Thursday March 8th

Review 

Show on the Road ran a fair race at Wincanton – trading as low as 1.54 in running – but he lacked the stamina to get home in the grueling conditions.

It’s worth reserving judgement on him, until conditions improve…

Domningo also seemed to struggle in the conditions – something that was anticipated by the layers on BF !

He was a tight 5/1 show when I first posted, yesterday evening.

Out to 7/1 in places at lunchtime (9/1 on BF).
He was returned with an SP of 16/1 (23/1 on BF !).

There’s not a lot you can do in situations like that.

Someone clearly expected him not to run a race – and they were right !

It’s always a danger in the smaller races – particularly with certain stables (and Jonjos would be one of those).

Good job we're just using this period to tick over, prior to Cheltenham !

Lunchtime Update

Show on the Road has drifted slightly in the 2:40 at Wincanton and can now be backed at 7/2.

The value is still minimal – but if I were going to bet in the race, he’s the one I would side with…

Domingo has drifted a little more, in the 3:10 race – as I thought he might.

He’s out to 6/1 with a few bookmakers – though I’ve just backed him at 9/1 on BF !

I think he’s worth a risk at the latter price – though he’s far from a certainty !

Again, there is no Lunchtime Nap today, as the races/horses just aren’t there…

Evening Preview 

There are 3 NH meetings tomorrow: at Wincanton and Carlisle in the UK – plus Thurles in Ireland.

It’s a similar situation to today: The meetings at Carlisle and Thurles have little to recommend them (other than the fact they are likely to take place !): and whilst Wincanton isn’t hugely better, there are at least a couple of races of interest…

The first of them is the handicap hurdle at 2:40.

Unfortunately, there are only 6 runners – and the 4 to focus on, are at the top of the betting.

Consequently, it’s not easy to find an angle – certainly at early prices…

Show on the Road is the one that appeals most – even though there should be little between him and Sea Wall.

The last named got the better of him when the pair met over todays course in January – and it should be tight between them again tomorrow.

I slightly favour Show on the Road because he is the younger horse – but there is minimal value in an early quote of 3/1 (as both Moabit and Whatcombe Heights can both be given a reasonable chance).

The best race on the day, is the following handicap chase, off at 3:10.

Domingo is the one that jumps out at me in this, on his second run for Jonjo.

He showed promise on his stable debut at Ffos Las, last month, and if he can build on that, then he should go close.

Unfortunately, he has been picked up in the early betting – and there is little value (considering the risk) in his current price of 5/1.

However, he is the sort I could see drifting a bit tomorrow, and at around 8/1, he would be worth a risk.

In truth, chances can be given to virtually all of the runners, so it’s not a race to get heavily involved with.