The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread)

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Tuesday 0/1 (-1pt) Wednesday 0/2 (-2pt) Thursday 1/1 (+1.9pts) - Pleased to get back to winning ways after an disappointing week so far. Twilight Star ran a great race and despite being the smallest staked selection it still returned a nice profit. 2008 Upper Class Selections Bets : 77 Winning Bets : 41 (53% S/R) Collected Bets : 43 (56% S/R) Staked : 76.75pts Returns : 94.29pts P/L : + 17.49pts Yield : 23% ----------------- Upper Class F/C's Bets : 65 Winning Bets : 14 S/R : 22% Staked : £6449.50 Returns : £5692.51 Upper Class T/C's Bets : 55 Winning Bets : 6 S/R : 11% Staked : £5500 Returns : £3019.07

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 2.10 Epsom (Class 2) Royal Power is a horse close to my heart. His form tailed off somewhat for Mick Channon but has since changed hands and run a decent race on his first start for Dandy Nicholls. Finished 3rd of 5 when wrong at the weights, Charlie Farnsbarns (1st) and Docofthebay (4th) done harm to the form on their next starts and with consistent yardstick Benandonner in 2nd it was a solid effort. This may've come a little quick but pretty sure he'll win a handicap or two this season. Emeral Wilderstein's win LTO has worked out well with Mia's Boy back in 3rd that day. Disappointed over hurdles but has been ultra-consistent on the level throughout his career. Made the frame 15 times from 20 starts and there has been excuses for all the five unplaced efforts too. Just a small worry about acting here as (although there were excuses) his three worse runs come at Goodwood (2) and Bath. Little White Lie has dropped to a decent mark and he took the eye running on into 2nd behind Bushman LTO. Finished a length behind Vitznau over 7f here last season but is 26lb better off and being that his rival isn't guaranteed to stay a mile I would expect Little White Lie to reverse the form. I thought Annemasse would pay his way this season but has so far disappointed. 4lb lower than he was at the start of the season and he will hit form sooner or later. Dream Lodge put in a much improved effort LTO at Chester and had been pretty consistent under ideal conditions prior to this season. Very eye-catching jockey booking. I've selected Vainglory on his last two starts and he has run gallant races in defeat. Still think there is a race in him (see higher up the thread for reasons why) and he is worth another try at a mile as I believe he flattened out inside the last on his last two starts. Three to show a nice profit, three to save the stake. Little White Lie 25% of stake 9.6 betfair Royal Power 25% of stake 13.5 betfair Vainglory 15% of stake 13.5 betfair Emeral Wilderstein 15% of stake 7 betfair Dream Lodge 10% of stake 10 betfair Annemasse 10% of stake 11 betfair Casts: Above Six £3.30 F/C Comb (30 bets) 80p T/C Comb (120 bets)

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 2.45 Epsom (Class 2) I backed Eradicate on his first two starts this season convinced he was well handicapped on his best form. He ran two find races, 2nd twice, getting collared late on by a well treated rival on the 2nd start. He has won a listed race since so runs here off a mark of 100. Would be no surprise if he goes from strength to strength now he has got his head in front once again. His form early last year was very impressive, beat Philatelist, Dansant, Sandbuch and narrowly went down against Smokey Oakey despite giving away 9lb. He went off at 8/1 in a Group 2 last July! In recent years Godolphin's runners are always worth a 2nd look in handicaps. Look how they've improved every year in this sphere: 2005 10% 2006 20% 2007 24% 2008 67% (2/3 so far) Their Emirates Skyline has only made the racecourse 8 times in three seasons but the fact that they continue persevere with him speaks volumes. Mr Aviator looks certain to act around Epsom but for me he is a little high in the handicap. Escape Route has done nothing wrong this season and looks sure to ran another solid race. Smart Instinct is well handicapped despite running plenty of solid races in fair handicaps last season. I've been on his on his last two starts and he again has run solid races just outside the frame. Looks certain to have his day although he isn't screaming value to me here. I've said before that Northern Spy can win a race off his current mark, he may be out of his depth here but is a massive price. Rationale won four times at three and looked a good prospect last year - he failed to build on that however and suffered a disappointing 4yo season. He won FTO this year though before running a fine race to be 3rd to Philatelist at Lingfield. Well handicapped on that (and on 3yo form) and is overpriced even though he may find this 10f a bit on the sharp side. Eradicate 50% of stake 6.8 betfair Smart Instinct 30% of stake 5.8 betfair Rationale 15% of stake 20 betfair Northern Spy 5% of stake 40 betfair Casts: Eradicate/Smart Instinct/Rationale/Northern Spy £8.25 F/C Comb (12 bets) £2.15 T/C Comb (24 bets) Eradicate/Smart Instinct/Rationale/Emirates Skyline £2 T/C Comb (24 bets) 5.25 Epsom (Class 2) This looks like a poor Class 2 handicap to me. I just cannot bring myself to back any of the runners with handicap form. Will take a chance with the two well regarded lightly 'potential horses' Dubai Meydan and East Drive. Gay Kelleway has always thought a lot a lot of Dubai Meydan and there are no excuses for him now he has got his head in front. Handicapper may've been lenient and it's a fine jockey booking. East Drive was interesting before me made his debut going for 300,000gns after just 23,000gns as a foal. He ran ok FTO in a maiden that worked out ok and stepped up to win his 2nd start, a 4-runner affair at Goodwood. The form hasn't worked out to be fair but has more improvement in him than some of his rivals. Poor liquidity on betfair at present so will confirm this bet tomorrow.

