U.K. Horse Racing Tips: BACK ON TRACK WITH CATALYZE.

U.K. Horse Racing Tips: BACK ON TRACK WITH CATALYZE.: Image via Wikipedia Well here I am once again having been laid low by a bout of illness which caused me to put a halt to all my activ...

BACK ON TRACK WITH CATALYZE.

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Well here I am once again having been laid low by a bout of illness which caused me to put a halt to all  my activities.Not yet fully back to speed as I am still very weak but do hope to be back to normal sooner rather than later.CATALYZE.trained by Rae Guest, is my choice to mark my return to the tipping game and this horse runs in the 14.30 at Wolverhampton  on Monday where he is quoted  generally at odds of 8/1.That's a pretty decent price to get things back on track in the run up to the Cheltenham Festival  and I expect this horse to oblige and do this post a massive favor.This horse has never raced at Wolverhampton before and he is up against a number of horses who have both course and distance experience.He has one victory to his name from 15 starts and that win was over 7 furs at Salisbury a while back.He has been in the care of Rae Guest for his last 4 starts ,all on the all weather having been with A.M Balding for his11 previous starts on the flat.His turf campaign saw him in action mainly between 7 and 8 furlongs and he started off over 7 furs for this trainer at the start of his all weather campaign.He went off at 25/1 that day and finished last of the 10 runners.His next start was over 6 furs and he went off at 33/1 and he raced without the tongue strap ,equipment which is normally outfitted on him.His next 2 starts both came over 6 furs and in the first of these, he was supported in the betting from 14/1 down to 15/2 at the off  and he finished 6th out of the 11 runners beaten less than 2 lths.His last start saw him finishing 4th of 10 beaten less than 2 lths at a well supported price of 9/2 in a race which saw him finding his way to the front and looking all over the winner at the 5 fur post .His very shrewd trainer has now brought him back down again in trip so, for this horse ,it will be his first time over this sort of trip as well as first time on the the track[He should end up first ,shouldn't he?]Clearly this Horse does possess some early speed  and I believe we  can  look forward to a pillar to post run for this selection CATALYZE.

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U.K. Horse Racing Tips: A WETHERBY DOUBLE.

U.K. Horse Racing Tips: A WETHERBY DOUBLE.: Image via Wikipedia Well I did take a day or two off to attend to other matters but here I am once again to offer my tips for today.This...

A WETHERBY DOUBLE.

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Well I did take a day or two off to attend to other matters but here I am once again to offer my tips for today.This will be a very short post so I'll get straight to the heart of the matter.I've searched the card and have settled on two horses racing at Wetherby.I like SEVEN IS LUCKY in the 2.40  race,a handicap Hurdle over a distance of 2mls .6furs.He was an impressive winner of his last start and off of bottom weight here,I am confident that he can notch a quickfire double for his shrewd connections.Nicky Henderson sends one horse all the way up to Wetherby ,a round trip journey of around 400mls.LOOSE PERFORMER.I am sure ,is not going for the drive .He's been sent all the way up north because connections obviously feel that he is more than capable of taking the prize on offer.This one runs off of top weight in the 3.15 race ,a handicap Chase over a distance of 3mls,1fur.I do like these two horses and I think that their combined odds in a double should return around 20/1

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U.K. Horse Racing Tips: REY NACARDO,HAYDOCK.3.20

U.K. Horse Racing Tips: REY NACARDO,HAYDOCK.3.20: Image via Wikipedia Third place for Raya Star at 12/1 yesterday in a messy race. How Tony Mc Coy escaped serious injury from his fall is...

