Yesterday’s Review
1pt e/way Knight – Non Runner
2pts win Imperial Emperor (115) – A fine return to the track from the favourite who didn’t have the race run to suit but still managed to battle past his stablemate in the finish to score by a length and a half. The pace set-up didn’t materialise as Meshtri (93) couldn’t get near the lead with Comissioner King (113) having a handy time of it out in front on his own. The winner may still step up in trip for another crack at The Dubai World Cup next year. Result 1st 7/4 adv…17/10F SP.
1pt win Nikki Swango (108) – A tight looking contest beforehand and it was a difficult decision between the winner and the second who was definitely tempting at more than twice the price in the morning. In the end the favourite kept her winning streak over the course and distance going by sticking her neck out in the finish to prevail by a short head. The delay to racing caused what looked like some bots crashing on the Betfair Exchange resulting in the winner being matched at 25/1 before the race and also resulting in a greater than expected starting price. A nice Christmas bonus for those able to avail of Best Odds Guaranteed. Result 1st 11/4 adv…6/1 SP. (Rule 4 15p)
Today’s Advice
BAJAN BANDIT (7f 14y) – Trainer Patrick Morris has this five-year-old in excellent form at the minute having won and finished second on his two latest runs over course and distance. Rated 82 by the handicapper just a few months ago he had looked out of form before winning from a prominent position eighteen days ago by a half length in a Class 5 contest. Last time out his draw in stall one forced him to race a bit less prominent than usual and despite not getting a clean run through at the business end of the race he stuck to the task well to finish second behind the well handicapped winner The Green Man.
Jockey David Nolan has been booked for the ride for tonight’s (6.30) Newcastle and he has been in fine form lately with wins aboard Tasever, Watchdog and Ziggy’s Triton. He has the short priced favourite Counting Cards to beat according to the betting and while his form behind Tribal Wisdom has been franked recently the selection looks worth an interest at the odds this morning.
BOMB SQUAD (7f 36y Hcap) – This seven-year-old is well known to readers of this blog as he has done us many favours over the years. He looked a shade unlucky last time out at Southwell when going down by a nose to Reginald Charles over seven furlongs having raced in touch of the leaders and the (104) timefigure puts him at the top of the table for tonight’s (7.45) Wolverhampton. The favourite Dandy Khan has also been in fine form lately with three wins at Lingfield, but at such a short price I was happy to go with the proven Tapeta form of the John Mackie trained veteran.
Jockey Cieran Fallon knows him well having won twice on him in the past and a kind draw in stall four should ensure a decent trip round as well.
0.75pt e/way Bajan Bandit (5/1 Paddy Power, 9/2 general) 6.30 Newcastle
1pt win Bomb Squad (7/2 general) 7.45 Wolverhampton