Get Into The Spirit

Spiritofthegames is consistent but frustrating for punters. On his first two runs after wind surgery he was poor, but in the three since then he has run fine races without winning. Tomorrow’s 4.32 race at Chepstow offers him almost perfect conditions, assuming no significant change in the going, on which he has won 2 from 4.

Over the trip he is 3 from 3. At the track he is I from 1. His yard looks to be coming nicely into form, and Harry Skelton, stable jockey, takes the ride on this, one of three runners for brother Dan.

At around 7/2 I can’t claim he is value, but if he cannot win this he will probably struggle to win anything at this level. Of his market competitors, the most tipped in the Racing Post is The Bay Birch, who won this last year. That win was under Sean Bowen; Stan Sheppard rides now. And that win was also on the horse’s seasonal debut. He was odds on next time but finished last, and I wonder if the best of him is seen first time out. If so, then they might have blown it by running him 19 days ago. He went well there to finish 3rd.

I can find a case against most of the others except Jonjo’s new recruit, 7-y-o Punches Cross, who’s come from Joseph O’Brien for whom he was quite consistent. If there’s a market move for him it would make me nervous and push me into having a saver.

Good luck. Remember that no tipster is infallible (if you followed me throughout last season, this is a warning you won’t need). As convincing a case as I, or anyone else makes for betting a horse, don’t bet more than you can afford to lose without a second thought.

Good luck

Joe