As usual, Saturday's fare comes with a wallet warning but I do have three from my list of horses of interest so I feel duty bound to jump in with these plus one more who may run better than the price suggests.
Firstly, I'm wading in with one who may surprise at the price in the Great St Wilfred at Ripon:
Indian Creak - 2.50 Ripon - 20/1 Ew 7 places Unpl
Yes, the draw. As I'd hoped, some horses did cross over to the far rail and, as I'd hoped again, mine was up making the running but in the end, the stand side was the place to be. The fact that Summerghand hit the frame probably told us, imo, that he was the best horse in the race at the weights.
Not to be for Indian Creak and his defeat signaled what was to be a very disappointing day for me. I think he has another race i him this season, though. We'll see where he takes us.
I know it would appear that a high draw is the call in this race but I've always thought that the important thing is to be on either rail. With the stalls being on the stands side, it could probably be that low numbers are a bad call but it may be that those drawn low may make it over to the far rail. Who knows? At any rate, I do like this one's second to Inver Park at Windsor in May. Inver Park is now rated at 98 so running that one to 3/4l at levels looks good to me..
Lto at Goodwood, IC was out of the picture with a furlong to go but fairly ate up the ground in the final furlong of the 5f race and 6f is his trip so that was a good run that may have gone under he radar.. Trainer Channon has hit form with two winners from his last four runners. 28/1 for the first 6 places looks like excellent value to me.
My next choice caught the eye lto just a week ago when last of 5 (!) to Whitebeam, btn 41/2L over 7f.
Eldrickjones - 3.25 Ripon 14/1 Ew 4 places Unpl
This showed that he didn't stay the mile, I think and was the biggest disappointment of the day for me. I guess they'll revert back to 7f. I'm not going to jump ship with this one. That last run showed that he can win one and probably at a decent price. that run behind Whitebeam showed me enough to bear him in mind, still. It wouldn't surprise me if the handicapper drops him three pounds or more after this and bearing in mind that Newmarket run in may, he could be set up for something in the autumn.
What I noticed is that Whitebeam's winning time was the best on the card and that one is entered into a Gp 3 in future, is improving and classy. Eldrickjones, although last, was running on again at the line and this mile may be just what he needs. I'm thinking that the 14/1 on offer for 4 places is a great price and I'll be backing him here in the hope that my racing eyes are in decent nick - famous last words!
My third horse went into my notebook two runs ago:
Jukebox Jive - 7.30 Tramore 20/1 ew 5 places Unpl.
Another bad run. what can I say? I'm sure at all that the course suited him and I'll be looking to him dropping even further in the handicap and maybe set a task on a more galloping track. This Tramore looks so sharp, it's not true. They're setting this one up for somethng, I feel sure.
I thought he ran on nicely at Lismore over 2m and has since run unplaced over 12f - too short - (after 55 day break) but had a good blow-out, making the running before weakening. He'll strip fitter tomorrow over a more suitable trip, I reckon. He's 10Lbs below his LWR (84) and has won previously at Sandown off 86. breeding suggests that trip is no worry and I just can't resist the 20/1 on offer for 5 places here.
My last is:
Walnut Beach - Tramore 8.00 - 6/1 Ew 3rd 6/1
At least I got some sort of run for my money with this one and again, I'm not sure the tight turns of Tramore did him any favours.
I had noticed this one being given curious rides twice over 1m 6f on the flat before they ran him 2nd over hurdles at 25/1. He met one that day but ran a fierce race to be 2nd and I'm hoping that this step up to 2m on the flat will suit.
So:
4 x ew Singles
Ew L15
In the Great St Wilfred, Summerghand looks almost too good but has, on the face of it, a really good chance so I'll also be doing him Ew singly. 3rd 6/1
At least he placed for me and did well with the draw he was given, didn't he.
Five horses in all and I may be smarting at the day's end but there you go. I can only say it as I see it.