REY NACARDO,HAYDOCK.3.20

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Third place for Raya Star at 12/1 yesterday in a messy race. How Tony Mc Coy escaped serious injury from his fall is beyond me.Zarkandar was hugely impressive in winning this race.I was indeed wary of him and thought that he might be in in need of the outing.I was wrong on that score.Paul Nicolls said after the race that while he was happy for the win ,he had done his training of Zarkandar with Cheltenham in mind.But all in all Raya Star ran an excellent race and at 12/1 we can't really complain.I do have some selections for today but it's very late and I'm extremely tired so I' ll skip the details and just offer up the horses that I fancy.I must mention however that my best bet of the day, indeed, my nap is REY NACARDO who runs in the 3.20 at Haydock ...............SELECTIONS: ......HAYDOCK 2.10 :No4, HARRY TOPPER..................HAY 3.20:No11.REY NACARDO.............HAY 3.55: No6, MR MOONSHINE................HAY4.30: No1, CANNINGTON BROOK..............................ASCOT 2.25: No8,  EXMOOR RANGER............ASCOT 3.35: No7  ART PROFESSOR[nb]....................Double: REY NACARDO//////ART PROFESSOR. Best of luck

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RAYA STAR TO SHINE AT NEWBURY.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Yesterday's selection Dingaan was a disappointment finishing 6th after losing all chance at the start.He did make some late progress but he couldn't get anywhere near the leaders.The week thus far has not been too kind to us but we feel there is light at the end of the tunnel.That light comes in the shape of our selection for today ,RAYA STAR ,no14 in the Betfair Hurdle [1.15]at Newbury.This is one of our most confident selections for some time.We are pretty sure about this one .This is a class animal.Yes, Zarkandar is in the lineup,but we feel he will need this outing. Besides,even though this is quite a valuable prize ,we feel that this race is being used as a prep race with Cheltenham in mind.Raya Star 's last race was in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot where he beat a smart field of 16 runners including some entered here today.That race was  62 days ago so he comes here fresh after being given a nice rest.Raya Star is quoted presently at 9/1 but I expect a better price at the off.With 20 horses entered 4th place money is guaranteed.Raya Star is a rock solid bet in our opinion and should be backed accordingly.

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DINGAAN TO WIN AT KEMPTON.

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No luck at all on Tuesday as both our selections finished way way out of the money .Both of them ran really bad and so I'll eat humble pie for those tips.I do feel however that I can redeem myself and make amends with today's selection,DINGAAN who runs in the 8.15 race at Kempton Park. No 5, Dingaan is a course and distance winner who finished 8th behind Zip Lock [tipped here] in his last start.That was over an inadequate 6furs. In that race ,he found himself outpaced in the early stages of the contest and then found himself short of room when the race began in earnest .By that time the leaders had already flown and so he wasn't knocked about once his chance had gone.That was in a class 5 contest and Dingaan is now back among class6 horses.He is quoted in the betting at 10/1 and that is indeed a lovely price.I think that Dingaan is good enough to be classified as a NAP selection as he is up against a field of really poor animals.Nevertheless each way betting as always is the advice.

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U.K. Horse Racing Tips: LATIN CONNECTION AT KELSO.

U.K. Horse Racing Tips: LATIN CONNECTION AT KELSO.: Image via Wikipedia Yesterday's selection finished in 5th position after walking out the stalls.I' m not going to make any excuses for h...

LATIN CONNECTION AT KELSO.

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Yesterday's selection finished in 5th position after walking out the stalls.I' m not going to make any excuses for him as he held every chance in the race before weakening in the final furlong.Today's tip runs at Kelso in the 2.40 race .Here I like no1, LATIN CONNECTION.The race today is at a distance of 2mls 2furs.Latin Connection's last start was over 3mls and a bit.In that race ,he finished 5th out of 8.He was always in touch in a good field of experienced handicappers and was given a very tender ride by his rider.It seemed that that race was used as guide so that connections would know where next to head.I am sure they were satisfied enough with him as they have brought him back out in a weaker contest where he tops the handicap.LATIN CONNECTION is a very confident choice today and my advice is to back this one to win.HONOUR HIGH is another horse I like today .This one runs in the 4.20 at Southwell.He is at very good odds.He was off the track for 680 days before his last start 34  days ago.I am satisfied from his running in that race that this horse still has a lot of ability and I believe that his ability will be displayed to good effect today.Back this one as well.

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BIRD DOG TO SWOOP TODAY.

