Silver Grey looked to have timed his run perfectly yesterday but couldn’t quite get the better of Fly Silca Fly inside the final furlong. Balanderi finished just outside the placings after being well supported, but we did manage to find nice winner, as Wannabe King came home with plenty in hand at Windsor, to ensure no damage was done on the day.

Today’s bets:

4.15 - Newton Abbot:
Henri Prends Garde - 2 pts win. Available at 9/1 (Sportingbet) 2nd btn 1/2 length 10/1 :(
Eyesrdancing - 0.5 pts e/w. Available at 28/1 (Victor Chandler)
Big field but many of them ordinary and plenty out of form among those that aren't. Henri Prends Garde is relatively lightly raced under rules for a seven year old and, after missing fourteen months on the track, he has run well in three (all for present connections) of his four races since returning in January. He has been over two miles in his last two outings, finishing second last time out, but he was in the process of arguably running his best race when falling three out over 20 furlongs last month. All his races to date have been on ground softer than good so the drying ground is a concern but he is one of the few in this race with the potential to do better, with the step up to 22 furlongs likely to suit. His talented three pound claimer has a very profitable 23% strike rate at this track. Eyesrdancing has only raced six times under rules and, although he was well beaten on his handicap debut last time out, it was his best performance to date and this race looks easier. He was an unfancied 66/1 shot in that race and is another for whom an extra two furlongs could suit.

5.55 - Nottingham - Hyde Lea Flyer - 1 pt e/w. Available at 11/1 (Sportingbet)
There are some potentially very progressive performers in this race along with a few more established horses who are beginning to look well treated. Add to that the unknown of just how testing the ground will be come post time and it presents quite a conundrum. Hyde Lea Flyer can be excused his last run at Newbury where, awkward leaving the stalls, he became lit up and raced with the choke out from the off. The concern is that came after a five month break and it's not the first time he has been overly keen after a significant absence. He hasn't been seen since that last race 73 days ago and he will have to settle better this evening in what is likely to be ground softer than good. He was a runner up over C/D in maiden as a Juvenile and was progressive on the A/W last Autumn/Winter. He is bred to improve beyond his two year old season and a mile should be his very minimum distance. Both Trainer and Jockey have decent track records but as a team they are a rare combination.

7.10 - Musselburgh - Social Rhythm - 1 pt e/w. Available at 14/1 (General) 1st 16/1 :boss:
Social Rhythm has recorded both her career victories over six furlongs and it's the trip she is bred to appreciate. However various connections have tried her at longer trips and those currently responsible for her seemed to have decided that around a mile is her distance. She didn't achieve anything of note last season but arguably her best performance did come over this C/D from a five pound higher mark than she runs from today. She makes her seasonal reappearance, so fitness has to be taken on trust, but she does act on any ground and, down at this level, she may not yet be a hopeless cause. She will get strong assistance from an in form jockey who rides this track well.

8.10 - Musselburgh - Dig Deep - 2 pts win. Available at 8/1 (General)
Being by Entrepreneur out of a Mare by Rainbow Quest you would expect Dig Deep to stay at least/beyond a mile. He seemed to reiterate that assumption when he won twice over seven furlongs in his first season proper as a three year old. However, despite winning over the same trip as a four year old, all three of his victories since have been over five furlongs. After disappointing in three of his five races this season over 5/6 furlongs, he returns to seven furlongs for the first time in just over two and a half years. Needless to say he has fallen a long way in the handicap and his inconsistency does make him a risky proposition. He acts on ground on both the slow and fast side of good and, although he may be better suited by a fast run 5/6 furlongs on a stiff track, he may still have untapped potential at today's trip from his current mark.

8.25 - Nottingham:
Lake Chini - 1 pt e/w. Available at 9/1 (Skybet) 2nd 11/1
Cheshire Rose - 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1 (Victor Chandler and Coral) 3rd 14/1