Hi all,
Hardly a great return on Tuesday. But we quickly on in this game as you are only as good or bad as your last day and it’s the start of a new month.
Ascot
4:25 – Wadilsafa – 7/2 @ Bet365 or 10/3- Gen – Barney Roy returns from a failed stud career but he’s the back class to win this race comfortably. But you can’t tell how much of his old ability remains. The safer option looks to be the selection. The 4-year-old has only had the five career starts but improved with each of his starts last season. Ending with a decisive win in a Salisbury listed race back in September. The colt has won three of his 5 starts, two of them on good to firm and he’s also 3 wins from 3 wins over a mile. Once first time up last season and with his trainer having his horses in winning form he shouldn’t lack for fitness.
5:35 – Merchant Of Venice – 5/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power – The 4-year-old only made his racecourse debut back in November but he made up for lost time on the all-weather over the winter. Unplaced on his first start over 6f the step up to a mile brought out a whole chunk of improvement in the selection as he went onto win his next three starts over the distance at Kempton & Newcastle. Arguably was unlucky not to make it four wins on the trot when finishing a length 3th of 14 from a wide draw, back at Kempton 19-days ago. First run on turf today but if he can transfer his excellent synthetics form to the grass has a decent chance of going in again
Pontefract
4:45 – Highly Sprung – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – The selection wasn’t disgraced when 3rd of 9 over an inadequate 5f here 16 days ago. The return to 6f is very much in his favour. He’s also well suited to good to firm going – 7 wins from 21 11 placed but 0 wins from 31 runs 7 placed on all other surfaces. The 6-year-old is also 3 wins from 8 runs over C&D. Ticking the all-important boxes marked course, distance & going. With a record on good to firm, over 6f and in field sizes 8 or less being 6 wins from 10 runs +15.96 8 placed 80% and racing off a 5lb lower mark than his last win. You can see why I’m very sweet on his chances today. At the 3/1 available I will definitely be a player rather than a watcher.
Cheers
John