MISSING YOU MUM 25/02 XX

A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISH FOR MY MUM. 

WISH YOU WERE WITH US STILL. Xx

Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us everyday.
Unseen, Unheard, but always near. 
Still loved, Still missed. 

Will be making a trip to the Rose Gardens at the Crematorium this weekend, usually visit and stay for a while to have a talk with Mum and Dad and will hopefully be dry enough for a longer stay. Will get some new photo's of the roses if they are out yet too. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #8 24th FEBRUARY

Our regular mid week visit to Kempton racecourse finds us slightly behind for the campaign (down -4.625 points) which is not ideal but still is very early days as we have another 10 months ahead of us. 

We continue to focus on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of results we record to SP. 

There will also be the occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and as a result of another successful lay last week we are now 3 from 3. Results for this will be kept separately too and hopefully we can remain at 100% for a while. 

This week there's a 6 race card on offer, 4 of them are handicaps and we'll also include the Class 2 1m Conditions stakes off at 18:40. 

Here is a link to the evenings race card;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/24-02-2016/fast-cards

Our first race tonight gets under way at 5:40pm it's an apprentice handicap over a mile. The going on the polytrack surface as usual is described as Standard and we'll update the weather later before the evening, but expect it'll remain cold and a fair chance of rain. 

Lets get cracking and here's my selections for tonight's handicap events;


5:40 -- 1m Apprentice Handicap
We open tonight with an apprentice "hands and heels" event, so you really looking for a partnership that have ridden together before. 

There's 10 runners to face the starter tonight, one that stands out on form is DREAMING AGAIN [5th 15/8F], ridden by 3lb claimer Mitch Godwin, who has been a regular partner and has won and placed so should give a good account here.


6:40 -- 1m Conditions Stakes
The contest has only attracted 5 runners and hopefully will not end up in a tactical affair with a false 2f dash to finish. 

SLOANE AVENUE looks the fav on paper from his top yard but has been off for nearly a year so will oppose tonight with CAPTAIN CAT [WON 11/4] out of Roger Charltons yard. 

Good enough to run competitively in the Winter Derby trails and other Class 1 and 2 events so should go well here.


7:10 -- 1m 4f Handicap
Looks like another LAY opportunity here with BIFF JOHNSON on a hat-trick but too short in the market here as those recent wins were at Chelmsford and could be found out around this different course.  [LAY WIN, 2nd 7/2]

The likes of KALAHARI, SAINT HONORE and FERN OWL will be plenty competitive, we will be backing KALAHARI [6th 11/8F] to follow up a recent victory around here.

7:40 -- 6f Handicap
12 declared over 6f this will be tricky and plenty of hard luck stories probably, a race in which bottom weight MEZMAAR [4th 11/4] makes plenty of appeal, with many in opposition used to Wolves or Lingfield having some CD form is a bonus. 



8:10 -- 2m Handicap
We end this weeks meeting with a rare 2m staying handicap. Has a field of 14 runners and we'll chance a pair of decent priced runners against the field. 

These are GIVEAGIRLACHANCE [11th 16/1] and FITZWILLIAM alas the latter is now a non runner so we'll just have the one here. 


Staked -- 5 points
Returns -- 3.75 points.
Loss b/f -- -4.625 points now stands at -5.875 points after tonight.

Lays -- 4/4 (Still 100% after tonight and on a roll).

Results will be updated here during the evening. 

THE EMIRATES FA CUP - FIFTH ROUND WEEKEND

This weekend sees the 5th round of this years FA Cup sponsored by Emirates. 

Games will take place Saturday - Monday so we'll have a quick glance across all eight matches and give our opinion of the likely victors;

Saturday 20th February 2016

Arsenal v Hull  [kick off 12:45]

A repeat of the 2014 final and once again should be a win for the Gunners. Hull are going well in the Championship and although Mr Wenger's side will want the title more than this, the prospect of winning the competition for a 3rd season running wouldn't be lost on them.

Home Win. Theo Walcott to score any-time @ 15/8.

Nope a 0-0 Draw and more fixtures for Mr Wenger to moan about. Should have been all over by half time though. 

Reading v West Brom [15:00]

Certainly a chance of a shock here with West Brom not exactly pulling up trees in the league and struggled to overcome a stubborn Peterborough last time. Reading to cause an upset at home.

