Racing and betting are games of peaks and troughs and after a number of great months, I have hit an unexpected rut and am desperately in need of a change in luck.
Here's hoping that happens today. Flat racing takes place at Chester on the second day of their May Festival and Catterick. Jump racing takes place at Worcester in the afternoon and Carlisle in the evening. Tipperary hosts a jumps card in Ireland.
Here are Danny Archer's selections...
Skip to hop and jump to victory at Carlisle
7:55: Carlisle - Breaking Bits 11/8.
Ran a belter to finish a length and three-quarters behind a Nicholls hotpot at Wincanton. The drop down in trip should not inconvenience him and he likes this ground.
8:55: Carlisle - Skip evens.
Very well punted before debut at Lingfield but never really got involved. That was disappointing but he is flat-bred and he will appreciate the good ground here.
Extra Extra at Catterick
3:10: Catterick - Armandihan 11/8.
Really should have last time as this three-year-old gelding showed plenty of early zip at Redcar last time. Drop to seven furlongs I think should really suit him and I'm willing to take on the favourite.
4:15: Catterick - Cavalieri 2/1.
Former Derby runner, Philip Kirby's charge is raised 6lb but that confidence boosting win might enable him to get his head in front again.
4:45: Catterick - Extrasolar 11/2.
Geoffrey Harker's charge was a pretty decent sort when trained by Amanda Perrett and he ran pretty well in a race at Redcar last time which has worked out very nicely with a host of winners coming out of it.
Khairaat looks top class at Chester
1:50: Chester - Khairaat 6/5.
Tough to look past Sir Michael Stoute's charge who registered a comfortable success at Doncaster in September. I interviewed winning rider Paul Hanagan that day and he was effusive in his praise of the son of Shamardal. He looks a typical four-year-old Stoute improve and he could be very good this year.
5/2 Win Double
1:50: Chester - Khairaat
4:05: Chester - Dahik
Roger Varian's charge was a creditable second at Doncaster on his debut behind a well-punted rival. He was always prominent that day and therefore stall three should be perfect for him.
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