Both of Alan's selections obliged yesterday making it three out of four (the loser was second beaten a head) so far this week. Just two jump meetings today and Alan has one from each track...
"Running off a mark of 104 makes him interesting. In the past he ran Tistory and Sgt Reckless (horses now rated 130+) to within four lengths."
Back Never Says Never @ 5/1 Sportsbook - 16:00 Exeter
16:00 Exeter - Never Says Never @ 5/1 Sportsbook
Never Says Never was previously trained by Bob Buckler and made a disappointing debut run for Anthony Honeyball back in May when he was pulled up at Worcester over two and a half miles. Although still a maiden under rules after 10 starts, he has won a point to point over three miles, so the ability is there and if you look back into his form he ran and got close to some pretty decent performers.
He has not been without his problems, he has has had a breathing operation and his front tendons have been fired but running off a mark of 104 makes him interesting. In the past he ran Tistory and Sgt Reckless (horses now rated 130+) to within four lengths. No doubt there are many question marks over the seven-year-old gelding, but providing he hasn't fallen out of love with the game and if he can reproduce something close to that sort of form he could be much better than these.
14:20 Uttoxeter - Tea Time Fred Each Way @ 6/1 Sportsbook
Susan Gardner runs her six-year-old Tea Time Fred's at Uttoxeter and his last race was in a race I covered in this column three weeks ago. He lost that day to my selection Sykes and finished quite a way down the field. However, the reasons I disregarded him in that race was he was returning after a 203 day break and he was running over three miles, half a mile further than today's trip.
I think he struggles to get any further than two and a half mile and his only win to date is over today's distance and going. So dropping back in trip, down in class and running on this soft going should be to his advantage. He is slowly coming back down the handicap and running of 110 today with Lucy Gardner claiming her 3lbs allowance he could run his race and at 6/1 he offer each way interest in an eight runner race.
Recommended Bets
Back Never Says Never @ 5/1 Sportsbook - 16:20 Exeter
Back Tea Time Fred Half a Point Each Way @ 6/1 Sportsbook - 14:20 Uttoxeter