WELL the rain has changed this column somewhat today.
I had a handful of selections across the cards in some of the big races but the weather has changed that and I’m left with just the two.
It will be a power ten minutes this afternoon as my bets at York and Newmarket go off one after the other, typical.
First up SAVALAS (York, 2.40) looks a proper each-way bet in the Dash for Kevin Ryan and Jamie Spencer.
He is a tad inconsistent to say the least but is undoubtedly well-handicapped now and ran well over an inadequate trip last time out.
The return of the cheekpieces seemed to have had the desired effect and he’s plenty lower in the weights now than when a good fourth here at the Dante meeting and when a neck second in a similar race last summer.
Profit and Loss – Using SP*
June: +19.73pts
July: +44.69pts
He won’t mind a bit of cut in the ground but hopefully it’s not bottomless come the off.
The booking of Jamie Spencer is always good to see in big field handicaps such as this, and in my book he’s too well treated now not to have stab each-way.
Over to HQ and CARADOC (Newmarket, 2.50) looks to have been found a good opening by the in-form Ed Walker.
There’s some good horses in this, but I’m not sure many will be looking pleased at the forecast rain all afternoon.
While Caradoc still has to prove he can go in the mud, again hopefully early on the card and with the going report telling me there was Firm in it this morning, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. He’s also by Camelot, a should relish any battle.
Since being gelded and upped in trip he’s become a new horse and a 3lbs rise for his latest win looks fair.
He remains completely unexposed and won a bit cosier than the margin suggested over C&D last time out.
This is tougher, but with a small field and a few doubts on the weather for some of the market leaders, he looks a decent bet to me.
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