27 OCTOBER

Good win for Kaldoun Kingdom, Kahara came 2nd which was good for the place only bet in such a big field. It's a pity the Discreet Cat race was on so late as if I had seen the ground conditions earlier this would never have been a bet - the ground was sloppy and ,as an equivalent to heavy ground, a no bet . Well done to Boz, winning again. Each way wins for Silk affair and Grethel very pleasing .Cool Roxy won for the twin cycles
Very busy day today so it's best to try to stick to the cream of the crop and keep the results of the last 2 days going - excellent form
PRICE GAPPERS
210 AINTREE
ETTING FORECAST: 11/4 Master Nimbus, 11/2 Idarah, 7/1 King´s Revenge, 8/1 Border Tale, 9/1 Peacock, 10/1 Folk Tune, 12/1 Lord Baskerville, Motive, 14/1 Culcabock, Kristiansand, 16/1 Prince Picasso, 20/1 Brooklyn Breeze.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: A number of these are lightly raced over hurdles and the likes of King's Revenge, Idarah and Folk Tune are all open to improvement. However, they'll all have to go to catch MASTER NIMBUS (nap), who won with plenty to spare last time and is well up to defying his new mark.[DHi]
I know I said I would be looking for the cream of the crop today and this one does not quiote fit in with an ideal bet, but at 5/2 may be worth an interest. A reasonable price gap and a horse who won eased down last time. This is a high quality field so the price gap takes on added significance. Not an official bet but worthy of a second look - I would err on the place bet side with an 11lb weiht hike to contend with and the old winning sequence which will end soon.
405 CHEPSTOW
BETTING FORECAST: 11/10 Nakai, 5/1 Aaron´s Run, 13/2 Simply Smart, 7/1 Matmogul, 12/1 Garleton, 14/1 King Of The Jungle, 16/1 Clifden Boy, Gaora Lane, Kisha King, 25/1 Rock Star Appeal, 28/1 Opal Ridge, Takeachanceonhim, 33/1 Power King, 40/1 Arctic Shadow, Joshuas Vista, Just Playfull.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Despite the big field, only a handful at most appeal. The key horse is NAKAI, winner of two Irish points and second in a decent Fairyhouse bumper in last season's three starts. He is likely to be very hard to beat at this level if transferring that ability to hurdles. Aaron's Run and the selection's stablemate Simply Smart are the most interesting of the opposition. [MCu]
There are some likely candidates in earlier races at Chepstow ( I'm sure you can spot them) but they're missing one key ingredient which is the Spotlight confidence - not so here - there is an "if" and it is this if that we will be betting against oif we back Nakai. Price gap remains in the early morning prices and worthy of attention at 4/5, although I suspect this race is better tackled from an each way perspective.
That said, I will back the horse today in the hope that he WILL be able to transfer his ability to hurdles - if so he will be " very hard to beat at this level"
200 DONCASTER
BETTING FORECAST: 9/4 Kal Barg, 15/2 Upton Grey, 9/1 Huzzah, 10/1 Kiwi Bay, 12/1 Bonny Rose, Feisty Royale, 14/1 Captain Royale, 16/1 Bigalo´s Magic, Harry Gee, Resounding Glory, Tadalavil, 20/1 Ginger Pickle, Lodi, 25/1 Dan Tucket, Flowing Cape, 33/1 Karky Schultz.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: A case to be made for several of the runners but none more convincing than that for KAL BARG who looks sure to make a bold bid judged on his latest fine third at Ascot. Upton Grey may give him most to do.[FC]
Again this race is worth a mention but is not a rock solid bet - why? 16 runner 2 year old nursery over a sprint distance. That said, I am taken by the form shown by Kal BArg in the race won by Ibn Khaldun - again I have done NO form analysis, the information is available in Spotlight's commentary.
It's up to you if you want to back. You will be backing in the hope the form will be franked today but I am put off by field size and race type.
MONMOUTH PARK
WIth the dirt track sloppy I would not be having a play unless it was on the turf track no matter how good the horses are.
950
BETTING FORECAST: Evs Dylan Thomas, 4/1 English Channel, 11/2 Red Rocks, 7/1 Better Talk Now, 11/1 Grand Couturier, 16/1 Shamdinan, 50/1 Fri Guy, Transduction Gold.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: It was a brilliant tactical move to switch ENGLISH CHANNEL's pacemaker Icy Atlantic to the Mile. His withdrawal creates a big problem for Dylan Thomas, Red Rocks and Better Talk Now, who would all have benefited from a strong gallop. I see English Channel as a good thing to take this with Grand Couturier worth a saver at big odds.
Price gap there - it's not on the dirt track, BUT Arc winners have had a torrid time of it in the BReeders Cup. I will be backing Dylan though if price remains. NOTE - Spotlight comment provided by Nick Mordin - a one off so I take it as his opinion only - he is not the usual Spotlight writer
240 NAAS
BETTING FORECAST: 8/11 Gemini Lucy, 7/2 Carthalawn, 11/2 Dbest, 7/1 Ballyagran, 10/1 Coolgreaney.
