Tuesday 7th December
1.30 Uttoxeter - Gustavian 0.5 Point EW @ 5/1
Tough little handicap this one but i'm gonna side with Anthony Honeyballs' GUSTAVIAN who hasn't been out of the first 3 home in 9 runs. Has been on the sidelines since coming third in a class 2 race back in February of this year , and has had wind surgery since he's been out so could well be worth keeping him onside for at least a couple of runs. Can't fault him so far tbh and i really can't see any reason why he shouldn't run his race today , some big name stables respresented in Nicky Henderson (double handed) , Dan Skelton and Harry Fry , with the former pair knocking in the winners left right and centre and whilst i respect them and their runners i'm happy to plump for the selection , trainer is no slouch and knows the time of day and has an 18% strike rate here at Uttoxeter. If fit and ready he should go close.
4.30 Southwell - Mulzim 0.5 Point EW @ 16/1 ... Astro Jakk 0.5 Point EW @ 22/1
Was in two minds whether to look at Southwell tbh , with the new surface having its first airing so to speak but i really do like the chances of a couple in this and i'd be loathe to miss them if either of them come in at decent prices. MULZIM is the first one that caught my eye and the one i like the chances of most , has won three times this year and seems to have a liking for Southwell , winning 6 times and placing once from 10 runs. Was plum last at Nottingham last time out but i'm hopeful that a return to a course he does well at will bring about some improvement. Daniel Muscutt onboard and he's ridden the horse 13 times with the end result being 6 wins and 2 places , so knows the horse well enough for me , he has a 26% strike rate at Southwell and that improves to 29% when its older horses he's riding. Been riding quite well of late with a 17% strike rate over the past 21 days. Trainer Mike Murphy sends just this one out today and he enjoys a 19% SR at the course (23% with his older horses) and it could be worth noting that he relies on just this sole runner today. The other horse i like is ASTRO JAKK , who like my other fancy ran an absolute stinker when last seen but i think an improved performance could be on the cards with this one as well , has a 50% strike rate over CD (2 wins from 4 runs) and 3 wins and a place from 8 runs overall. Trainer seems to be hitting form and has a respectable 21% SR at Southwell. PJ McDonald tales the ride and he's bang in form with a 33% strike rate over the past fortnight , has ridden the horse before , 7 rides resulting in one win and two places. I think its interesting that they've reached for the blinkers for the first time today and if they have the desired affect i think he can go well at a decent price.