Monday December 4th

Review 

Jester Jet was a very easy winner of the 1:40 at Plumpton…

She drifted to11/2 at the off – which I find quite bizarre, as she clearly had the strongest form in the race.

Tambura was sent off at 9/2 – but found everything happening a bit too quickly.

She needs more of a stamina test than she got today…

Having been incredibly strong in the morning market, Flight Commander was incredibly weak, just before the off.

Generally they are the more indicative moves – and he ran a very laboured race.

Like Sully was strong in the market, right to the off – but an early mistake put him on the back foot and he never featured…

Our Merlin landed the Lunchtime Nap (hurray !).

That said, I was a little concerned when his price started to drift, in the face of sustained support for Be Daring.

However, I needn’t have worried, as he absolutely bolted up – and the SP of 9/4, was just a bonus…

Finally, Ulis de Vassy got the early lead at Fakenham – and was soon trading at half his BSP (which was 13.6).

He actually touched a low of 5.1 – but then fell…

Whether he would have been good enough to win, I’ve no idea – but at least the damage was minimal…

Lunchtime Update

Jester Jet is quite weak in the market at Plumpton (1:40).

I doubt there is any reason for that and at 7/2 (4/1 on BF), she is worth a small play.

In contrast, Tambrua is relatively strong in the betting.

There may be something in that - but then again, there may not !

It could be worth covering Jester Jet stakes on her – just in case...

Like Sully has been well backed in the 2:40.

He was 16/1 in a place last night – but you’ll struggle to beat 7/1 now.

That said, favourite Flight Commander, has been backed as if defeat is out of the question.

The strength of support behind him, would temper confidence in anything else…

I thought Our Merlin was short enough in the betting at 3/1 last night – but I was wrong !

You can get 7/4 in a couple of places now – if you act fast !

He’s actually a fair bit more attractive now, because it doesn’t look as if any of his rivals are seriously fancied.

You invariably need an idea of how the betting is going, to tackle any of these low grade races with confidence.

I suspect he’ll take a bit of beating…

Finally, at Fakenham, Ulis de Vassy is weak in the market – which is a good thing, as it gives more scope for in running plays…

I’m pretty confident he will lead – and if he does, laying him in running shouldn’t be an issue.

I actually think that he’s got half a chance of winning – so I’d be inclined to recover stakes and have a ‘free’ bet on him…

As for the Lunchtime Nap – then despite the price, I have to go with Our Merlin…

Lunchtime Nap: Our Merlin 3:10 Plumpton (Fair Price 7/4)

Evening Preview 

There are a couple of NH meetings tomorrow: at Plumpton and Fakenham…

After a weekend of high class action, it’s back down to earth with a bump !

It really is pretty desperate stuff at both courses - with Fakenham in particular, putting on a woeful card.

Despite that, I’ve  spent a bit of timing look through the races, to see if I can find anything of interest - to help speed up the passage of a Monday afternoon, in winter…

The best race of the day takes place at Plumpton, at 1:40.

It’s a mares handicap hurdle – and 3 or 4 can be given a chance.

I like the look of Jester Jet best, as she was arguably a little unlucky not to win at Ascot, last time.

Off a mark just 1lb higher – and with that run under her belt, she should go very close.

The other one of major interest, is Tambura.

She’s won the past 2 renewals of this race – and has clearly been targeted at a hatrick of success.

She’s actually 3lb lower in the handicap than 12 months ago – and must rate a fair bet at the 8/1 available this evening…

In the 2:40 race, I give Like Sully a better chance than his odds suggest (16/1).

He was ridiculously weak in the betting on his seasonal debut at Chepstow (100+ on BF) – and whilst he finished unplaced that day, I felt there was some promise in the run.
He’s been dropped 5lb – which puts him on an attractive mark. He’s also won over tomorrows course.

The trip is a question mark, but he should travel OK, so may be suitable for an in running play…

Our Merlin is the most interesting horse in the 3:10 – but unfortunately, he’s not escaped the attention of the odds compilers (3/1).

He would have gone close last time, over tomorrows course, if he’d not unshipped his jockey at the third last.

That was a poor race – but tomorrows is not much better.

He gets to run off the same mark – and looks the one to beat…

I can only find one horse of interest at Fakenham…

In the 3:00 race, I’m half interested in Ulis de Vassy.

At his prime, he was rated 40lb higher than the mark he runs off tomorrow.

Clearly he’s not the force he used to be, but there was distinct promise in his last time out run at Sedgefield.

That was on the back of an absence, so he may be able to build on it.

He wears first time cheek pieces tomorrow – and they will almost certainly result in him leading.

That tends to be an advantage round Fakenham – so even if he he’s not capable of hanging on, he’s another who should be suitable for an in running play.