Monday, December 31, 2018

An each-way play for New Year's Day

I've been working through the Exeter card for some friends and family and thought I'd very quickly share thoughts on the 2.25.

Eleven declared but in my opinion a number may struggle to see out three miles in soft ground at a stiff track like Exeter - includes Duke Des Champs, The Bay Birch, Le Boizelo and Major Hindrance (beat Le Boizelo in 3.35 race last year run over 2m 3f) while Run To Milan still has to prove he will stay this trip in these conditions.

Of the remainder, Mustmeetalady and previous course and distance winner Wizards Bridge have been inconsistent of late while Blameitalonmyroots is in 'the last chance saloon' according to trainer Oliver Sherwood.

In his last two runs Court Frontier has become detached before staying on towards the finish.

It's not surprising therefore to see Achille given a favourite's chance with the stable in such fine form and Hugh Nugent claiming seven.

I'm going to take an each-way interest in Big Meadow (12/1 bet365) who won off this mark this time last year; I'm just  hoping the ground hasn't dried out too much.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all readers a very happy and prosperous new year.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

A happy & prosperous New Year to you and the blog.

My system highlighted Court Frontier as being potentially very well handicapped, and odds of 12/1 were tempting. However he awakes this morning as an 11yo, probably needs an even greater test of stamina and the change in going [GS,S from S,GS] is probably not a plus.

RTG Horse
154 COURT FRONTIER(IRE)
147 BLAMEITALONMYROOTS(IRE)
146 MAJOR HINDRANCE(IRE)
146 WIZARDS BRIDGE(GB)
145 ACHILLE(FR)
144 RUN TO MILAN(IRE)
145 LE BOIZELO(FR)
145 BIG MEADOW(IRE)
145 MUSTMEETALADY(IRE)
144 THE BAY BIRCH(IRE)
142 DUKE DES CHAMPS(IRE)

Best of luck with your efforts to ‘mark the card’ at Exeter!

TW

GeeDee said...

Happy New Year, TW!

Hold the same reservations about Court Frontier but the change in going ranks as a minus for the selection as well and I can see him becoming detached...

Other forlorn attempts to buy some much-needed influence with highly critical members of the extended family include:

1.15 Trans Express
1.50 Article Fifty
3.35 Only Gorgeous
4.05 Kalooki

Thought Alan King's Rock Steady could run well in the opener - rated 99 on the Flat with some form on soft ground and sixth last time at Ascot behind Didtheyleaveuoutto and Thomas Darby (form book comment: 'not disgraced').

Will switch the phone off at 12:39pm.

GeeDee said...

A rather inauspicious start to the new year. Selection Big Meadow (8/1) never had any chance to become detached from the field in drying conditions as he became detached from his rider at the very first obstacle.

Plenty of money for Run To Milan who was sent off 9/4 favourite but Achille (6/1) was sent to the front after the second flight and never saw another opponent, beating Le Boizelo (7/2) five lengths with the favourite a further 16 lengths adrift in third.

Readers may or may not wish to know that some members of the familial party attending the Exeter races actually bet the winner at odds of 7/1 on the back of the write-up I'd provided; with all the other selections failing miserably (list above), I would just like to put on record my personal thanks to Venetia Williams - Achille proved to be the Get Out Of Jail Free card I required.

Happy new year!