Only Bredon Hill really ran up to expectations yesterday; finishing 3rd whilst the win of Laskalin was not entirely unexpected as you'll be aware after reading the race analysis, it was annoying to miss it. It's notable that Venetia Williams, always a streaky trainer who blows red hot when hot, had a few winners yesterday and that's something we'll keep a close eye on.

 

We regularly talk about rhythm, specifically "tipping rhythm" and getting into a groove and today is a perfect example of too many similar days this NH season and a trend we will need to assess closely too when considering our future plans and targets as those big field handicaps are becoming less and less regular. There is no lack of talent on display today but our each way mantra of big priced value is really put to the test when there are just 42 runners in the 6 jump races at Warwick, 42 in 6 races at Uttoxeter outside of a 10 runner Novice race and just 31 runners in the 5 handicaps at Naas, discarding a big field Maiden over the minimum trip. We need bullets to fire and today, as too often lately, a shortage of ammunition. It may well be that we have to fine tune our core aims and objectives to reflect this in a significant shift of focus into the next NH season.

 

Not for the first time the Sunday Fixtures look better options than the Saturday Fixtures and we feel there are 3-4 really hot handicaps to attack tomorrow. As for today, with little on offer elsewhere we'll focus on the two main handicaps at Newbury at 1.50 and 3.35 both of which are televised on ITV.