Northern - Thursday 8th September

 

Two Divisions of this race and by start time it's going to be softer than Good. It is worth pointing out that following a massive redevelopment of the tRack getting on for a decade ago that the drainage here is second to none so it does hold up better than most. The local thinking is that soft Going suits those drawn high on the Stands side but it's also the case here that a rain can be an advantage.

 

Later in the week it will be worth noting where the runners come on the Round Course as if they switch to the Centre on Stands rail there may be by Saturday an unused stretch on the Sprint Course on the far rail suiting LOW numbers. We'll keep an eye on that.

 

4.55 Division 1

 

A few here have soft ground form, it's always worth noting an inconsistent horse like EAST STREET REVIEW in such conditions as it can pop up at a price and it runs off a very low mark based on some old Soft ground form. A draw in Stall 3 is not great but we'll have a £1 each way wager on this one.

 

HEY MR is very interesting with a high draw in Stall 13 with wins/placed runs on soft ground off marks of 75 and 77, It's off a mark of 65 after a poor run of form but no reason why it can't revive with so many things in its favour and Jason Hart in the saddle for Les Eyre. I actually rated it level with Never Dark, That's another Soft ground winner on a nice mark but Stall 1 just put me off. Hopefully I've called the Draw right.

 

Cottam Lane looks solid drawn 11 and Quercus may struggle off this mark but the most rock solid option may be Helvetian who is drawn in stall 13, has good form on the likely going but about whom my main niggle is the handicap mark. IF you want a win saver take it at your discretion.

 

I'll have an each way punt on HEY MR and HELVETIAN +  EAST STREET REVIEW (if either are non-runners I'd substitute Never Dark in to your investments)

 

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5.28 Division 2

 

Lucky Beggar and Terentum Star are both OK in soft but in receding form and not favoured at the weights here.

 

Ehrmann could do anything following a wind operation and 3 months off from a progressive yard. At the top of the market the aptly named Little Muddy, Indian Sounds and Crypto Quest are all serious contenders but don't inspire me with great confidence.

 

I think both CAMACHESS and Somewhere Secret are a bit overpriced and I'll have a small bet on CAMACHESS, who I narrowly favour;  of the pair.

 

The stand outs though for me are BOSSIPOP and IMPRESSOR

 

IMPRESSOR is in good form at the moment, it will love the rain and drawn 7 gives it tactical versatility. BOSSIPOP has soft and heavy ground form in better races when at peak, it may find this ground brings it to a level it can be competitive again in optimum conditions and it gets a nice draw in Stall 12 and Neil Callan is a bit of an eye-catching Booking!

 

I'll have a 1/2 point on both of those and a small shrapnel bet on Camachess.