Whilst up at Jonjo O'Neill's Jackdaw Castle Stables during the week we had a good look at Thehillofuisneach 2.20 Uttoxeter to check on his well being and can report the horse looked great! This Irish point winner shaped with plenty of promise in novice hurdles before confirming that his opening mark was all wrong at Huntingdon last week. This horse proved he handles adverse conditions, likes a test of stamina and should stay. Jonjo told us he was one to keep on the right side and AP thought he would get three miles. Though this race is more competitive than his last he is hard to oppose under a penalty and he is our Pacafi Bet. We have taken the 2/1 with Paddy Power best price guaranteed (Thursday 23.10).

Chatting to Dai Walters about his horses...

We know the owner Dai Walters through promoting the Ffos Las racecourse with Betfair. He loves his racing and has horses with many different trainers including Nicky Henderson, Nigel Twiston-Davies, David Pipe, Brendan Powell and Jonjo O’Neill. His star is the Henderson trained Oscar Whisky. You should always take notice of his horses running at Ffos Las (the course he built) where he enjoys a 25% strike rate. He has promised us an interview in the near future about his love of horse racing and we hope to post it on the Betfair website, he is a very special man.

We were reminded that our selection has only had four races under rules as a 7yo and one would expect lots more to come. The danger in the race is Chac Du Cadran who looked in need of a stiff test after his promising debut under rules at Wetherby. Despite taking a keen hold throughout he came home a decisive winner. Connections told us his next race will be December but the early pace was not great so this form may not be reliable.

Because we have secured a big price a saver might be in order should there be any drift on our selection.

We wanted to nominate Baccarat 3.50 Wolverhampton as our second Pacafi Bet but at 1/2 he is a bit too short. We had hoped to pinch a bit of 4/6 or 8/13 but it was not to be. Baccarat showed distinct signs of immaturity on his debut when third at this track on debut but was doing his best work in the final furlong and the longer trip can only help him. He is a certain future winner and we think it is today! He was an expensive Dutch Art colt out of a French 7f winner at 2yo, a half-sister to useful 2005 2yo Mutawajid. The colt is open to plenty of progress.

Please be aware that Pacha Du Polder 2.30 Ascot does not represent a Paul Nicholls/Graham Wylie combination bet! Only horses owned by Graham and Andrea Wylie and trained by Paul Nicholls fall into this category. They will not be recorded on our designated page on strategies and are considered a separate entity!

There is no question that people and bookmakers have caught up with the importance of having course form on the Southwell track. This time last year we had nominated loads of winners from there already but the prices are much shorter this season and we have been unable to find the necessary perceived value, though we have spotted the same number of winners. Our Pacafi Bet MUST come with perceived value before nomination!

Remember, despite backing horses the night before or first thing in the morning we beat the SP over 85% of the time proving we secure value in our bets. We price up the favourites ourselves and only when we think we have an edge do we nominate them. Of these, nearly 60% of our selections win.

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