Friday, March 31, 2017

Magnolia stakes & Doncaster Mile (Sat 1st April )

The flat turf season returns on Saturday at Doncaster with very competitive card , we also have decent meeting on All Weather at Kempton .

For the blogs two best bets ,we are going concentrate on the listed 10 furlong Magnolia Stakes at Kempton & the Betway Doncaster Mile stakes .

8 runners declared for the 10 furlong Magnolia listed Stakes, on All Weather at Kempton .This looks decent listed contest,with the three main contenders Linguistic , Viren's Army & Absolute Blast .

LINGUISTIC : Four-year-old gelding ,winning 1 out 6,also finished 2nd four times.Only victory coming in 10F Tattersalls Millions at Newmarket last April .However looked bit disappointing, when beaten odds on favorite in 4 runner listed Fairway Stakes at Newmarket in May .Needs to bounce back on All Weather debut .

VIREN'S ARMY : Four-year-old colt ,winning 4 out 10,including winning the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester last May,beating Linguistic short head.Returned to form last time ,winning competitive 10 furlong turf handicap at Meydan ,off mark 104 .Unproven on All Weather ,though looks an improving sort .

ABSOLUTE BLAST : Five-year-old mare ,winning 3 out 7 on All Weather ,also finished 2nd three times .Been in good form this winter ,winning two handicaps at Wolverhampton & Kempton .Produced career best effort last time ,finishing close third in 10F G3 Winter Derby at Lingfield,behind Convey.Solid claims dropping into listed company .

VERDICT :  ABSOLUTE BLAST should go well, after finishing excellent third in group three Winter Derby over this trip at Lingfield last time,on her first start for Archie Watson .Has good record on the All Weather (321112 ) and receives a handy 5lb mares allowance in this listed contest .Odds around 4-1 look solid each-way value .

Viren's Army looks the main danger,after winning decent turf handicap at Meydan last time.Looks open to more improvement this season ,though still have to prove himself on All Weather.
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11 runners declared for listed Betway Doncaster mile ,on ground described as good/soft .This  looks well  above average listed contest .The three main contenders look to be Crazy Horse , Stormy Atlantic & Cymric .

CRAZY HORSE : Four-year-old colt ,winning 3 out 6 ,including winning G3 Horris Hill stakes as two-year-old .Had some decent form last season ,mainly in France .Finishing second in both 1M Prix Perth G3  & 1M Prix Tantieme listed race, at the back end of last season .Should go well on seasonal reappearance .

STORMY ATLANTIC : Four-year-old colt , winning 3 out 10 .Had some decent form last season ,including winning G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket .Also finished creditable second in G1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly .Will be suited by any rain ,goes particularly well on soft ground

CYMRIC : Four-year-old gelding , winning 3 out 13 .Formerly trained by John Gosden ,had some decent form as Two-year-old ,finishing close second in G1 Grand Criterium at Longchamp .Bounced back to form on first start for Charlie Appleby ,winning  handicap at Meydan in February ,off mark 107 .Each-way claims ,though 0-10 in listed and group races .

VERDICT : CRAZY HORSE looks solid in this listed contest ,had light campaign last season ,though had some decent form in France ,twice finishing second in good looking group/listed contests .Goes well fresh and can return to winning ways .Odds around 4-1 look good value .

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 SATURDAY SELECTIONS :

ABSOLUTE BLAST 2.05 KEMPTON (NAP)
£50.00 EACH-WAY @ 4-1 BETFAIRSPORTS*
(WINNER SP 4-1 PROFIT +£250.00 )

CRAZY HORSE 3.00 DONCASTER (NB)
£50.00 EACH-WAY @ 4-1 BET365* 
(UNPLACED SP 3-1 LOSS £100.00 )

*TOTAL PROFIT £150.00*

Friday, March 24, 2017

Dubai World Cup Night 2017


On Saturday we have fantastic card from Meydan ,featuring five group one races and three group two races ,including the feature race the $10 million Dubai World Cup .

