Darran

5.00 Worcester
Skinflint is a horse who I have put up twice following his 2nd to Midnight Folie at Newton Abbot in June. Obviously he bumped into a well handicapped one that day as he did when he was 2nd over hurdles here last month. I thought he had a good chance to go one better on his next start, but he didn't see the trip out and I really think this 2m4f is the trip he wants. I didn't fancy him last week when he ran back at Newton Abbot as his runs on soft ground had been poor and he never travelled or jumped well, yet still managed to finish 2nd to another well handicapped Dr Newland horse. Here for me he gets his ideal conditions. He is over the right trip, on the right ground, in the right grade and there doesn't appear to be one potentially thrown in. He is well handicapped and just has been unlucky since he went back under Rules from his spell pointing and I think he can finally get the victory his performances over the last couple of months deserve.
7.30 Worcester
Must admit wasn't exactly expecting to see a bet in the Mares Maiden Hurdle (7.30) so it wasn't until I was looking at the rest of the card that I spotted that Teeton Power was running in this race. She has never run over hurdles, but these brush hurdles are like mini point fences so there is no reason why she shouldn't be suited by them, indeed she might actually improve for them. I put her up at Cartmel, but she could never get an easy lead and was well beaten in the end. She then landed e/w support at Uttoxeter where she ran really well, but didn't quite see it out albeit the winner was really well handicapped. At Market Rasen earlier in the month she missed the start and obviously couldn't lead after that although she travelled well into the race before not seeing the trip out again. 2m4f round here should be up her street and as long as she doesn't blow the start again she should be able to lead. This looks on paper a really weak contest and if she does translate her pointing and chasing form to hurdles then she ought to go close. 

5.00 Worcester
Skinflint is a horse who I have put up twice following his 2nd to Midnight Folie at Newton Abbot in June. Obviously he bumped into a well handicapped one that day as he did when he was 2nd over hurdles here last month. I thought he had a good chance to go one better on his next start, but he didn't see the trip out and I really think this 2m4f is the trip he wants. I didn't fancy him last week when he ran back at Newton Abbot as his runs on soft ground had been poor and he never travelled or jumped well, yet still managed to finish 2nd to another well handicapped Dr Newland horse. Here for me he gets his ideal conditions. He is over the right trip, on the right ground, in the right grade and there doesn't appear to be one potentially thrown in. He is well handicapped and just has been unlucky since he went back under Rules from his spell pointing and I think he can finally get the victory his performances over the last couple of months deserve.
7.30 Worcester
Must admit wasn't exactly expecting to see a bet in the Mares Maiden Hurdle (7.30) so it wasn't until I was looking at the rest of the card that I spotted that Teeton Power was running in this race. She has never run over hurdles, but these brush hurdles are like mini point fences so there is no reason why she shouldn't be suited by them, indeed she might actually improve for them. I put her up at Cartmel, but she could never get an easy lead and was well beaten in the end. She then landed e/w support at Uttoxeter where she ran really well, but didn't quite see it out albeit the winner was really well handicapped. At Market Rasen earlier in the month she missed the start and obviously couldn't lead after that although she travelled well into the race before not seeing the trip out again. 2m4f round here should be up her street and as long as she doesn't blow the start again she should be able to lead. This looks on paper a really weak contest and if she does translate her pointing and chasing form to hurdles then she ought to go close. 

5.00 Worcester
Skinflint is a horse who I have put up twice following his 2nd to Midnight Folie at Newton Abbot in June. Obviously he bumped into a well handicapped one that day as he did when he was 2nd over hurdles here last month. I thought he had a good chance to go one better on his next start, but he didn't see the trip out and I really think this 2m4f is the trip he wants. I didn't fancy him last week when he ran back at Newton Abbot as his runs on soft ground had been poor and he never travelled or jumped well, yet still managed to finish 2nd to another well handicapped Dr Newland horse. Here for me he gets his ideal conditions. He is over the right trip, on the right ground, in the right grade and there doesn't appear to be one potentially thrown in. He is well handicapped and just has been unlucky since he went back under Rules from his spell pointing and I think he can finally get the victory his performances over the last couple of months deserve.
7.30 Worcester
Must admit wasn't exactly expecting to see a bet in the Mares Maiden Hurdle (7.30) so it wasn't until I was looking at the rest of the card that I spotted that Teeton Power was running in this race. She has never run over hurdles, but these brush hurdles are like mini point fences so there is no reason why she shouldn't be suited by them, indeed she might actually improve for them. I put her up at Cartmel, but she could never get an easy lead and was well beaten in the end. She then landed e/w support at Uttoxeter where she ran really well, but didn't quite see it out albeit the winner was really well handicapped. At Market Rasen earlier in the month she missed the start and obviously couldn't lead after that although she travelled well into the race before not seeing the trip out again. 2m4f round here should be up her street and as long as she doesn't blow the start again she should be able to lead. This looks on paper a really weak contest and if she does translate her pointing and chasing form to hurdles then she ought to go close. 

