BBOTD - 1st May 2014

15.25 Redcar: Dream Walker @ 3/1 Coral - 4pts win

Eye-catching second at Yarmouth recently, travelling very well in midfield but not getting a clear run, basically stuck in traffic until switching wide. The eventual winner had the run of the race, while Dream Walker clearly had not, which made the difference in the end. He still finished a nice and easy second under hands and heels, not far beaten. He can race off the same mark tomorrow, the drop in trip should be a problem as he has won over 7f in the past, and the soft ground will be very much to his advantage. He was very progressive last year and he seems not finished yet.

Selections: Tuesday 29th April 2014

Really disappointing yesterday. Particularly Minley who was a bad drifter and had absolutely no chance at all once the race went to the stage where it really mattered. Starlit Cantara did perform okay finishing 3rd, but obviously not in a way I had hoped, as I was quite confident she would be a good deal ahead of her current mark. Turned out not to be. Shocking month so far this April. 

17.25 Nottingham: Inciting Incident @ 7/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Still generally lightly raced, and he showed a much improved display last time out at Lingfield. He was very keen in the early parts of the race and made a big move to take over the lead after the first two furlongs, he travelled really well turning for home but got then badly hampered from the eventual first and second. He kept going to hold on for third. He drops in trip, which shouldn't be an issue considering how much early speed he showed in his last race, even though he appeared outpaced at Wolverhampton before - which might have been down to being his seasonal reappearance though. I think now back on turf he deserves another chance.

20.20 Newcastle: Exotic Guest @ 12/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Interesting on his most recent performance which came at Pontefract: He chased leaders, travelled well enough for a long time and looked in with a big chance, but got eventually bumped and short of room several times when turning for home, which practically ended the race for him. He couldn't get a run and was eased. So he is probably better than the bare result suggest. Even more so he is down to a very handy mark, won the last time - and only career win yet - over course and distance last year of a 3lb higher mark. Soft ground today will suit as well. No excuses if he doesn't perform well today.

Selections: Monday 28th April 2014

14.10 Kempton: Starlit Cantara @ 9/2 Bet365 - 4pts win

Starlit Cantara is an obvious chance here after her most recent run and the fact that the handicapper left her mark unchanged makes her a filly very hard to beat here. After a winter break she reappeared at Kempton three weeks ago and she travelled well enough for most parts of the race. She made nice headway from 2f out, challenging the leader hard. That horse though found more and more, having the run of the race from the front in a slowly run race. Half a furlong out though it looked as if Starlit Cantara could finally be able to pass the leader, trying to slip through on the inside. This move ended abruptly when the leader shifted towards the rail shutting the door and the jockey on Starlit Cantara had to take a hard pull to avoid a crash. Now, it isn't said that she would have passed the leader indeed, but she was robbed the chance to have every chance at least. Considering that the eventual winner followed up with another success, it is to assume that Starlit Cantara must be well in tomorrow, since she can race off the same mark again on her second seasonal outing, over the same course and distance in a rather poor class 6 handicap. A good draw is another bonus here.

16.10 Kempton: Thecornishcowboy @ 14/1 Bet365 - 1pt win

Thecornishcowboy is certainly on a very handy mark and I thought his most recent performance at Yarmouth shows he is now poised to win a race soon. He got stuck in traffic on the inside rail from 3f out, found himself then outpaced over 1f out, had to switch wide and finished on the outside really strongly once he found his stride again. He clearly prefers further and I would imagine 12f is his optimum, but there is plenty of pace in this race tomorrow, which should help. Richard Hughes booked for the ride says connections expect a big run. 

16.20 Wolverhampton: Minley @ 5/1 Paddy Power - 2pts win

Still generally lightly raced, Minley showed a clear improvement on his second seasonal outing at Lingfield last month.He was close to the pace, turned for home disputing the lead and with a big chance, but got twice then badly hampered by the eventual winner. Once around 2f out, and then from 1f out pretty much all the way down to the finish line. The winner won subsequently again and also finished a good fourth in a class 2 handicap. Minley is 2lb up for this performance but could still easily be a good deal better than this mark, and has also the assistance of a very capable 5lb claimer. He can go from pole position, and should be able to be up with the pace tomorrow for that reason, which is always an advantage around Wolverhampton.

