Today's Follow The Money comes from the meetings at Newbury and Ayr.
Overnight rain has seen a deluge of non-runners at Newbury and perhaps the hardest hit race has been the 14:45 1m4f Handicap where the field is now down to five runners from the original 13. However, this has left a very competitive market with three runners vying for favouritism. The weakest of the three seems to be the Ryan Moore mount Not Never having traded as low as 2.56/4 is now out to 3.55. The Hugo Palmer trained gelding returns from an 11 month lay-off after being well beaten on his last start at Newmarket and the market is usually a good guide to his chances. They seem to be looking elsewhere on this heavy ground, especially towards the Pat Phelan trained Leah Freya who has now dropped to a good mark. We are noting the market unrest and offering Not Never as today's lay bet.
Over to Ayr for the 5f Handicap at 15:05. The Richard Fahey trained Arctic Feeling loves this track and is now 7lb lower than his last win at Beverley back in April on soft ground. A return to this form in what is a weaker grade race than he usually contests would have him as a big player here. His price has strengthened from 18.21 in to 8.615/2 and looking likely to start favourite. We can't ignore this show of support so Arctic Feeling is our back of the day.
Staying at Ayr for the 16:15 6f Handicap where course and distance winner Dark Defender has been supported from 15.5 in to 11.521/2 making him an attractive each way proposition. Although he carries a 5lb penalty for his win at York 12 days ago, he still remains a danger. He will love the ground and with Jim Crowley partnering him again today this Keith Dalgleish trained three-year-old has to be worth an each way consideration.
Recommended Bets
Lay Not Never @ 3.55 in the 14:45 Newbury
Back Arctic Feeling @ 8.615/2 in the 15:05 Ayr
Back Each Way Dark Defender @ 11.521/2 in the 16:15 Ayr