For the blogs two best bets, we are going concentrate on two of the supporting races the Dubai Gold Cup  & Dubai Turf .

14 runners declared for the group two Dubai Gold Cup over 2 miles at 12.50 .Plenty of rain is forecast for Meydan,ground conditions currently described as good,though could well change if  more rain arrives . The three main contenders are VAZIRABAD ,BIG ORANGE & HEARTBREAK CITY .

VAZIRABAD : Five-year-old French gelding ,winning 9 out 14 .Has shown some very useful form over the last two seasons ,including winning this race last year .Also won three other races in France in 2016 , including the group one Royal Oak at Saint Cloud in October.Finished fair second in Nad El Sheeba trophy on seasonal reappearance over 1M 6F last month.Obvious claims returning to this more suitable trip.

BIG ORANGE :Six-year-old gelding ,winning 7 out 21.Had some decent form in 2016,winning the group two Prince of Wales stakes at Newmarket & group two Goodwood cup,also finished creditable neck second in this race last year .Each-way claims ,though will need to bounce back after couple below par efforts at the end of last season .

HEARTBREAK CITY : Seven-year-old gelding ,winning 4 out 13 ,also won twice over hurdles .Showed progressive form last season ,including winning the Ebor handicap at York in good style off mark 103 .Also finished excellent second in Melbourne Cup in November ,only beaten head .Each-way claims ,though has to prove himself in top group company .

VERDICT : Last years winner VAZIRABAD stands out here ,had some very useful form last season in France,including winning 2 mile (group one) Royal Oak in October.Should be spot on for this race, after finishing second in his prep race at Meydan last month .Odds around 9-4 look solid value .

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13 Runners declared for the group one Dubai Turf over 1M 1F .This looks high quality group one contest ,the three main contenders look to be RIBCHESTER ,ZARAK & MUTAKAYYEF

RIBCHESTER : Four-year-old colt , winning 3 out 9 .One the best three year old milers last season , including winning the group one Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in August .Also finished third in 2000 guineas at Newmarket and close second in Queen Elizabeth 11 stakes at Ascot,behind Minding .Should go well on seasonal reappearance,though unproven over this longer trip .

ZARAK : Four-year-old French colt , winning 3 out 8 .Had some useful form last season without winning ,including finishing creditable second in French Derby behind the very useful Almanzor .Returned to winning ways last time at Meydan ,winning the group three Dubai Millenium in impressive style. The drop back in trip ,shouldn't be problem ,having won twice over 1 mile .Solid claims .

MUTAKAYYEF : Six -year-old gelding ,winning 3 out 14 .Very consistent sort never finishing outside top three .Won twice last season ,including winning the group two Summer Mile at Ascot ,also finished good third behind Postponed in International stakes at York .Each-way claims on seasonal reappearance,though this looks hot race .

VERDICT : ZARAK looks very progressive four year old,having won the Dubai Millenium stakes in impressive style at Meydan last month .Had twice chased home the very useful  Almanzor last season in France  .Looks the one to beat in this 9 furlong group one contest .Odds around 5-2 are fair value .

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 SATURDAY MEYDAN BETS :

VAZIRABAD 12.50 MEYDAN  DUBAI GOLD CUP
£100 WIN @ 9-4 SKYBET*( NAP )
(WINNER SP 9-4F PROFIT +£225.00)

ZARAK 3.30 MEYDAN DUBAI TURF 
£80.00 WIN @5-2 BOYLE SPORTS (NB)
(FOURTH SP 2-1F LOSS -£80.00

TOTAL PROFIT + £145.00 

Friday, March 10, 2017

4.25 Wolverhampton 6F Betway Handicap Class 2 (Sat 11th Mar)

On Saturday we have decent looking card on All Weather from Wolverhampton ,featuring the Lady Wilfruna listed stakes and two quality class two handicaps . 

