15:10 Wolverhampton (16th November)

Big Boy Bobby ran a stinker last Wednesday for the blog but the saving grace was I did mention if over 15/2 it would be a negative and the 8/1 meant it was a no bet. 

Next season I hope to take more notice of the stats and see how things pan out. A couple of others to mention that actually won, yes you saw that right. Three-year-old Lydford got his head in front at Wolverhampton on Saturday afternoon. A half-brother to the talented Big Orange (pictured), Lydford was one of my 3 yo’s to follow last March and won well now stepped up in trip. A did lose a few quid on Leafhopper a few weeks back who I thought was a certainty to get a place only for her to finish down the field in a Listed event at Goodwood, a drop in class saw the Gosden filly win at Wolves Saturday evening. 

Couple I mentioned on Twitter to finish off, Emperor Spirit was definitely the best horse in the 6.15 at Wolverhampton on Friday, I took 5s and had an each way. The Gosden colt looked to be travelling like a dream on the inside so of course the way my luck is no gap appeared and Rob Havlin had to switch outside which by then the winner had flown and it was all too late for Emperor Spirit who stuck on well to finish second. Another Gosden 2-year-old and another place, Defined had good stats under 15/2 and by the off the Golden Horn colt had been backed to 8s, so I didn’t know what to do, in the end I took the gamble each way and another who ran well to get a place but I also felt disappointed as he looked to have more left in the tank. Enough waffling let's get to Monday. 

15:10 Wolverhampton 16 Nov 2020 

Eleven go to post here, I will mention a few contenders. 

I actually have the Mark Johnston 140,000 gns purchase Alhaajeb as a horse to follow who I wrote about before the season started in the blog. Alhaajeb is a full-brother to the William Haggas trained Gravity Flow who finished runner-up in her first two races of her career and then went on to contest a few nice races as 3 yo. 

The next two I selected in the last month or so, the first Epidemic who I thought had a chance last timeout after a nice debut back in August but was pretty disappointing when awkwardly away and never involved, has to bounce back. The next Expect To Succeed who ran well without threatening the winner at Newcastle last timeout for Roger Varian when finishing third, claims again here. 

The one I will be taking my chances on is the William Haggas trained VISALA who hopes to serve it up to the boys here being the only filly in the field. The Exceed And Excel filly ran a pretty decent debut at Lingfield a couple of weeks back despite being a touch keen and slowly away. The first couple that day look nice types and if Visala can get away quicker tomorrow I’m hopeful of a place at least. William has pretty good win and place stats when 15/2 and under so if possible and each way for me but no bet if over 15/2. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe

Charlton To Send Out The Big Boys (16:00 Kempton 11 Nov 2020)

It’s been a few days since my last post: ''Thank God'' I hear you say.

I was hoping to start bonfire night with a BANG as I was looking forward to seeing the Richard Hannon trained EPIDEMIC out again at Chelmsford, instead of bang it was more like a fizzle you get out of one of them duff fireworks. To be honest, the writing was on the wall before the race even started as the Exceed and Excel colt drifted from 15/2 - 10/1.

I really hate a drift when I have my money down. An awkward start did not inspire me with confidence and Epidemic was never involved.

I mentioned a few Irish horses I had as trackers, and they disappointed. One I did have a few quid on was the Aidan O’Brien trained JOAN OF ARC who was 7/2 the night before. Joan Of Arc looked pretty professional for her first day on the course and had been hammered into 11/10 favourite so somebody knew something. It sort of makes you feel it's going to win when the money comes in like that and as Joan Of Arc came to challenge I was counting my pennies but Hazel wouldn't give in and it was a head bobber on the line. The commentators called mine then said it was close and then the result came in, bloody Hazel just got back up, when your luck is out it's out and that's it. 

When I first thought about asking trainers to give a few 2-year-olds to follow for the season I didn’t even think I would get a reply, never mind a good few getting back to me with horses to follow. I hope a few people put them in their trackers as last week was a pretty good week. 

First off was James Tate’s HIT THE HEIGHTS who made his debut at Lingfield on November 4th. The 60.000 gns Iffraaj colt dug deep and won at odds of 12/1. James was at it again a couple of days later when ILLUSTRATOR won at the third time of asking. 

Actually, I didn't backed either of them but I did spot one of Karl Burke 2-year-olds to follow running on Saturday. Karl had given TIPPERARY TIGER (pictured)a good write up in his post back in April and the Tiger didn't disappoint. It was a funny race at Doncaster because the fog was heavy but as the runners emerged at the furlong pole Tipperary Tiger had already flown, I was surprised at the 10/1 but definitely wasn't complaining. 

I definitely think it’s been a bit more of a struggle this year and even though I have mentioned a few winners on social media I feel the blog hasn’t done as well as I expected. I think with the slow start things have been a bit up the wall. I have already started on the stats and hopefully next year I can do a bit better. We still have a few more 2-year-old races left so I will mention a couple that I will be checking out on Wednesday. 

16:00 Kempton 11 Nov 2020 

This looks a tough race with plenty of newcomers who could be anything. A lot of the top yards turn up here so I'm pretty sure the betting will be the key to their chances. Bullace brings decent form to the table but has a win penalty to burden here. Imperial Sun was up with the pace until fading pretty bad so drop in trip should suit here. I do like the look of the Roger Chartlton trained BIG BOY BOBBY but will this drop in trip suit that's the question. A 60,000 euro purchase at the 2019 September Yearling Sale and owned by Paul & Clare Rooney. Big Boy Bobby improved on his last run when staying on well to finish fifth at Newbury. The Vadamos gelding wasnt given a hard time but finished his race well. I just hope Thomas Greatrex has him up with the pace come the cut off point as I’m sure Big Boy Bobby will be staying on at the business end if good enough. I will be hoping to have an each way bet, anything over 15/2 will be a negative. 

16:35 Kempton 11 Nov 2020 

Tracker: AHLAWI (Hugo Palmer) 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.