A poor end to the month, which was disappointing, but August still saw us make a profit of +21.98 points. We have now had eight consecutive profitable months in 2009, and profit for the year is up to +542.03 points. Let’s hope for a good start to September today.
3.20 - Leicester:
Iron Out - 2 pts win. Available at 15/2 (Sportingbet)
Indian Tonic - 1 pt win. Available at 14/1 (Sportingbet and Coral)
Most of these haven't found winning easy recently and most don't have many secrets from the handicapper. Two of the least exposed are the three year olds, Indian Tonic and Iron Out. Indian Tonic probably needed her reappearance last month but she did run below par on her final two starts as a Juvenile. Hopes here are that she returns to the form she showed over C/D last September. Her proximity to Crackdown may have flattering but she has been allocated a mark of just 70 for this handicap debut and she ought to have the ability to get competitive from there. The yard have a 21% strike rate at this track in recent seasons returning a l.s.p of £26. They have also won this race twice in the past five years. Iron Out has been seen more frequently on the A/W but his 6/12, beaten just under three lengths, over a mile at York has worked out well and he was the winner of a C/D Seller here in June. He will appreciate a good gallop because he seem to lack a change of gears but, granted a decent pace, he will still be going when others are stopping. The yard send just the one to the races today and have booked a jockey who has done well for them in the past.
3.30 - Ripon - Bolodenka - 1 pt e/w. Available at 16/1 (General) 2nd 20/1 ;D
This is a competitive race and it's not easy ruling anything completely out. Knight's Victory could be chucked in here on his handicap debut and Legislate has to respected given his powerful stable's record at the track. However at a big price Bolodenka could return to form. He has been nearer last than first in his three races since returning to the turf but, although 10/12 at Chester last time out, he ran a lot better than his finishing position suggests. It was a similar story at Haydock prior to that when he completely fluffed his lines at the start. He wasn't given a hard time by his jockey on either occasion but still made up some encouraging late ground. As a result he is now back down to his last winning mark over a trip which he is till relatively unexposed. He is versatile regarding ground conditions but may not want it too soft over today's distance. Partnered by a five pound claimer who is beginning to attract attention.
5.00 - Ripon:
Leyte Gulf - 2 pts win. Available at 7/1 (Victor Chandler and Stan James)
Unawatuna - 1 pt win. Available at 12/1 (General) 1st 7/1 - 10's available earlier
A race full of mainly exposed performers that won't take much winning. Leyte Gulf has had plenty of racing but he has only been in this country for two years and he is still relatively unexposed on turf. He has improved in each of his races this season and, after just five races on grass in this country, he promises more to come. He showed on the A/W last season that he stays two miles and his five pound rise for winning last time out still leaves him below his A/W mark. His record suggests good ground or softer will suit. Unawatuna has disappointed on her last two starts but she has performed well on all three occasions Kelly Harrison has been on board and her return today could spark her back into life. She has dropped to mark two pounds below that from which she ran Danzatrice close over C/D on her reappearance in May.
5.20 - Leicester:
Bolanderi - 2 pts win. Available at 7/1 (General) 1st 10/1 :boss:
Bert's Memory - 1 pt win. Available at 11/1 (Skybet and Coral)