All Weather Winter Warmer

Probably have at least one bet at Chelmsford today

Both slowly away yesterday and always struggling to get involved thereafter, Tidals Baby was very well backed later in the day, but I would not be in a hurry to be backing either of them again on that evidence.

Will be having a few bets at Dundalk and post them in due course.

5.30 Dundalk: Laughton (12/1 Generally) 1pt Win
Encouraging start for new connections when finishing midfield over 7f last time, traveling strongly and meeting a bit of trouble in running before stamina became an issue and weakened close home. That trip was always going to be a bit too far on all known form but way in which traveled through race gives a lot of hope that can win races off this sort of mark round Dundalk and drop back in trip can only help. Lack of pace and tendency to be slowly away are obvious concerns but at 12/1 this is well accounted for in price.

Sickener with Amazing One getting nailed on the line after hitting 1/3 in running. Laughton ran a race to finish 4th and should be winning over winter. Who knows with Chillala, won't give up quite yet.

Staked 22.00
Returned 42.50
P/L 20.50
ROI 93.18%
*Corinthia Knight settled as 9/2 winner with guaranteed price.

Bit late but one today:

3.30 Wolverhampton: Final Attack (7/1 Ladbrokes, Paddy, Boyles - paying 4 places 1/5) 1pt EW
Ran well from a bad draw here last time, was poorly positioned early there but probably not a massive disadvantage given they possibly went too fast in front, but nevertheless has been ridden closer to the pace for both of career wins. Looks a bit of an improved performer in recent starts and Malune gets a good tune out of him (and is very good value for his claim). A marginally stronger race than previously but has much better draw and looks an EW bet to nothing on form of any of three most recent runs.

Busy day on the fibresand today:

11.50 Southwell: Go Annie Go (25/1 Paddy, Ladbrokes paying 4 places 1/5) 0.5pt EW
Fairly big field for a nursery at Southwell but typically low on quality with a lot of apparently very low ability 2yos in the line-up. Go Annie Go showed some ability in sellers for previous yard, this is scarcely better than a seller and potential for improvement on first start on surface with some hope on breeding (Sire by Clodovil and out of an American bred mare). Obviously no superstar but one of few in line up that has at least confirmed that has sufficient ability to win races. Hugh Taylor has put up the favorite which now gives the market a nice shape for an EW bet.

1.20 Southwell: Epitaph (20/1 Generally) 1pt EW
Standing dish in these sorts of races round Southwell, not entirely genuine, does nothing in a hurry and tends to find at least one too good. Nevertheless, is now racing off lowest mark for a while, not had too many attempts at trips over 1m4f and Luke Morris in the saddle should help to make his mind up if he’s in with a shout down the straight. Few others with much clearer claims in there but Hugh Taylor has once again put up the fav so sets it up nicely for an EW bet and reckon this one could quite feasibly plod into a place at least.

1.50 Southwell: Sir Geoffrey (20/1 Paddy, Ladbrokes paying 4 places 1/5) 1pt EW
Reluctant to put this one up again but price is too big now. Has been very well backed on both of recent starts here since returning from a break, has only run to an average level on both occasions but just about enough promise to make me believe is still capable of winning a race like this. Apart from the top two in the market, the opposition look far from inspiring. Cannot afford to get too far behind early doors but fitness should now be assured, 20/1 is too big for me and worth a bet.

2.50 Southwell: Mr Coco Bean (9/2 BV) 2pt Win
Handles the surface very well and never run a bad race here. Finished 3rd on both of two most recent starts here and easy enough to find reasons for improvement, having got behind early on on first occasion and then racing wider than ideal last time. Was in good form at this time last year and application of first time cheekpieces an additional source of potential improvement. Main market rival, Earl Of Bunnacurry finished well behind my selection last time, that one did have excuses but think it has quite possibly reached the peak of its ability having gone up 11lbs for two previous wins and am struggling to see how it can reverse that form.

Underwhelming day yesterday, one today at Lingfield:

3.10 Lingfield: Baasha (10/1 Boyles, Betfred, BV, Hills) 1.5pt EW
Has been putting in improved efforts since having a wind operation but has also been getting some quite mediocre rides. Has traded a good bit shorter than SP in running on last few runs and think it's a matter of time until things fall right for him to get head in front. Would have been a bigger (probably max) bet but bit of concern with drop to a mile in a hands and heels race. However does seem to travel well enough through races without being hard ridden so probably not too much of an issue with hands and heels. Opposition do not win too many races (including the 7/4 fav) and if can get away with drop back in trip then fully expect this one to be fighting out the finish.

Not bothering with Chelmsford tomorrow, back for Dundalk on Friday.

8.30 Dundalk: Turn On The Tears (9/1 Ladbrokes, Paddy) 1pt Win
Decent level of form when trained by William Durkan, including here at Dundalk. Durkan just training for the fun of it and never trained a winner in his life, now switched to John Feane who tends to do well with these types of switchers. Curly Girl also switched from Durkan to same connections in recent times and has improved for the change. Trip possibly on the sharp side and fitness unknown off back of a break but would be astonished if Feane is not winning races with her off a mark of 56. Missed the double figure prices but 9s still sufficient value for a bet on my book.

6.30 Dundalk: Beau Warrior (10/3 Bet365, BV) 1.5pt Win
Bred to be suited by this surface and has duly been a revelation since getting a handicap mark and switching to AW, winning both starts with considerable authority. Been hammered in the weights for last win but did it in the manner of a filly that is still improving and seems very possible that new mark still underestimates her. Step up in trip further cause for believing more improvement may be coming and hard to understand why the JOB one is shorter in the market for me.