SOULARD to take the spoils

In today’s blog:-
Yesterday’s horseracing
Review of today’s horseracing

Yesterday’s horseracing
There was no blog yesterday as I took a day-out with my 8yo son up to London. We had a great time at the Science Museum and then had perhaps the best burger in the capital at “Sticky Fingers”, the restaurant owned by the ex-Rolling Stones guitarist Bill Wyman. You can get a 2-for-1 deal off the internet.
Not much of interest at Fontwell yesterday, but Neil Mulholland had another winner for his racing club owners in MTPOCKETS who was having only his 3rd start under rules. Mulholland is very much a trainer to follow and this is only his 3rd season as a trainer. I’ve just looked at his website and he’s the neighbour of the David Pipe yard at Tiverton in Devon, having use of the gallops at Pond House.
At Stratford, OWEN GLENDOWER made it 2 wins from 2 starts over hurdles and long-term he must be Festival bound and the Supreme Novices hurdle is probably the target. Much was expected of the chase debut of TELL MASSINI and he did not disappoint, winning comfortably. If you read my Festival review, my opinion is the horse was off the track too long (97-days) before running in the Albert Bartlett.

Today’s horseracing
There are a couple of meetings at Uttoxeter and Wetherby today over the jumps.
The heavy going at Uttoxeter will sort them all out and take some getting. Nothing much takes my eye, tho’ the 20f handicap chase at 4:55 has and open air about it. PACCO is @ 10/1 (with Stan James)for this, and he last won when running on heavy over 20f in Feb-09 off OR107. Rated OR113 after that, he ran well again NTO (also on heavy). His seasonal debut last December (on heavy) was his best run of the season, and he then lost the plot. Today, on his seasonal debut, may be the best time to catch him especially over today’s trip and on his favoured heavy going.
At Wetherby, the feature is the class 1 (Listed) chase over 20f+. This race looks a cracker! According To Pete was fancied for last year’s Paddy Power (SP 9/1) off OR142, so off OR134 today, he will go close, especially as he’s won 6 from 10 starts on Oct & Nov. Lease Lend did not stop improving last season, he could be another who will be well-in today. The trip will likely stretch My Moment, whereas Neptune Equester is likely to prefer 3-mile-plus. Qulinton is probably over-rated on OR128. Soulard also has a lot in his favour, and will enjoy the going and trip. I am not taken by Frankie Figg as he does not seem to last out over “standard” tracks showing his best from over the National fences at Aintree. For me, SOULARD at 12/1 (with Stan James) is the value, especially as the RP have him at 9/2 in their betting forecast.

Selection:
Wetherby 3:20 SOULARD, ½pt eachway @ 12/1 (Stan James)

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