Gambling on Good Friday - what would Calvin say?

Breaking news - I am struggling to find a bet today. Maybe it is because of my Calvinism and associated reluctance to gamble on Good Friday, although I suspect the dour Scot John Calvin would have disapproved of wagering every day of the year.

All weather finals day at Lingfield used to present an opportunity. Simply back any French trained horse as the market always underestimated them. That angle may have gone as people wised up but in any case this year there are only 2 French trained runners, and both of them used to be trained here so the unknown element is missing. A combination of the pandemic, lower prize money and (oh ok maybe) Brexit seems to have put off the Gallic raiders.

There is rugby league on the telly, but it's during the afternoon. I like my rugby league after dark under lights whilst drinking a beer.

In the end the only punt I may have is in the 4.30 at Newcastle, Oakenshield for Linda Stubbs. Won for Kevin Ryan last year and since then has run poorly but as a consequence is now weighted to win - it is just the not too easy task of spotting when that is the tricky bit. Kevin Stott is riding today, and he is Ryan's stable jockey, and therefore knows the horse. Might be worth a small tickle at 16/1.

As for yesterday it was ok. Oski ran really well, leaving his dodge pot tendencies behind, to score at 7/2 (managed to get 4/1 first thing). Stormy Flight proved to be handicapped to win (unfortunately ridden by Harry Skelton). The 3/1 secured in the morning was value as SP returned 7/4 (the Skelton horses nearly always shorten). Blarney Bateleur ran moderately, just staying on at the end but still looks like a potential staying chase winner round one of the southern tracks.

Animal was disappointing, a feature which sadly applies to most of Suzy Smith's horses. I did a stable tour at her old base in Lewes and was impressed but the move to Angering has not so far improved things on the track.

Finally there was a nice boost in 5.10 at Ffos Las. My original bet Saddlers Quest again stayed on too late (he'd be a certainty for a 5 mile handicap) but I had a lunchtime wager on Lady KK as a result of information from the west country. I am naturally wary of backing Jeremy Scott's horses because of his relatively low strike rate (9% this jumps season) but am glad I was persuaded to go in on Lady KK. I missed the 6/1 but got some on at 5's, and the mare duly bolted up like a heavily fancied odds on shot.