5.00 Worcester
Skinflint is a horse who I have put up twice following his 2nd to Midnight Folie at Newton Abbot in June. Obviously he bumped into a well handicapped one that day as he did when he was 2nd over hurdles here last month. I thought he had a good chance to go one better on his next start, but he didn't see the trip out and I really think this 2m4f is the trip he wants. I didn't fancy him last week when he ran back at Newton Abbot as his runs on soft ground had been poor and he never travelled or jumped well, yet still managed to finish 2nd to another well handicapped Dr Newland horse. Here for me he gets his ideal conditions. He is over the right trip, on the right ground, in the right grade and there doesn't appear to be one potentially thrown in. He is well handicapped and just has been unlucky since he went back under Rules from his spell pointing and I think he can finally get the victory his performances over the last couple of months deserve.
7.30 Worcester
Must admit wasn't exactly expecting to see a bet in the Mares Maiden Hurdle (7.30) so it wasn't until I was looking at the rest of the card that I spotted that Teeton Power was running in this race. She has never run over hurdles, but these brush hurdles are like mini point fences so there is no reason why she shouldn't be suited by them, indeed she might actually improve for them. I put her up at Cartmel, but she could never get an easy lead and was well beaten in the end. She then landed e/w support at Uttoxeter where she ran really well, but didn't quite see it out albeit the winner was really well handicapped. At Market Rasen earlier in the month she missed the start and obviously couldn't lead after that although she travelled well into the race before not seeing the trip out again. 2m4f round here should be up her street and as long as she doesn't blow the start again she should be able to lead. This looks on paper a really weak contest and if she does translate her pointing and chasing form to hurdles then she ought to go close. 

You called that exactly! Well done and thanks 

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Been waiting for Buck Dancing to run again after his very profitable win for us at Southwell last time. He beat For Jim who duly bolted up on his next start at Perth so proof that you had two very well handicapped horses as nothing got near them at Southwell. He is back over fences tomorrow and even off a 10lbs higher mark I still think he is well handicapped. As I said prior to the Southwell race I think the handicapper has underrated the Stratford run behind Earth Leader and Buck Dancing looks more like a 120 horse. Interestingly connections have stepped him up to a class 3 here and the fact he is running against a horse who finished 4th in the Summer Plate (El Terremoto) shows what a different level we are dealing with. Still he gets a lot of weight from him and El Terremoto isn't proven at this trip. Old Salt won at Cartmel on the same day as the Summer Plate and looks like he will stay this far, but I thought that race fell apart with the ground seemingly against a few. Powerful Symbol is likely to make the running and although well beaten by Ascokastar in the end at Worcester that was his first run for a while and so could come on for that. With Bells Of Ainsworth not having run since last April I think Buck Dancing has a decent chance of going in again and 7/2 is a fair price to land the 7.25, with Powerful Symbol the main danger.

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Been waiting for Buck Dancing to run again after his very profitable win for us at Southwell last time. He beat For Jim who duly bolted up on his next start at Perth so proof that you had two very well handicapped horses as nothing got near them at Southwell. He is back over fences tomorrow and even off a 10lbs higher mark I still think he is well handicapped. As I said prior to the Southwell race I think the handicapper has underrated the Stratford run behind Earth Leader and Buck Dancing looks more like a 120 horse. Interestingly connections have stepped him up to a class 3 here and the fact he is running against a horse who finished 4th in the Summer Plate (El Terremoto) shows what a different level we are dealing with. Still he gets a lot of weight from him and El Terremoto isn't proven at this trip. Old Salt won at Cartmel on the same day as the Summer Plate and looks like he will stay this far, but I thought that race fell apart with the ground seemingly against a few. Powerful Symbol is likely to make the running and although well beaten by Ascokastar in the end at Worcester that was his first run for a while and so could come on for that. With Bells Of Ainsworth not having run since last April I think Buck Dancing has a decent chance of going in again and 7/2 is a fair price to land the 7.25, with Powerful Symbol the main danger.

