Another terrible day yesterday. Three of the four horses I backed were pulled up and the other was beaten into second despite looking the likely winner jumping the last. First Lieutenant's run gave me a bit of confidence however. He was a great price and an obvious bet. You just have to keep plugging on and eventually it will come right. I shouldn't have got involved in the Welsh National however.
The Ryanair Hurdle today pitches Hurricane Fly against Jezki and Our Conor. A mouth watering prospect. As a backer of Jezki for the Champion Hurdle I'm with him today as well and have taken 11/4. His form looks stonger than Our Conor and I think the Hurricane is vulnerable to the new kids on the block this season.
Ryanair Hurdle:
Jezki £40w @ 11/4 (lost)
(-652.5)
29/12/2013
28/12/2013
Leopardstown & Chepstow - 28th Dec
Busy day's racing today and I've been up since the crack of dawn trying to sort through it.
The ground is heavy at Chepstow and the Welsh National will be an attritional contest where the ability to stay a marathon trip and go on bottomless ground will be key. I've picked out two in the race. Wyck Hill has disappointed in his two outings thus far this season but he's a horse who loves deep ground. He beat the high class Katenko in it at Ascot last December and was a cracking third at Punchestown in April behind a couple of animals he was conceding nearly two stone to. With the top class Tidal Bay heading the weights Wyck Hill has a nice racing weight today and will outrun his 28/1 price. I've also backed Highland Lodge who ran a stormer in the Hennessy Gold Cup last time out. That race is working out well and he goes on really soft ground. On a line through Alfie Spinner his narrow defeat behind a lightly weighted Standing Ovation at Wincanton at the end of October (gave 26lbs) gives him the beating of Well Refreshed who heads the market.
The most disappointing aspect of the NH season thus far for me is my abject failure to back any of the Nick Williams horses that have been winning on big race days recently. I was a tad taken in with the hype surrounding At Fishers Cross before the Long Walk Hurdle and just didn't fancy Reve de Sivola to beat him despite the ground being perfect for him that day. Even worse than that was the fact that I had Amore Alato on my tracker after his win at Wincanton in November but I just couldn't pull the trigger on him at Kempton on Boxing Day. It looked a tough race with the well touted Dubai Price and a well touted Henderson beast amongst his opponents and I think I was so keyed up for the King George itself that I almost couldn't be bothered. A bad mistake.
Nick has a couple of horses running at Chepstow today. The 3yo he runs in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle was well beat in a similar race in France recently and doesn't appeal but Un Bon P'Tit Gars does. This horse has had a couple of runs in Novice Chases this season, including an outing at Chepstow, and his jumping seems to be getting better. He was no match for Valdez last time out but that animal looks a graded chaser in the making. Today he's at the foot of the weights and I've taken 6/1 about him.
Over in Ireland the race of the day is the Lexus Chase. The interesting thing about this race from a betting point of view is how ridiculously short Unioniste is. He's shorter than First Lieutenant and only a point or so longer than Sir Des Champs and Bob's Worth despite the fact that he beat a 156 rated chaser last time out getting weight. Nicholls does have a great record in the Lexus but this has been way over factored in this market. I've backed First Lieutenant at 7/1. He had a busy season in 2012/13 and his trainer has admitted it's taken time to get him going. He was second in this last season and although the ground is a concern it was soft here twelve months ago and he's overpriced given his overall profile.
Lastly, stakes are down a bit partly because I'm not having a good time of it at the moment from a punting point of view and partly because I have issues at work meaning meaning financial security is a slight worry going into 2014.
Welsh National:
Wyck Hill £15ew @ 28/1 (pu)
Highland Lodge £25w @ 10/1 (pu)
Lexus Chase:
First Lieutenant £40w @ 7/1 (lost)
Coral Handicap Chase:
Un Bon P'Tit Gars £40w @ 6/1 (pu)
(-612.5)
The ground is heavy at Chepstow and the Welsh National will be an attritional contest where the ability to stay a marathon trip and go on bottomless ground will be key. I've picked out two in the race. Wyck Hill has disappointed in his two outings thus far this season but he's a horse who loves deep ground. He beat the high class Katenko in it at Ascot last December and was a cracking third at Punchestown in April behind a couple of animals he was conceding nearly two stone to. With the top class Tidal Bay heading the weights Wyck Hill has a nice racing weight today and will outrun his 28/1 price. I've also backed Highland Lodge who ran a stormer in the Hennessy Gold Cup last time out. That race is working out well and he goes on really soft ground. On a line through Alfie Spinner his narrow defeat behind a lightly weighted Standing Ovation at Wincanton at the end of October (gave 26lbs) gives him the beating of Well Refreshed who heads the market.
The most disappointing aspect of the NH season thus far for me is my abject failure to back any of the Nick Williams horses that have been winning on big race days recently. I was a tad taken in with the hype surrounding At Fishers Cross before the Long Walk Hurdle and just didn't fancy Reve de Sivola to beat him despite the ground being perfect for him that day. Even worse than that was the fact that I had Amore Alato on my tracker after his win at Wincanton in November but I just couldn't pull the trigger on him at Kempton on Boxing Day. It looked a tough race with the well touted Dubai Price and a well touted Henderson beast amongst his opponents and I think I was so keyed up for the King George itself that I almost couldn't be bothered. A bad mistake.
Nick has a couple of horses running at Chepstow today. The 3yo he runs in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle was well beat in a similar race in France recently and doesn't appeal but Un Bon P'Tit Gars does. This horse has had a couple of runs in Novice Chases this season, including an outing at Chepstow, and his jumping seems to be getting better. He was no match for Valdez last time out but that animal looks a graded chaser in the making. Today he's at the foot of the weights and I've taken 6/1 about him.
Over in Ireland the race of the day is the Lexus Chase. The interesting thing about this race from a betting point of view is how ridiculously short Unioniste is. He's shorter than First Lieutenant and only a point or so longer than Sir Des Champs and Bob's Worth despite the fact that he beat a 156 rated chaser last time out getting weight. Nicholls does have a great record in the Lexus but this has been way over factored in this market. I've backed First Lieutenant at 7/1. He had a busy season in 2012/13 and his trainer has admitted it's taken time to get him going. He was second in this last season and although the ground is a concern it was soft here twelve months ago and he's overpriced given his overall profile.
Lastly, stakes are down a bit partly because I'm not having a good time of it at the moment from a punting point of view and partly because I have issues at work meaning meaning financial security is a slight worry going into 2014.
Welsh National:
Wyck Hill £15ew @ 28/1 (pu)
Highland Lodge £25w @ 10/1 (pu)
Lexus Chase:
First Lieutenant £40w @ 7/1 (lost)
Coral Handicap Chase:
Un Bon P'Tit Gars £40w @ 6/1 (pu)
(-612.5)
27/12/2013
Leopardstown - 27th Dec
As much as getting the King George wrong today hurt at the time I think we can take some real positives from Kempton's card as a whole. My Tent or Yours belied the myth that he doesn't find much under pressure and with a bigger field, a faster pace and better ground almost a guarantee in March I strongly fancy him for the Champion Hurdle now.
Al Ferof never really got going today. Going into the race I suppose you could say there was a chance he wouldn't like the track but Silviniaco Conti had run a stinker at the course as a novice and I thought he'd be the likelier of the two to find the special test of the King George beyond him. Al Ferof was poor at the first, jumped left at another couple and never got into a rhythm with his jumping. I have 20/1+ about him for whichever race he goes for at the Festival and I believe we'll see a completely different horse at a track he loves.
The big race of the day on Friday is the Dial-a-Bet chase at Leopardstown and I want to get involved with Arkle second Baily Green at a rather insulting 14 on Betfair. The Mouse Morris gelding was only beaten narrowly on his first outing of the season by Sizing Europe and he strikes me as one of those horses that's always underestimated. He may have been a bit flattered in the Arkle last March it was a cracking run nevertheless. Arvika Legionnaire and Sizing Europe are formidable opponents and I wouldn't say they are poorly priced by any means but the selection doesn't deserve to be so much longer than the likes of Kid Cassidy and Hidden Cyclone. The former I'm not convinced about at this level. He got weight from Sire de Grugy at Cheltenham last time out and that horse isn't a Cheltenham animal to boot. Hidden Cyclone is a stayer and completely outclassed in this company. For the life of me I can't see one reason why he should be anywhere near the same odds as the selection.
Are the front two in the market vulnerable? I think so possibly - Sizing Europe is not getting any younger and was only a little in front of Baily Green on their meeting in October. As good as Arvika Legionnaire looked at Punchestown he is a better horse going right handed it seems. That is factored into his price but Baily Green wasn't that far behind him this time last year over course and distance and he's a fresher horse now than he was then. He's simply overpriced in both the win and place markets. Even though I'm only getting two places in the latter.
Dial-a-Bet Chase:
Baily Green £25w @ 13/1 and £15pl @ 46/10 (lost)
(-477.5)
Al Ferof never really got going today. Going into the race I suppose you could say there was a chance he wouldn't like the track but Silviniaco Conti had run a stinker at the course as a novice and I thought he'd be the likelier of the two to find the special test of the King George beyond him. Al Ferof was poor at the first, jumped left at another couple and never got into a rhythm with his jumping. I have 20/1+ about him for whichever race he goes for at the Festival and I believe we'll see a completely different horse at a track he loves.
The big race of the day on Friday is the Dial-a-Bet chase at Leopardstown and I want to get involved with Arkle second Baily Green at a rather insulting 14 on Betfair. The Mouse Morris gelding was only beaten narrowly on his first outing of the season by Sizing Europe and he strikes me as one of those horses that's always underestimated. He may have been a bit flattered in the Arkle last March it was a cracking run nevertheless. Arvika Legionnaire and Sizing Europe are formidable opponents and I wouldn't say they are poorly priced by any means but the selection doesn't deserve to be so much longer than the likes of Kid Cassidy and Hidden Cyclone. The former I'm not convinced about at this level. He got weight from Sire de Grugy at Cheltenham last time out and that horse isn't a Cheltenham animal to boot. Hidden Cyclone is a stayer and completely outclassed in this company. For the life of me I can't see one reason why he should be anywhere near the same odds as the selection.
Are the front two in the market vulnerable? I think so possibly - Sizing Europe is not getting any younger and was only a little in front of Baily Green on their meeting in October. As good as Arvika Legionnaire looked at Punchestown he is a better horse going right handed it seems. That is factored into his price but Baily Green wasn't that far behind him this time last year over course and distance and he's a fresher horse now than he was then. He's simply overpriced in both the win and place markets. Even though I'm only getting two places in the latter.
Dial-a-Bet Chase:
Baily Green £25w @ 13/1 and £15pl @ 46/10 (lost)
(-477.5)
25/12/2013
Kempton - 26th Dec
So, Christmas out of the way and we can look forward to the highlight of this holiday period, tomorrow's cracking card at Kempton and in particular a cracking renewal of the King George. When I first backed Al Ferof for the race back in March Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig headed the ante-post list and even Bob's Worth, who was never going to go for the race, was ahead of him in the market. Having been injured in the run up to last year's race Al Ferof was a forgotten horse in the spring but I was confident his trainer would get him back - Paul Nicholls being second to none in getting staying chasers back after setbacks.
Al Ferof seems to have been around for a long time but it's amazing to think this race tomorrow will be his first attempt at three miles. Amazing because his racing style (a strong travelling sort who finds a lot under pressure) and his pedigree both suggest he will make a top class staying chaser. His win under a big weight in the 2012 Paddy Power on similar ground that he'll encounter tomorrow was very impressive and indeed I would claim it is the strongest piece of actual staying form amongst the top three in the betting. Cue Card's Betfair Chase win was fantastic but he had his own way in front and the true distance of that race was someway short of the 3m1f advertised. I'm not saying Al Ferof's Paddy Power was more impressive that that effort, it plainly wasn't from a form perspective - but it was a more grueling contest where two horses pulled clear, Al Ferof asserting at the last from Walkon, who went on to finish runner up in the December Gold Cup to a ridiculously well handicapped Unioniste - high class himself of course.
Cue Card will be a formidable rival tomorrow for all that he didn't run well in the race last year but I have him in my portfolio as well. I just don't fancy him as strongly as my main bet. There is a suspicion that he's better going left handed as well. Dynaste worries me enough to have some sort of cover but that is a reflection of the wriggle room I have on the race now given my immense ante-post value more than actually thinking he will win. His impressive win in the Feltham over course and distance twelve months ago means he has to be respected.
Of the other contenders I've always had a soft spot for Menorah and if I was convinced he was 100% for this (first run of the season and stable companion Captain Chris was connections main hope for the race but has been pulled out through injury) I would have a sneaky each way on him. But none of the rest strike me as likely winners. Silviniaco Conti has been found out his last three outings, Mount Benbulben has jumping issues and Long Run is on the decline.
It's been a relatively quiet Jumps season for me thus far with not a lot of bets and I've only had the one decent winner so tomorrow's race is important. I badly want Al Ferof to win to set me up for the Festival.
The Christmas Hurdle that precedes the main event is a fascinating clash between My Tent or Yours and The New One. I'm firmly in the former's camp for the Champion Hurdle but he isn't a bet at 5/4 tomorrow. Just hope he wins.
King George:
Al Ferof £70w @ 82/10 (lost)
Cue Card £25w @ 74/10 (lost)
Dynaste and Kings Palace(Albert Bartlett) £15dbl @ 4/1 & 5/1 (lost)
(-437.5)
Al Ferof seems to have been around for a long time but it's amazing to think this race tomorrow will be his first attempt at three miles. Amazing because his racing style (a strong travelling sort who finds a lot under pressure) and his pedigree both suggest he will make a top class staying chaser. His win under a big weight in the 2012 Paddy Power on similar ground that he'll encounter tomorrow was very impressive and indeed I would claim it is the strongest piece of actual staying form amongst the top three in the betting. Cue Card's Betfair Chase win was fantastic but he had his own way in front and the true distance of that race was someway short of the 3m1f advertised. I'm not saying Al Ferof's Paddy Power was more impressive that that effort, it plainly wasn't from a form perspective - but it was a more grueling contest where two horses pulled clear, Al Ferof asserting at the last from Walkon, who went on to finish runner up in the December Gold Cup to a ridiculously well handicapped Unioniste - high class himself of course.
Cue Card will be a formidable rival tomorrow for all that he didn't run well in the race last year but I have him in my portfolio as well. I just don't fancy him as strongly as my main bet. There is a suspicion that he's better going left handed as well. Dynaste worries me enough to have some sort of cover but that is a reflection of the wriggle room I have on the race now given my immense ante-post value more than actually thinking he will win. His impressive win in the Feltham over course and distance twelve months ago means he has to be respected.
