And some, dear reader, you just do not. The Chester Cup is mare of a race for me, and this year was no exception. Four ‘universal truths’ of the past decade, three remain intact. But, importantly, one of them (poor previous performance at the track) now breached.

Now, of course with hindsight, I can see that qualitatively, Bulwark’s sole previous course start was a close sixth from draw 15 in the same race in 2006. It’s all so easy now…!

And in the sprint, where I sided with the two Kings, Orchisios and Of Swords, the Sword was a non-runner, but alas for Orchisios he broke a leg and has passed to another equine plane.

Better luck was to be had at Beverley, where the sprint advice proved to be gravy.

The three 5f contests were all won by the highest drawn horse, and this is by no means a rarity. At odds of 5/2, 7/1 and 4/1, that’s pretty good.

Better yet, we got the forecast up in the handicap sprint for older horses, Namir beating Glasshoughton (Pawan was an unlucky fourth).

Keep more than an eye out for the high boxes in the sprints at Beverley, when the ground is riding good or faster.

Pretty uninspiring fare tomorrow, but at Nottingham we have another chance to play the draw. High numbers have a definite edge, so lets see what we can do with that.

In the opening maiden over six furlongs, there is a short priced (around evens) favourite coming from box 8 of 14. But she’s up against the colts here, and I’ll look elsewhere for value. Kenton Street has the plum draw in 14, and ran a creditable fourth in his only start last season.

With the aggressive Alan Munro in the saddle, he could try to make all. Look out also for the lady, Little Cee. She ran a stinker when fancied on debut, and David Elsworth is a wily trainer. If she’s not being targeted for handicaps in due course, she could run well against the chaps.

Art Princess looks to have an excellent chance of going one better than her runner up spot in the fillies juvenile maiden (2.00). Oppose Readily, who will have to be pretty good to overcome her draw, if I’m reading things correctly.

In the closing apprentice handicap (4.45), best jockey and best draw combine for Bold Argument who, while not a controversial or inspired selection, must go close in a race with a lot of dross in it.

Small stakes only: keep the powder dry for another day is my call.

******

Finally, I’ve had a couple of emails about a product that you are very likely to have heard of recently: Betfair Loophole.

Here’s my take. If there was ever a loophole on Betfair, it would be spotted in about five minutes flat and closed.

Moreover, if you had a loophole on Betfair, would you chance it being closed by broadcasting it and trying to tell people for just £55?!

I know that I wouldn’t. As much as I love you fine people, I’d be keeping firmly shtum on that one.

So, I’ve not seen the product and I can’t say for sure that its guff. But the premise is most certainly preposterous!

[Incidentally, if you've purchased the aforementioned product, do please leave a comment with your experiences to date... just click the 'comments' link beneath this post.]

That’s all folks!
Matt