Suggested wagers for Saturday, December 14th (week 52)
1 point win Robin Des Foret 1.55 Cheltenham – 3rd SP 16-1
1 point win Saint Xavier 2.30 Cheltenham – unplaced SP 20-1
1 point each-way Dame De Compagnie 3.40 Cheltenham -won SP 2-1
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £33.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, December 7th (week 51)
1 point win Shantung 12.5o Sandown – lost
1 point win Eur Gone West 1.20pm Sandown – lost
0.5 points each-way Dolos 3.00pm Sandown – lost
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £33.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, November 30th (week 50)
1 point win Highway One O One 1.15pm Newbury – lost
1 point win Mister Malarky 3.00pm Newbury – lost
1 point win No Comment 3.40pm Newbury – lost
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £36.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, November 23rd (week 49)
1 point win Highland Hunter 2.25pm Haydock – lost
0.5 points each-way Caid Du Lin 3.20pm Ascot – lost
1 point win Thais Toir 3.50pm Ascot – lost
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £39.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, November 16th (week 48)
1 point win Happygolucky 12.05pm Cheltenham – 3rd SP 10-1
1 point win Potters Legend 1.50pm Cheltenham – 3rd SP 7-1
0.5 points each-way Highway One O One 2.25pm Cheltenham – unseated rider 6th SP 16-1
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £42.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, November 9th (week 47)
1 point win Saintemilion 1.15pm Wincanton – unseated rider SP 9-2
1 point win Organdi 1.50pm Wincanton – non-runner
0.5 points each-way Walk In The Mill 3.35pm Wincanton – pulled up SP 20-1
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £45.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, November 2nd (week 46)
1 point win Hatcher 2.10pm Ascot – 5th SP 12-1
1 point win Red Force One 2.45pm Ascot – 2nd SP 8-1
1 point win Roseman 3.45pm Newmarket – won SP 4-1
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £47.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, October 26th (week 45)
1 point win Onefortheroadtom 2.00pm Cheltenham – 4th SP 8-1
0.5 points each-way Havingagoodtime 1.35pm Cheltenham – 4th SP 20-1
0.5 points each-way Effernock Fizz 1.35pm Cheltenham – SP 6th 40-1
1 point win Pym 4.55pm Cheltenham – non-runner
Total stakes 4 points
The bank now stands at £45.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, October 19th (week 44)
1 point win Sands Of Mali 1.35 Ascot – unplaced SP 12-1
0.5 points each-way Mabs Cross 1.35 Ascot -9th SP 28-1
1 point win Antonia De Vega 2.45pm Ascot – 6th SP 8-1
1 point win Magna Grecia 3.20pm Ascot – unplaced SP 13-2
Total stakes 4 points
The bank now stands at £48.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, October 12th (week 43)
1 point win Military March 2.55 Newmarket – won SP 4-1
1 point win Ranch Hand 4.10pm Newmarket – unplaced SP 11-2
1 point win Feliciana De Vega 5.20pm Newmarket won SP 4-1
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £52.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, October 5th (week 42)
0.5 points each-way Silver Line 3.10pm Ascot – unplaced SP 25-1
0.5 points each-way Thrilla In Manilla 3.40pm Ascot – Unplaced 33-1
1 point win Kinross 4.00pm Newmarket won SP 3-1
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £45.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, September 28th (week 41)
1 point win Etoile 2.25 Newmarket – 8th SP 8-1
1 point win Threat 3.00 Newmarket – 5th SP 8-1
1 point win Lord North 3.40 Newmarket – won SP 9-2
Total stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £44.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, September 21st (week 40)
0.5 point win Glenamoy Lad 2.40 Ayr – unplaced SP 18-1
0.5 point win Show Stealer 2.40 Ayr – 4th SP 12-1
1 point win Major Jumbo 3.50 Ayr – unplaced SP 16-1
0.5 point win Barbill 3.50 Ayr – unplaced SP25-1