Of the other contenders I've always had a soft spot for Menorah and if I was convinced he was 100% for this (first run of the season and stable companion Captain Chris was connections main hope for the race but has been pulled out through injury) I would have a sneaky each way on him. But none of the rest strike me as likely winners. Silviniaco Conti has been found out his last three outings, Mount Benbulben has jumping issues and Long Run is on the decline.
It's been a relatively quiet Jumps season for me thus far with not a lot of bets and I've only had the one decent winner so tomorrow's race is important. I badly want Al Ferof to win to set me up for the Festival.
The Christmas Hurdle that precedes the main event is a fascinating clash between My Tent or Yours and The New One. I'm firmly in the former's camp for the Champion Hurdle but he isn't a bet at 5/4 tomorrow. Just hope he wins.
King George:
Al Ferof £70w @ 82/10 (lost)
Cue Card £25w @ 74/10 (lost)
Dynaste and Kings Palace(Albert Bartlett) £15dbl @ 4/1 & 5/1 (lost)
(-437.5)
21/12/2013
Christmas Racing
I can't remember a more mouth watering set of races over the Christmas period than we have this year. The King George is the headline act and I am in a fantastic position in the race having taking double figure prices about Cue Card and Al Ferof ante-post. I've topped up on both now but do fancy the latter more. It's amazing to think Al Ferof with his profile has yet to tackle three miles in his career to date. I expect this test will really suit him and he comes into the race fresh as a daisy. Cue Card I just think is short now and there is this feeling that he is better going left handed - and soft ground wouldn't totally suit him. My portfolio for the race reads so well that I have added Dynaste as cover. This trio seem the only possible winners to my eyes. As good as Silviniaco Conti is he has come up short in his last three contests and that just isn't the profile of a King George winner.
The Christmas Hurdle features The New One taking on My Tent or Yours and I am fully in the latter's camp. Kempton will suit him more than The New One and although I probably won't back him I'll be cheering him on with my Champion Hurdle bet in mind.
Also on Boxing Day in Ireland Champagne Fever takes on his stable companion Felix Yonger in the Racing Post Novice Chase. I've backed the latter for the Jewson because he's taken to fences superbly well, has excellent Festival form (if he'd been ridden more prominently in the Neptune he'd have been closer to Simonsig at the line and obviously that is top notch form) and to be honest I've just always assumed Champagne Fever would be the stable's Arkle animal. With them meeting over two miles if Felix won does be become the Mullins Arkle contender?
Bob's Worth taking on Sir Des Champ and First Lieutenant in the Lexus is fascinating because the starts all three of them have had to this season have been someway short of the heights they hit in 2012/13 (Sir Des Champs with more excuses than the other two) but from a betting point of view 9/4 Bob's Worth, 11/4 SDC and 6/1 First Lieutenant seems to have underestimated the latter named. I'll wait for final decs but at that price I will be involved.
King George:
Al Ferof £50w @ 10/1
Cue Card £25w @ 74/10
Dynaste and Kings Palace(Albert Bartlett) £15dbl @ 4/1 and 5/1
The Christmas Hurdle features The New One taking on My Tent or Yours and I am fully in the latter's camp. Kempton will suit him more than The New One and although I probably won't back him I'll be cheering him on with my Champion Hurdle bet in mind.
Also on Boxing Day in Ireland Champagne Fever takes on his stable companion Felix Yonger in the Racing Post Novice Chase. I've backed the latter for the Jewson because he's taken to fences superbly well, has excellent Festival form (if he'd been ridden more prominently in the Neptune he'd have been closer to Simonsig at the line and obviously that is top notch form) and to be honest I've just always assumed Champagne Fever would be the stable's Arkle animal. With them meeting over two miles if Felix won does be become the Mullins Arkle contender?
Bob's Worth taking on Sir Des Champ and First Lieutenant in the Lexus is fascinating because the starts all three of them have had to this season have been someway short of the heights they hit in 2012/13 (Sir Des Champs with more excuses than the other two) but from a betting point of view 9/4 Bob's Worth, 11/4 SDC and 6/1 First Lieutenant seems to have underestimated the latter named. I'll wait for final decs but at that price I will be involved.
King George:
Al Ferof £50w @ 10/1
Cue Card £25w @ 74/10
Dynaste and Kings Palace(Albert Bartlett) £15dbl @ 4/1 and 5/1
14/12/2013
Ante-Post
Gah! Despite not jumping fluently a the start of the race Salut Flo was just getting into his race today and looked a big threat before clattering the third last. A similar thing happened to Wishfull Thinking in the Paddy Power. Frustrating.
Anyway, we've had plenty of Cheltenham clues the last couple of days. The headlines will go to The New One but I wasn't overly impressed with his win in the International and a lot more will be needed at the Festival. I was kind of afraid of him after his mauling of Rock on Ruby on his first run of the season but he wasn't foot perfect at his hurdles today and although he went away from Zarkandar at the end of the race that horse needs two and a half miles (especially on good ground) and I have a lot more confidence about My Tent or Yours and Jezki now. I've topped up on the former as he's bound to be a lot shorter in the market after the Christmas Hurdle, a race it's hard to see him not winning.
Kings Palace was very impressive in the Grade 2 Novices' but 6/1 isn't too appealing right now for the Albert Bartlett. I've backed Briar Hill for the Neptune on the basis that he obviously loves the track based on his win in the Champion Bumper in March and hurdled very nicely on his debut a few weeks ago and if he goes for the longer race I would take on Kings Palace with him.
Finally it was nice to see Nick Williams coming up with a good horse again after For Non Stop's sale to an American owner and Diamond Harry's rather quick fall from grace. I didn't back Fox Norton today at Doncaster because rather muggily I was taken in somewhat by the hype surrounding Royal Irish Hussar. Fox Norton won nicely enough and seems to have a good deal of scope. I took 25s about him for the Triumph after the race. I've been banging on ever since I started this blog about Nick and his lack of Cheltenham Festival success. Fingers crossed he has another live contender with this one.
King George:
Al Ferof £50w @ 10/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Supreme Novices:
The Liquidator £10w @ 20/1
West Wizard £15w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £30w @ 78/10
Neptune:
Briar Hill £20w @ 12/1 (NRFB)
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Felix Yonger £20w @ 8/1
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £10w @ 24/1
Triumph Hurdle:
Fox Norton £15ew @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Gold Cup:
Al Ferof £10w @ 20/1
Anyway, we've had plenty of Cheltenham clues the last couple of days. The headlines will go to The New One but I wasn't overly impressed with his win in the International and a lot more will be needed at the Festival. I was kind of afraid of him after his mauling of Rock on Ruby on his first run of the season but he wasn't foot perfect at his hurdles today and although he went away from Zarkandar at the end of the race that horse needs two and a half miles (especially on good ground) and I have a lot more confidence about My Tent or Yours and Jezki now. I've topped up on the former as he's bound to be a lot shorter in the market after the Christmas Hurdle, a race it's hard to see him not winning.
Kings Palace was very impressive in the Grade 2 Novices' but 6/1 isn't too appealing right now for the Albert Bartlett. I've backed Briar Hill for the Neptune on the basis that he obviously loves the track based on his win in the Champion Bumper in March and hurdled very nicely on his debut a few weeks ago and if he goes for the longer race I would take on Kings Palace with him.
Finally it was nice to see Nick Williams coming up with a good horse again after For Non Stop's sale to an American owner and Diamond Harry's rather quick fall from grace. I didn't back Fox Norton today at Doncaster because rather muggily I was taken in somewhat by the hype surrounding Royal Irish Hussar. Fox Norton won nicely enough and seems to have a good deal of scope. I took 25s about him for the Triumph after the race. I've been banging on ever since I started this blog about Nick and his lack of Cheltenham Festival success. Fingers crossed he has another live contender with this one.
King George:
Al Ferof £50w @ 10/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Supreme Novices:
The Liquidator £10w @ 20/1
West Wizard £15w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £30w @ 78/10
Neptune:
Briar Hill £20w @ 12/1 (NRFB)
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Felix Yonger £20w @ 8/1
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £10w @ 24/1
Triumph Hurdle:
Fox Norton £15ew @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Gold Cup:
Al Ferof £10w @ 20/1
Cheltenham - 14th Dec
For the second straight weekend we have a good day's racing to look forward to but one where I'm struggling to find a bet. Last week I was really disappointed with myself. I ended up having a couple of doubles in races I really didn't have fancies in and the Clondaw Kaempfer bet was bad, it was one of those where I could just envisage him winning if I didn't back him - although it was an awful looking race to be fair.
This weekend I'm a little fed up already. I was really taken with Wonderful Charm when he won at Wincanton last month and took a position about him in what I assumed would be his target at the Festival, the RSA. But after his recent success at Newbury and his narrow defeat behind Oscar Whiskey yesterday connections have indicated the Jewson will be his destination in March. I think they want to look after him given that he'll only be six at the turn of the year but the horse is all about stamina and he'll need further than 2m5f in top company. At least I backed him with the non runner free bet concession at BetVictor.
As I said not too much appeals today but Salut Flo has been winking at me all week. I quite fancied him for the Paddy Power but the stable preferred Ballynagour for that race. A month later he takes on the principals on better terms as Johns Spirit and Colour Squadron have been reassessed. I was at Cheltenham the day he won the Byrne Group Plate in 2012. I remember watching the race on a giant TV near the concession stands just down from the paddock whilst knocking back a big Hog Roast bap. He jumped so economically that day and won with plenty in hand - some feat in a Festival handicap. Although the lay off since isn't ideal he actually ran in this renewal a couple of years back after a similar absence and was looking competitive until making a bad mistake three out. It's not like he blew up through lack of fitness and I see that as a good indicator today.
I managed to get 11 matched on Betfair yesterday evening for a tenner and have backed him each way this morning at 9/1. I want the place element just because that hill might catch him out against race fit animals.
December Handicap Chase:
Salut Flo £10w @ 10/1 and £20ew @ 9/1 (lost)
(-327.5)
This weekend I'm a little fed up already. I was really taken with Wonderful Charm when he won at Wincanton last month and took a position about him in what I assumed would be his target at the Festival, the RSA. But after his recent success at Newbury and his narrow defeat behind Oscar Whiskey yesterday connections have indicated the Jewson will be his destination in March. I think they want to look after him given that he'll only be six at the turn of the year but the horse is all about stamina and he'll need further than 2m5f in top company. At least I backed him with the non runner free bet concession at BetVictor.
As I said not too much appeals today but Salut Flo has been winking at me all week. I quite fancied him for the Paddy Power but the stable preferred Ballynagour for that race. A month later he takes on the principals on better terms as Johns Spirit and Colour Squadron have been reassessed. I was at Cheltenham the day he won the Byrne Group Plate in 2012. I remember watching the race on a giant TV near the concession stands just down from the paddock whilst knocking back a big Hog Roast bap. He jumped so economically that day and won with plenty in hand - some feat in a Festival handicap. Although the lay off since isn't ideal he actually ran in this renewal a couple of years back after a similar absence and was looking competitive until making a bad mistake three out. It's not like he blew up through lack of fitness and I see that as a good indicator today.
I managed to get 11 matched on Betfair yesterday evening for a tenner and have backed him each way this morning at 9/1. I want the place element just because that hill might catch him out against race fit animals.
December Handicap Chase:
Salut Flo £10w @ 10/1 and £20ew @ 9/1 (lost)
(-327.5)
07/12/2013
Aintree and Sandown - 7th Dec
Today's two cards at Sandown and Aintree are choc full of enticing but trappy events. It's a bit of a minefield from a punting point of view - not helped by the fact that a couple of the horses that I'm interested in were backed last time but ran below form.
In the Becher Chase I am keen on Walkon. I prematurely backed him for the race earlier in the week at 14/1 (16s available now) and the general feeling is that 3m2f will stretch his stamina to breaking point. That is possible of course but I'm taking a chance at his inflated odds. He's proven over the National fences and the form of the Topham he was runner-up in back in April was massively franked when the winner that day took the Hennessy last week. In terms of stamina I just look back on his two efforts behind Al Ferof and Unioniste last season in really tough, competitive handicaps on deep ground last season. To me those runs behind a really top class sort in the former and a high class one carry less than 10st in the latter suggested Walkon was a staying chaser if anything and at his odds today I'm taking a chance he'll last out.
Also at Aintree I'm giving possibly a last chance to Clondaw Kaempfer. I was very disappointed with his tame effort last time out when he was too fresh, didn't hurdle that well and just seemed like a horse who badly needed the run. That being the case we should expect some sort of improvement today and the fact that he gets decent(ish) ground for a change makes him a bet. I've always thought this horse would be suited to good ground given his action and in a race that lacks quality I just hope his trainer has him ready.
Sandown has a couple of cracking Grade 1's. I was impressed with Taquin du Seuil at Cheltenham last time out when he bested Oscar Whiskey in a race that turned into a bit of a sprint. He jumped well that day although a drop back in trip on good ground is a worry given his odds of 3/1. At similar odds Captain Conan also appeals in the Tingle Creek, the best race of the day. The doubt I have about him, enough to put me off for a single bet anyway, is Henderson's horses mostly needing the run this season. And his entry is an after thought of course with Sprinter Sacre it seems missing the race because he has a man cold. I think Sire de Grugy who heads the market is overrated though so I want to take him on.
Becher Chase:
Walkon £10ew @ 15/1 (NR)
Goals Galore Handicap Hurdle:
Clondaw Kaempfer £25w @ 43/10 (lost)
Taquin du Seuil (HenryVIII) and Captain Conan (Tingle Creek) £15 dbl @ 3/1 and 5/2 (lost)
Clondaw Kaempfer and Taquin du Seuil £10 dbl @ Betfair SP's (lost)
Clondaw Kaempfer and Taquin du Seuil £10 dbl @ Betfair SP's (lost)
(-277.5)
02/12/2013
Ante-Post
Bit of a disappointing weekend really. I was very confident Lord Windermere would go well in the Hennessy but he faded quickly as they entered the straight. I suppose he might have needed the race. The winner paid a complement to Walkon who wasn't beaten far behind him in the Topham conceding a stone back in April and Alan King's horse runs in the Becher Chase over 3m2f on Saturday. He's becoming a regular at the Liverpool track and I was present when he fell in the Old Roan last month. He jumped poorly that day but a return to the National fences might suit as will, hopefully, a bit more cut in the ground. I still think this horse is well handicapped and I've taken 14/1 about him. The trip does concern me a little bit but I'm taking a chance at that price.