Home Win @ 8/5. WON
Got this one right with a 3-1 home win.

Watford v Leeds [15:00]

Watford will be too strong here if they pick their usual XI, Deeney and Ighalo will break a weak Leeds back line. Leeds still having dramas and problems off the field can't see the focus being on the game sufficient to cause an upset. 

Comfortable home win. 

Home Win. Troy Deeney to score 1st @ 4/1 WON
Got the result right but an OG meant we didn't collect on our selection.

Bournemouth v Everton [17:15]

Can't decide so part of me wants to go for the draw, depends if each side puts out a strong XI neither have a lot to focus on in the league so you'd hope so. 

Stick with the Draw @ 23/10.

0-2 to the Toffee men.

Sunday 21st February 2016

Blackburn v West Ham 14:00

West Ham's manager Slaven Bilic has already stated he would rather win the FA Cup than finish in top 6 so we expect a strong side for this trip to Blackburn on Sunday. 

Dimitri Payet signed a new contract and we fancy him to get on the score sheet too in an away victory. 

Away Win. Dimitri Payet to score anytime @ 13/5. WON

West Ham won 5-1 away, Payet got two so nice win for us!


Tottenham v Crystal Palace 15:00

Lots of talk of Emmanuel Adebayor scoring against another of his old clubs, but with Palace in a poor run of form and Spurs looking at top 4 finish at least they can take a stride forward to the 6th round (cos they won't want Arsenal winning this again surely). 

Home win with both teams to score @ 11/4


Chelsea v Man City 16:00

Guus Hiddink must want to win another trophy in his short tenure before being replaced in the summer, you could probably say the same about Pellegrini who already knows his fate, and City are still in four competitions with bigger matches coming up fast, so I think Chelsea could nick this. 

Home win @ 4/5. Willian to score anytime 13/5 WON



Monday 22nd February 2016

Shrewsbury v Man Utd 19:45

Even for allowing how poor Man U have played at times this season they still depatched Derby County in the last round and I think they will do enough to see off Shrewsbury too. 

That said would not be surprised to see Shrews score first, maybe even go in front at HT. Away win but back the home side to score. 

Both to score @ 23/20
Shrewsbury to lead at HT @ 6/1

Personally I'll be enjoying AFC Wimbledon taking on Barnet this Saturday and expecting us to build on last weekends 4-1 demolition of Luton Town thus making another step towards the play offs. 

WON !! Beat the Bees 2-1 at their place. 
Proud to be a Womble.

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you are up to.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #7 17th FEBRUARY

Our regular mid week visit to Kempton racecourse now sees us slightly behind once again for the campaign (down -2.5 points) which is not ideal but still is very early days as we have over 10 months ahead of us. 

We continue to focus on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of results we record to SP. 

There will also be the occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and as a result of another successful lay last week we are now 3 from 3. Results for this will be kept separately too and hopefully we can remain at 100% for a while. 

This week there's a 8 race card on offer, 7 of them are handicaps now with the division of the 7:50pm contest so we going to be kept busy. 

Here is a link to the evenings race card;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/17-02-2016/fast-cards

Our first race tonight gets under way at 5:20pm it's a 1m 2f apprentice handicap. The going on the polytrack surface as usual is described as Standard and we'll update the weather later before the evening, but expect it'll be cold and chance of rain. 

Lets get cracking and here's my selections for tonight's handicap events;


5:20 -- 1m 2f Apprentice Handicap
Our opening contest tonight sees a field of 12 apprentices line up in the lowest grade available, so stakes would normally be kept low (or avoided completely) but for our records it's still the 1pt level stake here. 

Of these FERRYVIEW PLACE [2nd 9/2] has at least won some races, in better class than this and his 5lb apprentice has ridden a few races before which must help. Not much else appeals here. 


6:20 -- 5f Handicap
Bit better class now for the sprint handicap, 10 runners, plenty of winning form so this will be more interesting for us. 

MIRACLE GARDEN [WON 15/8F] won a few races last term including around here, has risen in the weights but as a 4yo could still have something to offer given his recent run when 2nd at Wolves last time out. 

At a bigger price TEMPLE ROAD [6th 14/1] would be interesting with Frannie Norton on board and a decent draw. Will back the pair against the field. 


