Best Bet of the Day 25/03/08

[RussP]

2.40 Pontefract<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

A 6f handicap over the turning 6f here, 17 runners competing in this 0-70, Class 5 race. Being a left hand turn on a left handed track, you would think that it would favour low numbers but surprisingly, high drawn runners that race prominently, just off the lead, have fared well in recent years as runners generally come down the centre of the track, particularly with ease in the ground. The one that carrys my money here hails from a high draw at a double figure price in:

7 Steel Blue (RPF 12/1) - Comes here carrying 9-2, 2lb off top weight, with a mark of 68. Has been off the track for 143 days and fitness has to be taken on trust but stands a good chance on last seasons form. Started last season off a mark of 81 and begins this 13lb lower but it still had a half decent season, winning once and being placed 3 times off marks of 69 (win), 69, 68 & 68. These were the only times the horse raced off a mark in the 60’s, which it faces today, so looks well weighted to go close. Has been plying its trade in Class 3 and 4 handicaps but dropped to Class 5 today, where it finished 7^th, 2^nd and 3^rd on its 3 tries in this grade last term. Is drawn high in 16 but does race prominently in its race so I’m hopeful of it getting a good early position before swooping down the centre of the track off the final bend. Does all its racing over 6f so trip is fine. Ground expected to be on the easy side which poses no problems for this horse. Is effective on all ground with 2 of its placed efforts last term on ground softer than good. Has won on its seasonal reappearance before so hopefully fitness will not be an issue. Decent jockey on board, taking a further 3lb off the horses back, so looks handicapped to go close. There are always question marks on a horse’s first run of the season but there are more positives than negatives so has to be considered a good E/W bet at tissue price of 12/1. EW

[welshman 2005]

Re: Best Bet of the Day 25/03/08 LAY 2.00 Sedgefield - Theatre Belle - Racing post forecast sp is 13/8 This Horse doesnt deserve to be Fav/2nd fav, overall form for this horse is terrible, Only 1 career win and that was when it dropped down to grade 5, it's other runs at grade 5 leave something to be desired, which makes me think that it's only win must have been in a terrible race, and he was a 33/1 outsider.He has never won over this distance or at this course.