The New 'HWJB' Betting Dairy

[Hwjb]

Decent start to the day, tho should have had some place money on Opal Ridge.

In the 4:20 at Catterick, Springaway looks to represent really good value. Whilst the trainer hasn't had a winner in over a year, Springaway's mark is such that he has to be supported either way as he's shaped as if in need of the run on each of his last 2. His price is such that you can save on Whistle Blowing, who I reckon has the second best chance in the race.

Springaway 2pts e/w
Whistle Blowing 1pt e/w

Finally the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at Fontwell features several who should be of interest now handicapping, primarily Choumakeur, who again shaped better than the result in a novice at Newbury last time. Trigger Guard and Dreams Jewel can also be backed at prices which understate their chance because the favourite is too short.

Choumakeur 2pts win
Trigger Guard 1pt win
Dreams Jewel 1pt win

[Hwjb]

Another good day in which I don't feel I did much wrong but think that I perhaps didn't make the most of!

Cleymor House, 2pts win, WON 5/2. +5
Opal Ridge, 0.5 pt win, LOST 20/1. -0.5
Runshan, 0.5 pt win, LOST 25/1. -0.5
Jaloux d'Estruval, 2pts win, UNSEATED 13/2. -2
Golden Oak, 1pt win, WON 7/1. +7
New Perk, 0.5pt win, LOST 20/1. -0.5
Springaway, 2pts e/w, WON 5/1. +12
Whistle Blowing, 1pt e/w, SLIPPED UP 7/2. -2
Choumakeur, 2pts win, LOST 9/2. -2
Trigger Guard, 1pt win, LOST 7/1. -1
Dream Jewel, 1pt win, LOST 12/1. -1


122 pts invested
+50.22 pts
41.2% ROI

[Hwjb]

Unsurprisingly really busy at present with Chelts just around a matter of days away now, but got a chance to look through a couple of races today, including the handicap hurdle at Lingfield where I believe (hope) I've found one of the best bets in the last few months.

Love Angel has been troublesome at the start previously, so it's probably best to get on I/R, but I'm also having some of the 22/1 that is on offer with Skybet as that's just a silly price. He's been dropped a couple of pounds since running at Ascot last time where he raced too freely over a trip beyond his best. Back in trip today I'll be surprised if he doesn't make more of an impact. The booking of Colin Bolger isn't the best of news but at least he still claims 3.

Love Angel 3pts e/w @ 22/1.

[Hwjb]

Orsus 1pt e/w in the next at Hereford. Shaped much better than the bare result at Folkestone last time and looks a good value bet today.

[Hwjb]

Have been suffering a bit of post-Festival depression and haven't been able to muster much enthusiasm over the last week or so, and I must admite I've never felt so little about the start of the Flat season. I will probably catch up before too long but will be sticking with the jumps for the time being.

Heez A Steel rates a decent bet in the 4:30 at Huntingdon as I reckon he has a very similar chance to the favourite Lady Pilot, yet he's more than twice the price. 2pts win at around 7/2.

[Hwjb]

Still no idea what's going on on the Flat, will try and catch up after the National I think, but have gone through a couple of the handicaps at Exeter this afternoon where there look to be a couple of decent bets.

The 19f handicap hurdle is an interesting race where I'm looking to take on the likely favourite Jigsaw Dancer, as I try and do with anything ridden by the appalling Mark Grant! Much will depend on the well-being of Rood Report, who's been off over 4 months but looks potentially well in on his handicap debut. I might look to save on him whilst backing Top Ram and Purple Patch, but this means backing three in a 9-runner race, the alternative to which is to just back Top Ram e/w (Purple Patch hasn't been the most consistent in his time, is 10, and may find even this on the sharp side). Top Ram hails from the yard of Jim Old which is obviously a negative straight away, but he did have a winner recently and this one has two solid runs to its name where he's shaped as if this sort of trip would suit him much better. In addition the excellent Jason Maguire takes over from the decidedly unexcellent Tony Evans in the saddle and he can be backed at 9/1. Simply too big.

2pts e/w Top Ram @ 9/1.


The handicap chase which follows isn't quite so clear cut but again involves me looking to take on a Mark Grant-ridden favourite in the form of Squire Lane. It was a most uncompetitive race which he won at N Abbot last time and even though the return to a right-handed track may prove in his favour, there are others who still make appeal. Namely Charlies Future, Cash King and Potts of Magic. The first two-named have both been priced up about right at around 4/1, but there's some value to be had in backing Potts of Magic. He must be backed each-way, however, as he showed a distinct disinclination to win at Ludlow last time having travelled the best throughout. Nevertheless he's well enough treated on hurdles form to make him well worth supporting at 8/1.

2pts e/w Potts of Magic @ 8/1.

[Hwjb]

3:40 at Kempton. A couple of n/rs have reduced the field to just 6, but still a race of interest and definitely worthy of a bet is Black de Bessy, who has a lot going for him at 6/1. Small bet on Roznic at 14/1 also as it's just too big.

2pts win Black de Bessy @ 6/1
0.5 pt win Roznic @ 14/1