Intrigued by Saintemilion at Newbury

Doing the cards this morning (it's an enjoyable ritual) I am intrigued by Saintemilion, due to run in the 3.00 race at Newbury this afternoon.

This horse was formerly trained by Paul Nicholls and it is fair to say that the description of its performances as 'generally disappointing' is pretty accurate. Normally I would automatically avoid an ex-Nicholls horse on the basis that there is no way another trainer can improve a horse that was with the best trainer in the UK. Chris Gordon has done ok with a few but only after they have dropped down the handicap to well below their winning mark under Nicholls.

In this case the horse has gone to Jimmy Frost, who it appears is also the owner. Saintemilion's best run was when beaten by a neck in a fairly valuable chase at Wincanton on Boxing Day 2019. The jockey that day was Bryony Frost (Jimmy's daughter). Presumably Bryony must have given some kind of positive assessment of the horse.

Saintemilion is 20/1 today. Bryony is riding and a small each way interest is called for on the basis that she must have some faith in him.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 for tomorrow - Grooveur has given me too much confidence!

2.05 Uttoxeter - Oski  is an utter dodge pot but is surely an each way bet to nothing? Maybe put in the forecast with Beaufort West? 2.40 Uttoxeter - Barney Bateleur is going to win over fences and this is a hurdle race so small stake only but I think Stormy Flight is handicapped to win it. Again maybe dutch them and a small dual forecast. 3.10 Uttoxeter- Susy Smith has gone all the way to the (north) midlands to run Animal. I think this horse will win again one day. Currently 6/1. 5.10 Ffos Las- Saddlers Quest. Came 5th at 100/1 under a "quiet" ride at the same track on 4 February. Should be of interest in a handicap (which this is). Sorry some of them are in the same races.
Read more

Restricting - Sorry Sir we do not want your business

Last year - before 'lockdown' obviously - I was invited by Racing UK (Racing TV as it is now) to a kind of focus group. We probably did not meet the usual diversity criteria. Basically we were all white men aged in our 50's and 60's, which I suspect makes up a considerable portion of the Racing TV subscribers. We were asked to introduce ourselves and detail our interests in racing and betting. What then followed was each of us in turn describing how we watch and bet - followed by tales of how various bookmakers restrict us. To be honest there may have been a small bit of boasting going on - "I've been banned by more bookmakers than you" - but there is little doubt that our collective experience was that if a punter shows a degree of skill in his wagering then the bookies do not want your business. I thought it might be interesting to report my experience of being restricted. My local Ladbrokes betting shop were promoting their Grid card (similar to a super...
Read more

How to bet on freemasons with sticks

Ok golf is not exactly my favourite sport - better than motor racing and ice skating maybe but apart from the Open and the Masters I struggle to take much interest. Those clothes, the saloon bar image, the rather old fashioned attitudes to women, shorts and wearing jeans, and now players and clubs which enable the top players to hit the ball so far that the best courses are no longer a challenge. In my previous job there were always a significant number of keen golfers who took every opportunity to play the sport which us non-participants called 'freemasons with sticks' (as it happens with some justification. I do though occasionally have a bet on it though. It is one of the few sports where there are regular 100/1 winners and even Tiger Woods in his pomp would go off 3/1 plus. Obviously at those prices picking the winner is difficult but there are some factors which can help. Golf is very much a form game with players having hot (and cold) streaks). The trick is to spot the pl...
Read more