Racing Nerd

There is no doubt that the highlight of the day from a racing point of view is the Clarence House Chase. Politologue is a horse that has grown on me over the past couple of years and his form is becoming increasingly harder to knock. He might be susceptible to a superstar but he is certainly a top quality Grade 1 horse and probably hasn't gotten the credit he deserves. I think he is by far the likeliest winner unless Defi Du Seuil returns to the form he showed last winter when he looked top class at this distance. He really needs to show something tomorrow and hopefully he will come back to something like his best as the two-mile chase division is looking a little bare.  In terms of betting races, there are a few interesting handicaps at Ascot. The handicap hurdle at 1.50 is an interesting contest. Janika is just short of Grade 1 class over fences and is allowed to run off 147 here. Admittedly, he is probably better over fences but he could be thrown in off that mark if ready to go

This is probably one the quieter weekends of the National Hunt season, with relatively low key cards at Warwick and Market Rasen. Undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend promises to be the clash of Envoi Allen and Asterion Forlonge at Punchestown tomorrow. The 11lb received by Willie Mullins' inmate should make things interesting and we may find out a little more about how good Envoi Allen actually is. I think it could be close given the weight differential and the fact that it is right-handed should see us treated to a real race between two of this season's top novices. Reverting back to today's action for now, the Classic Chase is the highlight at Warwick and I have decided to swerve the race for a bet. I couldn't come down on the side of one. Early in the week, Captain Chaos caught my eye but clearly I wasn't the only one as his price collapsed from the early 16/1 available. He looks well handicapped on his form from this time last season but he does need the bl

I was delighted to wake up to the news this morning that all three race meetings that had early inspections were deemed raceable and we were going to be treated to a full programme for the day. I had taken a chance on Kempton and focused a lot of my attention on their meeting over the past few days so I was relieved to see that meeting go ahead! The rescheduled Welsh National card adds real depth to the day's schedule and having been initially keen on Lord Du Mesnil, I have decided to give the race a skip and focus on Kempton for my selections. I must admit that Master Tommytucker is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. I know I shouldn't like him, he has let me down a few times (usually by falling) and is about as unpredictable as you will get. However, despite falling on his last two visits to Kempton, I actually think he has his ideal conditions today and Imperial Aura is going to have to be very good to give him 6lb. On those two occasions, he was jumping brilliantly and tr