Return Of The Turf!

Yesterday the blog had 1 winner from 2 runners, the second was slightly unlucky off a slowly run mile. That unlucky one was Crown Ridge, and I still remain confident that he has a race within him off this mark. The other runner, Teshali, got the blog a winner at an advised 4/1. He went off the 11/4 favourite and duly dotted up givin jockey James Cowley his first runner over jumps.

Selections:
Crown Ridge 1pts win @ 7/2+. Result - 3rd @ 7/1. -1pts.
Teshali 1pts win @ 4/1 Advised. Result - 1st @ 11/4. +4pts.

Daily Profit: +3pts.
Overall Profit: +4.1pts.

The turf returns for the flat racing season. Catterick opens the show, some very big fields and competitive handicaps. I am trying my hardest to find a winner in one of those and this is what I've come up with:

14:50 Catterick Williamhill.com Handicap
Lindoro is a definite possibility. He came back from his hurdling exploits on a mark of 53 and he took advantage of that with Andrew Heffernan taking off a further 3lb. He went up 6lb for that win and the form of his run under a penalty looks plenty strong. He finished a good 3rd behind Mata Hari Blue who went on to be a close 2nd off 6lb highr next time and the 2nd placed horse, Dickie Le Davoir won next time out off the same mark. Lindoro has gone up another 3lb for that 3rd placed effot but Danielle McCreery takes over in the saddle claiming 5lb (2lb more than Heffernan) so on just 1lb worse terms Lindoro should give a good account as he still looks well handicapped having won off a mark of 83 in October 09. So Bazaar has the inside draw which is a big plus at Catterick, he ran well under front-running tactics over this trip last time out in July and he is of interest off 3lb higher. Alan Swinbank is going well right now and P J McDonald rode a winner on his second last start. Politbureau is on an interesting mark of 65 for his handicap debut with David Simmonson taking off an extra 7lb, he showed plenty of promise on debut over 1m2f when finishing a very green 6th under a considerate ride at 25/1. He failed to build on that next time when 4th of 5th but the ground was given as an excuse that day. He was well beaten over 9 furlongs on his return to action at Wolverhampton in mid-march but he was forced to race 4 wide throughout and never landed a blow, he was again given a considerate ride and this drop in trip may help him out under little weights. The likes of Trans Sonic have been performing well over the winer and will come here fresh, he is a front-running sort who battles well but though he is on a decent mark he may find the underfoot conditions too quick for his liking, though S Levey is an eyecatching claimer taking the ride. Another one likely to be up with the pace is Smalljohn who is also consistent, he too is on a mark he can exploit but with all the pace upfront they may just set it up for a closer. Dazeen fits the bill at good odds, he gets in near the foot of the handicap off 62. He has finished in the first 3 on his last 5 flat starts and has been dropped 3lb in doing so. He remains a maiden but he's shown enough of this sort of mark and higher to suggest he will be winning. His closest effort came over 7f at Redcar on quick ground in June 2010, he responded well to pressure and stayed on off a quick pace to finish 1/2 second. He showed plenty on his last turf start too when beaten 1 3/4 lengths second by Mr Udagawa, he had to be switched left twice to get a clear run and still managed to run on for pressure. Back in 3rd that day was Downhill Skier who has since won off 1lb lower on turf and 2lb higher on the A/W. Dazeen returned from an break at Southwell at the start of March, he ran over 5f in a race won by Where's Reiley who won again off 6lb higher next time. Dazeen was given a very patient ride from right out the back off a lightning pace, he kept on well under hands and heels riding for Franny Norton who keeps the ride. He finished 3rd that day and is unpenalised for that, this step up in trip and return to quick ground will both suit him and I expect him to be staying on late for a place atleast.

Selection:
Dazeen 0.5pts e/way @ 12/1 (Bet365, William Hill)

Good luck with all your bets.