We ended October with a profit of 12.5 points which included some nice winners in amongst some unlucky selections. That takes our overall tally to 76 points profit since the blog started in July. This equates to an average of 19 points profit per month and I am happy with progress so far. For those of you that have been following the selections, your bank should have significantly increased and we are well on course to hit our targets.
14:20 Exeter - Haldon Gold Cup
God's Own was the winner of this last year and bids to retain his title from a five pound higher mark. That was his only win of the season but he did post some decent efforts including a really good second place behind the excellent Un De Sceaux in the Ankle at Cheltenham. If he comes here in good shape he has a leading chance.
Third Intention put in a decent effort when finishing second at Chepstow three weeks ago off of top weight, however this is tougher and he is plenty high enough in the weights now.
Vibrato Valtat won three races in a row last season when ridden a lot more prominently before tailing away a little towards the end of the season in some good races. He has dropped down the weights a bit since then and if on form he has a chance today. I prefer it when Noel Fehily rides him however as he seems a better judge of pace but Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride again.
Dunraven Storm runs off bottom weight and should be plenty fit enough as he ran ten days ago, finishing third at Cheltenham. He would need to improve a fair bit to get his head in front here and others are preferred.
Sire De Grugy is the class horse in the race although he had a disrupted season last time due to injury. The 2014 Champion Chase winner could only manage fourth this year with the ground being a bit on the good side for him. Today's softer ground will be much more preferred and any additional rain can only help. He doesn't seem badly treated by the handicapper as he's racing off five pounds lower than his top mark and I think he will be capable of carrying that weight to victory today.
Today's Selection
14:20 Exeter - Sire De Grugy - 1 point @ 11/4 (Ladbrokes, William Hill)