4/12
I backed Wishfull Thinking at 40/1 for the Paddy Power and in my opinion he would have been placed but for making a mistake four out. He is in the December Gold Cup over the same course and distance a week on Saturday and I have taken a big price on Betfair. His mark has gone down a couple of pounds and he is notably better off at the weights for this contest than the second season chasers that were ahead of him in the Paddy Power.
Becher Chase:
Walkon £10ew @ 14/1
December Gold Cup:
Wishfull Thinking £5w @ 46/1
King George:
Al Ferof £30w @ 14/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Supreme Novices:
The Liquidator £10w @ 20/1
West Wizard £15w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
Neptune:
Briar Hill £20w @ 12/1 (NRFB)
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £10w @ 24/1
Gold Cup:
Al Ferof £10w @ 20/1
4/12
I backed Wishfull Thinking at 40/1 for the Paddy Power and in my opinion he would have been placed but for making a mistake four out. He is in the December Gold Cup over the same course and distance a week on Saturday and I have taken a big price on Betfair. His mark has gone down a couple of pounds and he is notably better off at the weights for this contest than the second season chasers that were ahead of him in the Paddy Power.
Becher Chase:
Walkon £10ew @ 14/1
December Gold Cup:
Wishfull Thinking £5w @ 46/1
King George:
Al Ferof £30w @ 14/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Supreme Novices:
The Liquidator £10w @ 20/1
West Wizard £15w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
Neptune:
Briar Hill £20w @ 12/1 (NRFB)
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £10w @ 24/1
Gold Cup:
Al Ferof £10w @ 20/1
30/11/2013
Newbury - 30th Nov
Today's racing is dominated by the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. It doesn't look the best of renewals and I managed to get a nice price about Lord Windermere a couple of weeks or so ago and with his profile it's difficult to see him out of the frame. Everyone knows RSA winners have an excellent record in this race and although he was lucky to win that race at the Festival with Boston Bob's last fence fall he is unexposed at this sort of trip and looks a proper stayer. The decent ground that prevailed that day also seemed to suit him and he is a good jumper. He's very solid and I have topped up at 10/1. Looking through the race not many of the runners struck me as huge dangers or possible secondary bet contenders. Invictus has been off the track for a while and his form has been somewhat overrated, Rocky Creek just doesn't seem to have the substance to justify the hype about him, Our Father is priced up simply on trainer form and Highland Lodge doesn't look good enough to me. I do however think Prince de Beauchene is interesting. Not sure he's that well handicapped but he is a really good jumper and I think a good stamina test on decent ground will suit him. He's a big sort who will carry the weight he's been allotted and in not a great field he should outrun the price I have just this minute had matched on Betfair :)
Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup:
Lord Windermere £20w @ 14/1 and £15ew @ 10/1 (lost)
Prince de Beauchene £10w @ 20/1 and £15pl @ 4/1 (lost)
(-207.5)
(-207.5)
28/11/2013
Newbury - 28th Nov
Newbury's three day Hennessy meeting starts today and the listed Gerry Fielden Hurdle run over a little more than two miles is a very good renewal and I think Puffin Billy is overpriced, or was, at around 9/2. I took that price last night and it seems he's been well backed since. Oliver Sherwood's charge was a bit of a talking horse last season but he did run better than I expected he would do in the red hot Supreme Novices in March. He was well in contention at least for a place until he stumbled upon landing at the second last, a mistake that probably cost him fourth place. I think that form is good enough to probably win this event today and as much as I respect Chatterbox I think that horse should be novice chasing. He was far from fluent in the Neptune at the Festival and it seems the only reason he isn't being sent over the larger obstacles is because his trainer says he has lots of similar horses who could all go novice chasing but there is nowhere for them to go. This is bollocks of course, the race that Le Bec won at the Paddy Power meeting, beating Shutthefrontdoor and African Gold, featured not a single Henderson runner. Methinks Nicky needs to go over the programme book again.
Gerry Fielden Hurdle:
Puffin Billy £40w @ 9/2 (lost)
(-132.5)
Gerry Fielden Hurdle:
Puffin Billy £40w @ 9/2 (lost)
(-132.5)
25/11/2013
Ante-Post
A mixed weekend for me. My bets went down on Saturday but the future looks bright.
The Betfair Chase was a stunning race. I didn't have a bet in it but was delighted to see Cue Card win in good style. When a horse you've backed in the past and have a position on ante-post wins a race at around 10/1 one can't help but question why a bet wasn't placed but I just didn't fancy him on the prevailing ground and the front two in the market looked solid. But I have 10/1 about him for the King George and will look to top that bet up nearer the time. Al Ferof also advertised his well being earlier on in the afternoon and I actually prefer him over Cue Card for Kempton. He's a bigger price of course and really soft ground would be OK for him. At around 8/1 he's still a touch of value for the race and I topped up at 10s immediately after the Amlin. Long term I would be against Cue Card if he went for the Gold Cup. There were some track shenanigans at Haydock with times suggesting the Betfair was run at something less than three miles and the Gold Cup distance would stretch his stamina to breaking point in my opinion.
This Saturday is Hennessy day at Newbury and the 14/1 I took on Lord Windermere recently looks good value now. This horse has all the right credentials for the race being a sound jumping second season chaser off a handy looking mark (RSA champ off 154 - yes please) and he's unexposed over a trip but looks a stayer. It doesn't look a great renewal and think he might be really short on the day.
Hennessy Gold Cup:
Lord Windermere £20w @ 14/1
King George:
Al Ferof £30w @ 14/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Supreme Novices:
The Liquidator £10w @ 20/1
West Wizard £15w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
23/11/2013
Ascot and Haydock - 23rd Nov
The Betfair Chase today at Haydock is just such a mouth watering prospect. It has everything, Gold Cup horses, exciting second season chasers, a top class sort stepping up in trip and a diva turned reformed character. There isn't an angle on the race for a bet but it truly is a contest to savour.
Now, from the sublime to the ridiculous. The Amlin Chase at Ascot only has two runners now Captain Chris is a non runner and I think there are multiple reasons for this. First of all race planning - we have too many races between 2 and 3 miles this time of year. The likes of Cue Card, Dynaste, Captain Conan, Kid Cassidy, Sire de Grugy, Oscar's Well, Finian's Rainbow, Champion Court, William's Wishes, Module could all have been at Ascot today but are absent either because other races are more tempting (I can understand the first two named going for the Betfair but Finian's Rainbow and Champion Court could have bypassed the Paddy Power for this contest today) or because some trainer's are just clueless with regards to race planning. Why Module and William's Wishes aren't in this I really don't know.
Onto betting. I mentioned my excitement at the reappearance of Clondaw Kaempfer yesterday and my hope that he'd be a backable price in the 1.50 at Haydock and thankfully he is. I've lumped on at 9/2.
He's an horse that first caught my eye when winning a novice hurdle at Aintree at the Old Roan meeting at Aintree last year. He was most impressive on deep ground that day and ran to a similar level next time out at Haydock. What struck me about him was his action, he had a way of galloping that suggested he'd be even better down the line on a decent surface and so I backed him for the Neptune at the Festival. Unfortunately he got injured at Newbury in the Challow which was run on heavy ground but is off 136 today and looks very well in. The ground is being advertised as soft but times yesterday suggest that might not be the case. I'd like him to go novice chasing after today as I have taken over 100/1 about him for the RSA.
My other punt is on Zarkandar in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot. I managed to get 2/1 matched on the machine this morning having already backed him at 7/4 and I think there is scope for a back to partial lay here with it being such a small field. Everyone keeps going on about Annie Power and her potential but Zarkandar is unexposed over further than two miles and I think he has improvement in him. And of course his form from Aintree with The New One looks incredibly solid now. He goes well fresh and aside from two disappointing runs in the Champion Hurdle he is incredibly hard to beat. It goes without saying that he is much much the best horse Annie Power has ever face and although she gets 11lb off him seven of those are her sex allowance.
Sportsbook Handicap Hurdle:
Clondaw Kaempfer £60w @ 9/2 (lost)
Coral Hurdle:
Zarkandar £90w @ 193/100 (IR lay placed at 6/4 for £30) (lost)
(-92.5)
Now, from the sublime to the ridiculous. The Amlin Chase at Ascot only has two runners now Captain Chris is a non runner and I think there are multiple reasons for this. First of all race planning - we have too many races between 2 and 3 miles this time of year. The likes of Cue Card, Dynaste, Captain Conan, Kid Cassidy, Sire de Grugy, Oscar's Well, Finian's Rainbow, Champion Court, William's Wishes, Module could all have been at Ascot today but are absent either because other races are more tempting (I can understand the first two named going for the Betfair but Finian's Rainbow and Champion Court could have bypassed the Paddy Power for this contest today) or because some trainer's are just clueless with regards to race planning. Why Module and William's Wishes aren't in this I really don't know.
Onto betting. I mentioned my excitement at the reappearance of Clondaw Kaempfer yesterday and my hope that he'd be a backable price in the 1.50 at Haydock and thankfully he is. I've lumped on at 9/2.
He's an horse that first caught my eye when winning a novice hurdle at Aintree at the Old Roan meeting at Aintree last year. He was most impressive on deep ground that day and ran to a similar level next time out at Haydock. What struck me about him was his action, he had a way of galloping that suggested he'd be even better down the line on a decent surface and so I backed him for the Neptune at the Festival. Unfortunately he got injured at Newbury in the Challow which was run on heavy ground but is off 136 today and looks very well in. The ground is being advertised as soft but times yesterday suggest that might not be the case. I'd like him to go novice chasing after today as I have taken over 100/1 about him for the RSA.
My other punt is on Zarkandar in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot. I managed to get 2/1 matched on the machine this morning having already backed him at 7/4 and I think there is scope for a back to partial lay here with it being such a small field. Everyone keeps going on about Annie Power and her potential but Zarkandar is unexposed over further than two miles and I think he has improvement in him. And of course his form from Aintree with The New One looks incredibly solid now. He goes well fresh and aside from two disappointing runs in the Champion Hurdle he is incredibly hard to beat. It goes without saying that he is much much the best horse Annie Power has ever face and although she gets 11lb off him seven of those are her sex allowance.
Sportsbook Handicap Hurdle:
Clondaw Kaempfer £60w @ 9/2 (lost)
Coral Hurdle:
Zarkandar £90w @ 193/100 (IR lay placed at 6/4 for £30) (lost)
(-92.5)
22/11/2013
Weekend Racing - Ascot and Haydock
Tomorrow's Betfair Chase at my local track is the obvious place to start for this weekend's action. It's a mouth watering line-up and whilst I hope they all stand their ground I am slightly worried about Cue Card taking in a race on soft over more than 3 miles with my King George bet on him in mind. The ground is soft at present but it is bright and sunny in the north west at present. I think the race is priced up about right with both Silviniaco Conti and Bob's Worth looking very solid. On the same card Clondaw Kaempfer runs off 136 in a handicap hurdle. I'd prefer to see that horse over fences to be honest but I can't blame the trainer for keeping this most promising of horses over timber with a mark like that. Hopefully he'll be a backable price.
Saturday's Ascot card is almost as good with Al Ferof taking on the Captain's Conan and Chris in the Amlin Chase over 2 and a half miles. I wouldn't oppose the Nicholls horse in what looks a straightforward task if he's back to his best. The other big race features Zarkandar taking on Annie Power in the Ascot Hurdle. The Mullins mare does look an exciting prospect but I can't have her at odds on. Zarkandar goes very well fresh and he is unexposed over more than two miles. His form from Aintree with The New One looks bombproof and I managed to get some 7/4 matched on Betfair last night. I think there is a good chance he's even better than that run at Liverpool indicated coming as it did not long after a poorish run in the Champion Hurdle and in my opinion Anne Power would have to be better than Quevega to beat him in this. There is a sniff of hype about her and I expect to be able to top up on Zarkandar on the day.
Haydock and Ascot both stage card's today as well and whilst the action naturally isn't as high class I've still managed to find a bet in the 2.40 at the latter track. Nick Williams doesn't seem to have any stars in his care at present but as a follower of his stable I still pay special attention to his runners when they appear on my radar. Greywell Boy went onto my tracker when he was third in a handicap chase over two miles also at Ascot at the start of November. He jumped poorly at times but showed good resolution in not being beaten far in third in a race won by a horse who was in the frame at the Festival in the Grand Annual. I do like it when horses plug on despite jumping errors (I call it the Menorah Effect) and the race today is over slightly further which should suit and of course he may just have needed it first time out. Double Ross has form in a couple of decent looking novice chases so far this term and rates a big danger but the race doesn't look that competitive and I'm happy with 100/30 on the selection.
Winkworth Handicap Chase:
Greywell Boy £40w @ 100/30 (lost)
(+27.5)
Coral Ascot Hurdle:
Zarkandar £25w @ 7/4
Saturday's Ascot card is almost as good with Al Ferof taking on the Captain's Conan and Chris in the Amlin Chase over 2 and a half miles. I wouldn't oppose the Nicholls horse in what looks a straightforward task if he's back to his best. The other big race features Zarkandar taking on Annie Power in the Ascot Hurdle. The Mullins mare does look an exciting prospect but I can't have her at odds on. Zarkandar goes very well fresh and he is unexposed over more than two miles. His form from Aintree with The New One looks bombproof and I managed to get some 7/4 matched on Betfair last night. I think there is a good chance he's even better than that run at Liverpool indicated coming as it did not long after a poorish run in the Champion Hurdle and in my opinion Anne Power would have to be better than Quevega to beat him in this. There is a sniff of hype about her and I expect to be able to top up on Zarkandar on the day.
Haydock and Ascot both stage card's today as well and whilst the action naturally isn't as high class I've still managed to find a bet in the 2.40 at the latter track. Nick Williams doesn't seem to have any stars in his care at present but as a follower of his stable I still pay special attention to his runners when they appear on my radar. Greywell Boy went onto my tracker when he was third in a handicap chase over two miles also at Ascot at the start of November. He jumped poorly at times but showed good resolution in not being beaten far in third in a race won by a horse who was in the frame at the Festival in the Grand Annual. I do like it when horses plug on despite jumping errors (I call it the Menorah Effect) and the race today is over slightly further which should suit and of course he may just have needed it first time out. Double Ross has form in a couple of decent looking novice chases so far this term and rates a big danger but the race doesn't look that competitive and I'm happy with 100/30 on the selection.
