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VDW The Elementary Mechanical Procedure

Hcaps the way to go!

Newmarket (Good) Market odds from around 9.30am. Suggested staking 1 pt each.
1.45 Summerghand (5/1), Rabaah (13/2), Apollo One (11/1)
2.20 Torito (4/1), Theoryofeverything (13/2), Majestic (15/2)
4.10 Knighthood (6/1), Maxi King (6/1), Youthful (8/1)
5.15 Christian David (13/2), Key To Cotai (11/1), Kodiac Thriller (12/1)
5.50 Roweyah (5/1), Sudden Ambush (10/1), Bystander (12/1)
 
Just try those forecast as resticted hcaps on paper early over the jumps.

Warwick (G some GS with showers) Market odds from 9.15am
4.25 Piston De Becon 6/4
5.35 Davidoc 11/4, Jeudidee 13/2, King's Castle 9/1
6.05 He Is A Cracker 7/2, Newtonian 6/1, Jack The Farmer 15/2

Kempton G showers) Market odds from 9.15am
4.05 Quick Draw 7/2, Karl Phillipe 4/1
4.40 Art Of Diplomacy 11/2, Island Run 9/2, Redbridge Rambler (11/2)
 
Try early forecast restricted jumps hcaps in the afternoon meetings on the UK mainland.

Fakenham (G watered) Market odds from around 9.50am.
3.15 Kings Justice 2/1
3.45 Soir De Gala 15/8, Tip Top Tonto 9/4, Joly Jump 3/1
4.20 Trincomlee 10/3, Planned Paradise 7/2, Jigginstown 5/1

Ffos Las (S some GS) Market odds from around 9.50am
2.55 Jasmin De grugy 5/6, Shilanavogy 10/3
4.30 Blackacre 4/1, Optimistic 5/1, Bridget Mary 6/1
5.05 Bullets Hill 2/1, Limetree Boy 6/1, Boston Joe 13/1
 
Yesterday's tragedy has sput me off Chester today. These are early market restricted hcaps with yards recently in form indicated.

Huntingdon (G watering to maintain) Market odds from around 9.10am
2.25 Valentine Getaway 9/2 J&A O'Neill 19%, Bluebella 7/1 T Lacey 45%, Kentford Mallard 17/2
4.00 TestFlight 7/2, Let's Go Amigo 4/1 K Baily 18%, Samtara 9/2

Strarford (GS some G) Market odds from around 9.30am
5.20 Annie Express 5/2W Greatrex 31%, Jupiter Allen 3/1, Lightening Mahler 3/1 D Skelton 19%
5.50 Dixie Cowboy 11/4, Ushuaia Dancer 4/1
6.20 R Bernard 7/4 Mrs RM Rowley 14%, Star Of Affinity 7/2
6.50 Village master 7/4 W Greatrex 31%, Royal Sam 9/2, Hard Frost 13/2
7.20 Greyval 9/4 F O'Brien 29%, Tour Ovalie 7/2, Amelia's Dance 11/2 R Walford 25%
7.50 Silverbridge 9/4 O Greenall 30%, Amalfi Bay 11/2, Haafback 8/1
8.20 Telefenny 2/1, Garitsa Bay 7/2, Our Dylan 5/1
 
Where are all the VDW enthusiasts? Its Old Newton Cup day at Haydock -c'mon!

Haydock (G rain) Market odds from 8.25.
3.15 Early market expected are are the first nine in the mkt indicating an open contest

2. Relentless Voyager (5/1 mkt) 13/1 infineform fair odds? A Balding 15% recently
6. La Yakel (6/1) 12/1 fair odds? W Haggas 31%
16. Maghlaak (12/1) 16/1 fair odds? C Hils 19%

MY comment: These are my most consistent from the first six in the early market, with 1pt each for interest
ATR form verdict in comparison.
David O'Meara landed this contest two years ago with Get Shirty and the trainer can do so once more with EPIC POET, who runs in the same colours. The son of Lope De Vega showed marked improvement from first to second start for his new connections when runner-up in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot and this appeals as an ideal opportunity to return to winning ways. A comfortable scorer over this distance at Epsom on his penultimate outing, Relentless Voyager should be thereabouts, along with the returning La Yakel for the in-form William Haggas yard. Chillingham has threatened to win a handicap of this nature for some time and is another to consider, as well as the veteran Euchen Glen and Iron Lion.
ATR Top Tip: EPIC POET (4)
Watch out for: RELENTLESS VOYAGER (2)
Timeform Verdict
EPIC POET represents the same connections as 2022 winner Get Shirty and is taken to build on his good second in the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot. Relentless Voyager, a fine third at listed level last time, If Not Now and Sheer Rocks head the many dangers in a typically competitive renewal.
Timeform 1-2-3
EPIC POET (4)RELENTLESS VOYAGER (2)IF NOT NOW (7)
 
Well i am on epic poet although think is tough race today but looks differant horse now with omeara.Last run looks better than anything here .
 
