Good morning all,
Rain, more rain, and some snow seems to have been the order at Cheltenham overnight and now we face a 3pm precautionary inspection today to see whether tomorrow can go ahead. Suffice to say I'll be revisiting the form book for the weekend this morning and trying to find anything that has won when the description “like the Somme” has been included in the going.
There are a few today that revel in the mud as well, which is probably a good thing – I've tried to highlight a few on the main piece, which I hope will help with your punting today.
12.30 Sedgefield
Little Pippin (Tony Coyle) has a record of 53361 when the mud is flying around and she did look mildly progressive last year before blowing out on her final start at Wetherby in December. She hasn't been seen since, suggesting there might have been an issue after that race, but she has gone okay after a break before and if she's ready, the 14-1 Bet Victor and Hills are offering would be fair enough. Only had 7 hurdles starts and might have more to come.
2.45 Sedgefield
Almost three and a half miles in the mud here will seem like a lot further. Who is best equipped to cope with it? Well, Brydon Boy eats mudpies for his breakfast – 21P121554422 his full record on heavy – but he's not won for over two years and he's never won in excess of three miles. So The Model County will carry my quid – he must be one of the slowest horses in training but when the ground is heavy, it helps him no end as it slows the rest down, and one thing he doesn't lack is stamina. He's all or nothing as can be seen from his profile, so don't waste your money e/w, but he's now back on his last winning mark, and is worth a try.
4.00 Ludlow
It will continue to hammer down in Ludlow if the weather forecast is right and by the time the last comes around at 4pm, not only will it probably be dark, but the ground will have been well and truly opened up, and even for Ludlow, it'll be soft. My eye keeps getting drawn to Stamp Your Feet, who has plenty of ability but doesn't always care to use it. However, he should get this run to suit and his record on soft reads 41P1. Plus, he comes here off the back of a wind op, which should help, and is on a good mark, so maybe this is the time to catch him.
Today's selection – The Model County 2.45 Sedgefield
Good luck with all your bets today,
David.