31/12

Little to get me excited about today as we face a full programme of better sport tomorrow. The 1200 Lingfield would be the bet for me but 2 year olds and all weather surfaces do not appeal. Still, from a probability perspective, it is a good race. Default to Les Verguettes in a race which should be 3 for 2 places. There is nothing remotely as safe as , say, Club Brugge today so I will wait for the new year.



I expected more consistency from Toner D'oudaires but "He did not jump as proficiently as he can and is probably better than this." Scant consolation.

2pm - Donegal Celtic v Linfield - 1.36 - caution re the weather in Northern Ireland? 2010 head to heads and Linfield have scored 9 in their 2 against Donegal. Donegal have lost 9 and won 2 of their last 11 matches. Linfield have won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last 10.
Both teams have not played for a short period due to the weather,

1200 LINGFIELD

BETTING FORECAST: Evs Les Verguettes, 5/4 Cloud Illusions, 6/1 Littleportnbrandy, 33/1 Litotes, 100/1 Big City Boy.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Likely this will boil down into a match between LES VERGUETTES and Cloud Illusions, with preference for the former who battled valiantly when pipped at Kempton last week.[Adrian Cook]

Perfect probability race this one and perhaps better to focus on probabilities?

It would have paid off yesterday.

Les Verguettes odds on now in what should be a 3 horse race for 2 places

1240 UTTOXETER

BETTING FORECAST: 5/4 Herdsman, 13/8 Tornado Bob, 11/2 Wood Yer, 9/1 Jan Jandura, 20/1 Brainwave, 20/1 Tanwood Boy, 33/1 Lindengrove, 40/1 Crabbies Court, 40/1 Saffron Lord, 50/1 Murfreesboro, 66/1 Monty´s Revenge.

SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: HERDSMAN and Tornado Bob stand out. The latter has already shown plenty of promise over hurdles but Herdsman looked a horse of considerable potential in bumpers and is just preferred. [Mel Cullinan]

4 horses should be involved here in this maiden hurdle on heavy ground - yes not ideal at all!

Again, a matter of playing the probabilities, but horses not yet fully accustomed to hurdles taking their chances in heavy ground means none can be comfortably backed.