18/1

Luckily MAsterminded's race was on before Dee Ee Williams and at 1/4 and 1.14 to place, I was taken in by the hype and he obliged. Dee Ee Williams went down to 1.04 in running which was amazing in the place market given he was unplaced.
Barcelona continued their run with a 5-0 victory - as you'll read in the newsletter, these games offer alternatives

140 TOWCESTER
BETTING FORECAST: 9/4 Kilbeggan Blade, Starburst Diamond, 5/2 Mon Mome, 13/2 Picture In The Sky, 16/1 Truckers Lady, 25/1 John Fenton, 33/1 Ossie´s Star, 100/1 Gouranga.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Smart chaser Mon Mome is an obvious contender at the weights on this return to hurdles but one that can prove a fly in the ointment is KILBEGGAN BLADE (nap), who has also shown class over fences and his winning form round here earns him preference. Capable hurdler Starburst Diamond completes the shortlist.

Ossie's Star and Picture in the Sky are non runners - an 8 runner field down to 6 and 3 the place makes this a very interesting probability race given the fact that, originally, there were 4 before 16/1 in the betting forecast.

I would probably opt for McCoy here on Kilbeggan Blade at 1.16 although Mon Mome is 1.15. NOTE - this is Towcester and has a killer hill so would not ordinarily be a course I would like to bet in

250 KEMPTON
BETTING FORECAST: 2/1 War And Peace, 3/1 Towy Valley, 5/1 Circle Dance, Edith´s Boy, 12/1 Captain Flasheart, 14/1 Here Comes Danny, North South Divide, 20/1 Kalligal.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: War And Peace comes out best on adjusted BHA ratings and has to be respected after two decent efforts in handicap company recently but TOWY VALLEY, who has had just three starts and may be capable of some improvement dropped in trip, gets the verdict

Outsider a non runner and War and Peace backed in the early markets -but a 5 furlong maiden on the all weather is not quite the Gold Cup! 1.25 to place and only 4 to beat to place


340 TOWC
BETTING FORECAST: 1/2 Pancake, 100/30 Sir Peter, 8/1 Crank Hill, 20/1 Caspar Of Tarsus, Stockton Flyer, 33/1 Woodlands Genpower, 50/1 Mr Parson.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Pancake has much the best form but he's a short price considering this track isn't ideal for a front-runner whose stamina is slightly suspect and SIR PETER can pounce late to turn him ove

A 3 mile beginners chase on soft ground at Towcester - YIKES! Still, 3 horses are sub 20/1 in the betting forecastt but there is an element of negativity about Pancake who does not replicate his 1/2 in the live market. Only 2 the place and really we need more solid material than Pancake especially at this venue 1.31 to place

450 KEMPTON
BETTING FORECAST: 6/4 River Kirov, 11/2 Count Ceprano, Musical Script, 6/1 Dvinsky, 8/1 Vhujon, 12/1 Brandywell Boy, Northern Empire, 14/1 Mogok Ruby.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: River Kirov is in cracking form and a four-timer wouldn't be any great surprise but, at the likely prices, a tempting each-way alternative is VHUJON, who is unbeaten in two starts over C&D and returns here off a handy mark. Any market support would be particularly significant.[

Price gapper in the betting forecast market - Vhujon now 3/1 2nd fav - is this because of Spotlight's mention? I went for River - he's on a 4 timer now and there is an element of doubt - he is not being substantially backed in the win only market. I am a little suspicious re Vhujon - it's just the fact he appears in Spotlight which could hint that Racing Post readers have taken the advice, or it's coincidence that Vhujon has been independently backed in the hope that... 1.35 for River Kirov and 1.85 for Vhujon to place

ONE A DAY
A difficult day with 2 dodgy venues.
140 TOWCESTER - Kilbeggan Blade under McCoy is priced to place - the betfair market shows 3 horses sub 42!! in the win market. Still 3 the place which is great. I would probably opt for the live favourite to place here at race time. It's a tussle between Mon Mome and Kilbeggan Blade at present
This is a probability race for me. Towcester is a venue I don't like.
Of the rest there are stamina doubts regarding Pancake in a 2 the place race and a beginners chase to boot, and I am unsure if River Kirov is fancied to win (he may still place mind you but when winning runds end for multiple handicap winners they are usually spectacular)
ALTERNATIVES - eye catching is the 1/3 for AZ Alkmaar away from home to Volendam. BUT that 1/3 is 1.54 on BEtfair ! I would probably opt for the lay of Volendam at 8.4 which should be the equivalent of backing a short priced one to place -again purely with target profit per day in mind - negatives? NOT IN RUNNING! - The ideal is to manage our positions

REal MAdrid are not really viable for me today given that Osasuna scored 2 against Barca. Perhaps here 1.24 for over 1.5 goals is viable with trading in mind?
Celtic are 4/6 away from home - says it all. This will be a tough one for Celtic today

In conclusion, I will monitor the 140 TOwcester and consider the fav to place ( preference for McCoy's mount)