For the blogs best bet we going concentrate on the Class two Betway Sprint Handicap at 4.25 .

9 runners declared for Six furlong class two handicap, on the Tapeata at Wolverhampton.The three main contenders look to be Go Far , Russian Soul & Upavon .

GO FAR : 7-Y-0 Gelding ,winning 8 out 53 ( 4 out 25 on All Weather ( 3 victories at Wolverhampton) Made encouraging reappearance over C&D at Wolverhampton 12 days ago ,finishing close fourth in class two handicap ,behind King Robert .Has to overcome wide draw in stall 9 ,though looks fairly treated off mark 95 .

RUSSIAN SOUL : 9-Y-0 Gelding ,winning 10 out 71 ( 7 out 33 on All Weather) formerly trained in Ireland by M.Hartford ,not won since March 2016 ( losing run 19 races ) Shown promise on all three starts for Jamie Osborne ,including finishing good second over C&D in February .Should be thereabouts,though not easy to win with nowadays .

UPAVON : 7-Y-0 Gelding , winning 10 out 42 ( 6 out 29 on All Weather ) won four times in 2016 on the turf . Been in fair form on All Weather this winter without winning, finishing close second in class two company over C&D at Wolverhampton last time .Looks fairly treated off 1LB higher mark .

 VERDICT : UPAVON should go well off bottom weight ,had three today's rivals behind when finishing creditable second over C&D last time.Can be slowly away ,though looks well drawn in stall two ,if getting away on terms.Has decent strike rate for sprinter (10 out 42 ) and can get back to winning ways .Odds around 5-1 look very solid each-way value .   

UPAVON 4.25 WOLVERHAMPTON 
£30.00 EACH-WAY @ 5-1 BETVICTOR OR CORALS*
(SECOND SP 8-1 PROFIT +£18.00 )
 

Sunday, March 05, 2017

5.10 Wolverhampton 1M 4F Betway Handicap Class 2 (Mon 6th March)

After really slow start to the year ,finally we are on the board with nice 11/4 winner on Saturday, with Jungle Cat winning the turf sprint at Meydan in  good style.Going off well supported 6-4 Fav .Hopefully the results will improve in March,before the start of the flat turf season in April .

Moving on to Monday, we have competitive 12 furlong class two handicap on the tapeta at Wolverhampton .

11 runners declared for the Betway handicap at Wolverhampton ,this looks very competitive class two handicap .The three main contenders look to be Fabricate ,Barye & Plutocracy .

FABRICATE : 5 year old gelding ,winning 3 out 9 on turf ,showed progessive form last season including winning class two handicap at Leicester in October ,off mark 90 .Not badly treated off 4lb higher mark ,though unproven on All Weather surfaces,on seasonal reappearance .

BARYE : 6 year old gelding , winning 5 out 19 on All Weather .Not won this winter ,though finished good second at Lingfield in class two company in December behind the useful Pinzolo . Slightly disappointing last time at Newcastle ,though is proven winner in class two company .

PLUTOCRACY : 7 year old gelding , winning 4 out 25 ( 1 out 11 on All Weather ) Been in decent form on All Weather this winner ,winning 1M 4F class 4 handicap at Lingfield in December .Also finished creditable second over C&D last time at Wolverhampton in class 3 company .Up 2LB in the weights ,though still looks on fair mark .Each-way claims .

VERDICT : This looks very competitive handicap ,though quite few of these, may not be suited dropping back in trip .

BARYE is proven performer over this 1M 4F trip ,including winning twice in class two company.Will need to bounce back after below par effort at Newcastle last time ,though had previously ran excellent Second ,behind useful rival in course record time at Lingfield .Odds around 9-1 looks decent each-way value .

