C’mon Kenny provides an interesting theory to effect of weight-for-age in a Maiden Stakes over a mile of ‘good to firm’ Nottingham this afternoon when the twice-raced Ian Williams-trained five-year-old Dutch Art gelding is set carry ten stones, 16lbs more than Matamua, a three-year-old filly which will also be having a third run for Simon Crisford.
With a ‘built-up’ time-handicap mark Matamua comes out marginally better but C’Mon Kenny will be ridden by capable female apprentice jockey Elisha Whittington who claims a 5lbs allowance!
Price-wise, given my obsession with serious each-way trixies/daily patents, this is a ‘no-brainer’ because C’Mon Kenny, fourth and sixth to date, should go off at inflated odds whereas his main rival will probably be favourite.
WFA is a clumsy way of achieving equality but from long experience I’m convinced weight is an issue of mythical complexity; so often I’ve proved it and intend siding with C’Mon Kenny, beaten only eight lengths at Chester last month despite finishing last, after a slow start, in a fast-run race under Tony Rawlinson, who isn’t available.
ACR was badly injured in an horrific fall earlier this week when fracturing four ribs in addition to other problems; he’ll be out of action for several months.
Williams is ultra-shrewd and can never be underestimated, judged on a career-record which bears close inspection on the flat and over jumps which is featured with a ‘punter-friendly’ fixture tonight on ‘good to firm’ Uttoxeter, a real ‘favourite’ venue down the years.
A seven-race programme kicks off with a ‘penalty-kick’ for Nicky Henderson’s Barely Famous in a six-runner Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles; to all intents and purposes this five-year-old, advantaged by a 5lbs mares’ allowance and booking of excellent James Bowen, represents an ‘anchor’ for our serious betting strategy which again profited when all three each-way selections were placed, Tuesday.
Olympic Conqueror is also a ‘shoo-in’ for a five-runner Novice’s Hurdle over two miles for the racing family Skelton.
Secret of punting is not to lose but just trot along patiently until an opportunity to strike comes along; that’s the way it was in my Leicester teenage footballing days when, playing alongside Lineker, I’d ‘poach’ in the six-yards goalmouth area from unexpected ricochets. Always be ready!
Selections, Nottingham, 1.35 C’Mon Kenny (e.w); Uttoxeter, 5.40 Barely Famous; 7.10 Olympic Conqueror.
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019