Saturday 3rd January 2015

Occasionally before a race is even run you know the fate of your bet, this was the case with Alfie Spinner on New Year’s Day. The horse drifted like a barge in the run up to the race, priced at 11-2 in the morning Alfie Spinner traded at near double figure prices on the exchanges just minutes before the off. The horse was asked to race wide for the duration and despite jumping and going well as anything he was allowed to lose his position.

It was a bizarre effort and performance that didn’t make good viewing, Alfie Spinner ran as the drift in the betting indicated it would.

On to today competitive racing but all being run on soft going, the highlight is the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown where the very exciting and highly rated L’Ami Serge should take plenty of beating.

I’ve had a good look at each meeting and I’m struggling to find any type of half decent selection, the only horse that caught my eye was Viva Steve in the 2:05 at Wincanton.

With conditions as they are looking for runners that stay further than race distance makes a bit of sense. Viva Steve stays 3 miles and loves testing conditions, todays race distance is two miles four so the horse should be running on when others have cried enough.

The worry is Viva Steve having the pace to stay in contention in the early part of the race and keeping in touch, if he’s within a few lengths on the turn for home the Mick Channon trained runner should have a decent chance.

Priced at 9-2 he can be backed EW to small stakes if you like me are struggling to find anything to bet on this afternoon.