0.5 points each-way Freerolling 3.30 Newbury unplaced SP 50-1
Total Stakes 3.5 points
The bank now stands at £42.10p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, September 14th (week 39)
0.5 point win Konchek 1.50 Doncaster – unplaced SP 25-1
0.5 point win Show Stealer 1.50 Doncaster – 3rd SP 40-1
1 point win Royal Dornoch 3.00 Doncaster – 5th SP 20-1
1 point win Il Paradiso 3.35 Doncaster – 5th SP 8-1
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £45.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, September 7th (week 38)
1 point win Calculation 1.50pm Haydock – unplaced SP 7-1
1 point win Waldpfad 4.10pm Haydock – 3rd SP 9-1
1 point win This Girl 5.2o Haydock – 6th SP 15-2
Total Stakes 3 points
The bank now stands at £48.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, August 31st (week 37)
1 point win Migration 2.25pm Sandown – 2nd SP 9-4
1 point win Eshaasy 3.35pm Sandown – unplaced
1 point win Forbidden Land 4.1o Sandown – 2nd 5-1
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £51.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, August 24th (week 36)
1 point win Almania 2.25pm York – 6th SP 8-1
1 point win Shine So Bright 3.00pm York – won SP 6-1
0.5 points each-way True Self 2.45 York – 6th SP 14-1
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £54.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, August 17th (week 35)
1 point win Murray River 1.15pm Newbury – 4th SP 4-1
1 point win Sextant 2.25pm Newbury – 4th SP 4-1
0.5 points each-way Aim Power 2.45 Newmarket – 13th SP 14-1
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £50.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, August 10th (week 34)
0.5 points each-way Kuwait Currency 1.55pm Haydock – 5th SP 20-1
1 point win Boerhan 3.25pm Ascot – 8th SP 9-2
Total Stake 2 points
The bank now stands at £53.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, August 3rd (week 33)
0.5 points each-way What A Welcome 2.25pm Goodwood – 8th SP 20-1
1 point win Khaadem 3.40pm Goodwood – won SP 4-1
1 point win Gifts Of Gold 5.25pm Ascot – won SP 9-4
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £55.60p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, July 27th (week 32)
1 point win Land Of Legends 3.00pm Ascot – non-runner
0.5 points each-way Waldgeist 3.40pm Ascot – 3rd SP 12-1
1 point win Frankello 4.50pm Ascot – 4th SP 8-1
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £50.35p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, July 20th (week 31)
0.5 points each-way Litterale Ci 2.25pm Newbury – 9th SP 33-1
0.5 points each-way Waldpfad 3.00pm Newbury – won SP 33-1
1 point win Stagehand 2.55pm Ripon – 3rd SP 11-4
Total Stake 3 points
Profit on day £17.80 @ £1 per point
The bank now stands at £50.65p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, July 13th (week 30)
1 point win Solar Gold 3.30pm Newmarket – 2nd
1 point win Jazeel 3.50 York – unplaced
0.5 point each-way Aasheq 3.50 York – unplaced
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £32.85p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, July 6th (week 29)
1 point win Rumble Inthejungle 1.50pm Sandown – lost
1 point win Via Serendipity 2.25 Sandown – lost
0.5 point each-way Mustashry 3.35 Sandown – lost
Total Stake 3 points
The bank now stands at £35.85p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, June 29th (week 28)
1 point win Carnwennan 3.00pm Newcastle – won 7-2
0.5 points each-way Mootasadir 3.35pm Newcastle – lost
0.5 points each-way Rakan 5.20pm The Curragh – lost
Total stakes 3 points
Profit £1.50
The bank now stands at £38.85p (at SP & standard place terms)
- Saturday, June 22nd no Saturday preview bets suggested
Suggested wagers for Saturday, June 15th (week 27)
1 point win Breath Caught 1.50 York
1 point win Billy No Mates 1.50 York
1 point each-way Firelight 3.35 York
Total stakes 4 points
Results
Breath Caught non-runner
Billy No Mates SP 5-1
Firelight SP 25-1 12th
Debrief
Billy No Mates ran a decent race.
