A fair start to the week with Hurricane Fly lining the coffers, but not as good as some. My brother-in-law had five winners including two at 10-1 – that’s a proper day.
The first race comes a little early for me so I’ll start with the 2:05;
2:05 : The top two in the market here could both be serious machines – So Young and Oscar’s Well have looked immortal in Ireland this season and both look well up to the historic standard required for the winner of this race. It isn’t easy to split these two and I’m not going to try – the race is a ‘no bet’ for me (for my blog at least…).
2:40 : I can’t see past Time For Rupert here. He’s a lovely progressive horse who has done nothing wrong this season – he’s due a win in a big race and I think his time will come today.
3:20 : Like Time For Rupert, Woolcombe Folly has had two runs, two wins in the back end of 2010 before being put away for Cheltenham (perhaps not running again as he waits for the better ground). He may thrive in a fast race on this ground and I’ll take him to see off the old guard.
4:00 : Pinstickers guide this race, and I’ll have a small bet on Straw Bear. He’s always preferred it soft, but he’s older now and his action has become a little abbreviated. The handicapper has given him a chance.
4:40 : The Fred Winter is a bit of an odd race and I’ve never backed the winner but maybe this year I’ll put it right with Paintball who I think has the right stuff. An expensive purchase from Willie Muir’s yard his flat form looked progressive and his hurdle form does too. He should go well enough on the ground and he has the assistance of Richard Johnson for the first time.
5:15 : Not a race for a big bet but I am a fan of Oscar Magic, who ran out a winner last time under a hands and heels ride in what may have been an above average race. He has a businesslike action and it looked as if he would benefit a lot from the experience.