I had to do a triple check on the name when I saw that 7/4 winner down to Jake. 7/1 is short for Jake! Anyone, well done as the sole winning Napster I can see for Saturday. If I've left anyone out, I apologise; please leave a message on this thread and I'll update.
I managed to scrape a small profit from my host of EW bets on the Mackeson. My biggest bet by some way was on The Real Whacker and consternation is much too weak a word when I saw him drop away so tamely. Turns out he was struck into on his near fore; also lame on the same leg, so maybe the dreams of those connections are not yet done with. Let's hope there are no long term ill-effects. Harry's tip helped the coffers too, getting 8th when looking set for 18th turning in. A good mare, but it just shows what these non rock star yards are up against in the sport.
I've spent a while looking at the Jewson, 2.20, and ended up with a shortlist of:
Dom Of Mary
Rose of Arcadia
Captain Cattistock
Malina Girl
Dom Of Mary sticks out as particularly good value and I've backed him at 20s with Paddy Power to 3 places, at 16 with Hills to 4, and at SP with Skybet to 5. Hasn't had much racing and looks something of a D Bridgewater project. David got him after he won his point over 2m3f and he was kept at that trip until March this year.
They've been gradually stepping him up and he ran his best rating when winning almost 2 weeks ago on his seasonal debut over an extended 3m1f at Plumpton, the longest trip he's faced. I assume from this entry they think there is more to come, though this will be a proper test tomorrow, probably on dead ground.
Still, he has Caoilin Quinn claiming 5 giving him 9.13 - a very handy weight for this slog, and I think he's a good bet, certainly to 5 places. The others on my shortlist are longer too than I would have them, but Dom Of Mary easily gets my vote.
Good luck
Joe
In the 13.45 at Cheltenham the 2 identical twin foals finally get to meet up.
Ellie Perfecta and Es Perfecto.
I am going for the Colm Murphy Raider Elle Perfecta.
Cheltenham 3.00 Iberico Lord
The prize money at Fontwell today is scandalous. It's not only the heavy ground that has deterred entries. Years ago the Salmon Spray was a nice prize and a very competitive event, one of the feature races of the season at the Sussex venue. Three run today, a new low. Up For Parol returns for the first time since May. His claim to fame is a third place in the Lanzarote back in January, one of the weirdest races of last season. Twenty runners, only four finished - the ground was officially "soft" but the clerk of the course at the Somme called that "soft" too. Jamie Snowden, brave man, has categorically stated that UFP "will win the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton this year".
Having launched Facile Vega's chasing career yesterday Willie Mullins sends Fact To File over the larger obstacles today (bypassing hurdles, hint hint). It's a tough life being WPM.
Paul Robson is putting Spittal on Rule* on the map. It's a big moment having his first winner at Cheltenham with his first runner.
* It's near Hawick, by the way.
Ginny's Destiny 1.45 Cheltenham won SP 100/30.
Just checked with Paul. Six is OK. Badly winded but up. Hated the ground.
Captain claude won 6/4.
Lord Iberico wins at 7/1
I thought the Skeltons would pick up one of the meeting's big handicaps, but the horses are simply not finishing their races. I wouldn't write off Unexpected Party or L'Eau du Sud. I reckon they're sure to pick up some decent pots this season.
