This the third week I have done this Saturday BLOG and I have gone for the day’s big handicap in which to give a selection or two. The first week saw us have the first and second with ‘Evens And Odds’ winning at 201/ with ‘Jonny Mudball’ in 2nd place at 14/1.

Last week however we did not do so well and this weeks selection is a tentative one, but the selection is not without a chance.

In the 3.30 at Ripon, The Great St Wilfrid Handicap there is a hot favourite running for the Dandy Nicholls stable. The trainer has done very well in recent big handicaps one of the best being the aforementioned ‘Evens And Odds’. However, the trainer’s representative today has been very well tipped and therefore the price has tumbled.

‘Tajneed’ was forecast at 8/1 earlier in the week and this has since been very well supported into now what looks like being a little too short in such a race.

At the moment of Ladbrokes the favourite is only 11/4, which is a field of 19 runners in a handicap is too short for me to go jumping on the bandwagon. Of course the horse may romp in but betting at short prices in Handicap races is not a good long term strategy.

So in this race my selection is ‘Signor Peltro’ for the same yard that won this race last year. The horse should be suited by the going whatever the weather does and should also get the strong pace the trainers says he needs. At around 14/1 the horse looks a worthwhile bet in a tricky race.

Today’s Tip – Don’t back at prices significantly shorter than forecast in Handicap races. Simply following the money means the price will inevitably be shorter than it should be and this will lose you money in the longer term.