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We ended up without a representative yesterday as our fancy, Beachwood Boy ,was scratched. He probably wanted to be at the beach instead  rather than at icy cold Dunstall Park.Can't say I blame the nag.Anyway I have a tip for you,dear readers and this one is due to run in the 1.40 at Southwell. BIRD DOG is the pick in this race and he is quoted at around 14/1 in the betting.This horse is a real course specialist at Southwell having run a number of creditable races here .He hasn't had a whole lot of success but has a victory over the course and distance to his name.He has had 14 career starts winning twice.In his last start he finished behind a couple of these but I expect that he will turn the tables on them today.What I like with this horse is his ability to blaze a trail usually getting several lengths ahead in the first couple of furlongs.I believe that those tactics will be seen to good effect today  and I see this horse making every pole a winning one .BIRD DOG therefore gets the call in the 1.40 race at Southwell.

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BEACHWOOD BAY AT WOLVERHAMPTON.

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Here I am once again with my ramblings on today's racing card.Only one track available and not good quality wise .The Weather is causing quite a lot of chaos and there must be some very worried Trainers about especially with Cheltenham just around the corner.{Just looking at ADELE sweep the Gramm'ys].My post today will be very short and it concerns one horse,BEACHWOOD BOY.This one runs in the 5.40 at Wolver.I like this horse on a day when punters should keep  the betting  hand brakes handy.It is not a day to go overboard on anything unless it came directly out of the horse's mouth..BEACHWOOD BAY 'S odds is around 13/2 and  that is a good enough price .I see no reason for this horse not to finish in the first three and I feel sure he is more than capable of winning this one Back him if you fancy him as I do and make sure your bets are played each way.Sorry about this short post but I'm distracted by the Grammy's live on T.V .Will try to do better tomorrow.

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TRY THIS DOUBLE.

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Yesterday was not one of our better days with a third place finisher at 20/1 ,another finishing 5th and the other finishing last.Backing all three each way would have seen backers break even at the end of the day with the 20/1 third place saving the day.Today I'm not going to go for the rank outsiders that I have pursued [with success] this past week.I am actually going to for two well fancied horses and I suggest a double bet  be played as well as each way singles  on these two .The first of them runs in the 3.45 race at Musselburgh and here I fancy the likely favorite INGLEBY SPIRIT who is presently quoted at a decent price of 9/2 .I expect this price to hold as it is a pretty competitive race.The selection was a most impressive winner in his last start which was over this course and distance.In that race he beat the highly touted Absinthe by a massive 18  lengths staying on strongly at the end .He is today seeking his third straight course and distance win and I for one will be backing him to achieve the feat. BLACK CAVIAR took her amazing streak to 18 straight earlier today in Australia so why can't INGLEBY SPIRIT not win three straight .Should be a straightforward task and he could be backed with the utmost confidence.The other Horse I like today is the aptly named MISTER FROSTY. He is expected to receive a very warm welcome when he returns to the winners enclosure at Lingfield in the 4.30 race there.Mister Frosty earlier this week ran out a very comfortable winner of an amateur riders contest,winning that race by a very healthy 6 lengths.Kieran Falon is aboard today and I see strong prospects for a repeat performance.He is quoted presently at around 3/1 and that price is also expected to hold .Even though this horse is under my usual minimum odds of 4/1 , should he not win but place ,each way losses would be small.A double on both horses is recommended and should they both oblige that double should pay around 20/1.So INGLEBY SPIRIT  No5 in the 3.45 at Musselburgh and MISTER FROSTY  No1 in the 4.30 at Lingfield are my choice selections for today.

