Friday, August 29, 2008

Newton Abbot, Market Rasen, duff football bet

Last time out Alan King's Ruff Diamond beat Karashar a half length in a novice hurdle at Bangor; the pair meet again in the opener at Newton Abbot tomorrow. At the weights Karashar should reverse the form but Ruff Diamond didn't jump particularly well on that occasion so it could be close. Ruff Diamond is well regarded but looks tricky; I prefer David Pipe's Bathwick Man. Of those making their hurdling debuts, Highland Lassie is the most interesting.

The feature race is the Lord Mildmay Memorial Handicap Chase at 3.35 with £40,000 up for grabs. Paul Nicholls' five year old Roby De Cimbre is likely to start favourite but he's inexeperienced compared to many of these and tries a trip further than two miles for the first time. Full House has done this blog a favour or two over the years but his last run on the Flat in the Chester Cup was abysmal and hinted that he may not be totally in love with the game. In a competitive heat I'll take a chance with William Butler who ran well to finsh third in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen. He's had a break since so should come to this refreshed. He's The Gaffer, rated 132 over fences, had a five day entry for this race but connections have opted to run him in the concluding handicap hurdle instead off a rating of just 93! Many will consider him a snip but at cramped odds I won't be getting involved.

At Market Rasen's evening fixture the two that interest me in the feature race at 6.30 are Nelson's Spice and Rookery Lad. Nelson's Spice has plenty of potential while Rookery Lad flagged a return to form last time out in a fast-run race. Connections have let a couple of opportunities pass by for the gelding on account of unsuitable ground; Rookery Lad is priced up at around 6/1 this evening which is tempting. I note that the opening race is named 'Wedding Fair Here 26th October Juvenile Maiden Hurdle' - scary indeed!

On the footballing front, regular readers will know that Wrexham's relegation to the Blue Square Premier at the end of last season caused considerable pain. Five games in and I'm learning, albeit very slowly. Before a ball was kicked Stevenage Borough were favourites to win the title but have started poorly, are currently one off the bottom and have a goal difference of minus eleven. By contrast Barrow, of whom moderate things were expected, have started well, and can point to a win against Mansfield among their early season exploits. The pair meet tomorrow. I'm not keen on football betting but totesport go 6/4 Barrow to win at home which looks decent enough value.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

Bathwick Man (9/2) was well and truly put in his place by Ruff Diamond (2/1jf) in the opener, the latter beating the former some 17 lengths. IMO that makes Ruff Diamond the best juvenile we've seen out so far this season but his jumping is still a cause for concern and there was a suspicion Bathwick Man may have been more effective on easier ground.
William Butler (7/1) was fresh enough to unseat five pound claimer Donal Fahy at the first. Snoppy Loopy (10/1), headed at the last by 2/1 favourite Roby De Cimbre, fought back on the flat to win one and a half lengths. Those who've been to Newton Abbot will know that takes some doing, given it's a damn short run-in. You'd have to conclude the favourite didn't quite stay the trip.
At Market Rasen, 4/1 shot Nelson's Spice confirmed his potential with a smart ten length win. Rookery Lad (13/2) ran up with the pace but was cooked at the last but finished a respectable third.
No winners on the horses, and no respite on the football either, with Barrow losing 1-3 at home to Stevenage... Sometimes you just have to sit back and accept you can't do this stuff.