Winkworth Handicap Chase:
Greywell Boy £40w @ 100/30 (lost)
(+27.5)
Coral Ascot Hurdle:
Zarkandar £25w @ 7/4
18/11/2013
Open Meeting Postscript
I really enjoyed the racing from both sides of the Irish Sea over the weekend. There were some interesting novice events run at both Punchestown and Cheltenham. Champagne Fever looks very solid for whichever race he goes for at the Festival and I was also impressed with Felix Yonger's tidy jumping and I think it's far from clear cut that the former will go for the Arkle. If his trainer sees the horse as a future Gold Cup contender he may go the Sir Des Champs route and take in the Jewson.
The Liquidator is the one horse I saw in action who impressed me enough to add to my portfolio. He mullared a couple of nice types in Lac Fontana and Sea Lord and I don't buy the excuses put up for those horses. They ran below form because The Liquidator took them out of their comfort zones. A supreme quote of 20/1 put up by Hills immediately after the race was out of line and duly snapped up. I also like Taquin Du Seuil's effort in lowering Oscar Whiskey's colours but he's a horse who hits the ground quite hard and I wouldn't back him for any race in March unless there is plenty of cut.
Hennessy Gold Cup:
Lord Windermere £20w @ 14/1
King George:
Al Ferof £25w @ 15/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Supreme Novices:
The Liquidator £10w @ 20/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
The Liquidator is the one horse I saw in action who impressed me enough to add to my portfolio. He mullared a couple of nice types in Lac Fontana and Sea Lord and I don't buy the excuses put up for those horses. They ran below form because The Liquidator took them out of their comfort zones. A supreme quote of 20/1 put up by Hills immediately after the race was out of line and duly snapped up. I also like Taquin Du Seuil's effort in lowering Oscar Whiskey's colours but he's a horse who hits the ground quite hard and I wouldn't back him for any race in March unless there is plenty of cut.
Hennessy Gold Cup:
Lord Windermere £20w @ 14/1
King George:
Al Ferof £25w @ 15/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Supreme Novices:
The Liquidator £10w @ 20/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
16/11/2013
Cheltenham - 17th Nov
As tough as the Greatwood looks tomorrow I am very keen on Court Minstrel who looks a high class hurdler on good ground. A previous entry earlier in the week detailed my initial thoughts on the race and nothing has changed although as cover I have decided to add Flaxen Flare rather than Sametegal. Gordon Elliot's charge has been on the go for a while now and although he has run ok in the main this will be his first go at a handicap on a decent surface since his demolition job in the Fred Winter at the Festival. Yes he's on a stone higher mark now but he clearly thrives on this course and in a contest where I think the market leaders are very uninspiring (Pine Creek won a pretty humdrum race last time out on soft ground, Cash and Go couldn't win a worse renewal last year off the same mark and some Tony Martin creature priced up purely on that handler's reputation) I like the idea of having two at bigger prices with the profiles my selections have.
In Ireland there are a couple of novice events worth a look but Jezki was disappointingly taken out of the Morgiana yesterday.
Greatwood Handicap Hurdle:
Court Minstrel £20w/£15ew @ 12/1 (lost)
Flaxen Flare £25w/£15pl @ 12/1 (4th)
Morgiana Hurdle:
Jezki NR £20
(+67.5)
In Ireland there are a couple of novice events worth a look but Jezki was disappointingly taken out of the Morgiana yesterday.
Greatwood Handicap Hurdle:
Court Minstrel £20w/£15ew @ 12/1 (lost)
Flaxen Flare £25w/£15pl @ 12/1 (4th)
Morgiana Hurdle:
Jezki NR £20
(+67.5)
Cheltenham - 16th Nov
From a betting point of view nothing caught my eye yesterday although Diamond Harry did tempt me. It was nice to see him give a good account of himself in the cross country event. I was also impressed with Taquin Du Seuil in the novice chase. He jumped well in the main in a race run at a crawl but he does hit the ground hard and will be better on softer. If there was cut in the ground come March he would be a horse I'd be interested in backing for whichever race he took in at the Festival. Another couple of exciting types run today with African Gold taking on Shutthefrontdoor over here and Champagne Fever running at Punchestown. I'm looking forward to seeing both of them take in a fence.
Like I said in my last entry nothing really stands out in the Paddy Power but I do think Wishfull Thinking is overpriced. He's 40/1 with Bet365 and they are one of a number of firms paying five places. He actually has a similar chance to Finian's Rainbow on the book and is three times that horse's price. He also stays this trip better than the Henderson inmate and although he is a moody so and so who was never at the races in the Old Roan at Aintree he should outrun his odds.
Paddy Power Gold Cup:
Wishfull Thinking £15ew @ 40/1 (lost)
(+117.5)
Like I said in my last entry nothing really stands out in the Paddy Power but I do think Wishfull Thinking is overpriced. He's 40/1 with Bet365 and they are one of a number of firms paying five places. He actually has a similar chance to Finian's Rainbow on the book and is three times that horse's price. He also stays this trip better than the Henderson inmate and although he is a moody so and so who was never at the races in the Old Roan at Aintree he should outrun his odds.
Paddy Power Gold Cup:
Wishfull Thinking £15ew @ 40/1 (lost)
(+117.5)
14/11/2013
Paddy Power Weekend/Ante-Post
Really looking forward to this weekend's action. We have three really good, hopefully informative cards at Cheltenham to savour and a mouth watering clash between Hurricane Fly and Jezki at Punchestown on Sunday.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup itself looks a good enough contest but the horses I had in mind for it (Captain Conan, Salut Flo and Kid Cassidy) are no longer in the race so it's possible I won't have a bet. If pushed I would say Wishfull Thinking will outrun his odds (33/1) and if that price is available on the day for five places I might tuck in. None of those towards the head of the market appeal.
I have loosened the purse strings for the Greatwood on Sunday. Court Minstrel is a high class hurdler I had in mind for this at the start of the season ground permitting and luckily we look set for a decent surface throughout the meeting. His form, including at this meeting a year ago, is very solid and I think an 8lb rise for his impressive win at Ayr in April (franked since by Sametegal) still allows him to be very competitive in this top quality handicap hurdle. We can forget his poor run at Ascot first time out as he looked all at sea on bad ground. The aforementioned Sametegal is now 5lbs better off for the 2 and a quarter length beating he got from the selection. He is respected and I might use him for cover on the day.
Elsewhere we have some cracking novice events that are more watching than betting events and I am looking forward to seeing Diamond Harry take in the cross country race on Friday. He runs off a handy racing weight and I might back him.
I expect Jezki to lower Hurricane Fly's colours on Sunday and I will be topping up my bet when the decs are made.
On the ante-post front the weights for the Hennessy have come out and I think Lord Windermere is very fairly priced at 14/1 running off 154. RSA winners have an immense record in this race and although he was fortunate to win at the Festival this doesn't look the best renewal of the race.
Greatwood Handicap Hurdle:
Court Minstel £20w @ 12/1
Morgiana Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 5/2
---
Hennessy Gold Cup:
Lord Windermere £20w @ 14/1
King George:
Al Ferof £25w @ 15/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
The Paddy Power Gold Cup itself looks a good enough contest but the horses I had in mind for it (Captain Conan, Salut Flo and Kid Cassidy) are no longer in the race so it's possible I won't have a bet. If pushed I would say Wishfull Thinking will outrun his odds (33/1) and if that price is available on the day for five places I might tuck in. None of those towards the head of the market appeal.
I have loosened the purse strings for the Greatwood on Sunday. Court Minstrel is a high class hurdler I had in mind for this at the start of the season ground permitting and luckily we look set for a decent surface throughout the meeting. His form, including at this meeting a year ago, is very solid and I think an 8lb rise for his impressive win at Ayr in April (franked since by Sametegal) still allows him to be very competitive in this top quality handicap hurdle. We can forget his poor run at Ascot first time out as he looked all at sea on bad ground. The aforementioned Sametegal is now 5lbs better off for the 2 and a quarter length beating he got from the selection. He is respected and I might use him for cover on the day.
Elsewhere we have some cracking novice events that are more watching than betting events and I am looking forward to seeing Diamond Harry take in the cross country race on Friday. He runs off a handy racing weight and I might back him.
I expect Jezki to lower Hurricane Fly's colours on Sunday and I will be topping up my bet when the decs are made.
On the ante-post front the weights for the Hennessy have come out and I think Lord Windermere is very fairly priced at 14/1 running off 154. RSA winners have an immense record in this race and although he was fortunate to win at the Festival this doesn't look the best renewal of the race.
Greatwood Handicap Hurdle:
Court Minstel £20w @ 12/1
Morgiana Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 5/2
---
Hennessy Gold Cup:
Lord Windermere £20w @ 14/1
King George:
Al Ferof £25w @ 15/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Wonderful Charm £25w @ 16/1 (NRFB)
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
08/11/2013
Wincanton - 9th Nov
Two bets tomorrow both at Wincanton. When a number of bookmakers went one quarter the odds the first five in the Supreme I used that concession to back Melodic Rendezvous to back up my nice positions on My Tent or Yours and Jezki. Unfortunately he never made the race but (an admittedly tenuous) line of form through Puffin Billy suggests he wouldn't have been that far behind the leading trio in the opening race of the Festival and off 150 in the Elite Hurdle I think he's worth a bet at 3/1. That's a bigger price than I expected and I think the reason is mainly because his one poorish run last season was his debut outing of the campaign. This run tomorrow though is an important one as his trainer has said if they are not happy with him he might go novice chasing rather than continuing a hurdling career at the top level. That suggests to me that he'll be straight enough to do himself justice. I respect Far West but I'm not wholly convinced of the worth of the horses in behind (way behind) Our Conor in the Triumph and this is tough for him tomorrow only getting 4lb of a Grade 1 winner. He's now the same price as the selection but that can't be right. Nicholls horses always seem to be overbet at this, one of his local tracks.
My other bet is a lot more tentative. I've punted Alfie Spinner a number of times in his career but he's been out of form for a good year now and he's dropped from the 140 he was on when he unseated in the Hennessy to the 126 he runs off tomorrow in the Badger Ales. I'm basically hoping Nick Williams has plotted this race out for him and made sure he needed his first run of the campaign. At 33/1 he's worth a small bet.
EDIT 09/11:
Awoken this morning to a big Melodic Rendezvous drift. There are so many guessers out there and it seems this theory abut him possibly needing the run is the dominant theme of the race. I suppose Far West being trained by Nicholls part explains it as well. I've gone in again.
Elite Hurdle:
Melodic Rendezvous £70w @ 9/2 (BOG) (won)
Badger Ales Trophy:
Alfie Spinner £10ew @ 33/1 (2nd)
(+147.5)
My other bet is a lot more tentative. I've punted Alfie Spinner a number of times in his career but he's been out of form for a good year now and he's dropped from the 140 he was on when he unseated in the Hennessy to the 126 he runs off tomorrow in the Badger Ales. I'm basically hoping Nick Williams has plotted this race out for him and made sure he needed his first run of the campaign. At 33/1 he's worth a small bet.
EDIT 09/11:
Awoken this morning to a big Melodic Rendezvous drift. There are so many guessers out there and it seems this theory abut him possibly needing the run is the dominant theme of the race. I suppose Far West being trained by Nicholls part explains it as well. I've gone in again.
Elite Hurdle:
Melodic Rendezvous £70w @ 9/2 (BOG) (won)
Badger Ales Trophy:
Alfie Spinner £10ew @ 33/1 (2nd)
(+147.5)
4000
I'm not normally a jockeys man and think they are a bit overexposed in the trade press but nonetheless AP's achievement yesterday really can't be overstated. Like all punters I have my favourite McCoy moments (not his ride on Wichita Lineman, I was on Maljimar that day) and it would be good to see him pass the two flat jocks ahead of him for the all-time lead flat and jumps. Actually my favourite McCoy ride was Noble Prince in the Jewson - a fairly straightforward one but I was in attendance at the Festival that day. And of course it was nice to see that animal return to something like his best form when winning a Grade 2 at Thurles yesterday.
The other big news yesterday was Our Conor being pulled out of the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown a week Sunday. My fancy for that mighty clash was Jezki and luckily I managed to get a score on him at 5/2 before the market was pulled. As great a hurdler as Hurricane Fly has been I think age will catch up to him this season and I can't see him being able to see off the young blood new to open company this time around. He makes the Champion Hurdle from a punting standpoint and I'm very keen on My Tent or Yours as well as Jezki.
Morgiana Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 5/2
King George:
Al Ferof £25w @ 15/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
The other big news yesterday was Our Conor being pulled out of the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown a week Sunday. My fancy for that mighty clash was Jezki and luckily I managed to get a score on him at 5/2 before the market was pulled. As great a hurdler as Hurricane Fly has been I think age will catch up to him this season and I can't see him being able to see off the young blood new to open company this time around. He makes the Champion Hurdle from a punting standpoint and I'm very keen on My Tent or Yours as well as Jezki.
Morgiana Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 5/2
Al Ferof £25w @ 15/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
02/11/2013
Down Royal - 2nd Nov
As good as the cards are at Wetherby and Ascot today I couldn't quite pull the trigger on anything. I like Court Minstrel in the Listed Hurdle at the latter venue but the ground worries me - I think it'll be too soft for him.
So the only wagers of the day are in Northern Ireland. I backed Realt Dubh earlier in thr week thinking the race would cut up and it has - unfortunately he is the one not running. It looks a straigtforward opportunity for First Lieutenant now with three miles looking beyond Sizing Europe, especially with cut in the ground. I took 11/4 this morning. He was beaten by Kauto Stone in the race last year but has plainly improved since then whereas the Nicholls horse has gone backwards. Mount Benbulben has an immense engine but this is a big step up for him and you'd want to see his jumping improve before getting involved with him when in top open company.
JNwine Chase:
Realt Dubh £10ew @ 16/1 (NR)
First Lieutenant £40w @ 11/4 (lost)
(-240)
JNwine Chase:
Realt Dubh £10ew @ 16/1 (NR)
First Lieutenant £40w @ 11/4 (lost)
(-240)
28/10/2013
Ante-Post
I'm gonna be a bit more circumspect with my ante-post selections for the Cheltenham Festival this time around. I got a bit carried away last year, particularly with multiples.
Of course the Festival dominates the National Hunt season but it isn't the be all and end all and there will be plenty of good opportunities before March. This Saturday features good cards at Wetherby and Ascot but the best contest of the weekend is in Northern Ireland and although I would love to see Sizing Europe finally nail one over three miles it's one of his old victims over shorter, Realt Dubh, who looks overpriced for this at 16/1. He travelled like the winner for much of the race last year before landing very awkwardly and losing all momentum at the second last when he and First Lieutenant jumped upsides and as long as the ground isn't too deep he will outrun those odds. I'll discuss the race more on Friday evening.