Firelight briefly threatened to get involved but soon dropped out of contention.
The bank now stands at £37.35p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, June 8th (week 26)
1 point win What A Welcome 2.45 Newmarket
1 point win Red Romance 4.30 Newmarket
1 point win Buzz 5.35 Newmarket
Results
What A Welcome SP 8-1 4th
Red Romance SP 9-1 7th
Buzz non-runner – unsuitable ground
Debrief
What A Welcome ran a decent race but handicapper looks to have his measure.
Red Romance disappointing effort for no obvious reason.
The bank now stands at £40.35p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, June 1st (week 25)
1 point win Nayef Road 2.00 Epsom
1 point win Duke Of Firenze 3.45 Epsom
3 points win Sir Dragonet 4.30 Epsom
0.5 points each-way Norway 4.30 Epsom
Total stakes 6 points
Results
Nayef Road SP 4-1 5th
Duke Of Firenze SP 8-1 7th
Sir Dragonet SP 11-4 5th
Norway SP 33-1 8th
Debrief
Nayef Road was well backed but, despite only being beaten six lengths, he never really threaten to get involved.
Duke Of Firenze Ran creditably to be just a length and three quarters behind the winner at the line after failing to enjoy a clear run.
Sir Dragonet was beaten less than a length. The ground may have been quicker than ideal and he was ridden far more prominently than at Chester. It was just his third start and he remains a very exciting colt.
Norway beaten a total of seven lengths after racing prominently and showing in front early in the straight. May not have suited by the tactics employs.
The bank now stands at £42.35p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, May 25th (week 24)
1 point win Di Fede 2.55 Chesters
0.5 points each-way Chynna 2.30 Goodwood
1 point win Alexana 3.05 York York
0.5 points each-way Barristan The Bold 2.50 Haydock
1 point win Spring Run 7.50 Salisbury
Total Stakes £5
Results
Di Fede SP 14-1 10th
Chynna SP 25-1 10th
Alexana SP 14-1 6th
Barritsan The Bold SP 10-1 5th (some bookmakers were paying on 5th for each-way bets)
Spring Run SP 11-1 5th
Debrief
Simply a weekend to forget results wise.
However, Barristan The Bold, Alexana and Spring Run all ran well enough to suggest they will soon recover losses.
Di Fede & Chynna were well below their best.
The bank now stands at £48.35p (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, May 18th (week 23)
1 point win Headman 3.00 Newbury
0.5 points each-way Dubai Instinct 3.00 Newbury
1 point win Sea Of Faith 4.50 Newbury
1 point win Thrave 5.25 Newbury
Total Stakes £4
Results
Headman SP 12-1 won
Dubai Instinct SP 25-1 14th
Sea Of Faith SP 5-2 5th
Thrave SP 4-1 2nd
Debrief
Headman Overcame a wide trip to defy topweight. Although he only scored by a short head, Headman has plenty of scope and should be capable of making his mark in Pattern-race company.
Dubai Instinct ran better than his finishing position suggests. He helped force the pace from his wide draw until tiring in the final 2f.
Sea Of Faith was settled in the rear after receiving a bump at the start. She came through to hold every chance approaching the final 2f but could only keep on at the one pace in the closing stages. This was a disappointing effort after such an eye-catching debut.
Thrave ran very well but found the tough veteran Breden a head too good in a driving finish.
The bank now stands at £53.35 (at SP & standard place terms)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, May 11th (week 22)
1 point win Kynren 4,00 Ascot
1 point win Devant 3.45 Lingfield
Results
Kynren SP 7-1 2nd
Devant SP 11-4 3rd
Debrief
Kynren ran a cracker and was beaten only a neck
Devant was a shade unlucky and failed to enjoy a clear run. However, the traffic problems probably didn’t cost her victory.
