Off The Cold List

After a number of days of frustration when my selections have been running well without winning Red Not Blue finally managed to deliver a winning selection, although it took Tony McCoy to be at his strongest to drive him out to fend of his two market rivals. One meeting tomorrow  at Newton Abbot and there is one selection in the Conditional Jockey’s handicap hurdle.

P&L for 2012 -7.92

Newton Abbot  6.00 Quaddick Lake  1PT WIN @ 5/1 PP(2nd 2/1F)

Quaddick Lake makes a quick reappearance in this conditional Jockey’s handicap hurdle after a very strange ride last Thursday when he appeared to be held up too far off the pace and made an enormous amount of ground up from the home turn to only be beaten just over  three lengths, without the jockey ever picking up his whip. Provided the race doesn’t come too soon for Quaddick Lake and  Matt Griffiths( in my opinion one of the most improved conditionals this year)  is able to lay up with the pace then a reproduction of his run at Fontwell on Thursday should see him go very close. Heavily backed, given every chance going on home turn, caught at the last,  no excuses just a difficult horse to win with.

Significant Jockey Booking

Four bets since the blog returned and its proving to be a frustrating time once again with three seconds and a third. Yesterday Alfraasey was a little disappointing as I thought with the weight allowance he wouldn’t be swept aside as easy as he was by He’s Our Lad, who is clearly on the upgrade. On to today and two meetings at Perth and Worcester and there is one selection at Worcester.

P&L for 2012 -9.42

Worcester 4.50 Red Not Blue   1PT WIN @ 6/4 PP (1st 6/4F)

The booking of Tony McCoy for Red Not Blue looks significant and assuming his fall last time has not dented his confidence he looks a horse with the class to defy his penalty in a field of generally disappointing rivals.  A winner of five handicap hurdles Red Not Blue made a winning chase debut back in June at Hereford jumping really well, before falling at the second last on his next run at Southwell, when upside a good yardstick and eventual winner Shoegazer. The slight drop back in trip today is a plus as all his best form is at distances short of three miles. Jumped ok, led from 6 out but had to be driven out after last to make sure,

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.

One For This Evening

Two meetings today at  Perth and an evening meeting at  Market Rasen and there is one selection in the novice chase this evening

P&L for 2012 -7.42 

Market Rasen 6.40 Aneyeforaneye   1PT WIN @ 9/4 B365 (2nd 11/4)

Aneyeforaneye is a fairly useful mare in her grade and showed an improved level of form when winning on her novice chasing debut at Uttoxeter recently beating good yardstick in the 128+ rated Geneva Geyser. Having watched the race back again a couple of times she actual won by a very easy neck with the jockey only resorting to the whip once on the run in.  If she turns up in the same vain of form this evening I think she should be able to defy her 6lb penalty.
Failed by a length to peg back heavily gambled on favourite after being hampered when race turned into a sprint from 3 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.

No Further Bets Until 16th August

Due to a break in the National Hunt season there will be no further bets until 16th August, when racing commences again.

Selection Now Non Runner

One meeting today at Market Rasen and Louis Ludwig the horse I was planning to select is now a non runner, so there is no bet.

P&L for 2012 -6.42