JNWine Champion Chase:
Realt Dubh £10ew @ 16/1
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
Of course the Festival dominates the National Hunt season but it isn't the be all and end all and there will be plenty of good opportunities before March. This Saturday features good cards at Wetherby and Ascot but the best contest of the weekend is in Northern Ireland and although I would love to see Sizing Europe finally nail one over three miles it's one of his old victims over shorter, Realt Dubh, who looks overpriced for this at 16/1. He travelled like the winner for much of the race last year before landing very awkwardly and losing all momentum at the second last when he and First Lieutenant jumped upsides and as long as the ground isn't too deep he will outrun those odds. I'll discuss the race more on Friday evening.
JNWine Champion Chase:
Realt Dubh £10ew @ 16/1
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
Ryanair:
Al Ferof £20w @ 20/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
25/10/2013
Aintree - 26th Oct
I'm on course at one of my local tracks tomorrow and I actually enjoy this meeting more than the Grand National Festival. It's not as well attended and you get more value for money in terms of access for Tattersalls admission.
The Old Roan Chase is the big race on the card and I think conditions will suit Walkon who looks fairly handicapped off 151 and is a reasonable price at 9/2 in not a great renewal. The Alan King gelding had a fine season without actually winning in 2012/13, finding only the top class Al Ferof in the Paddy Power and a ridiculously feather weighted Unioniste in a competitive December handicap (both at Cheltenham) too good for him in two of his best runs. He also ran well at this track over the National fences in the Topham and two and a half miles on ground with some cut in it are pretty much his optimum conditions. I get the feeling unless the ground is really holding he gets outpaced in big field events before staying on so this sort of field size (eleven participants) is ideal. A few of his opponents looks out of their depth tomorrow, four of them are out of the handicap, and his main dangers will probably be Edgardo Sol and Wishfull Thinking. The latter was second in this contest last year and is off a lower mark now but For Non Stop demolished him in the race and the animals in behind were a pretty nondescript bunch. Edgardo Sol is unproven at this sort of trip and doesn't look that well handicapped for all that he likes the track. I can't really envisage him being that strong towards the end of this race whereas the selection should be staying on well. Another plus point is that Walkon's Paddy Power effort was his first race of last season.
Old Roan Chase:
Walkon £25w @ 9/2 and £25w on course at best available odds. (fell)
(-180)
The Old Roan Chase is the big race on the card and I think conditions will suit Walkon who looks fairly handicapped off 151 and is a reasonable price at 9/2 in not a great renewal. The Alan King gelding had a fine season without actually winning in 2012/13, finding only the top class Al Ferof in the Paddy Power and a ridiculously feather weighted Unioniste in a competitive December handicap (both at Cheltenham) too good for him in two of his best runs. He also ran well at this track over the National fences in the Topham and two and a half miles on ground with some cut in it are pretty much his optimum conditions. I get the feeling unless the ground is really holding he gets outpaced in big field events before staying on so this sort of field size (eleven participants) is ideal. A few of his opponents looks out of their depth tomorrow, four of them are out of the handicap, and his main dangers will probably be Edgardo Sol and Wishfull Thinking. The latter was second in this contest last year and is off a lower mark now but For Non Stop demolished him in the race and the animals in behind were a pretty nondescript bunch. Edgardo Sol is unproven at this sort of trip and doesn't look that well handicapped for all that he likes the track. I can't really envisage him being that strong towards the end of this race whereas the selection should be staying on well. Another plus point is that Walkon's Paddy Power effort was his first race of last season.
Old Roan Chase:
Walkon £25w @ 9/2 and £25w on course at best available odds. (fell)
(-180)
20/10/2013
Kempton - 20th Oct
Vulcanite was a pretty terrible bet yesterday. I was so caught up in the supposed angle that his first run over fences on decent ground was just what he needed that I forgot that he hasn't looked the best of jumpers. Ultimately I think my horrendous end to the flat season has sort of expanded my range and I find myself having bets I wouldn't normally place in the hope of getting the Jumps season off to a good start.
I have backed Rock on Ruby today however. The New One looks a stud and isn't readily opposed but two miles round Kempton in a small field is far more likely to suit the selection and 9/4 is just too big.
William Hill Download the App Hurdle:
Rock on Ruby £40w @ 9/4 (lost)
(-130)
I have backed Rock on Ruby today however. The New One looks a stud and isn't readily opposed but two miles round Kempton in a small field is far more likely to suit the selection and 9/4 is just too big.
William Hill Download the App Hurdle:
Rock on Ruby £40w @ 9/4 (lost)
(-130)
19/10/2013
Cheltenham - 19th Oct
With both codes having good cards today I decided to make two entries rather than have one big one. Actually I only have the one bet at Cheltenham today so it won't take too long. I was at Newbury the day Vulcanite was second to Montbazon in a good class novice hurdle a couple of years back and although I wouldn't say he went into my notebook that day I did think he had a decent race in him and he really interests me today in the handicap chase over 2m5 primarily because this is will be his first outing over fences on decent ground, something I think he needs to run to his best. It's enough of an angle to back him and he looks off a fair mark (137)
Handicap Chase:
Vulcanite £40w @ 56/10 (lost)
(-90)
Handicap Chase:
Vulcanite £40w @ 56/10 (lost)
(-90)
Ascot - 19th Oct
+racingfotos_16554147581.jpg)
Without Frankel Champions Day at Ascot has a bit of a damp squib look about it in comparison to last year.
In the Sprint there is no Society Rock, Lethal Force or Gordon Lord Byron, who somewhat surprisingly goes in the QEII.
The fillies race is short on quality as well and numerous animals are missing from the big two races. The Champion Stakes in particular is a pale shadow of it's first two runnings at the Berkshire track. It's a shame there isn't a big 2yo race as well. All in all the flat struggles to end it's season in the proper way and the climax of the Jumps is always far better.
Anyway, onto my bets. In the QEII I wasn't anticipating a bet until I saw some of the odds about Dawn Approach yesterday and I've taken 11/4 about him. He's the best horse in the race who is longer than he should be because of a poor run at Deauville in August. That was one race too many for a horse who had been very busy since the start of May and two months off since then should see him back to his best - he's certainly in expert hands and I do trust his trainer to have him back. Of his rivals I like Soft Falling Rain a lot but he looks a fast ground horse but Maxios and Olympic Glory don't concern me overmuch. The former was flattered in the Moulin and the latter's run in the Marois, whilst very good on the face of it, is by some way his best form and I get the feeling the form is overrated with Moonlight Cloud being a lot better over shorter. On form the selection is easily the best animal in the contest and so the only question is will he be back to his best or near it - I think that's a lot less than a 5/2 shot. The ground concerns me slightly but not enough to put me off at the price.
In the Champion Stakes itself I took 20/1 about Triple Threat earlier in the week and I have topped up. The conditions he'll face today are pretty much his optimum and there isn't a whole lot of contenders in the race you can say that about. Cirrus Des Aigles is one but he looks a bit short given his problems earlier in the year and the lack of quality about the horses he has beaten the last two times he has run. I think Farhh has the best form in the race this year but 10f on soft will really stretch his stamina and he doesn't appeal. Morandi sort of does but the price has gone since Pricewise selected him and I think this short straight over 10f is against him. I'm very hopeful Triple Threat will place and a big priced win is just what I need after a poorish end to my season.
QEII:
Dawn Approach £65w @ 11/4 (lost)
Champion Stakes:
Intello (NR) £19
Triple Threat £20ew @ 19/1 (lost)
(-227.7)
17/10/2013
Cheltenham - 18th Oct
I wasn't anticipating a bet in the Showcase meeting that opens the season at the home of Jumping but can't resist a little nibble on Pure Science in the opening novice hurdle. This horse appeared on my radar when he was most impressive in winning a Bumper at Warwick in January (a card that The New One, who won this race last year for the same trainer also appeared on) and although he didn't win again he ran well enough in the Champion Bumper and remains a horse of some promise. We have loads of positives tomorrow - Twiston-Davies farms this meeting, he gets weight from more experienced rivals and a decent trip on his first attempt over timber are all nice plusses. I thought he'd be around 2/1 for this so am happy to take 7/2.
Novices' Hurdle:
Pure Science £50w @ 7/2
Novices' Hurdle:
Pure Science £50w @ 7/2
14/10/2013
Champions Day
Ascot's big end of season meeting could look a bit of a damp squib if the forecast rain arrives and the likes of Declaration of War, Farhh, The Fugue and Toronado don't run. As a punter this doesn't bother me in the least as it does present opportunities. Confirmed entrants who appreciate cut in the ground make a certain amount of appeal at this stage given the scope for most if not all of the races cutting up.
In the Champion Stakes itself I was oh so keen about Intello and was gutted when he went to Paris instead but his stablemate Triple Threat appeals at a big price that will surely shorten and I backed him over the weekend. This is the race that is most likely to cut up real bad and although Cirrus Des Aigles will obviously take his chance the selection will likely have his optimum conditions on Saturday and I'm hoping the best of the opposition CDA apart might be the likes of Hillstar, Mukhadram. Let's hope so.
In the other races the QE11 is fascinating with nearly all the market leaders being opposable for one reason or another. I'd be very tempted to back Magician if he ran and Galvaun (another Fabre charge) tempts me at a double figure price in the filles and mares race. It should be a good days racing with opportunities for winners hopefully.
Champion Stakes:
Intello (NR) £19
Triple Threat £10ew @ 20/1
In the Champion Stakes itself I was oh so keen about Intello and was gutted when he went to Paris instead but his stablemate Triple Threat appeals at a big price that will surely shorten and I backed him over the weekend. This is the race that is most likely to cut up real bad and although Cirrus Des Aigles will obviously take his chance the selection will likely have his optimum conditions on Saturday and I'm hoping the best of the opposition CDA apart might be the likes of Hillstar, Mukhadram. Let's hope so.
In the other races the QE11 is fascinating with nearly all the market leaders being opposable for one reason or another. I'd be very tempted to back Magician if he ran and Galvaun (another Fabre charge) tempts me at a double figure price in the filles and mares race. It should be a good days racing with opportunities for winners hopefully.
Champion Stakes:
Intello (NR) £19
Triple Threat £10ew @ 20/1
11/10/2013
Newmarket - 12th October
I've not had the best of flat seasons but was in profit until a couple of weeks ago and I think with me having such a good record in the Cambridgeshire and the Arc I went for a home run ball in both contests with the hope of a juicy profit to see me into the winter. I have no regrets as I think it's correct on occasion to go for a big winner - but maybe in future it would be wise not to let past results in the race in question affect the bet size
I'm gearing up for the Jumps now and probably will only have one or two more bets on the level. I like Pallasator in the Cesarewitch tomorrow at Headquarters. This is a giant of a horse who will not find carrying 9st6 much of a problem and there was a lot to like about his first and so far only run of the season on soft ground at Haydock over fourteen furlongs recently. It was a race run only at a moderate gallop and the selection was anchored towards the rear of the field until the horses entered the straight. Luke Morris then started pushing to get competitive and although he didn't do enough to win, he finished in the frame behind two animals with solid form who were better positioned throughout given this sedate early pace. The Cesarewitch is always competitive race of course but he's been well drawn, the ground will not be an issue, he's in the hands of a master trainer for these type races and he has a good draw. The good draw he has means each way is the way to go given the five places on offer.
Cesarewitch:
Pallasator £20ew @ 9/1 and £15w @ 10/1 (5th)
(-103.7)
I'm gearing up for the Jumps now and probably will only have one or two more bets on the level. I like Pallasator in the Cesarewitch tomorrow at Headquarters. This is a giant of a horse who will not find carrying 9st6 much of a problem and there was a lot to like about his first and so far only run of the season on soft ground at Haydock over fourteen furlongs recently. It was a race run only at a moderate gallop and the selection was anchored towards the rear of the field until the horses entered the straight. Luke Morris then started pushing to get competitive and although he didn't do enough to win, he finished in the frame behind two animals with solid form who were better positioned throughout given this sedate early pace. The Cesarewitch is always competitive race of course but he's been well drawn, the ground will not be an issue, he's in the hands of a master trainer for these type races and he has a good draw. The good draw he has means each way is the way to go given the five places on offer.
Cesarewitch:
Pallasator £20ew @ 9/1 and £15w @ 10/1 (5th)
(-103.7)
05/10/2013
Longchamp - 6th Oct
These days I class myself mainly as a Jumps man but the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe tomorrow in Paris will always be my favourite individual race of the whole calendar year and like last year I'm very confident Orfevre will take all the beating. The wide draw he had and the very deep ground combined to thwart him in that renewal and so with a better berth this time around and soft but not heavy underfoot conditions I expect him to be incredibly hard to beat. He has an intense turn of pace that will be hard to counter on soft ground and with Treve looking underpriced having only race against fillies, the going now looking against Flintshire (the 20/1 I had has been laid off), Intello looking even more of a non stayer now and Novellist not running I don't see that many dangers. His compatriot Kizuna might be one and I have backed him each way with Bet365 who are paying four places. My position on the favourite isn't as big as it was last year but I'd be very happy with a win given my mildly disappointing season and the ugly non runner count on the race.
Orfevre £75w @ 48/10 (lost)
Kizuna £15ew @ 8/1 (4pl) (4th)
Kizuna/Cue Card (King George) £10dbl @ 8/1 and 8/1
Non Runners £60 lost
(-113.7)
Orfevre £75w @ 48/10 (lost)
Kizuna £15ew @ 8/1 (4pl) (4th)
Kizuna/Cue Card (King George) £10dbl @ 8/1 and 8/1
Non Runners £60 lost
(-113.7)
27/09/2013
Newmarket - 28th Sept
2012 Cambridgeshire Handicap
Bronze Angel winning the Cambridgeshire last year pretty much made my flat season and really helped cushion the blow that was Orfevre's defeat in the Arc a little over a week later. Twelve months on and both horses are back in their respective races. Nice.
With the Tregoning 4yo it is a negative that he hasn't had a race thus far in 2013 and that has to temper confidence but he won the race last year in the manner of a horse worth putting on the tracker as one to follow, once again being asked to race wider than the main principals just as he had to do in the Britannia when he first appeared on my radar. That Cambridgeshire victory was his first race after his run at the Royal meeting so he has proved that he is best when fresh and given that his trainer has had all of eight winners this flat season I expect him to be ready to run for his life tomorrow. Another plus point is 2013's race really doesn't look as good as 2012's- I was afraid of the likes of Mukhadram and Mull of Killough a year ago but this time around no one horse sticks out as a danger. If my selection is back to his best, and it is an if I do concede that, he will outrun his price big time. Once again in both his big field handicap attempts he has finished impressively on both occasions despite having to cover more ground than his main rivals due to his draw.
