Hi all,
2020 was a year when the service merely treaded water. And after a very poor December what was needed was to hit the ground running in January. Well days don’t get any better than New Year’s Day.
Yes, we made a profit last year, but it was much smaller than the previous year. This year I have resolved not put up selections for the sake of it. So, there be plenty of day between now and the Cheltenham Festival when there are no picks.
A tremendous day’s racing at Cheltenham. Made even better by landing four nice-priced winners. If it doesn’t get any better than Sunday and you must bask in such days as they don’t often happen very often.
I mentioned earlier that there will be plenty of days when there isn’t a selection in 2023. If it wasn’t for today’s Sussex National, it would probably have been one of those days.
Plumpton
3:00 – BetGoodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase (3m 4 ½ f)
Twelve have been declared for one of Plumpton’s biggest races of the year. Trainer Chris Gordon and jockey Tom Cannon combined to win the race 12 months ago and they have the likely favourite in Blame The Game. The 8-year-old has looked much improved in winning his last two starts over fences. Up 5lb for his latest success at Doncaster and is likely to face softer ground but should continue to give a good account.
Pemberley proved his stamina for a marathon trip when a 7-length 2nd of 15 in last year’s race. He failed to complete on two subsequent starts last season but was back on track when a 7 ½ length 2nd of 7 at Lingfield on his seasonal reappearance 48-days ago. On mark he can win off if building on that performance.
Not sure what to make of the Paul Nicholls trained Grace A Vous Enki. Twice a winner over fences on in the mud when trained in France. Yala Enki’s half brother has only run twice over the larger obstacles for Nicholls and in truth ran poorly in both. He’s probably on a fair enough mark and can’t be easily dismissed.
With Favori De Sivola now a non-runner my tentative selection is last year’s runner-up Pemberley.
Pemberley – 1pt win – 4/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power.
Cheers
John