jonshell

trainer malcolm jefferson dies aged 71 after a long illness, reports the sporting life

Hereford 3.10
Town Parks 9/4 Bet365
Usual Monday stuff and nothing is jumping off the page, the one handicapper I like is Town Parks from the Kerry Lee yard. Only 5 runners here and to be honest I have between the two market leaders which is not very original I know.
Becauseshesaidso bolted up at Chepstow last time and that just about typifies a slow chaser from this yard, he's up 12 lbs and i'm not sure this track will suit. Town Parks has had four starts over fences and got off the mark at Uttoxeter last time when receiving the full Jamie Moore treatment, he's up 3lbs but probably can build on that now and looks the most solid option.

Hereford 4:40 OPENING BATSMAN 9/4 General 
2nd Chance  Watching Brief or Dabble  now 0/2  quote taken  9th Jan
 
3:20 Taunton OPENING BATSMAN  7/4 Bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes and William Hill
This race should be about Opening Batsman and Unioniste. Both have a chance and i go for Opening Batsman, Harry Fry says this lad is ready to go, Michael Legg gets on well with him, and if he retains any ability after his lay off he should be capable of winning this event.

410 Seggy
Princess Mononoke 7/2 bet365
Looks between the front three in the market and I reckon the value lies with the McCain mare Princess Mononoke. Ran a fair 3rd at Bangor last time and has other form that looks better than this weak class 5 contest. The obvious elephant in the room is the yards other runner making her debut for them after 300 days off, lets hope she needs the run.

Sorry busy at work and missed the better prices. 
2.55 Chelmsford BUCKLAND BEAU now 9/2 Bet365 not sure of other firms. 
3.55 DYNAMO WALT 8/1 Bet365 sorry not sure of other firms.
both ran good races last time in better class races and if tuned up should have a say tomorrow. 

200 Ludlow
Actinpieces 5/2 bet365
Thought this one ran really well last time in better company at Wetherby. Ended up 4th in a finish of neck and heads and was staying on the best in the closing stages. Had 23 days to get over that and she looks to have found a nice opportunity to get back to winning ways. Trainer Pam Sly doesn't come here that often but is 2/7 over the last 5 years with her chasers so would only be here if she thought she had a squeak.

I feel same. Think a walk over would fall. I was going to put up Whatswrongwithyou but I was put off with short price of stablemate. Usually like that sort of thing and it’s a case of lost confidence. I’ve brushed myself down and told myself to brave the weather. I ve been following your tips this year and will continue to do so. Minor blip. 

well done whoever won it , 8 got 7 winners, and at least 88 got 6 or more winners
 
5k next time

5:55 Chelmford TITAN GODESS  5/4 Bet365, Coral
Titan Godess is in the form of her life this winter. Lost out to a improver time before here at Chelmsford but won competitive event at Kempton last time out with any amount in hand. Carries 6lb penalty but the manner she won, this extra weight should not cause her any problems if turning up in the same form.

Hi Jonshell, thanks for the advice. Unlucky not to get a place in the end. I agreed that it was in with a shout. I did it eway and thought we was going to pick up.

3:10 Southwell  ATHASSEL  7/1  PP Ladbrokes
A chance taken here on Athassel. He has been staying on last twice over 7 and said to be coming back to form. With Fran Berry in the saddle and David Evans in fine form. This mile should suit and with no frost forecast tonight the going should not be too deep,

200 Taunton
Attest 11/4 Betfred
Cards full of small fields on Saturday and lets hope the weather behaves itself and we get some action. My fanci is for Attest in the 2m handicap hurdle at Taunton. He's a second favourite at the minute and thats mainly because the jolly comes from the Nicholls camp and therefore is poor value as a consequence.
Attest was in good form earlier on winning three times in May/June. Since his comeback from a break he has ran 6th at Ascot in a Class 2 and 5th at Cheltenham in a Class 3. This looks an easier race and now wears cheek pieces for the first time and could get back on track.

105 Catterick 
Paddling 5/2 bet365
Hopefully Catterick will miss all of the bad weather thats forecast and the meeting goes ahead. I like the look of Paddling who contests a very average Class 5 handicap chase. First of all the yard are going well which is a big plus and I think this horse is capable of much better than his current mark of 89. He was useless over hurdles, never got closer than 43 lengths behind the winner and didn't do much better in 3 bumpers.
His 3 runs over fences have been much better, all over 2 miles. He now steps up in trip and has a good third last time out to his name, he should now be ready to do himself justice.

