Spotlight in the Racing Post . . .

[Professortrubshawe]

. . . although it is the last thing I look at if at all, I do tend to check out comments on longshots. A few times I have let myself be swayed by them which has resulted in my losing out on some inspired wagers.
This story will get no sympathy here and does not deserve it but it is worth noting.
Dandy Boy was the first horse I ticked after a shufti through the Wokingham form. He was rated 106, the mark on which it won a £46,000 101-110 7f handicap in Meydan in January 2011. It had been exercising itself in high class mile races; acts on circa good ground. Good enough for me.
I noted a few other horses, went on to the next races. Had a wash, came back and was about to put my bets on when I went back through for a last look. My second tick was Dungannon. I looked at Spotlight for Dandy Boy: ‘Won a big 7f handicap on good going here but 11lb higher these days and though he won his maiden on soft, tends to give slow ground a miss these days’.
11lb higher? That sparked negative thoughts, but I could have sworn he was on the same mark as the Meydan race. Yes, I should have gone back, checked and thought for myself.
Question is: was he 11 lb higher in some bit of handicap esoterica I am not aware of? I didn’t think so.
Question two: are the spotlighters only looking at UK form? Surely not?
I backed Dungannon each way and got the fifth place on bet365 (good on em). As for Dandy Boy, he raced far side, settled in rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, stayed on strongly touched 50/1 £10000-£200 Each Way £5000-£100 Each Way £6600-£200 Each Way (x2)

C’mon, you can see why I get irritated. Can’t you?

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