Bets of the Day: Ian's Memory can get the better of Philba at Southwell

Alan Thompson
16 February 2016

I expect Ian's Memory and Philba to fighting out the finish

I expect Ian's Memory and Philba to be fighting out the finish

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Lingfield was lost to the weather on Sunday leaving just the two meetings, Alan has gone for a bit of an exotic bet in the 15:40 at Southwell and a selection at Ayr...

"He has been off the course 56 days but don't worry about that, his last three wins have all come after longer than that."

Back Ian's Memory @ 11/4 Sportsbook (and half point reverse forecast with Philba) - 15:40 Southwell

15:40 Southwell - Ian's Memory @ 11/4 Sportsbook (and half point reverse forecast with Philba)

Jeremy Noseda's charge Ian's Memory will be looking to maintain his 100% record at the course, three runs three wins, he has also recorded a victory on the polytrack at Kempton. He has been off the course 56 days but don't worry about that, his last three wins have all come after longer than that. He was away 70 days before winning at Kempton, 57 days before recording his second win here and last time out he had been off the course for 126 days before winning here over course and distance.

The five-year-old won last time off a mark of 90 and was made to work hard for it. Eventually securing victory by the minimum margin of a nose after fighting out a battle with Air Of York. Ian's Memory took up the running in the last two furlongs but was headed by Air Of York inside the final furlong. However, he showed great character to get back up on the line.

Mick Appleby won the race last year and has a live contender again this year so Ian's Memory will need some of those battling qualities again today as Philba looks a real danger. Philba's five runs at Southwell have produced three wins and two seconds. I think these two will be first and second so I will also be having a half point reverse forecast as an extra bet and a bit of a saver.

16:40 Ayr - Ubaltique @ 5/2 Sportsbook

Donald McCain has an interesting runner in this called Ubaltique. He won well last time out under Aiden Coleman when he beat decent chaser Goohar into second and third that day was Morning Royalty who has since come out and won at Carlisle. He could be well in here off a mark of 121, on his old hurdling from, where he reached a rating of 137.

I am not surprised that Yes Tom is the favourite, he won this last year of a 2lb lower mark and he is obviously the one to beat. I just think though he won last time out over hurdles, at 11-years-old he is fully exposed and worth taking on with Ubaltique. The McCain team have a had a few winners recently and I think he is fair price in the market and don't be surprised to see him go off even shorter.

Recommended Bets

Back Ian's Memory @ 11/4 Sportsbook (also half point reverse forecast with Philba) - 15:40 Southwell
Back Ubaltique @ 5/2 Sportsbook - 16:40 Ayr