17/1

No blog today - fighting against slow broadband !
Plenty of place only opportunities though 1230 ascot / 1255 wincanton are just 2 - Counsin Vinny at Naas etc etc - loads of opportunities!

For my records
1230 ascot
BETTING FORECAST: 1/3 Zaynar, 9/2 Stow, 7/1 Saticon, 25/1 Amore Mio, Mountaineer, 33/1 Purely By Chance, Ray Diamond, 40/1 House Of Lords, 100/1 Mistress Eva.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: ZAYNAR does not face tough opposition in this bid to make it two from two over hurdles and maintain his place as clear favourite for the Triumph. Stow looks the best bet for second. 1.06 to place

1255 wincanton
BETTING FORECAST: 1/3 Pepite De Soleil, 5/1 Santia, 12/1 Hey Big Spender, 16/1 World Shift, 33/1 Dehanom, Tago Mago, Wardington Lad, 50/1 Peacefull Waters, Southfield Hall, 100/1 Bering De Lauriere, New Rackheath.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: It is difficult to get away from PEPITE DE SOLEIL. The odds will be prohibitive, however, and Santia is put forward as the best each-way option

120 HAYDOCK
BETTING FORECAST: 4/6 Snap Tie, 7/2 Afsoun, 15/2 Issaquah, 8/1 Songe, 14/1 Degas Art, 25/1 Marcel, 50/1 European Dream, 150/1 Prize Fighter.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Afsoun is there to be shot at as he attempts to repeat his 2007 success in this race and, provided the ground isn't too soft, this provides a good opportunity for SNAP TIE to pick up the winning thread after just losing out to Harchibald at Christmas. It's impossible to know how far Issaquah can go but it's a reasonable assumption she's going to outperform her 130 rating here and she is viewed as a live threat 1.2 to place

130 NAAS
BETTING FORECAST: 1/3 Cousin Vinny, 5/2 Realt Dubh, 25/1 An Cathaoir Mor, 100/1 Mochua.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: COUSIN VINNY has scared away the opposition and faces just one meaningful opponent for his third race over hurdles. The dual Grade 1 bumper winner vindicated the decision to aim high for his hurdling debut when third behind stablemate Hurricane Fly in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, and produced a fluent and authoritative display to land the odds in a maiden at the Christmas meeting at Leopardstown. Many of the leading bumper horses of recent seasons have failed to translate ability to the hurdling scene in the manner expected, but this Bob Back gelding has all the attributes needed to make a genuinely top-class n - 1.03 to place Real Dubh 1.14 to place

150 LING
BETTING FORECAST: 11/4 Dishdasha, 11/2 Can Can Star, 6/1 Tropical Tradition, 7/1 Zalkani, 8/1 Cossack Prince, 10/1 Imperial Harry, Sunset Boulevard, 14/1 Little Richard, Resplendent Ace, 16/1 Mustajed, 20/1 Days Of Pleasure, 25/1 Red Wine.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: DISHDASHA recorded his best performance on the Flat when successful under Jamie Spencer at Great Leighs last weekend and still looks well handicapped turned out under a penalty. Can Can Star and Tropical Tradition are other likely protagonists, while market support for Imperial Harry would be worth notin

7/4 in the betting 1.38 to place

215 ASCOT
BETTING FORECAST: 2/7 Master Minded, 5/1 Petit Robin, 10/1 Or Noir De Somoza, 33/1 Natal, 40/1 Mahogany Blaze.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: A race to watch rather than bet in, given that MASTER MINDED is entitled to skate in on form but cannot really be entertained at such prohibitive odds. For those determined to have a small flutter, a forecast is the only realistic option, with Petit Robin preferred to Or Noir De Somoza for the handsome second prize. 1.14 to place -

225 HAY
BETTING FORECAST: 7/4 Mahonia, 2/1 Dee Ee Williams, 3/1 Clay Hollister, 20/1 Alfie Flits, Son Of Flicka, 25/1 Mcmurrough, 50/1 Signalman, 200/1 Opera Writer.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Fascinating stuff. Mahonia is the one if his hurdling debut win is viewed literally through the subsequent exploits of the runner-up but he was readily put in his place next time and preference is for DEE EE WILLIAMS, who went down all guns blazing at Ascot. Clay Hollister is in the could-be-anything bracket but this is the acid test for him.[

1.40 / 1.27 / 1.54 Dee ee Williams 1.27 looks to have been backed and is a good place bet - 3 under 20/1
420 WIN
BETTING FORECAST: 10/11 Special Occasion, 11/2 Song Sung Blue, 7/1 Pourdel, 10/1 Bruff Academy, In Vino, 14/1 Johns Square, Wandering Minstral, 25/1 Charlotte Street, Rhinestone Ruby, 33/1 Orana Conti.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Those with previous hurdle experience are nothing special and this looks between SPECIAL OCCASION and Song Sung Blue. Preference is for the former, who created a favourable impression on his sole start in an Irish bumper and looks the type to progress over hurdles for his new stable 1.22 to place Dee ee Williams my one a day Master minded 1.14 is quite a big price for a 1/4 shot