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Been waiting for Buck Dancing to run again after his very profitable win for us at Southwell last time. He beat For Jim who duly bolted up on his next start at Perth so proof that you had two very well handicapped horses as nothing got near them at Southwell. He is back over fences tomorrow and even off a 10lbs higher mark I still think he is well handicapped. As I said prior to the Southwell race I think the handicapper has underrated the Stratford run behind Earth Leader and Buck Dancing looks more like a 120 horse. Interestingly connections have stepped him up to a class 3 here and the fact he is running against a horse who finished 4th in the Summer Plate (El Terremoto) shows what a different level we are dealing with. Still he gets a lot of weight from him and El Terremoto isn't proven at this trip. Old Salt won at Cartmel on the same day as the Summer Plate and looks like he will stay this far, but I thought that race fell apart with the ground seemingly against a few. Powerful Symbol is likely to make the running and although well beaten by Ascokastar in the end at Worcester that was his first run for a while and so could come on for that. With Bells Of Ainsworth not having run since last April I think Buck Dancing has a decent chance of going in again and 7/2 is a fair price to land the 7.25, with Powerful Symbol the main danger.

I still can’t believe Buck Dancing was stuffed at Hexham in May. Still it helped the handicap mark at least and we have more than got our money back since 

I still can’t believe Buck Dancing was stuffed at Hexham in May. Still it helped the handicap mark at least and we have more than got our money back since 

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Been waiting for Buck Dancing to run again after his very profitable win for us at Southwell last time. He beat For Jim who duly bolted up on his next start at Perth so proof that you had two very well handicapped horses as nothing got near them at Southwell. He is back over fences tomorrow and even off a 10lbs higher mark I still think he is well handicapped. As I said prior to the Southwell race I think the handicapper has underrated the Stratford run behind Earth Leader and Buck Dancing looks more like a 120 horse. Interestingly connections have stepped him up to a class 3 here and the fact he is running against a horse who finished 4th in the Summer Plate (El Terremoto) shows what a different level we are dealing with. Still he gets a lot of weight from him and El Terremoto isn't proven at this trip. Old Salt won at Cartmel on the same day as the Summer Plate and looks like he will stay this far, but I thought that race fell apart with the ground seemingly against a few. Powerful Symbol is likely to make the running and although well beaten by Ascokastar in the end at Worcester that was his first run for a while and so could come on for that. With Bells Of Ainsworth not having run since last April I think Buck Dancing has a decent chance of going in again and 7/2 is a fair price to land the 7.25, with Powerful Symbol the main danger.

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Been waiting for Buck Dancing to run again after his very profitable win for us at Southwell last time. He beat For Jim who duly bolted up on his next start at Perth so proof that you had two very well handicapped horses as nothing got near them at Southwell. He is back over fences tomorrow and even off a 10lbs higher mark I still think he is well handicapped. As I said prior to the Southwell race I think the handicapper has underrated the Stratford run behind Earth Leader and Buck Dancing looks more like a 120 horse. Interestingly connections have stepped him up to a class 3 here and the fact he is running against a horse who finished 4th in the Summer Plate (El Terremoto) shows what a different level we are dealing with. Still he gets a lot of weight from him and El Terremoto isn't proven at this trip. Old Salt won at Cartmel on the same day as the Summer Plate and looks like he will stay this far, but I thought that race fell apart with the ground seemingly against a few. Powerful Symbol is likely to make the running and although well beaten by Ascokastar in the end at Worcester that was his first run for a while and so could come on for that. With Bells Of Ainsworth not having run since last April I think Buck Dancing has a decent chance of going in again and 7/2 is a fair price to land the 7.25, with Powerful Symbol the main danger.

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Been waiting for Buck Dancing to run again after his very profitable win for us at Southwell last time. He beat For Jim who duly bolted up on his next start at Perth so proof that you had two very well handicapped horses as nothing got near them at Southwell. He is back over fences tomorrow and even off a 10lbs higher mark I still think he is well handicapped. As I said prior to the Southwell race I think the handicapper has underrated the Stratford run behind Earth Leader and Buck Dancing looks more like a 120 horse. Interestingly connections have stepped him up to a class 3 here and the fact he is running against a horse who finished 4th in the Summer Plate (El Terremoto) shows what a different level we are dealing with. Still he gets a lot of weight from him and El Terremoto isn't proven at this trip. Old Salt won at Cartmel on the same day as the Summer Plate and looks like he will stay this far, but I thought that race fell apart with the ground seemingly against a few. Powerful Symbol is likely to make the running and although well beaten by Ascokastar in the end at Worcester that was his first run for a while and so could come on for that. With Bells Of Ainsworth not having run since last April I think Buck Dancing has a decent chance of going in again and 7/2 is a fair price to land the 7.25, with Powerful Symbol the main danger.

