Doesn't Time Fly

After a years hiatus the blog will return tomorrow. 2013 hasn't been a bad year from a punting perspective, but could have been better and therefore I am planning to add further discipline into my punting by blogging again with either the selections I will be backing or laying and a brief reason why.

Belated Happy 2013 - One To Watch

Decided to give racing a miss yesterday and go to watch my local team Wigan play Manchester Utd. To say play would be an understatement as they were totally outclassed and being a neutral I could really appreciate the skill and class that some of the Utd players possess and why in the case of Robin van Persie £24m looks money well spent. 
Yesterday on the racing front there was nothing strong enough for a bet. Today there is one meeting at Ayr and one horse of of interest but not an official bet as I believe the favourite will be difficult to beat.

Ayr 12.50 Our Joey (Backed in from 5/1 early in the morning to 6/4F and ran out at 2nd last when probably beat. One to keep on the side of when stepped up in trip)

Dual bumper winner who should have won on his novice hurdle debut when falling at second last. Outclassed at Cheltenham last time but didn't run as bad as finishing position would suggest. Trip may be a bit short today but can put jumping experience to good use, although I believe the favourite Halo Moon will be difficult to beat after turning over a well regarded sort from the Pipe stable on his debut. 

2012 Post Year Review

A review for 2012 will be posted later in the week but my initial thought are that I should have done better and will aim to put this right in 2013.

Two For Today

Little time for a full write up today but two selections.

Newbury 12.20 Arbeo 1/2PT E/W @9/2 various(1ST 4/1JF made all. A welcome winner for the blog)

Newbury 2.10 Maringo Bay 1/2PT E/W@8/1 various(NR but interesting if takes up engagement at Haydock tomorrow)

P&L for 2012 -13.56

Quiet Boxing Day

Plenty of meetings today but with the ground riding heavy at almost all meetings and the markets looking tight for the horses I was interested in there is no selection today.

P&L for 2012 -13.56

Make or Break Day

Kent Street was a poor selection yesterday as after a mistake at the first he jumped with no fluency and it was only a matter of time before he fell or unseated, which he did at half way. I still think there is ability there and he may pop in at a big price over hurdles later in the season. Two meetings today at Newbury and Ludlow.

Ludlow 1.40 Moonlight Drive 1PT WIN @4/1 various. (PU 7/2JF Poor effort but I found the reason on the BHA website." The representative of Jonjo O’Neill, the trainer of MOONLIGHT DRIVE (IRE), which was pulled up, reported that the gelding was unsuited by the soft ground"). So one to keep a lookout for in the spring on better ground.

I believe Moonlight Drive is a much better horse than his current rating of 125 and the move from John Quinn to Jonjo O'Neill looks interesting. The horse clearly has significant potential being a point winner and on the form of his initial novice hurdle win, when he beat Trustan Times at Wetherby. Last season was a bit of a waste after a promising novice chase debut when partnered by AP Mcoy when usual jockey Dougie Costello was suspended, he reverted back to hurdles and was disappointing. This is a fairly competitive handicap chase and I think it is make or break day for Moonlight Drive to starting fulfilling the potential he undoubtedly has, by taking this before moving on to better things.

P&L for 2012 -12.56

Lets Try Again

Apologies for the lack of recent updates but dealing with a recent loss of my mother has had to take priority over updating the blog. 

Two meetings today at Catterick and probably the final ever meeting at Folkestone and there is one selection at Catterick 

Catterick 1.40 Kent Street 1/2PT E/W@13/2 various.(UR at half way. Did not jump with any confidence - one to avoid in the future)

Kent Street was the last selection posted on the blog and having been well back managed to unseat his rider at the 1st. He had been on my radar as a handicap chase project since the start of the season and after two encouraging runs at Carlisle I believed he had a really good chance last time. Today is a much more competitive race but provided his jumping holds up and I am taking this into consideration in the current price,  I believe he has a great E/W chance based on his earlier runs. 

P&L for 2012 -11.56