Wednesday 31st March
8.15 Kempton - No Nay Bella 1 Point EW @ 11/2 (Will Hill)
Open looking handicap in my opinion but i like the look of NO NAY BELLA as an each way with a chance of getting her head in front given her decent course / distance form. The only thing i don't like is the fact that it's an 8 runner race so i'm just hoping and praying that one or more doesn't drop out so it's the first two , as we all know what will happen lol. No Nay Bella is returning to action after a 56 day lay off , last she time she ran she was a solid third over todays CD , beaten a length. She also returns under a new trainer (and jockey) having left Marco Botti's yard for Tom Wards' , who has been amongst the winners and placers of late. James Doyle gets the leg up on her for the first time and he knows Kempton inside out having a 23% strike rate over the past 5 years. The horse herself seems to like it here with 3 wins from 5 runs at the course , improving to 2 wins from 3 over todays CD. I also noticed that she's due to go up in the ratings in the future so i'm thinking that maybe the trainer wants to get a run into her and take advantage of this slightly lower mark. As i said at the start its an open looking race where a few look to hold a decent chance but if on song i think No Nay Bella can go mighty close.
Re Horses for Courses;
I thought Velvet Vista 8/1 (18:20 ChC) won with something in hand last time he ran at Chelm. He has a good draw in stall 6 and those in stalls 1 to 3 are hold up types, so he should be able to get a good position without using too much energy. Sectionals suggest Muscutt may have gone too quick 3f to 2f out at Wolves last time.
WD Sean. The way I saw it, LD quickened away 1f out but just before that VV couldn't get through a gap, which meant LD got first run. VV finished strongly but couldn't quite make up the ground to go ahead. VV was uncharacteristically slowly away at the start, which hampered his overall effort.P PHS , we had the forecast between us . bugger , Last Date won , gutted and the other one i chose / mentioned Robin Of Sherwood came second , least i know im getting the selections right (even if i gave em a swerve today)
Should've said she not he of course!Re Horses for Courses;
I thought Velvet Vista 8/1 (18:20 ChC) won with something in hand last time he ran at Chelm. He has a good draw in stall 6 and those in stalls 1 to 3 are hold up types, so he should be able to get a good position without using too much energy. Sectionals suggest Muscutt may have gone too quick 3f to 2f out at Wolves last time.
You think Doc will stay this 8f trip? Always seen him as a 7f specialist.4.45 Lingfield - Documenting 0.5 Point EW @ 10/1 (365) / Fox Duty Free 1 Point EW @ 9/1 (365,Will Hill,Lads)
Open looking race where cases can be made for several imho but i've come down on the side of two with decent course form , first on the list is DOCUMENTING who comes into this after a last time out 4th (to the re opposing Mums Tipple in a listed race at Wolverhampton) , that was a solid enough effort in my opinion but back at Lingfield , where he's 3 wins from 6 races , i'm hoping that better can be expected. Another plus for me is the fact that Ray Dawson is back in the saddle (2 from 2 on the horse) , and goes for just this one ride. Trainer Kevin Frost has had a couple of placers from his last 2 runners and he sends just this one out today , definatley in with an each way shout. The other i like the look of is FOX DUTY FREE who comes into this on the hunt for a 4 timer and with the assistance of S De Sousa could well get it. Since going to Ralph Becketts yard the horse has run 3 times and won 3 times , all here at Leafy Lingfield , making it 3/3 here in total and 1/1 over todays CD , he won well last time out and judging by that run i think he can go close here today at what i would consider decent odds.
Friday 2nd April
3.00 Chelmsford - Disarming 0.5 Point EW @ 9/1 (Will Hill) 4th
DISARMING was a 50/1 winner over todays CD on his penultimate start , making it one from two at this course (1/1 over CD) , ran respectably enough last time out when 5 1/2 lengths fifth to Trepidation at Kempton about 3 weeks ago , but i'm hoping that he'll be closer now returned to Chelmsford. Richard Kingscote rode him to that 50/1 victory here on his first ride aboard the horse and the pair are reunited today , Kingscote has a 21.4% strike rate here this season whilst the trainer has a 100% strike rate (1-1 , Disarming) this term and he sends just this one out today. A few in this look to hold chances if i'm honest but the fact he's the only CD winner in the race catches my eye and if him and Kingscote can replicate that penultimate run then i think he'll be fighting out the finish.
3.35 Chelmsford - Khatm 2 Point Win @ 6/4 (Will Hill) 4th
KHATM comes into this in flying form , winning 6 of his last 7 starts and the way he won last time suggests that he may not have finished his winning streak just yet. He's up in class and has a 5lb penalty to contend with but given his current form you couldnt write his chances off in all honesty. 5lb claimer Mark Crehan gets the leg up and he's also enjoying a purple patch at the moment with a 37.9% strike rate over the past month and he has struck up a great partnership with the horse , with a superb 83.3% strike rate aboard him (5 wins and a place from 6 rides) , and his claim will no doubt help to offset the penalty. Trainer George Boughey has also been in cracking form over the same period , with a 35.5% strike rate to his name. Although its a trappy looking race on paper and i keep trying to find reasons to swerve the race i honestly keep finding myself drawn back to Khatm , i think he'll go very close in an attempt to carry on his winning streak.
4.45 Lingfield - Documenting 0.5 Point EW @ 10/1 (365) 5th / Fox Duty Free 1 Point EW @ 9/1 (365,Will Hill,Lads) 8th
Open looking race where cases can be made for several imho but i've come down on the side of two with decent course form , first on the list is DOCUMENTING who comes into this after a last time out 4th (to the re opposing Mums Tipple in a listed race at Wolverhampton) , that was a solid enough effort in my opinion but back at Lingfield , where he's 3 wins from 6 races , i'm hoping that better can be expected. Another plus for me is the fact that Ray Dawson is back in the saddle (2 from 2 on the horse) , and goes for just this one ride. Trainer Kevin Frost has had a couple of placers from his last 2 runners and he sends just this one out today , definatley in with an each way shout. The other i like the look of is FOX DUTY FREE who comes into this on the hunt for a 4 timer and with the assistance of S De Sousa could well get it. Since going to Ralph Becketts yard the horse has run 3 times and won 3 times , all here at Leafy Lingfield , making it 3/3 here in total and 1/1 over todays CD , he won well last time out and judging by that run i think he can go close here today at what i would consider decent odds.