Dire stuff today all in all but a few that do make appeal at big prices.
3.50 - Southwell - Castle View. 0.5 pts e/w. Available at 20/1.
This is a race that won't take much winning. Mondo Cane went close over fences recently and he could easily shed his maiden tag against this standard of opposition back over hurdles. Broome Lane heads the market, primarily due to his second to the progressive Nordic Nymph last time out. He was beaten eight lengths but the winner was eased down and he was flattered to get that close. All the horses behind him were maidens and it's debatable how good that form is, even in context of a poor race like this one. Oscar O'scar is a maiden after eleven starts but he has shown some ability against better horses than he meets here and he was placed in this grade last time out, albeit beaten 21 lengths. Sand Artist showed his best piece of form last time out on his second start over fences in the first time blinkers. He has left Venetia Williams since and the drop back in trip over hurdles without the blinkers may not see him in his best light. The Kvilleken has disappointed on more than one occasion in testing ground so conditions are not in his favour. At a big price it may be worth having a small speculative E/W wager on Castle View. His Irish Point win back in March 2013 doesn't amount to much but he showed ability on his hurdling debut for current connections at Worcester in July of that year and was then absent for eighteen months. He hasn't shown anything in his two runs back from that break but the first is likely to have been needed and he had absolutely no chance of getting involved with vastly superior rated horses at Bangor last time out. The fact that he ran there suggests it was only to qualify him for a handicap and his initial mark of 92 wouldn't be bad if he still retains the ability of two seasons ago. That's the speculative part but, in a race where several very poor horses are trading at unappealing prices, the risk looks worth taking.
4.30 - Fakenham - Essteepee. 1 pts e/w. Available at 16/1.
Sandynow and Aviador rightly head the market for this extended three mile handicap hurdle but neither look rock solid and there could be some mileage in the price of top weight, Essteepee. He has been soundly beaten in his last three starts over hurdles but had shown some ability on his hurdling debut at Worcester in October. It's asking him a bit much to suddenly show his debut form in the light of what has followed, including on his handicap debut last time out at Taunton. However the first time tongue tie he wore there is removed and the main hope of him finding the improvement needed to get involved is the major step up in trip. He is a brother to Trigger The Light who twice won over 29 furlongs at Warwick so there is major optimism that this stiffer stamina test will suit. He is partnered by a capable seven pound claimer and with a yard who can get the best out of him, whatever level that may be.
5.10 - Wolverhampton - Bron Fair. 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1.
Bron Fair is yet to sight a winner in five starts, the last four on this track between 7 and 8.5 furlongs. She wasn't beaten far in two of her three maiden races but was beaten seven and half lengths into eighth of the eleven runners on her handicap debut over seven furlongs last time out. Drawn on the inside she was niggled almost from the start and didn't look comfortable with the pace in the early stages. However she stuck to her task and was making a move down the inside when her ground was taken in the straight and she had to snatch up. It's difficult to say where she would've finished but it wouldn't be unfair to say that it may have been closer than the eventual distance she was beaten. She steps up to 9.5 furlongs for the first time today and, the way she struggled to go the initial pace in that last race it could suit. The stiffer test is certainly backed up by her breeding and she has a decent draw in four to follow the early pace, most of which is drawn near to her.
This is one very good horse
