Weekend reflections

Friday's bets were ok. There was money for Alexandra Romanov (returned 12/1 SP, having been widely available at 33/1 in the morning). Looked like winning a furlong out but just out battled to finish a promising 2nd. She's going in the tracker and should be well capable of winning a novice hurdle at Plumpton or Fontwell.

As for Maazel he ran ok. I got the distance wrong, and it appeared to me so did the jockey! I think he can still win at 9 or 10 furlongs and is worth backing at small stakes a couple of more times.

As for Saturday a mixed day. It started well with another Lee Carter horse, Enough Already in the 11.45 at Lingfield. I noted him with the comment "Now trained by LC. Fat at Kempton 16 Dec. Could win a handicap when fit". It appears the horse did not take umbrage at my body negative comments because he came from behind to win by a short head at a rewarding 14/1.

I fancied GA Law in the 1.50 at Kempton, because of his Fontwell form when he had beaten Getaway Trump, and felt the good ground would be in his favour. He came a respectable 2nd but never looked like beating another Nicholls trained favourite this time.

In what used to be the Racing Post chase at Kempton I went for Fingerontheswitch, heavily influenced by the value of Millie Wonnacott's 7lb claim but he never got into the race.

Finally I backed West Brom on the asian handicap against Brighton. This time Brighton missed 2 penalties, hitting the bar and post respectively, and had a 'goal' from a free kick awarded and disallowed twice. West Brom won 1-0.

Then one other for the tracker. The run of White Moon in the 1.15 at Kempton was intriguing. He had looked to have had a lot of potential as a 5 year old, even being talked in terms of Supreme Novices hurdle quality. He has since had various problems and 3 wind operations. Connections have persisted and today he ran as a 9 year old after another year off. There was no money for him (SP 50/1) and like Enough Already (see above) he looked fat to me (obviously that's only my view from the TV pictures). He trundled round near the back but looked to still have some talent. He's added to the tracker and could win a handicap chase at a decent price if he stays sound.

National Spirit hurdle day at Fontwell tomorrow. Still scarred by not backing Beech Road for the Champion Hurdle after watching him win this in 1989, so I will be turning to Hereford for my bet - old favourite Finnegan's Garden in the 3.20. At 9/1 he rates a sound each way wager.

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