Nottingham 1.30

 

I am working on the basis of numerous forecasts that the Going will be a fair bit softer than advertised by the time racing starts.

 

At the head of the market Platinum Prince has been very adroitly placed to run up a sequence of 1-2-3-1-1-3 and yet only see its mark rise from 58 to 60, it now goes up to 65 and with conditions deteriorating, I'm happy to take it on.

 

I can;t find any reason not to have an each way banker bet on JACKS PROFIT at any price of 5/1 or more as it handles soft, gets the trip, runs off a nice mark and very much the one i think they all have to beat. If you want the win bet I wouldn't argue but there is a bit of built in safety with the each way option.

 

Control has a form chance but not sure about the ground, Nine Elms is a course specialist and Roy Bowring always has to be feared here, but the horse has won off 46 and 56 and now runs off 63 and is no spring chicken (like Roy) so I'll take it on this time. Optically would have a chance on one decent turf run at Ffos Llas but very few others excite and that left me with 3 to focus on in addition to JACKS PROFIT.

 

SAMEEN has not discovered some decent Flat form that saw it competitive off marks around 90 since they tried Hurdling and its last few Flat runs haven't suggested a return to form but off a mark of 59 and with conditions in its favour, may be just maybe it could rediscover some form.

 

CARLOS FELIX is drawn 2 so should get a handy position, a drop in trip seems quite logical and although not proven in soft it has run well enough on Good and Good to Soft. I can see this one staying on and nicking a place. 

 

More speculative is WHOLELOTAFUN , the draw is a negative for a horse whose best runs have always been from the front but the jockey booking is a massive positive especially at the price. It won twice last Autumn and I just have a feeling it could ping the stalls and dominate or if it doesn't the excellent jockey will keep it a bit wide and away from the others and then do something a bit tactically different and maybe come near side?