Thursday 10th May 2018

No bets since an excellent day on Saturday. Two from the handicappers to follow and one of my dark horses are out tomorrow.

4.35 Chester

Arthenia has been thrown into another competitive handicap after a useful comeback run at Newcastle in April. She is stepping up another 2 furlongs to a mile and a half, which looks sure to suit. Ghostwatch and Knightly Spirit look most likely to go close but I think Arthenia will again outrun her odds even though she is drawn on the outside of the 8 runners.

A Camelot filly costing 50,000 GNS. Arthenia was very green in the early stages of a strong novice race at Newbury on debut, staying on well in the final two furlongs. She produced a decent run in a good juvenile race on her third start after being very slowly away. There is stamina in the family so Arthenia will be well suited by a step up in trip. The first two in her third race are both now rated 94, which suggests she is starting life on a lenient mark.

1 pt win ARTHENIA (16/1 Bet365)

6.10 Chelmsford

A race likely to be fought out between the two Scat Daddy colts, Mr Marrakech and Glendevon. I really hoped Glendevon would go for the 2000 Guineas but he may have been saved for more suitable races later on in the season. He looks a class act so I will stick by him.

Glendevon (Richard Hughes)

Sire – Scat Daddy. Dam – Flip Flop

For me, this was probably the most impressive winner of a novice race over the winter. On debut, Glendevon was very green and keen throughout before staying on very strongly into second, pulling clear of the rest of the field and given quite an easy ride in doing so. On second start he made all, really kicking clear about a furlong and a half out with a very impressive stride length. He destroyed some quite useful horses in behind. The second won next time and will begin in handicap company off a mark of 90. I hope this horse runs the Craven Stakes before going onto the 2000 Guineas (currently 33/1) if handling Newmarket.

1 pt win GLENDEVON (13/8 Bet365, Skybet)

7.10 Chelmsford

Although only seven line up, this looks like another very competitive three-year-old handicap. The unbeaten pair Fountain Of Time and Talaaqy look likely to head the betting and should be better than their marks.  Melodies is the selection after her three runs as a two-year-old. She may need the run against mainly race-fit rivals but I’d be disappointed if she doesn’t pick up a handicap this season.

Dam is a half-sister to Mount Nelson and Monitor Closely. Melodies made an encouraging debut at Salisbury doing good late work under hands and heels. She did well in two subsequent novice races. She beat the highly regarded Veracious in her second race before running well on her final start in a Kempton novice race, which is also working out well. Given her grand dam produced Mount Nelson, she has potential over trips around 10f. Her opening mark is not lenient but I think she could still be competitive given her good level of form so far.

1 pt win MELODIES (16/1 Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook)