Hot Ponte

There is no denying that both sets of ratings were severely short of being satisfactory on Saturday. There was a sharp drop in performance on a very competitive day and there are no excuses. But the weekly averages held up well overall.

The Handicap Ratings and Speed Ratings combined top three strike rate for Saturday was a very low 55% following Friday's 82%, Thursday's 75%, Wednesday's 75%, Tuesday's 71%, Monday's 75% and Sunday's 69% -- a final weekly average of 71%.

There were four from eight successful (4) and (5) UK graded races, Saturday -- a 50% winning top two strike rate following Friday's 91% winning top two strike rate (there were five clear top rated winners) Thursday's 100%, Wednesday's 87.5%, Tuesday's 57%, Monday's 50% and Sunday's 40% - a final weekly average of 68% winning top two strike rate -- achieved despite a poor start and end to the week.

The full top three summary for Saturday:

HANDICAPS
Clear top rated strike rate was 17%. Best top rated SP was 9/2
Top two strike rate (incl joints) was 32%. Best 2nd top SP was 8/1
Top three strike rate was 49%. Best 3rd top SP was 12/1

SPEED RATINGS
Clear top rated strike rate was 15%. Best top rated SP was 12/1
Top two strike rate (incl joints) was 24%. Best 2nd top SP was 9/2
Top three strike rate was 41%. Best 3rd top SP was 6/1
note: Unless there are overnight withdrawals there is always one clear top rated horse (in both services). There are never more than three horses (in either service) in the top two in any race where there are joint 2nd tops (one top rated two joint 2nd top). There are never more than four horses in the top three (in either service) in any race where there are either joint 2nd or joint third tops.

If a horse isn't in the top three rated of the handicaps or the speed ratings, then it is highly likely it won't win.

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I was initially going to have just one bet Sunday (the dutch I have sent subscribers), but I would hate to miss Hotham (5-30 Pontefract) who has been out of the first three only once at the course and who is getting back to his best form. Since he is being ridden by a Fahey apprentice (won on Knot In Wood, Saturday) I will have a small interest .

Have a relaxing Sunday