At this point, it doesn't surprise me that Diamond Dealer didn't last home and got denied by a head at Wetherby.
Diamond Dealer jumped brilliantly, with his only mistake coming two from home, where he got too tight into the fence. He looked like the winner before that, but he got chased down and lost by a short head. Which sums up how February has gone.
As for Love of Neymore, I was expecting so much more. She had been competing in better quality races against better quality male horses, so to see her struggle back against the mares was something I didn't see coming.
Tormund Giantsbane 11/8 (1pt) – Doncaster 2.50
To see some of the big southern trainers competing for this race at Doncaster is a small surprise, as we've got racing at Newbury today and tomorrow. I think the race will be between the Skelton and Henderson pair, but I've sided with Tormund Giantsbane.
Quay Item has had his PTP form boosted by Minella Premier, who won nicely in a bumper race on the weekend just gone. He had started life of hurdles in a decent fashion, finishing third and then winning last time out. Dalston Lad (Skelton horse, owned by the same owners as Tormund Giantsbane), was ahead of him in his third-place race, four lengths in second. I think that is good form, but also a solid piece of information.
Knowing that Dalston Lad was clearly ahead of Quay Item, surely the Skelton team can try to figure out how that puts Tormund Giantsbane against him for this race. Similar to Quay Item, the Skelton horse is 1/2 over hurdles, but has contested a much higher grade.
He was in a Grade 2 last time out, where he ran okay for most of the race, but found it too hot to handle. Before that, he beat A Twiston-Davies runner, who has since run well in a Grade 2.
Hopefully, the step up in trip will suit, and it's not something that Dan gets wrong all too often.
Daytime Dreaming 7/4 (1pt) – Newbury 4.08
With how February has gone so far, I'd recommend backing Hardy Du Seuil. He was tipped up last time out and was beaten by a head. I like to give horses another chance, but I wasn't impressed that he lost that race, so I left him alone.
I think sticking with the unexposed horses in this race is the way forward. As a result, Daytime Dreaming was the standout candidate. He is 1/2 over fences, but put in an impressive display last time out at Southwell.
Today's race will be a tougher assignment, but he is in good hands with Tom Ellis as his trainer, who had an improving mare win yesterday.
Rath Gaul Hill was the horse who caught my attention, but I had to leave him alone. He is slowly dropping to a good handicap mark, but he has been too inconsistent in recent times to give a chance.
GambleAware