Monday 27th June

Pontefract 4.45 - Handicap - Class 5 - 6 furlongs - 11 run - Good to Firm (an early dollop of rain is forecast then dry - anticipate Good Ground)

 

There are some Course and Distance specialists in here, none more so than Mr Orange, 7 times a Course and Distance winner, the most recent last September off 55 and runs off 52 here and blinkered for the first time at 9 years old. If they work it could improve on recent runs. Round The Island also likes it here, very consistent and probably the one to beat but with others like Stalingrad who is a 17 race Maiden and Dream Together who has a prime draw, all under 4/1 in the early markets they represent little value betting wise.

 

Late Arrival is one I tipped last time over Course and Distance, it didn't really figure though and although down another 2lbs isn't one I'm as confident in today. It's always a danger to ditch one so I will have a very small side bet as I often do if I can get a double figure price on any I had last time out.

 

The pair that really caught my eye are BLOWING WIND , who is a Maiden but consistently knocks the door and I don;t think is in any way ungenuine. It's got a nice mark and draw and I think today could be the day.

 

At bigger odds for an "Exchange" bet (have £1 e/w if you can;t use Exchanges, is PIVOTING , a win and place including over Course and Distance as a 2 year old rather spaffed it's Handicap mark early, it did place as a 3 year old last year off a mark of 77 so it definitely trained on. Its slowly worked down to a mark I think could now give it realistic hopes of winning and they enlist a tongue tie and cheekpieces and at the prices off a mark of 62 I fancy it to outrun Odds. It's definitely one to TRACK for the rest of the season as I'm sure it'll pick up a race or two along the way.

 

TRACKER - Blowing Wind (Exchange bet - Pivoting)

 

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Musselburgh 8.30 - Handicap - Class 6 - 7 furlongs - 10 run - Going Good (midday rain due)

 

This is a really tight race with Nicky Nonk, Rum Going On ; Yaaser and Clotherhome at the head of the market, all in form but with rising marks, so I just fancy something a bit less exposed and bigger odds.

 

There are plenty in with chance though with Fanzone a Course and Distance winner back on its last winning mark, On The River another Course and Distance winner off 56, runs off 59 and has chances for the in-form Haslam yard. Far From A Ruby drops in trip after 2 prominent runs over a mile at Ayr where it just weakened late on but I just feel this sharp 7 furlongs may not be the logical move that commonsense clearly dictates it is.

 

The pair I like are BOBBY SHAFTOE who might well go to town tonight and win (people of a certain age will remember the nursery rhyme about him) . It was runner up here on its penultimate run, ran well over 6 furlongs last time, this 7 furlong looks ideal and from Stall 3 it really has no excuses. At bigger odds for an "exchange" bet I have more than a quiet hunch about hOW BIZARRE a Course and Distance winner and placed here too, stuck off a mark in the mid 50;s it gets a pound off the handicapper and really the price when you look at the CD form seems very generous.

 

 

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TRACKERS -

 

Southwell 3.30 Do Ya Feel Lucky

Southwell 4.00 Ben Lilly

Musselburgh 7.30 Sixcos

 

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