BBOTD - Saturda 26th April 2014

Finally a winner this month - better late than never. It panned out as hoped on Thursday, the drop in trip helped Iseemist and she won thanks to a resolute performance, showing good early speed, travelling well, then kicking on over 2f out and fending of all challengers in the closing stages. 

14.20 Haydock: Fort Bastion @ 14/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Fort Bastion impressed me on his seasonal return a fortnight ago at Thirsk, which was also his first good performance in almost two years. He has changed yards over the winter which seems to have a positive effect on him. He used to be a smart prospect as a 2yo when he finished 2nd behind Maybe at Royal Ascot but somewhere he lost his form and sparkle. At Thirsk recently he showed some of his old ability though, without getting a too hard rice, even though one could say he was one of the unlucky ones in this race. He settled in rear of the field, made progress turning for home from 3f out but got stuck in traffic on the inside rail soon after. His jockey made a dramatic move from 2f out from the inside to the widest outside of the field, which cost ground and momentum and is tough on horses who have to straighten up and pick up again. Fort Bastion was running out of time anyway but finished the race well on the the outside under hands and heels. He should come on allot for this run and should be better today. 7f might be a bit too sharp on drying ground, but there is loads of pace on here, which should help. He can also race from bottom of the weights off a very nice mark now, and that all together gives him a really nice chance, if he can bring his best to the table today.

BBOTD - Thursday 24th April 2014

19.55 Brighton: Iseemist @ 6/1 Paddy Power - 2pts win

I feel this filly will greatly benefit from a drop in trip. She clearly looked like a filly that doesn't get home over 7f in her last couple of starts, while running well nonetheless. Particularly impressive was her most recent effort in my mind. She had the widest draw to overcome, crossed over and disputed the lead early on, burning loads of energy in the first couple of furlongs, as the pace was really on too. She benefited from the pace in a way that she travelled strongly and looked to be in with every chance turning for home. However she hit a brick wall over 1f out. I feel back on turf, with ground she has shown form on in the past, over a shorter trip, she can win a race of her current mark.

Selections for Wednesday 23rd April 2014

Didn't run badly, not having the clearest of runs Barwick, but let's be honest, once he was in the clear, he wasn't exactly firing and that was probably very much down to the trip I feel. 

14.20 Epsom: Jakey @ 9/1 Bet365 - 3pts win + Aryal @ 18/1 Coral - 1pt win

Really interesting and competitive Handicap here tomorrow at Ascot. I do really like the chance of Jakey, for many reasons. I was extremely impressed with his seasonal reappearance as a 4 year old at Kempton three weeks ago. The race was run at a crawl which didn't quite suit him, he was sweating quite heavily before the off already and he was keen like a bull throughout the whole race, still tanking turning for home! He then looked for a short moment a bit in trouble when the front-runner increased the pace suddenly, but he quickly found his stride, and produced a lovely turn of foot to win with authority. He looks physically improved now as a 4yo and looks like a horse with loads of potential. He was mightily impressive when he won a maiden at Epsom last year over 10f, so he clearly is fine on the course, and I have no doubts about the trip whatsoever. Slight worry is the ground though, I would imagine he is better on good ground, but on pedigree at least, the soft going shouldn't be too much of an issue. We certainly find out tomorrow. I think this horse is ten pounds plus better than the current mark and I expect a huge performance, from this lightly raced gelding, if he can produce his best on this kind of ground. 

I also expect an improved performance from Aryal. He is progressive, has not too many miles under the belt either, and it's interesting to see him back on turf and for the first time on softish ground in particular, which should perfectly suit on pedigree. He ran well on Good Friday in the Apprentice Handicap, when he set a quick, even pace but looked beaten for speed in the closing stages, while clinging on for fourth in brave manner. Trip should be ideal on breeding, and he might still be a bit better than his current mark either. I feel he is a good deal overpriced.

BBOTD - Tuesday 22nd April 2014

Entihaa was a non-runner on Sunday.