The bank now stands at £44.35
Suggested wager for Sunday, May 5th
0.5 points each-way Look Around 3.35 Newmarket
Suggested wagers for Saturday, May 4th (week 21)
1 point win Al Muffrih 1.50 Newmarket
1 point win Skardu 3.35 Newmarket
0.5 points each-way Shine So Bright 3.35 Newmarket
Suggested wager for Sunday, May 5th
0.5 points each-way Look Around 3.35 Newmarket
Total stakes (Sat & Sun) 4 points
Results
Al Muffrih SP 9-4 5th
Skardu SP 8-1 3rd
Shine So Bright SP 16-1 6th
Look Around SP 33-1 9th
Debrief
Al Muffrih was very well backed, but he raced far too keenly for his own good and tired in the final furlong.
Skardu deserves plenty of credit for coming out on top of the group on his side of the course. He had quite a hard race and may need a while to get over it.
Shine So Bright, who was the subject of market support, set off in front on the stands’ side but ran out of steam in the closing stages. He looks set for a return to 7f or even a drop back to 6f.
Look Around never threatened to get involved. but kept on well in the final furlong and was only beaten six and a half lengths.
The bank now stands at £46.35
Suggested wagers for Saturday, April 27th (week 20 of this feature)
1 point win The Young Master 3.35 Sandown
0.5 points each-way Captain Chaos ”
1 point win Infuse 3.45 Haydock
Total outlay 3 points
Results
The Young Master SP 8-1 2nd
Captain Chaos non-runner
Infuse SP 3-1 3rd
Debrief
The Young Master ran a stormer, especially considering he nearly got rid of his jockey when blundering at the second fence.
Infuse heavily backed but still looked green and failed to run up to connections’ expectations.
The bank now stands at £50.35
Suggested wagers for Saturday, April 20th (week 19 of this feature)
1 point win Nausha 2.35 Kempton
0.5 points each-way Top Top 6.35 Nottingham
Total outlay 2 points
Results
Nausha SP 5-6 4th
Top Top SP 6-1 7th
Debrief
Nausha, who is held in very high regard by her trainer and was heavily backed, was quickly left behind when the race developed in earnest in the stretch. It’s too early to write her off but she has questions to answer now.
Top Top was dropped out at the tart and restrained at the back in a slowly run race. He could never get into the race when the pace lifted in the home straight. He’s now qualified for handicaps and it would be no surprise if he leaves the bare form behind in due course.
The bank now stands at £52.35
Suggested wagers for Saturday, April 13th (week 18 of this feature)
1 point win Redicean 2.25 Ayr
1 point win Big River 3.35 ”
0.5 points each-way Geronimo ”
0.5 points each-way Chatez 3.15 Newbury
Total outlay 4 points
Results
Redicean SP 10-1 11th
Big River SP 8-1 5th
Geronimo SP 12-1 pulled up
Chatez SP 16-1 won
Debrief
Redicean Threatened to get involved on the home turn but dropped away disappointingly in the closing stages
Big River Hampered at the seventh fence by a faller and fencing less than fluently at the back of the field for much of the race, he was virtually tailed off until staging a remarkable rally in the straight to finish fifth. If he could sort out his jumping, he has the ability to win a big staying chase. It’s a big if though.
Geronimo was well backed and was in the front rank for a long way but made too many mistakes and paid the price. Should not be written off though as he’s lightly raced and fast gallop on the drying going caught him out.
Chatez is a very useful customer when conditions are in his favour and they were here.
