The Neighsayers - Monday 9th October

It’s been a while since the last blog, longer than we’d like anyway, but we’re back here with 4 selections to hopefully brighten up your Monday and not add to the gloom.

3:00 Pontefract - 1M Handicap

A modest handicap I think here but one with an abundance of pace to set the race up for one that’ll be coming late which I believe we have. CREATE for the Scott Dixon yard couldn’t have been unluckier but also couldn’t have been any more impressive at the same time.

The horse was unfortunately pushed very wide on the Southwell turn due to an Ill-fated runner in the race conceding plenty of ground to the winner there who was floundering close home. He finished comfortably in front of the 3rd and I think she’s a real good horse for Dixon.

I don’t see much in here with a bit of mileage in their handicap marks bar Tobesto who this race set up could suit also.

Indiana Be, In These Shoes, Mount King and My Honey B are all prominent racers and if there’s a place you don’t want to get into a pace burn up, it’s here. I expect CREATE to be flying home late as at Southwell and find the places at the very minimum.

Selection - Create EW (7/1 General, 6/1 Bet365)

3:20 Windsor - 1M Handicap

We’ve seen what Jamie Osborne can do with his new recruits this year, with Hierarchy being the most high profile. He has another here of a similar ilk with KING OF SCOTIA. He’s had 2 runs now for the Osborne’s and although still in a 0-80, this looks a much weaker race.

Sea Eagle tops the weights here but he’s looked lost in 2 starts this year and blinkers would have to input some serious life back into him to go close here. Azahara Palace is interesting down in class here having looked progressive before hand. Cabinet Clowns looks too high in the weights now and the favourite probably is the right favourite.

However, KING OF SCOTIA has the draw for this trip and would’ve been closer at Newmarket last time if he was on the right part of the track, which he should be here so I think he’s another who’s a cracking EW proposition.

Selection - King of Scotia EW (6/1 General)

4:00 Pontefract - 1M Handicap

Another mile handicap brings out another bet and this one made the weekly eyecatchers after it’s last one. EY UP ITS THE BOSS couldn’t have been unluckier last time at Newmarket when he was tanking in rear without a run and the bird had flown once the gaps did open. He’s down 2lb and down in grade for that so he’s another each way proposition.

I can’t pretend it’s not a very trappy race with most of the field bringing in consistent form and the Haggas favourite could be anything now handicapping.

The selections form in class 5 races over a mile reads 1,2,4 which aids confidence that he can run close in this race.

In a field of this size, stall 8 is more than suitable to take his position hopefully a bit closer to the pace, which is where he’s been ridden when seen to best effect.

Selection - Ey Up It’s The Boss EW 5pl (7/1 Bet365, 6/1 General)

5:05 Pontefract - 6F Handicap

This horse is out of sorts recently but he seems to save his best form for this course. KING OF TONGA has figures of 1,1,2,2 when running at Pontefract, but they are all over 5 furlongs. He does stay 6 furlongs and has stayed further previously so there’s no questions about that.

His last 4 runs have been at much higher levels than what he’s accustomed too and now back into where he’s comfortable, class 5 company he should show a return to form.

There’s no qualms with how the race will be run as he’s won from the front and held up out the back so it’s just the question of can he show a return to form, but back to Pontefract and down in trip I believe he can.

Selection - King of Tonga EW (12/1 Bet365, 11/1 Betfair, 10/1 General)

Good luck if you’re following.