Daily write-up - Feb 9th

Well, it was certainly back to reality with a bump this morning…

After the quality racing of the past 2 days, when getting a bet on was at least feasible, today it was a return to the impossibility of tipping/betting at mid week fixtures.

And that was a shame, as there were a couple of horses I fancied having a go at – and their initial prices gave me great hope that it would be possible…

The first of them was Dainty Diva, who runs in the handicap hurdle at 4:20 at Plumpton.

Those of you with (very) good memories, might recall that I mentioned Dainty Diva as one to keep an eye on, the last time it ran (against Zero Visibility).

It was making its debut for Jeremy Scott that day –and ran an eye-catching race.

It threw down a challenge rounding the home turn, before backing out of things up the home straight (suggesting it needed the run).
The handicapper has dropped it 4lb as a result – and it has a 3lb claimer on board today.

It is likely to strip fitter for the run – and be better suited by todays quicker ground.

It opened up last night at 9/1 (on the back of poor looking form and no positive press comments). That price was with 3 bookmakers and was available for a couple of hours – which really gave me hope.
However I could see it was being backed on BF at below that price – and sure enough the bookmakers started to fall in line.

By the time I went to bed, 7/1 was the best price available – and first thing this morning is was 6/1.

By the time I could tip, 5/1 was just about possible – with 9/2 more realistic.
Now you can’t beat 7/2…

I think someone (other than me !) fancies it !

In truth I would have wanted to see some money for it – but ideally not quite so much, or quite so soon !

These things happen, I guess…

In truth, it is not a certainty.

It doesn’t have the best form in the book – so will need to have come on for its last run.

In those circumstances, it’s very difficult to know what is an acceptable price.
I would have gone with 6/1 – but not much less than that.

Of the others in the race, then I think that Sadma has a real chance – and could end up going off too big a price.

Whilst either of the 2 Gary Moore horses could be dangerous if backed – though I would be happy to take on the favourite (Catchin Time) at around 5/2.

In truth, non of this is much use to you now – as the Ship has well and truly sailed.

However it should at least give you a feel for the type of issue I experience on many of the mid week days and explain why I am considering re-vamping the service for next season.

It would have been possible for me to get my thoughts out to you last night (without a tip) enabling some of you to take action.

The way things worked out, has been of no use to any of us…

Anyway, aside from Dainty Diva (and possibly Sadma) the only other horse of interest at Plumpton, is Spirit Damour, who runs in the handicap hurdle at 3:20 – but appears to be completely friendless in the market…

Over at Catterick, the other possible tip for the day, runs in the 3:40 race.

I guess you won’t be too surprised to hear that it is Saint Are, who we’ve already been on a couple of times this season.

He has run creditably on both of those occasions, without winning, and takes a severe drop in class today.

That said, I have been a little disappointed with him on both his runs (I expected him to win) so I do wonder if he is actually as well handicapped as I previously thought.
In truth, he might not have to be, to win today, as the opposition is nowhere near as strong as he has been facing recently.
He opened at 4/1 last night, which would have been good enough.
However, by the time I could tip, he was 11/4 – which is borderline.

He is now 5/2 – and I can pass at that price.

The other horse I’ll be keeping an eye on at Catterick, is Hartside.
He runs in the handicap hurdle at 2:10 – and appears to be both running into form and dropping to an attractive mark.
I’m hopeful that today won’t be the day (I think he wants softer or further) – but he should be ready to strike soon.

Best of luck if you do decide to get involved today.

TVB.