EDIT: 28/9
With Bronze Angel being such an important bet I didn't sleep to well last night and was up early looking through the race again. Queensberry Rules of all the runners is the one I worry about. He actually replicated Bronze Angel's finishing position in the Briannia twelve months on earlier in June and although he didn't have to cross most of the width of the track to get involved like the selection did the year before he did have to bob and weave a bit through the field. His runs subsequent (when he seemed to be well backed both times) aren't that relevant as the International at Ascot is over 7f and the handicap at York he was well down the field in last time out was run at a crawl. He's worth a bit of cover.
The Sun Chariot looks a race worth tucking into given the skimpiness of Sky Lantern's price. This filly has been on the go since April when she ran over course and distance in the Nell Gwyn and history shows us that a fresher contender is needed for this contest. Elusive Kate won the Falmouth fair and square and is the best filly in the race on form. I'll take 11/4 all day long in this sort of scenario - and some 5/2 with a nice concession.
Cambridgeshire:
Bronze Angel £90w @ 21/1, £15ew @ 20/1 (5pl) and £20pl @ 11/2 (4pl) (lost)
Queensberry Rules £20ew @ 16/1 (5pl) (lost)
Sun Chariot Stakes:
Elusive Kate £30w @ 11/4 and £25w @ 5/2 (lost)
(+16.3)
18/09/2013
Sandown - 18th Sept
It's rare for me to have a bet midweek on a non Festival card but as soon as I saw on Twitter that Sandown had had a lot of rain overnight I became very interested in Penitent in the 3.55. This horse loves the mud, has won twice at the track and his runs behind Gordon Lord Byron in the Foret last season on heavy and Gregorian (giving that horse 5lb) in the Diomed at Epsom in June on good to soft read very well. He should be clear favourite for today's contest but the market is headed by Wentworth. There is a touch of hype about this horse and he has never run on ground softer than good. Readily opposed.
Fortune Stakes:
Penitent £60w @ 202/100 (half my stake BOG) (won)
(+251.3)
Fortune Stakes:
Penitent £60w @ 202/100 (half my stake BOG) (won)
(+251.3)
17/09/2013
Arc Trials Postscript
Orfevre had my spine tingling on Sunday. He won the Prix Foy (against not much opposition I concede) in effortless fashion and he's just a horse with that flash of brilliance about him. I can't see beyond him for the Arc despite Kizuna and Treve also winning their races well. The former is underpriced now and I'd always want to oppose fillies, especially 3yo fillies, at single figure prices for such a massive race. Kizuna will come on stacks for his victory in the Niel and rates the main danger at present. My ante-post on the race is a bit of a mess with non runners aplenty so my hedge on him is reduced to a small double. I held off on topping up on Orfevre until yesterday evening and may go in again nearer the race.
Cambridgeshire:
Bronze Angel £40w @ 21/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Orfevre £50w @ 58/10
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
Non Runners - £55 lost
Kizuna/Cue Card (King George) £10dbl @ 8/1 and 8/1
Champion Stakes:
Intello £19w @ 78/10
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
Cambridgeshire:
Bronze Angel £40w @ 21/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Orfevre £50w @ 58/10
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
Non Runners - £55 lost
Kizuna/Cue Card (King George) £10dbl @ 8/1 and 8/1
Champion Stakes:
Intello £19w @ 78/10
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £20w @ 172/10
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
RSA:
Clondaw Kaempfer £4w @ 109/1
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
12/09/2013
St Leger/Arc Trials/A-Post
I can't say I'm a massive fan of our oldest Classic and I don't fancy anything too strongly in the this year's renewal - I find with the trip being an unknown for a lot of contenders there is a lot of guesswork involved in picking one. The one who does standout to me in terms of price is Secret Number who is trading at 20/1 in a place. He was only beaten half a length by Foundry in the Voltigeur and the price differential between those two (Foundry is around 6/1) is excessive. With that being the Ballydoyle colt's first outing of the season I suppose the rationale is that he has more scope than my selection and that is true to a certain extent but then again having your second run of the campaign at Town Moor in a lung bursting race like the Leger is far from ideal in my opinion. This year's race doesn't look choc full of quality and the animals involved who represent the Derby form don't really appeal and neither does the horse who heads the market. They're all just a bit skinny in such an open renewal. Talent should outrun her price and if Secret Number was shorter I might have plumped for her at 12s. My selection isn't bred to particularly thrive over longer distances but he races like he will appreciate the Leger trip and having Alleged as his Damsire can't hurt.
The main action of the weekend is over at Longchamp on Sunday with the Arc trials and the Prix du Moulin. My main two bets for the Arc now that Sky Hunter has been transferred to Godolphin are Flintshire who runs in the Prix Niel and Orfevre who takes in the Prix Foy. Fingers crossed they enhance their claims for the big one. I have had a bet in the Moulin where Magician return to action after a poor run at Royal Ascot where he ran despite injuring himself at home in the days leading up to the St James's Palace Stakes. Before that unfortunate episode this colt looked full of promise and I am happy to take some 4/1 about him for this Group 1 event. Likely favourite Olympic Glory is respected but I have a feeling his run in the Marois wasn't as good as it seemed at the time and I do believe that Magician is simply a better racehorse. I hope to top up on the day.
St Leger:
Secret Number £20ew @ 20/1 (lost)
Prix Du Moulin:
Magician (NR) £30
(+132.50)
--------------
Cambridgeshire:
Bronze Angel £30w @ 19/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Orfevre £20w @ 76/10
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
Non Runners - £55 lost
Champion Stakes:
Intello £19w @ 78/10
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
The main action of the weekend is over at Longchamp on Sunday with the Arc trials and the Prix du Moulin. My main two bets for the Arc now that Sky Hunter has been transferred to Godolphin are Flintshire who runs in the Prix Niel and Orfevre who takes in the Prix Foy. Fingers crossed they enhance their claims for the big one. I have had a bet in the Moulin where Magician return to action after a poor run at Royal Ascot where he ran despite injuring himself at home in the days leading up to the St James's Palace Stakes. Before that unfortunate episode this colt looked full of promise and I am happy to take some 4/1 about him for this Group 1 event. Likely favourite Olympic Glory is respected but I have a feeling his run in the Marois wasn't as good as it seemed at the time and I do believe that Magician is simply a better racehorse. I hope to top up on the day.
St Leger:
Secret Number £20ew @ 20/1 (lost)
Prix Du Moulin:
Magician (NR) £30
(+132.50)
--------------
Cambridgeshire:
Bronze Angel £30w @ 19/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Orfevre £20w @ 76/10
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
Non Runners - £55 lost
Champion Stakes:
Intello £19w @ 78/10
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Cue Card £15w @ 10/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
Jewson:
Chatterbox £10w @ 25/1 (NRFB)
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
07/09/2013
Haydock and Leopardstown - 7th Sept
A couple of Group 1's on either side of the Irish Sea today and both have contenders towards the head of the betting market that I want to take on.
At my local track I'm against both Lethal Force and Garswood at the prices. The former is the best horse in the Sprint Cup but his high class wins this season have been on fast summer ground and he won't get that today. Garswood hasn't run over this trip as a 3yo and his win in the Lennox at Goodwood reads average at best for the level. He's simply too short. I've sided with the most consistant Gordon Lord Byron who was second in the race last year on faster ground than he encounters today. He doesn't need cut in the ground but he does seem to find one or two with more speed at the end of his races at the top grade on good ground or faster and so good to soft over this stiff 6f is ideal. My only concern is that sprint Group contests are more open to shock results than events over a mile or further, something we saw in the Nunthorpe a fortnight ago. For this reason part of my bet is each way and part with the free bet concession if your horse finishes second. With Ladbrokes joining Hills in offering this via the RP App it's something I'll be taking advantage of more over the coming months.
In Ireland more rain is forecast today and that leaves Declaration of War and The Fugue seemingly at the mercy of Al Kazeem who in theory should return to form after "looking after himself" at York. I'm not convinced the ground is 100% the only reason he ran below his best at the Knavesmire and at the prices none of the front three appeal at all. I have a sneaky that Kingsbarns might actually be up to winning this. For me both Al Kazeen and Declaration of War have been a touch overrated throughout the season and are vulnerable to some new blood. It's a big ask for last year's best 2yo but I'm willing to take it a risk for smallish money.
Sprint Cup:
Gordon Lord Byron £20ew @ 9/2 and £25w @ 9/2 (won)
Champion Stakes:
Kingsbarns £20w @ 7/1 (lost)
Kingsbarns/Orfevre (Arc) £15dbl @ 7/1 and 7/1
(+202.5)
At my local track I'm against both Lethal Force and Garswood at the prices. The former is the best horse in the Sprint Cup but his high class wins this season have been on fast summer ground and he won't get that today. Garswood hasn't run over this trip as a 3yo and his win in the Lennox at Goodwood reads average at best for the level. He's simply too short. I've sided with the most consistant Gordon Lord Byron who was second in the race last year on faster ground than he encounters today. He doesn't need cut in the ground but he does seem to find one or two with more speed at the end of his races at the top grade on good ground or faster and so good to soft over this stiff 6f is ideal. My only concern is that sprint Group contests are more open to shock results than events over a mile or further, something we saw in the Nunthorpe a fortnight ago. For this reason part of my bet is each way and part with the free bet concession if your horse finishes second. With Ladbrokes joining Hills in offering this via the RP App it's something I'll be taking advantage of more over the coming months.
In Ireland more rain is forecast today and that leaves Declaration of War and The Fugue seemingly at the mercy of Al Kazeem who in theory should return to form after "looking after himself" at York. I'm not convinced the ground is 100% the only reason he ran below his best at the Knavesmire and at the prices none of the front three appeal at all. I have a sneaky that Kingsbarns might actually be up to winning this. For me both Al Kazeen and Declaration of War have been a touch overrated throughout the season and are vulnerable to some new blood. It's a big ask for last year's best 2yo but I'm willing to take it a risk for smallish money.
Sprint Cup:
Gordon Lord Byron £20ew @ 9/2 and £25w @ 9/2 (won)
Champion Stakes:
Kingsbarns £20w @ 7/1 (lost)
Kingsbarns/Orfevre (Arc) £15dbl @ 7/1 and 7/1
(+202.5)
24/08/2013
York - 24th Aug / Ante-Post
Two bets the last couple of days and two seconds. Things haven't gone my way recently and the rain York had overnight on Thursday blunted Shea Shea's speed and may well have cost him the race. Of course that rain would also have gone against The Fugue if it had arrived 24 hours earlier but that's racing.
The course has had a further 15mm overnight and it has played havoc with the Ebor where we now have just 14 runners. Things have gone my way in this race as I'm sitting pretty with a score each way four places on Tiger Cliff at a very juicy looking 12/1. I topped up last night at 7/1 and and this stayer (ran well at the royal meeting over 2m4f) has everything in his favour today. He's won a handicap with a similar amount of runners already this season and being by high class German stallion Tiger Hill I expect him to like the ground he encounters today. I'm overdue a half decent winner.
On the ante-post front I've been told that Orfevre is scheduled to fly to Paris today in preparation for another tilt at the Arc. He's had bleeding issues this year but with the technology they have in Japan and I'm pretty sure a lot of veterinary expertise the fact that he's on his way over is a good sign and I have readjusted my position on the race by backing last year's runner-up and laying off my position on Treve at the same price I had previously backed her at. Ultimately Orfevre is the best horse currently in the race and I want to be with him, especially after what happened last year.
Elsewhere the horse that made my season in 2012, Bronze Angel, hasn't run so far this year but I see he has been entered for a repeat bid in the Cambridgeshire on 28th Sept. He won the race last year a shade comfortably only getting the lead close home and winning by 3/4 of a length and with Mull of Killough and Mukhadram going on this season and winning stakes races it's a renewal that has worked out incredibly well. I cannot resist some 16/1 about him.
Ebor Handicap:
Tiger Cliff £20ew @ 12/1 and £20w @ 7/1 (won)
Betfair Cash-Out Handicap (Goodwood)
Cape Peron £10w (NR)
(+17)
--------------
Cambridgeshire:
Bronze Angel £15w @ 16/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Sky Hunter £30w @ 51/1
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Orfevre £20w @ 76/10
Gold Ship £15w @ 25/1
Gentildonna £10w @ 33/1
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
The course has had a further 15mm overnight and it has played havoc with the Ebor where we now have just 14 runners. Things have gone my way in this race as I'm sitting pretty with a score each way four places on Tiger Cliff at a very juicy looking 12/1. I topped up last night at 7/1 and and this stayer (ran well at the royal meeting over 2m4f) has everything in his favour today. He's won a handicap with a similar amount of runners already this season and being by high class German stallion Tiger Hill I expect him to like the ground he encounters today. I'm overdue a half decent winner.
On the ante-post front I've been told that Orfevre is scheduled to fly to Paris today in preparation for another tilt at the Arc. He's had bleeding issues this year but with the technology they have in Japan and I'm pretty sure a lot of veterinary expertise the fact that he's on his way over is a good sign and I have readjusted my position on the race by backing last year's runner-up and laying off my position on Treve at the same price I had previously backed her at. Ultimately Orfevre is the best horse currently in the race and I want to be with him, especially after what happened last year.
Elsewhere the horse that made my season in 2012, Bronze Angel, hasn't run so far this year but I see he has been entered for a repeat bid in the Cambridgeshire on 28th Sept. He won the race last year a shade comfortably only getting the lead close home and winning by 3/4 of a length and with Mull of Killough and Mukhadram going on this season and winning stakes races it's a renewal that has worked out incredibly well. I cannot resist some 16/1 about him.
Ebor Handicap:
Tiger Cliff £20ew @ 12/1 and £20w @ 7/1 (won)
Betfair Cash-Out Handicap (Goodwood)
Cape Peron £10w (NR)
(+17)
--------------
Cambridgeshire:
Bronze Angel £15w @ 16/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Sky Hunter £30w @ 51/1
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Orfevre £20w @ 76/10
Gold Ship £15w @ 25/1
Gentildonna £10w @ 33/1
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
22/08/2013
York - 23rd Aug
I thought Venus de Milo ran an absolute cracker today but was unfortunate to come up against a filly at the peak of her powers who thoroughly enjoyed the conditions on the Knavesmire. The Fugue was the obvious winner a long way out and comparing the way she travelled today with her effort at Sandown when I backed her for the Eclipse is a bit of tough one to swallow. This year, not just on the flat but over Jumps as well, has seen me score a lot of seconds. Not pleased.
