Ok, for today and having duly noted I'm replicating 3 of Frankie's 4 selections, my picks. Could be a very good day or a very bad day ! For sure it's a busy day so no time for too much analysis.
Haydock
2.20 Dr Green @ around Evens
3.25 - Webbow - @ 10/3 (General) Webbow had a nightmare in running last time out at Chester and it's doubtful that Paul Hanagan would be on Jimmy Fortune's Christmas card list after the race. From the inside draw, Webbow travelled very well through the race but, wherever he looked for space turning for home, Brae Hill went the same route. The result was that he finished the race hardly knowing he had been in one. He is a very reliable horse over 7/8 furlongs and he is used to running against better opposition than he takes on today. He hasn't won since August 2007 but his profile is of a horse who has improved in each season to date and he did enough in the last campaign, even though he didn't win, to suggest that a mark of 90 is not beyond him. He represents a yard whose turf horses are running into form.
4.00 - Khajaaly - @ 4/1 (General) Gene Autrey is the one to beat but it would be difficult to see a more sympathetic ride than the one Khajaaly got in his penultimate race over a mile at Yarmouth last month. Richard Hills never resorted to any kind of persuasion and seemed keen to keep his amount among horses in the latter stages. He was eventually 5/14, beaten just under seven lengths, but it wouldn't be unfair to say that he could've finished much closer under a more aggressive ride. It was a similar story on the A/W at Lingfield over seven furlongs last time out where the same jockey settled him out the back and never gave him a realistic chance of ever getting competitive. There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation for those efforts but, even judged on the Yarmouth run as it stands, his opening mark of 70 for this handicap debut looks fair. He should have no problems with fast ground on breeding and it could be significant that he held a four day entry in an easier race over this C/D on Saturday. The fact connections have elected a tougher event is a positive sign and the majority of the yard's horses have been running well lately. I have had a win double on Gene Autrey and Dr Green as I do think he looks the real danger and looks certain to go close.
Southwell
3.15: Speed Dating @ evens: Like many from yard improved once sent into handicaps, scoring over 9f at Carlisle last July. Good second to Southern Regent on recent C&D return, and seems sure to be thereabouts again. As Frankie says it's a short price but with nothing standing out for me as an alternative Speed Dating it is though it might well go odds on and at that point wouldn't warrant a bet.
3.55 Love Delta @ 4/1 ( Hills, Skybet) Frankie's clearly got hold of my script so not only agreeing on the selection but with his analysis
Wetherby
3.40 Motive @5/1
Sandown
6.20 - Architrave - @ 15/2 (Skybet) Some of these are not guaranteed to be suited by the step up to today's trip and it was tempting to side with Atlantic Tiger, who gives the impression he is one that it will suit. However at around double his price it may be worth risking a small wager on Architrave who makes his seasonal return. He is very stoutly bred and has probably over-achieved at distances of 8/9 furlongs so far. He has improved with each outing and he could be capable of far more than a mark of 72 under these more suitable conditions. His Trainer has made his customary late start to the turf season but four of the five they have sent out (all in the past two weeks) have run well and they have a 44% strike rate (4 from 9) with their three year olds at this track.
8.35 Maria De Guise @7/4 ( General)
Salisbury
6.30 - Stamford Blue - e/w. @ 10/1 (Betfred) Stamford Blue is exposed and reaching veteran status now but he has shown plenty of zest in his two races over five furlongs this season and will be suited to stepping back up to the trip over which he has won 9 of his 14 career victories. He was a winner from one pound lower last July, goes well for a claimer and has won three times at this track in the past. He doesn't have an ideal draw but with both he and his stable showing signs of running into form he is hard to resist at a double figure price.
7.05 -Desert Icon e/w. @ 8/1 (Skybet)
Good luck all.
Chris
