Sentiment, gambling and racing.

I know sentiment is not part of racing for a professional punter and although I try to be dispassionate most of the time, I won’t be today. In The 2.40 Victor Chandler at Ascot, the 11 yr old Well Chief will be having a few pounds on from me because I think the two protagonists Twist Magic – ground – and Petit Robin – track – are suspect and that Well Chief is now one of the most popular jumpers around. Having let sentiment drift into my previous selection, an unemotional choice is Strawberry in the earlier 2.05 1942 was a Vintage Year Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot. The favourite, Whiteoak, is a bit of talking horse that lacks consistency and

should be opposed.
Dispassionate Selection: 2.10 Ascot, Win 9/4, Strawberry.
Sentimental Selection: 2.40 Ascot, Win 5/1, Well Chief.