Racing today at Hamilton, Newbury, Newmarket and York.
Lets dive into the stats and see if anything jumps out.
Hamilton
Jack Nicholls riding for Adrian Nicholls are 3 from 6 at the track.
They team up tomorrow for an interesting one is what looks to be a wide open apprentice handicap race.
5.30 Hamilton - Thornaby Pearl
Last win was over this track and trip from a mark of 60 back in August.
Raised 4lb for that win.
Had three runs since then from marks of 64, 63 and 62. In races where highest rated horse in the race has been 65, 72 and 75, and has ran closer to the winner in each race .. despite the opposition getting better.
Drops back to last winning mark here tomorrow - going from a mark of 60 - switch to jockey that has a 50% strike rate with trainer at this track in last 3 years, drops in grade to a 0-60.
I expect this one will run well. 365 just opened at 7/1
At York we have Buick and Gosden teaming up for a couple of short price rides.
When they team up they have had 8 runs and 5 wins over the last 3 years.
Tomorrow.
2.55 York Warrant Holder
5.15 York Portcullis
Maybe a cheeky double on these two ? @ 2/1 and 4/5 it will pay around 6/1
I might also have a small save on Thunder Run in the 2.55 @ 5/1 Winner of this race last year, back down to last years winning mark. Fantastic record at the track and in this grade.
Two from the notebook :
14:08 Newbury - Virtue Patience
Stays in same grade as last time, opened @ 9/2 on a couple of books, a fair price in this race, I will be having a decent bet in this one.
Notebook run from last race
4/30 17:40 Lingfield
HANDICAP (5) - Distance : 7f 1y - Prize : £3,978
Rated : (0-70) Age : 4yo+
REPLAY
Virtue Patience
Coming round the final turn into the straight found himself on the inside of horses and the jockey decided to take the rail and hope for a gap that never really came. picked up well when the wall of horses in front of him opened and started to tire, but there was a bunch finish and not really anywhere for the horse to go. The front 5 all finished in a row, and Virtue Patience came in a length behind with likely a little left in the tank. This run came after a 4 month break and the horse is lightly raced, if found the right race it would likely do better.
17:35 Newbury - Three Socks On @ 9/2+
One on the up, 8lbs higher than last run, but should still be competitive in this race.
Notes from last run.
HANDICAP (6) Distance : 1m 1f 104y
Prize : £3,454 Rated : (0-60) Age : 3yo
RACE REPLAY
THREE SOCKS ON - looks like a 3yo who is on the up, won last time out in a 0-60 from a mark of 56, only 1lb higher here and made this look very easy, sat in behind the leader and asked for an effort in the straight, went past and drew off the front to win like one that had plenty in hand. Will be given a stiff increase for this, but likely still ahead of the handicapper and could well follow up. Should get further, some improvement left in there. Will remain competitive in 0-70's.