The Nunthorpe tomorrow looks a toughie on paper but there is an awful lot of deadwood in the field and I fancy Shea Shea quite strongly. He ran an excellent race last time out over further than is ideal in the July Cup but the key to his chance tomorrow is the track. 5f on a flat course is just what he needs and I expect him to reverse form with Sole Power who narrowly beat him in the King's Stand. At Meydan in March Shea Shea had a couple of decisions over his old rival and York is much more like that track in terms of lack of gradient than it is Ascot. Confident selection.
Nunthorpe Stakes:
Shea Shea £60w @ 4/1 (lost)
(-413)
The Nunthorpe tomorrow looks a toughie on paper but there is an awful lot of deadwood in the field and I fancy Shea Shea quite strongly. He ran an excellent race last time out over further than is ideal in the July Cup but the key to his chance tomorrow is the track. 5f on a flat course is just what he needs and I expect him to reverse form with Sole Power who narrowly beat him in the King's Stand. At Meydan in March Shea Shea had a couple of decisions over his old rival and York is much more like that track in terms of lack of gradient than it is Ascot. Confident selection.
Nunthorpe Stakes:
Shea Shea £60w @ 4/1 (lost)
(-413)
21/08/2013
York - 22nd Aug
A surprise today in the Juddmonte with both market leaders running below form. Admirable consistency from Declaration of War though. gutsy.
I mentioned on Tuesday in my preview for the race that I thought Venus de Milo was overpriced for the Yorkshire Oaks and the 6/1 I somehow managed to snaffle looks excellent value now. I have topped up at 3/1 and expect her to win tomorrow
Yorkshire Oaks:
Venus de Milo £60w @ 375/100 (lost)
(-353)
I mentioned on Tuesday in my preview for the race that I thought Venus de Milo was overpriced for the Yorkshire Oaks and the 6/1 I somehow managed to snaffle looks excellent value now. I have topped up at 3/1 and expect her to win tomorrow
Yorkshire Oaks:
Venus de Milo £60w @ 375/100 (lost)
(-353)
York - 21st Aug
I didn't think I'd be betting today as I thought Al Kazeem and Toronado were priced up about right at around evs/3s respectively when it was confirmed the latter would be taking part in the Juddmonte.
However the money has kept coming in the Hannon inmate and Ladbrokes this morning were going 13/8 the pair. I'm surprised but happy to take that price on Al Kazeem.
The International is a race with a history choc full of middle distance winners and I tend to favour the animals with proven stamina when tackling it. It's also a negative that Toronado is coming here as somewhat of an afterthought. If Olympic Glory hadn't run so well in the Marois it wouldn't be happening, they want to keep both horses apart from now on it seems. You could pick holes in Al Kazeem's form but he has looked a tough, resilient animal each time he's run and surely will beat this field today.
I'm not in love with having my normal stake on shorties so I've split my bet into a single and a couple of doubles with a couple of selections in the Voltigeur, the Group 2 over 12f that precedes the big race. Telescope seems awfully short for this contest for all he still looks a horse of some promise. The same connections couldn't win this with Harbinger a few years back and he's worth taking on. I've gone with Willie the Whipper who finished a good sixth (albeit slightly flattered coming from the back in a strongly run race) in the Prix Du Jockey Club and Secret Number who found all sorts of trouble in running in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood but who looks a creature who will really appreciate the long flat straight he gets here.
International Stakes:
Al Kazeem £40w @ 13/8 (lost)
Voltigeur:
Willie the Whipper/Al Kazeem £10dbl @ 12/1 and 6/4
Secret Number/Al Kazeem £10dbl @ 5/1 and 6/4
(-293)
However the money has kept coming in the Hannon inmate and Ladbrokes this morning were going 13/8 the pair. I'm surprised but happy to take that price on Al Kazeem.
The International is a race with a history choc full of middle distance winners and I tend to favour the animals with proven stamina when tackling it. It's also a negative that Toronado is coming here as somewhat of an afterthought. If Olympic Glory hadn't run so well in the Marois it wouldn't be happening, they want to keep both horses apart from now on it seems. You could pick holes in Al Kazeem's form but he has looked a tough, resilient animal each time he's run and surely will beat this field today.
I'm not in love with having my normal stake on shorties so I've split my bet into a single and a couple of doubles with a couple of selections in the Voltigeur, the Group 2 over 12f that precedes the big race. Telescope seems awfully short for this contest for all he still looks a horse of some promise. The same connections couldn't win this with Harbinger a few years back and he's worth taking on. I've gone with Willie the Whipper who finished a good sixth (albeit slightly flattered coming from the back in a strongly run race) in the Prix Du Jockey Club and Secret Number who found all sorts of trouble in running in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood but who looks a creature who will really appreciate the long flat straight he gets here.
International Stakes:
Al Kazeem £40w @ 13/8 (lost)
Voltigeur:
Willie the Whipper/Al Kazeem £10dbl @ 12/1 and 6/4
Secret Number/Al Kazeem £10dbl @ 5/1 and 6/4
(-293)
20/08/2013
Ebor Meeting
This is probably my favourite meeting of the whole season on the flat. I've attended on lots of occasions and was at the track for Dayjur's Nunthorpe back in 1990. He's still the best horse I've seen in person on the level.
The race of the week is the Juddmonte tomorrow but I'm a tad disappointed in the turnout this year. As admirable as Al Kazeem is I was hoping to oppose him but the field he faces doesn't have a candidate to do this with. Toronado looks a doubtful stayer and Declaration of War surely has been over raced. It's a shame Ruler of the World was taken out as I think this would have been ideal for him.
Elsewhere I've already mentioned the big handicap on Saturday in a previous post and the only other bet I have thus far is Venus de Milo in the Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday. I managed to get 6/1 matched on Betfair last night and I think she's way overpriced. The Fugue heads the market but is vulnerable to a proper stayer in this sort of contest. Last year I backed Shareta against her and whilst my selection this time around hasn't quite the profile of that filly she is open to all sorts of improvement over the trip, especially if she gets a decent gallop. Last time out at Cork and in the Irish Oaks before that only a modest pace was set and she was doing her best work at the end of both contests. Another point is that The Fugue comes into this race in nowhere near the same kind of form as she was in last season. Of the others I have no clue why Wild Coco was shorter than the Ballydoyle filly when I placed my bet and Talent and Riposte are held on form.
My cliff horse, Cape Peron, is entered in a handicap at Goodwood over 7f on Saturday and I've taken some 8/1. He's not the sort of horse to go mental on ante-post because of his ground dependency but this step back in trip will really suit him as he has bags of speed and he'll be much shorter on the day if he takes part.
Yorkshire Oaks:
Venus de Milo £15w @ 6/1
Ebor:
Tiger Cliff £20ew @ 12/1
Betfair Cash-Out Handicap:
Cape Peron £10w @ 8/1
The race of the week is the Juddmonte tomorrow but I'm a tad disappointed in the turnout this year. As admirable as Al Kazeem is I was hoping to oppose him but the field he faces doesn't have a candidate to do this with. Toronado looks a doubtful stayer and Declaration of War surely has been over raced. It's a shame Ruler of the World was taken out as I think this would have been ideal for him.
Elsewhere I've already mentioned the big handicap on Saturday in a previous post and the only other bet I have thus far is Venus de Milo in the Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday. I managed to get 6/1 matched on Betfair last night and I think she's way overpriced. The Fugue heads the market but is vulnerable to a proper stayer in this sort of contest. Last year I backed Shareta against her and whilst my selection this time around hasn't quite the profile of that filly she is open to all sorts of improvement over the trip, especially if she gets a decent gallop. Last time out at Cork and in the Irish Oaks before that only a modest pace was set and she was doing her best work at the end of both contests. Another point is that The Fugue comes into this race in nowhere near the same kind of form as she was in last season. Of the others I have no clue why Wild Coco was shorter than the Ballydoyle filly when I placed my bet and Talent and Riposte are held on form.
My cliff horse, Cape Peron, is entered in a handicap at Goodwood over 7f on Saturday and I've taken some 8/1. He's not the sort of horse to go mental on ante-post because of his ground dependency but this step back in trip will really suit him as he has bags of speed and he'll be much shorter on the day if he takes part.
Yorkshire Oaks:
Venus de Milo £15w @ 6/1
Ebor:
Tiger Cliff £20ew @ 12/1
Betfair Cash-Out Handicap:
Cape Peron £10w @ 8/1
17/08/2013
Newbury - 17th Aug / Ante-Post
I always find these two weeks between the Glorious Goodwood and Ebor Festivals quite boring with hardly any decent racing in store and I have spent the last day or so looking ahead to York next week. The Juddmonte on Wednesday looks a below par renewal and although I want to take Al Kazeem on I'm not seeing anything in the field worth bothering with, not Toronado over the trip anyway. The Ebor itself looks a race with a better punting shape as a lot of the horses towards the front of the market look either likely non stayers or badly handicapped. One who has no stamina concerns is the Lady Cecil trained Tiger Cliff who ran really well in the Ascot Stakes in June where his chance was hindered by being ridden too far off a modest pace. He had winning handicap form before that and looks a horse who will ideally be suited to this thorough test. Said win was in an event at Newmarket in April, a race where they went a good clip and I feel that is important when looking at a possible Ebor winner. Initially I liked the look of Sun Central, an impressive course and distance winner last month. But that was an eight runner race run at a moderate gallop and with a big hike in the weights for the winning margin that day he was easily passed over. I prefer my handicappers to win as near the post as possible with something in hand and if we look at Tiger Cliff again at Ascot, the winner got first run on him but he beat the other horses that day in just such a style. I think 12/1 is very fair.
Today I'm not overly keen on anything although I did look at Dank in the Beverley D this evening in Chicago. Trip and ground will suit her but I wanted a bit bigger than 7/2.
Over here Red Cadeaux is a tad overpriced in the Geoffrey Freer. Yes he has a penalty but Newbury is a course that will suit, as will the trip. I think he'll find one or two too good but he's worth a place bet at 5/2
Geoffrey Freer Stakes:
Red Cadeaux £40pl @ 5/2 (2nd)
(-233)
--
Ebor:
Tiger Cliff £20ew @ 12/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Gold Ship £15w @ 25/1
Sky Hunter £30w @ 51/1
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Treve £15w @ 10/1
Gentildonna £10w @ 33/1
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
Today I'm not overly keen on anything although I did look at Dank in the Beverley D this evening in Chicago. Trip and ground will suit her but I wanted a bit bigger than 7/2.
Over here Red Cadeaux is a tad overpriced in the Geoffrey Freer. Yes he has a penalty but Newbury is a course that will suit, as will the trip. I think he'll find one or two too good but he's worth a place bet at 5/2
Geoffrey Freer Stakes:
Red Cadeaux £40pl @ 5/2 (2nd)
(-233)
--
Ebor:
Tiger Cliff £20ew @ 12/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Gold Ship £15w @ 25/1
Sky Hunter £30w @ 51/1
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Treve £15w @ 10/1
Gentildonna £10w @ 33/1
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
----
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
11/08/2013
Deauville - 11th August
I was premature taking 2/1 about Intello for the Jacques le Marois earlier in the week as he was and probably still is freely available at 5/2 now. A price that has been taken.
It's a race with a market that has a massive angle in it. One or two of the layers have Intello, Dawn Approach and Moonlight Cloud as co favourites and I think the latter is a crazy short price. I would have her at a minimum of 6/1 as her best form is over shorter and when she has won over a mile it has been round a turn in small fields, she only had to beat three horses in the Prix du Moulin last season.
Dawn Approach is greatly respected naturally and he is fairly priced at 5/2 also but I reckon this will be one race too many for him and I doubt he is up to reproducing his best form, one of the main reasons I am sweet on Intello. Andre Fabre's charge is the freshest horse in the line-up and I think the perception that he's a 10f beast is the main reason he's at such decent odds for the race. Yet with a better draw he'd have won the Poulains easily and be coming here as a dual Classic winner. He has a potent turn of foot and the decent tempo Dawn Approach's pacemaker is bound to set will suit him. I'm very confident.
Prix Jacques Le Marois:
Intello £80w @ 9/4 (lost)
(-328)
It's a race with a market that has a massive angle in it. One or two of the layers have Intello, Dawn Approach and Moonlight Cloud as co favourites and I think the latter is a crazy short price. I would have her at a minimum of 6/1 as her best form is over shorter and when she has won over a mile it has been round a turn in small fields, she only had to beat three horses in the Prix du Moulin last season.
Dawn Approach is greatly respected naturally and he is fairly priced at 5/2 also but I reckon this will be one race too many for him and I doubt he is up to reproducing his best form, one of the main reasons I am sweet on Intello. Andre Fabre's charge is the freshest horse in the line-up and I think the perception that he's a 10f beast is the main reason he's at such decent odds for the race. Yet with a better draw he'd have won the Poulains easily and be coming here as a dual Classic winner. He has a potent turn of foot and the decent tempo Dawn Approach's pacemaker is bound to set will suit him. I'm very confident.
Prix Jacques Le Marois:
Intello £80w @ 9/4 (lost)
(-328)
08/08/2013
Ante-Post
I knew as soon as Dawn Approach was pretty much confirmed for the race that Intello would be worth a punt for the Prix Jacques Le Marois on Sunday. I have snapped up some 2/1 available at Coral.
As much as I respect Dawn Approach this comes awfully soon after the Sussex Stakes and I'd be surprised if he's at his best. Andre Fabre's colt is a fresh horse and looked an absolute machine in the Prix du Jockey Club, a race that has worked out quite well. He looks the likeliest winner of the race to my eyes and I would fear Elusive Kate as much as Dawn Approach and way more than Moonlight Cloud who at 3/1ish is terribly short. A race run over a straight mile with a decent pace stretches her stamina too much.
In summation then, the fact that Fabre sees fit to keep Intello to a mile indicates how much speed the horse possesses as he could easily be a decent sort for the Arc. When finally able to get going from a bad draw in the Poulains and pretty much all the way up the straight at Chantilly he's looked a horse of significant ability and those in opposition on Sunday will find it hard to hold onto him.
Elsewhere I have added Treve to my rather large list of Arc horses. The market is dominated by Flintshire, Novellist and Al Kazeem at the moment and yet it could be argued that Treve has the best form, the Prix de Diane has been franked on a number of occasions.