The bank now stands at £54.35
Suggested wagers for Saturday, April 6th (week 17 of this feature)
4 points win Tiger Roll 5.15 Aintree
2 points win Rathvinden ”
1 point each-way Walk In The Mill ”
1 point each-way Ramses De Teillee ”
Total outlay 10 points
Results
Tiger Roll SP 4-1 won
Rathvinden SP 8-1 3rd
Walk In The Mill SP 25-1 4th
Ramses De Teillee SP 20-1 pulled up
Debrief
Tiger Roll What can you say? He’s simply a legend
Rathvinden ran a stormer
Walk In The Mill ran a stormer, especially as he made a couple of bad blunders
Ramses De Teillee Never threatened but jumped all the fences and was pulled up after the last. Not bad for such a young horse.
The bank goes back up to £47.35
Suggested wagers for Saturday, March 30th (week 16 win of this feature)
1 win Exec Chief 2.25pm Doncaster
1 point win Rampant Lion 2.25pm Doncaster
0.5 win Gabriel 3.00pm Doncaster
0.5 each-way Chatez 3.35pm Doncaster
0.5 each-way Great Prospector 3.35pm Doncaster
Total outlay 4.5 points
Results
Exec Chief 2nd
Rampant Lion unplaced
Gabriel 3rd
Chatez non-runner
Great Prospector unplaced
The bank now stands £30.10
Suggested wagers for Saturday, March 23rd (week 15 win of this feature)
1 point each-way Rons Dream 2.05 Newbury or 3.00 Kelso
1 point win The Last Day 5.30 Newbury
Total outlay 3 points
Results
Rons Dream SP 5-1 finished 7th
The Last Day non-runner
Debrief
Rons Dream is normally very reliable but she was well below her best here.
The bank now stands £33.60
Suggested wagers for Saturday, March 16th (week 14 win of this feature)
1 point win Acey Milan 3.00 Uttoxeter
1 point win American 3.35 Uttoxeter
1 point win Miss Parfois 3.35 Uttoxeter
Total outlay 3 points
Results
Acey Milan SP 4-1 finished 3rd
American SP was pulled up
Miss Parfois SP 8-1 finished 2nd
Debrief
Acey Milan was well backed but, while he ran a fair rare, he simply isn’t fulfilling his potential at present.
American was popular in the betting ring but failed to run anywhere near his level and never got into the race.
Miss Parfois ran a cracker and simply ran into a better-handicapped rival.
The bank now stands at £35.60
Suggested wagers for Saturday, Mar 9th (week 13 of this feature)
0.5 points each-way Skandiburg 1.50pm Sandown
1 point win Malaya 2.25pm Sandown
1 point win Solomon Grey 2.25pm Sandown
0.5 point win Storm Rising 2.25pm Sandown
Total outlay 3.5 points
Result
Skandiburg SP 25-1 finished 8th
Malaya SP 7-1 won
Solomon Grey was a non-runner
Storm Rising SP 20-1 finished fourth
Debrief
Sandiburg looked a moody customer and struggled in the rear for most of the race but he eventually warmed to his task and stayed on well over the final two flights to be beaten only eight-and-a-half lengths.
Malaya got the job done in good style, staying on strongly to take command on the run-in.
Storm Rising never really threatened but he ran a decent race to finish in the frame.
The bank now stands at £38.60p
Suggested wagers for Saturday, Mar 2nd (week 12 of this feature)
1 point win Rocky’s Treasure 3.45 Doncaster
1 point win Joe Farrell 2.05 Newbury
1 point each-way Javert 2.40 Newbury
Total outlay 4 points
Result
Rocky’s Treasure SP 2-1 finished 5th
Joe Farrell SP 8-1 finished 6th
Javert SP 8-1 finished 4th
Debrief
Rocky’s Treasure was a solid favourite but he made a couple of mistakes, weakened 4 out and was very disappointingly.
Joe Farrell attracted plenty of market support but he ran out of steam 5 out and finished tailed off.
Javert was also well backed and he ran really well, holding every chance 2 out and keeping on steadily ensure out each-way bet made a profit.
