Wetherby 3.55
By UK Flat / AW (Northern)
NORTHERN - Wetherby 3.55 Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 - 2 miles 5 and 1/2 furlongs - 12 run - Soft
A diversity of experience and potential here and I'm happy to take on the likes of YES DAY who has had a wind operation and drops in Class, Knowwhentoholdem, who has moved from the disgraced Milton Harris operation to Neil Mulholland and who runs with a penalty for a win whilst under the temporary charge of Tony Charlton and Montregard who lacks experience and who may not be great market value.
Magical King who has a Course win over shorter and the progressive Willsburg who fell close home whilst leading last time were not lightly discounted and probably more feared than the market leaders. Idem may just need the run off a 4-5 month break for Lucinda Russell but has been added to the TRACKER and we'll watch it today. (The TRACKER by the way will be back once we have weeded out a lot of Flat and NH deadwood).
I really like the chances here though of GOOD LUCK CHARM who has been in some nice races at Cheltenham and Kempton albeit on better ground, but who has wins and good runs on soft and heavier tracks in the past. I think there is real market value at the time of writing. For some shrapnel, I am really taken by the chances of CHATSHOW TV who comes from a P2P background and who is progressing steadily, a step back in trip to a trip that may be ideal currently looks a big positive. I also suggest a small wager on the McCain horse BLUE FIN who gets a helping hand from Brian Hughes, another with a 3 mile P2P background with the speed to have won a novice race at 2 miles and one who could be lurking and open to progress at a nice e/w price.
Tips (1) Good Luck Charm / (2s) Chatshow TV / (3s) Blue Fin
-----
In the 3 mile Handicap Hurdle at 5.05 both OLIVERS ISLAND @ 11/1 and HOWZAT HIRIS@ 12/1 are exposed types who have been treading water waiting for marks to come to "win mark range" and both are shall we say "due" if you look at their overall track records. In a race where none of the market leaders really enthuse, both are worth some shrapnel each way. I've also added BULLION BID to the TRACKER, a nice type before a 713 day absence and ran well to a point on return for Nicky Richards, will almost certainly need this but if progressing a little more will increasingly become one to keep a close eye on. (shrapnel e/w)
--------