Thursday 7th February

For the first time in over a fortnight, the weather has relented - and there is some reasonable mid-week racing taking place.

There’s always a danger that the weather will scupper proceedings at this time of the year - and in fairness, things have been much better this season, than they were last.

However, even when the weather isn’t a problem, the quality of the mid-week racing in Jan and Feb is often poor - so it’s a relatively rare day, when both things align !

There are 4 meetings tomorrow: at Huntingdon, Doncaster and Ffos Las in the UK - plus Thurles in Ireland - and all 4 tracks host at least a race or two of interest...

Huntingdon

2:00

The days best quality racing takes place at Huntingdon - and this listed race, is the best quality race on the card.

It also contains, what is likely to prove, the most talented horse running on the day, in the shape of Angels Breath.

He’s the current ante-post favourite for the Supreme novice hurdle at the Cheltenham festival, on the back of his debut win at Ascot, in December.

That was a grade 2 event - and he won it very nicely - though in truth, it’s relatively easy to pick holes in the form.

That said, it was a very good first effort - and the fact that Nicky Henderson was prepared to run him in a grade 2 event on debut, suggests he is very decent.
We may found out tomorrow, just how decent, as all 5 of his rivals are fair sorts, all with potential themselves.

He also steps up half a mile in trip - which is an interesting move.

Huntingdon is a sharp course, so the trip is unlikely to be an issue - but we should certainly learn a bit more about him…

He’s impossible to oppose - but equally, unbackable at 1/2.

If there is a bet in the race, it could be I K Brunel, each way at 20/1 (or without the fav, tomorrow), as he shaped with distinct promise behind Elixir de Nutz on his hurdles debut at Cheltenham.

That said, this is probably more a race to watch and learn from, than it is to bet in…

2:35 

With a question mark, of some sort, over all of the runners, I suspect this a race where the market will prove very revealing…

That’s certainly likely to be the case, for Master Blueyes and Misteron, who are both returning from long breaks: but also for Malaya, on the back of falls on his 2 most recent outings…

All 3 would be dangerous at their best - but unless they are the subject of significant market support, they should probably be passed over…

Eric le Rouge and Not that Fuisse, are progressive sorts who are moving up the handicap - it’s hard to know whether the handicapper has got them yet: whilst Thistle do Nicely, is making his handicap debut - and it’s hard to know whether he is well handicapped.

By a process of elimination, I end up with Townsend.

He is having his third run for Nigel Twiston Davies - and is potentially well handicapped based on his old Irish form.

He showed up quite well last time at Hereford - and has undergone a wind op since then.

He too comes with risks - but they appear to have been factored into his early price, more than is the case for most of his rivals…

It’s not a race you could be confident about (certainly without seeing the market moves) - but at tonight’s prices, I think he’s just about the best bet.

Selection: Townsend at 7/1

Doncaster

2:45

This looks an open race, where a case of sorts can be made for most of the runners…

Sliding Doors strikes me as just about the most interesting one, in first time cheek pieces.
He ran well last time, to be beaten just a neck, at Ludlow - and now has a 7lb claimer in the saddle.

This is s slightly stronger race - but he seems to be improving and so should go close…

The 2 others of major interest at tonights prices, are Skidoosh (8/1) and Dans le Vent (10/1).

Like the main selection, they are relatively unexposed, and so should have room for improvement.

Dans Le Vent is also wearing first time blinkers - and the way he races (lazily !), suggests they could have a positive impact.

My inclination will be to spread small stakes across the 3 of them, if their prices drift a little, in the morning…

Selection: Sliding Doors at 6/1

Ffos Las

3:35

This is probably the best betting race of the day - and it contains the days best bet !

Johanos ran really well in a decent race at Newbury, in December.

He finished fourth that day - but travelled strongly for most of the contest.

It wasn’t surprising that he tired eventually, as it was his first run for 18 months.

Ordinarily, there would be a concern on a second run back, after a break - however he’s been given 50 days to recover - which should be plenty.
It also strike me as interesting that he is running at Ffos Las.

It’s a course renowned for it’s heavy winter ground - and Johanoss 2 career wins have both been achieved on heavy going.

With his stable in really good form: and a 7lb claimer taking over in the saddle, Johanos has plenty to recommend him.

In fairness, it’s a competitive enough race, with 18 runners - but only half of them probably count, so 8/1 isn’t too bad a price.

Ice Cool Champs, Cobolobo and Scotchtown, strike me as the main dangers - with Lord Bryan an outsider to note, if seriously backed…

Selection: Johanos at 8/1