6:50 -- 1m 2f Handicap
A disappointing field of just 4 line up for this contest, small fields can end up being tactical and there's a short price fav here. I think the value is the two outsiders on the book against the front two, so that's ALDEBURGH [4th 9/2] / TOP DIKTAT [3rd 9/1] running for us. 


7:20 -- 1m 4f Handicap
SHIRATAKI [3rd 11/1] might be 8yo but is still capable of winning as proved here last month. Up in the weights a bit but has crept in receiving weight from the rest of the field, worth a win/place bet at the forecast 12/1.


7:50 -- 7f Handicap (Div 1)
ONLY TEN PER CENT [4th 14/1] has been running well for his claimer Alistair Rawlinson and this course winner can score for us here in division one of this open event. 

WEST LEAKE [5th 16/1] has claims too having won of a similar mark last year, and has 11 wins to his name so despite being the veteran of the field has the form and ability to go well. 



8:20 -- 7f Handicap (Div 2)
Division two is just as tricky to call, but sticking with the theme of giving the veterans a try we go with the 8yo MAJOR MUSCARI [9th 8/1] regularly placed at this level might be hard to win but still has a level of form to make that risk worthwhile. Will have a place bet if we can get 2/1 the place but that's just for us. 


8:50 -- 1m Handicap 
A max field of 14 for the finale and we'll have a pair against the field in LITTLE BIG MAN [4th 9/1] / ZED CANDY GIRL [WON 5/1] both drawn in the middle of the track which should make them handy and be able to throw down a challenge in the home straight. 

Both have fairly good recent form, and appear to be about 8/1 in the betting to dutch the pair against the rest is the call. 


Staked -- 11 points
Returns -- 8.875 points so a small loss tonight of -2.125.
Loss c/f to next week -- -4.625 points

Lays -- 3/3 (Still 100%).

Results will be updated here during the evening. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #6 10th FEBRUARY

Our regular mid week visit to Kempton racecourse now sees us slightly ahead for the campaign (up +4.25 points) which is nice but very early days as we have another 11 months ahead of us. 

We continue to focus on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of results we record to SP. 

There will also be the occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and so far this year we are 2 from 2, both odds on shots beaten. Results for this will be kept separately too. 

This week there's a 7 race card on offer, 6 of them are handicaps so we going to be kept busy. 

Here is a link to the evenings race card;

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/10-02-2016/fast-cards

Our first race tonight gets under way at 4:55pm it's a 5f sprint handicap, the going as usual is described as Standard and we'll update the weather later before the evening, but expect it'll be cold. 

Lets get cracking and here's my selections for tonight's handicap events;

4:55 -- 5f Handicap

Opening up this week's events with a 5f sprint, just 9 declared for this but as it's a class 7 contest it wouldn't be a huge surprise whatever won. 

Do like the looks of IMJIN RIVER [2nd 4/1] a previous course winner but priced up at 12/1. Has George Baker in the saddle which must be a help, that one will do for us in this with a win/place bet. 

5:25 -- 1m 2f Handicap

Another class 7 event now, 14 declared but with only 6lb covering the lot it's not easy. We'll chance two against the field, both big price selections FOLLOW THE FAITH [13th 33/1] from Mick Channon's yard and CHARLIES STAR [12th 25/1] from Laura Mongan. 

5:55 -- 5f Handicap (3yo)

Back for another sprint now but limited to 3yo only a race where GORGEOUS GEEZER [3rd 7/2] catches the eye, ran well over bit further as a 2yo and with some improvement to be expected can score as a 3yo in handicap company. 

6:55 -- 1m 4f Handicap (3yo)

Another 3yo race with just the 8 declared runners, the top weight WHITECLIFF PARK only won a 4 runner apprentice handicap last time and is showing up in the early markers as 2/1F. If that price is available (or less) that will be this seasons 3rd LAY bet, on the basis that this is a stronger race with the likes of KALAMATA holding good claims. 

Lay - WHITECLIFF PARK [LOST 3rd 4/1]

Selection -- KALAMATA [WON 5/4F]

7:25 -- 1m Handicap

Looks like a chance for EXCEEDING POWER [8th 9/1] to win here at Kempton having placed in the past and won around other AW tracks. 

