Wednesday March 7th

Review 

The soft ground at Fontwell this afternoon, looked very soft indeed !

Something to be mindful of, I think…

In the handicap hurdle, Krugermac was strong in the market right up to the off – but he ran disappointingly.

I’m pretty sure that someone was expecting much better !

Okotoks ran with promise – but didn’t get home.

He’ll be dropped a few pounds and could be one to be interested in, next time…

Sandy Beach was very strong in the market for the handicap chase.

There were a couple of NRs – but they didn’t explain his SP of 11/8 fav (having been 4/1 early).

However, he raced lazily and could only stay on, for second place.

Under a more aggressive ride, maybe things could have been different – but that will have to wait for another day…

Lunchtime Update

There has been some serious support  this morning, for Krugermac in the 3:40 at Fontwell…

He was a 6/1 shot when I produced the preview yesterday evening – but you can’t beat 5/2 now.

Looking at oddschecker, the money started to arrive at around 7:30, and continued until 9:30.

There’s been a second spike of interest in him, just after midday…

He’s potentially very interesting, as he’s not run for over a year – but based on the best of his form, could be well handicapped.

He’s also trained by Gary Moore – and he knows how to land a gamble !

He’s the sort who you couldn’t back without seeing support – but is equally difficult to back, once the support has materialised (because of the reduced price).

If you do want to get involved with the race, then my suggestion would be to stick with Okotoks (the case for him is unchanged) - but save stakes on Krugermac.

In the other race of interest (4:10), Sandy Beach has been backed in from 4/1 last night, to 3/1 favourite (or joint favourite).

That’s probably fair enough - though there will be more attractive 3/1 shots run this season !

There is nothing suitable for a Lunchtime Nap today.

Okotoks and Sandy Beach both have a chance of winning – but neither is rock solid,

I suspect the Lunchtime Naps may be put back on hold until after Cheltenham – though I guess you never know for sure !

Evening Preview 

There are a couple of NH meetings tomorrow: at Fontwell and Catterick.

After the best part of 10 days without ‘proper’ racing, it looks like things are about to  return to normal…

In absolute terms, tomorrows 2 meeting are uninspiring – but beggars can’t be choosers, and it will be a relief just to see some jumps action.

That said, I’m struggling to find anything of interest on the Catterick card: and whilst Fontwell is not significantly better, there are at least a couple of moderately interesting contests…

The first of them is the handicap hurdle which will take place at 3:40.

Cabernet D’Alene is an understandable favourite, chasing a hat trick of wins – but I prefer the chance of Ototoks.

He will be having his third run for Fergal O’Brien, since transferring from Tony Martin in Ireland.

He’s not shown too much in he first 2 – but they were in stronger events than tomorrows, and he’s also been dropped 2lb as a consequence.

Fergal had his team back in great shape before the snow arrived – and I expect him to pick up in the same way, now things are going again.

It doesn’t look an overly deep race – and 7/1 this evening is a perfectly fair price…

The other race of interest on the card, is the handicap chase, at 4:10.

Holbrook Park has been installed favourite for this on the strength on his last time out win.

However that was in a 4 horse race, were he was sent  off 1/2 fav.

He may be well handicapped – but it’s very difficult to say with any confidence, based on his form…

Sandy Beach certainly could be well handicapped, as his last win was off a mark of 127 – and he races from a mark of 119 tomorrow.

The question with him, concerns his form…

He’s been disappointing so far this season – however, there was more promise in his most recent run – and Colin Tizzards horses are in form (or at least, they were a fortnight ago !).

Again, it’s not a massively competitive race, so at a general 4/1 he could be worth a small risk…