Tuesday January 9th

Review 

The horses of interest today, didn’t do much to set the pulse racing !

At Doncaster, both Ruby Yeats and Hermanus were weak in the betting.

Both showed up early – but Hermanus was beaten when falling; whilst Ruby Yeats just faded out of contention, looking like a horse in need of the run (which is what the betting suggested).

Crystal Lad ran a fair race without ever appearing particularly likely to win.
A few more pounds off his mark will enable him to compete in lower class races and that may result in him getting his head in front…

Over at Taunton, whilst I was right to oppose Relentless Dreamer – I chose the wrong horse, with Sandy Beach…

As with Ruby Yeats, he was relatively weak in the betting and looked as if he needed the run.

Finally, I did think things might get interesting with Bandsman, as he was backed down from 25/1 to 10/1 at the off.

However, he started off in last place – and stayed there !

Here’s Herbie ran much better to finish third – and seemed to be totally unsuited by the lack of pace in the race.

He could be one to be interested in next time (as his finishing position didn’t flatter him).

There will be better days..!!

Lunchtime Update 

Doncaster passed its morning inspection – which was good news !

However, there is precious little to update on at either of todays meetings, as the markets have been very quiet…

At Doncaster, Ruby Yeats has been solid in 2:35.

She’s a general 11/2 shot now – though 6/1 has been easily achievable.

In the same race, there has been no early money for Hermanus, who can now be backed at 28/1.

If she is going to run well, I’m pretty sure money will come…

There has been even less market movement in the following 3:10 race, where Crystal Lad remains a 3/1 shot.

As I said last night, that’s probably fair – though not particularly easy to judge…

Over at Taunton, there has been a bit of money for Sandy Beach and he is now a 7/1 shot.

As with Ruby Yeats however, getting the slightly bigger price shouldn’t have been an issue.

In the same race, Relentless Dreamer is a relatively weak 9/2 shot.

Finally, neither Here’s Herbie nor Bandsman have come in for any support in the 2:45 race.

The former is now an easy 9/2 shot – with the latter available at up to 25/1.

The morning money has been for Fidux and Blairs Cove – and that’s interesting.

Fidux isn’t particularly well handicapped - whilst Blairs Cove is a stablemate of Bandsman.

I would definitely be inclined to follow the market in this race.

Hopefully Here’s Herbie or Bandsman will receive late support…

There will be no Lunchtime Nap today.

I’d like to ease myself back into things this week – and there is no stand-out contender

All of those mentioned yesterday evening, have a chance – but most are ‘value’ plays.

Market support for Hermanus or Bandsman would make them interesting – though Crystal Lad is the most solid option on the day (if not exactly bomb proof !).

  

Evening Preview 

With the Christmas and New Year period now behind us, it’s back to the mid-week blog…

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks – and whilst it’s great to see a lot of top class racing, there is also an element of relief to be back in the mundane !

Hopefully, there will be 2 NH meetings taking place tomorrow: at Doncaster and Taunton.

The weather is wreaking havoc with the fixture list again, and Doncaster will have to survive an early morning inspection.

I’m disinclined to spend too much time, studying at meetings which may be abandoned – but there is an official eye catcher running at Doncaster, in the shape of Crystal Lad.

All being well, he will contest the novice handicap chase at 3:10.

That will be his third (and final) run as an eye catcher, having originally caught the eye at Plumpton, back in October.

His next run at Sandown, was disappointing – but he ran much better last time at Ludlow, behind 2 decent sorts.

He gets to run off a 1lb lower mark tomorrow – and it’s hard to see him not going well.

The question is simply, whether there is one in the race capable of beating him…

I guess there might be: but he sets a fair standard – and 3/1 is a fair price, in a 6 horse race…

The other race of interest, from a betting perspective, is the mares handicap hurdle at 2:35.

With 16 mainly unexposed runners (though I would lay long odds against all 16 going to post !), there are plenty who can be given a chance.

Ruby Yeats strikes me as the most likely winner – in first time cheek pieces for a stable (Harry Whittington), which is going well at the moment.

She’s 6/1 this evening – but I would hope for a bit bigger tomorrow…

Hermanus is a more speculative shout.
She is the only horse that James Ewart has sent down from Scotland – and she makes her handicap debut off a fair mark, having shown the odd glimmer of ability.

She’s 20/1 this evening – but I could see her being backed – and well backed, if she is expected to go close…

At Taunton, the best race on the card, is the handicap chase at 2:10.

Relentless Dreamer was a winning Lunchtime Nap, on his most recent run – but a 7lb rise in his handicap mark will make it difficult for him to follow up…

That said, this isn’t as strong a race, so I certainly wouldn’t dismiss him.

I’m still inclined to look elsewhere for the winner, with Sandy Beach probably the most attractive option - assuming he’s fit enough to do himself justice.

He’s 8/1 this evening – if he’s ready to go, I would expect his SP to be shorter…

The handicap hurdle at 2:45, is the other race on the card of interest, from a betting perspective…

Paddleyourowncanoe is favourite, but he will have his work cut out confirming the form of his most recent run, with Here’s Herbie.

He beat him 16 lengths that day – but Here’s Herbie was making his seasonal debut and is a stone better off at the weights today.

More than that, he looked likely to hack up next time at Exeter – and races off the same mark tomorrow.

As the Exeter race was only 8 days ago, there is a chance that run will have left a mark – but if it hasn’t he looks the one to beat and 9/2 looks a fair price.

Bandsman is the other one of interest…

He has some decent form in the book from last season – and whilst he showed little on his seasonal return, if that run has brought him on he could go well.

He’s 14/1 this evening and I would expect the market to tell the tale with him…