Friday 17th April & Saturday 18th April

Newbury
2.10
Cloudy Start 0.5pt E/W - unpl.
2.40
Cheveton 0.5pt win - 5th
Oldjoesaid 0.5pt win - 6th

Kempton
7.10
Madam President 0.5pt win - WON 6/1 (5/1 adv)
Watson's Bay 0.25pt win - unpl.
Waldorf 0.25pt win - unpl.
8.50
Al Gillani 1pt win - unpl.
Espy 0.25pt E/W - unpl.

A slight loss on what was a difficult days racing. No strong sole bets, it was a case of spreading money in search of value in an attempt to secure a profit. Madam President won in the style of a well handicapped horse and could win more races this year. Little else entered the notebook although Cheveton and Fullandby did well from low draws in the sprint.

Newbury
2.35
Charm School 1pt win - 7th (8/1)
Fanjura 0.5pt win - 5th (25/1)
Mawatheeq 0.5pt win - unpl. (16/1)
5.20
Liberally 0.5pt win - 6th (11/1)
Kidlat 0.5pt win - 7th (20/1)

Thirsk
2.30
Flawed Genuis 0.5pt E/W - 6th
3.00
Herrera 1pt win - unpl.
Solas Alain 0.5pt win - 3rd (14/1)

Ayr
3.25
L'Aventure 0.25 E/W - 6th 33/1 (adv)

A difficult day, again no strong selections, I opted for some big priced selections (average price 14/1) who I believed represented real value. Many ran decent races without winning. In the Spring Cup at Newbury Fanjura ran a fine race and is definitely capable of winning a nice race. Charm School broke slowest of all losing a few lengths, so in fairness probably ran well to finish a 4.5l 7th. I got the impression he is still coming to hand this year so remains in the notebook - may come into his own over 10f however. Mawatheeq ran better than the result suggests, and although hard to place, will do better on quicker ground. Swingkeel ran well on his reappearance in the 4.50 and will be interesting over staying handicaps in the near future. Liberally will come on a bundle for her 6th in the 5.20, and Kidlat (a place behind) will find easier tasks to get off the mark.

Not many got into the 2.30 at Thirsk and although he isn't totally straightforward Flawed Genius was never put in the race. They were strung out at halfway due to a frantic pace and the horse did not receive the cover a horse of his type needs. Solas Alainn ran a race full of promise in the 3.00, keeping on well for 3rd after coming under pressure when entering the straight. He still looked green and should find a handicap soon over 1m4f or further.

Was certain L'Aventure would run a race in the Scottish National and I think I was a little unlucky in the 33/1 E/W bet. People will say she ran her usual race, staying on after getting outpaced, but I'm not so sure. These days, due to a change in tactics, she is racing more prominently and she was going well in touch until a horrendous blunder at the 19th. She lost lengths and her place after that but stayed on well for 6th place. I'm certain she would've had a say in the finish but for that error.

In the evening card at Nottingham, Garter Knight ran a race full of promise in the 6.35. Showed a decent turn of pace to take up proceedings around the two pole but perhaps got there too soon and faded into 4th late on (would've been 3rd but for interference). The way he quickened to the front suggests he is a horse better than his rating suggests and will gain compensation soon I would imagine.

A difficult week, a host of unlucky losers, but pleased to still be in the black during the most difficult time of the flat season. Plenty of losing selections ran well this week and I'm sure the winners will flow again in the next day or so.


Will keep records of N.H. and A/W bets since the blog started, alongside the full Flat (turf) record...

Combined
Bets 54
Winners 19
P/L +14.21
ROI 22%

All-Weather
Bets 14
Winners 6
P/L +8.72pts
ROI 55%

National Hunt
Bets 3
Winners 2
P/L +4.8pts
ROI 192%

Flat (turf) 2009
Bets 37
Winners 11
P/L +0.69pts
ROI 2%

All bets proofed to the Racing Post