It is a busy day on Sunday with 3 races catching my eye at Newton Abbot. I'm glad Midnight Folie was an unbackable price on Thursday as I would have put her up otherwise. That defeat though means we are getting 15/8 about a horse who should be favourite. She had to do too much to soon with the battle for the lead with the 3rd and it meant she had little left on the run in to fend off the winner. She was backed heavily into 1/4 so it was clearly expected she would go in again and this race should be much more to her liking. Granted it was her smallest winning margin, but I thought her win over course and distance was her most impressive of the 3 and she should be able to get a soft lead here. What is also in her favour is it looks like she only has two viable rivals both of whom are unproven over this trip. Granted Dan Skelton knows what he is doing, but on paper it seems a strange move to run Chasma over this far. If he gets well backed though I would be worried as there winners do tend to be well backed. Chequered View seems like a more logical candidate for stepping up to this trip and he should benefit from a run over 2m at Southwell a month ago. I still think Midnight Folie is well handicapped though. I said off 85 she had at least 30lbs in hand so based on that she has 10lbs still plus her jockey takes off 7lbs.
 
In the 5.00 I really like Ballyknock Cloud. You might remember I put him up as being well handicapped ahead of his return to rules. He was quite well backed and as all good e/w bets do ended up finishing 4th. That doesn't tell the whole story though as he got badly hampered at a crucial stage and it put him on the back foot, before he was able to stay on again. That was a class 4 like this but that was a 0-115 whereas this is a 0-105 so it is a weaker contest. Granted better luck in running I would be amazed if he doesn't go close in a race like this.
 
Damut I'm Out plugged on for 3rd in the race Hidden Charmer just got beat in at the beginning of the month. He was a long way behind Hidden Charmer and he just couldn't go fast enough to catch the 1st 2 up, but he was only beaten just over 3L and this slightly longer trip will help. I also can't see anything being capable of what Hidden Charmer did that night in this so I am having a saver on him.
 
Pointed And Sharp isn't without a chance and Isle Road has been well backed after winning over hurdles here last week. He's up to a new high handicap mark of 100, but for a 10yo he's relatively unexposed so I wouldn't discount him either. I put up This Breac as a small bet against Midnight Folie here last month and he helped make the running before dropping out and being well beaten. Quite how the handicapper only dropped him a lb after that I don't know. The shorter trip might actually help him although he's never run over it and we know Bryony is good on front runners. I might have to have a very small just in case bet given he's 28/1, but I think he needs to probably run in a lesser grade and ultimately it is hard to see him being up to beating Ballyknock Cloud or Damut Im Out let alone the other two I have mentioned.
 
I have to back Skinflint again in the last. He has now bumped into 2 well handicapped horses. First off it was Midnight Folie here over fences and then Brave Helios over hurdles at Worcester. They were miles clear of the rest on both occasions and he really deserves to get his head in front and is clearly well handicapped. Alanjou is probably the biggest danger having won on both starts for Barry Brennan. They were weak races he won and he is up 10lbs, but he has been rated higher in the past so he could still be well handicapped as well. Hopefully though Skinflint can get the better of him and the rest.

It is a busy day on Sunday with 3 races catching my eye at Newton Abbot. I'm glad Midnight Folie was an unbackable price on Thursday as I would have put her up otherwise. That defeat though means we are getting 15/8 about a horse who should be favourite. She had to do too much to soon with the battle for the lead with the 3rd and it meant she had little left on the run in to fend off the winner. She was backed heavily into 1/4 so it was clearly expected she would go in again and this race should be much more to her liking. Granted it was her smallest winning margin, but I thought her win over course and distance was her most impressive of the 3 and she should be able to get a soft lead here. What is also in her favour is it looks like she only has two viable rivals both of whom are unproven over this trip. Granted Dan Skelton knows what he is doing, but on paper it seems a strange move to run Chasma over this far. If he gets well backed though I would be worried as there winners do tend to be well backed. Chequered View seems like a more logical candidate for stepping up to this trip and he should benefit from a run over 2m at Southwell a month ago. I still think Midnight Folie is well handicapped though. I said off 85 she had at least 30lbs in hand so based on that she has 10lbs still plus her jockey takes off 7lbs.
 
