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Saturday 30th October

 The stars of the jumping discipline are slowly starting to reappear and this weekend represents a milestone in that regard, with many of the bigger names making their seasonal return. Minella Indo is perhaps the biggest of those, with the Gold Cup winner headlining an excellent card at Down Royal. He can be a bit in and out at times and with conditions far removed from his optimum, a watching brief is advised. 

The card also features the return of Envoi Allen. I would love to see him return to his brilliant best and that would really whet the appetite for the season ahead. I will also be paying close attention to the Charlie Hall and in particular Shan Blue who might enhance his King George claims and make current odds of 33/1 look rather silly. I will wait and take my chance that a fresh Cyrname is too strong. 

In terms of a betting proposition on Saturday, I thought the Ascot card was the most appealing. Vinndication is a warm favourite for the Handicap Chase at 3.20, but I was very keen on one against him. The Philip Hobbs yard has started the season very well and a few of his might be well-handicapped after struggling last season. One that performed with credit, without winning, was Jerrysback and he should go very close at a course he likes. 

He has placed here three times from four visits, with each of those coming off higher marks than tomorrow's 138. The pick of those was probably last January, third behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Dashel Dasher off a mark of 142. 

Jerrysback and Vinndication have gone very different ways since they were first and second here almost three years ago in a Novice Chase. On that occasion, Vinndication came out on top giving the Hobbs inmate a length and a half beating. However, there is 20lb between the pair tomorrow and if Jerrysback is on a going day, he is clearly well-handicapped. 

His form tailed off last season but, as mentioned, the stable were not firing and he jumped woefully when pulled up here in February anyway. He was run well fresh before too, including that run behind Dashel Drasher.


0.5pt win Jerrysback (7/1 General) Ascot 3.20


Current P/L since June 2020:

Total Staked: 110 points

Total Returned: 152.65 points

Total Profit: 42.65 points

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