Evening folks
I could have gone with nearly one in every race, that’s how decent the racing is but just the one further to limit outlay is below, along with the one’s already sent and their write ups. Back tomorrow for Saturday’s action.
2:05 Lingfield
YOUTHFUL KING – 1/2 Pt EW 20/1 4 places generally
Massive eye-catcher LTO over C & D, has a tricky draw again but on his day he is a class above these.
2:25 Newcastle
BAZBALL – 3/4 Pt EW 22/1 Will Hill 4 places, 20/1 4 places generally
I cannot quite fathom why this consistent, strong finishing filly is such a big price in this, given she was most unlucky, drawn in stall 1, against both the 2nd & 3rd favs for this over C & D LTO. She ran a remarkable race in my eyes, switched across the whole field the back again before powering up the unfavoured centre of the track to be beaten just 1 & ½ lengths in the end. Karl Burke has his stable in good nick and targets the impressive prize money on this day and it looks significant that he has enlisted a useful apprentice to take a further 3lb off her back. She is massively better off with those and indeed a few in here so, although a filly against males (something I normally find a negative) she has been running well against them all season so all in all, a decent looking bet for me.
3:35 Newcastle
THE X O – 1/2 Pt EW 35/1 boost Lads 4 places, 33/1 4 places generally
BILLYJOH – 1/2 Pt EW 18/1 boost Will Hill 5 places, 16/1 5 places normal price, 20/1 4 places generally if you prefer
Two improving 4 year olds, the former a classy horse finally given a chance by the assessor having placed previously against older Group performers last season. He ran a cracker over C & D when 3rd on this card last year in a race where he had no possible chance at the ratings. A little in and out, if he performs to that level, from a good draw should massively outrun is odds.
Billyjoh can start slowly but will be powering home at the finish and if in hailing distance of them at furlong pole, can go close so at value odds I though it was well worth playing the pair.
3:50 Lingfield
SIR OLIVER – 1/2 Pt EW 33/1 4 places generally (may get bigger later)
2nd & 3rd on the last two AW Finals cards at the track, going agonisingly close in this very contest last year off a 3lb higher mark. Has a big pull with the likely fav How Impressive in spite of beating that horse at this track 3 runs back yet is near 6 times the price?? He has kept his form well all season and although possibly better at 7F, that didn’t stop him running a cracker in this last year and I thought well worth a bet to see how he goes at a massive price this year.
4:10 Newcastle
STORM CATCHER – 1 Pt EW 16/1 4 places generally
This horse must have a massive handicap chance with Penzance. He was just denied over C & D by his old rival having not had the run of the race and challenging inside the final furlong on the worst part of the track. He finds himself 6lbs better off this time yet is 4 times his price and yes, Penzance is very progressive but this horse must have a big EW chance at the very least tomorrow.
4:40 Newcastle
SYMBOL OF LIGHT – 1 Pt EW 8/1 4 places generally
TROPEZ POWER – 1/2 Pt EW 28/1 boost Will Hill 4 places, 25/1 4 places generally
Both have been most unlucky, especially the former of late, running on strongly with little going his way. He is OVER 15lb better off with the favourite on the last C & D handicap running and granted a nice pace to chase/better luck in running, must surely be involved at the finish on all known form and I will be most disappointed if he doesn’t at the least! Tropez Power was a massive eye-catcher in that C & D event and his mark has fallen below 90 for the first time in ages. Based off of GeeGee’s draw analysis, both are berthed in good stalls so I thought it was worth backing the pair.