Patience is a (gamblers) virtue

Another ordinary day at the races today.

Yesterday, alert runner INVICTA LAKE won in convincing style at odds of 11/4. Readers of the blog will know that I thought the horse hadn't really shown much improvement but, from yesterday's performance trainer Suzy Smith has found about 15lb+ of improvement since the Spring. This leads me to the dilemma that I've had since forming my alert list – do I wager on every horse-alert runner without exception? Or, as I do at the moment, do I evaluate the race and wager as and when I think necessary?

Today there is the one runner from my alert list, and it is one that I added after a recent run (not a carry-over from last season) it is KING OF THE WOLDS at Fakenham in the 2:30. In today's case the decision is made for me by my policy of not recommending a wager when a prospective selection is trading at odds less than 9/4. KING OF THE WOLDs is currently trading at 11/8 and those odds are too short for me.

My other couple of alert list runners were both in the same race at Plumpton, UXIZANDRE and HI NOTE. Unfortunately, Hi Note was totally outclassed in this, but that was no bad thing considering her official rating as a chaser going forward. We know she is a very consistent mare who always gives her best, and that (in itself) is a big plug for UXIZANDRE. Alan King looks to have a very talented novice chaser in UXIZANDRE tho' it is probable that the horse will fall a little short of 'Arkle' class come the Cheltenham Festival.

So, no wagers recommended today but patience is a very important weapon in the armoury of the punter. You only want to place a wager when the circumstances are in your favour. It is a difficult burden to carry sometimes when you see horses winning and going un-backed (as with Invicta Lake yesterday) but you have to have discipline. There is horseracing virtually every day, so there is is no point in looking for wagers just for the sake of it.

There is some good racing later this week, and we should be able to find opportunities on Thursday, Friday and especially Saturday, from which to take advantage. At Haydock on Saturday we have the Betfair Chase with the prospect of a mouth-watering field including Bobs Worth, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti and Tidal Bay. I've not made my mind up yet as to which horse to wager on in that race, it will all depend on the ground  conditions.

No selections today.