Guns For Sale ran very well for a long way yesterday but faded to finish third. Our other 3 selections failed to land a blow, so the day ended in a loss.
Todays bets:
Epsom 2.30
A very competitive sprint over one of the fastest five furlong tracks in the country. Fathom Five didn't get his head in front last season but he returned some good performances from higher marks in better races through the Summer. He ran well on his only previous visit to this course but he wouldn't want the ground to dry out too much. He has improved for his initial outing in each of the past two seasons but he is with a new stable now and they have a habit of getting their horses ready earlier. They have yet to hit the target yet in this campaign but the booking of Alan Munro for their sole representative at the races today suggests Fathom Five could be ready for this. Ebraam won't lack for fitness after an A/W campaign but, he too, will not want the ground to become too fast. He hasn't been seen on turf very often but he showed enough from higher marks this time last year to be considered. He stays seven furlongs but he wasn't far behind the speedy Bertoliver at Chester over five last May (same terms today) and he will appreciate the climb to the line here if he can lay up with the early pacesetters.
Selection FATHOM FIVE. 1 point win @ 12/1 (General)
Selection EBRAAM. 1 point win @ 9/1 (Coral)
Perth 2.45
Lightly raced gelding who made a satisfactory hurdling debut over 23 furlongs at Kelso back in October 2007 and built on that over 20 furlongs when next seen 13 months later at Ayr last November. He has been set some very stiff tasks in two races since and, although not disgraced in a 20 furlongs Novice race at Haydock in January, he was probably outclassed in a Grade Two event over 18 furlongs back at Kelso a month later. He makes his handicap debut from a mark of 115 today and steps up to an extended three miles on better ground, all of which could see him progress again. His seven pound claimer seems to get on well with him and, if he doesn't get into a protracted duel for the lead with the likes of Maidstone Monument, he could go well at a rewarding price.
Selection MR WOODS. 1 point E/W @ 8/1 (General)
Epsom 3.05
Formax can be tricky to win with and his racing style is not ideally suited to this track but he has plenty of form at Goodwood and Brighton, which suggests he will at least handle it. he will probably prefer the ground good or softer but he does have form on G/F so the drying conditions will not scupper his chances. There looks likely to be a decent pace put to this race and that will suit a horse who stays further. he may not find it easy negotiating a passage through this large field but, if he does, he could be finishing better than most. A chance is taken on his fitness (he could be using this a prep. for the Chester Cup) but his disappointment on his reappearance last season was probably down to running too freely rather than a lack of condition.
Selection FORMAX. 1 point E/W @ 16/1 (Blue Square and 888 Sport)
Epsom 4.15
It's hard to imagine a more competitive race than this. There are plenty of viable alternatives but at a very big price Ramona Chase looks a bit of value. A recent outing on the A/W should've blown away any cobwebs and he resumes on the turf from the same mark from which he was a creditable second at Ascot last October. Two of his best efforts last season came here and at Goodwood and there seems no reason to suspect he will not run his race again. Ground just on the fast or slow side of good is ideal and the likely decent pace will suit a horse who can sometimes be a bit keen. Near the foort of the handicap, Kavachi caught the eye on his reappearance at Pontefract. He travelled very well into the latter stages of that race and, he normally improves for his initial outing, a big effort can be expected here. he has the profile of an improving horse and his chance probably depends on how lucky he gets when looking for the gaps. With plenty of experience of big fields and racing at Good wood and Brighton he is likely to run well under Ryan Moore.
Selection RAMONA CHASE. 1 point E/W @ 25/1 (William Hill)
Selection KAVACHI. 1 point win @ 11/1 (Totesport)
Epsom 5.25
Selection HIGHLAND RIVER. 1 point E/W @ 12/1 (General)
Southwell 8.00
Although Colinette let us down last time out she ran better than her pulled up effort suggests. In her first race for 10 months she made up some encouraging ground travelling well just after mid race but eventually a lack of fitness appeared to take it's toll. She could benefit from that outing today and, from a four pound lower mark, she could make her presence felt. She is unexposed over this sort of trip, handles faster ground and the application of the first time cheekpieces could sharpen her up. She has hinted on occasions that she has the requisite ability to win a race of this nature and, at a big price, she looks worth risking.
Selection COLINETTE. 1 point E/W @ 20/1 (General)