ISIS BLUE [Unseated Rider 2f out] is a Course and Distance winner and the pair can be backed against the field tonight. 

7:55 -- 7f Handicap (3yo) 

Our finale over 7f another race for 3yo only, we'll have SIR DUDLEY [7th 14/1] and PORT GAVERNE [12th 66/1] against the field. 

Sir Dudley has run in better grade races than this and has at least won and placed in his 10 races so far. Is priced about 14/1 and that's reasonable. 

Port Gaverne has run for this jockey before and the step up in trip could find some improvement, only had 5 runs and time on his side, 16/1 is the price we look for as a win/place opportunity.

Staked -- 9 points

Returns -- 2.25 points

Profit b/f -- +4.25 points, now -2.5 points after tonight's results

Lays -- 3/3 (Still 100% after tonight's one beaten, albeit bigger than expected at 4/1).

Results will be updated here during the evening. 

MISSING YOU DAD 07/02 X

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

This Sunday would have been my Dads 82nd birthday, sadly he's no longer with us but that doesn't make it any less of a day to remember him.

To say I miss him every day would be an understatement. No amount of time is going to change how I feel, and I would give anything to see him again.

Another year may have passed, my feelings are unchanged, love you for every you did for me, sad that I didn't do enough for you in return. Your legacy lives on with the rest of the family and children, your work is still remember by those that knew you. 




You may be gone from my sight, but you are still a big part of my life and have never gone from my heart. 



A special wish for a special person. Love You xx

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #5 3rd FEBRUARY

The next evening meeting here at Kempton Park will take place on Wednesday 3rd February. This evening will begin at 17:05 with a 7f Handicap contest.

We carry over a small loss into week 5 of -2.0 points, and will continue to keep a running total of our results to a 1pt win at SP, the focus remaining on the Handicap events and a few selected conditions or listed events too. 

This season we are also selected a few short favourites to "lay" our first two have been successful and we continue to look for short price favs to beat. These are likely to be occasional bets through the season and these statistics will be kept separately to the main profit / loss figure this year.

Forecast going is Standard as usual, the weather had dropped in recent weeks but tonight we expect to be lovely and warm as it's likely to get up as high as 7C.

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/03-02-2016/fast-cards.

This weeks card is a little better than of late, the 6 race card does have 5 Handicaps but includes the popular London Mile qualifier series. We did well last week and as the year progresses think we can land a few big winners at this midweek fixture.

Here are our selections for those handicaps tonight;

17:05 -- 7f Handicap
Our opening contest features a field of 14 runners, I want to focus on the pair WILD FLOWER [4th 5/1] / YARD OF ALE [WON 9/1], the former has some place form on the all weather having moved over from Ireland and is worth a chance of getting her first win. Yard of Ale won a Wolves maiden and has run consistently around there, has been placed here too and again worth a look at decent odds.


18:10 -- 7f Handicap
A similar looking contest now albeit a few grades higher than our opener. Interesting to see how ATHLETIC [12th 25/1] goes dropping down a few grades into this event usually seen around the better tracks like Newmarket, Ascot and York in decent events over 7f, could be a good option win/place at the forecast 16/1.


18:40 -- 1m Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier)
Now for the feature race of the evening, only the 5 line up for this qualifier, open to 3yo only but it's still a shame only a few have taken up their chance. 

CAPE SPEED from Mark Johnston comes here seeking a hat-trick, too short for us and we aim for NOKHADA [2nd 3/1].


19:10 -- 1m 4f Handicap
KALAHARI [WON 9/4F] / EL TEL [11th 16/1] will be our pair against the field in this event, the former won a handicap going off 15/8F and should go well stepping up in trip. El Tel has only had a few runs around a mile and may make progress over this new trip.


19:40 -- 6f Handicap (3yo)
The finale tonight is a sprint event over 6f where 10 line up for us and recent runner up CLEVEDON COURT [8th 4/1] can put that experience to good use albeit stepping back a little in trip.

Staked -- 7 points
Returns -- 13.25 points (9/1 winner in opener, 9/4 winner later, great result)

Profit to c/f -- +4.25 points.

Lays -- 2/2 (100% so far both odds on fav's successfully beaten)


A good evening puts us back in front again, will return for another night of handicap company next week.