In the 5.00 I really like Ballyknock Cloud. You might remember I put him up as being well handicapped ahead of his return to rules. He was quite well backed and as all good e/w bets do ended up finishing 4th. That doesn't tell the whole story though as he got badly hampered at a crucial stage and it put him on the back foot, before he was able to stay on again. That was a class 4 like this but that was a 0-115 whereas this is a 0-105 so it is a weaker contest. Granted better luck in running I would be amazed if he doesn't go close in a race like this.
 
Damut I'm Out plugged on for 3rd in the race Hidden Charmer just got beat in at the beginning of the month. He was a long way behind Hidden Charmer and he just couldn't go fast enough to catch the 1st 2 up, but he was only beaten just over 3L and this slightly longer trip will help. I also can't see anything being capable of what Hidden Charmer did that night in this so I am having a saver on him.
 
Pointed And Sharp isn't without a chance and Isle Road has been well backed after winning over hurdles here last week. He's up to a new high handicap mark of 100, but for a 10yo he's relatively unexposed so I wouldn't discount him either. I put up This Breac as a small bet against Midnight Folie here last month and he helped make the running before dropping out and being well beaten. Quite how the handicapper only dropped him a lb after that I don't know. The shorter trip might actually help him although he's never run over it and we know Bryony is good on front runners. I might have to have a very small just in case bet given he's 28/1, but I think he needs to probably run in a lesser grade and ultimately it is hard to see him being up to beating Ballyknock Cloud or Damut Im Out let alone the other two I have mentioned.
 
I have to back Skinflint again in the last. He has now bumped into 2 well handicapped horses. First off it was Midnight Folie here over fences and then Brave Helios over hurdles at Worcester. They were miles clear of the rest on both occasions and he really deserves to get his head in front and is clearly well handicapped. Alanjou is probably the biggest danger having won on both starts for Barry Brennan. They were weak races he won and he is up 10lbs, but he has been rated higher in the past so he could still be well handicapped as well. Hopefully though Skinflint can get the better of him and the rest.

2 races of interest tomorrow starting with the 2.50. Dutch Canyon won for us at Cartmel last time and I think he can land a four timer in this. He really gutsed it out at Cartmel and because of that the handicapper has only put him up 4lbs so I think he is well handicapped off 84 still. He will no doubt try and make all as he has done in his 3 previous wins. This is a big field but there is a lot of dead wood in it and most appear to have little chance. One I am also backing in the race though is Teeton Power. She went off 11/4f for the maiden hunter chase at Cartmel in May and you might remember that I put her up for that contest. She was disappointing though and was a well beaten 6th. I think the ground might not have been ideal and I certainly want to give her another chance in a race as weak as this. She has gone to Kelly Morgan who certainly knows the time of day. The 2nd at Cheltenham last year suggests to me she has a mark she can win off. The horse who finished 7th in that Cartmel race was Stage One and he runs in this off 100. Granted there was little between them that day, but he never got into the race at all and I didn't fancy him that day either so I can't have him here.
 
There are 3 Irish trained runners so market moves have to be watched for them. Unchago's trainer is 4-9 here so that catches the eye and Home Place was a good 2nd at Limerick on Sunday. The only other one to note for me is Next Lot who was a massive gamble at Southwell on his first start for over 2 years and his first start for Fergal O'Brien. They rarely leave their money behind when they back one of theirs so it is surprising he got beat. That was over hurdles though and he makes his chase debut here. He also gets to run off the same mark off 83 that he ran off at Southwell. He would be the one I am most worried about.
 
Shimla Dawn also runs again in the 3.50 and this time over hurdles. Sunday was a write off after he unseated at the 3rd and the concern for me is this looks a decent enough heat for the grade. I have to back him though and he should be able to get an easy enough lead by the looks of it which will help. If the 8 stand there ground at a double figure price he is worth a small e/w bet.