17.55 Yarmouth: Barwick @ 8/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Plenty to like about Barwick tomorrow. Most importantly, his most recent performance, in fact his seasonal reappearance, caught my eye. He travelled nicely till 2f out, then tried to make headway and in all fairness had every chance on the inside, when eventually he looked to pass the horse in front of him over 1f out, to challenge for victory, but that move ended abruptly when the horse in front shifted towards the rail and the gap disappeared. The handicapper dropped him a pound for this performance, which means he is now 3lb below his last winning mark. In addition to that it is interesting to see him at Yarmouth tomorrow, a track he likes, with two course wins to his name. The fast ground will very much suit either. Only concern is the trip: 10f. Does he stay that far? He never won over this trip, however he's another year older and might just get it fine these days, as he tried it only as a 3 year old, and now six years of age, it is worth another try. The flat track and quick ground will certainly help to get the trip anyway. There is too much on the plus side that clearly outweighs the concern about the distance, as his price is too big in my mind.

BBOTD - Sunday 20th of April 2014

15.35 Musselburgh: Entihaa @ 11/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Entihaa made a big impression last time ou at Newcastle on his seasonal reappearance. He travelled pretty well, even though he was a bit slowly into stride at the start, but got no in-running luck whatsoever. He was locked on the inside when the field approached the home straight and he tried desperately to get out there but found himself only short of room when he tried. Finally around 2f out he got a gap, but at that point the eventual winner and 2nd were long gone. Entihaa stayed on extremely well though, cutting back a huge deficit and finished 3rd. This runs suggests that he wouldn't mind a step up in trip, and his sire is a good stamina influence, so to try him over 2m doesn't look stupid. He has a nice mark in fact he won of this mark last year a class 4 Handicap over 12f at Thirsk. Only real question mark is the ground for me tomorrow Could be bit too quick. But let's find out. He is a nice price.

Bets for Saturday 19th April 2014

14.20 Kempton: Chilworth Icon @ 8/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Chilworth Icon was extremely unlucky on his latest start at Thirsk. He was travelling in midfield, going super strongly but didn't get any run whatsoever when it really mattered. He was desperate for a gap and was on bridle until late. He got out at some point finally but was also bumped 1f out and all his chances were gone. He would have gone much closer with a clear run. He ran extremely at Lingfield on his penultimate start hot race too, when he also didn't quite get the run of the race but finished really well. He is down to handy mark now, as he has done well off much higher in hot handicaps last year, and he also won in listed company back in 2012.

19.30 Bath: Where's Reiley @ 8/1 Coral - 2pts win

Where's Reiley appears to be tremendously well handicapped on his return to turf following an eye-catching performance at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. That day he had the widest draw to overcome and used up an awful lot of energy in order to be close to the pace early on. He also travelled widest on the outside, all less then of an advantage. He made a nice move coming around the home bend trying to challenge the leader and eventual winner but that won had the run of the race and pulled clear in the closing stages, yet Where's Reiley made him work hard for it. WR finished a nice 2nd though confirming his well being and now back on the turf he can race of a 5lb lower mark, which even considered of what he has done on turf the last couple of years, is really low. He won off higher, and ran well at Bath in the past. He must have a cracking chance today.

BBOTD - Wednesday 16th April 2014

Both horses ran really well on Monday, HCD was unlucky, to be locked on the inside and would have finished much closer with a clear run, while Discussiontofollow travelled very well and looked to get up late but didn't quite get there and finished 3rd. 

14.55 Newmarket: Crowdmania @ 20/1 Coral - 1pt win

Like this progressive Mark Johnston runner. Only 84 rated yet, but can be much better than this I suspect. Was particularly impressive lto at Kempton when hemade all, and kicked away 2f out in impressive style, putting daylight between himself and the rest of the field in a matter of strides. He held on nicely to win comfortably in the end. He stays bit further but 7f seems perfect trip, so drop to 6f seems questionable. But I feel Newmarket can be a tough track so to stay bit further doesn't need to be an issue, as well as he has speed on dam side who was 3rd in Listed company over 6f. It's a wide open race in my mind and for that reason Crowdmania is not out of this, with further improvement he has every chance to run a big race I feel.

Another one for Monday...

