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I know it sounds like one of our friendlies but ........
Chesterfield (the horse) is running today in the 2.15 at Cartmel. Televised on ITV3. Carries top weight. 12/1 in the betting, but does have a chance. He carries top weight because he is far the best horse in the race and usually faces better opposition. He should also be fit as he had a race on the flat in June, but he did finish last of 12 that time.
He is getting a bit long in the tooth now, but it is a long way for the trainer to send him if he isn't trying.
Hope he comes back safe and sound ...... and in the first three home.
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Came third
Towards rear, headway 4 out, not fluent 3 out, ridden and ran on run-in, went third inside final 110yds (op 14/1 tchd 16/1)
Why should a man go to work, if he has the health and strength to stay in bed?
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I thought the jockey gave him a bit too much to do, but perhaps it was a combination of softening ground and the weight. He did have to give the winner a stone and 4lbs.
I'd imagined that long run-in at Cartmel might play into his hooves. He was a high-class flat horse and it's not often you can mention Chesterfield and high class in the same sentence without referring to furniture.
Still 3rd at 9/1 is a profit. He was 16/1 about 10 minutes before the off, so obviously a lot of on-line punters must have thought he was worth a gamble.
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I've just been looking at Southwell's racing today and here are two VERY LONG priced tips i fancy might run into the first three.
Whatthebutlersaw 2.50 Southwell, currently 50/1. Has been a good horse. Is frail. He's a family horse. If they didn't think he could still run I don't think he'd be there. Worth a little each way interest.
Roundhead 3.50 Southwell. No form over jumps at all. Has won twice on the flat, but he's been gelded and had wind surgery since then, but it is a very small field and 100/1 odds are huge. Last time out the stable put Richard Johnson on the horse, you don't do that unless you think he retains some ability.
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And now Chesterfield is away at Fontwell. He's the outsider of the field. I'd be pretty certain at 11lbs better off he can beat King Alfonso who beat him last time, but he's on level weights with a young, probably improving Paul Nicholls trained horse which won't be easy. Fontwell can be a trappy jumping track too and last time out old Chesterfield did himself no favours at the third last when moving through the field. Only seven runners, so each way would be first two. All that said he still has far more class than his opponents. He started life as a Said Bin Suroor flat horse and did perform to a high level.
And of course he is a miles better horse than Mansfield, which is vitally important.
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He still came last though and was 14 lengths behind King Alfonso. Are they getting him down the weights when he is re-handicapped, or has he lost it?
