Hello Friend

On the face of it, if you are opening your Racing Post to look at today's results, the selections didn't run very well. Navajo Chief ran ok, traveled well and for a moment I thought was coming to make a challenge. I dont think there were any excuses but he just didnt pick up. Kashgar suffered from his draw - which was a concern but worth chancing at those odds. I do need to watch the replay again but from what I remember he was cut up a few times and had a wall of horses in front of him just as he was trying to get into top gear. While I am not sure if he would have won, I think he would have been a lot closer with a clear run. But, that is racing and that is Chester. He certainly ran better than the result would indicate, and ran better than a 33/1 shot. 

2.45 Nottingham Hallstatt

Ideal Cond. Nottingham; 14f-16f; Class 4<£6k; OR70 or below

Form in Cond. 1,2,2,2,1,3,1,1,8 (0/26, 3 places outside this) 

Positives. Well nearly everything looks to be in his favour. He is 1/1 after a break of 121+ days, 3/7, 6 places over CD, 3/8, 6 places in May, 2/4 with this jockey. He is handicapped to go well and if fit enough we should get a decent run for our money. 

Negatives. He is 0/13, 0 places when priced over 8/1. It looks like he will go off around that price, but if he does drift it could be a bad sign. He is best on Good, but is 1/19, 7 places on Good to Firm and I don't think that will be an excuse. Main niggle is field size, he is 0/16, 5 places 8+ runners. But, he has yet to run in his conditions in such a large field, and there are enough places in bigger fields for me to go with him. He is a hold up horse, maybe as opposed to a 'small field' horse, and as such needs more luck in running with more runners. 

My Verdict. 1 point win 9/1 BV (8/1 general) Everything looks in place for him to run another good race at his track - and if it isnt tomorrow he should be winning a few more times at Nottingham before he retires!

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Powerful Wind runs in the 3.45 Nottingham. His conditions are with 1-11 runners, Good to Firm, and he needs 3+ to drop out. He is not necessarily a small field horse but rather he likes to dominate from the front, which is easier to do in smaller fields when there can be fewer horses wanting to press the pace. If there are 11 runners (14 at moment) he would be a bet as every other box is ticked. There are a number of front runners/pace setters in this race as well. 

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I believe all of those running today outside of their conditions lost, although a couple ran well and came close seconds. 

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Horses running outside of their conditions tomorrow..