Cresswell Crusader was a very well backed winner yesterday, although the last furlong was a long one as he appeared to idle in front and at one stage looked as though he may be caught. Still a welcome winner and nice to see a plan well executed for the Anthony Honeyball Racing Club. A very competitive days racing today with three meetings at Kelso, Sandown and Wincanton and it is another Saturday for watching for me as I have no strong opinions.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +11.97

The market spoke volumes for my selection Alfie Flits yesterday. Having opened at 5/1 on course he drifted out to 9/1 a clear indication that something wasn’t right and then Racing UK confirmed that he looked very much in need of the run and ran accordingly and finished last. Looking back at my records very  few of the selections I recommend drift to a bigger price than I recommend and when they do they run like yesterday, therefore if this happens in future an option may be to consider laying the horse on Betfair to recover your stake. Two meetings today at Hexham and Fontwell and I have one selection at the later meeting.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +8.97

Fontwell 2.10 1PT WIN Cresswell Crusaders @3/1Various 1st (6/4F)

Cresswell Crusader is the winner of a bumper and a horse that should have already won a novice hurdle, but for a very rare poor ride by his jockey Rachael Green at Lingfield in February. Lack of a win last season  means he starts the season on a very attractive handicap mark. Trainer Anthony Honeyball is a trainer to watch this National Hunt season and is in really good form at the moment and this horse represents the first runner for the Anthony Honeyball Racing Club, so is likely to be spot on for this event. Since starting to draft the Blog the 10/3 has already disappeared and I expect  it to shortern up further during the day. All out in the end but a welcome winner

There are two meetings tomorrow at Musselburgh and Towcester. Not the highest quality cards but there is one horse which stood out when I had a quick glance at the cards earlier this evening and I notice it has been backed with a number of firms.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +9.97

Musselburgh  1.00 1/2PT E/W Alfie Flits @7/1 Boylesports Unplcd (9/1)

When I had a quick glance at this race I thought Alfie Flits at somewhere near his best would be a class above these and my initial thoughts seem to be vindicated as he has already been backed with one or two firms already. A formally useful novice hurdler he spent last season novice chasing and never really looked a natural, but if we go back to his hurdle form of two seasons ago he was competitive in class 2 hurdles off a stone more than his rating tomorrow. The Alan Swinbank stable are in reasonable form and at the price available I am prepared to support my initial thoughts. (Alarming drift from 5/1 to 9/1 and then Racing UK confirmed the horse looked in need of the run and ran accordingly)

A poor round of jumping by Ghizao yesterday meaning he was never really in contention after his first mistake at the second fence.There are two meetings today at Chepstow and Warwick and having analysed the cards there is no bet.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +9.97

Beyond after being heavily backed yesterday morning drifted on course to the price I advised and ran ok though was clearly no match for the Paul Nicholls trained King of the Night who was heavily supported on course and given a majestic ride by Ruby Walsh won very easily despite carrying top weight. Today there is a high quality card at Exeter where there is one selection in the big race.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +10.97

Exeter 2.50 1PT WIN Ghizao @11/4 William Hill 4th (9/4)

Given the current form of the Paul Nicholls yard and the receipt of 5lbs for Captain Chris I strongly fancy Ghizao to come out on top of this battle. Last season the selection beat Captain Chris twice and at Newbury gave him 10lbs. Sometimes making the odd mistake at critical stages of races Paul Nicholls mention at his open day that the horse would be  given plenty of schooling and this would be his target before going for the Tingle Creek. Very poor round of jumping

A very enjoyable days racing at Carlisle today and a 2.13PT profit for the blog.  Koup De Kanon was heavily backed from early last evening and didn’t come off the bridle, winning like a heavily backed favourite should. Although I managed to get some 3/1 last night for blog purposes I’ll settle it a 5/2 which was available when I posted. Next up was Captain Americo who was backed from 9/1 to 6/1 and starting out on the 2^nd circuit he was travelling and jumping well but made a mistake at 2^nd down the hill and was struggling from that point. He plugged on to take 4^th and get the each way money and looks like a step up in trip beyond 3 miles would suit as he looks an out and out stayer. Finally Hidden Keel was backed from 6/5 to 8/13F and proved to be a major disappointment. The disappointment of the performance could be seen in the body language of trainer Charlie Longsdon after the race who clearly expected the horse to win. He didn’t jumped well enough and couldn’t give the weight to Mr Moonshine who was very impressive. Two meets tomorrow at Plumpton and Kempton and there is one selection at Kempton.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +11.97

Kempton 2.40 Beyond 1PT WIN 11/4 @Paddy Power 3rd (11/4F)

Beyond currently has a 50% win to run ratio under both codes and was a horse Tom Scudamore said he was looking forward to riding tomorrow after his win on Notus De La Tour at Carlisle today. Formally trained by Evan Williams Beyond  is now in the care of Martin Pipe and won on the flat during the summer before being sent off 2^nd favourite for the Cesarewitch where he finished  8^th. Assuming his improvement on the flat is transferred to hurdles then his mark of 121 could be very generous. He has already been backed this evening and I expect him to shorten further in the morning.