Good morning all,

I think yesterday summed up the highs and lows of National Hunt racing perfectly!

Royal Macnab was the first to step up to the plate and for a few strides looked the winner in the home straight, as he took a couple of lengths out of favourite Ballykan turning for home but sadly couldn't hold him off and even when Ballykan once again started his party tricks at the last, couldn't take advantage, and ended up a gallant second.

But Molly's Gent jumped beautifully throughout and had his rivals cooked some way from home. Strolling to a 20-length victory as he approached the last, he winged that as he had done all the other fences….and then knuckled over.

I'm still trying to work out why that happened, as he jumped the fence perfectly well before the jockey came off, and I can only assume it was a tack problem. Bottom line, I didn't get paid, and it just made the misery of the day complete.

It's a day at home for me today as with the school holidays kicking in, I have the children a bit more to help out with childcare duties. Neither of them are particularly interested in horse racing, so getting them to go to Stratford was always going to be a tough task. I toyed with the idea of telling them the place was chock full of Pokemon, before deciding against it and we'll be off to Matlock later instead.

On to the racing. I already have my eye on one at Newmarket tomorrow night and if the price is right I'll be having a decent bet.

As for Stratford today, it's not a great meeting.

I was rather hoping that the bookmakers would make Excellent Team a bit shorter in the first at 1.10 as he's not one I like much. He got warm in the paddock at Uttoxeter before being given a rather un-Skelton like ride, and by that I mean that most of Dan's are given positive rides and their fitness is made the most of. But here, Excellent Team was given a kid-gloves ride at the back and didn't find as much as expected when let down. I think he may be a short runner and even here at Stratford, a tight track, may struggle to get home. But at 4-1 and bigger, I can leave the race alone.

In the 1.40, I was quite taken with Presenting Streak. He showed a good turn of foot to win last time and if he's as effective over this longer trip (it ought not to be an issue) can win again. With Ryan Winks out injured, Tom Scudamore seems to be taking over his mounts and I'd suggest that's no bad thing. He's got Gentleman Moore to beat but I think that one will merely give Presenting Streak a target to aim at late in the contest, and I'm taking him to win again.

And in the 3.50, I can't resist a throwaway e/w bet on The Jugopolist – yes, that The Jugopolist – who is in as good form as he's been in for a few seasons now and is churning out some reasonable figures lately. He's been found a really weak race here – in effect a 0-93 handicap – and looks a little bit big at 25-1. In truth, probably playing for a place but at some point John Cornwall WILL have another winner and I would like to say I was on it when it does….;-)

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.