The bank now stands at £33.10p at SP (Most backers will be considerably better off at early prices and best odds guaranteed)
Suggested wagers for Saturday, 23rd, Feb (week 11 of this feature)
0.5 points each-way Deadline Diva 2.25 Kempton
0.5points win Double Shuffle 3.35pm Kempton
1 point win Daklondyke 2.40pm Newcastle
0.5 points each-way Progressive Drive 2.40 Newcastle
Total outlay 3.5 points
Results
Dancing Siva SP 25-1 finished 9th
Double Shuffle SP 8-1 finished 2nd
Daklondyke SP 16-1 Refused to race
Progressive Drive SP 10-1 finished 12th
Debrief
Dancing Siva was held up and never threatened. The priority appeared to be to teach her to settle after she was too keen on her previous start.
Double Shuffle ran a cracker and was only beaten a length.
Daklondyke was surprisingly weak in the betting and backers never got a run for their money.
Progressive Drive was quite well backed but didn’t jump well enough and ran below form.
The bank now stands at £34.10.
******
Suggested wagers for Saturday, 16th, Feb (week 10 of this feature)
2 points win Umndeni 1.00 Ascot
1 point each-way Impulsive Star 3.35 Haydock
Total outlay 4 points
Results
Umndeni SP 4-1 finished a well-beaten 8th.
Impulsive Star was a non-runner
Debrief
Umndeni ran way below the form he had shown previously and was very disappointing as were several other runners from his stable last week.
The bank now stands at £37.60.
*******
Previous Saturday Preview Results
Saturday 9th Feb racing cancelled due to equine flu.
*******
Suggested wagers for Saturday, 2nd, Feb (week 9 of this feature)
0.5 point win Mulcahys Hill 2.25pm Sandown
1 point win Ballymoy 3.00 Sandown
1 point win Give Me A Copper 3.35 Sandown
Total outlay 2.5 points
Results
Mulcahys Hill SP 14-1 finished 4th of the 4 finishers.
Ballymoy SP 4-1 finished 7th of the 13 finishers
Give Me A Copper SP 14-1 was 4th of the 16 runners
Debrief
Mulcahys Hill was taking on some very smart rivals but he was having his first outing after a wind operation, so there was a chance he would improve on his previous efforts. He kept tabs on the principals but was left behind after the 3rd last fence.
Ballymoy was well-backed and ran a decent race but his big weight anchored him in the closing stages. It looks as if the handicapper has caught up with him.
Give Me A Copper, who was very weak in the betting, ran a cracker and held every chance until tiring after the penultimate fence. If we had known he would be a double-figure price we would have suggested an each-way bet.
The bank now stands at £39.60p.
******
Suggested wagers for Saturday, 26th, Jan (week 8 of this feature)
0.5 point each-way The Wolf 3.00 Cheltenham
1 point win Midnight Shadow 3.35 Cheltenham
0.5 points each-way Agrapart 3.35 Cheltenham
1 point win Storm Home 4.10 Cheltenham
1 point win O O Seven 3.15 Doncaster.
Total outlay 5 points
Results
The Wolf SP 40-1 finished 4th of the 4 finishers.
Midnight Shadow SP 17-2 finished last of the 11 finishers
Agrapart SP 25-1 was pulled up
Storm Home SP 25-1 was 5th of the 10 finishers
O O Seven SP 9-2 was 9th of the 9 finishers
Debrief
The Wolf was a speculative bet at a big price but his trainer was very hopeful he’d run well. He made a bad mistake at the first flight, was always playing catch up and couldn’t land a blow in the closing stages.
Midnight Shadow eased from 7-2 to 9-2 in the ante-post betting during the week and he drifted alarmingly on track on the day. The negative market vibes were justified and he looked a shadow of the horse that won the Relkeel Hurdle at the course in such good style on New Year’s Day.
