Bets 09/01/2014

This time last year I landed a ridiculous £7k double and would love that shizzle again. Meydan is back and last year I hit a 33/1 on the opening day too, so fingers crossed, although conscious that was the only winner I had! Runners will need their first run no doubt...

2.30 Meydan - Areem 5/2

2.35 Catterick – Merlin’s Wish 9/4 looks like he could be well handicapped still. Clearly you can’t ignore a Henessey Gold Cup Winner donw 20lbs since then and ran a decent enough race last time out. 7/2 without Merlins Wish might be tempting

3.05 Meydan – Woah tough but guess you have to side with an easy C&D winner of this race last year - Fityaan (17/1) . This is a 15 runner handicap with only 5pounds separating the field so it may as well be a non handicap. I can’t determine which of these will be the most progressive and many of these and handicap debutants so hard to assess how well in they are without looking at a load of races. My Propellor was the only other horse after a quick search that romped a previous handicap, but that was not at Meydan.

3.40 Meydan – Izaaj might have been well handicapped if was not walloped up 9 lbs but if Richard Mullen gives Ottoman Empire (12/1) a decent ride unlike twice by Harry Bentley last year then he has a decent chance.

4.15 Meydan – I have 5 in this so not sure what to do. Maraheb 25/1 has a habit of missing the break and needed his first run back last year. Has that under belt now and capable of winning this on this mark although he may need further. Proud Possibility 22/1 could be well handicapped but have no way to assess that. My Freedom is in good form and would have gone close to winning here last year but had a bad draw and was badly hampered in straight. Decent draw today so no excuse. Both Modern History and Lui Rei have good course marks next to their name and are both 20/1+. Feck. What to do….

4.50 Meydan – The class act is Mushreq 7/2 by a good way, but it’s well known De Kock’s runners need their first time out run. I can only see one confirmed front runner in Do It All 20/1 and could be a sneaky win. Will hit betfair and put a lay on around 5s.

5.25 Meydan – All eyes on the return of Steeler, but can’t back him after so long off track. Looks a stronger renewal of the race that Barbeque Eddie won last year. I don’t remember it being so hard to nail colours to one horse Can’t pick between Mufarrh, Shuruq and Capital Attraction. All good C&D marks.

6.00 Meydan – Again 4 or 5 I like including the fav Complicate 7/2, Anaerobio 8/1 and Across The Rhine 20/