A day of shocks, surprises and big price winners beckons us on the All Weather today.

After digging through today's two All Weather cards I was left feeling that today has all the components to be a day of shocks, surprises and big priced winners. The upside is it takes fewer big priced winners to make a profit and I will be a happy man if a few of the suggested picks below go in. The reality is that many of these races should be given a wide birth rather than finding ourselves funding the Bookies New Years Eve bash ;)

   

Chasing a three timer Pushkin Museum and LTO winner Oriental Relation make their fibresand début in the Southwell opener at 12:25.and neither Sire has progeny wins over this trip and grade. Razin’ Hell appears to need further than the minimum trip to be seen to best affect and is likely to be doing its best work in the closing stages. After a reasonable effort BISCUITEER put up a poor effort LTO but I feel it deserves a second chance as the only horse in the race that has been targeted at this trip.

The market will be the best guide on how well the débutante entries are likely to take to this surface in the 12:55. I feel reasonably safe in saying that we can ignore Sweet Angelic based upon her previous appearance here. Touch The Clouds is the only winner in the field but the jockey booking raises the hackles. The booking of Andrew Mullen is no surprise for the Appleby runner SLEET but it may also suggests some serious intent.

I doubt that Greenhead High will have the pace to adopt its favoured front running style over a straight 5f in the 1:25 and preference goes to SHAWKANTANGO and Upper Lambourn. While the latter appears to have lost its way a little, the former put in a good effort closing all the way to the line while being hampered in the run when last seen over C&D.

Considering the collective performances of the non-racecourse débutantes in the 1:55 it is hard not to think that one of the newcomers THE TROYSTER or DARING PURSUIT could not offer something above the standard set.

Greyfriarschorista is showing signs of coming back to the boil and should be expected to be in the mix in the 2:25. Chrissycross is starting to pay the price for recent consistency and is creeping up the handicap. KUNG HEI FAT CHOY was only just caught by Tatting LTO in a race that saw Chrissycross and The Lock Master in behind and there is no reason to think that those placing will not be confirmed.

Nothing with the exception of Outlaw Torn has excelled over the trip in Southwells 3:00 which might suggest that they are all there in an attempt to reduce their already low handicap marks! Problem being something is going to win. In races like this I am happy to take one of the old boys, namely XPRES MAITE to possibly land its 13^th career win.

11 furlong races during the racing calendar are few and far between and as expected the 3:35 there is little to offer in the way of C&D form. Moreover, creditable C&D form with the exception of one horse. Currently trading at 20-1 WEST END LAD put up one of its best performances over C&D and although this was back in 2011 it is noticeable that in 2013 WEST END LAD has won 3 times at the age of 10 off marks of 68, 65 and 65 and has worked its mark back down to 63 after it last win in July.

I can’t see past IFFRANESIA in the Wolverhampton opener at 15:55 and if there were a danger, at the other end of the market Spic’n Span shouldn't be ignored.

METHAALY invariably puts in a commendable performance over 6f at Wolverhampton after it has put up good performances over 5f at the course. This scenario may well be played out again in the 4:25.

The second Division looks on paper to be stronger than the 4:25 and Littlecote Lady seldom puts in a poor performance over this trip. With only one win to its name in 27 races and form figures of 33222 it may be fool hardy to side with MAJOR MUSCARI but the strong challenge in the final 2 furlongs when just held by Foie Gras LTO is enough to swing it for me.     

I am not enamoured by any of the performances of those that have previous with Dancing Sal setting the bar low enough to suggest that possibly JAEGAR TRAIN has been dropped in by Karl Burke in the 5:25.

Again, another race where we are guessing somewhat with CHARMY DUKESSE looking to have reasonable claims from the limited form available in the 5:55.  

I find it hard to back against EXCELLENT PUCK given the favours it has done for me in its two AW wins but emotion aside I can see no reason why it should be 16-1 given its form on the surface and over the trip. There is concern over the change and choice of trainer but equally it is no surprise that the top of the market is so open and several horses are being priced on what they may achieve rather than their actual achievement.  

This Is Me and UNDERWRITTEN look the key protagonist in the 6:55 on the clock for me. The latter has been bounced around in trip and given the performance when last seen over C&D and the current price of 14-1 offers the better value.

There are several races today on both cards which are no more than Bookies benefits and pinning my colours to the mast of something in each race has been difficult but the 7:25 is impossible for me. It would be no surprise to see Handicap débutante TOP LINE BANKER take the prize under Robert Tart.

Have fun and enjoy your racing :)

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