Hobbs to be Lord of Wincanton

Good Morning and welcome to the first blog I have written in 2014, lets hope it's a lucky one for us all. Our New Year's Day blog was a tad disappointing in my eyes, but at least Double Ross got us out of trouble when landing his second NAP for us. Call me arrogant but i'm still not prepared to tip Oscar Whisky as a potential top chaser, time will tell I suppose.

Unfortunately Sandown has had to abandon today's meeting but the Tolworth Hurdle has been rescheduled for Kempton next week so it's not all bad news. Racing will hopefully go ahead at Wincanton but they must pass an inspection this morning however they remain hopeful. Two meetings that aren't under threat are Newcastle and Lingfield who stage an all weather meeting on Channel 4, they also race in Ireland at Cork.

As always we have a video prepared for you today as we preview all the Channel 4 races tomorrow and hopefully tip some winners. Joining me this week is @Adamwebb121 and @Mytentoryours as we run through the races at Lingfield and Wincanton. Hope you enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzY1mSQ-e8Q

Now onto this week's selections!!

12:35 Newcastle - Dancing Art

Dancing Art looks the obvious selection in what looks a fairly weak race involving just four participants. He returned from just over a year off last time out and needed it badly but still ran creditably for a long way before being found out. That came over a six furlong further trip and it proved too much hence the drastic drop down to the extended two miles. This is a much weaker race today and you'd fancy if he has progressed at all from his reappearance that he will take some catching. It is also worth noting that the stable look to be in decent form and the two pound ease in the handicap wont hold him back. (2/1)

1:40 Newcastle - Etxalar

Lucinda Russell's representative was back to form last time when making all at Carlisle after being dropped to 3 miles having previously tackled further. His jumping won him the race that day and was absolutely faultless at all of the obstacles while staying on in determined fashion. He was raised 5 pounds for that win which is eye catching for me as he looked better value for the 5 length victory as it was never really in doubt. The only nagging doubt is the form of the yard as they haven't particularly been amongst the winners lately but have shown glimpses of a revival. Etxalar to run his rivals into the ground. (7/2)

2:05 Wincanton - Consigliere

Consigliere is somewhat a veteran these days but has shown some of his old sparkle on his last two starts, most notably last time out when sixth behind Lancetto at Ascot. That was over 2 miles and a furlong which these days is too sharp for the old boy, today's return to two miles and five furlongs will be much more to his liking. As a result of the poor efforts so far this season he has dropped down to a lowly 136 with Kieron Edgar's 7 pound claim on top of that. The ground today will be absolutely perfect for him as he loves getting his toe in and its very notable that early money is coming for him. Consigliere to roll back the years and gain his 2nd victory in this race. (11/4)

2:40 Wincanton - Lord Protector

I have spent most of the week debating whether Lord Protector will go to Sandown or come here instead, that decision was made for him with the other meeting being abandoned. He left a huge impression on me when winning nicely last time at Sandown beating Uhlan Bute and a horse I really like called Reverb. The ground wont be a problem for this big stamp of a horse and it could just be that he has taken a little bit of time to grow into himself. The big question mark today is whether he can contend with a hefty 11 pound rise from last time, personally I don't think we have brushed on his ability and it shouldn't be a problem. (6/1)

NAP - Consigliere
Nb - Lord Protector

As always happy punting and be lucky!