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) I'm so busy today, that's why I posted these early last night. Eradicate has drifted like a barge which is worrying - may regret not including the Godolphin in that. Stakes for the 5.25 East Drive 25% of stake win 10 betfair East Drive 25% of stake place 3.2 betfair Dubai Meydan 25% of stake win 9.6 betfair Dubai Meyhan 25% of stake place 3.2 betfair Not that confident today, for some reason.

[stewartd14]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread)

2.10 Epsom (Class 2) Royal Power is a horse close to my heart. His form tailed off somewhat for Mick Channon but has since changed hands and run a decent race on his first start for Dandy Nicholls. Finished 3rd of 5 when wrong at the weights, Charlie Farnsbarns (1st) and Docofthebay (4th) done harm to the form on their next starts and with consistent yardstick Benandonner in 2nd it was a solid effort. This may've come a little quick but pretty sure he'll win a handicap or two this season. Emeral Wilderstein's win LTO has worked out well with Mia's Boy back in 3rd that day. Disappointed over hurdles but has been ultra-consistent on the level throughout his career. Made the frame 15 times from 20 starts and there has been excuses for all the five unplaced efforts too. Just a small worry about acting here as (although there were excuses) his three worse runs come at Goodwood (2) and Bath. Little White Lie has dropped to a decent mark and he took the eye running on into 2nd behind Bushman LTO. Finished a length behind Vitznau over 7f here last season but is 26lb better off and being that his rival isn't guaranteed to stay a mile I would expect Little White Lie to reverse the form. I thought Annemasse would pay his way this season but has so far disappointed. 4lb lower than he was at the start of the season and he will hit form sooner or later. Dream Lodge put in a much improved effort LTO at Chester and had been pretty consistent under ideal conditions prior to this season. Very eye-catching jockey booking. I've selected Vainglory on his last two starts and he has run gallant races in defeat. Still think there is a race in him (see higher up the thread for reasons why) and he is worth another try at a mile as I believe he flattened out inside the last on his last two starts. Three to show a nice profit, three to save the stake. Little White Lie 25% of stake 9.6 betfair Royal Power 25% of stake 13.5 betfair Vainglory 15% of stake 13.5 betfair Emeral Wilderstein 15% of stake 7 betfair Dream Lodge 10% of stake 10 betfair Annemasse 10% of stake 11 betfair Casts: Above Six £3.30 F/C Comb (30 bets) 80p T/C Comb (120 bets)

Cracking stuff yet again mate, what horse you got running today at Epsom ? :clap:clap:clap

