Friday's Meetings Fontwell N/H 6 Races 1:00-3:55p.m. Hexham N/H 7 Races 1:15-4:40p.m. Gowran Park N/H 8 Races 1:30-5:33p.m. Ascot Flat 6 Races 1:55-4:50p.m. Dundalk(E) A/W 8 Races 4:45-8:15p.m. Newcastle(E) A/W 8 Races 4:55-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
CHARLIEISHERE 20/1 Newcastle 7:30 This Charm Spirit 3yo gelding is bred to be at least 20lbs better than his opening handicap mark. In fact he has a half sister that is rated 115. The yard have a pretty good record at having winners at their first attempt in handicaps and it wouldnt be the biggest surprise if this fella wasnt a good few pounds better than the meagre 56 he has been allotted. His third run wasnt entirely devoid of promise.
Bickerstaffe is favourite for the 3.40 Ascot but he seems pretty short to me at 7/2. He ran well last time when 6th in the Ayr Silver Cup but he faces off against the horse who was just behind him in 7th that day, Red Strike. Red Strike was three parts of a length behind Bickerstaffe last time, when in receipt of 4 lbs and the pair meet on the same terms today as 91 and 95 rated horses. 3/4 of a length is reversible for sure and Red Strike is a whopping 12/1 compared to Bickerstaffe at less than a third of the odds. Red Strike has an awkward head carriage but he has had a good season and with 4 places each-way he was my play at 12/1 today. Later on Sunray Major is the "Good thing" for the Gosdens but he's very skinny. Able Kane was quite impressive last time at Donny over 6 and a half furlongs and seemed worth a shot over 7F, At 10/1 he seemed a reasonable EW play but for an extra, 5th, place it seemed worth sacrificing 2pts on the price. 3.40 Ascot Red Strike 12/1 EW 1,2,3,4 4,50 Ascot Able Kane 8/1 EW 1,2,3,4,5 EW Double the pair.
Strike Red was beaten a head by Bickerstaffe, which was frustrating but I was right in thinking they were the pair to focus on following their Silver Cup runs and the CSF paid a little over £30. The "good thing" did win in the later race and will be crucified by the assessor now, Able Kane didn't see out the trip after travelling well early but he held 4th place to get some profit on the race at 8/1 and he also held up his end of the each-way double with Strike Red, so it was a profit on the day. Will reinvest tomorrow.
