Good morning, Friend
I hope you've had a decent week so far. As I type I'm on the train to Huntingdon to watch our Shandancer make handicap debut in the 2.30. It's the furthest he's ever run over and we're hopeful that the step up in trip will suit.
With 16 rivals, it will be some experience for him, one that he's sure to learn plenty from. Amy & Jack have done plenty of work to sharpen up his jumping and while a niggle that he may be better going left-handed, hopefully he enjoys this CD and the long straight. He may not enjoy lugging 11-11 as he's not the biggest, for all he's strong, but he has a fine fighting attitude which is going to be a big positive throughout his career.
If he runs his race and jumps fluently, I'll be disappointed if he's not in the top 4 or 5 here. I'll be pacing around pre race for sure. However, provided he and Jack come home safe, me and 13 of his owners/guests will have a decent day out as always.
Of course, Shan's run comes on the back of Golden Mayflower's effort last Saturday at Lingfield. Her homework has often suggested she's a 90s filly and her closing sectionals, 3f to home, suggests she may well be also - comparing very well to some of the 85/90+ winners on the day.
It looks like surgeon Ben Brain, world leading wind op expert based in Newmarket, has worked the oracle. He wasn't responsible for her first wind op, which blatantly didn't work. Provided she continues to run like this, we're going to have so much fun. Stefano was kicking himself for not getting after her slightly sooner, but it's a game of fine margins. He was under strict instructions not to be aggressive at the gate, as we didn't want to panic her, make her hold her breath (which she may have done on previous starts when struggling to breathe) or to be lit up early on first start in 80+ days. For all we hoped she'd jump off a bit sharper, but that's racing. She had a great experience and finished off her race which was the main thing, going down by a head. In any case, if she continues running like that, she'll be winning plenty.
Unsurprisingly after that run, there was much demand for remaining shares and I think we only now have 2.5% left, which is great news.
To Huntingdon...
For my sins I've had a look 'through the card'. My Lingfield efforts were drab, and the couple of efforts before that not great either. Again, I haven't spend loads of time on these and there are no notes this time, but always some method to my madness and hopefully something runs well!
12.55 – Prime Time Lady – 9/2-5/1 (on the drift, may suggest she's not fit, we shall see)
1.25 – Arqoob (price has gone, was 6s, damn,) / Ingennio 12/1-14/1
1.55 – R Bernard – 5/1
2.30 – Shandancer –each way- 5 places – 14/1 +
Open race, the top two in market have strong chances on form/profiles, lurkers like Mister Sweets could bounce back now hurdling again. A few in here with not many goes in handicap hurdles or over this distance, a few could take a big step forward here. Interesting contest, hopefully Shan’s attitude gets him deep into it.
3.00 – Zambella 5/4
3.35 – Hector Javilex 3/1 / Terresita 18/1 each-way
4.10 – Dontyawantme 6/1
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This week's Scoop6...
The Scoop6 Squad came agonisingly close last week to sharing in the spoils - 6/7 winners, with the loser going down a head, caught near the line. Urgh.
They did win their Nap race again, and with plenty of winning shortlisted horses and tricast /forecasts, there was some fun to be had for personal bets.
Don't forget, any time you wish to play, sign up HERE >>>
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Good luck with any bets,
Josh
