2nd April

Good evening, I think I can be quite happy with the performance today and I got a bit of a bonus with White Diamond finishing in the places too. The most pleasing thing for me though was that each of the first 4 home I gave positive comments about from a handicapping perspective although I wrote one or two off going over this distance.

It is perhaps too taxing doing a summary for each runner like that all the time especially when there are so many runners and even more so if I want to bet in more than one race, what I can do is summarize the runners that catch my eye at first and then whittle it down from there.

I have one race of interest tomorrow at Redcar. At this time of year it is not uncommon to see many horses returning from a long layoff which can make things easier on occasions but leaves you guessing at times too.

Able Master – could be potentially thrown in if back to anything like his best, ran in listed company back in 09 before seeming regressing and has now joined David O’Meara. The trainer has been in decent form recently too so much will depend on any money coming for him. At the price currently I can overlook him as he has looked a problem ride a few times now and has had a habit of blowing the start.

Mr Optimistic – Interesting now dropped back in a more suitable class, he progressed into a decent horse last term but found things difficult in class 2 handicaps but is now just a pound above his last winning mark.  Much will depend on if he has improved for his break which is a possibility as he is only a 4yo. Richard Fahey does well on the turf at the early part of the season.

Hamoody & Arrys Orse – both now trained by David Nicholls who does well with these types, Arrys Orse has failed to live up to expectations but looks on a very tempting mark now. His best effort was at this course since his maiden win at lingfield which earnt him a massive OR. He has worn a tongue tie the last three times but it is missing today which is a worry. He may well have had a breathing problem which may now be fixed but I wouldn’t want to take a short price about him. Hamoody has been off the track for nearly a year, finished 2^nd from the same mark in a similar event at this course and now has the break to overcome.

Whozthecat – Only ever won over 5f but a repeat of his 2^nd at Newmarket last year from 8lbs higher and a better race than this would make him a leading contender. He has won at the track as a maiden. Consistently frustrating last year though.

Fast Shot - he too is open to improvement, beat a couple of really progressive horses last year in Clockmaker and York glory who are rated much higher  now. Looks a worthy favourite.

16:15 Redcar

Fast Shot 0.5pt EW 13/2 PP, 6/1 Hills, B365, VC

Mr Optimistic 0.25pt EW 8/1 B365, PP