14.40 Pontefract: Hard Core Debt @ 19/1 Betfair - 1pt win

Interesting runner who caught my eye on his first start after eight month for a new yard at Doncaster a fortnight ago. He Travelled really well in midfield, made some nice headway on the outside turning for home, seemingly going really strongly. Then 2f out he was sudnely weakening and dropped soon back, but was also never ridden and never any question asked. I suggest 10f on soft going was probably never to suit on the first start since July 2013. He looked good when winning a maiden in Ireland as a 2yo, and I thought he produced a good level of performance when finishing a fine 2nd at Beverly last year. It could well be the case that he these kind of difficult, undulating tracks and for that reason Pontefract today could well suit, so should be the drop in trip to 1m. He can start off a feather weight in this race too thanks to a falling mark.

BBOTD - Monday 14th April

16.20 Windsor: Discussiontofollow @ 4/1 Coral - 4pts win

This is a hugely exciting prospect who could still be a good deal better than his new handicap mark. He won his last three races pretty much on the bridle, but it was the most recent effort at Kempton that left me in awe! He settled in rear, made nice headway throughout the race, approaching the 2f marker hard on the bridle, impressing with some amazing cruising speed, the rest of the field already hard ridden, he was let lose 1f out, when he produced a nice acceleration to put the race easily to bet while never coming off the bridle. He could have won by any lengths, but his jockey held him together, as done in the other races before too. He's ten pounds up for this, which seems unlikely to stop him, if he can produce this level of form on turf as well. He did well in two maidens on turf last year though, and there is no reason why he should have any problem with the good ground at Windsor tomorrow.

Wise Dan cruises to career win #20!

Reigning horse of the year WISE DAN was back for his hist first start in 2014 at Keeneland last night. The two times winner of the Breeders Cup mile went off a short 2/5 favourite to land the Grade 1 Maker's 46 Mile Stakes and he couldn't have been more impressive on his seasonal reappearance. He travelled like a dream and drew clear inside the final furlong Career win number 20 for the seven year old gelding. 

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Newbury Spring Cup

15.30 Newbury: Moonday Sun @ 35/1 Betfair - 1pt win

Moonday Sun caught my eye on numerous occasions since being back in the UK. He ran extremely well in a couple of hot races on the All-Weather, being placed in all his last three starts. His most recent performance at Kempton was probably his strongest one. He was right up with the pace soon after the start and pressed on halfway through the race, leading by up to two lengths. The pace was really strong and he kicked on turning for home still travelling strongly, but the eventual winner produced a nice pace coming from off the pace and Moonday Sun tired inside the final furlong. He held on for third and the time of this race was extremely quick confirming the visual impression that Moonday Sun set a strong pace. He switches to turf now, and drops in trip to 1m. This should suit. He has some fine form in France over this trip, like a 3rd in Group 3, and the ground is perfectly fine. The fact that he stays a bit further will surely help when he is up with the pace as it should be a fast and furious gallop I feel. So with conditions perfect, I think he has every chance to run a big race and he is an extremely big price to find that out.

BBOTD - Saturday 12th April 2014

4.20 Newbury: Dutch Courage @ 7/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Eagerly awaiting the return of Dutch Courage to the racetrack now as a 3yo. She looked smart and pattern class when winning a Nursery against the boys on her last start in 2013. That day she had absolutely everything against herself. she settled in rear and didn't get any run whatsoever, locked behind a bunch of horses. When she tried to get some room, she was badly hampered, several times, losing her rhythm, and she was required to pick up several times, mostly over 1f out, when she finally got into the clear. It looked an impossible task but she produced a lovely turn of foot to get up and win easily in the end, putting the race to bet in a matter of strides. If she can progress now as 3yo, she should have every chance to win this.

