Strozzi, trained by imperious championship leader Andrew Balding, ticks enough boxes for a good value punt in the six-runner Nursery Handicap over seven furlongs of ‘good’ Sandown this afternoon when the fabulous four-day(s) York ‘Ebor’ meetings concludes with its feature race over one and three-quarter miles on another seven-race programme.
On the back of an immensely-satisfying 300/1-plus ‘full house’ (Betfair) treble on Friday, which guarantees profit for August, and offsets a rare monthly minus in July, I’m seeing form like footballs as we move into the magnificent Autumn period of our English flat-racing scene. A far cry from this time last month when I feared being replaced because of a desperate spell which just wouldn’t yield a winner.
‘Be patient, all in good time’ has long been my motto but losing runs are the scourge of serious punting selections; it’s necessary to ‘keep the faith’ in a routine, business-like modus operandi and by specialising with set-weight races (mainly two-year-olds), including novice hurdles under NH rules, I’ve continually achieved the objective of monthly profit.
There’s no such thing as gambling irresponsibly with this column which is all about catering for readers/punters, just wish it could reach everyone throughout the planet!
First race of real interest, on daily scrutiny, was the 2-y-o handicap at the Esher course and Strozzi will win if able to replicate his recent career-best three-quarters of a length second to Fall Of Rome at Newmarket where Jamie Spencer was superb on the Holy Roman Emperor colt which gained success at the third attempt three weeks earlier on Chepstow undulations.
Srozzi has improved his time-handicap mark in each outing, testimony to the skill and patience of Andrew, a tireless worker in earnest pursuit of the supreme award; following his Kingsclere yard has been hugely successful, no other racing writer latched onto it with the same commitment and confidence.
Balding’s record with aspiring jockeys has been incredible; Buick, Probert, Murphy, Carver, Bryan, etc have all benefitted from the unique, happy ambiance which permeates at the Berkshire set-up.
In stark contrast has been a wretched spell for Richard Fahey but Shouldavebeenmore will surely compensate the Malton-based ‘winning machine’ in a six-runner Fillies’ Novice Stakes over seven furlongs of Chester under Paul Hanagan.
This thrice-raced Penny’s Picnic juvenile was a creditable close-up sixth last time to Balding’s Majestic Glory in the group one ‘Sweet Solera’ on Newmarket’s July course to win for stud purposes, take note. Fahey had a winner yesterday!
Enjoy ‘Super-Saturday’ and stick rigidly to selections!
Selections, Chester, 1.10 Shouldavebeenmore; Sandown, 1.30 Strozzi (e.w); Lingfield, 7.20 Ey Up Its Jazz (e.w).
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