Thanks mate, good luck

It is now Christmas day officially and fairly most of you are going to say,how sad and lonely is he posting on here.You are correct in a way,I am sad and I am lonely at this particular time.
However I will not be lonely for long,she will be home shortly singing having been to Midnight Mass.She will tell me that the vintage port bottle is empty,full when she left,the Glenmorangie is depleted.She is without doubt correct,arent they always?
She will not though accept why I do not go to Midnight Mass,I have explained for too many years about swerving the instinct to have a punt,even on Christmas day.Every punter needs at least one day to reflect on the year just gone or years before regardless of ethnicity or religious persuation.So the following is just a reflection of a confused  agnostic,not an atheist with respect for all religion.
Catholic Church,normal Mass...........The priest stands up on his podium and challenges "I can beat you at dominoes"..several bookies runners then scuttle through the audience with a plate taking bets.Never once saw anybody being paid out?
Sininggog (yes I know it is spelled wrong).........Similar bookies runners,Rabbi collects all the bets and at least does it in public.Throws all the bets in the air from the silver plate and chants "What goes up and stays up our great god can keep,what lands back on the plate we can rightfully keep"
Only a snapshot of the religious world and why you should avoid their churches at this time if you are a punter,they are unlikely to help you avoid the urge to have a bet and you have no chance of a return on your investment unless you believe in an afterlife.In which case you should seek out a Bhuddist ,Sikh or Muslim Bookie.
Even then be carefull,I went to a Muslim funeral in Glasgow last year and spoke to a Bhuddist Bookie who was looking at a Jewish Bookie called Yehudi McKewan,who's great grandson had played the violin apparently.I was intrigued,were they here to pay their respects and how did they know the deceased? Turns out the deceased had an account with both of them and had won on an ITV 7 the day before he died.
Mori (the Jewish bookie) said "he had the bet with me,£57,000,it would have broken me",the Bhuddist Bookie replied "Jesus Christ Mori,did you pay him"? Mori said "Of course I did,i gave him a cheque but I forgot to sign it" Bhuddist Bookie says "Why are you really here then you have nothing to worry about"?
Mori "Just wanted to protect his family,they don't know he gambles and I was hoping the betting slip goes up in flames with him"
Bhuddist bookie "Glad about that Mori,just hoping I can get back the bottle of single malt I gave him last week on tick"
Mori "You religious lot and material things make me Sikh"...............A priest appears and goes into an incantation of how amed was actually Jewish to his Glaswegian Wife and to all intents and purposes was a devout Muslim to his other family,didnt gamble,didnt drink.
The priest "And as we lay our dear brother to rest,husband,father,brother,son etc etc" Mori pipes up "He was a dark one then,how did he die" The priest not knowing the congregation says "He was stabbed leaving a betting shop by an Arab recently granted asylum by Theresa May,the only thing in his possession was a betting slip worth £57,000 which the Arab says is rightfuly his.
The Arab claims asylum and passed the "British test" i.e could name the last 20 KG winners,Gold Cup winners and APs first winner for Martin Pipe.
The rest has yet to be resolved but if I have learned one thing,punting trancends all religion?????????????

100 Lingfield
Take Two EW 10/1 PP/Betfred
Just three AW meetings on Wednesday, the Wolverhampton one is a re-run of todays card so will leave that well alone in case its off again. Nothing of value for me to get stuck into but I do like the chances of Take Two now that a proper jockey has been booked. He's a frustrating sort who runs on when its all too late, either that or the riders have given him too much to do, he ran on again last time and this looks an easier race so will follow him again.
At the odds and the way the horse runs i'm more interested in an each way bet for a change so the odds of around 10/1 appeal.

12:30 Lingfield  DUTIFUL SON  13/8  Bet365  PP  William Hill
Has a 10lb penalty to overcome but in a lot better form than these and also been keeping better company this year. A winner here last week and Trainer is in good form with Jockey/Trainer combination doing well here, a good run from this lad looks to be on the cards.

12:30 Lingfield  DUTIFUL SON  13/8  Bet365  PP  William Hill
Has a 10lb penalty to overcome but in a lot better form than these and also been keeping better company this year. A winner here last week and Trainer is in good form with Jockey/Trainer combination doing well here, a good run from this lad looks to be on the cards.

12:30 Lingfield  DUTIFUL SON  13/8  Bet365  PP  William Hill
Has a 10lb penalty to overcome but in a lot better form than these and also been keeping better company this year. A winner here last week and Trainer is in good form with Jockey/Trainer combination doing well here, a good run from this lad looks to be on the cards.

Oh, If it was always this easy

I've often thought that ....watched quite a few races there and sometimes it's like they are running on soft ground .....you can have a horse run a fabulous race then return and suddenly its no where to be seen same conditions and course .....I have a feeling that's why the results are so skewed there honestly cos running to form figures are half of other courses I've encountered ...that's ridiculous !!

Good luck today
3.05 Sandown-Bally Gilbert
Each Way @ 6-1  William Hill
Should be a contender if jumping better

2:30 Sandown  ON THE BLIND SIDE 2/1 PP Willliam Hill Ladbrokes Coral
2/2  under rules and he has a bright future. He won nicely at Aintree over today's trip before stepping up again showing improvement to win going away in the end at Cheltenham. He looks bound for the Cheltenham Festival come march and this race looks like another stepping stone  as he heads for the Albert Bartlett (A Intended Target)

2:30 Sandown  ON THE BLIND SIDE 2/1 PP Willliam Hill Ladbrokes Coral
2/2  under rules and he has a bright future. He won nicely at Aintree over today's trip before stepping up again showing improvement to win going away in the end at Cheltenham. He looks bound for the Cheltenham Festival come march and this race looks like another stepping stone  as he heads for the Albert Bartlett (A Intended Target)

Chelmsford 7:30 GLEN COCO  3/1  PP
Still on the up and this mile should suit after narrowly beaten last time at Kempton. won at Wolverhampton time before with this apprentice and no reason for thinking he should not push on.