Hello again one and all,
Racing at 5 meetings today, 4 in England and 1 in Ireland, and the majority of the tipsters in the competition are spreading their selections across across three of those meetings Windsor, Kempton and Pontefract.
Yesterday 12 of them walked away with winners, including the so-far luckless Rory Delargy, breaking his losing streak at 21 this month with a 14-1 shot, so April now has only 1 tipster without a single winner to his name Rory Paddock. Will he finally break that duck before Sunday? Time will tell.
Recap - Sunday, 23rd April, 2023
Post No Bills raced steadily from the off and was always towards the front, taking sole lead at the 6th fence and pulling away slightly as they turned for the second circuit. Flailed at the second last coming under pressure from the eventual winner, but recovered to keep pace. Ridden on after the last on the run in to the line still challenging for the front, but ultimately ran out of track and pace finishing 1.25 lengths down in second, Sure to break his duck soon after this 5th second place in seven starts this year.
Of our other three selections Blackcauseway pulled up with three fences to go, after leading on the first circuit, so not much more to say on that.
Linda Moon provide us with our ownly success of the day. In just her second start, and returning after a second place a month ago, she chased the leaders for much of the race, making headway with less than 2f to go, and taking the lead narrowly at the 1f pole, managing to stay on to the line winning by 0.75 of a length. One for the future I think given her first two performances - albeit both were bumpers (getting over obstacles won't be so easy when that call comes).
Finally, The Questioner had a good run. Prominent sharing 3rd/4th spot chasing the leading two for two circuits of the course. The front two both made mistakes on the run down the back straight, causing them to lose momentum, ultimately pulling up, leaving our lad to take over in front before the third last. Didn't jump that too well quickly losing the lead, and then second place with 2 to go. Kept on after the last to be a clear third place finisher at the line by 15 lengths. Building up an impressive string of form this year with 2 wins and several places in 8 starts since September, just needs that extra bit of pace for the end of the race to strengthen his cause.
Tipsters Standings
A winner for Expert Eye yesterday, with the others floundering, drags him back to a tie for the top spot. But it's still a close run thing with 4 tipsters on 7 wins and a further 3 with 6 winners. Indeed Steve Mullington who is languishing near the bottom of the full competition table is having an impressive month, despite showing a loss. He has 4 wins from his last 5 selections, and the only thing that has stopped him being in profit is that all of those picks have been odds (i.e 8-11) so a winner doesn't net him much of a profit.
Today's Bets
We did have two bets initially for todays choices with the two tipsters at the top of the Monthly Table, however, Expert Eye's pick has since been declared a non-runner, so our main focus is on West Country
Bluenose Belle, a 5yo Filly, trained by Richard Phillips, and ridden today again by the accomplished David Probert, was a winner over this distance at Kempton in January, following that success with a second place and not so impressive sixth place finish 54 days ago, which most likely accounts for his high odds. Could be a surprise, if she can get back to the kind of form shown in January and February.
With one selection becoming a non-runner i've included those tipsters on seven wins in our list of bets today. Two of those chose the same runner Sun King, who is coming off a 107 day break having switched stables in January, posting a creditable 5th of 13 finish in his first run since the change. Odds have already slipped out to 9-2 since the bet was placed, so a little more in the kitty if she stays at that price and wins.
Over to the Naas track in Ireland for our next selection, Tenebrism, hot odds on favourite for this 5F sprint, on the back of a recent win at Cork 16 days ago. Only 10 starts over two years in her career so far but she has posted a record of 4 wins, 1 second, and 1 third place finish from those runs. Has the superbly talented Ryan Moore back in the saddle once again today.
And so, we move on to Gipsy Rose Lee, looking to repeat her success in this race a year ago, her sole success over fences in 21 starts, but does have an impressive string of seconds and thirds totally 12. Without a win since she has been handicapped down the ratings to be carrying 6lb less than she was last year, and is expected to make a bold bid for victory as a result.
So that's where my money is heading today. Let me know if you're following these selections, or going against them with your own, and how you do. There may be a reward coming your way with some Sports Tokens.
Have a great day and good luck with all your enterprises - betting or otherwise.
Regards
Steve