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 1.40 Epsom (Class 2) Conduit looked a future winner when third to stablemate Colony at Sandown. Conduit come from a mile off the pace that day and would've gone close had he been asked for an effort a little earlier. The race has worked out fairly well so it's no surprise he has gone up 4lb for that run. Although he may improve for a stiffer test of stamina he could still be ahead of the handicapper off his current mark of 84 - ran close to Yadree in a maiden and he won a handicap off 86 at Newmarket. Priced accordingly but as long as there are no problems with the track would be hard to beat. Thought First Avenue had been given a chance by the handicapper with his mark of 82. Looked in need of the run FTO this year but still ran a decent race. Think he'll be going close in handicaps very soon. Conduit 70% of stake 7/4 paddy First Avenue 30% of stake 9.4 betfair Casts: Conduit/First Avenue £50 RFC 3.15 Epsom (Class 2) I'd be over the moon if Bigalos Bandit won but I don't think he is good enough to figure at the moment. Hogmaneigh took this last year and runs off just a 1lb higher mark here. I backed him a big price at Newmarket LTO and I thought he ran a decent race to finish 6th to Off The Record. He should be spot on for this, has been lucky with the draw and stable went close yesterday with Rationale. Although he has a high draw, he needs lucky in running due to his style. If he gets the break then he must go close. Masta Plasta and Holbeck Ghyll are both ahead of the handicapper but haven't been blessed with the draw. They both have plenty of pace so if they are quick away they could tack over - although I expect Masta Plasta keep a middle course. Hogmaneigh 40% of stake E/W 6/1 hills Masta Plasta 10% of stake win price TBA (SP if I don't update) Holbeck Ghyll 10% of stake win 9 betfair Casts: Hogmaneigh/Masta Plasta/Holbeck Ghyll £16.50 F/C Comb £16.50 T/C Comb

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 9.8 for Masta Plasta.

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 2.05 Doncaster (Class 3)

Musaalem and Big Noise are both in my list of horses to follow this year and I tipped them both LTO.

Musaalem was impressive despite pulling early on and I can't see a 9lb hike stopping him. I will be following him until I see a reason not to.

Big Noise needed the run FTO behind Plum Pudding but he travelled well and I'm sure he'll be back to winning ways soon. Slightly worried he may need another run but he can't be ignored at the price. I've took over 2/1 Musaalem last night but he is still a bet at the price.

Musaalem 75% of stake 2.74 betfair

Big Noise 25% of stake 15/2 SJ/Direct

Casts:

Musaalem/Big Noise

£50 RFC

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 2.35 Doncaster (Class 2)

Narrowed this down to five runners; Choose The Moment, Lazy Days, Redford, Illusion, Tarkheena Prince.

I thought Choose The Moment may be a horse to follow this year and he ran better than the formline suggests when I backed him LTO. The race has worked out well and he is interesting at his first attempt at a mile.

Lazy Days ran a promising race at two and it was no surprise to see his win his maiden FTO this year. He lost some ground at the start but recovered to win well - form working out ok. He is a decent prospect.

Redford is in a lot of peoples notebook for this season. He was well fancied for his debut but Spencer dropped the reins and he was beaten quite a way. He stepped up on that effort NTO when 4th to Spacious (Dr Faustus 2nd) and then won his maiden on his third start comfortably (2nd won off 76 and 3rd has won off 80).

He looks obviously well handicapped off a mark of 87 and he looks another decent prospect this season. Had a set-back last season after winning and this wasn't his inteded target, so I'll wait to see him before I'll get stuck into him.

Illusion was 3rd to Aromatheropy (a winner off 82 since) on his debut and stepped up on that to win NTO at Windsor (2nd bolted up last night). Been given a chance by the handicapper.

Tarkheena Prince ran well despite looking very green at two and he won on the first time of asking at three. This is a warm race but is another interest 3yo.

Think this race will be littered with future winners.

Illusion 35% of stake 5/1 hills Redford 20% of stake 6.2 betfair

Lazy Days 15% of stake 15/2 hills

Choose Your Moment 20% of stake 9.6 betfair

Tarkheena Price 10% of stake 17.5 betfair

Casts:

Above five

£5 F/C Comb

£1.65 T/C Comb

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 3.05 Doncaster (Class 2) Thought Candy Mountain started the season on a fair mark (76) as she was a little unlucky not to win more races last season. Made a pleasing reappearance and I expect her to be spot on today. Visor applied for the first time today which suggests there was other reasons why she didn't win as many times as she could've last season. Montrachet didn't build on a promising reappearance but shaped a lot better LTO, she is definitely worth another try at 10f. Fragrancy will be popular and rightly so, she ran a fine race in defeat in the Zetland Gold Cup and connections think she could be better than a handicapper. Has to enter calculations but perhaps there should be less between her and Candy Mountain in the betting. Candy Mountain 40% of stake win 4.8 betfair Candy Mountain 50% of stake place 1.79 betfair Montrachet 10% of stake win 15 betfair Casts: Candy Mountain/Fragrancy £20 RFC Candy Mountain/Fragrancy/Montrachet £10 F/C Comb £16.50 T/C Comb

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) NR in the 3.05 Prices now Candy Mountain 4.7 win, 1.7 place Montrachet 14/1 VC (new market)

[Sheerluck Holmes]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Some more cracking analysis, Bill. Going to Donny today - made a note of your selections - you can have 0.00000432% of any winnings. ;)

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) I don't take cheques! Good luck mate.

