BBOTD Saturday 9th

[cpo]

4.00 Newmarket Ermyn Lodge 0.5pt EW @ 28/1 Coral This horse has progressed into a very consistent staying handicapper and although this may by shorter than he wants, his record fresh cannot be ignored. In the last 3 years Ermyn Lodge’s record when returning from a break has been 1, 1 and 2. In 2009 he won a handicap off 60 at Kempton, in 2010 he won a handicap off 73 again at Kempton and then last year he finished 2^nd off 84 at Ascot. Since then he has progressed to a rating of 95 after finishing last season with a very impressive 2^nd in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket. It is likely that is the target for this year but he has to start somewhere. I have no doubts that trainer Pat Phelan will have this one ready first time up. He is ultra consistent and likes to front run which could definitely play to his strengths on energy sapping ground tomorrow. There are other runners that like to go from the front but Ermyn Lodge has proven stamina and I don’t think he would mind going a strong gallop right from the off. The race may well be set up for something coming from the back but as like today it has been very hard coming from the back of the field so hopefully it will be a similar story tomorrow. Ian Mongan takes the ride on this horse and he obviously gets on well with him having won on him twice in the past and ridden him more than any other jockey.

[Aidymac]

Re: BBOTD Saturday 9th *Mulaqen - Newmarket 4:00* Still very lightly raced and hacked up last time out at York in an 18 runner handicap, beating Mica Mika by nearly 3 lengths, eased down. Is gone up 13 pounds for that, but the manner of it's run last time out, i wouldn't be surprised if the horse was still well treated. Will back it. *1 Point WIN @ 5/1 VC BOG*