BEST of the BETS

Bet 1

Stonebrigg Legend (2:20 Fakenham)

I didn’t make the minimum number of selections.

Only 8 selections
LSP: +2.83

2:20 Fakenham - price is shorter than I would like but hopefully can start the year with a winner. STONEBRIGG LEGEND usually runs well here, both her wins have come over this c&d, only disappointing run here was last May when only 6th (Benny’s Girl was 6 lengths ahead of her) but she did have a lot of bad luck in that race having been hampered and taken wide by the loose horse. Looks in good form having finished 2nd last twice (clear of the rest both times) in better races than this. Main rival Indian Native won a 4 runner race at Southwell last time, she could go well again but it was her first win in nearly 3 years so wouldn’t be certain to follow up. Others all look out of form, Benny’s Girl is potentially well handicapped though, and Westerner Ocean could be interesting, she is yet to go close in her 7 runs so far but interesting that she was backed from 25/1 into 9/1 last time before finishing 4th.

Not the most confident selection, but it’s a weak race and favourite looks the likeliest winner.

Selection - Stonebrigg Legend @ 11/8

Good luck.

Very poor, doesn’t know how to jump. I should have concentrated on the top 2 as they had the race between them.

LSP: +7.73 (win), -0.73 (place)

Bet 8

Notawordofalie (12:55 Warwick)

LSP: +3.83

Wins - 7/2, 5/6, 7/2

12:55 Warwick - today’s selection is a long shot, not expecting a win but hoping it can run well enough to place. NOTAWORDOFALIE won well in a bumper at Kelso in September despite being very weak in betting. She also has favourable form lines in bumpers with today’s top two in betting. She is 4 lbs better off despite finishing half a length ahead of Cill Anna at Aintree in October, though it should be noted that was Cill Anna’s debut so you would expect that one to improve. Selection also finished 7 lengths ahead of Emma’s Joy on same terms (not counting the weight for age allowance) in a bumper here in February. The problem is that she has run poorly twice in novice hurdles, both races at Exeter, finishing 10th of 16 first time, did a bit better next time with 6th of 14 but was still beaten 30+ lengths. There were no apparent excuses and she clearly needs to improve her jumping, but she has looked like she wants a longer trip so this step up to 2 mile 5 furlongs should suit. Jonjo Jnr is riding very well at the moment, 11 wins (20%) and 14 places from 54 rides at +13 LSP this month. As mentioned earlier, I am not expecting much as this looks a good race, 8 of the 11 runnings of this have been won by horses priced shorter than 5/1, and two at top today both look good. Favourite is rated 124, and won a novice here by 13 lengths, although this is a better race it’s difficult to see her not finish in first 2 today, and Cill Anna finished ahead of a 119-rated horse over this trip on her first run over hurdles. My selection is 40/1, and I will be happy if she can get into 3rd place, 16/1 with Bet365 for 6 places is not a bad bet.

Selection - Notawordofalie @ 40/1

Good luck.

No excuses, the winner was too good, but bit disappointed that my one lost 2nd place at the finish.

LSP: +8.73 (win), +0.27 (place)

Well done, TL. And well done Lord Du Mesnil, that was a very good performance, I didn’t think he could do it as not many horses win two big staying handicaps within space of about a week, can see him running in Grand National at some stage as he seems to have a lot of stamina.

Bet 7

Classic Ben (2:00 Haydock)

LSP: +4.83

Wins - 7/2, 5/6, 7/2

Good luck, TL. I have backed Classic Ben in this but it was a hard choice just ahead of Potters Legend. Lord Du Mesnil also in very good form but hasn’t had much of a rest after a tough race in heavy last time, just my opinion, it will be a very good performance though if he wins.

Thanks Peregrine.

2:00 Haydock - tricky race in which it’s hard to completely rule out any of the 6 runners. CLASSIC BEN was backed into favouritism on his seasonal return at Bangor but could finish only 4th of 8 (beaten 8 lengths), I feel he wasn’t suited by the heavy going and slightly better conditions today should give him a better chance of seeing out this trip. It was a difficult choice for me between this and Potters Legend, who has a very good record on soft (21231244F13) and has also won here before but I decided to go with less exposed Classic Ben who still has potential to improve. Price of 4/1 is a little bit shorter than I was expecting though as he is stepping up to this distance for first time, and it’s not an easy race with as many as 3 course winners in opposition, but I think he has a good chance as long as conditions don’t get worse, which they shouldn’t as forecast is for a sunny day.

Selection - Classic Ben @ 4/1

Good luck.

Well done with Boss Man, good luck with the next one.

Big drift out to 7/2, but still won very easily.

LSP: +9.73 (win), +1.27 (place)

Bet 6

Cut The Mustard (12:35 Limerick)

LSP: +1.33

Wins - 7/2, 5/6

Only half an hour till race time, so not giving reasons for selection.

12:35 Limerick - Cut The Mustard @ 7/4

Good luck.

Well done, Peregrine.

Another poor result for me this week, only 3rd.

LSP: +5.42 (win), -0.36 (place)

Bet 5

Homer (12:45 Kempton)

LSP: +2.33

Wins - 7/2, 5/6

12:45 Kempton - not much hurdling form to go on, but on flat form HOMER is well ahead of others so if he can jump he should be the one to beat. Thyme White needs to improve from his hurdling debut at Sandown 3 weeks ago but still looks the most likely for the forecast spot.

Selection - Homer @ 6/5

Good luck.

Well done, Stevie