Tuesday, 20th January 2026
In ATC today….
I can’t complain about the start to the year….
…. but I am rueful about two that got away in recent days….
…. and I hope – like the savviest ATC punters – you took notes….
Oh…. and the betting action starts on Thursday this week in the Thyestes at Gowran Park….
Read on….
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I can’t complain about the way the new year’s begun….
…. a couple of winners and a placer at Cheltenham on day one….
…. another winner at Sandown….
…. and not so very far away with Richmond Lake at a nice price at Haydock on Saturday – beaten a neck into second behind a big Pricewise gamble….
No grumbles…. I’m seeing it pretty well…. and getting the picks (or some of them) to run races….
…. but I can’t help but be a little rueful about two winners that got away in recent days….
…. both felt like full-blooded kicks to the soft part of the gut….
Silver Thorn was the first….
I put him up in a race at the Wincanton meeting lost to the weather on January 2nd – advised at 11/2….
…. a week later he won at Exeter (sent off at 3s) – missed completely by yours truly….
It was a similar story with Neo King at Plumpton on January 3rd….
…. I put him up at 12s – very confident – before the meeting is axed….
…. and then on Sunday he goes and wins the Fitzdares at Windsor – sent off at 16s….
That last one does sting a bit – partly because I’d been so bullish about the horse for the Plumpton race….
…. but mostly because of the price. I do hate missing a big ‘un….
Of course, Neo King might not have won that day at Plumpton – and the extra fortnight might have been the key to victory. Who knows….
…. but these things are still hard to take….
It wasn’t laziness on my part to swerve the racing at Windsor on Sunday….
…. Saturday was just one of those rare days when I had to put other matters ahead of the game….
It doesn’t happen very often and – when you miss a winner at that price – you hope it doesn’t happen again….
Not everybody missed out though….
…. in my experience, the savviest ATC readers tend to take notes….
….. including long-time friend of this column, GN – who says this….
“An unlucky day yesterday, a great run by Richmond Lake and Heltenham certainly wasn't out of it I thought, when coming down. But I think you need to give yourself a big pat on the back and take the plaudits for 2 horses that maybe some of your subscribers may have missed. You tipped up Silver Thorn a few weeks ago when the meeting was lost to the weather, I added it to my tracker and out it comes at Exeter a week last Friday and goes in at 3-1. Maybe the price wasn't one to shout from the rooftops but a wins a win. Today is the one though mate, Neo King you gave for the Sussex national at Plumpton, highlighting the significance you felt the booking of Ben Jones was, again it was lost to the weather. Out he comes today at Windsor next go though, Mr Jones doing the steering and a peach of a ride to land the spoils at 16's. Take the plaudits mate, you can't account for the weather, but they are still your selections. A great performance in my eyes.”
Kind words. Much appreciated. And I can only hope that you took notes too….
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We’ve got a decent week of betting action to look forward to….
…. and it starts on Thursday with the Thyestes at Gowran Park – which I’m planning on targeting….
Why not?
It always attracts a maximum field….
…. and it’s a high-quality race with a history of producing horses that go on to bigger and better things….
Nick Rockett won last season’s edition off a mark of 152….
…. can anybody recall what big race he won 73-days later off a mark of 163?
We might see something else like him on Thursday….
…. look out for my pick tomorrow morning….
We’ve also got an exciting card at Cheltenham on Saturday – where it’s Trials day for the Festival….
There’s only the one handicap – I’m playing in that….
…. but there will be plenty of clues on offer for the non-handicap races at the Festival….
And – if you haven’t already – right now would be a good time to download my FREE Cheltenham Report….
…. based on 25+ years of data it delivers angles, pointers & clues that will help you dig out winners in all the big handicaps and Open G1 championship races run at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival….
I’ll also be at Doncaster on Saturday – targeting a couple of good races there….
…. including the Great Yorkshire Chase….
I keep notes – copious amounts of notes – and my notes on this race tell me that Nicky Richards can represent a useful starting point….
…. his last eight participants produced a winner and four places….
…. and if you’d backed them 1pt e/w to SP you’d be sitting on a betting profit of 24.1 points….
Alas, Richards has no runner this year – and I must pursue other angles & avenues….
…. but that information might come in again useful down the line….
Take a note – it pays dividends in this game….
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That’s all for today….
Back tomorrow….
Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk
Stay tuned….
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