Good morning all,
Couldn't quite finish Newmarket off with the flourish I'd hoped, the ante-post selections ran well and Fairyland did land a bit of place money, but sadly not well enough for me to buy that island in the Bahamas I had my eye on.
Nevertheless, I hope I have found one that looks a bit overpriced in the Summer Plate on Saturday at Market Rasen, one of the highlights of the summer jumps season. You'll find that on the main piece, along with one for Southwell tonight.
On Friday night, whilst perusing through the smaller cards that were taking place on Saturday, I noticed Henryville was having another run for Peter Bowen at Newton Abbot. When connections purchased Henryville last summer for £15,000 at a horses in training sale, you knew that Peter would have some summer jumps targets in mind for him. I was sure that the race at Cheltenham in April was one, but he ran a lifeless race there, never going a yard. His run at Fakenham in March when a touch unlucky showed that he still had the engine, so it was just a matter of finding the right race for him.
I was sure that, after a small break, Henryville would need the run at Newton Abbot on Saturday and that maybe they were using it as a prep for the Summer Plate the week after. Wrong. Henryville travelled like his old self on Saturday and when asked to win his race, did it with the minimum of fuss. Reportedly in grand order at home, it now looks like this was the plan all along, and surely, given how easily he won here, he'll get turned out under a penalty on Saturday. (Update – he'll be 3lb well in under the penalty, the handicapper has raised him 10lb for Saturday).
Let's not forget that three years ago Henryville was still in with every chance of the places at worst (when with Harry Fry) when brought down at the last in the Summer Plate back in 2016. He ran a poor race the year after after but the ground should be fine on Saturday (some rain is forecast at this stage, but not that much) and he simply looks too well handicapped to ignore – even with the penalty – so the 16-1 with Paddy Power looks the wrong price. (12 Hills just about fair enough too.) Best of luck if you're following me in.
Over at Southwell today, the bet I was going to put up (My Mums Posh) is a non-runner, so it means going to the back-up and it's now or never for Un Beau Roman (6.30) as far as winning goes. He's back in form after a close second at Worcester, and the winner has gone in again to give the form a decent look. Once again, he'll get this run to suit his hold-up style, with Deise Vu and Civil Unrest ensuring there's no hanging about, the ground is fine and depsite going up 5lb for that defeat, still looks well handicapped on old form. Win bet.
Good luck with all your bets today,
David.