Wow. Truly shocking stuff right now. 18 and counting. It all goes wrong. A truly odd ride on Pearle D’or, who finished 6/7 but had zero chance from his position after being restraint, despite the fact his upturn in form came when making the running last time.

He didn’t even have a bad start. In fact, all options were open to Jason Watson for about the lengths of the first furlong. He opted for the worst of all options – the only one you want to take over this course & distance if you want to minimise your chances of winning.

Not here to bash jockeys from my armchair. It is what it is, but I felt the horse was not given a fair chance, and that’s disappointing. It fits the picture right now as it happened a number of times over the last days that the race was over right after the start. A rotten spell of the worst kind.

………

5.10 Yarmouth: Class 6 Classified Stakes, 6f

This is a rather competitive field for this nature of race. The pace scenario looks ominous. There should be enough on for a fair race, although it all is going to develop toward the far rail, most likely.

That’s not quite ideal for my selection, Griggy. He goes from #8, but I hope he can find find away to start well, cross over and track the early pace. Or do I make the same mistake once again, backing a horse who’s chances are gone less than 10 seconds into the race?

If the possible pace setters Bernard Spierpoint, Oxygen Thief and Wrath of Hector go off too hard and take each other on it could tow Griggy nicely into the finish, though.

He certainly looks in excellent form and must have a prime chance in this contest after his latest eyecatching effort at Brighton.

He was forced to settle off the pace given the way the race developed at early, but was going well, poised for a challenge 3f out. Unfortunately, he had to wait for room as the gap was never truely opening up with horses right, left and center shifting around.

It was only late in the day he found the clear passage, and that’s when he finished best in the final furlong, eventually.

A great run and a clear return to form after two lesser efforts on the All-Weather.

Griggy is down to a sexy mark and that offers him the opportunity to run here in the Classified 0-50 contest. An 0/5 record on turf ready poorly, however he was never expected in any of those runs, including the most recent eyecatching one.

The Bath performance proved that he clearly handles fast ground and is dangerous on turf over 6 furlongs as well. The additional half furlong will be in his favour and a fast pace to track looks ideal, as long as he doesn’t get caught on the outside without cover.

The additional 3lb claim of a solid rider in the saddle are an added bonus. That’s the reason why I feel it’s worth taking on hot favourite Bernard Spierpoint who was an impressive winner and always goes well in these type of races.

He ran an impressive speed rating, judged on his current Official Rating certainly, as well. At the same time, Yarmough is a completely different track to Brighton, the pace is a different one here, and that most recent field of five rivals he had to beat was incredibly poor.

There are some better rivals here. First and foremost Griggy, who has an advantage in the weights, too.

10pts win – Griggy @ 5/1