indeed george-"the race is not always won by the swiftest" (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

although you probably already know this

What is the average BSp of your selections, George?

Aardwolf, 1pt EW @ 28-1, 2.05 York

A speculative vote at the prices to goes to Aardwolf despite a concern that the ground may be softer than ideal; he raced prominently two starts back at Ayr on a day when it looked a big advantage to be held up, and I kept an eye on him on his latest start at Hamilton when I thought he ran well enough, holding every chance going into the final furlong but not quite seeing it out on the soft ground; that from has some substance, the runner-up Masham Star has since run well in a Newmarket handicap on July Cup day, and from further back in the field, Alexandrakollontai has since come out and won.

The drop back to 7f should help based on the evidence of the Hamilton run and previous form, and his mark has fallen to just a pound higher than when succesful in class 2 company at Doncaster in May.


Johnny Barnes, 1pt EW @ 33-1, 3.00 Ascot (6 places, 1/5th odds)
Shady McCoy, 1pt EW @ 33-1, 3.00 Ascot (6 Places, 1/5th odds)

Johnny Barnes is of a little interest back in a big field handicap, having run well in the Ayr Gold Cup last season when probably done no favours by the draw, and then having caught the eye at Doncaster when getting no luck in the run; he's now rated 4lb lower than he was at Ayr, and while his latest third at Newbury would suggest he has work to do to reverse the form with his stablemate Remarkable, given how far the first three pulled clear, that form still makes him appeal EW at the prices today, racing off the same mark.

Shady McCoy is another who has caught the eye more than once in big field handicaps, notably so when fouth over this C/D in May when behind Fatsnet Tempest, who he meets on 11lb better terms here. A bit of a mixed bag in four starts since, but of interest back here, having gone close on his only other start over this C/D.

Good luck to us both, Virgin

He does have form on softer ground but just wonder if he wants it on top against that calibre of opposition, Virgin.

4th for JB, but will have settle for a 1/5th the odds having taken the girly option of the extra places insurance.

Cheers Virgin

Cornerstone Lad, 1pt EW @ 8-1, 2.30 Pontefract

Cornerstone Lad ran well on his handicap debut over 10f at Ripon when runner-up to Barwell (who has won again since and is now rated a stone higher), with subsequent handicap winners behind him in 3rd and 4th. He was sent off a well backed favourite on the back of that with William Buick in the plate on his latest run which came over today's C/D, and although it was a bit disappointing that he could manage only 3rd, he wasn't helped by having to challenge wide on the track from four furlongs out (the winner raced round the inner), and in the circumstances probably did well to sustain his challenge up the straight.

The ground was on the softer side of good when he ran well at Ripon and it could be this big sort is going to appreciate juice in the ground, given he had to be nudged along from some way out on a sounder surface last time out. He's unexposed at the trip and his two handicap starts to date suggest he should be up to winning off his current mark, though that is said bearing in mind that his stable only had a 4% strike rate on the Flat last year (11 - 249) and this year so far have managed only two wins from 79 runs on the level.

PHS, suppose it's a strange one if only because of the big weight it has to carry, given Mathers can do light weights, so you might have thought he would have put up Mooney to take 7lb off?

Mathers obviously did the ride the horse on Saturday, so maybe Jim has decided to leave him on it, and he also rides Insurplus too for the yard.

Still time of course for the horse to be pulled out given it ran only yesterday, but if it does run, the saddle will be relatively heavy!

Beginners luck

George you ok

Sold out?