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 3.05 turned into a nightmare with another NR - Fragrancy. Got out of current bets, now going Candy Mountain 80% win 7/4 gen Montrachet 20% win 10/1 VC £50 RFC

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 2.05 Musaleem a NR - 50% E/W Big Noise now, on betfair. 5 win market, waiting for the place market to adjust properly - currently plenty of 1.74 available but hoping to get nearer 1.8 in a while.

[Sm0k3rZ]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Candy Mountain... sadness .. unlucky may be

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Mate I can never make any sense of your comments. This is the third one after a loser that has had be scratching my head. I do hope you're not having a pop.

[Sm0k3rZ]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Lol noo nothing offensive... sorry if u took it the wrong way :)

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Sorry mate, it's me being thick. I always like to read feedback on the thread. :ok I just didn't no what you meant. Candy was disappointing. Sorry if I swayed you into backing her. :$

[Sm0k3rZ]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) she was a clear fav.. and then u supported her was enough for me to make a bet... im not complaining or anything... tomo is always a new day.. and ill be checking ur thread for sure ;)

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread)

3.15 Epsom (Class 2) I'd be over the moon if Bigalos Bandit won but I don't think he is good enough to figure at the moment. Hogmaneigh took this last year and runs off just a 1lb higher mark here. I backed him a big price at Newmarket LTO and I thought he ran a decent race to finish 6th to Off The Record. He should be spot on for this, has been lucky with the draw and stable went close yesterday with Rationale. Although he has a high draw, he needs lucky in running due to his style. If he gets the break then he must go close. Masta Plasta and Holbeck Ghyll are both ahead of the handicapper but haven't been blessed with the draw. They both have plenty of pace so if they are quick away they could tack over - although I expect Masta Plasta keep a middle course.

Hollbeck did tack over but Adele Rothery on Masta Plasta decided just to blast off and keep straight, I was certain that would be her plan. All three ran great races.

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Better do some housekeeping and get the thread up to date. Friday 2/3 (+0.2pts) 2.10 (+1.4pts) Good winner in Little White Lie although I took under the odds as I posted early due to time constraints (ret. 12/1). Vainglory was just beaten for the F/C, he again flattened out in a finish - I'd like to see him with some headgear NTO. 2.45 (-1pts) ANOTHER McEvoy nightmare on my 20/1 shot Rationale. I posted early again and in an update I voiced concerns over the main selection and stated that perhaps I'd made a mistake not including Emirates Skyline. Had 1-3-4 for the T/C. 5.25 (-0.2pts) Dubai Meydan was so unlucky. Was hampered at the start and was well behind even inside the last - flew but the line come to quick, beaten about 0.5l. Had 40/1 about the Oaks winner Look Here (on other thread) so a good day. Saturday 3/5 (+0.07pts) 1.40 (+0.93pts) Main bet Conduit bolted up, unlucky with the F/C (1st & 3rd). 2.05 (-1pt) Musaalem being a N/R really messed this bet up, I ended up going full stake on my original saver Big Noise, which was a mistake. The form isn't worth anything however as I have NEVER seen a pace so slow for a 7f handicap. 2.35 (+0.24pts) Kicking myself for not having more on Redford but I was worried about fitness. Had the 1-2 and copped a nice £73.80 Exacta though. 1-2-5 for the T/C bet. 3.05 (-1pt) Another disappointment at Doncaster with Candy Mountain and Montrachet (beat the odds massively) were well beaten. Again NR's ruined the shape of the race and the market. 3.15 (+0.9pts) Main bet Hogmaneigh placed, little disappointed as I thought he'd win with a clear run - which he got. Thankfully one of the saving bets won. The other saving bet (Masta Plasta) was very unlucky and would've won with a better draw. 1-4-5 for the T/C. Had a 1-2 at Musselburgh in my sole bet off the thread (£123 Exacta) (6/9 for Thu/Fri/Sat) 2008 Upper Class Selections Bets : 85 Winning Bets : 45 (53% S/R) Collected Bets : 48 (56% S/R) Staked : 84.75pts Returns : 102.56pts P/L : + 17.81pts Yield : 21% ----------------- Upper Class F/C's Bets : 71 Winning Bets : 15 S/R : 22% Staked : £7049.50 Returns : £6061.51 Upper Class T/C's Bets : 59 Winning Bets : 6 S/R : 10% Staked : £5900 Returns : £3019.07 Still hitting the woodwork with the casts, will hit soon....trust me. ;)

