Sunny Salisbury

We have backed one horse so far today. Our selection runs in the Class 2 Handicap for 3 year olds over six furlongs. We don't often get involved in these types of races but we believe there are good reasons for playing today. Let's hope we're right and we haven't made a complete "horlicks" of things!

Dark Mischief - At the front of the market this looks to be a progressive colt from the H Candy yard, a winner last time out at Newmarket in what looked a decent enough race. Dark Mischief has been put up 9lb for that victory and whilst it was impressive enough we think it will have to improve again to win today. Of course he could easily do just that, but at the prices today we'll oppose him.

Cheviot - Ran well enough to finish second at Ripon on seasonal reappearance when sent off favourite. Up another 3lb and we think others will be finishing stronger today. We are also of the view that there should not be such a massive difference in price between this one and Timeteam. Our take on things is that Cheviot is too short and Timeteam is probably too big.

Global City - Hasn't been seen for 200 days. That last performance when winning at Lingfield over 6 furlongs in a quickish time needs to be improved upon to win today. A possible but racing off a 9lb higher mark and first time up for the season we'd rather be with something else today.

Installment - An interesting runner but we think this one might be better suited by a step up in trip rather than a move in the opposite direction. Another one making his seasonal reappearance.

Of the remainder we think Timeteam is possibly over priced and Ginobili deserves respect particularly in view of the trainers record in the race but our selection is

215 Salisbury - FELDAY 2 points each way at 11/2 with Hills (BOG on line), 5/1 with Sky Bet, Tote, Paddy Power (bog) and Boyle (bog)

Last year our selection was campaigned at 7 and then 8 furlongs. Our view is that the trip was too far and we're obviously hoping the drop back to 6 furlongs today will prove ideal. We know the horse has trained on, he was well backed on his reappearance from 9/1 in to 11/2 before travelling well and quickening nicely only to tire inside the final, seventh furlong in a Class 3 event at Newbury. Racing that day off 84 we think there's more to come at todays distance and if this horse ends up being rated in excess of 90, which we think he will, then some of todays rivals are going to struggle to give him weight today. At the prices available earlier today we were happy enough to get involved.

We'll post later if we're backing anything else.

EDIT POST RACE - Cue the abuse! Our selection has run an absolute stinker, simple as that. If there is a positive to take out of that race after we've done our dough it is that we were right to take on the jolly (unplaced at 6/4) and we were right that Timeteam (finished just in front of Cheviot, 2nd at 20/1) should have been shorter. Clearly we weren't alone in thinking Felday would run a big race, he was backed from 6/1 in to 7/2, but obvioulsy we were wrong. I hope something comes to light to explain the poor performance today. Whilst that wouldn't get us our money back it would at least mean we weren't as horrendously wrong with our analysis as it appears right now.