Good Morning, Friend,

Animato ran a cracker yesterday, just going down by a neck at 16s>12s, and from my emails it appears some of you had an interest EW nibble. After watching the first couple of races the ground didn't visually look that bad at all, which improved his chance. In the end the weight he had to give to the 3YOs got him, 7lb to the winner, off the same rating, and a full 14lb to the 3rd, front 3 clear. I doubt he'll be 16s next time, but evidently 1m4f is his trip and the more strongly run the better. His turn is incoming. Damascus Steel ran a cracker also, held up last really, had to go around the whole field off the bend and could have done with a stronger pace. His backers will think themselves unlucky also, but evidently still room in his mark.

Onto today, and a few things to muse over...

Sam Darby's Free Tips Friday Column... which you can read HERE >>>

These are usually written before the market is clear and sometimes before any odds are available at all. He's landed on the top 2 in the market, with strong preference for one of them, but could well be a reverse forecast!

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The Scoop6 Squad -

They're still in search of their next Scoop 6 win, to join this year's winners from Cheltenham and Royal Ascot, but with plenty of 'nap' race winners along the way and some agonising 5/6 results, but plenty of fun to be had with your own bets also.

I mention it this week as the pot could creep towards £200k and if you're an occasional player, when it starts getting to those figures it's definitely worth a dabble.

You can buy your one-off tickets HERE >>>

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The Ayr Bronze Cup - 3.25 PM

Cold Stare - 8/1-9/1 - EW

That's where my interest EW wager has landed. The horse is 14lb below his last winning mark, which was over this CD back in October 21. He's 1/7,3p at Ayr, 3/4 places in the last 2 years and if he's going to bounce back, I fancy it to be here. Evidently not as good as he once was, he's generally been running well this season, especially here in June when with a clear run I suspect he'd have run, but he moved and finished off his race as if he was chucked in again. Haydock can be excused as he was too prominent/free and he does need cover and a patient ride, at Leicester they removed the headgear, back in form when reapplied at Doncaster, again staying on well under 9-12, not beaten far. He's had a 48 day break after a busy spell and they had him in x3 races this weekend, and they've picked this one. I'd like to think he'll be tuned up to the max here.

He wouldn't mind some rain today but I think the ground should just about be ok, as he does like cut, if only to bring those in front back to him. Looking at the pace maps, the pace on paper is from stall 10 down, and on that evidence I thought those drawn higher 'could' get a bit behind. I could be wrong there, but on that score he's drawn in the right place to my eyes.

Stats: Danny Tudhope jumps back on having not ridden the last x3, and his last two wins have been under him.

Danny Tudhope / Ayr / 6f / Last 5 years...

49 bets / 10 wins / 22p / +16 SP / +22 SP EW

When riding for David O'Meara here over 6f... 5/22,10p, +23 SP , +27 SP EW

Danny would have had the choice of David's two in this and I hope he's picked right, for all I could see Ascot Adventure running on hard and late also. The capper may have him, we shall see.

His other 6f rides today... 1.45 - Media Shooter, (well found at 11/4 though) He's got rides in all x3 6f races tomorrow, maybe he can add to the win or EW haul.

I thought if Cold Stare ran to his more recent best, with the usual luck in running required in races like this, that he wouldn't be out the top 5/6, and he should be rattling home. We'll see if that's enough or if younger legs have him.8 YOs are 0/15 in this, but all bar three sent off 28/1 +.

You may disagree with me on him, but do note, 12/12 winners were in the top 10 in the market, (which on current odds takes you down to the 16/1 shots), those 11th or lower now 0/169, 19p. It hasn't been a race for the proper monsters, but always a first time of course!

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Two further updates before I go...

A chance that's it for the weekend, for all I may send out some musings for Plumpton on Sunday. I'll be there cheering home our Sir Canford and hopefully he runs better than Dancing Eyes did! He should appreciate returning to better ground and has been in fine form at home, still looking great in his coat.

I will send out Paul's £3 discount code on Sunday also, so if you usually get his 'Jumpers To Follow' book, hold fire!

I won't have time to dive into Saturday's flat action, in part because i've had my head in HRB researching the below...

'Trainer Track Profiles' will be making a return... I've just finished the 'handicap hurdle' stats, x77 angles in total across the winter jumps tracks. I'll send that out for free at some point, again, maybe Sunday. I've then got the chase angles to research in the first half of next week, and then work out which ones to save in my HRB accounts and post the daily 'qualifiers' for, from Tuesday-Saturday, starting 1st Oct.

There's a good 150-200 of you who like those stats reports and using them for your daily shortlist of potential bets/a way in, and with any luck a useful addition to your punting armoury this winter.

TELEGRAM - I have now moved with the times and joined Telegram, which does look a great App/tool for engagement, chat, talking horse etc, especially in 'live' play - much easier than posting comments on the blog anyway.

I have created a 'private chat group' for those who join the Members Club trial when I fire it back up (back end of next week hopefully) and given 'the community' has always played a large part on the blog in years gone by, I'm hoping this is a much better way to engage with each-other, and for me to let you know when new content is posted etc. Plenty of you are very shrewd and I'm hoping membership may just be worth it for the nuggets shared amongts your good selves. And this game is much more fun when communicating with others. Maybe some old faces will make a return...

You can access Telegram on desktop but I think you need the App first, so if you have a smartphone, head to your 'app store' and download it in preparation! :) It's very simple, safe and secure. Or if you have it already, find me and say hello! 'Josh Wright', obviously!

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You'll be pleased to hear that's all for today,

As always, GL with any bets,

Josh

p.s don't forget, You can buy your one-off Scoop-6 tickets HERE >>>