The 4.10 at Stratford feature's two horses I put up last time in Shimla Dawn and Robin Des People. The latter was a non-runner and so he is worth backing again here. Just to remind people why I think he is worth backing, he has had a wind op since his run at Bangor in May (his first for Fergal) and he was only just beaten despite the fact he was 6th. He won over 2m1f here on last year's Hunter Chase night and the way he stayed on that night suggests this trip will be ideal for him round here. I think he is on a fair handicap mark as well. Bet365 are 4/1 yet he is 9/4 fav with Betfair and Paddy Power and I think they are correct in putting him in as the market leader.   Shimla Dawn was well beaten at Hexham in the end and in some ways the handicapper ought to have dropped him more than 2lbs, but I still think he is well handicapped. He was pestered for the lead at Hexham and he looks on paper like he will get an easier lead here and Stratford is a track that suits front runners. He is now 12/1 and at that price he is well worth taking a chance on as if he gets that easy lead he might not come back to them.    The only horse I am concerned about is Arthur's Sixpence who won a point last year before finishing 2nd in a Restricted to Mistress Massini who won a couple of handicaps in January albeit off a lower mark than this. However he is unexposed and ran well in a lower grade last time in his first run over fences under rules. If he builds on that he will be a danger.   In the 5.20 Hidden Charmer is back at Stratford and it is no surprise to see him drop down in trip again after what happened a couple of weeks ago. The issue this time is the presence of Regulation who also likes to get on with it. They obviously could set it up for a finisher like Atlantic Storm which is what happened to Regulation last time, but I actually think they might end up having the race between themselves. Bryony Frost and Richard Johnson are sensible jockey's and I can't see either of them getting into a strong pace battle early on. With Johnson riding it does on paper mean Hidden Charmer is 10lbs higher than he was the last day, but obviously Johnson is worth more than Shane Quinlan's 7lbs so I'm not worried about that. This isn't a strong race for the grade and I am happy to back Hidden Charmer at 11/4.   At Perth Play The Ace is worth backing in the 5.00. I put him up two starts ago at Stratford as I thought the Cartmel run behind Carter McKay was better than it looked on paper and he seemed to be running himself into form. That didn't surprise me as I thought the Bowen's may have been using Hunter Chases' to get his mark down. He was well beaten in the end at Stratford, but he was much better at Cartmel in a stronger race than this last time and although you can give all the field some sort of chance I think he can come out on top.

The first race at Ffos Las is stronger than the one Bletchley Castle won at Southwell, but he is dropping down in trip which is crucial as I think he would struggle to win over 3m in this grade. It isn't certain he will get an easy lead here, but then he didn't make all the running at Southwell and it certainly won't be like Stratford where he got hindered by the standing start in a big field round a tight track. As his owner mentioned in the interview after the win his jumping seems to be improving with practice and there hasn't been a sign of him making the sort of blunder that he made at Huntingdon in the two rules runs since. That means I think he is improving and I think he's got a decent chance of being up to winning in this higher grade. Drunraven Bowl winner Pink Eyed Pedro has been backed into favouritism at the time of writing this after he won a novice hurdle at Worcester on Monday. I do think he is the main danger and I have had a saver on him at 9/4, but the nagging thing in the back of my mind is the fact he couldn't win a handicap off a much lower mark last year. He was also 4th over hurdles here two starts back off a 5lbs lower mark. That novice hurdle on Monday took little winning after the odds on favourite ran way below par so I don't think he achieved an awful lot. I do think the Chepstow win showed that he is an improved horse though as he beat the right horse easily that night so he could be up to winning off this mark, but I would have the two of them the other way round in the betting.

The first race at Ffos Las is stronger than the one Bletchley Castle won at Southwell, but he is dropping down in trip which is crucial as I think he would struggle to win over 3m in this grade. It isn't certain he will get an easy lead here, but then he didn't make all the running at Southwell and it certainly won't be like Stratford where he got hindered by the standing start in a big field round a tight track. As his owner mentioned in the interview after the win his jumping seems to be improving with practice and there hasn't been a sign of him making the sort of blunder that he made at Huntingdon in the two rules runs since. That means I think he is improving and I think he's got a decent chance of being up to winning in this higher grade. Drunraven Bowl winner Pink Eyed Pedro has been backed into favouritism at the time of writing this after he won a novice hurdle at Worcester on Monday. I do think he is the main danger and I have had a saver on him at 9/4, but the nagging thing in the back of my mind is the fact he couldn't win a handicap off a much lower mark last year. He was also 4th over hurdles here two starts back off a 5lbs lower mark. That novice hurdle on Monday took little winning after the odds on favourite ran way below par so I don't think he achieved an awful lot. I do think the Chepstow win showed that he is an improved horse though as he beat the right horse easily that night so he could be up to winning off this mark, but I would have the two of them the other way round in the betting.

First 4 home in the opener at Worcester all been running in points or hunter chases this year. Thankfully on the winner although just a shame he wasn't the price he was at Bangor! Still nice to get the horse right as he had been on my radar after his hunter chase runs which weren't all as bad as the form figures suggested.