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Continuing the research sparked from BH's comments: 1pt per race apportioned to my staking plan %'s (as it is now): P/L : +17.81pts Yield : 21% 1pt per RACE evenly apportioned to each selection: P/L : +19.76 Yield : 23% 1pt per SELECTION (1-6pts staked per race): P/L : +30.05pts Yield : 12% (255 selections) 1pt per race on BANKER ONLY (1 selection per race on highest % selection) P/L : +27.15pts Yield : 32%

[mlmrob]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Superb thread BTP. Enjoyed reading every word and fantastic results. Well done.

[RussP]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Billy, I've been away for a while but some things never change ....... you're still hitting plenty of winners and maintaining healthy profit. Keep it going, mate. Very impressed with the results:clap:clap

[Sheerluck Holmes]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread)

2.35 Doncaster (Class 2)

Illusion 35% of stake 5/1 hills Redford 20% of stake 6.2 betfair

Lazy Days 15% of stake 15/2 hills

Choose Your Moment 20% of stake 9.6 betfair

Tarkheena Price 10% of stake 17.5 betfair

Going to Donny today - made a note of your selections - you can have 0.00000432% of any winnings. ;)

Ok, £73.80 x 0.00000432 = 0.0000032p. Is a postal order ok?! :lol Nah seriously mate, the only bet I properly played on was the above in a F/C - so thank you. Was there for a mates 30'th so don't like betting properly/big - they would have though me a right unsociable bugger if i'd have had my head in the RP all afternoon, plus, we were in the family enclosure so couldnt get to the paddock etc. So, I just let the missus choose the horses she fancied (namely silks and names!) . . . It was one of those days though where the whole party won - the chap who's birthday it was has just had baby called Joe - so EVERYONE had some money on Cotton Eye Joe @ 12's when it was available! :lol it won nicely! One of those nice stories he will probably tell his son in 10 years . . . . :) Racing has a funny habit for that sort of thing. Keep up the good work. :ok

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Cheers mlmrob! :ok Hi Russ, thanks mate, good to see you back! :ok Sounds like you had a good day Lee - I know what you mean you can't socialise and bet, something has to give. ;)

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Nothing going on for a day or two so, and as we've been talking about the handicaps at Ascot though I'd take a chance and play early on one of them. Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) On Wokingham day I'll no doubt hear the usual "how can you bet in that/better off sticking a pin in that" rubbish regarding the race. Most punters incorrectly assume that 30 runner handicap = outsiders. On the contrary, over the past twelve years favourites have done well; 3/12 have won 7/12 have finished in the frame 9/12 have finished in the first five 11/12 have finished in the first eight (the only one not to was the biggest priced favourite in recent times). The days of them going 8/9/10s the field seem to be gone (in this and most big handicaps), over the past five runnings the average priced favourite has gone off 4.25/1. Therefore it now could be a race to look into with regards to ante-post betting. They are currently 14/1 the field and with less than a fortnight to go, now could be the time to strike. Last year you had to be rated 95 to make the cut and the year before 93. I'm going to concentrate on those rated 95 and above for my ante-post selection(s). I know it's not a losing bet if they miss the cut but it just saves time when studying. I really thought Genki would win a big sprint this year but although he has run two fair races this season I was disappointed with him LTO. I'm not a fan of his trainer, never have been. Even less so in sprints, Roger Charlton failed to have an older horse sprint winner at all last season. Intrepid Jack has always been highly regarded and took the eye on his reppearance this season. I don't think it was Ryan Moore's finest ride this season when he come from last under a hand ride to finish a close 2nd at Haydock. He was beaten only a neck last season when seperating two horses that went on to hold their own in Group company (Dark Missile/Balthazaar's Gift). Well handicapped on this, running off a 5lb higher mark and seems flexible with regards to the ground, although ideally wouldn't want it easy - Morrison blamed the G/S for his narrow defeat last season. 1 win in last 19 starts, and twice as many 2nd's than 1st's is the main worry. Machinist is another well handicapped horse who will get his head in front very soon. Only 5lb higher than when winning easily at the Curragh last season and ran above that mark to run Reverance close four runs ago. Ran well NTO when given no chance with the draw at York and was 2nd of the low numbers behind stablemate Masta Plasta on his penultimate start. Was well fancied last Saturday at Epsom but lost ALL chance at the start. Stable ran Lafi in that race before taking this in 2004. Intrepid Jack 50% of stake 14/1 gen Machinist 40% of stake 25/1 coral Genki 10% of stake 16/1 gen I will probably play again on the day. Those on my shortlist that may not make it; Hinton Admiral Border Music Cape Valery Borzov Express Wish Gift Horse