Prix Jacques le Marois:
Intello £40w @ 2/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Gold Ship £15w @ 25/1
Sky Hunter £25w @ 42/1
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Treve £15w @ 10/1
Gentildonna £10w @ 33/1
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
---
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
As much as I respect Dawn Approach this comes awfully soon after the Sussex Stakes and I'd be surprised if he's at his best. Andre Fabre's colt is a fresh horse and looked an absolute machine in the Prix du Jockey Club, a race that has worked out quite well. He looks the likeliest winner of the race to my eyes and I would fear Elusive Kate as much as Dawn Approach and way more than Moonlight Cloud who at 3/1ish is terribly short. A race run over a straight mile with a decent pace stretches her stamina too much.
In summation then, the fact that Fabre sees fit to keep Intello to a mile indicates how much speed the horse possesses as he could easily be a decent sort for the Arc. When finally able to get going from a bad draw in the Poulains and pretty much all the way up the straight at Chantilly he's looked a horse of significant ability and those in opposition on Sunday will find it hard to hold onto him.
Elsewhere I have added Treve to my rather large list of Arc horses. The market is dominated by Flintshire, Novellist and Al Kazeem at the moment and yet it could be argued that Treve has the best form, the Prix de Diane has been franked on a number of occasions.
Prix Jacques le Marois:
Intello £40w @ 2/1
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:
Gold Ship £15w @ 25/1
Sky Hunter £25w @ 42/1
Flintshire £15w @ 20/1
Treve £15w @ 10/1
Gentildonna £10w @ 33/1
Bravodino £5w @ 76/1
---
King George:
Al Ferof £20w @ 16/1
Champion Hurdle:
Jezki £13w @ 20/1
My Tent or Yours £20w @ 95/10
World Hurdle:
Monksland £5w @ 28/1
03/08/2013
Goodwood - 3rd August
Cape Peron's defeat was a real kick in the teeth yesterday. Historically when I get 10s about a 5/1 shot I sort of expect those bets to win. I feel after that loss and Nabucco's second as well earlier in the week that I badly need a half decent result from a morale standpoint and I'm most frustrated that Lahaag, a horse I've had on my tracker since his second in a 10f handicap at the Dante meeting, is only 3/1 for a humdrum looking race at Doncaster this afternoon. I can't be bothered at that price.
The Nassau Stakes looks a very competitive renewal and I have to take Sky Lantern on at a short price. She's not guaranteed to stay a mile and a quarter and I like Just the Judge at 7/1. Unlike the favourite she is bred to improve for this step up in trip and she is overpriced. Her trainer said earlier in the week that he was possibly reluctant to run her on really fast ground again but the track has had some rain overnight. Of her three runs in Group 1 company over a mile at Newmarket, Ascot and the Curragh she looked most at home at the latter which is by the stiffest track of the three. She was well beaten in the Coronation but relative to Sky Lantern she was poorly positioned close to a fast pace and the Hannon filly had the race run to suit that day. Of the others I fear Hot Snap but can't have Integral who looks ridiculously short on form. I do think Just Pretending is overpriced. She ran really well in the Irish Oaks and is most consistent but her pedigree suggests this trip may be her optimum. I don't think she quite has the class to win this but I managed to get 4/1 for a place matched on Betfair yesterday evening
Nassau Stakes:
Just the Judge £25ew @ 7/1 (lost)
Just Pretending £20pl @ 4/1 (lost)
(-248)
The Nassau Stakes looks a very competitive renewal and I have to take Sky Lantern on at a short price. She's not guaranteed to stay a mile and a quarter and I like Just the Judge at 7/1. Unlike the favourite she is bred to improve for this step up in trip and she is overpriced. Her trainer said earlier in the week that he was possibly reluctant to run her on really fast ground again but the track has had some rain overnight. Of her three runs in Group 1 company over a mile at Newmarket, Ascot and the Curragh she looked most at home at the latter which is by the stiffest track of the three. She was well beaten in the Coronation but relative to Sky Lantern she was poorly positioned close to a fast pace and the Hannon filly had the race run to suit that day. Of the others I fear Hot Snap but can't have Integral who looks ridiculously short on form. I do think Just Pretending is overpriced. She ran really well in the Irish Oaks and is most consistent but her pedigree suggests this trip may be her optimum. I don't think she quite has the class to win this but I managed to get 4/1 for a place matched on Betfair yesterday evening
Nassau Stakes:
Just the Judge £25ew @ 7/1 (lost)
Just Pretending £20pl @ 4/1 (lost)
(-248)
01/08/2013
Goodwood - 2nd August
The drying conditions have me worried that Henry Candy may pull Cape Peron out of the Betfred Mile tomorrow. That said surely it won't ride as fast as it did when he pulled the horse out of a race at Ascot on Saturday.
If he stands his ground he has a leading chance as he looked a Group horse in the making when winning at Doncaster in May. His run on firmer conditions at the Royal Meeting in the Britannia was satisfactory although he was given an awful lot to do that day and used up his turn of foot just getting into contention.
I'm confident this horse has a big handicap in him and if he misses tomorrow he is bred to stay further for a mile so I'll have him in mind for the Cambridgeshire late next month.
This particular handicap is one of the most draw important contests of the season and I have in previous year's place laid a shortie who was badly drawn (Ransom Note). This evening I've added Stirring Ballad at 8/1. She is drawn 4, won at this fixture last year and plainly enjoys a strong pace which she'll get here. In a 22 runner field where you can effectively knock out seven or eight because of their draws it pays to have some each way action when you're getting four places.
Betfred Mile:
Cape Peron £50w @ 10/1 (lost)
Cape Peron and Sky Hunter(Arc) £10dbl @ 12/1 and 33/1
Stirring Ballad £25ew @ 8/1 (NR)
(-178)
If he stands his ground he has a leading chance as he looked a Group horse in the making when winning at Doncaster in May. His run on firmer conditions at the Royal Meeting in the Britannia was satisfactory although he was given an awful lot to do that day and used up his turn of foot just getting into contention.
I'm confident this horse has a big handicap in him and if he misses tomorrow he is bred to stay further for a mile so I'll have him in mind for the Cambridgeshire late next month.
This particular handicap is one of the most draw important contests of the season and I have in previous year's place laid a shortie who was badly drawn (Ransom Note). This evening I've added Stirring Ballad at 8/1. She is drawn 4, won at this fixture last year and plainly enjoys a strong pace which she'll get here. In a 22 runner field where you can effectively knock out seven or eight because of their draws it pays to have some each way action when you're getting four places.
Betfred Mile:
Cape Peron £50w @ 10/1 (lost)
Cape Peron and Sky Hunter(Arc) £10dbl @ 12/1 and 33/1
Stirring Ballad £25ew @ 8/1 (NR)
(-178)
Goodwood - 2nd Aug
Yesterday's big race was flat racing at it's very best. Two top class 3yo's battling it out on a fantastic track. I was delighted to see Toronado finally get a much deserved Group 1 and I only hope that they both meet up with Intello at some point.
I didn't think I'd be betting today but Mount Athos seems a little bit too big at 7/2 for the Goodwood Cup. I'm not normally much of a favourite backer but I reckon he's a cut above the field he faces here. His SP in the Hardwicke where he was ridden too far back was 11/4 over a trip short of his best on a course with a short straight against better opponents. Today he mainly faces animals who represent the Ascot Gold Cup form and I'm of the opinion that that was a poor renewal. Second favourite Caucus looks a taking sort and his second behind Gold Cup winner Estimate in the Sagaro in May reads well enough in theory with Estimate obviously going on since but the third that day has been well beaten in handicaps since and I just think the stayers division is poor and I like that Mount Athos brings different form to the table. I can't imagine any of today's field finishing as well as the selection did in last year's Melbourne Cup and the only worry for me is Spencer gives him too much to do.
2012 Melbourne Cup
Tomorrow's bet Cape Peron in the Betfred Mile has been well drawn in 5 and I have topped up my bet. I don't think anymore rain is forecast but the ground will surely be no worse than good for him. He must have a big chance.
Goodwood Cup:
Mount Athos £60w @ 7/2 (Spencered)
(-118)
--
Betfred Mile:
Cape Peron £50w @ 10/1
Cape Peron and Sky Hunter(Arc) £10dbl @ 12/1 and 33/1
I didn't think I'd be betting today but Mount Athos seems a little bit too big at 7/2 for the Goodwood Cup. I'm not normally much of a favourite backer but I reckon he's a cut above the field he faces here. His SP in the Hardwicke where he was ridden too far back was 11/4 over a trip short of his best on a course with a short straight against better opponents. Today he mainly faces animals who represent the Ascot Gold Cup form and I'm of the opinion that that was a poor renewal. Second favourite Caucus looks a taking sort and his second behind Gold Cup winner Estimate in the Sagaro in May reads well enough in theory with Estimate obviously going on since but the third that day has been well beaten in handicaps since and I just think the stayers division is poor and I like that Mount Athos brings different form to the table. I can't imagine any of today's field finishing as well as the selection did in last year's Melbourne Cup and the only worry for me is Spencer gives him too much to do.
2012 Melbourne Cup
Tomorrow's bet Cape Peron in the Betfred Mile has been well drawn in 5 and I have topped up my bet. I don't think anymore rain is forecast but the ground will surely be no worse than good for him. He must have a big chance.
Goodwood Cup:
Mount Athos £60w @ 7/2 (Spencered)
(-118)
--
Betfred Mile:
Cape Peron £50w @ 10/1
Cape Peron and Sky Hunter(Arc) £10dbl @ 12/1 and 33/1
31/07/2013
Goodwood - 31st July
Yesterday I mentioned that I'd backed Toronado for the Sussex Stakes not long after his rather luckless defeat at Royal Ascot but that his price had gone since then and I was left with a rather measly £12 on at 7/2. Well, he's drifted to 9/4 this morning so I have been topping up. His rivalry with Dawn Approach does remind one of the battles Henrythenavigator and Raven's Pass had in the same races a few years back and there was a perception then as well that the latter horse would never get his head in front. That was erroneous. I still hold the opinion that Toronado was the better animal in the St James's and the price differential this morning is too great.
I also stated that I was keen on Declaration of War for the race and that is still the case although Toronado's drift has swayed me a bit. I see the O'Brien horse as more a secondary selection now but I have taken 11/2. He's in the same ballpark formwise as the two principals and is a touch of value although I do think the WFA scale favours 3yo's over a mile at this time of the year. They get 8lbs and that's a couple too generous in my opinion. His Queen Anne form is red hot.
Sussex Stakes:
Toronado £40w @ 26/10 (won)
Declaration of War £40w @ 11/2 (lost)
(-58)
I also stated that I was keen on Declaration of War for the race and that is still the case although Toronado's drift has swayed me a bit. I see the O'Brien horse as more a secondary selection now but I have taken 11/2. He's in the same ballpark formwise as the two principals and is a touch of value although I do think the WFA scale favours 3yo's over a mile at this time of the year. They get 8lbs and that's a couple too generous in my opinion. His Queen Anne form is red hot.
Sussex Stakes:
Toronado £40w @ 26/10 (won)
Declaration of War £40w @ 11/2 (lost)
(-58)
30/07/2013
Goodwood - 30th July
Pleased to see the rain arrive at Goodwood as it favours two or maybe even three of the horses uppermost in my mind for this Glorious Festival.
I backed the John Gosden trained Nabucco for the John Smith's on the strength of his hard fought win in a Newmarket handicap on Irish Derby day only to see him not declared at the 48hr stage. I presume that may have been due to the fast ground. He only set a modest pace that day and on paper looked a bit flattered by the result, but I have a hunch this colt will be better served setting a better tempo and on this track (one that is better suited to front runners than the straight July course) I expect him to do just that. He's second top weight but again, this track is a good one for carrying welter burdens and everything seems primed for a good effort today. The wide draw is a negative I'll admit but it isn't death like it will be for anything highly drawn in the Betfred Mile on Friday as a jockey has that little bit longer to sort their mounts out.
Nabucco is my only bet of the day but I'm already involved ante-post on the aforementioned big handicap on Friday and the Sussex Stakes tomorrow. I backed Toronado for small money not long after his unlucky defeat in the St James's Palace but the price has gone and I'm more keen on Declaration of War now. The hype merchants have been on overdrive in billing this contest as pretty much just a duel between the Hannon 3yo and Dawn Approach. On a line of form via Mars I think DoW has a chance of getting involved at the business end of the race and I'm hoping that 6/1 is available in the morning.
Cape Peron might finally get his ground on Friday if we get anymore rain and I've added an ante-post single to the double I already have him in for the Betfred Mile.
Bet365.com Handicap:
Nabucco £30w @ 88/10 and £15pl @ 18/10 (2nd)
(-122)
--
Sussex Stakes:
Toronado £12w @ 7/2
Betfred Mile:
Cape Peron £25w @ 12/1
Cape Peron and Sky Hunter(Arc) £10dbl @ 12/1 and 33/1
I backed the John Gosden trained Nabucco for the John Smith's on the strength of his hard fought win in a Newmarket handicap on Irish Derby day only to see him not declared at the 48hr stage. I presume that may have been due to the fast ground. He only set a modest pace that day and on paper looked a bit flattered by the result, but I have a hunch this colt will be better served setting a better tempo and on this track (one that is better suited to front runners than the straight July course) I expect him to do just that. He's second top weight but again, this track is a good one for carrying welter burdens and everything seems primed for a good effort today. The wide draw is a negative I'll admit but it isn't death like it will be for anything highly drawn in the Betfred Mile on Friday as a jockey has that little bit longer to sort their mounts out.
Nabucco is my only bet of the day but I'm already involved ante-post on the aforementioned big handicap on Friday and the Sussex Stakes tomorrow. I backed Toronado for small money not long after his unlucky defeat in the St James's Palace but the price has gone and I'm more keen on Declaration of War now. The hype merchants have been on overdrive in billing this contest as pretty much just a duel between the Hannon 3yo and Dawn Approach. On a line of form via Mars I think DoW has a chance of getting involved at the business end of the race and I'm hoping that 6/1 is available in the morning.
Cape Peron might finally get his ground on Friday if we get anymore rain and I've added an ante-post single to the double I already have him in for the Betfred Mile.
Bet365.com Handicap:
Nabucco £30w @ 88/10 and £15pl @ 18/10 (2nd)
(-122)
--
Sussex Stakes:
Toronado £12w @ 7/2
Betfred Mile:
Cape Peron £25w @ 12/1
Cape Peron and Sky Hunter(Arc) £10dbl @ 12/1 and 33/1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)