Tips for 4/2/13

Rock On Ruby in action today

2:45 Wolves - Shaker Style 12/1 e/w
3:30 Doncaster - Royal Deal 9/1 e/w - £16.25
3:50 Wolves - Saharia 9/4

£30 stake - £16.25 returns = -£13.75 loss

No Nap today as i couldn't decide. I did have Desert Vision (4:55 wolves) to be my nap, but at 4/11 the odds are too short. I think Saharia should win easily, Royal Deal has every chance as long as the blinkers do their job, Shaker Style is riskier but a nice 4th over hurdles 2 races ago over further gives him a chance, they got him back to shorter and i am not sure that suited. So 1m 5f could see an good improvement.

I just wanted to mention the main event today. Only 2 horses of interest really, Clerk's Choice has no hope, and probably just in it to pick up some prize money, 4th will bag him just under £1000. Countrywide Flame although a pretty decent horse, was out of his league against Darlan last time out, although i think the slow pace contributed to that, he might perform a little better today, but i cannot see him reversing the form.

The main 2 are Darlan and former Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby. Rock On Ruby would surely come on from his last run, he is the type of horse that needs a run to blow the cobwebs away after a break. Then there is Darlan, and he is my unkown for the Champion Hurdle this year. So seeing him run today will give me more of an idea. Last time out, he showed an  impressive turn of foot to see off rivals easily, in what was a painfully slow race ( i might be wrong, but most of Darlan's races have been slowly run). That slow pace found Countrywide Flame out, and there is no obvious front runner here either.

However Rock On Ruby likes a fast pace and i am guessing he will make the running. He was up with the front runners in last years Champion Hurdle, and they went off at a blistering pace, and that pace even found out Hurricane Fly. So today, it all will depend how the race is run, if they go off fast, i would fancy my chances with Rock On Ruby, if slow then Darlan would be the horse. If it is fast and Darlan copes well with it, then he would be one of my main picks for the Champion Hurdle this year. But its a waitng game, which means i will be able to complete my write up for the Champion Hurdle. I have gone with Rock On Ruby, on the theory that he will make the running and make it fast.