Hello Friend

Sadly no big priced winner of this year's Welsh National, with my big priced poke running a shocker and The Two Amigo's managing only 5th - a brave run, and he should have another staying pot in him when his sights are lowered. Both halved in price but alas nothing to show for it this time. 

Moving on, and something a bit different today... a 'through the card' for the ITV races. I did this on Boxing Day on the free post and found one 6/1 winner. My 'through the card' efforts when requested by members who are off to the races don't do too badly - sometimes 1-3 winners, but sometimes a blow-out. It's only a bit of fun but if anything you enjoy the brief notes below - and of course there's the free 'ITV 7' game to play, and some of these thoughts may or may not help with that! 

Let's crack on...

ITV Races 'Through The Card' (Boxing Day... 1/5,2p,+2)

1.50 Newb - Soul Emotion 8/1 

Henderson's won two of the seven renewals of this and the yard are in decent form, 11/40, 14p last 14 days. This horse is smart and may make up into a decent chaser in time. He's clearly had a few problems but was tenderly handled on his return and this may have been the plan - he decimated a decent handicap field at Sandown off 10lb lower before running well in The Long Walk. He's one to track whatever he does today but he could be the classy horse in the race. 

2.10 Ling - Sir Prize 9/1 

Ah an AW C4 handicap, just my cup of tea... (cue only winner on the day!)... the booking of Kirby caught the eye, I suppose as it always does at Lingfield and is a decent 'way in' , especially as he hasn't ridden him before. He's 3/8,5p in CD C4 handicaps, which is very micro - 7/22,12p over CD on 4 year olds. This horse is consistent and if he could transfer his Kempton form to here he'd go well - the form of the race three starts back has worked out well and along with his LTO RPR would suggest this mark is workable. Looks an open/trappy race though. 

2.25 Newb - Copperhead - 10/3 

The sort I don't really want to wade into at his price, nor am that enthusiastic about taking on. The yard are in form as is he- he's young, progressive, won fairly comfortably LTO and I suspect this track will suit more. He's going the right way and shouldn't be far away. But he is only 5 and a chance I suppose he doesn't back up that run. If he doesn't perform it then looks rather open. 

Of the outsiders... interesting that Indy Five has been backed from 33s>16s, I assume maybe tipped somewhere or Dennis is planning on paying for Xmas - he did show up better for a long way LTO before falling in a hole. He's clearly had problems and it's hard to know what to expect from him - but he's a course winner who may appreciate this softer ground, and he may have been aimed at this, left with plenty to work on the last twice. IF he ever rediscovers his form he'd be thrown in from this mark. 

2.40 Leic - Glance Back - 6/1 

Another trappy looking race - it's hard to know what this one beat LTO but the performance on 'the figures' (inc HRB /Inform Speed ratings / RPR - career best) would suggest that it was solid - at least he's fit, in form, has course form and races prominently. It could be he's been crying out for 20f on soft and that's transformed him, although the race did fall apart at Southwell. You could make a case for a few in here but I thought he could have been underestimated. 

3.00 Newb - Thyme Hill - 4/5

Probably not a betting race to my eyes - more a case of whether this one can confirm his promise and build on his decent level of form already. On Official Ratings he's the best in here on what they've done to date, with the promise of more to come. He will bolt up I think, or it will be another bubble burst. 

3.15 Leic - Master Apprentice - 5/2 

Progressive, in form, yard in form, Aidan Coleman booked - he shouldn't be far away here at all. Little Rory Mac is no doubt still well handicapped but he can be keen and in this ground/the hill, won't want to waste too much energy. 

3.35 Newb - Down The Highway - 12/1

A risky one to finish given his chase form to date but Lavelle one this race last year with De Rasher Counter and he's turned out to be fairly good! It could be he badly needed his return or didn't like the track. At Chepstow he travelled/jumped well for a long way before fading/PU from 5 out or so- it turns out he pulled off a shoe and came back sore, which could be the valid excuse. He's got some decent hurdles form and looks a strapping big chaser in the making. It may not be today but in what seems an open race, he may be worth a poke at a price. 

Of the shorter priced ones i'd fancy Tidal Flow - Henderson's is clearly well regarded but 3s on chase debut always seems short to my eyes. 

We shall see how they all get on. Best of Luck, 

Josh