Friday racing summary

Two back to win bets today, and alas again no success. Shevchenko made a bold bid to overturn the odds-on favourite at Lingfield, and was pushed clear 2 furlongs out. But Yaroslav justified the market support, and won by less than a length.

My proposed lay bet was Windjammer in the class 5 sprint handicap at Musselburgh. He was making a quick return to the track, after winning at class 6 level, and avoiding a 6lb penalty. Nonetheless, today he was stepping up in class and to win would still require a career-best performance. I thought he was an improving sort, and easily the most likely to win, but the market suggested he would be sent off a very short price odds-on. I was prepared to gamble the horse having a slightly off day, and if he could be layed below 4/7 I would take the bet. His price did not fall that low, and it was a 'no bet'. Insisting on this price was in my favour today, as he did indeed win, but the result underpins the importance of remaining steadfast in search of value.