Nick Shiambouros' Daily Selections: Friday 8th February

General / Nick Shiambouros / 08 February 2008 / Leave a Comment

Friday is lay day for Nick...

At Kempton Park today The Polomoche in the 2.35 is currently [2.38]. Based on what he has achieved so far to date I will be laying him. He carrys a penalty for this event and faces good rivals from some of the larger yards. With little downside I have all ready pushed the lay button.

Over At Nad Al Sheba in the 4.10 Jalil , who cost $9.7m as a yearling, is also lay material. I was impressed with his appearance at Newbury where I saw this son of Storm Cat in the flesh and he is a typical athletic son of this $300k sire. Unfortunately I was not impressed with his ability that day when defeated by Ajhar in a average maiden for the course. He could go off at short odds today in this large field but he is not for me.

Today's Selections:

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The 3.10 at Huntingdon is a very interesting Novice Hurdle featuring a horse I will be backing win and place by the name of Light Yield. This American bred has some very smart form in the book, notably when finishing third to a smart horse at Newbury with the second that day boosting the form with a win in January. Hopefully the rain will stay away and he should go well in this race. The Grey Berry will most likely go off at short odds but did not look like a natural over obstacles in my view. Light Yield is currently trading at [7.2] in the win market and [2.02] for a place.

At [2.46] in the win market Leading Attraction is a lay for me in the 3.20 at Taunton. This lethal Trainer/Jockey combination could trade even shorter but the horse faces legitimate opposition from at least three rivals including Marco who has solid form in the book. I have already layed him at this price but I may step in once more if he is backed again.

The last time I saw Big Timer in the flesh was at Belmont Park in the Champagne Stakes Grade 1 when he finished a mile behind Scat Daddy. It has taken him all this time to run back in to form, but he did it last week at Nad Al Sheba when he finished like a rocket behind River Tiber. He is currently trading at [5.3] and is win material in this hot contest at Nad Al Sheba at 4.45.

Today's Selections:

Nad Al Sheba, 4.45, Big Timer, Win.

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Wednesday: Nick has waltzed through today's racecards and come up with a quick, quick, slow strategy to consider at Ludlow and Lingfield Park.

The last race of the day at Lingfield Park is the 4.40, and Safebreaker is an interesting runner in what appears to be a weak race. This lightly raced Key Of Luck gelding has a progressive look about him and I shall be backing him for the win today. Safebreaker went down swinging against a fair type last time out and could still have some improvement in him. I anticipate that this horse could be heavily backed today so I have stepped in at [4.6] and will wait until post time to possibly step in again. If this horse is backed then it will satisfy any clients wishing to obtain a "green" book.

At Ludlow, Harringay could go off a short priced favourite due to his rider mistaking the winning post last time out. Both Menchicov and Earth Man are realistic opponents and I will be laying Harringay against these two in the 2.10, which will be run over three miles in likely testing conditions.

In the 3.45 at Ludlow, Demi Beau is currently trading at [3.15] and I have had a small interest in this weak race. On anything like his best level of form he would be a stand out. I am hoping he has retained at least a modicum of that ability, which should still be good enough to take this.

Today's Selections:

Safebreaker, Lingfield Park, 4.40, To Win.

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Tuesday: Nick goes to the jumps in search of winning bets...

Or D'Oudairies is an interesting runner in the last race of the day at Sedgefield (4.20). This horse has a really good profile, notably when running an excellent second to the useful Lodge Lane around a year ago on desperate ground which he is sure to encounter today.

Last time out the selection lost all chance when he ran to freely to do himself justice at Uttoxeter and folded quickly after coming off the bridle. Currently on the exchange the choice is trading at [2.96] and I have backed him at this price. Lockstown could be a danger from this yard but I think Or D'Oudairies should be cherry ripe for this and should go very close here.

Over at Market Rasen in the last race at 4.30, Adare Prince looks lay material and I have already pressed the lay button at [3.25]. He had a very hard race last time out and he could be feeling the effects of his last race. In addition he has three legitimate rivals in this wide open affair and has more on his plate today.This horse could easily drift on the exchange so keep an eye on the market.

Today's Selections:

Market Rasen, 4.30, Adare Prince, Lay (3.3 maximum price)

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Monday: An all-weather pick from the man behind the 80/20.

When Demi O'Byrne paid over a quarter of a million pounds for Basalt I don't think Southwell was on the menu; but Tim Pitt purchased this very well bred horse at the sales a few months ago for 16,000 gns, and I will be backing Basalt in the 3.20 there today.

He is currently trading at [3.45] but may be backed before post time so the advice is to monitor the market carefully. It is clear that he has had his problems, but he could quite easily outclass this weak field given his astute trainer's talent for rehabilitating and improving horses.

Today's Selection:

Southwell, 3.20, Basalt, To Win.