Very talented each way
Top punter looks for Guineas value
Isn’t it funny how punting and tipping success goes in cycles? January and February were ‘plodding months’ for me and then all of a sudden I saw the light!
I was lucky enough to nap the Lincoln winner Secret Brief (advised at 33/1 here) and then Rule theWorld gave me a huge lift in the naps table when he landed the Greatest Race in theWorld for me at 33/1.
When you hit such a run it fills you with enormous confidence and the belief that everything you tip will win,but that can turn your mindset on its head as it can also be a very dangerous time when you believe such hype; as they say buyer beware!
What I love about writing this column is pitting my wits against the bookmakers and once every so often hitting the bullseye.
However, predicting the winners of the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas is arguably the most difficult task during the year even less than two weeks away from these two great races.
It was interesting to read the thoughts of Aidan O’Brien about Air Force One last week and there is little doubt that he deserves his place at the head of the market for the colts’ classic and he is indeed the most likely winner.
However, you don’t need to be a maths’ oracle to conclude that for a £10 stake (£5 e/w) you can make a load more money by backing an outsider to be placed.
Of the lightly-raced maiden winners none impressed me more than John Gosden’s Royal Artillery, but the market vibes suggest he is not ready for this, but he must be followed wherever he goes.
So the each-way selection is VERY TALENTED who ran no sort of race in the Craven,but I am attributing that to the ground. He looked great in the parade ring and was supported accordingly. The fact that he took such a keen hold didn’t help either.
However, his maiden win has worked out very well and granted a quicker surface on Guineas’day I fancy he could well be in the hunt for a place with that run blowing the away the freshness.
As far as the girls are concerned Minding again looks a solid favourite, but O’Brien second and third strings have a cracking record at this meeting and if BALLYDOYLE makes it to the start on good ground or quicker she could repay eachway investments at odds of 8/1.
Finally,onto the notebook for this month and ones to watch out for include STEVE ROGERS (could be a Chester Cup horse) following his comeback win at Kempton, GRAND INQUISITOR (badly hampered at Newmarket over 7f) and at a lower level LEAN ON PETE (given an awful ride last time out) andVEERAYA (did too much too soon last time out).
predicting the winners of the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas is ARguably the most difficult task during the year