Meydan 7 February - Ron Wood's Betting Market Wrap

RON WOOD’S LIVE VIEW: Having written the horse-by-horse comments and arrived at selections before markets were anything like fully formed, this is a ‘live’ follow-up piece with the benefit of seeing prices:

1.30pm (GMT): The money has come for No Retreat, who is drawn to get a better run round than his Abu Dhabi conqueror Folk Festival. But I made Saeed bin Suroor’s Arabic Art the favourite and I think the market is underestimating his potential - I really liked his comeback run the other week. The stable doesn’t inspire confidence these days, but he’s a generous enough price at around 7-1.

2.40pm (GMT): Nothing to update here; Symbol Of Honour should win and is priced accordingly.

3.15pm (GMT): The market doesn’t like these Saeed bin Suroor horses today! Arabian Story made a nice enough debut in a better race than today’s contest and should improve, yet he’s a 10-1 shot. I’ve stuck him in a double with Arabic Art. The original selection, Al Fareeq, also looks way overpriced.

3.50pm (GMT): No surprise to see Arabian Light well punted. But his stablemate Kalidasa is the value - he’s being completely dismissed in the market but still has potential.

4.25pm (GMT): An open sprint handicap but I thought Thunder Of Niagara deserved to be favourite and he’s about double the price I made him.

5.00pm (GMT): I’m against New London and Princ Rouz - for all that they’re interesting, they have to prove themselves on this track, and as they head the market I think there’s loads of value elsewhere. Take your pick. I landed on Lion’s Mane for the selection. I don’t like his draw (14), but I really like his form claims.

5.35pm (GMT): The market looks about right, other than Wafei looks too short and Royal Power looks too big. I’ve backed the latter, for all that El Cordobes seems the most likely winner.