The weeks just fly by lately and here we are again doing the "Up a bit, down a bit" post for this week.
First up its the The Scottish Stewards Cup at Hamilton last Fiday won by Lowdown. The handicapper was well impressed as he has raised him 11lb to a mark of 104 and anyone who watched the race could see that he powered away up the hill there and is worth every pound of that. The stands side was very much favoured though but all the same he won very well. Of the others, the nearest on the unfavoured far side was Kevin Ryan's Esprit De Midas and he was dropped 1lb to 87, the same stables Captain Ramius was dropped 3lb to 90 and he had run a race full of promise the time before this so he may be worth keeping an eye on wherever he goes next. Oldjoesaid was dropped another 2lb to 87 and considering his trainer was full of hope for him at the begining of the season he has not yet repaid the faith(last win came off 102, albeit 2 years ago). Bonnie Charlie was over on the far side, he was also lumbered with 10 stone, which is a lot for a 4yo in a competitive sprint and his finishing position is best ignored, as a result he drops 3lb to 99.
On the same day at Haydock Avertor was expected to win as he had been carefully placed in this race from a number of options, however he could only finish 3rd although he seemed to be eased near the finish and he's been left on 80. The winner was Evelyn May for Hills who does very well with his northern runners and she went up 5lb to 74. Hazelrigg often flatters but on this occasion he was very slowly away, came up the stands side at a fair old rattle before fading late on. On this showing he could be capable of winning off 73 if placed with some thought by the in form Easterby camp.
At Pontefract being drawn near the rail was favoured and Kingdom of Light was able to win the 5f Class 3 by 1 3/4 lengths from Lucky Numbers (who has won today) with the consistent Green Park in 3rd. Haajes ran on towards the end and remains on 83 and a couple who were not so well drawn and have benfitted from the handicappers cuts are Go Go Green dropped 2lb to 81 (won at Pontefract 3 times previously off 75, 74 and 79) and Rowayton dropped 3lb to 75 (ran well off 82 on good to firm first time out this season over 6f).
Later on the Class 5 over 6f was won by Orpsie Boy (up 6lb to 80) from Fadhb Ar Bith. The latter came from stall 10 so did well to get within 3/4 length of the winner particularly as Spencer did one of his famed hold up rides and he is now on a mark of 73, he remains capable of better and is one to take out of the race, as this was only his 4th start for this trainer.
