I thought Glynn struggled throughout his race, but Sam Twiston-Davies gave him every chance when turning for home, but he remained to be laboured as the well-backed winner did it nicely.
Despite the opening selection not winning, we came away with two winners at decent prices for Saturday's racing, which we'll take every day of the week.
Scarface was brave in his win at Newton Abbot on heavy ground. He was given a lovely judged ride, as he did not panic when the runner-up decided to take the lead and go many lengths clear in the early stages, he bided his time and tried to get he horse into the best position. Scarface jumped well towards the end and managed to go past the long-time leader close to the line.
Elusiveness was weak in the market, but she managed to win at odds of 9/1, so hopefully, you got on this morning and got the best odds. Lorcan Williams oozed confidence turning for home at Haydock, and he tried to deliver the mare as late as possible, which is always risky. Thankfully, the mare jumped the last very nicely, and she stayed on in strong fashion to win a decent handicap for the grade, and based on that, I think this mare will be able to win again next time out.
Havaila 13/8 (2pt) – Plumpton 3.30
I am sure that Chris Gordon will want to win this race, as it is named after him, as this is the “BetGoodwin Master Trainer Chris Gordon Handicap Chase”. Even though this race is in his name, I think his runner has an awful lot to prove, and I did like the look of Havaila, who has been winning races or knocking on the door in his defeats.
This is a tough race, as if all horses turned up on their A-Game, it would be a belter, but the numbers and letters next to each horses form would suggest they are not in tremendous form, other than Havaila. My selection is going to be short in the market, but rightly so, as he has been the horse in form and has some decent form in there as well.
He can be a keen going horse, so that is the main concern, but if he can get jumping nicely and in a good rhythm. I think he is the best handicapped horse on current form and should take the world of beating as a track he has previously won at.
Frost At Dawn 17/2 (0.5pt EW, SkyBet 4pl) – Bath 3.41
Big field races at Bath over the sprint trips is normally something I try and avoid, but this Listed Fillies & Mares race is one I like to have a bet in at the start of the flat season as I think there's opportunity to find value, and today's value is definitely with Frost At Dawn.
There are some lovely fillies and mares in this race, many have been backed before, and many will win good races this year, but Frost At Dawn is the second highest rated in the race, and easily has the best form on good ground, so it seemed like a no-brainer.
This horse was electric at Meydan last year; she won a Group 3, beating Star Of Mystery, who then went on to be placed in a Group 1 and Group 2, as well as winning a Group 3. That form is definitely top of the list, and it's hard to envisage another horse winning a Meydan sprint on similar conditions in a Group 3 by 2.5L, recording an RPR of 110 in the process. If that version of Frost At Dawn turns up, this could be a demolition job, but we haven't seen that version since, which is the concern.
My selection has already run twice this year, so has the fitness edge on many, and Oisin is booked for the ride, which is a statement of intent.
GambleAware