16th November 2016

Hi ,

We had three great days of racing at the Cheltenham Open meeting last weekend full of thrills, spills and entertainment but I have to say the mid week jumping is a huge bore with mostly very low grade horses and far too many three and four runner races. It’s no wonder that many punters prefer the fruit machines, online casinos or betting on the footy.

We have seen the rise on the political stage of the likes of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage and now it’s time for perhaps the grey suits of the B.H.B. to listen to the people and look into National Hunt racing by introducing top class mid week jumping on a similar scale to the flat when we have lots of classy racing between Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at the likes of York, Chester, Goodwood etc.etc.

Lets be very honest if it wasn’t for some excellent racing on the all-weather some of us would lose interest in Winter racing apart from the big Saturday meetings and Festivals.

Today being a prime example with some very ordinary jumping at Chepstow and Warwick but a super evenings racing on the Kempton Polytrack with top class listed action and competitive handicaps.

In fact I’m sticking with Kempton’s lucky last for Howies Hottie the 7.40 which is a handicap over 12 furlongs. The tip is one of my eye-catchers Plutocracy from the in form Gary Moore yard. The gelding ran far to freely last time to do himself justice but had previously been running in higher grade on turf.

He runs here off of top weight however it’s a reduced mark especially with Hector Crouch claiming 3lb. I expect him to be a working mans price and he represents good each way value.

HOT HANDICAPPERS

FLAT

Sennockian Star trainer M.Johnston - Seems on a favourable mark and can win on the all-weather.

Dutch Uncle trainer E.Dunlop - Another who can have a fruitful Winter campaign.

Dr Red Eye trainer S.Dixon - An old timer who has dropped to a basement mark and can pick up a low grade event.

JUMPERS

Frodon trainer P.Nicholls - Disappointed at Cheltenham after a mistake but he is far better than that.

Vintage Vinnie trainer Rebecca Curtis - Contested the lead for much of the journey at Cheltenham before being pulled up. He hated the soft ground and will be a different proposition on a firmer surface.

John Constable trainer E.Williams - He also hated the soft ground and will be seen to better advantage on drier ground.

Back next Wednesday be lucky.

Howard Davis-Shaw.

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