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TIPPED ,20/1 AND 10/1,BOTH SECOND.

dscf6526Pontefract (Photo credit: biltho)

Success again for us yesterday as both our selections ended up in second place at odds of 10/1 and 20/1 respectively.The first one ,Resplendent Alpha was almost murdered in his victory quest by the eventual winner Flying Applause who somehow managed to keep the prize in the Stewards Room.The other one almost nailed it at 20/1 under a murderous ride from his Pilot who must have felt that someone had moved the winning post a few meters further back.All in all it would have turned out to be a very profitable day for those of you who backed those two horses each way and in doubles.Had those two horses been able to win at those odds,the profits would have been very attractive.Anyway I cannot dwell on yesterday too much so let's turn our attention to today's action.However, before we get there let me just express my condolences to the relatives of Trainer Josh Gifford  on his passing yesterday.He was indeed a great Trainer and will surely be missed by all.Three all weather tracks carded for today but I'm not going to touch that Kempton meeting..At Southwell the racing is not so hot either so I 'll stick to Wolverhampton for tipping purposes.I must point out the fact that jockey T.Eaves has accepted  one ride at Southwell in the 1.20 race [JUST FIVE] after which he heads over to Wolverhampton for five [rides]more.Perhaps close attention should be paid to that one ride at Southwell by T.Eaves.Close attention should also be paid to another one of his mounts at Wolver.and here I fancy in the 5.40 race,No 1, INDIAN ARROW.His last race was over 1ml/1 fur on this course.He disputed the lead for a long way in that race before fading out of it.His very shrewd Trainer J.J.Quinn has now dropped  him down to 6 furs.He is worth noting and I feel he is going to try hard to win this race.I have one more that I fancy and that is No 1, SAM LORD in the 6.40 race [Wol] His last run was over 2 mls at this venue in class 4 company.He runs in a class 5 race today and as the top weight ,I am of the view that he is the best horse in the race and a sound each way proposition.So those are my thoughts on today's action and for those of you brave enough to back my tips I say best of luck to you all.

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ZIP LOCK WINS AT 16/1.

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ZIP LOCK proved us right yesterday by winning his race in hard fought fashion ,in the process returning at a massive price of 16/1.He was, in my book ,a better horse on paper than any of those in opposition to him and so it proved in the actual running of the race.I do hope some of you were able to profit from that tip.Jump racing is once again a non starter  so we're stuck with some really low grade races. A.J.Lidderdale has two horses entered at Wolverhampton today .I happen to fancy the chances of both of them.The first of that duo runs in the first race on the day's card and  I fancy No1 RESPLEDENT ALPHA.This is a poor field of runners and I expect to see my selection coming out on top. The second one runs in the final race  of the day and here  I fancy TAMINO.This horse has, according to my research never raced over 5 furs in over 5 years so actually  to see this horse entered here today is somewhat of a surprise..However I think that he is good  enough to win this race and complete a memorable day for his Trainer .Best of luck. BET: RESPLEDENT ALPHA 14.25 BET :TAMINO 17.40

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ZIP LOCK TO ZIP AWAY AT KEMPTON.

kempton park (Photo credit: osde8info)

The Weather continues to play havoc with the racing fixtures and so, for another day, all we  have to look forward to is all Weather Racing  at Kempton Park.I really don't want to create a very long post right now because if I do and racing is cancelled,I would feel that I labored in vain.So I'll get right down to business and give you all my tip for Kempton Park Wednesday's card .My selection runs in the 5.30 race ,a class 5 Handicap over 6 furs.This is Div 1 of a race split in two. ZIP LOCK is the tip [No1] to land the spoils in this half of the race.He has only had one outing for this season since being off the track in September.In that race the report said that he was held up ,took a keen hold making his effort 1 fur out finishing 5th out of 7 runners,beaten 7 lengths.This was in a 6 fur claiming stakes over the course and distance.Clearly  he is entitled to come on for the run and will strip fitter today .My opinion is that that Kempton race was a better race than this one today and I think that ZIP LOCK  has an outstanding chance  of coming home  with the gold medal.. I f you have any doubts, feel free to check out the Sporting Life race replay of that Kempton race.Best  of luck.BET : KEMPTON 5.30: ZIP LOCK.

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5th For Isla Patriot.

