I hoped for a better return to the ‘racing life’. 4 from 8 placed last week, some desperately close to win, but they didn’t get over the line, literally.

My current losing record stretches on for quite a while once again. This really is the most bizarre year of my “betting career”. Never had such dramatic swings before.

Not sure whether I’m changing or the game’s changing or whether this is normal variance that I was simply ‘lucky’ to avoid in such crassness in the past.

……

6.45 Chelmsford: Class 3 Handicap, 10f

This looks an ideal opportunity for Greatgadian who was not disgraced over a mile when not getting the rub of the green last time at Ascot and who has steadily dropped in the ratings despite some good runs this year off much higher.

He caught my eye for the first time in April in the Lincoln after he enjoyed a pretty decent winter on the All-Weather. The subsequent Nottingham run is one I also rated highly, although two lesser efforts in between raise some questions.

On the other hand, a return to 10 furlongs will surely suit, so is the return to Chelmsford. Greatgadian is a dual course and distance winner.

He ran well earlier this year off 99 over this CD when third, only a lengths beaten, and you would hope with the good #2 draw to go from today, off 90, he should be hard to beat, if everything is right.

10pts win – Greatgadian @ 6/1

……

9.00 Newcastle: Class 6 Handicap, 5f

Golden Rainbow showed a return to form at Weatherby the last time after a wind operation where he ran seriously well over 5.5f in a hot contest.

He tracked the pace closely in second place and pressed he leader from over 2f out. Possibly ahead at final furlong marker, eventually horses from further back got the better of him.

He drops in class and ever so slightly down to the minimum trip on the All-Weather, which should be his optimum. His AW record reads 9-2-3 and even better in Handicaps.

He’s a course and distance winner and has no issue with the stiff finish at Newcastle over this trip. He even runs well over 6 furlongs here. There is plenty of pace on, so that should suit and make it a fair race. He’s got early speed, shouldn’t be too far away and well placed when the race probably develops toward the centre.

That hopefully ensures that the low draw isn’t that big a negative as it can be over this CD sometimes.

Obviously with this jockey on board, at this track, you don’t always know whether you get a ‘real’ effort. I’ll trust this looks an ideal opportunity to score, though.

10pts win – Golden Rainbow @ 7/2