Good luck
Ouch. That was non a comfortable experience at all. Still, as I wrote, I can only say it as I see it and I'll have to accept the punishment and not be downtrodden.
Firstly, I'm wading in with one who may surprise at the price in the Great St Wilfred at Ripon:
Indian Creak - 2.50 Ripon - 20/1 Ew 7 places Unpl
Yes, the draw. As I'd hoped, some horses did cross over to the far rail and, as I'd hoped again, mine was up making the running but in the end, the stand side was the place to be. The fact that Summerghand hit the frame probably told us, imo, that he was the best horse in the race at the weights.
Not to be for Indian Creak and his defeat signaled what was to be a very disappointing day for me. I think he has another race i him this season, though. We'll see where he takes us.
I know it would appear that a high draw is the call in this race but I've always thought that the important thing is to be on either rail. With the stalls being on the stands side, it could probably be that low numbers are a bad call but it may be that those drawn low may make it over to the far rail. Who knows? At any rate, I do like this one's second to Inver Park at Windsor in May. Inver Park is now rated at 98 so running that one to 3/4l at levels looks good to me..
Lto at Goodwood, IC was out of the picture with a furlong to go but fairly ate up the ground in the final furlong of the 5f race and 6f is his trip so that was a good run that may have gone under he radar.. Trainer Channon has hit form with two winners from his last four runners. 28/1 for the first 6 places looks like excellent value to me.
My next choice caught the eye lto just a week ago when last of 5 (!) to Whitebeam, btn 41/2L over 7f.
Eldrickjones - 3.25 Ripon 14/1 Ew 4 places Unpl
This showed that he didn't stay the mile, I think and was the biggest disappointment of the day for me. I guess they'll revert back to 7f. I'm not going to jump ship with this one. That last run showed that he can win one and probably at a decent price. that run behind Whitebeam showed me enough to bear him in mind, still. It wouldn't surprise me if the handicapper drops him three pounds or more after this and bearing in mind that Newmarket run in may, he could be set up for something in the autumn.
What I noticed is that Whitebeam's winning time was the best on the card and that one is entered into a Gp 3 in future, is improving and classy. Eldrickjones, although last, was running on again at the line and this mile may be just what he needs. I'm thinking that the 14/1 on offer for 4 places is a great price and I'll be backing him here in the hope that my racing eyes are in decent nick - famous last words!
My third horse went into my notebook two runs ago:
Jukebox Jive - 7.30 Tramore 20/1 ew 5 places Unpl.
Another bad run. what can I say? I'm sure at all that the course suited him and I'll be looking to him dropping even further in the handicap and maybe set a task on a more galloping track. This Tramore looks so sharp, it's not true. They're setting this one up for somethng, I feel sure.
I thought he ran on nicely at Lismore over 2m and has since run unplaced over 12f - too short - (after 55 day break) but had a good blow-out, making the running before weakening. He'll strip fitter tomorrow over a more suitable trip, I reckon. He's 10Lbs below his LWR (84) and has won previously at Sandown off 86. breeding suggests that trip is no worry and I just can't resist the 20/1 on offer for 5 places here.
My last is:
Walnut Beach - Tramore 8.00 - 6/1 Ew 3rd 6/1
At least I got some sort of run for my money with this one and again, I'm not sure the tight turns of Tramore did him any favours.
I had noticed this one being given curious rides twice over 1m 6f on the flat before they ran him 2nd over hurdles at 25/1. He met one that day but ran a fierce race to be 2nd and I'm hoping that this step up to 2m on the flat will suit.
So:
4 x ew Singles
Ew L15
In the Great St Wilfred, Summerghand looks almost too good but has, on the face of it, a really good chance so I'll also be doing him Ew singly. 3rd 6/1
At least he placed for me and did well with the draw he was given, didn't he.
Five horses in all and I may be smarting at the day's end but there you go. I can only say it as I see it.
Good luck
Ouch. That was non a comfortable experience at all. Still, as I wrote, I can only say it as I see it and I'll have to accept the punishment and not be downtrodden.
