We were done by the ground at Chepstow yesterday, it's as simple as that. Prince Afram still did pretty well to finish 2nd but having raced twice on Gd-Fm the heavy going saw the favourite drift out to 6/4 before the off - annoying!
Plenty more to go at today though as we've got five meetings on offer. Nothing to mention at Newcastle but quite a bit to pass on for the day's four other meetings...
We'll start at Brighton where Starry Sky runs in the 2.30. We were on the Prescott horse last time at Catterick when she came 2nd. The vibes are that our money was lent rather than lost but today's odds of 8/13 are a tad too skinny for serious support.
Do look at #5 Hawk House in the 3.00. The sole representative of Barry Hills this 3yo has a record of 0-8 but has solid place claims today (if not the chance of a win) and looks a bit of a 'thieving' bet at 4/1 each-way.
At Pontefract we have #4 Thumbs Up in the 3.10. We were on the Cumani runner when it won at Great Leighs and the expectation is for a repeat performance today. The Cumani-Spencer pairing also unite with Boz in the 3.40 but at the time of going to press we still await solid news on that race...
Lots to mention at Kempton tonight. We'll start with #1 Andhaar in the 7.20. The Ed Dunlop 2yo was flagged up when coming 3rd at Yarmouth last time out and with that experience under his belt the juvenile is quietly fancied tonight.
The 8.20 is definitely one for your notebooks. A tough race with Once A Gulch, Act Of Diplomacy, Mawatheeq etc all having claims. This race will produce plenty of winners down the line. The 8.50 has brought news for Ebn Malk for Michael Jarvis.
Finally, at Yarmouth, we have #4 Askar Tau (NAP) in the 8.05. The Tregoning runner is in good heart and we're told ready for a tilt at landing a hat-trick for a yard which does go well here (4-13, +10.25). The Fanshawe runner Sphere is the main danger.