From a vdw stand it could be
La yakel off for a while but being backed
Relentless voyager
Epic poet
2 I think will run a big race are.
Iron lion
Loyal touch
 
That turned out to be a damp squib yesterday, but we keep going as always :D . Try Ayr where there is not a worthwhile VDW race on paper that I can find, so it's just a fun day Sunday for me avoiding the forecast stormy weather south of the border. You may think I am a VDW enthusiast but I am only an experienced practitioner of the principles :crazy: .

Ayr (G some GF) Market expected from 10.45. Selections are the indicated as more consistent runners.
2.30 Rory 4/1
3.00 Stratusnine 10/11
3.35 Coconut Bay 11/4
4.10 Nikovo 7/2
4.45 Pol Roger 11/2
5.20 Braes Of Doune 15/2
MY comment: The bet is an old Sporting Investor reduced perm, that is 6 DBLS races 1-3, 1-6, 2-4, 2-5, 3-6, 4-5. Guarantee is a double up if 3 win.
 
Times change for racing as for most other things. No clear cut Flat turf and jumps seasons now and all weather racing is now well established so does the 'mechanical procedure' still work?

Pontefract ( GF some G rain) Market odds from 8.30am. The Flat turf principal meeting on the UK mainland.
3.10 Doha 1/1
ATR form verdict in comparison
Having been well supported in the Kensington Palace Stakes last time, a chance is taken on ELIM to gain compensation. Edward Bethell's charge had a lot to do towards the rear when staying on for sixth on that occasion and this smaller field can see her better effect. Doha won that same race well and this daughter of Sea The Stars is likely to make another bold bid, while Astral Beau should also be thereabouts after running with credit in Group 3 company last time.
ATR Top Tip: ELIM (6)
Watch out for: DOHA (4)
Timeform
Having shaped encouragingly on her return, the regally bred DOHA confirmed she's on the way to developing into a smart performer when landing the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot 3 weeks ago. Well on top with the runner-up that day, she's worth her place at this level and shades the vote ahead of the likeable Choisya. Astral Beau back in slightly calmer waters and very low-mileage Naaey are others to bear in mind.
DOHA (4)
CHOISYA (3)
ASTRAL BEAU (1)

3.40 Room Service 5/2
ATR form verdict in comparison
An open event in which only a tentative vote can go to SILKY WILKIE. Sent off as favourite in the Dash at Epsom last month, he was far from disgraced in seventh. Karl Burke's gelding was afforded a 2lb ease in the ratings for that effort and he is handicapped to strike in these marginally calmer waters. Flaccianello bumped into an improver at York last month and she is an obvious candidate today, while others to note include Room Service and Woven.
Top Tip: SILKY WILKIE (2)
Watch out for: FLACCIANELLO (8)
MATTERS MOST was below his best in a big-field Royal Ascot handicap 18 days ago but his reappearance second behind a subsequent winner was a solid display and he could make full use of his plum draw on the rail and bounce back here. Room Service with his sights lowered, Silky Wilkie, and Wen Moon, who has fallen back down to his last winning mark, are others to consider.
Timeform
MATTERS MOST (5)
ROOM SERVICE (3)
SILKY WILKIE (2)
 
Go Gordon go! On with the show. Class and Consistency WE know
:D
- off to ITV for the afternoon I go.

Goodwood (GF showers) Market odds from 8.50am.

1.50 Aimeric 7/2, Lion's Pride 4/1
2.25 Great Bedwyn 9/1
3.00 Grateful 15/2
3.35 Dark Trooper 13/2, Apollo 16/1

Newmarket (G some GF) Market odds from 9.15am

2.05 Miss Fascinator 5/1
2.40 Place Of Safety 7/2, Fairy Glen 5/1
 
Monday comes round again and nothing looks too exciting on the UK mainland so just let Gordon have ago at the feature race of the day to see what transpires.

