Dear Member

Cracking effort from Gracious James last night. The winner was too good but he did very well to finish 3^rd for each way returns.

Onto today…

Small profit added today with one winner and one place,

Dark Alliance won as expected. Absolutely nothing went right, slow away, wide trip and then trouble in running so the fact he won going away was very impressive.

Roundabout Magic was un-done by a very poor ride. He needs cover but was ridden as if competing in one of those 1f trials in America. It was only Levi William’s 2nd ride admittedly but he clearly has a lot to learn about getting a horse settled and more importantly timing.

Danz Gift finished 3rd for each way returns. He was backed from 8s into 11-4 so I expected a little more but he was keen early so I’d be prepared to give him one more chance.

Tips for Saturday 13^th January, 2018

1.25 Lingfield – Reckless Endeavour 3-1 widely available/Leo Minor 12-1 widely available (Although 14/1 Bet 365 but we will settle at 12/1)
1pt win Reckless Endeavour Fin U -£10
0.5pts E/W Leo Minor Fin Unp -£10

An interesting 6f handicap where two appeal. Reckless Endeavour is an obvious choice, we put him up last time out over this C and D and he should have won but a poor ride and some bad luck in running saw him narrowly beaten in 3^rd. He has been left on the same mark which is clearly workable and from a good draw in stall 2 his chance is clear.

If there is to be a surprise package it could be Leo Minor, he finished in behind Reckless Endeavour last time out but ran eye-catchingly well from a bad draw. He was denied a clear run down the straight for a few yards and also seemed to hang under pressure which obviously cost him a length at least. That was his 2^nd start for Robert Cowell and he showed distinct improvement in my opinion. He has been dropped a huge 5lb by the handicapper and from a better draw in stall 4 he could easily surprise a few in here. Looking back at his Irish form he liked to make all so from stall 4 I expect him to be ridden prominently by Berry.

2.40 Kempton – Diese Des Bieffes 5-1 widely available
0.5pts E/W Fin Unp -£10

I really fancy Diese Des Beiffes in here. Why on earth would Nicky Henderson chuck such a young unexposed horse like this into a big handicap of this nature. There is simply no other reason than that Henderson much think he has a massive chance. Henderson knows what it takes to win a race like this so I am happy to take his confidence on board. Looking at the horses form it is clear he is well handicapped of 135, he ran his best race by far last time out and it is clear he will relish this step up in trip. Mitchell Bastyan is booked who negates an extra 5lb which I take as another positive given how talented Mitchell is. He brings a mass of potential to the table and given Henderson thinks he could make up into a smart graded performer then he should be up to going close in a handicap of 135.

3.10 Lingfield – Karam Albaari 5-1 widely available
0.5pts E/W Won Returns £40

Karam Albaari is very interesting in here. He ran a big race last time out at this track over 2f’s further and has been freshened up since. He travelled strongly into the race last time out but was denied a clear run throughout the whole final furlong and he has finished virtually on the bridle. He has stall 7 tomorrow and again this big field and likely strong pace will all suit. Running of the same mark tomorrow if Harley can navigate a clearer run then he should go very close. The drop back in trip shouldn’t inconvenience him given how well he usually travels.

3.25 Wetherby – Granville Island 13-2 widely available
0.5pts E/W Fin Unp -£10

We put Granville Island up last time out at Haydock. He cruised into the race on the bridle but two earlier mistakes made an impact and then he clattered the 3rd last which ruined his chance. He still ran on nicely to finish 4th and now dropped another 3lb and down in class he looks to have fantastic claims. He loves soft ground which he will get, this slightly shorter trip is a bonus and it is worth noting he finished 2nd of 132 over this C and D last year on soft ground in a class 2. Running in here of 115 and dropped into a class 4 he quite simply should take all the beating.

7.15 Wolverhampton – Major Crispies 14-1 widely available
0.5pts E/W Fin Unp -£10

Major Crispies may not be the pick of Danny Tudhope but in my opinion he should be. He has a great draw in stall 3 and comes here in cracking form. His recent form figures read 2,1,4,5,4 and he is now only 1lb higher than that victory over this trip at Newcastle. He is quirky undoubtedly but from stall 3 he surely has his best chance for some time. Ideally I’d like to see him break a little better than usual with that draw and as a result sit mid division rather than being at the back. If that tactic can be applied, then he should go very close.

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