Last Time Around…

Good morning all,

My final column for the Punt, and I’m not going to get all sentimental, but thankyou all for the kind messages last week, they’re all very much appreciated. I know a couple of you asked if you could leave me the price of a pint somewhere, so at the bottom of today’s piece is a link you can leave me a couple of quid if you’re so inclined.

Hopefully I can find you a big-priced winner on my last day to pay for that pint! There’s one in particular I like, and I’ve already backed it Thursday when prices came out, so read on to find what it is…

2.20 Haydock

The problem with Scarlet Dragon is that he finds winning hard these days, but if he’s to have a crack at something at Ascot next month, then he’s going to have to put up a better showing here and I think that could be on the cards.

He’d have needed his seasonal debut to blow a few cobwebs away, and there was just enough in the run to suggest he retains his ability. There’s no doubt he’s also got a bit cleverer as he’s got older, and having refused to race on his final start of last year, make sure you back him with a bookmaker that will refund your stakes if he does that again, but if he puts it all in, then he’s on a good mark and could go well.

2.55 Haydock

I really like Viola here.

How she is five times the price of Sea La Rosa is a mystery to me, given she gave her almost a stone and a beating at Doncaster last year and even on revised terms next time out, was only beaten ¾l by her, again giving her almost a stone. Yes, Sea La Rosa possibly improved a little during the second half of the season and beat Viola on the all-weather in the winter but back on grass she really shouldn’t be the price she is. Especially as she won fresh around this time last year too, and she’s simply too big to ignore.

2.05 Beverley

Absolutelyflawless is 2-2 and was quite impressive at Chester last time but this will be the fastest ground she’s encountered to date, and with that I prefer the claims of Parr Fire, a rare first-time out 2yo winner for Nigel Tinkler at Doncaster earlier in the month. The ground there was very quick, and despite greenness early on, she came through to win with a bit in hand and was never stronger than at the finish, which gives plenty of hope this uphill finish will suit her well. With second home Double O narrowly beaten at Carlisle earlier in the week, the form has a reasonable look to it, and anyway, this is about the potential of the horse as much as anything.

2.40 Beverley

Wobwobwob was undone by stall 1 at York last time (six of the first seven home came from double-figure draws) but in finishing eighth, still gave the impression he was in form, and on his seasonal debut at Ripon the time before, was beaten under a length in a race that’s working out well.

He’s yet to win over this far, which does ask a question, but he was an very easy winner at York over 7f last year and I see no reason why he won’t get the extended trip. Indeed, he should enjoy it, and I think he’ll go well here.

3.45 Chester

Fools Rush In and Boardman are two of the more obvious ones for this 7½f handicap, but if we’re making Boardman favourite then we’ve got to be looking at an old friend in Oh This Is Us as a possible winner too.

He was, on the face of it a bit disappointing at Newbury last time but that’s basically him these days, consistency not being his strong point, but his previous length third to Boardman at Haydock would give him every chance on 6lb better terms today.

Drawn nicely in stall 3 today, his Chester record of 11213 reads very well and that makes him look a cracking each-way best here.

Today's selection – Viola (e/w, 4 places with Skybet) 2.55 Haydock

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.

And if you wish to leave a thankyou, then…..https://ko-fi.com/davidmassey85885

Take care, and I'll see you all around somewhere, I'm sure!