Day 214

Moliwood, 1pt EW @ 20-1, 1.40 Wolverhampton (4 PLACES)

Moliwood returned to action following a 397-day at Chelmsford (13.5f) in November with a fair effort to finish second to one who had become well handicapped again. The selection was then off for another two months before running in a London Series' quailfier at Kempton (2 miles) just under two weeks ago when he didn't see his race out, fading to finish 8th of the 12 runners, though perhaps the run was needed following another break.

It's a concern that he's been so sparingly raced in recent times but the Chelmsford run suggested he retains a chunk of his ability and he is now 5lb below his last winning mark, and 3lb below the mark he won off over C/D as a 3YO, on what was his only previous visit to this venue. So while those wins are admittedly becoming a distant memory, a chance is taken at the odds with David Probert booked, who's 2-3 for the yard, +£7.

Areana, 1pt EW @ 11-1, 7.30 Dundalk (4 PLACES)

Areana caught the eye at Tipperary (12.5f, good) back in May on her handicap debut, when she travelled enthusiastically before still looking green when asked to make her effort in the home straight after having not had the clearest of runs around 3f out, but still finished her race off well to finish second of the 17 runners.

She hasn't built on that promising effort in four starts since including here the last twice over 10.5f, where she seemed to travel fine on the surface but her finishing effort was a bit disappointing, though she wasn't beaten far on either occasion to finish 5th of 14 both times.

Areana is returning from a 7-week break and her stable could be in better form, but this step up in trip to 12f round here may help and she can race off a mark 4lb lower than for that aforementioned Tipperary run.

Cheers Virgin

David Probert made a move from 4f out on Moliwood (22-1) to inject some pace into the contest, which helped the other principals who were held up off the steady gallop, but the selection was a sitting duck inside the final furlong, however, did manage to hold on for a place.

Areana, who looks a big mare who doesn't do anything in a hurry, appreciated the step back up in trip to 12f and an honest gallop, to stay on well for second place, but couldn't match the pace of the winner who had the benefit of an in-form 7lb claimer aboard.

Running P/L: +95.91 pts

Retirement beckons George!

*brilliant even

Cheers guys. On my previous thread I was on the verge of reaching 200 pts profit at bog / early prices, it looked a formality, alas the P/L went the wrong way and I never got there, so this one might be far from over yet!

Day 215

Rubeus, 1pt EW @ 12-1, 7.00 Wolverhampton

Rubeus, a seven-year-old whose previous two wins came in France (11f) and Jersey (12f), made an encouraging debut for his new yard over 14f here last month when he pulled clear with Blue Hawaii, who followed up on her next start by defeating subsequent dual winner The Craftymaster.

The concern is that Rubeus has since put in a shocker at Southwell (14f), though the race might have come soon enough just eight days later. He's dropped back in trip to 12f this evening with blinkers reapplied, and while he's in effect 4lb higher as he went up 2lb plus Elisha Whittington's claim is now down to 3lb, a chance is taken at the odds that he can bounce back to form returned to Dunstall Park given that previous good effort here.

Rubeus Snap George gl us

cobs Agreed and also like Starfighter for the AW comp

Which trainer Brian? Sarah Hollinshead - Snooze Lane, Since win flat: 40 runs 309 days

Cobs - Scott Dixon who had an impressive winner yesterday and again today at Lingfield (both decent prices)

Wd George

COMPLETED IT

Great shout George, thanks for posting it. Congrats on reaching 100 points

well done george never in doubt !

Congratulations on getting to your target George. Superb pick with Rubeus, hope you got the 20 BSP. Did follow you in for a few quid (aftertiming ***^ I know!).

Well Done, tremendous effort

Congrats GB
Perseverance and persistence
And no small amount of skill
WD

Thanks all for the kind words.

Tbh, Miss Calculation would have been an appropriate end to the thread had she won the other evening, given I'm 115 days out, but hey, better to arrive late than not at all

Mind, the way Elisha Whittington was celebrating after the line, I thought she must have been following the thread and was pleased for me , but no, the story was they'd brought Rubeus back from a spinal kiss injury, so a happy ending there too for perseverance.

The final total at Betfair SP is +47 pts after 2% commission.

End of thread P/L at B.O.G / early prices: +110.3 pts

Perseverance - well done

Well done George!

V.w.d.  When does the next one start?  I apply.