Horses in my Dreams #4 (Photo credit: nicodeux)

Isla Patriot finished 5th at Ayr yesterday at 16/1.It may appear that he was well beaten but, taking all things into consideration ,I think it was a credible performance from him.Better ground will see him in a different light and he is one for the short list .I hate to be making excuses for the running of horses selected by me but please remember that I do not tip horses who appear to be obvious selections or who are at short odds. I look for races that I consider to be wide open and then try to find a horse that could spring a surprise at a nice price .I offer the fruits of my research free of charge for the benefit of one and all. Readers are free to back my selections and are equally free to laugh with derision at them.There is no obligation placed upon anyone who reads this post. When I tip a horse I back it for myself,win lose or draw..I do however, appreciate all those persons who take the time to read my posts and I am confident that a profitable time awaits all of you in the very near future.When the weather improves, you will see the skill of this writer and his ability to find high priced winners.Having said that ,I am unable to find a horse that fits that profile for today's racing and so I shall not be offering any tips today.Hopefully we can find one for Wednesday.

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ISLA PATRIOT /4.15 AYR.

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Well here I am once again with my tip for today, Weather permitting.  I have high hopes for today's tip and this selection runs up at Ayr.I do hope I am not on a time wasting exercise like it turned out on Saturday when all my hard work was cancelled out due to adverse weather conditions.As I have mentioned before, I do not tip horses in 7 Horse fields or less.I may have a bet in such a race for myself but I would not give a tip publicly.At Ayr today ,there are only two races with fields of more than seven runners so I have chosen the 4.15 race for intense analysis.Having done so, I have settled on my namesake NW Alexander's entrant ISLA  PATRIOT, as the likely winner in this field.This is really a poor bunch of animals and it reminds me of last week when a race reviewer described the field as ' a bunch of deadwoods'.'Readers would remember that I sifted through that field of 'deadwoods' and came up with the 25/1 winner ,Hobbs Dream. Perhaps I specialize in races with 'deadwoods' in the lineup. Anyway,there is very little in the way of form on offer here so one would have to look at other factors in order to arrive at a valid conclusion.ISLA  PATRIOT's  record does not read very well having had 11 lifetime starts and being unplaced in all.However, his last start was over 3 mls at Muss. and in that race he was close up to the leaders for a long way ,only dropping away in the final four furlongs.His race before that can safely be ignored as it appeared that he and his rider  had some sort of disagreement ,causing them to part company at the first.The race before that was also over 3mls and he finished a well beaten 7th out of 8runners.He disputed the lead and ran well for a long way before fading away. He showed a tendency to jump left in that race at Muss.,which is  a right handed track.It is said that Ayr is a track that provides a searching test of stamina in rain softened conditions.ISLA PATRIOT has raced over 3mls so stamina for this particular contest is not a problem.  This is a shorter trip today on a left handed track which will be to his liking.He is able to run with the pace and with Paddy Buchanan in the saddle ,I think this Horse will put his best foot forward and give backers something to cheer on what is likely to be a very cold wintry day. Odds for this Horse currently :25/1.I expect less at the off.BET :AYR 4.15 ;ISLA PATRIOT each way.

WEATHER INTERVENES.

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Terrible Weather conditions in Britain saw the abandonment of National Hunt fixtures on Saturday thus causing this post to be unrepresented on the day.We did have a fancy at Ffos Las but the weather intervened and put paid to whatever chances we might have had on the day.We are therefore going to monitor conditions and hopefully we can be back on track with our tips for Monday;s  meetings.In the meantime ,spare a thought for all those  trainers ,work riders.grooms and other stable staff,  who have to get up very early every single morning, in weather ,such as is being experienced ,to attend to business, while the rest of us are still asleep.I don't envy that lot one bit but I do feel for them.Compare them to their colleagues in ,say ,Southern California or Florida.Yes these guys in the U.K really have it tough.Anyway I'm off till Monday,weather permitting of course when  hopefully  we can start the week off with a bang.

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FINE RUN FROM MAR ARDENTO.

