Flat Racing - Thursday 10th of January 2013

[robertob]

14.35 Wolverhampton: Reflect @ 13/2 VC - 2pts win Reflect ran a huge race here at Wolverhampton lto, travelling in rear, while the front-running winner had the run of the race setting a slow pace. Yet Reflect was in with every chance 3f out until encountering traffic problems turning for home. He had to take the widest route around the home bend eventually and that surly cost some ground. He really powered home in the closing stages though, but was a bit shifting to the right and then left deep inside the final furlong as well. Overall I think this was a fine performance and he's down to a very handy mark now. He finished a strong 2nd to Brown Panther in a strong Handicap in 2011, so there is no doubt he has got some ability but is clearly a difficult horse. I think he has a good chance here to find the way back to the winning ways here anyway. 15.05 Wolverhampton: Royal Sea @ 7/1 - 2pts win Royal Sea was in fantastic form in the last number of weeks improving allot and it looks to me there could be still more to come. He tried 12f for the first time lto and travelled nicely in a prominent position but was then 2f out badly hampered and again 1f out which cost every chance obviously. The step back in trip down to 9f should be no problem though and a more suitable trip and the 2lb rise in the mark shouldn't be a problem either as a decent 7lb claimer is booked for the ride. He's still lightly raced and this race here looks not too competitive I feel. 16.15 Kempton: Do More Business @ 7/1 - 2pts win Really poor race but Do More Business proved to be in fine shape with a stunning late run at Lingfield last week. He had the widest draw to overcome and was plum last turning widest of all for home. He produced a strong finish on the outside though and a repeat of that performance would see him going very close in this race here.

[Lodge]

Re: Flat Racing - Thursday 10th of January 2013 15.35 - Wolverhampton - Canary Wharf @ 8/1 Bet365 I'm not totally convinced Saoi is so likely to follow up his recent win so i'll take him on with Canary Wharf. The lightly raced 4yo took a maiden over this C&D a year ago and has obviously had some problems given he's only run twice since. His latest run came at the beginning of last month at Lingfield, he was quite keen and didnt seem to get 12f, tomorrow he drops back to 9f which to me looks more his distance and i think that he is likely to put in a better showing. He should strip fitter for the run and has been dropped a couple of lbs by the handicapper.This doesnt look a particularly strong race for a class 4 handicap so could be good placing by Marco Botti who is in super form at the minute, landing a nice gamble this afternoon. Botti has opted for the first time cheekpieces and Luke Morris is a fairly interesting booking considering he doesnt ride for the stable often. 8/1 looks a fair price to me given there is only a field of 7 and 2 look to have little chance on recent form.