My notebook runners

[chaumi]

I would say Martator is a pathetic price given the current situation with Venetia. Bookie robbery!

Mind you, they're not giving anything away with Sole Solution and Hunter, either. The thieving scumbags.

 

[barjon]

Aye, I won’t be backing Martator , but I’d be delighted to see him win to give them some cheer. As jj says, you don’t become a bad trainer overnight and they must be tearing their hair out.

 

[barjon]

Grand Teton fell off the back and didn’t make any serious effort, although stayed on and closed the gap. Ionian, though, ran very nicely in front, but wasn’t too slick at the hurdles - even ballooned a couple. Fought hard, but couldn’t quite hold the winner with the rest half a dozen lengths behind. It was a promising run and he’ll go in the book.

Suited Norn Iron better it surely did and he won nicely (good ride from Harry Cobden, I thought).

Roses are red, violets are blue JPR One I love you - get in.

When I saw Paul Townend hit the floor out of the corner of my eye I got busy counting my chickens. Should have known better, but it was a bonza day overall.

One notebook today - 1:55 Musselburgh: Pure Carbon went in the notebook in October then won next time looking as though there was some in reserve. Then he unseated early in a race run by a horse he had beaten easily when he won the time before. -11/10 all Derham runners haven’t looked fully there yet, but Pure Carbon ran a decent second and is almost there. He was easily the slickest jumper according to jumps data. One for next time. 2/11 won nicely - maybe more? 24/11 unseated early when favourite. - He’s had a break since then, so not one you can say “ready to rock” with any confidence and it’s unusual for me to keep one in the notebook after a win. Won’t be a full bet.

 

[barjon]

Pure Carbon won nicely and that’ll do from him for now.

Surprisingly for a Monday I find myself with five notebooks. Unfortunately, though, there are two of them in the same race.

1:27 Kempton: Aviation - 16/1 ran very well until the last couple of furlongs which found him out. Look for him back to 2m4f. - He stays at three miles today which is a shame, but it sort of clears the decks for Il Va De Soi who I think would at least have challenged last time but for the fall - 31/12 although he was being ridden he still looked in with a live chance when falling two out. Worth another look if he’s not soured by the fall. - I’ll see if the market has anything to say.

2:02 Kempton: Neon Dream was a decent third in a Class2 at Cheltenham last time - 1/1 ran well on debut although no chance with first two. Beat the rest comfortably and should feature next time, particularly if eased in class. - and he is indeed dropped to Class4 for this one. Whether he’ll cope if the going turns nasty is unknown.

2:35 Kempton: Graecia has hit the cross bar four times since her win at Worcester and was particularly encouraging last time in a Class3 - 29/12 ran a really encouraging race in second and look for her down in class. - she is down in Class this time. Of course, her weight has been rising as a result of those near misses, but she seems be coping. If she runs up to her mark again she could just about squeak it.

3:07 Kempton: Madara was given an easy last time - 27/12 the stewards fired a warning shot across the Skeltons’ bows after this “take it easy” run. You never know when the time is right, but maybe cheekpieces will be the clue. - and I suppose trying to guess what the Skeltons are up to is a recipe for burnt fingers. No cheekpieces, either. Be wiser to leave it alone, I suppose.