I can easily forgive BOARDMAN for his last two runs as the races didn’t develop in a way to suit this hold up performer. Prior to that he showed signs that he was ready to strike again. A fast finishing second here at Haydock where he was a tad a unlucky not to win suggested he is in good heart but clearly just needs everything to drop right. He has to shoulder top weight today but that does mean he is in against weaker opposition which might just be what he needs. There looks to be plenty of pace on which should allow him to use his turn of foot late on and I’m confident today is the day he gets his head back in front.
Haydock 4.20 – Boardman
Saturday
I’m really excited about tomorrow’s racing and I could have a bet in most of the races. That probably wouldn’t be wise so I have narrowed it down to just a handful. The opening race at Ascot looks a tasty race and I could back 3 but I have narrowed it down to 2 headed by SPANGLED MAC. George Boughey’s horse has been shaping well recently but has been unsuited to how races at Newbury and Chester have favoured the front runners. The fact he has ran on well both times however suggest he is in good form and operating from a mark he can win from. At 16/1 tomorrow he looks an interesting each way play. My other dart at the board is THE WIZARD OF EYE who is currently 5/1 favourite which to me looks a little big. Charlie Fewllowes is clearly getting the best out of this horse and his course and distance victory earlier in the year suggested as much. A subsequent 6th in the Diamond Jubilee where he ran on strongly late suggested he is able to mix it at Group level so this step back into handicap company presents an easier opportunity. I can’t envisage a situation where he isn’t involved in the finish so at 5/1 he looks a safe each way bet. Aalto just missed out on the shortlist but I do expect him to bounce back from a below par run last time out.
You’ll probably be tearing your hair out at the furlong pole if you decide to follow me in on WITCH HUNTER at Haydock but I think he is the best horse in this race. A hold up perfomer who obviously needs everything to drop right ran a huge race at Newbury last time in a similar small field race which didn’t really suit him. I really like the fact he is ‘push button’ off any pace although there should be plenty of pace in tomorrow’s race despite the small field. 5/1 looks really fair.
The Old Borough Cup is a open contest tomorrow and regular readers will know I am already on the EPIC POET train as I have been all summer. He ran a sound race in the Ebor last time out in a race I really thought he would win. This race represents a slight step down in class and although it will still be difficult to win I think he will be in the shake up. Lower down the weights I think this race will suit KNIGHTSWOOD down to the ground. I thought 2 miles stretched him last time out at York but earlier at Goodwood he was a big eye catcher when unable to get a run. That was over 1m 6f which I think is his optimum and his earlier runs over 1m 4f suggested the same so he could have more to offer off this mark at this distance.
Ascot 1.35 – The Wizard Of Eye / Spangled Mac
Haydock 1.15 – Witch Hunter
Haydock 2.25 – Epic Poet / Knightswood