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We got a fine run for our money from our selection MAR ARDENTO  who ,in finishing 6th  at Meydan,was beaten less than 2 lengths at 16/1.Yes ,we did lose outright, and  yes, I know we are here to find winners ,not losers.Nevertheless ,we have seen enough of this horse today to conclude that he will soon make amends and repay our faith in him with interest.He ran a fine race and edged into a share of the lead with one to go ,only to be swamped by fitter rivals in the last 50 yards.Don't miss out on this horse next time out..The bad weather is once again playing havoc with the racing fixtures and so we are still not sure about the meeting at Ffos Las .We are still going ahead with our selection from that meeting as we are hopeful that racing there will proceed. SWINCOMBE  ROCK is our fancy at Ffos Las and he is entered in the 3.20 race,a Handicap Chase over a trip of 3mls 4 furs.He hails from the not too in form yard of Nigel Twiston Davies and will be ridden by young Sam Twiston Davies.The Trainer has two horses entered in the race  just as he did in last year's edition  when both his runners failed to find a place.This suggests to me that the trainer is making this race a target  of his as he is once again mounting a two pronged attack .SWINCOMBE ROCK has been running in better company in his last few starts though without success and perhaps this ease in grade will propel him back into the winners circle.His last start was in Grade 3 company with class 1 horses over 3mls 1 fur,at Cheltenham.That was on firm going.The pace was hot in that race and he was never on terms with the Principals. Before that he he raced in the Grade 3 Paddy Power Gold Cup  also at Cheltenham.Before that he ran in a hot handicap at Chepstow over 3 mls.This horse is clearly well thought of by his connections as he was a runner at the 2011 Cheltenham festival in a Class 1 Listed race.This race is somewhat easier than his previous engagements  and he is sure to give a good account of himself. I expect to see this one crossing the finish line ahead of the rest of this field and  rewarding odds of around 12/1 is expected.

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• Talking Horses (guardian.co.uk)

7/2 SECOND YESTERDAY.

We managed only a second place yesterday with our selection CANTOR who was heavily supported in the market at the off.However ,he was unable to get his head in front where it mattered  the most and ended up with the silver medal.A slight loss was incurred as a result on each way bets  but I think we could live with that.For today's selection ,I am going to leave the British Isles and head over to Meydan where I am seeing a really good betting proposition.The 12.45 race at Meydan is a 5fur. sprint Handicap on the Turf with a field of  14 runners.The one I like here is the No 3 horse,MAR ADENTRO ,the mount of Christophe Soumillon.This animal is undoubtedly, one of the top Sprinters in France.He was 3rd in the Prix De L'Abbaye of 2010 and finished 4th in the same race to Tangerine Trees in 2011.He was  said to be have been badly drawn that day and his price seemed to reflect that view.However, although  supposedly badly drawn ,he soon found his way to the front and in the race to the line, he was beaten by .less than a length [sh ,h nse].This is a horse who has Group1 form to his name though he has yet to taste success at Pattern Race level.This is not a Pattern race,it is a Handicap,albeit a hot Handicap, but I feel sure that MAR ADENTRO has what it takes to win this race and my money will be on this one today.He is quoted overnight in the betting at 8/1 and I'll be quite happy with that.

7/1 WINNER EXPECTED TODAY.

Image via Wikipedia

A dismal performance from May's Boy yesterday who ,although well supported in the market,finished one from last.That,I can accept,it's the nature of the game.What I find hard to accept is the fact that in their last race together earlier in January,May's Boy finished ahead of yesterday' winner,Oceans Legend.I identified the correct race to use as my guide but ended up on,  as it turned out ,the wrong horse.Still it doesn't excuse the performance of May's Boy and we'll be keeping far from this one for now.The 14.50 at Wolverhampton today is our next stop,a class 6 handicap over a trip of 1ml 4furs.We like CANTOR in this race .This is not a race with a lot of form on offer so some of these horses are pretty hard to assess.CANTOR is having only his third start since September and he will be fitted with first time blinkers today.His last race was at Kempton over a furlong shorter and he seemed to get interested in the proceedings  in the last two furlongs of that race.CANTOR is a well bred sort and can only improve and I think that his very shrewd Trainer has found the ideal opportunity for CANTOR to get off the mark.I expect this horse to return  at odds of  around 7/1  so again,each way betting is advised.

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