Wednesday February 14th

Review 

The ground was riding very soft at Towcester this afternoon, and that had quite an impact on the results…

In the opener, GI Jayne was a huge pre-race drifter (out to 16/1 – 20+ on BF) – and in the circumstances, it was not too surprising to see her pulled up.

Goodnight Charlie was also a drifter (out to 8/1) – and she didn’t finish the race either…

With both Ceann Sibheal and Grand Introduction, running poorly, it was a bit irritating that I had chosen to take them on with Colmers Hill - as he also ran poorly.

Oneida Tribe was the only other horse in the race that you could really have picked - and he came home a reasonably comfortable winner.

  

Dark Aster was yet another big drifter in the 3:10 race (out to 7/1 from 3/1).

She seemed to hate the ground – and was well beaten…

Lickpenny Larry was the only Mention on the day, who ran well – and he looked unlucky not to win.

He tanked through the race – touched 1.2 in running – but faded up the hill.

He will definitely win a race this season – and sooner rather than later…

Lunchtime Update

There isn’t a great deal to report, in terms of market movements, at Towcester…

In the opener, the price of GI Jayne has been trimmed a little (now 8/1) – but she’s not been supported in the way I thought possible.

In the same race, Goodnight Charlie has drifted to a more attractive looking 6/1.

Unless there is a lot of support for GI Jayne, I would be inclined to go with Goodnight Charlie…

Colmers Hill remains the value option in the 2:40 – though Ceann Sibheal and Grand Introduction could well prove too good for him.

Dark Aster can still be backed at 3/1 in the 3:10 – and may be worth a risk at that price: whilst there has been a bit of support for Lickpenny Larry, and 5/1 is now the general price on offer…

I don’t feel particularly strongly about any of todays Mentions.

I like the look of Goodnight Charlie – though that’s dependant on there being no significant support for GI Jayne.

Lickypenny Larry is the other one of major interest – but more because he’s a horse who I think will come good at some point (not necessarily this afternoon).

As a consequence, there is no Nap today…

Evening Preview

There are 3 NH meetings tomorrow: at Towcester and Ayr in the UK – plus Fairyhouse in Ireland.

There’s little to get excited about at either of the last 2 named: and whilst the racing at Towcester lacks a bit of quality, it is at least reasonably competitive…

In the opening handicap hurdle (2:10), I quite like the look of Goodnight Charlie.

She shaped with promise last time, on the back of a run – and if she has come on for that, she should go close.

That said, a price of 9/2 is tight enough…

The other one of interest in the race, is the Dan Skelton trained GI Jayne.
Skelton also saddles the race favourite, Café Au Lait – however, Harry Skelton rides GI Jayne.

She disappointed twice in the autumn, but reappears tomorrow on the back of a long absence and having had a wind op.

She is 10/1 this evening and probably worth a risk at that price.

Certainly if she is backed tomorrow, I think she could turn out to be the one to beat.

In the 2:40 race, both Ceann Sibheal and Grand Introduction are running under penalties, following wins last week.

Both are capable of winning, provided they have recovered sufficiently from their exertions.

Of the 2, I slightly favour Grand Introductions: though Comers Hill at 10/1 may be the best bet in the race, as he could be the one who takes advantage if the markets leaders don’t run their races…

Dark Aster is the one I like most in the 3:10.

Richard Mitford-Slade has done really well with just handful of horses this season - and this one has shown promise in a couple of novice events.

It gets to run in a handicap for the first time tomorrow and an opening mark of 114 looks reasonable – as does a general price of 3/1…

The final race of interest the card is the handicap chase at 4:10 – and regular readers won’t be surprised to read that it is Lickpenny Larry, that attracts me most…

I pointed him out last time, when he ran fourth in a better race at Doncaster.

I think tomorrows test is more suitable – so off the same mark, he must have a decent chance.

It’s a low grade contest, so not one you could be confident about – though he does look a fair bet to me at 13/2 – with Badilou appearing the most likely danger…