Hello Friend
It's been a quiet few days with the lack of UK racing and I for one enjoyed the down-time. But, it's back now, and all systems go. This weekend looks sure to be busy and of course the countdown to The Festival is well and truly on.
A couple of posts for your today...
#1 Adam Norman's Little Black Book no.9
#2 Cheltenham Festival Ante-Post Chat
As with every year there's now a post where you can share your Cheltenham views, and any horses that you'll be backing Ante-Post. It also includes some info on my approach to this year's Festival Week, hoping to build on last year's +92 points.
*
8.15 Kempton - Blessed To Empress
She was meant to run at Chelmsford on Thursday, where obviously she'd have bolted up! :) Sadly I can't make it down to Kempton this time, but I probably won't be able to resist a small EW wager at 9s - the issue is the draw and this race, or even whether she places, will be decided in the first 1-2f i suspect. In 14 runner races those drawn in 13/14 here over 7f in handicaps are 5/143, 20p since the start of 2016. '2nd' widest are 14/198,40p, and actually the place stats hold up fairly well. In any case, we will try and go forward and it's a question of how she starts, (she's been superb on recent runs, but can occasionally blow it) and how much gas she has to use to get a prominent position/tucked in. She could end up being stuck 4/5 wide for the trip, game over. She's fit, well and it's her first run at the track, so we shall see. The race doesn't look the strongest and if she could get a decent early position, she'd be thereabouts come the end. Not one to go mad on, and in fairness if I didn't own a share then I'd probably leave it, given the draw. But, it's not an impossible task.
*
In Saturday's free post I'll be having a look at the Grand National Trial from Haydock, and as always any thoughts will be posted on the blog, so you know where to head if interested.
All the best, Josh |
