Thursday 13th December
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There is NH action today at Newcastle; Taunton; Warwick and Tramore and AW action at Chelmsford.
It is a day that includes what may turn out to be some very informative Novice and Maiden Hurdles and also a particularly strong looking Novice Handicap Chase at Taunton (2.10); outside of that the Handicaps are tough to call, so we will focus on one in particular with a few other pointers.
We still seem to be 4-6 behind schedule though in horses coming out and getting runs and fitness, never better evidence I don't think by our old friend PADDY THE OSCAR who makes seasonal debut at Warwick today yet at this stage last season he was having his 4th run having won once and placed twice already by now. We had an unusually wet early Autumn last year, an unusually dry Autumn this, and that I think is exacerbating the form angles and reappearance of many horses and some of the "mud loving yards" are just getting in to gear but well worth following once they strike some form and we have targeted 3 such Yards to pay close attention to over the Christmas and New Year period.
We have 2 selections at Warwick today from PLACESPOTTER
Elsewhere -: The 2.55 at Newcastle is a very tight handicap and although we have Orioninverness in the Tracker, looks about 10lbs wrong here in terms of handicap mark.
In the 12.50 at Warwick the market has it about right we feel but one to track and follow and may be a small nibble is 11 LA CAVSA NOSTRA who has some decent 3 mile P2P form and a recent arrival at the Mulholland Yard.
The 2.10 at Taunton is one of those races that look well worth following as at the head of the market we could not split CHRISTMAS IN APRIL / FROZEN FLAME / HELUVAGOOD and ROLL THE DOUGH and they all look capable of winning a shed-load between them this season and of all of the likely ones the one at biggest odds who may be worth a small flutter today is SACKETT on Chase debut and another we will have a small nibble on.
The 3.50 Handicap Hurdle looks very moderate but picking between the top 4 in the market Georgina Joy ; Beautiful People ; Princess Midnight and Amzac Magic, with all below 11/2 in the market is frankly a lottery...