Best Bets: Thursday 8 October

Bit View Tom (Trap 5) - 18.41 Perry Barr

The first of three evening selections on Perry Barr’s RPGTV card comes in the A7 contest at 18.41, with BIT VIEW TOM (T5) fancied to shrug off a brace of heavy defeats. The selection showed a willing attitude when a decisive winner in this grade in August and serious crowding has prevented him troubling the judge since. The make-up of this race looks good though, with trap 6 on his outside often slowly away, and were Bit View Tom to lead up on the outside, he clearly has it in him to score again in this grade.

Takemyhand (Trap 2) - 18.59 Perry Barr

The forecast early pace in the A4 at 18.59 is on the outside, but that’s not really an issue as far as TAKEMYHAND (T2) is concerned, with this strong stayer a very appealing proposition. She would have justified short-price favouritism in this grade on her penultimate start without late trouble in running and confirmed her well-being with a clear-cut win over six bends a fortnight ago, so Takemyhand can be expected to run the opposition down late.

Swift Launch (Trap 1) - 20.21 Perry Barr

SWIFT LAUNCH’s (T1) future probably lies over six bends given how strong she is over the standard trip, but there’s no reason why she cannot win a few more at A4 Perry Barr level first. Unusually for her, she turned first in this grade last month so it was hardly a surprise to see her run out a 4-length winner. Given the margins involved that day she’s arguably a little fortunate to still be in A4 company and you can put a line through last week’s run given she never got a chance to open up. Compensation hopefully awaits in the 20.21.