Saturday 11th April

Kempton
2.05
Checklow 0.5pt win - 2nd 16/1 (adv)
Opus Maximus 0.5pt E/W - 8th

2.40
Born Tobouggie 1pt win - WON 10/3
Tactful 0.5pt win - 4th

3.45
Thebes 0.25pt E/W - 8th

4.45
Laudatory 1pt win - WON 5/1 => 10/3

5.25
Miss Serena 0.25pt E/W - 5th

5.55
Dance The Star 0.5pt win - 6th
Casilda 0.5pt win - 3rd

It was all about Kempton for me yesterday, they hosted a decent 8-race card wheres the N.H. meetings looked very trappy. Checklow was a fast finishing 2nd in the first. This horse showed potential but was ultimately disappointing last season, perhaps the gelding operation over the winter will do the trick and he could be one to follow this year.

I said on the line yesterday morning that I expected Born Tobouggie to be favourite, she looked a 2/1 chance to me. She impressed me last season, including when fresh, and looked the only potential Group filly in the race. Not many win so convincingly from the front on polytrack and she could take a step up in class in her stride. Tactful, who was taking a big step up in class, ran better than her 4th place suggests, she paid for chasing the impressive winner early on.

I thought Thebes was over priced at 16/1 (William Hills), his SP was more indicative of his chances. He again showed that perhaps all is not well, taking it up inside the final two furlongs only to stop instantly and wander. If he isn't feeling something, and I doubt he is given the connections, then I think he may benefit from headgear.

I thought the handicapper had taken a massive chance giving Laudatory a handicap mark of just 77. His maiden form worked out fairly well last year and the manner of his victory on his final 2yo start suggested their would be much more to come this season. He was smashed down from 5/1 into an SP of 10/3 and he certainly won like a well handicapped horse, value for much more than the 3/4l victory.

Miss Serena was beaten just 1/2l for place in the falsely run 5.25. She may have benefited from a more vigorous ride.

I thought David Probert took it up a little too early on Casilda in the last. Probert kicked for home before the final bend and she was undone by the rattling finishes of Press The Button and Formation. It was an extremely pleasing return to action for Casilda as she also chased a frantic early gallop, a gallop that played into the hands of the 1-2.

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

All-Weather
Bets 6
Winners 2
P/L +2.67pts
ROI 44%

National Hunt
Bets 1
Winners 1
P/L +2pts
ROI 200%

Flat (turf) 2009
Bets 18
Winners 7
P/L +10.13pts
ROI 43%

All bets proofed to the Racing Post.