Straight back to winning ways yesterday once more, as Novastasia prevailed at Lingfield, and Rhinestone Ruby ran a cracker to go down by just a head (advised at 16/1).
Todays bets:
Pontefract 4.05
The three year olds get a decent weight concession at this time of year but they need it and the percentage call is to stick with the established older handicappers. Just Lille has been surprisingly dropped a few pounds, despite running well on her reappearance at Ripon earlier this month. She is a Mare with a progressive profile who, judged on her pipe opener, looks likely to improve again this season, especially as she now sports the cheekpieces (missing on her reappearance) in which she showed her progression last season. She is happy on ground from G/S through to firm and likes to race handy. Princess Taylor wasn't suited by the way the race was run on her reappearance eleven days ago but she probably needed that outing anyway. She improved through last season, is relatively unexposed over today's trip and still appears on a very feasible mark. She handles fast ground and the booking of Seb Sanders for the stable's only horse at the track takes the eye.
Selection JUST LILLE. 2 point win @ 7/1 (General)
Selection PRINCESS TAYLOR. 2 point win @ 7/1 (General) 2nd (by a nose!!) :cry:
Ascot 4.30
Marine Boy has been slightly disappointing since his scintillating win on his debut last season but he has suggested that he has plenty of ability and, after blowing the cobwebs away at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago, he may be ready to prove it. He looked a non stayer over seven furlongs there but the race may have been needed because he is certainly bred to get it. The faster pace of this drop back to sprinting could help a horse who can be a bit keen and, if he can lay up with the speedier types, he could prove stronger in a finish.
Selection MARINE BOY. 3 point win @ 4/1 (General)
Ascot 5.05
Selection LAST THREE MINUTES. 1 point win @ 16/1 (General)
Selection GREY BOY. 1 point win @ 16/1 (Sportingbet)
Selection THUNDER GEORGE. 1 point win @ 25/1 (Sportingbet)
Punchestown 6.05
Roll Along didn't run badly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and comes here having missed Aintree, probably due to the quicker ground. He has often threatened to win a decent race but sometimes hinders his chances by allowing himself to fall behind before making late headway. He is still relatively lightly raced, despite being a nine year old, and he has done enough in a light campaign to be considered in this company under these conditions. The yard have had a torrid time this season but their recent runners have hit form with a vengeance. The selection was almost five lengths behind Alberta's run at Cheltenham last season but the softer ground here will suit him better.
Selection ROLL ALONG. 1 point E/W @ 12/1 (General)
Kempton 7.50
Selection JAMES POLLARD. 2 point win @ 11/2 (General)
Selection RIDE A WHITE SWAN. 0.5 points E/W @ 25/1 (General)