Starting with a long shot in the Champions Sprint (2:00) at Ascot
Wokingham winner Bacchus was well beaten in the Maurice de Gheest last time, but he had run well over this c&d even before winning the Wokingham and could go well again.
Small each way bets, 3 places @ 40/1, 4 places @ 28/1 and 5 places @ 18/1
Well, I got that badly wrong, well beaten last again.
Tried another c&d winner, this time at Catterick (2:55)
Vallarta is 11 lbs lower than his c&d win last year, although he has been beaten here from similar marks since then. Ground shouldn’t be a problem as he has won twice on soft. Draw could have been better but it’s not too bad, hopefully run well.
Small each ways again, 3 places @ 10/1, 4 places @ 8/1
It’s been a good day so far with 10/ winner and 33/1 placer.
Trying one more, and this is a real long shot.
4:40 Catterick - Holiday Magic has never even placed from 20 runs on turf, but handicapper has finally given him some respite and he drops to class 4 for first time for nearly two years. Finished 9th of 15 on previous visit to Catterick, but that was from a very wide draw. Jockey is 2 from 5 at the track. Hard to be confident as horse has been finishing last or near last in recent runs, so very much a speculative bet.
One final bet for today, it’s in the last race at Wolverhampton (9:15)
Going back to the c&d winner theme. Safrani is turned out quickly after winning here on Thursday. Drawn wide today, but only a 3 year old and could still improve.