Saturday 15th October

Disappointingly Damman was a non runner yesterday as I was looking forward to seeing how he would have got on. I had a pleasurable day a Cheltenham yesterday meeting in person Dave Arthur who writes Dreams and Disasters - An Owners Blog. Two meetings today at Cheltenham and Kempton and a selection at each meeting.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +9.81

Kelso  2.10 1PT WIN Vosges@13/2

Last season Vosges caught my eye on a number of occasions with his front running tactics and fast accurate jumping. When I saw him at Haydock on February I was impressed by his size and scope and looked an embryonic chaser. Still only 4 he makes his novice chase debut today in a fairly competitive handicap, but having read an excellent James Ewart stable visit report on Ben Aitkens http://www.narrowing-the-field.co.uk website the stable seen very confident this horse could be something special. Based on this information and the price currently on offer it is well worth a punt.

Cheltenham 4.25  1/2PT E/W Secret Tune @8/1

A first glance at the declarations yesterday the jockey booking of AP McCoy for the Shaun Lycett trained Secret Tune stood out as the horse had caught my eye running well twice on the flat in recent weeks.  Formally trained by Tom George Secret Tune has slipped down to a very attractive mark and ran particularly well in this race last year, leading at the last before tiring up the hill. The horse has been well backed overnight having opened at 14/1 so a big run expected.

Friday 14th October

No bet yesterday and given the results I’m glad I took the day off.  I’m off to Cheltenham today for the two day Open fixture, but I have to say the card tomorrow is pretty disappointing due to the good to firm ground. Having been through the card I have found one selection.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +9.81

Cheltenham 5.05  1/2PT E/W Damman@12/1 with Boylesports

I don’t usually play in Amateur riders handicap chases but today I’m going make an exception and take a chance with Damman at the price available, who I saw running at Stratford in the novice hunter chase final in May. Having won his previous hunter chase at Cheltenham he was well backed that night but the tight Stratford track clearly didn’t suit him and was under pressure and struggling with over a circuit to go. To his credit he battled really well and ending up running on again to take third. The return to a more galloping track like Cheltenham, the fact he has form on quick ground together with the desire for his trainer Fergal O’Brien (having spent the past 19 years as Head Lad at the hugely successful Nigel Twiston-Davies yard) to make an impact with his first runners at his local track all add up to me expecting a big run. 

Thursday 13th October

Another day another winner yesterday with Persian Gates winning very easily, but having taken 7/1 the evening before I was hit with a hefty 25p deduction so only a 2.81pt profit on the day. Still better than a 1pt loss. Things are going well at the moment with the last three selections winning, but one of the reason for doing the blog is to add further discipline to my betting and to stop me looking for winners. There are two meetings today at Wincanton and Uttoxeter and today is a typical day were in the past I would go searching for winners and probably end up losing on the day because nothing stands out as a strong bet, instead of waiting until the next opportunity comes along. After all there will be plenty of selections to back or lay between tomorrow and the end of April. I'm off to Cheltenham tomorrow for the two day Open fixture so should be able to find a few selections over the coming days.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +9.81

Wednesday 12th October

Excellent result today with Ostland jumping his rivals into submission and winning by no less than 48 lengths for the bang in form Charlie Longsdon yard.  As I mentioned in my write up I didn’t think the handicapper had caught up with him and it was nice to be proved right, but I’m sure the handicapper will now get his revenge so I doubt I’ll be backing Ostland again in the near future. On to today and one meeting at Wetherby and there is one selection.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +7.10

Wetherby 3.55 1/2PT E/W Persian Gates@7/1 -Winner 9/2

Chris Bealby has got his string in good form at the moment and I was very impressed with the way Persian Gates won at Market Rasen just over a fornight ago. What was particularly impressive was his fast accurate jumping and the handicapper has responded by putting him up 10lbs.I actually thought he would get a few lbs more. This is a much more competitive event than at Market Rasen but the manner in which he won, coming from a stable in form and the fact he has fitness on his side are all positives that have made me consider an each-way bet at the price on offer. In addition the trainer tweeted last night “Education day at Huntingdon today, hoping to trouble the judge a bit more tomorrow at Wetherby, 3 runners all with a squeak”  Always travelling well off the pace, went on 3 out. Very comfortable winner with fitness and current stable form a huge advantage 

Tuesday 11th October

One meeting today at Huntingdon and one selection

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +2.60

Huntingdon 3.50 Ostland 1PT WIN @9/2 - Winner at 4/1

At this price I am prepared to give Ostland one more chance that the handicapper hasn’t quite caught up with him, given the make up of the race and the exceptional form of the Charlie Longsdon stable (3 winners and 4 seconds from 7 runner last week). Having been heavily backed for his last run the ultra competitive 22F listed chase at Market Rasen he travelled and jumped well until 4 when he became outpaced. Despite top weight today this is much less competitive and the step up to 3 miles again on a flat track will help and I expect a bold showing. As expected was a class above these and made all, put the others jumping under pressure, although did make an odd mistake himself but absolutely hacked up by 48 lengths. 

Sunday 9th October

Small profit on day yesterday with a fantastic debut over fences from Cue Card who gave exceptional round of fast accurate jumping and as advised had a fitness advantage over his main rival Silviniaco Conti . My other selection Quite The Man was very disappointing having sweated up before the Dougie Costello never looked happy at any stage of the race. One meeting at Ffos Las and having gone through the card there were a couple of lays I was considering but having looked at the prices on Betfair they are outside my price range.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +2.60