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) 4.30 Redcar (Class 3) Zero Tolerance ran his best race for some time LTO, and due to his previous poor runs he has dropped to his lowest mark for five years. Will probably find a race off this sort of mark but one or two of his opponents could be a little warm for him. Ansells Pride is a horse I've selected on every start this year and so far he has rewarded my loyalty winning twice from four starts. He was a mile behind Zero Tolerance in the race mentioned above but his run can be ignored as he was badly hampered at the start and lost all chance. I think there is still more races in Ansells Pride and should go close again if he is allowed the lead. Gold Sovereign was impressive when winning on his debut at Lingfield in September. He was over 2l clear of Axiom who was well clear of the remainder. Axiom won his maiden and bolted up FTO this year off a mark of 80. He started fav on his 2nd start, a 10f handicap at Newmarket. He ran a fine race to finish 3rd (useful Eradicate and First Buddy behind). I think the race may've come a little quick, his rivals were much more experienced and apparently he didn't handle the dip too well. I backed him I can remember thinking inexperience beat him. The RP suggest that his mark is a little harsh, I'm not so sure I think the mark is fair and coupled with the fact that he has improvement in him, he should make his presence felt this season. I spoke last week about Godolphin's year on year improvement in handicaps and already this year they are 75% (3/4), with the loser given a shocking ride. Over the moon that McEvoy isn't aboard and is without doubt the one in the line up that has the ability to be above this class. I've taken over and around 2/1 about him already, but he is still a backable price. Gold Sovereign 70% of stake 2.84 betfair Ansells Pride 20% of stake 8 betfair Zero Tolerance 10% of stake 6.6 betfair Casts: Gold Sovereign/Ansells Pride/Zero Tolerance £16.50 F/C Comb £16.50 T/C Comb 7.45 Chester (Class 3) Majauro has careers S/R's of 22% (wins) and 44% (places). However if you look at runs over 7f (bar racecourse debut) his S/R rises to 38% (wins) and 63%. He has never been out of the first five in those 7f runs. Starts the season on a fair mark and could be interesting this year for new connections. Poor draw here though. Captain Jacksparra should act around here and looks to be coming back to form. May struggle to confirm placings with Phluke though. The track would also suit Heywood who despite running here off a 6lb penalty is still fairly handicapped on runs here last season. I fully expected Phluke to win LTO but wasn't happy with the ride he got from Hayley Turner. Still well handicapped on last season's form and 7f on fast ground around here is ideal. The Kiddykid has yet to run a bad race around here but hasn't been blessed with the draw. Overrule would have a chance on the book if 7f is his trip. Had been compaigned over 10f in the past and 7f around here could be on the sharp side - hard to be sure as we know very little about him. Hazzard County's form tailed off late last season but has shown close to his best form on his two starts so far this term - not the only horse of Simcock's we can say that about this year. Well handicapped on those runs and on those before August last season. Looks sure to go close if getting the breaks. SELECTIONS TBA

[billy the punter]

Re: The Upper Classes (a BTP specialisation thread) Hazzard County 40% of stake 4/1 VC/Coral Phluke 20% of stake 10.5 betfair Heywood 15% of stake 7.6 betfair The Kiddykid 10% of stake 27 betfair Overrule 10% of stake 19 betfair Majauro 5% of stake 60 betfair Casts: Above six £2.35 F/C Comb (30 bets) 80p T/C Comb (120 bets) Hazzard County/Phluke/Heywood £5 F/C Comb