Saturday 28 January 2023

Bumper day at HQ today – we did very well on NYD so here’s hoping for further success.

Not edited – initial thoughts

11:40

Dixon Cove for the Paul Nicholls yard is a horse we have backed before, when second last time out, the horse prefers a prominent ride and we know will handle the going and distance. 9/2 looks a big price.

Dixon Cove 9/2 1.5PT ew

12:10
We stick with Ditcheat and the Champion Trainer, his mount Stage Star in the second race, of this 9 race marathon at HQ today. Plenty to like when second at Plumpton last time on soft ground. The race opens itself up to a front running type who can jump from the front and expect our selection to eyeball the Rich Ricci mount throughout.

Stage Star 9/2 2pt ew

12:40
In what well may we be an impacted cross country due to weather conditions, a small wager will be placed on, Back on The Lash, a popular type, not just due to it’s name but its regular cheltenham appearances over the years. A winner in 2021 carrying similar weight, we know he can go on soft and the price is attractive enough in a race where, the fav, Delta Work may well be not the horse he once was.

Back On The Lash 9/2 1pt ew

13:50
In what looks a very open race, with little leaping off the page, we will back Precious Eleanor, who ran a storming race for us when we last backed her at Sandown, placing at a decent price. This is a much harder task today but reflected in the price. The horse is carrying nearly 2 stone race than last time out and that alone may be enough to swing it back in our favour.

Precious Eleanor 25/1 0.5PT ew

14:25
Noble Yeats is the selection at the prices, plenty to like about the fav, Protektorat who does need much of an introduction but the win over at Ascot in early December for Emmet Mullins and Sean Bowen on our choice, was very impressive, the horse is bred for further, won last years Grand National and can do the same today.

Noble Yeats 3/1 2pt win

16:10
Punctuation for Fergal O’Brien is our selection in the last, the popular, Cheltenham based trainer, will want something out of today and has this horse, moving up in class, seemingly sweet for today, carrying a stone less than when last see on the surface, going for the 5 timer today and a winner last time out, it makes sense to row in one more time.

Punctuation 7/2 2pt ew