A lot of 2nds at the moment which is frustrating although at least a couple of them were e/w to get some cash back. The opener at Worcester on Monday features Master Sunrise who of course was a massive gamble when I put him up at Bangor last time going from 25/1 to a SP of 9/2 only for him to unseat at the first. Sadly we aren't getting 25s about him, but he does have Richard Johnson on top and he rode him to victory at Southwell last summer and he was also placed on him over course and distance off a mark of 107. I think it is a big plus he is back on top and although he always comes attached with risks he is worth backing e/w at 15/2. Legal OK is a horse I put up at Fontwell and Earth Leader beat him fair and square although it wasn't helped by the fact he was taken on for the lead, but at the end of the day Earth Leader is a much better horse than he is. However that run still makes him look well handicapped off 88 here. I have just watched back his run at Fontwell last month and you would be worried about the step up in trip, but I wonder if It might help him as he will be going too quick for plenty and get them off the bridle and they might just struggle to peg him back if he gets an easy lead. The one concern I do have is maybe a small field that he could do it to might be more up his street, but I still have to have him onside at 9/2. Moreece is actually the best handicapped based on pointing ratings, but I don't really fancy him. He was well beaten at Ffos Las and the first two home that day haven't done much for the form since. I think the bigger dangers are the two horses who were 1st and 4th at Warwick last time. That was a Class 4 so both are dropping down in grade. The Manuscript won and his jockey takes off the weight he was put up for the win. Strictly speaking Tanrudy shouldn't reverse the form, but he has had a wind op and it might well see him see out the race better.
 
The next race sees Asockastar back in handicap company. He did us a couple of nice turns when winning at Leicester and especially at Fakenham earlier in the year and hopefully he can land the hat-trick for us. Now he isn't chucked in off 125, but if you remember my Stratford preview I said that they had chosen the wrong race for him and they should have run him in the handicap hunter chase as he looked well handicapped off 117. In hindsight he wouldn't have won that because Risk A Fine would have outclassed him and to be fair he ran as well as could have been expected in the big race when 3rd to Wonderful Charm. The handicapper put him up 8lbs for that effort, but crucially his jockey can claim 7lbs so he is essentially back to his old mark. He is dropping down in trip to 2m4f, but that doesn't concern me at all as he has plenty of pace and I think he can cope with that. I also don't think this is a strong race for the grade. Al Shahir is an obvious danger, but he fell last time and has burst before so both those things have to be a concern and as much as he might win he makes the market given his price. Cillian's Well was running well when hampered and unseating at Ffos Las last month, but that wasn't a strong race. Forever My Friend won a hunter chase at Fontwell last year and was then 2nd in the handicap hunter chase at Stratford off 115. He then went back into handicap company, but ran poorly. That Fontwell win was in a bad race although if he is strong in the betting then that has to be respected given his trainer. Having said that I that Asockastar is the better horse and he only has to carry 1lbs more. It is a shame there aren't 8 runners but I am still going to back him e/w at 7/1 because the Skelton horse does concern me.

First 4 home in the opener at Worcester all been running in points or hunter chases this year. Thankfully on the winner although just a shame he wasn't the price he was at Bangor! Still nice to get the horse right as he had been on my radar after his hunter chase runs which weren't all as bad as the form figures suggested.

If I didn't have BOG I would have gone in again as the more I looked at the race the more I fancied him. Great when it all falls into line like that.

A lot of 2nds at the moment which is frustrating although at least a couple of them were e/w to get some cash back. The opener at Worcester on Monday features Master Sunrise who of course was a massive gamble when I put him up at Bangor last time going from 25/1 to a SP of 9/2 only for him to unseat at the first. Sadly we aren't getting 25s about him, but he does have Richard Johnson on top and he rode him to victory at Southwell last summer and he was also placed on him over course and distance off a mark of 107. I think it is a big plus he is back on top and although he always comes attached with risks he is worth backing e/w at 15/2. Legal OK is a horse I put up at Fontwell and Earth Leader beat him fair and square although it wasn't helped by the fact he was taken on for the lead, but at the end of the day Earth Leader is a much better horse than he is. However that run still makes him look well handicapped off 88 here. I have just watched back his run at Fontwell last month and you would be worried about the step up in trip, but I wonder if It might help him as he will be going too quick for plenty and get them off the bridle and they might just struggle to peg him back if he gets an easy lead. The one concern I do have is maybe a small field that he could do it to might be more up his street, but I still have to have him onside at 9/2. Moreece is actually the best handicapped based on pointing ratings, but I don't really fancy him. He was well beaten at Ffos Las and the first two home that day haven't done much for the form since. I think the bigger dangers are the two horses who were 1st and 4th at Warwick last time. That was a Class 4 so both are dropping down in grade. The Manuscript won and his jockey takes off the weight he was put up for the win. Strictly speaking Tanrudy shouldn't reverse the form, but he has had a wind op and it might well see him see out the race better.
 
