Good morning all,

Now I’m getting out and about more than once a week, and to different tracks, I’m starting to put together a new list of eyecatchers from both the paddocks and the races themselves. Here’s the latest few that have gone on the list – for good and bad reasoning – and I’ll make sure I update you all at least once a month from here. 

Subway Surf, Southwell May 19th

If the warning signs hadn’t been flashing for Subway Surf before this race, then they ought to be now. Sent off long odds-on, he wasn’t improving even before this race and this was another backwards step, looking laboured in his attempts to try and rope in Soramond (well backed from 33s himself) in the closing stages. Quite simply, he isn't going forward, and can’t be backed with any confidence now. 

Who’s The Guv’nor , Market Rasen, May 20th

Micky Hammond’s 7yo gelding hadn’t shown a fat lot in his seven previous starts, hence his 33-1 price tag for this, but he ran a cracking race from the front, finding plenty for pressure and was only worn down in the final strides by Design Icon, who has been threatening to win a race for a while. 

He looked well in the paddock beforehand too, very fir, and has scope to do better. The worry would be that the handicapper has taken the form literally and given him a whopping 17lb rise, which might be enough at this stage, but he’ll jump a fence in time and ought to be up to winning a little race soon. Cartmel next week might suit him well, if he gets an entry. 

Do It For Thy Sen/Astute Boy, Southwell, May 25th

At the risk of pointing out the chuffing obvious, the winner, Do It For Thy Sen, who was the paddock pick by some way, is finally getting his act together over fences and has started progressing nicely now. Better ground appears to be the key to that improvement, so you’d think they’ll keep him on the go for a while yet. He has another win or two in him before the handicapper starts to get to grips. 

Astute Boy had run an unbelievable race at Hexham the time before, finishing on the heels of some much higher-rated rivals off level weights and if that was believable, he was entitled to go off around a 6-4 chance here and ought to have won. As it was, he was weak in the market until very late on, but he travelled well and went clear with the winner two out, only to find him stronger in the closing stages. 

This effort neither proves nor disproves the Hexham form, falling somewhere in the middle, as he may well have improved himself yet bumped into one on a huge upward curve. I’d be willing to give him another chance next time, under the right circumstances. 

Mr Dealer/Big Bad Buzz, Southwell, May 25th

I almost had heart failure in the closing stages of this race, as my eyes told me that Mr Dealer, despite not being seen since New Years Eve of 2018, was very fit for his reappearance, yet the fact he was north of 200 on Betfair told me little was expected. I didn’t have a bet, so you can imagine my reaction as he cruised upsides the winner in the straight, trading under 4-1` in the run and looking the winner before getting tired and fading to finish fifth, beaten just over six lengths. This was no fluke, he’s a good-looking athletic type and as long as he doesn’t “bounce” on his next start, can win a similar race. 

More long term, i.e. over fences, Ryan Potter’s Big Bad Buzz ought to be capable of winning something. Like almost every Doyen offspring you see these days he’s huge, but well put together with it, and has some presence about him. Maybe they’ll get him handicapped over hurdles and then spring him straight into a handicap chase, we will see. One to monitor. 

There are some shorties at Stratford tonight but the more it dries the better Bletchley Castle's chance in the handicap at 7.30. This tight track will.suit his front-runnung style and off his low weight, with the excellent Tommie O'Brien booked, ne could be hard to catch.. Looks a fair price to do so..

Today's selection – Bletchley Castle 7.30 Stratford

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Good luck with all your bets today,

David.