Bets 16/01/2014

Meydan could not have come at a better time. Missed you. There are some awesome horses running today.

Meydan 2.30 – Appleby had a decent debut last week and Cat O’Mountain 9/4 looks well handicapped enough to win this. If for some reason does not take to Tapeta, Ralston Road 12/1 will be waiting to take advantage after a solid run last time but I can’t work out if well handicapped or not.

Meydan 3.05 and 3.40 – De Kock has dominated both these races. He claims he string both need further and not fully ready. Do we believe that? Not sure. Either way we don’t know which of these will handle Tapeta for fact so a risky proposition. Might fancy a De Kock Double but other than that the only one who I might consider is Figure of Speech 8/1 for the Appelby Team again in the 3.40. Didn’t handle York or heavy ground so his price looks bigger than it should be but ran a blinding race at Kempton which also showed step up in trip will help. Also officially top rated.

Meydan 4.15 – Not and easy race to call at all. Sk’Road and Code of Honor bring decent handicap form here and Star Empire is a solid course performer but looks too short for him. I’ll stick my neck out and back the druggy, Energizer 7/1. The handicapper has thrown him down 7lb. Forget the York race, plenty don’t handle it. Clearly the question is going to be fitness, but we are talking about SBS here and on this mark if fit ought to win.

Meydan 4.50 – Fecking hell. There is about two lengths covering Reyaldo, Kypton Factor, Balmont Mist, Kavanagh, United Colour and even Hitchens (2 years ago). So what do you do. Well the likely improver of all of those has to be United Colour 9/2 firstly due to fitness and secondly age. But, actually the one I really fancy is Rafeej 8/1. He walked passed Tamaathul who should have beaten all of the above but had to travel the longest distance. Trainer M Al Muhari has been smashing them in so I’m surprised not shorter just on that info alone!

Meydan 5.25 – Alnashmy 20/1 romped home here last time out but looks tougher and got whacked up the handicap, but still never know! Start Right 12/1 has to be backed. My need run but has a good draw and gets very close to winning races like this. Might be his turn today. If not, and if can overcome a widish draw Conterglow 8/1 is clearly well handicapped.

I can’t but a winner in the UK at the moment but here goes anyway..

Market Rasen 1.30 – Fergal Mael Duin 9/4 form is very strong for this level. Trainer is in good nick too.

Thurles 2.15 – If Une Artiste 6/4 doesn’t win this then I’m going to give jumps racing a slowing down on betting front.

Ludlow 3.10 – Looking at previous form, Tour D’Argent 6/1 has no excuses today. Looked best on soft ground, looks best going right handed, and two of his best performances have been at Kempton which is somewhat comparable to Ludlow. McCain also still in good nick.

Wolves 7.30 – Prohibition 4/1 ran a really encouraging race yesterday and was not given a hard time, more like a warm up after a long absence. I’m not sure how well horses run the day after, but I’m keen to experiment and learn. At his best he is well in and Butler is blazing them in.