21 POINTS UP: DAQMAN made a solid start to the week with two winners from the three selections for a profit of 21 points. The SUPERNAP Hideaway Vic won but shortened in price to an SP of 4/11 from early offers and his final selection Pure Shores won at Wolverhampton at 9/4.
FAKENHAM GOES AHEAD: This afternoon’s meeting at Fakenham has been given the go-ahead following a second inspection.
CATTERICK FRANKEL: Some history will be made at Catterick – Frankel’s first runner over jumps Solo Saxophone runs in the 12.50pm.
I’VE NOT STARTED SO I CAN’T FINISH
Musselburgh had the latest of calls yesterday but fair play to the track for getting the meeting on. As frustrating as it is for connections and punters with endless inspections the good news was that racing did go-ahead – especially at a time when the north, in particular, have lost a lot of meetings because of the weather.
So much so that the BHA have given permission for an extra card to be scheduled at Ayr on Friday.
As events transpired, quite a few punters may have wished racing had been abandoned. There were extraordinary scenes in the 1.40 at Musselburgh when Some Reign, the 4/11 favourite for the novices’ hurdle refused to start.
I’ve watched the start of this race several times and can only conclude the starter was to blame. It was a shambolic start with the horse still being held by his handler as they set off. The leader was also allowed to poach a huge lead at the start which may well have been a winning one until he fell.
The stewards didn’t see it that way though. On the BHA went site all they say is:
‘Having reviewed the start the Stewards were satisfied that SOME REIGN (IRE) had refused to race after the start had been affected, and was therefore deemed to be a runner.’
FRANKEL TO HIT HIGH NOTES AGAIN
12.50 Catterick Brightens up a rather mundane days racing as it sees Frankel’s first runner over jumps. Solo Saxophone ran five times without success on the flat when trained by Dermot Weld but was placed on three occasions.
He was bought for €62,000 at the Goffs Horses In Training Sale in October and is now in the care of Dan Skelton who is in cracking form.
He could easily win this and continue the Frankel success story over timber. Certainly the ones with experience don’t look anything special and of the other debutants only Haulani looks a danger. He won twice on the flat but doesn’t have an obvious stayers pedigree.
I take Solo Saxophone to make a winning debut.
1.30 Southwell Ladies First has the crucial course experience and although beaten five lengths into second by Simon Crisford’s Ghaseedah last time still finished the same distance in front of the third.
Ghaseedah was a revelation on the track and the form could be quite good. She is certainly preferred to current BETDAQ market leader Jack The Truth who is back after a lengthy absence and has no Fibresand experience.
3.10 Fakenham William Hunter looks nap material. The Alan King trained runner is a three times winner on the flat who seems to have taken to jumping well. He was only narrowly beaten at Plumpton and then was a close-up fourth to Mr One More at Ascot last month.
That race looked a different league to this one and I’d be surprised if William Hunter wasn’t good enough to see off the challenge from the Nicky Henderson trained No Hiding Place who was a little disappointing when fourth at Huntingdon last time out.
DAQMAN’S BETS:
BET 10.9 pts win SOLO SAXOPHONE (12.50 Catterick)
BET 8.1pts win LADIES FIRST (1.30 Southwell)
BET 15.8pts win (nap) WILLIAM HUNTER (3.10 Fakenham)
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