Chilly Saturday

Thursday’s selection Jennys Gold was a big drifter during the day from 9/1 to 16/1 and I didn’t hold much hope she would win before the start, but she actually race an ok race once again travelling well into contention on the 2^nd circuit before being outpaced from the home turn. I’m convinced there is a race in her off this mark and if there is a booking of a professional jockey next time I’d certainly be interested in backing her again. Still no winner in 2012 and the losing run is now up to 12, but I am convinced the winners will flow again soon. Two meetings remain today at Warwick and Kempton although Kempton faces a third inspection at 11.00 and Warwick has not warmed up a quickly as expected. If racing goes ahead there are two selections one at each meeting and both trained by Nick Williams.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +16.42 2012= -4.0

Warwick 1.25 Alfie Spinner 1PT WIN @7/2Various 2nd (10/3)

Back on the 27^th December I put up Maringo Bay a horse I rate highly in a novice chase at Chepstow as that day I thought he only had the favourite Alfie Spinner to beat and going into the race I thought he had a better chance than the favourite. As the race panned out Alfie Spinner made all and looked a sitting target all the way up the home straight for Maringo Bay to come past but having jumped upside at the last Alfie Spinner was able to pull out more and won going away in the style of a good horse. Today we will see how good the form is as Alfie Spinner runs in this competitive novice chase. With the five fences coming up quickly down the back straight I expect Alfie Spinner to use his fast accurate jumping to his advantage and put his rivals under pressure on the final circuit. Could never get to the front and was beaten by a better horse who was unproven over the trip and up to date all his best form was the opposite way around :-(. 

Kempton 2.50 Swincombe Flame 1/2PT E/W @13/2 Sporting Bet 1st (9/2F)

Swincombe Flame is a mare I have had on my radar all season and was successful in opposing her on her seasonal debut at Exeter when I selected Dream Ahead.Since then, her only defeat, she has won her next two novice hurdles comfortably and makes her handicap debut here off a very attractive mark of 123. This is an extremely competitive event but if she is going to progress onto the better class mares events later in the season then she must  go very close in this race. After 13 consecutive losers I finally manage to find a winner again with Swincombe Flame battling really well after the last to get up on the line.

Winners To Flow Again?

No selection for the past few days as racing hasn’t been too great and I’ve been paper selecting in various races to prove I can still pick winners. Yesterday was good for the confidence with 5 selections and 4 winners (7/2, 7/4, 5/1 and 8/1) but not for the pocket as there was no money on them. Saturday’s selection Prospect Wells was typical of the current run – well backed and running poorly. On to today with two meeting as Catterick and Fontwell with one selection coming at Fontwell.

P&L at advised prices since 24/8 +17.42 2012= -3.0

Fontwell 3.05 Jenny’s Gold 1/2PT E/W @9/1 William Hill 4th (16/1)

Jenny’s Gold caught my eye a few weeks ago at Plumpton when being backed throughout the day for a 3 mile plus handicap hurdle.  Having backed the horse a couple of years ago when she won a bumper at Towcester I took more of an interest in her run and feel this drop back in trip today will see her go very close. During the Plumpton race she was held up at the back for the first mile and then jockey made a strange mid race move rapidly moving her from last to the leading group. Before three out she was travelling strongly and I was wishing I had been on, but from three out she faded eventually finishing 6^th. My view was she didn’t stay the extended 3 mile trip and the mid race exertions wouldn’t have helped. Today she runs off a 2lb lower mark over half a mile less and if ridden with restraint should go very close. She was available at 12/1 with VC last night but unfortunately they’ve closed my account so I couldn’t get on.Considering drift in the market was never going to win and never looked like getting placed from the home turn and plugged on the gain 4th after the last. Disappointing effort, although I still think there is a race in her.