Horses To Avoid / Timeform / 26 April 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform identify a pair to swerve if you're having a bet.

Fistral Beach has proved a difficult horse to win with and judging by his reluctant performance at Chepstow on Friday, even champion trainer Paul Nicholls may struggle to coax another victory from him. After his debut bumper win, he has been second or third on each of his six hurdle starts, and has looked less than enthusiastic on more than one occasion. Blinkers failed to do the trick last time as he was outbattled by China Gold, and at present it seems he just doesn't have the will to win.

Dome Rocket shaped with plenty of promise as a two-year-old but took his losing run to four when making his seasonal reappearance at Kempton on Wednesday. Sent off a well backed favourite, he was always struggling to land a blow and didn't seem entirely straightforward. It could simply be that he needs more time but at the moment it is the percentage call to oppose him, especially if he goes off at such a short price next time.