A rare blank day for us yesterday. Green N’ Gold ran well for a long way but found a couple too good, and Bataleur and Fulford unfortunately found themselves drawn on the wrong side at Newcastle, and could never land a blow.

Today’s bets:

Wincanton 2.20
The gloss has been taken off this race somewhat from a betting perspective by the withdrawal of two runners leaving 15 (what a surprise!!). However this still has a wide open look to it and a chance is taken on Rhinestone Ruby. She let us down at Huntingdon over 21 furlongs last time out, eventually being beaten over 50 lengths, but she travelled well into the latter stages and was heavily eased when her chance had gone. The drop back in trip today on better ground could suit and the booking of Robert Thornton is a positive move. Rhinestone Ruby showed ability in Bumpers and she shouldn't be dismissed too readily from a mark of 90 on only her second start in a handicap.
Selection – RHINESTONE RUBY. 1 point E/W @ 16/1 (General) 2nd 9/1 - 14's available earlier ;D

Lingfield 4.50
Selection – NOVASTASIA. 2 point win @ 15/2 (General)
Selection – VOLOCHKOVA. 1 point win @ 12/1 (General) 1st 9/2 - 9/1 available this morning

Punchestown 4.55
A winner of this race with the class Mansony in 2005, Arthur Moore saddles the favourite Native Clan. However the presence of Philip Carberry on the supposed second string, Sole Bonne Femme, takes the eye. He sits on a mark of 110 today, eight pounds higher than when winning at Down Royal, and has been kept to fences in three races since. That may have been a move by connections to protect his rating for this race and, as he has improved with each outing over the bigger obstacles, it's safe to presume he is still in form. He is still relatively lightly raced and open to further improvement.
Selection – SOLE BONNE FEMME. 1 point E/W @ 20/1 (General)

Bath 5.05
Selection – STARLIT SANDS. 1 point win @ 9/1 (General)
Selection – BAHAMIAN BABE. 1 point win @ 16/1 (General)

Nottingham 7.05
I'm not sure Hurlingham should be as big in price as he is in a race of this nature. He will need a good pace to be seen at his best but, if he gets it, he is capable of getting competitive with this opposition. He ran well, despite meeting trouble and the race not being run to suit, on his reappearance at Doncaster last month and, as a horse who stays further, the faster they go here the better. He is versatile regarding ground conditions, still looks on a reasonable mark and represents a yard in reasonable form.
Selection – HURLINGHAM. 0.5 points E/W @ 25/1 (General)