BBOTD - Friday 11th of April 2014

17.45 Newbury: Martinette @ 14/1 Bet365 - 1pt win

Usually I void maidens but in this case the price is too big for this Charlie Hills trained filly. Martinette impressed me on her debut on the Lingfield All-Weather, when she settled nicely in rear, well off the pace in an extremely slowly run race. She had an awful lot to do when the race took really off around 3f out, and she was forced to turn wider than ideal and then to run through gaps in order to get a clear run. She appeared to be a bit green but looked talented and like a filly with a huge engine. Over 1f out she had to switch again in order to get a run and she looked then to be able to even peg back the leaders, but got short of room close to the line eventually. It was a strong performance to finish as close as she did considering the position she came from and this was a really nice educational ride, she will have learned plenty. This is a filly surly not bred to wait for handicaps and connections surly want to win a maiden, so I have no doubt that she is in this race to run to her best. She is nicely bred, the trip seems fine on pedigree, even though ground is a bit of a question mark, but also not impossible. I'm quite hopeful that she runs a fine race if the softish ground doesn't bother her.

BBOTD - Saturday 5th of April 2014

4th place for Clear Praise. Ran very well and did well to get as close as he did considering the shocking ride Haley Turner gave him. Threw away the good draw, got the horse locked on the inside when the race really unfolded, and ended up to being forced to switch and finish wide on the outside where Clear Praise stayed on extremely well in all fairness. Not saying the horse would have won with a clear run, but would have gone quite close I think. Shame on you Hayley. Tactically as dumb as it gets and if she wouldn't own two certain arguments I imagine she wouldn't get enough rides to make a living out of it.

16.45 Lingfield: Stonefield Flyer @ 14/1 VC - 2pt win

Stonefield Flyer ran extremely well in recent weeks but he was particularly good last time out at Kempton when he tackled 7f for the first time. He did see out the distance without any problem and it was impressive how he took over the lead early on and then set a good pace, when the question had to be answered if he can keep that up over the longer trip - and he did it, really well. He kept finding and finding in front, even when put heavily under pressure. In fact he was going away in the end. Nice win, he's up a couple of pounds for it, but over this new trip there might be still a bit more improvement to come, particularly in a small field like this where not not much pace will be on. Only the favourite seems to be a danger for the lead, so whatever happens, I could imagine Stonefield Flyer will be right up with the pace, if not even setting it, and probably it won't be a too strong one, which will give him every chance.

BBOTD - Thursday 3rd of April2014

Another 2nd place today. Appease tried to make all and travelled well enough for a long time, but was flat footed once again approaching the home straight and had no chance to match the pace of the eventual winner, while finishing the race pretty well again. I come to the conclusion that Appease run surly to his mark, but probably need to drop a couple of pounds or find an easier race to win.

16.05 Lingfield: Clear Praise @ 16/1 Bet365 - 1pt win

Thought Clear Praise ran a really good race in a higher grade at Kempton last time out. He attempted to make all and set a really quick pace. He had the field nicely on the stretch turning for home but didn't get a chance to get in a little breather before being ask for everything. He got a break on the field soon after approaching the home straight but had to pay tribute to all the energy burnt before, when fading badly in the closing stages. Yet he wasn't far beaten in the end. The handicapper drops him one pound for this, which means he is now 1lb below his last All-Weather winning mark. He has a good draw tomorrow, which will ensure he'll be up with the pace, which suits him best. I'm sure he won't get the lead as the favourite from pole position will surly do everything to have his had in front, and there are some other horses that want to be up with the pace. So from that perspective, there might be a bit too much competition for a prominent position, and it might be the case that he has to do allot to maintain a position close to the pace. On the other hand he has the good draw, so might not be required to burn to much energy early on, in contrast to some rivals. After all he's certainly a very big price and too big in my mind.

BBOTD - Wednesday 2nd of April 2014

16.55 Lingfield: Appease @ 4/1 William Hill - 3pts win

I give Appease another chance. backed him the last two times and think he's is poised to win now upped in trip. He was eye-catching on his seasonal debut at Wolverhampton back in February, ran slightly below par subsequently at the same venue, but showed a big performance at Kempton most recently, when dropped to 1m. He overcame his wide draw easily and was soon after the start right up with a cracking pace. They clearly set quick fractions. Entering the home straight Appease seemed to be flat footed and outpaced, he lost position and couldn't match the speed of the eventual winner, but he stayed on strongly to finish 2nd in the end. This run indicates he probably need further to be seen to best effect, and he has one good performance over 10f to his name already, when he finished a strong staying 2nd at Bath. So I feel of his current mark over this kind of trip, he has every chance to win another race finally.