BARYE 5.10 WOLVERHAMPTON 
£25 EACH-WAY @ 9-1 BETVICTOR*
(UNPLACED SP 9-1 LOSS £50.00 )

 

Friday, March 03, 2017

2.20 Meydan 5F Nad Al Sheba Conditions Sprint (Sat 4th Mar)

On Saturday we are back at Meydan for Super Saturday,featuring five group races ,including the return of Postponed in the Dubai City Of Gold .

However For the blogs best bet, we are going concentrate on one the supporting races the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at 2.20 .

16 runners for decent looking 6 furlong Conditions sprint .The three main contenders are Baccarat ,Final Venture & Jungle Cat .

BACCARAT : 8 year old gelding,winning 7 out 25 ,including winning twice over C&D at Meydan.Made winning reappearance in competitive handicap at Meydan in January ,off mark 107 ,beating Jungle Cat by neck .Should go well in this conditions race ,though has tricky draw in stall 16 .

FINAL VENTURE : 5 year old gelding ,winning 7 out 18, has shown improved form since switching to Paul Midgley stable ,including winning twice over C&D at this years Meydan carnival.Has bit to find with Baccarat & Jungle Cat on earlier form ,though can't be ruled out .

JUNGLE CAT : 5 year old entire ,winning 2 out 19,also finished second 7 times,including finishing close second in Palace House stakes at Newmarket in April ,behind the top class Profitable.Been in good form at this years Meydan carnival ,including finishing good second behind Ertijaal in course record time .Obvious claims returning this best trip .

 VERDICT : JUNGLE CAT looks the one beat after finishing creditable second in group three company at Meydan last time ,behind group one performer Ertijaal in course record time.The return to 6 furlongs will suit  ,and can reverse earlier form with Baccarat on 2LB better terms ,from decent looking draw in stall 6 .Odds around 11-4 look solid value.   

JUNGLE CAT 2.20 MEYDAN
£60.00 WIN @ 11-4 SKYBET *
(WINNER SP 6-4F PROFIT £165.00 ) 

Thursday, March 02, 2017

3.40 Lingfield 7F Sunbets Class 2 Handicap (Fri 3rd March )

On Friday afternoon we are back at Lingfield,for class two handicap on the poly track at 3.40 .

9 Runners declared for the Sunbets handicap over 7 furlongs .Not the the strongest looking class two handicap at Lingfield .The three main contenders look to be Suqoor ,Intransigent & Horsted Keynes .

SUQOOR : Four year old gelding , winning 2 out 14 ( 2 out 8 on All Weather ) ,including winning over C&D at Lingfield .Finished fair third in 6 furlong class two handicap at Lingfield last time.Will be suited returning to this longer trip .Looks fairly treated off mark 89 .Each-way claims .

INTRANSIGENT :Eight year old gelding ,winning 8 out 62 ( 5 out 28 on All Weather ) Been in decent form this winter,winning 7 furlong class 3 handicap at Kempton in January,off mark 90 .Also finished creditable second ,behind the useful My Target at Lingfield last time .Should go well ,though faces stiffer task with jockey Rob Hornby, having lost his 3LB claim .

HORSTED KEYNES : Seven Year Old gelding ,winning 4 out 34 ( 3 out 15 on All Weather ) Not won since April 2014 ,though returned to form in January finishing creditable third at Lingfield,behind subsequent winner Chevallier.Also finished close third in valuable class 2 handicap at Newcastle last time .Solid claims off 1LB higher mark .

VERDICT : HORSTED KEYNES looked on the way back last time ,finishing good third in hot class two £32,000 handicap at Newcastle (staying on well at finish) . Has previously shown some useful form on All Weather for former trainer Roger Varian,including winning over C&D at Lingfield .Can land his first victory for nearly three years ,in this weaker looking class two handicap .Odds around 7-2 with Bet365 & Betvictor look fair value .

HORSTED KEYNES 3.40 LINGFIELD
£60.00 WIN @7-2 BET365*
(THIRD SP 9-2 LOSS £60.00 )