We have a couple of interesting meetings at Ludlow and Towcester today which, to me, means that finally we are into the jump season proper. I always look forward to this first midweek Wednesday of October, and usually I find an opportunity for a wager. However, this autumn the unusual warm weather has produced good-to-firm ground at both meetings.
At Ludlow there is an interesting 3-mile Class 3 handicap chase and although last years winner, Azure Fly, returns there again even he looks likely to be unsuited by the ground. First time out may be the best time to catch him though, as last years win in this race was his best performance last season by some margin. If you are tempted, I would not go in at too short a price as there are a couple of younger horses in this race (Heist and Set List) that could find the required improvement.
As with last season, I'm sticking to races of Class 3 or better this season and no recommended wager will be at odds of less than 9/4. Looking ahead to Thursday, there are a couple of meetings at Hereford and Exeter, but only the 3m1f chase at Hereford at 4:15pm looks suitable for a potential wager. I will be reading the declarations (when they come out this afternoon) with interest. There is no rush to make a wager, patience is on our side.
Friday brings us a Class 2 handicap hurdle over 3m2f at Newton Abbot, and I'm hoping that many of the 19 entries hold their ground as this could be a good wagering opportunity. All the major stables have entries and we could see a decent race with some pointers for the Autumn. Looking at the entries, a few of them are using the race as a possible preparation for some of the major handicap chase races run in November and December. There is also a top-class Class 2 intermediate chase over 2m5f and this could be red-hot. It may not be a handicap, but there are some unexposed potential top-class handicappers in this race.
It is Saturday's meeting at Chepstow that I'm most looking forward to, as at this meeting last year I recommended just 2 selections and both won! As I had also suggested putting the pair into a double, the day proved to be a very profitable start to the season. As such, the pressure is on for a repeat and with three Class 2 races and a Class 1 handicap hurdle on the card, there should be plenty of opportunity. Chepstow rolls-over into Sunday when there is a particularly good Class 2 handicap chase and, judging by the entries, we should all have our notebooks ready for this one.
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