Agrapart was very weak in the betting too, but he was potentially each-way value in a 12-runner race some firms were going a quarter the odds the first 4 for a horse who’d won the same race 12 months earlier, had other good course form and hailed from an in-form stable. However, he ran a stinker and was struggling at halfway.
Storm Home was friendless in the ring too. He wasn’t disgraced but was never near enough to challenge. However, he wasn’t knocked about and he could be worth keeping an eye as he’ll probably be dropped another couple of pounds by the assessor, and he’s beginning to look a very well handicapped horse.
O O Seven was well backed and his connections were very hopeful he would go close but he failed to run anywhere near the form he showed when winning over the course and distance on his previous outing when he had the eventual winner Go Conquer in second place on just a pound different terms.
After a bitterly disappointing afternoon, the bank now stands at £42.10p.
******
Saturday, Jan, 19th (week 7)
Suggested wagers Sat, 19th, Jan (week 7 of this feature)
1 point win Daklondike 3.15 Haydock
2 points win Jerrysback 3.00 Ascot
Results
Daklondike was bumped by a rival and unseated his rider at the fifth fence.
Jerrysback was a non-runner at Ascot.
Debrief
Daklondike was backed from 6-1 to 4-1, so it was frustrating to see him out of the race before having a chance to show if the market confidence was justified.
We were right not to back Jerrysback in his alternative engagement on Saturday at Haydock where he was a 5l second Castafiore in a Grade 2 novices chase. Despite being the 28-1 outsider of the field, the winner appears to be a much-improved individual.
It was frustrating Jerrysback missed the Ascot race which was a handicap. He’d run really well at Ascot on his previous outing and he looked potentially well handicapped.
Although beaten at Haydock, it was a still a decent performance and Jerrysback will probably be handed a rating rise for his troubles.
The bank now stands at £47.10.
*******
Suggested wagers Sat, 12th, Jan (week 6 of this feature)
2 points win Lord Napier 2.40pm Kempton
1 point each-way Impulsive Star 3.00 Warwick
0.5 point each-way double the pair
Total outlay 5 points
Results
Lord Napier ran a very good race, held every chance in the home straight and kept on well to finish 3rd at 7-1.
Impulsive Star rewarded our support with a very gusty victory after being backed from 10-1 to 8-1.
Debrief
Lord Napier ran his race and just found a couple too good for him in a very competitive race on the day.
Impulsive Star was never far away and moved into the lead five out. He looked in trouble when headed by the eventual runner-up Calett Mad approaching the second last, but he rallied bravely to regain the advantage on the run-in.
Impulsive Star‘s success confirmed Sam Waley-Cohen remains one of the fittest and best amateur riders around.
The profit on the day at SP was £11.10 and the bank now stands at £48.10.
*******
Suggested wagers Sat, 5th, Jan (week 5 of this feature)
1 point win Southfield Stone 2.25pm Sandown
1 point each-way Cultram Abbey 3.00 Sandown
Total outlay 3 points
Results
Southfield Stone ran a fair race to finish 3rd of the 5 runners, beaten just under 4l.
Cultram Abbey was very disappointing. He was always out the back and was eventually pulled up approaching the third last fence.
Debrief
Southfield Stone had every chance but simply wasn’t good enough on the day.
Cultram Abbey had finished no worse than 4th on his previous eight starts and came into the race on the back of a good win at Kelso in December but he never gave his supporters a glimmer hope here.
The bank now stands at £37
*******
Suggested wagers Sat, 29th, Dec (week 4 of this feature)
1 point win The Wolf 12.40pm Newbury
1 point win Kateson 3.00 Newbury
Results
The Wolf ran a very good race to finish 3rd at an SP of 9-1. He was available at 20-1 and bigger in the early betting. We would have suggested an each-way bet if we had known he was going to be such generous odds when we made the original post.
Kateson was also well backed, (7-1 to 9-2) and ran a good race to finish 3rd in the Challow Hurdle, but there were only 7 runners, so no return for each-way backers.
