Tuesday 6th February 2024

[yorick]

Long time for me to be off the blog.

The truth is, I've had such a good January that, when things started to tail off a little for me, I've completely restricted my bets.

I think that I may loosen the purse strings a little to see how we go.

Towards that end I will have one main go today:

Benny Baloo - 4.35 Market Rasen 3/1 Win

I previously wrote in my notes:

"A full brother to Betty Baloo, three -time 3m chase winner, this is, clearly, bred to chase and certainly put in a promising run.
Ridden patiently but travelling well, he started to pick up the home straight without really challenging the leaders. Come the line, though, there was pleasing headway being made to signify that we can have a little fun with this one. 3m certainly looks the drill. Jumped well here, I thought. The fences are pretty unforgiving here.

Won next time out (3m g/sft) Won 3/1"

He's out again today and I have a feeling that the better ground will suit more than the soft that he encountered last time. Certainly his full sisters, Lulu Baloo and Betty Baloo preferred more top of the ground (g or g/sft). Benny B is just 8Lbs higher tan his last win by 9L (over c/d on g/sft), so it's possible there's more to come.

I took 3/1 and am hoping that he'll oblige.

Elsewhere, I'll do a little ew L15 but I share this only FYI since today throws out typical midweek mediocrity:



Blue Ribbon - Taunton 3.20

Geryville - 3.25 Market Rasen

Neon Moon - 4.20 Taunton

Grandee - Wolverhampton 5.30.


Good luck.

 

[yorick]

Not to be for Bennybaloo there due, in no small part I would guess, to the going changing from g/sft to soft: this fellow wants better ground in my opinion.

I'm pleased, at least, That I didn't go hell for leather with my stake. As I wrote above, I was only loosening the purse strings a little.

 

[yorick]

Yes, it's Saturday and an opportunity to watch some proper horses in some proper races.

This does mean that, as usual, we are presented with a raft of imponderables to consider. I have to say that any winners today will be seen as a bonus; you've been warned. The main point will be watch and learn. Cheltenham's round the corner and we'll need to bear in mind who is running a trial and those that have the heat turned on for today. So, a successful day for me will be any winners plus those that may be worthy of a notebook entry.

Two short-priced favs to start.

Apple Away - 1.05 Asc - 15/8 Win

This one is high up in my chasers folio, will go the distance, jumps very well; looks a natural. Outdone over 3m lto against another really smart one, the mare will have a great chance here and is in receipt of the 7Lbs mare's allowance, which must help.
Ran and jumped well but I'm disappointed. He's entered for the NH Chase (3m 5f) and Brown's Advisory (3m). I have accept that he stays ok although it idn't look like it here. Another thought: off his current 141 OR, he could be one for handicaps?

L'Homme Presse 3.36 Asc 5/4 Win

Check out the time of this one's last win on soft going: 2 secs faster than average; that is a seriously decent time which was helped by the front-running Protektorat. I should think pace will not be a problem here with more than one in the field having made all before. Given that, I'm hoping that L'Homme Presse can win again.

Disappointed again. Was staying on a little but I'm not sure he liked the course.

2 x win singles
Win double

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A couple of long priced ew's next:

Full back - Hay 3.15 20/1 Ew

No show and another well lacklustre run. Ho hum.

An odd one this. Came down lto in L'Homme Presse's race but I thought he seemed to be going quite well at the time. It's a shame that he didn't stay on his feet on that run since it would have benefitted him after more than a a year off. Still, they're up to 3.5m today, a trip that will suit and I am heartened by the booking of Coilin Quinn, my current favourite claiming jockey. Although I tend to ignore allowances when studying form, his 3Lb claim is a real bonus, given the boy's ability.

Hurricane Harvey - Ascot 4.10 22/1
I took note of lovely late headway in HH's last race and was very surprised when I saw his price for this. Top weight, I know but I can't resist including him today.

Eye equipment needed for this one: on and off the bridal, ran in snatches and needs something to help him concentrate. At least he'll go down 2-3 Lbs for this.

A couple more 'fancies':

Shan Blue - Ascot 3.00 4/1 Ew Jumped beautifully. I'd be happy to see him ridden up with the pace rather than making it.

I do remember Shan Blue going 20L clear and cruising before falling three out in the 21 running of the Charlie Hall at Wetherby (ouch!). It's been a long way back for this fellow but there is hope that this last run gave notice of some sort of return to form. At his peak, he'd pick these up and carry them so I'm tempted to have a go.

Individualiste - Winc 3.07 7/1 Ew
I'm probably wrong but I don't think this race will take much winning and fancy Individualiste to go close on his chase debut.

Looks like a monkey, I'm afraid.


Lastly, in a trappy h/cap chase at Wincanton, I'll have a sporting bet on:

Samuel Jackson - 4.17 Winc Ew 21/2 for 5 places.

Jumped ok and made the running but nowhere near once the others swamped him. Oh well.
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All in all, as I might have predicted, a rotter - not a single winner. Ouch! :|