The right target for Aldeburgh

Just a couple of points from last week, when nothing really worked out for us.

Right Touch lost his pitch but stayed on strongly in the final furlong of the seven-furlong handicap at Goodwood to finish fourth. He will have no difficulty in winning more races this season. And Champagne At Tara never got into it when missing the kick in a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle at Punchestown. He is miles better than that and had earlier finished third at Aintree. The runner-up that day, Starchitect, humped 11st 12lb to victory in a good handicap by Newton Abbot standards this week and the form-line is rock solid. Keep an eye out for Champagne At Tara, no matter how long it takes Jonjo to find the right opportunity.

The piece is shorter this week because two or three horses I fancied, most notably Pixeleen in a six-furlong handicap at Ascot, are absentees.

However, after a long wait I think Jim Old may have found the right opportunity for Aldeburgh in the 4.25 at Nottingham. It’s a modest ten-furlong handicap on ground he will like, he will strip fresh and Willie Twiston-Davies knows him well. I can’t tell how they will bet at this stage but, at around 7/1 or 8/1, I’d be inclined to go each-way.

From the Chester meeting on Friday I’m make a note of Al Khan, who was tipped all over the pace at a big price but attracted barely a shilling on course. Perhaps he’s gone back but it seemed to me he was never put in the race at any stage and only ran on when a place was out of reach. There is probably a seven-furlong handicap in him.

Ian