Small field - positive write up - worth a chance at current odds - price gap takes on added significance in such a small field
250 NEWBURY
BETTING FORECAST: 6/4 Galactic Star, 9/2 Red Gala, 6/1 Ivy Creek, 7/1 Crime Scene, Linas Selection, Regime, 20/1 Dash To The Front,
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Possible this may be tactical, but a steady pace did not prevent GALACTIC STAR (nap) complete his hat-trick last time, when Crime Scene was back in fourth, and he can successfully make the step up to Group company. Stable-companion Red Gala, who was set a huge amount to do last time, also looks as if he has more to offer.[AC]
Price gap certainly there - Ryan Moore in the saddle, but I may not back Galactic star for the following reasons - on a 4 timer - a winning sequence which will end soon =- step up to group company too will make the task more difficult. I am though taken by Ryan Moore who is a class act.
Good to soft ground conditions are also offputting as is the fact this is a scoop 6 race
400 NEWBURY
BETTING FORECAST: Evs Missit, 11/2 Shamayel, 8/1 Lady Deauville, Maramba, 10/1 Perfect Act, 12/1 Fanatical, 14/1 Hobby, 33/1 Miss Bootylishes, Serena´s Storm, Tamara Moon, 50/1 Clifton Dancer.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: Barry Hills has been the trainer to follow in this Listed race with three winners, a second and a third in the last six years and his Shamayel, with the likelihood of better to come, is entitled to plenty of respect. However, if MISSIT is in the same form as she was last weekend it should not be necessary to look further for the winner. Lady Deauville may be the best each-way alternative.[FC]
Positive spotlight commentary - good price gap replicated in the early morning price market-negative - fillies race and the ladies can be a tad unpredictable with their minds on shopping and kittens
I've said it before, as a listed contest, price gaps take on added significance and strength because we're not dealing with dodge pots here!
COMMENT - it is unrealistic to expect all of the above to oblige - a busy SAturday means that you should use your discretion and draw up a short list of 1 or 2 price gappers from those which provide the most compelling case to back
EACH WAYS
Great run of late and hope it continues - keeping selections to 3 ensures I opt for the better candiidates
700 WOLVES
BETTING FORECAST: 9/4 Torrens, 5/2 Nawamees, 7/2 History Boy, 8/1 Drizzi, 14/1 Maria Antonia, 16/1 Oscarshall, 25/1 Escoffier, 33/1 Gateland, Zaffeu, 66/1 Itsy Bitsy, Star Berry, 250/1 Taran Tregarth.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: With no obvious front-runner in the field this could develop into a muddling contest, but for all that it is still hard to look beyond the top four in the weights despite all of them appearing best held up. History Boy’s win here back in the summer is still fresh in the memory, but on more recent form TORRENS is a safer option than either Nawamees or Drizzi.[GN]
4 before the 14\1 shows us where to look - Drizzi could place here if one of the top 3 fail to give their running
310 STRATFORD
BETTING FORECAST: 3/1 Cantabilly, Full House, 4/1 Grecian Groom, 9/2 Leamington Lad, 13/2 Bureaucrat, 14/1 Dune Raider, 16/1 Take A Mile, 25/1 Voir Dire, 33/1 Tora Petcha.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: FULL HOUSE will appreciate this drop in class after running in top handicaps on the Flat. A strong-traveller who should be suited by these conditions, he can see off Cantabilly and Leamington Lad. [AA]
9 in the field - 3 the place - 5 before 14/1 - Leamington Lad each way for me
420 STRATFORD
BETTING FORECAST: Evs Bremen, 5/2 Shore Thing, 11/2 With Speed, 12/1 Conservation, 14/1 Sunset Boulevard, 20/1 Magic Rush, 33/1 Marker, Raise Again, The Cayterers, 40/1 King´s Fable, 50/1 Indian Wizard, 66/1 Champion De Sou, Tamworth, 100/1 Chipchenko.
SPOTLIGHT VERDICT: BREMEN (nap) ran a decent horse close on his hurdling debut and can get off the mark here. Shore Thing looks the main danger, while With Speed can't be ruled out.
Shore thing is at an each way price in this maiden hurdle where I'm always keen to take the fav on
FOOTY
Concentration today on the Man Utd match I think - I will give Middlesburgh a 1.5 goal start at 1.67 odds. I cannot see Boro doing much from an attacking perspective.
I will be laying Celtic at current odds of 1.23 with an eye to trading if the odds increase during the first half. After mid week European excersions last time, they were lucky to beat Gretna and Motherwell may keep this close early doors. The odds are such that we won't lose much in liability should Celtic score early ( which I'm not expecting)
I will go for the over 2.5 goal trade at Portsmouth v West Ham - I see goals in this - 2 at least will enable me to trade out of my bet