Flat 2009 (Turf) - The Story So Far...

There will be a daily review from now on, but here are my turf bets for the period between the beginning of the turf season until the blog started (bets are on a point scale of 1-3), followed by a brief review of those (and other) performances:

28th March
Expresso Star 1pt win - WON 9/2 (adv)
Charm School 0.5pts win - 7th
Planetary Motion 1pt win - 8th
Buddhist Mon 0.5pt win - 5th (saddle slipped)
(two split stakes bet)

29th March
Palace Moon 1pt win - WON 5/1
Thebes 1pt E/W - 18th
(split stakes bet)

31st March
Imaam 3pts win - WON evens (adv)
Manere Bay 1pt win - 5th

1st April
Daraiym 0.25pt E/W - WON 8/1 (adv)
If You Knew Suzy 0.25pt E/W - 11th

2nd April
Cherish The Moment 1pt win - 3rd
Tartan Gigha 1.5pts win - 5th

3rd April
Towy Valley 1.5pts win - 4th
Don't Stop Me Now 1pt win - WON 11/8

4th April
Herrera 0.5pt E/W - WON 8/1 (6/1 adv)

6th April
The Galloping Shoe 1.5pts win - 2nd
Trade Centre 1pt win - 3rd

7th April
Daraiym 2pts win - WON 2/1

Bets : 15
Winners : 7
P/L : +12.13pts
ROI : 56%

Expresso Star and Palace Moon both looked well treated for in their respected races on the first weekend of the season at Doncaster. Both are potentially pattern class and they were equally impressive when winning. Charm School is the other horse to take from the Lincoln, he ran better than the form line suggests in 7th - he raced in the small group that came down the middle and would've preferred easier ground. He looks set for handicap success soon.

Also on Day 1, Opus Maximus ran with credit (despite interference) in the Spring Mile, he looks to be coming to hand this year, and Budhist Monk would've been closer in the 10f handicap had his saddle not slipped, clearly well treated at present but is far from straightforward.

Kempton hosted a decent A/W meeting alongside Doncaster and a few on the card look set for a profitable 2009; Changing The Guard ran well (3rd) in a decent 3-y-o handicap and looks sure to win again soon in lesser company. Cape Express ran much better than it originally seemed, he did very well to finish 3rd considering he chased a suicidal early gallop. In the staying race Benhego (4th) and Gee Dee Nen (5th) would've appreciated a much stronger gallop, and although ran ok, are capable of better.

Ridiculously there was no turf action on Monday 30th but one horse took my eye on the A/W at Lingfield. That horse was Set The Trend who was making his handicap debut for Andrew Balding. He was a rare debut winner for his yard back in February after being subject of market support and it looked as if the handicapper had given him a real chance to progress with his mark of 80. He had a stress fracture (pelvis) last season but connections' patience paid off and he got the better of subsequent winner Dance And Dance in that debut run. The fact he was hampered and clipped heels early in the race, and that the stables runners usually come on for their debut, made the win even more impressive. Recent Andrew Balding stable stars Dream Eater, Buccellati, Banknote, Vanderlin, Pentecost, Border Music, Diktorial, Passing Glance, Casual Look and Phoenix Reach all failed to win on debut. The only winning debutant I can remember in recent years is Kalahari Gold last season, and he went on to have a great campaign.

He was backed as if defeat was out the question for this Lingfield handicap (13/8 morning-price to 8/13 SP) but worryingly for his backers he was 'coltish' in the paddock and during the race he was very keen, refusing to settle - the pace was far from ideal. Despite this he kept on well to finish 3rd. The horse's SP will cloud many punter's judgement and this will no doubt be seen as a disappointing effort where in actual fact, under the circumstances, it was an extremely encouraging performance. Set The Trend was well backed prior to that first run so perhaps he won't improve as much as some of his stablemates after debut but he'll know a lot more on his next start and looks set for more success.

Two John Dunlop horses interested me from the Folkstone card on the last day of March. The first was the previously expensive to follow Imaam. Despite disappointing at short odds on his last three 2-y-o starts, he looked a clear form pick in a poor maiden. He beat little but the manner of the victory was impressive. He looks to have wintered well and could finally start to fulfill his potential. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper makes of this as prior to this win he looked potentially well treated (OR 79). The following race saw the handicap debut of his stable mate Manere Bay, she came to win her race but her challenge petered out and she faded inside the last. She looks sure to improve for the outing and is another that looks potentially well handicapped.

It was no surprise Daraiym got me off to a winning start in April, he looked well handicapped on some consistent A/W efforts earlier in the year. After he won at Catterick (2m) connections stated in their post-race interview that they were worried the 2m trip was far enough. It was no surprised to him follow up at Pontefract over 2m2f on the 7th April - he reluctantly made the running at Ponty and the handicapper may under rate the performance, he could complete a hat-trick.

Towy Valley was a beaten favourite at Bath (3rd April) but she will find a handicap soon on a course that suits her more. Over at Musselburgh on the same day Don't Stop Me Now looked well treated on his flat form for last season for John Hills and on his recent hurdle form and made his lenient mark pay. He could return to Musselburgh for their 'Gold Cup' on 12th April.

Although all eyes were on the Grand National last Saturday, there were some flat races of interest. Mark Johnston's Hunting Country made his seasonal debut at Lingfield, he looked the winner approaching the final furlong but faded into 5th late on. Perhaps he needed the run, perhaps he didn't fully stay the 1m4f, either way he looks sure to go close in similar company next time out and looks sure to pay his way in 2009.

Over at Newcastle, Herrera won well despite drifting alarmingly beforehand. She looked well treated on her maiden form of last season and as long as the handicapper doesn't over react there could be more to come.

Windsor hosted their first meeting of the season on Monday 6th April. Jeremy Noseda's one raced unbeaten The Galloping Shoe looked potentially well treated but ruined his chances by refusing to settle in the early stages of his race. He knuckled down well and kept on for 2nd place - compensation awaits. Trade Centre, a rare maiden winner for Willie Muir, kept on well in the last after looking outpaced at halfway (6f). Handicapped to win but looks sure to appreciate a step up to 7f.