Leicester (gs some G) Mkt odds from 9.10.am. A Carroll yard top track trainer.
4.14
1. Ciara Pearl 5 (4/1 mkt) LTO 6 (D3BF)?
5. Islanova 9 (10/1) LTO 25, Stoute yard but not being supported early? 3yo, RL Moore up
7. Laura Bay 8 (11/2) LTO 47? 3yo
8. Salamanca City 5 (5/2) LTO 54? (C&D) 3yo

MY comment: Salamanca City and Laura Bay two of the 3yo involved look weighted well so maybe dutching them is the answer for me?
ATR form verdict to compare with the above.
Both runnings of this contest so far have gone to three-year-olds and that trend may continue if EHTIRAM runs to her best. An easy winner over this trip at Chelmsford in June, she has weakened late on over further on both starts since but looks all set to make the most of a return to what seems her best distance. Laura Bay has won twice this season over this trip and appears a serious rival, as does C&D winner Salamanca City, who is equally hard to ignore.
Top Tip: Ehtiram (9)
Watch out for: Laura Bay (7)
 
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I shoulda backed the Stoute yard yesterday as the class contender. We have Carlisle today :crazy: and that's a thrill, as I usually swerve the AW tracks, and any way the feature race is not a serious punting race today. Took the 5.03 of the three races with the same penalty prize as it's over a mile.

Carlisle (S some GS) Market odds from 10am. T Easterby top track yard has Strongbowe?
5.03 A class 5 3yo+ hcap over 7f+ currently 13 runners.

6. Isle Of Wolves 5 (8/1mkt) H Bethel 20% recently
13. Makala 8 ( 11/2)
14. Braes Of Doune 10 (4/1) J Goldie 15% recently, P Mulrennan up top track jock. Looks the best on £class of these.

MY comment: Low class race so consistency may not be good, maybe dutch the three at current mkt.
ATR form verdict in comparison with the above
A 4lb rise in the ratings for ISLE OF WOLVES' C&D victory last month looks on the lenient side. The veteran scored with something up his sleeve that day and another bold bid is anticipated. The biggest threat may emerge from fellow in-form rival Makalu, who arrives on the back of runner-up efforts at Ripon and Hamilton. Course scorer William Dewhirst is worth a second look dropping in class, while Strongbowe should appreciate the return to a mile.
ATR Top Tip: Isle of Wolves (6)
Watch out for: Makalu (13)

Timeform Verdict​

BRAES OF DOUNE is thriving and had no luck bidding for the hat-trick at Musselburgh last time, suffering significant interference and finishing on the bridle. As such he's worth a chance to get back to winning ways, with Makalu and Isle of Wolves appealing as the chief danger​

Braes Of Doune (14)​

  1. Makalu (13)
  2. Isle of Wolves (6)
 
My cautionary comment re. possible lack of consistency proved correct yesterday, but shouldn't apply today. Doncaster holds a good-quality card as stated by Timeform.

Doncaster (Good) Mkt odds from 9.15am. J&T Gosden yard top track trainer runs Theory Of Tides.
4.10 Class 2 3yo hcap over 10f+ currently 10 runners.

4. Fox Legacy 7 (7/1) LTO 28, (D), £Class 3rd. Stoute yard 33% recently, RL Moore up. (MY tissue fair odds req 9/2)
5. Victorious Street 7 (13/2) LTO 41? Hcap debut. W Buick up. (MY req 4/1)
6. T'Challa 8 (15/2) LTO 26, (D), £Class 1st. A Balding 23%. (MY req 5/1)
7. Blake 6 (13/2) LTO 68? (D), £class 2nd, P Chapple-Hyam 17%. (MY req 4/1)

MY comment: Sir Michael Stoute would probably like to retire this season from training on a high so you could go with Fox Legacy. Being me seeking safety first I would omit Victorious Street and dutch the other three at current odds.

ATR form verdict in comparison with the above.
Fox Legacy fairly bolted up over this trip at Salisbury on just his second start in a handicap last month and, despite a 16lb hike for that performance, another prominent showing would come as no surprise. That said, VICTORIOUS STREET edges preference. The son of Street Sense pulled clear with a subsequent winner when scoring gamely over a mile at Southwell latest, and he warrants the utmost respect now stepping up in trip on his handicap debut. The class-dropping Harper's Ferry also merits consideration.
ATR Top Tip: Victorious Street (5)
Watch out for: Fox Legacy (4)
Timeform
A good-quality 3-y-o handicap and the vote goes to bottom weight PROMETHEAN, who shaped well when runner-up at Newmarket on his most recent outing, having been caught further back than ideal, and looks comfortably ahead of his mark. Victorious Street stretched clear with a fellow improver in good style at Southwell and may do better still with the step up in trip likely to suit on handicap debut. Blake has been off since winning at Sandown in July but the form of that race has worked out well.
  1. Promethean (10)
  2. Victorious Street (5)
  3. Blake (7)
 
Tried the Plumpton 3.50 where they have all been off track some time although Junkanoo has been out on the flat.

Plumpton (Hdl GS some G watering) Mkt odd from 10am.

