Exciting news....after being locked in my Hampshire fastness for most of the evening, taking stick readings, wind directions, sending drones to monitor the Rowley Mile (plus the furlong that immediately precedes it) and having a stand-up fight with my data model - which almost electrocuted me before I pulled the plug out - I've found one to take on the jolly with!
When it inevitably wins, I've promised an exclusive interview here on this thread some three days hence with Walsworth, Chief Gambling and Flatulence Correspondent for The Prole On Sunday.
The name of the beast?
This is a horse who might not quite be the best handicapped in the race, if you go back to the dawn of time with all their career form, but it would still be among the better treated.
I like a horse for this brutal 1m1f cavalry charge who stays 1m2f, but has the speed for a mile.
And it is shaping up to be Good to Firm, which shouldn't be an issue.
I've got in mind a 6yo who should be in his physical prime, has a racing weight of 9st4lb and a less-than-insurmountable OR of 101 to run off.
I was there at Sandown Park to see this animal run subsequent Irish Derby winner Westover to a short-head in the 1m2f Classic Trial as a 3yo and he ran a stormer on Town Moor at 1m last time out.
"But how the actual f%*& can he beat the jolly you couldn't see beyond earlier TODAY, Ian? It beat him pointless, is progressive and is only a few pounds worse off!"
Good points, well made.
But it's all about the PRICE.
The favourite isn't "forced" (as Hull bookmaker and pro punter Nigel Culbert used to say) to stay the 1m1f, it's got prospects on pedigree, but it's not a given.
Plus CASH (for the grey gelding is THE ONE) got a debateable ride off Jamie Spencer.
I appreciate Spencer was seeking cover from the headwind, but he went all over Town Moor looking for shelter, in fact, at one point I thought he'd end up in the Arndale Centre down town or on Doncaster Rovers' old pitch across the road.
Spencer off, David Egan on - arguable upgrade.
And my beast is four times the price of the jolly and, if you're one of those low moral fibre, each-way merchants, there are more extended places than you can shake a stick at.