Nothing Today

One meeting at Cartmel today but having reviewed the card there is nothing of interest. With no National Hunt racing tomorrow the blog will next be updated on Monday.

Time To Reflect

With his two market rivals being non runners  Zaplamation won very easily yesterday.

A day off and time to reflect today as there are only 4 jump races in a mixed meeting at Ffos Las and I don’t have a selection.

Since the Blog returned at the beginning of August I have had 7 bets 2 winners, 4 seconds and a third, but despite showing good form with my selections  I am showing a loss of 2.40pts. Looking back I would not have changed any of my selections, but probably have gone each-way the both times I selected Quaddick Lake, as he was running in large fairly competitive handicaps.

P&L for 2012 -7.82 

Total Frustration

Yesterday was a very frustrating day. Turning for home I was counting my winning as Quaddick Lake went into the lead travelling well and having been backed from 5/1 into 2/1 fav looked like he would easily land the gamble. Then another glance at the screen and I saw No Woman No  Cry staying on really well and I knew my fate half way before the last – another bl**dy second!!!!!

There are two meetings today at Ffos Las and Cartmel and the selection runs in the seller at the later track.

P&L for 2012 -8.92

Cartmel 5.20 Zaplamation  1PT WIN @ 2/1 B365(1st EvsF)

Zaplamation comes into this race in good form from the flat. Looking at the conditions of the race and his previous hurdles form he has an outstanding chance of taking this seller. Regular jockey Dougie Costello makes the journey to partner Zapmalation and it is his only ride at the meeting.
With his two market rivals being non runners this was a very easy win for Zaplamation and interestingly he was bought back in by the stable so there could be another opportunity in the coming weeks. With the R4 the bet was settled at 11/10 so only 1.1 profit on the day.

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.