I'm a baby...get me out of here!!!!

PERFORMANCE RATINGS

HALDON GOLD CUP – Ashley Brook 80

ELITE HURDLE – Chomba Womba 76

It was a shame Ashley Brook won at Exeter – apologies to his fans – from a future angle as I was hoping for a progressive winner. Those that won this event from such a low weight failed to kick on.

As for the Elite Hurdle on Saturday, I was hoping Takeroc would triumph based on the breeding stat but he just came up short, while Breedsbreeze was impressive and is a horse I backed for Cheltenham last season following his Tolworth Victory. He failed there, but past winners of the Tolworth have made decent chasers, including Noland.

(note - a small error in the book regarding the Paddy Power Gold Cup this week, as it should read 'All bar one came from INSIDE an official ratings band of 136 to 150', rather than 'outside' in the Winner's Profile section).

Talking of the book, anyone who has yet to purchase a copy may get the opportunity to win one in a competition on the Guardian Unlimited website at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport
I can’t confirm that the competition is a definite yet, but keep your eyes peeled.

I’ve also been putting a few winners up on the Daily Dust website for anyone who’s not been around during the past few weeks – I almost landed a 30-1 treble on Monday!

Having said that, I will only be doing limited tips this week as I’ll be at the hospital from Tuesday for three days where my wife is being induced.
She will be 11 days past the due date, so the nerves are jangling, especially as I haven’t a clue what to expect. If it were Chester…low draw; Newbury…Henderson and Fitzgerald; Brighton…Seb Sanders. That’s how the Myers mind works, so I’ll be improvising this week – plenty of Timeform in my bag, though, in case of the long haul!

Can’t say when I’ll be back blogging, possibly tomorrow night if I get kicked out of the hospital late, so stay tuned for any further news – on and off the track!

TOP OF THE FORM

After a patient wait for the jumps and AW races to percolate, things are hotting up in the Top 20 and the base rating climbs to +2. Keep an eye on this rating, for when it hit +4 in the summer for a while, it was a hot Top 20 with buckets of winners. I think the record rating for the number one race is around +12/+13, when Shifting Star’s Goodwood race worked out exceptionally well.

I’ve been invited to enter the Racing and Football Outlook’s naps table for the winter season, so my main fancy of the week will appear there…Sam’s Cross this week, who’ll need the breaks at ‘leave it late’ Lingfield.
Here is the recent eyecatchers list with their five-day entries from Tue Nov 11.

Apocal – Fourth at Bangor worked out well and could improve over 2m4f or further.

Art Trend (Wednesday) – Third at Wincanton, Art Trend is worth following on those formlines after an unlucky landing next time when unseating.

Artzola – Two winners have emerged from this handicap on Sep 12 and this mare caught the eye running on into fifth.

Balzaccio – Second in quality juvenile novices hurdle from Ludlow last month that has already seen the first two, Resounding Glory and Balzaccio, compliment each other by scoring in higher class. A few of those in behind were held on Sunday but with Resounding Glory taking a Listed event, Balzaccio could also win in that class or higher after an impressive victory next time.

Bramalea - Sprint handicap from Wolverhampton three weeks ago in which three winners have already emerged from just four subsequent runners. What impresses though, is that two of the winners stepped up in class, including runner-up, Beetuna. Although the winner, Bramalea, lost next time out, she was drawn wide in stall 13 and deserves another chance – both her victories came when drawn on the inside.

Elijah Pepper – Form of Pontefract victory has worked out and trainer David Barron knows how to place progressive sprinters. Could be one for the winter as already boasts a victory on Polytrack.

Elton – Handicap hurdle from Wincanton a fortnight ago won by Bally Conn, who has since scored along with the runner-up, Charles Street. Ten lengths back in third was Elton, who recorded a career best and is still lightly raced enough to improve.

Game Park - Intabih took a 1m1f at Wolverhampton last month with Beetuna back in fourth, who also won subsequently. In fifth was Game Park, who ran on after a troubled run and he can build on this.

Hazzard County - Stayed on into third at Great Leighs and deserves to land one after some consistent efforts.

Lend A Grand – 1m handicap from Lingfield last month that has produced two winners who scored in a better grade since, including the winner, Prince Of Thebes. Back in fifth was the well-handicapped Lend A Grand, who did some good late work.

Lochstar - Judge 'n Jury's victory at Ascot has worked out well. Back in fifth was the beautifully-bred Lochstar, who has already scored on Polytrack and is one be with if appearing this winter.

Mezzanisi - Southwell handicap over 1m4f won by Merchant Of Dubai, from which the victor and third have both found their way back to the winner’s enclosure. The runner-up, Mezzanisi, was unlucky not to get compensation next time at Leicester under Hayley Turner, who gets a good tune from him, but the pair can find a race soon in this form.

Notre Cyborg - Handicap Chase from Bangor-On-Dee where Laoch Dubh beat Notre Cyborg. The winner has since landed a better class event, while the third, Araldur, also took a similar race. Although the second, Notre Cyborg, lost next time out, he was outclassed and deserves another chance.

Pass The Port - Staying handicap from Southwell two weeks ago in which both the winner, Keenes Day, and runner-up, Victory Quest, have already obliged. In what was a slowly-run race and the third, Pass The Port, did well from behind. He has dropped to an attractive mark of 75 having won from 78 in May and 1m4f with a strong pace is his game.

Presentandcorrect - A beginners' chase won by Ohana at Fontwell last month was franked by the third and fourth, making runner-up, Presentandcorrect, of interest. Making his debut for Carl Llewellyn here, this dual hurdler winner impressed over fences and can build on this next time.

Resounding Glory (Saturday) - Second in quality juvenile novices hurdle from Ludlow last month that has already seen the first two, Resounding Glory and Balzaccio, compliment each other by scoring in higher class. A few of those in behind were held on Sunday but with Resounding Glory taking a Listed event, he could could own in Graded company.

Sam’s Cross (Thursday) - 1m handicap from Lingfield last month that has produced two winners who scored in a better grade since, including the winner, Prince Of Thebes. Back in fourth was the well-handicapped Sam’s Cross, who did some good late work.

Sarah’s Art – Caught the eye in second at Kempton, where the winner, fourth and fifth have already taken handicaps since. This was the gelding’s second outing since a break and he finished strongly here after fluffing the start. A winner over 6f and 7f off higher marks, he looks ready to rumble beyond 5f.

Spanish Conquest - Staying handicap from Southwell two weeks ago in which both the winner, Keenes Day, and runner-up, Victory Quest, have already obliged. In what was a slowly-run race, the fourth, Spanish Conquest, still looks to have a race in him.