Interesting Novice Chase at Stratford

The two bets last week provided a 3^rd and a 2^nd and in both cases I felt the way the races were run didn’t suit my selections and I am certainly not going to write either selection off just yet and they will certainly be considered for their next runs.

One meeting today at Stratford and there is one selection in the novice chase.

P&L for 2012 -8.42

Stratford 2.20 Alfraamsey   1PT WIN @ 15/8 PP (2nd 15/8)

Alfraamsey was an above average early season juvenile hurdler last season winning three races and is clearly in good heart at the moment, having won recently on the flat. Today he switches to novice chasing and being a four year old receives a useful weight for age allowance from his market rival He’s Our Lad. Trainer Sheena West has a good record at Stratford and this looks a nice introductory race for the selection to open his account over fences. Jumped well but was easily held by an improving sort from two out.

National Hunt Racing Returns

National Hunt racing returns tomorrow with two evening  meetings at Fontwell and Stratford. There is little that appeals on the Stratford card however there is one selection at Fontwell.

P&L for 2012 -6.42

Fontwell  7.00 Quaddick Lake  1PT WIN @ 5/1 B365  (3rd 7/2F) 

Quaddick Lake returned to action at Worcester about a month ago after a period point to pointing and won very comfortably. He is up 10lbs tomorrow, but is clearly in good heart and has shown a higher level of ability than this when trained by the Pipe team. The Jeremy Scott team were in good form before the break and I can see Quaddick Lake defying his penalty.
Given a very strange ride by Nick Scholfield as never appeared to be put in the race at any stage but stayed on really well up the home straight to finish a never dangerous 3rd beaten only just over 3 lengths.

Nothing Again Today

One meeting today at Stratford. With short priced favourites in the non handicaps and competitive handicaps on which I have no strong opinions there is no bet.

P&L for 2012 -5.42 

Bit Better Racing Today

Saturday 24^th March

Apologies for last Saturday’s selection who I was extremely bullish about, but Maringo Bay ran no sort of race at all and I am not aware of a reason for his poor performance.  I still believe there is a big handicap to be won by the horse but I think it will be next season now. The racing has been dire this week and nothing has interested me and until today where I will be backing one horse who has appeared on the blog before.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 = +15.52 2012 = -3.86

Stratford 2.00 Loose Chips 1PT WIN 3/1 @Bet 365

Loose Chip was a winning selection earlier in the season at Towcester and was disappointing just over a month ago at Ffos Las, when after travelling well behind the leaders turning in he stopped very quickly down the home straight as was almost pulled up. At the time it looked to me that something was amiss and it transpired that there was coughing in the Charlie Longsdon yard at the time. Assuming the horse has now recovered I feel this race is a good opportunity for him to get back to winning ways given the way he won a Towcester and that fact the trainer was aiming him for a big race at Sandown prior to his last run. 

Today’s section Dammam was heavily backed from 10/1 yesterday evening all the way down to 11/4F. Unfortunately my worry about the track not being stiff enough proved to be correct and he was struggling with over a circuit to go and stayed on in similar fashion to his last run at Stratford almost catching the leaders going to the last, before weakening but easily retaining 3^rd place for a small 0.2PT profit on the day. Fairly average meeting tomorrow with two cards at Fontwell and Stratford with one selection coming at Stratford.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +11.84

Stratford 1PT WIN Shuil Royale@13/8 Bet365

Shuil Royale is a progressive dual bumper winner who caught my eye last season when winning over hurdles on his second attempt at Kempton in March. Still classified as a novice until the end of October he takes the opportunity to run in this novice hurdle and on paper looks a class above the opposition. In addition Daryl Jacob who won three times on the horse last season nominated him as one of his “10 to follow” on the Wincanton races website last week. Although the stable is not in good form I doubt the 13/8 will be available in the morning.