Wheelavit provided a return yesterday by grabbing a place, but the rest of the selections flattered to deceive. Ermine Grey was a non-runner, so they day ended in just a small loss.
Today’s bets:
JOCHESKI (Wincanton 1.50) - 1 point E/W
8/1 generally available
There could be a decent pace in this race if Murphy and Gainsborough Art decide to take each other on for the lead. If Murphy settles better he could be a difficult horse to catch under an eye-catching jockey booking. However sharing topweight with that rival is Jocheski, and he is preferred. He has been off for almost three months since running poorly on the Fibresand in January. Considering he disappointed the only other time he tackled that surface the performance is excusable and, interestingly, he bounced back from that run to return from a longer break and record his only victory to date. He has only been seen over hurdles six times but he showed improved form on his handicap debut at Hereford last May and probably ran better than the distance he was eventually beaten when last seen over obstacles at Doncaster in December. Twenty furlongs in soft ground may have put too much emphasis on stamina because the way he travelled into the latter stages suggested he is still probably on the upgrade. Better ground and the drop back in trip here should see him in a better light. This represents a slight drop in class and, although his partner is not everyone's cup of tea, he does have a decent profitable track record in recent seasons.
WINSLEY HILL (Wincanton 2.50) - 1 point E/W
20/1 available at Skybet and Stan James
Earth Dream is up eleven pounds for his last win but the manner of that victory in a slightly stronger race makes him a worthy favourite. Also representing a powerful yard, Pourdal, makes his handicap debut and he could be a danger now he steps up in trip. However neither could carry maximum confidence for win purposes and preference is for a much smaller e/w stake on the much bigger priced Winsley Hill. She comes with drawbacks, two of which are stable form and a disappointing performance when last seen at Taunton. That effort came after a near six month break on firm ground and, although she has gone well fresh in the past, either or both could have been contributory factors. She has been campaigned almost exclusively over 16/17 furlongs but her only completion over further saw her go close over 21 furlongs at Ludlow in December 2007. Being a sister to Maori Legend she should stay today's trip (plenty of stamina on her Dam's side) and her form at shorter was very solid last year. Good ground or faster suits and she has formed a good relationship with her talented three pound claimer.
MURRUMBRIDGE (Folkestone 3.40) - 0.5 points E/W
22/1 available at Stan James
This is a very poor race and it could be worth taking a chance, to a very small stake, on complete outsider Murrumbidgee. He hasn't been seen on the flat for 18 months or over hurdles for nine months. He didn't really seem to relish obstacles and you need to go back a couple of seasons to find any worthwhile form on the level. However another change of scenery could perk him up and he is undeniably well handicapped on some of his old performances. His fitness has to be taken on trust, and he has to prove he retains a good chunk of his former ability, but he will have no problem with the trip or ground and he could perform much better than his price suggests if he is ready to do himself justice.
MARKILA (Ludlow 4.30) - 1 point E/W
9/1 generally available
AMEEQ (Ludlow 5.00) - 0.5 points E/W
25/1 generally available
... and one for luck:
Ludlow 3.00 Mount Benger
Don't bet more than you can afford to lose - and have fun