Tuesday December 30th

[The Fortune Teller]

I've a few fancies. I had a day off yesterday, so feeling refreshed and ready for war today.

Edit. Most of these are each way prices.

Haydock
12.35 Maura Jeanne was raised 3lb for the last day when second, which looks fair enough. She should stay the trip all day long, and in truth I don't understand why she's not shorter in the betting, than the current 7/1 available.

1.05 Wolf Walker looks a half decent horse, having won several point to point races, and then an excellent second at Hereford last time when out running the odds. So I think it's closer between the market leaders than the market would have us believe, and Wolf Walker looks good value at 6/1 or thereabouts.

1.35 Ned Tanner is still on a workable mark of 119, won this race last year, and the wind operation he's had will hopefully help to rejuvenate him to his best form.

2.05 Paddy O Mahler ran better with the cheekpieces on the last day, and can cope with a 5lb rise in the weights. I'd have him as favourite myself.

3.05 Egbert is interesting now trained by trainer Christian Williams. He's got form on different surfaces, including better ground, so he should handle it today. A mark of 130 doesn't look too bad at all, hence if the best version of Egbert turns up, he should run really well.

3.40 I could see Sun Lady Marine running well here. When I looked at this race I got the feeling this horse was underestimated in the betting, basically because all it's form was in France. I'm happy enough to take a chance on her at double figure prices.

Taunton
1.50 Fat Faced Columbo should just bloody win, looking the form pick that he does.

2.50 See The Green has ran well enough the last few times, looks on a fair rating plus I'm hoping he can improve with the first time blinkers. I give him a really good squeak.

Let's go to war!

 

[jinnyj]

I meant to post about Wolfie earlier (I have mentioned him before as he's owned by a good friend) but I got stuck in town getting a flu jab and only just got in in time to watch it. I imagine they will be thrilled with that too. He has clearly run into a decent one again (Brixston coming down was nasty) but he does need a step up in trip and will be an even nicer chaser.

Religious Cross - another I missed (sometimes I can have some very blonde moments!). He won a point to point down at Buckfastleigh and really looked the part. There was an Ellis/Andrews hotpot in the race too that I thought looked weak so I told my bookie to lay it and this was the nicest in the paddock. This one will come on a tonne for today (Knock Off Sox is a fair ex pointer too) so keep an eye for for him.

 

[jinnyj]

Wolfie goes for the EBF final at Sandown in about 5-6 weeks time but will have another run before then so he gets a handicap mark . The final is 2m4f which will suit him perfectly.

 

[The Fortune Teller]

That's very interesting, thanks Jin.

I could only get two winners so far today, at SP's of 6/4 and 9/4.

It's just getting too hard to back big priced winners on the jumps, especially mid week. I'm not saying it was ever easy, but as I say, I don't think anything's won at a double figure price all day yet.

I've seen a few big priced winners coming up in Ireland, but I think favourite backers on English racing have never had it so good.

Edit, Egbert's just won at 5/1, that's 3/7 for me today, with one more to run.

 

[Danny]

Wolfie goes for the EBF final at Sandown in about 5-6 weeks time but will have another run before then so he gets a handicap mark . The final is 2m4f which will suit him perfectly.

Usually softer ground at Sandown think that would help also.

Also great effort from Marb.

 

[jinnyj]

Usually softer ground at Sandown think that would help also.

100% - I think today was possibly as quick as they would go with him although they don't want extremes. I'd fancy him to run quite well at Sandown.