Debrief
We have no complaints about how either horse performed as they both gave us a decent run for our money. However, the bank is now down to £40.
*******
Suggested wagers Sat 22nd, Dec (week 3 of this feature)
1 point win Almost Gold 12.40pm Ascot
1 point win Soul Emotion 2.25pm Ascot
1 point each-way Nietzsche 3.35pm Ascot
Total outlay 4 points.
Results
Almost Gold, who was sent off the 7-2 favourite for the opening novices handicap hurdle, was very disappointing and never looked like getting involved before trailing home 10th over 60 lengths behind the 16-1 winner Casko D’Airy. Almost Gold looked progressive beforehand and patently failed to show his true form. Perhaps a mistake at the fourth last may be at the root of this poor display, but that’s just a guess.
Soul Emotion showed up well for a long way in the Grade 1 JLT Hurdle be he was very keen early on his first start of the season and faded out of contention in the homes straight and finished 5th to Paisley Park, beaten just under 8 lengths. He was found to be distressed afterwards. On Sunday his trainer, Nicky Henderson tweeted, “Very pleased to report that Soul Emotion is absolutely fine this morning. We were very worried at the time but he is perfectly sound and happy and he’ll be back at Seven Barrows tomorrow. Amazingly they think he suffered a bout of heat stroke! (on a cold December afternoon!)”
Nietzsche completed an afternoon of woe for us when finishing 18th in the closing handicap. Nietzsche ran miles below the form he had shown when landing a similar race on his previous start at Cheltenham where he the Ascot winner, Mohaayed, and third, Western Ryder, behind him.
Debrief
Sometimes you just have to take the blows in this game. Almost Gold and Nietzche failed to do themselves justice. Soul Emotion was far from disgraced, especially given his “heat-stroke”. He remains a horse of interest, albeit one with a question mark over him.
The bank now stands at £42
Previous Saturday Previews
Suggested wagers Sat 15th Dec (week 2 of this feature)
1 point win Catamaran Du Seuil 1.55pm Cheltenham
1 point each-way Guitar Pete 1.55pm Cheltenham
Total outlay 3 points.
Results
Catamaran Du Seuil showed up well for a long way but his jumping wasn’t fluent enough for such a high-class event and he dropped out of contention after the fourth last, eventually finishing 8th.
Guitar Pete never really threatened to follow up last year’s success in the race but he stuck on bravely in the closing stages to finish 3rd to Frodon. Nicky Richards’ grey ran a similar race in the BetVictor Gold Cup previously and is giving the impression he would be suited by stepping up in distance.
Debrief
If you backed Catamaran Du Seuil for a win and Guitar Pete each-way at our suggested stakes, you made either a small profit or a small loss on the day, depending on when you struck the bets and whether you took a price or your bookie guarantees best odds.
For the purpose of this feature, we are going to assume we finished even on the day and the bank remains at £46
Suggested wagers Sat 8th Dec (1st week of this feature)
1 point win Chef D’Equipe 12.25pm Aintree.
1 point win Don Poli 1.30pm Aintree.
1 point win Catamaran Du Seuil 3.15pm Aintree.
0.5 point each-way double Don Poli & Catamaran Du Seuil.
Total outlay 4 points.
Results
Chef D’Equipe & Don Poli were both very disappointing.
The first named tracked the leaders but weakened quickly approaching the penultimate fence, dropped away to finish 5th and failed to run to the form he had previously shown.
Don Poli also failed to run anywhere near to his usual level and was pulled up when tailed off after the 3rd last fence.
Catamaran Du Seuil fell at the sixth, far too early to know if he would have been involved in the finish.
Debrief
OK, it wasn’t a good start but that’s probably a very good thing. It shows tipping winners isn’t easy, it concentrates the mind and prevents overconfidence.
Let’s see how things pan out in future.
Our bank stands at £46
