Thursday racing summary

Two bets today and both unsuccessful. I rarely play the 'unlucky' card, but this afternoon I think we could justifiably say we were unlucky. Marvellous Dream was pulled up lame in the novices' hurdle at Ludlow, and my lay bet won at Ayr.

Amstecos was in the novice hurdle over 2m 4f. Granted on his latest outing recently he had won a similar race, but winning a maiden race he only beat other horses who had yet to win. Today he was stepping up in trip, and as his best form has been on testing ground he was unproven on faster going. So although he had no real negatives to blot his copy-book I felt he was largely unproven, and at the ridiculous price of 1/2 odds-on I was happy to lay him for 3 points. The history books will show that Amstecos won, and cost me my three points. But those watching the race will know that the horse barely held on in a driving finish - 50yds further and Ossmoses would have secured us a 6 point profit.

A four point loss on the day.