The next race sees Asockastar back in handicap company. He did us a couple of nice turns when winning at Leicester and especially at Fakenham earlier in the year and hopefully he can land the hat-trick for us. Now he isn't chucked in off 125, but if you remember my Stratford preview I said that they had chosen the wrong race for him and they should have run him in the handicap hunter chase as he looked well handicapped off 117. In hindsight he wouldn't have won that because Risk A Fine would have outclassed him and to be fair he ran as well as could have been expected in the big race when 3rd to Wonderful Charm. The handicapper put him up 8lbs for that effort, but crucially his jockey can claim 7lbs so he is essentially back to his old mark. He is dropping down in trip to 2m4f, but that doesn't concern me at all as he has plenty of pace and I think he can cope with that. I also don't think this is a strong race for the grade. Al Shahir is an obvious danger, but he fell last time and has burst before so both those things have to be a concern and as much as he might win he makes the market given his price. Cillian's Well was running well when hampered and unseating at Ffos Las last month, but that wasn't a strong race. Forever My Friend won a hunter chase at Fontwell last year and was then 2nd in the handicap hunter chase at Stratford off 115. He then went back into handicap company, but ran poorly. That Fontwell win was in a bad race although if he is strong in the betting then that has to be respected given his trainer. Having said that I that Asockastar is the better horse and he only has to carry 1lbs more. It is a shame there aren't 8 runners but I am still going to back him e/w at 7/1 because the Skelton horse does concern me.

A lot of 2nds at the moment which is frustrating although at least a couple of them were e/w to get some cash back. The opener at Worcester on Monday features Master Sunrise who of course was a massive gamble when I put him up at Bangor last time going from 25/1 to a SP of 9/2 only for him to unseat at the first. Sadly we aren't getting 25s about him, but he does have Richard Johnson on top and he rode him to victory at Southwell last summer and he was also placed on him over course and distance off a mark of 107. I think it is a big plus he is back on top and although he always comes attached with risks he is worth backing e/w at 15/2. Legal OK is a horse I put up at Fontwell and Earth Leader beat him fair and square although it wasn't helped by the fact he was taken on for the lead, but at the end of the day Earth Leader is a much better horse than he is. However that run still makes him look well handicapped off 88 here. I have just watched back his run at Fontwell last month and you would be worried about the step up in trip, but I wonder if It might help him as he will be going too quick for plenty and get them off the bridle and they might just struggle to peg him back if he gets an easy lead. The one concern I do have is maybe a small field that he could do it to might be more up his street, but I still have to have him onside at 9/2. Moreece is actually the best handicapped based on pointing ratings, but I don't really fancy him. He was well beaten at Ffos Las and the first two home that day haven't done much for the form since. I think the bigger dangers are the two horses who were 1st and 4th at Warwick last time. That was a Class 4 so both are dropping down in grade. The Manuscript won and his jockey takes off the weight he was put up for the win. Strictly speaking Tanrudy shouldn't reverse the form, but he has had a wind op and it might well see him see out the race better.
 
The next race sees Asockastar back in handicap company. He did us a couple of nice turns when winning at Leicester and especially at Fakenham earlier in the year and hopefully he can land the hat-trick for us. Now he isn't chucked in off 125, but if you remember my Stratford preview I said that they had chosen the wrong race for him and they should have run him in the handicap hunter chase as he looked well handicapped off 117. In hindsight he wouldn't have won that because Risk A Fine would have outclassed him and to be fair he ran as well as could have been expected in the big race when 3rd to Wonderful Charm. The handicapper put him up 8lbs for that effort, but crucially his jockey can claim 7lbs so he is essentially back to his old mark. He is dropping down in trip to 2m4f, but that doesn't concern me at all as he has plenty of pace and I think he can cope with that. I also don't think this is a strong race for the grade. Al Shahir is an obvious danger, but he fell last time and has burst before so both those things have to be a concern and as much as he might win he makes the market given his price. Cillian's Well was running well when hampered and unseating at Ffos Las last month, but that wasn't a strong race. Forever My Friend won a hunter chase at Fontwell last year and was then 2nd in the handicap hunter chase at Stratford off 115. He then went back into handicap company, but ran poorly. That Fontwell win was in a bad race although if he is strong in the betting then that has to be respected given his trainer. Having said that I that Asockastar is the better horse and he only has to carry 1lbs more. It is a shame there aren't 8 runners but I am still going to back him e/w at 7/1 because the Skelton horse does concern me.