 Chart Topper @1/1 PaddyPower

5.30 Southwell: Spirit of Jura @ 5/1 (Coral)

One of the reasons I can't stand him. Such a drama queen, always the victim.

Bueno making heavy weather of the first set, but ahead in the tie-break. Regardless of the outcome, I like the bet as Murkel Dellien Velasco is distinctly average as you say.

It's a bit like golf commentary. The commentators are instructed to be positive. It's like when Tiger spat a 2 inch lung oyster into the cup, after making a DBogey. Nobody said a thing... I gotta mention her lame handshake with Gauff after losing at the United Cup. No eye contact, just a limp wet fish handshake before she trudged off...

That double bounce was so blatantly clear that Swiatek should have conceded the point to her opponent. This girl wanted us to feel sorry for her with the "contaminated" positive test.

Current loss - 0.74

Ipswich v Man City 2 @ 1.35. Birmingham v Exeter 1 @ 1.35. Celtic v Kilmarnock 1 @ 1.12. £16.99.

Forest @1.4 20 points win

QPR 2.37 SHEFFIELD UTD 2.20 NOTTM FOREST 1.40 10pt treble please

Nottingham Forest (1) at 1.40 15pts

15.13 treble Bayern m at 1.17 Birmingham at 1.35 Notts forest at 1.4

Still working away on this trying to find the holy grail I think there is someting there, the absolute fastest time I have in the past 8 years is Paisley Park in the Betfair Exchange Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in November 2018. He beat the standard by 12.50 seconds. He won his next 5 races at 8/1, 100/30, 11/8, 8/15 and 4/6 The second Shades Of Midnight won his next 2 races at 8/13 and 11/2