Every selection was significantly backed today, but unfortunately none really lived up to market expectations.

Ascot 2:50

I felt last year that Jolly’s Cracked it had a bit more to give and a very good couple of novice runs and a good 5th in the Betfair Hurdle. He ended the season not in the best of form, but around here he should be able to get back to his best. I think he is also relatively well handicapped here in comparison to a few others in the betting and 8/1 with Ladbrokes looks a very decent price. A horse like Nabucco is much shorter for no apparent reason really.

1 Point win 8/1 Ladbrokes 7/1 elsewhere.

Backed into 5/1 and failed by 3/4 of a length to get up. Im not one for blaming jockies but he was too far back here and too too long to get him going. Great run all teh same and he’ll be winning a big handicap this year.

Ascot 3:25

If anything Houblon desObeaux was better than ever last year and despite that he arrives here on a decent mark. He has a great record fresh and is still only and 8yo. He was 2nd in the Hennessy and just couldn’t give over a stone to the young master here after that. Top weight has never bothered him before and to me he looks one of the more likely winners and thus is great value at 14/1. Im going to have a small saver bet on Cantlow as he was travelling well last time and my gut is telling me to back him at a huge price as well see some improvement here.

1 Point win Houblon des Obeaux 14/1 tote/fred/vc/james

He was backed into 10/1 and was never really travelling, Disappointing

½ Point win CAntlow 28/1 VC/James/Bright

Backed into 20/1 and ran well to be 5th, he looks ont eh way back and should be capable of winning soon enough

Ayr 4:00

Cloudy Too has been lightly raced since a few exceptions chase performances a couple of years ago but didn’t shape without hop on his 2 runs last season. He has a decent record fresh and really is on a good hurdles mark here. 16/1 looks value

1 Point win 16/1 Generally

Backed in to 11/1 and made mistakes early and was never in it after that

Ascot 2:15

Baby Mix has been running well since he came back from a long break but I have a feeling he may well be a bit better over 2 miles here. The fav looks to be on a nice mark here but I’m hopeful that Baby Mix can get his head in front over this shorter trip. I’m thinking that he may try to win this from the front and that should suit his running styr as he is a good jumper and could get into a good rythym. 8/1 looks a decent price

1 Point win 8/1 Generally

Backed in to 9/2 and was going well until between the last 2 where he started to go backwards. Afterwards it transpired he was injured so hopefully hell be ok to race again.