3. Carigeen Kampala 9 (10/1 mkt)
4. Enthused 15 (7/1)
7. King's Castle 4 (9/4) £class 2nd.

MY comment: 1. Aucunrisque (C&D2) run by C Gordon is best on £class but out of it for consistency. I would go King's Castle on balance - I think?
ATR form verdict to compare wityh the above
KING'S CASTLE's sparkling run of form was halted possibly momentarily when taking the silver medal home at Perth on his latest outing. Prior to that display, he recorded four victories in a row and the seven-year-old may not have finished his progression just yet. Rewired failed to land a blow in a warmer event last time, but he could get closer off a 1lb lower mark. Of the remainder, Donnie Azoff makes the most appeal after his fifth at Worcester.
ATR Top Tip: King's Castle (7)
Watch out for: Rewired (2)
 
Try the feature race over the sticks today to keep my hand in
:)
.

Warwick (Good) Mkt odds from 10.35am. D Sklton yard top track trainer.
2.55 Early mkt expected no's 4, 1, 5, 6 indicating and open contest with these of most interest.

4. Asta La Pasta 12 (9/4) 3 tips LTO 208? D Skelton 20% recently. Useful hurdler will probably make chaser.
1. Guard Your Dreams 24 (2/1) 2 tips LTO 174? N Twiston-Davies 33%. Smart hurdler may need to improve for chasing?
5. Roccovango 3 (10/3) 9 tips LTO 22 (D). O Murphy 44%. Won chase Worcs last month looks to have more to come.
6. Big Blue Moon (11/2) LTO 130? T Lacey 0%. PU previous chase but too soon to write off.

MY comment: Not done much 'subject to other consideration' but Roccovango is the proven chaser to date. Take that or dutch with Asta La Pasta would be my choice.
ATR form verdict mto comp-are with the above.
The Olly Murphy team have been in good form recently and, with race-fitness on his side, ROCCOVANGO gets the vote. The eight-year-old made a winning chase debut at Worcester last month and with improvement likely, a 6lb rise might not be enough to stop him. A classy sort over timber, Guard Your Dreams makes plenty of appeal now sent chasing, while Dan Skelton's Asta La Pasta appeals most of the remainder.
Top Tip: Roccovango (5)
Watch out for: Guard Your Dreams (1)
Timeform verdict
Dan Skelton's ASTA LA PASTA looks very much the type to make a chaser and can end Roccovango's unbeaten run since fitted with cheekpieces.
Timeform 1-2-3
Asta La Pasta (4)Roccovango (5)Big Blue Moon (6)
 
Following VDW principles I have checked the Cesarewitch but have amended the consistency rating factor, as I have never really been comfortable with the original. Apart from that it is a basic mechanical procedure.

Newmarket (GS some G) mkt odds from 9.25am. C Appleby yard top track trainer. W Buick top track jockey rides Sea Of Sands.
3.40

14. Sixandahalf 12 £133 (13/2) LTO 13, 3 tips. G Cromwell 8% recently.
18. Manxman 10 £80 (11/1) LTO 44, 1 tip. S&E Crisford 17%
22. Jacovec Cavern 15 £70 (13/2) LTO 73, 2 tips, E Mullins 0%

MY comment: I do like the £class of Sixandahalf but it looks a race to dutch on paper.
ATR form verdict to compare with the above
A typically open renewal sees the tentative nod going to JACOVEC CAVERN, who ran a good race when beaten just under a length over the extended 2m at Galway in July and he could gain compensation in this valuable prize. Emmet Mullins' charge shaped as though this extra yardage would suit when staying on strongly that day and he could be well treated off just a 3lb higher mark today. Stablemate and last year's winner The Shunter is feared despite running off 5lb higher than 12 months ago, but he may need the run on his first outing since November. Dawn Rising ran with credit in the Irish equivalent of this race last month and he may not be far away, while Willie Mullins' runners are always worth close inspection given his good record in the race and his Sea Of Sands isn't discounted. 2022 winner Run For Oscar completes an extensive shortlist.
ATR Top Tip: Jacovec Cavern (22)
Watch out for: The Shunter (6)
Timeform Verdict
JACOVEC CAVERN tops the list after a very promising first run for Emmet Mullins at the Galway Festival. Manxman's claims are also pretty obvious after his defeat of the progressive Warmonger (pair well clear) at Southwell last time. Sea of Sands hasn't been seen on the Flat for over 2 years but a recent hurdle success shows his well-being and his stable's excellent record in this affords him plenty of respect. Premiere Ligne and Irish Cesarewitch third Sixandahalf complete the shortlist.
Timeform 1-2-3
Jacovec Cavern (22)Manxman (18)Sea Of Sands (8)
 
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