Friday, April 28, 2017

3.55 Ripon 2 mile (86-105 ) Class two Handicap (Sat 29th Apr )

Plenty of racing on Saturday with five flat meetings,though very low on quality with only one listed race .However we do have interesting little class 2 staying handicap at Ripon .

8 runners declared for 2 mile (86-105) class two handicap at Ripon .Not bad looking staying handicap .The three main contenders are Good Run , My Reward & Gabrial's King .

GOOD RUN : Four-year-old gelding,winning 3 out 7,including winning 2 mile class three handicap at Newcastle in November ,off mark 91.Also won twice on turf as two-year-old.No show over 1M 4F at Newcastle last time,though will be suited returning to this longer trip .Should be thereabouts ,though racing off career high mark 99 .

MY REWARD : Five-year-old gelding ,winning 3 out 18 ,including winning 2 mile class two handicap at Haydock last season,off mark 93 .Also finished good 2ND in this race last year .Should improve for first run of season ,looks well handicapped off 3lb lower mark .Solid  claims .

GABRIAL'S KING : Eight -year-old gelding,winning 10 out 64 .Returned to form last week,winning 1M 4F class 3 handicap at Thirsk,off mark 86 .Also finished 3RD in this race last year .Races off 3lb higher mark ,though still looks fairly handicapped off mark 89 .Stays 2 miles ,though probably better over shorter .

VERDICT : MY REWARD will need to improve for seasonal reappearance,though now looks on decent mark (3lb lower) ,having won class two handicap off 4LB higher mark last season at Haydock.Also finished good 2ND in this race last year, in stronger looking contest.Odds around 5-1 look solid each-way value .

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MY REWARD 3.55 RIPON 
£30.00 EACH-WAY @ 5-1 BET365 *  
(WINNER SP 5-1 PROFIT £180.00 )
   

Thursday, April 27, 2017

3.30 Sandown Bet365 Mile (Group 2 ) Fri 28th Apr


On Friday afternoon we have excellent card from Sandown Park ,with the feature race the group two £95,000 Bet365 Mile at 3.30 .

10 runners declared for Bet365 Mile on ground described as good (G/F places ) This looks wide open group two contest, the three main contenders look to be Cougar Mountain , Kool Kompany & Mondialiste .

COUGAR MOUNTAIN : Six-year-old horse ,winning 3 out 23 .Had some decent form last season, including winning the G2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket in September .Also finished fair 2ND in 1M G2 contest at Doha in February .Not the easiest horse to catch right ,though has ideal conditions .Each-way claims .

KOOL KOMPANY : Five-year-old horse,winning 7 out 23 .Had some useful form as two-year-old ,winning five times.Also won the G3 Craven stakes in 2015 .No show in Australia in 6 starts last season for trainer Chris Waller,though bounced back to form for Richard Hannon,winning 1M listed race at Doncaster earlier this month.Back up in class ,though should be threabouts .

MONDIALISTE : Seven-year-old horse ,winning 5 out  24 .Shown some useful form over last two seasons , including winning the G1 Arlington Million at Woodbine in August .Also finished creditable 2ND in G2 York stakes ,behind Time Test.No show at Meydan in G1 Dubai Turf last month ,though the return to G2 company will suit . 

VERDICT : MONDIALISTE needs to bounce back after disappointing effort at Meydan last time ,though is proven winner in group one company ,including winning Arlington million last season.The drop back to mile shouldn't be problem on this stiff track . Odds around 13-2 look good each-way value .   

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MONDIALISTE 3.30 SANDOWN 
£30.00 EACH-WAY @13-2 WILLIAM HILLS*
(NON RUNNER ) VETS CERT PULLED SHOE OFF * 

Sunday, April 23, 2017

5.25 Navan 5F Woodland's Listed Stakes (Mon 24th Apr)

On Monday evening, we have interesting  sprint listed race at Navan .

10 runners declared for 5 furlong Woodland's Listed Stakes on ground described as good .This looks well above average listed contest .The three main contenders look to be Washington DC , Primo Uomo & Easton Angel .

WASHINGTON DC : Four-year-old colt ,winning 4 out 17, including winning three listed races.Had some useful form in 2016 , finishing close seconds in G2 King George stakes at Glorious Goodwood & G1 Prix De L 'Abbaye at Chantilly.Made satisfactory seasonal reappearance at Meydan in G1 company in March .Will be suited by this drop in class .

PRIMO UOMO : Five-year-old gelding ,winning 5 out 18 .Looks improving sort ,winning both starts this season in handicap company ,including winning 5 furlong handicap at Cork in good style last time ,off mark 93 .Takes step up in class,though can't be ruled out .

 EASTON ANGEL :Four-year-old filly,winning 4 out 11.Formerly trained by Michael Dods .Had some decent form last season ,including winning two listed races,also finished close fourth in King George stakes at Glorious Goodwood .Goes well fresh, and looks Interesting contender, on first start for A P O'Brien stable .

VERDICT : Downforce has been put in favourite,after winning Listed race earlier this month at Cork ,however all his best form has been over 6/7 furlongs on soft/heavy ground ,the drop back to 5F on quicker ground has be big concern.Looks worth opposing at around 7-2 .

WASHINGTON DC stands out dropping down in class ,has excellent record in listed company 3 out 4 (1112) ,including winning listed race here at Navan last season .Also had some useful form in some the top sprints last season .Should come on for first run of the season ,and will be suited by this good ground .Odds around 4-1 look solid each-way value .
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WASHINGTON DC 5.25 NAVAN 
£40.00 EACH-WAY @ 4-1 BET365*

(WINNER SP 2-1 PROFIT £144.00 ) 
(RULE 4 25P IN £ TO EARLY PRICES ) 

 

Thursday, April 13, 2017

All Weather Championship Finals Preview


On Good Friday we have cracking card at Lingfield for the £1 million All Weather Championship finals ,featuring six championship races .Going to preview three of the races (Sprint ) (Mile ) (Easter Classic )

14 runners declared for 6 furlong Sprint Championship .This looks open sprint contest on official ratings.The three main contenders look to be Kimberella ,Lancelot Du Lac & Royal Birth .

KIMBERELLA : Seven-year-old Gelding ,winning 7 out 59.( 1 out 4 on All weather) Formerly trained by David Nicholls .Made winning start for Richard Fahey ,winning class two 5f handicap at Lingfield last time,off mark 102 .Also had some decent form on turf last season ,winning two competitive 6f handicaps at York & Ripon .Should go well from decent draw in stall 5 .

 LANCELOT DU LAC : Seven-year-old gelding ,winning 7 out 14 on All Weather .Been in great form this winter,including winning over C&D in the Cleves Listed Stakes in February .Also finished creditable 2nd in Listed Hever stakes over 5f last time in quick time .Will be suited returning to 6f ,having finished good second in this race last year .

ROYAL BIRTH : Six-year-old gelding ,winning 5 out 13 on All Weather . (All victories over 5f) Bounced back to form in February winning Hever listed Stakes at Lingfield ,beating Lancelot Du Lac by half-lengh .Should stay this longer trip .Each-way claims .

VERDICT : LANCELOT DU LAC has solid claims, having finished good second in this race last year .Has looked good as ever this season ,having already won twice this winter .Will be suited returning to 6f trip .Odds around 4-1 look good value .

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12 Runners declared for mile championship .The three main contenders look to be Ennaadd ,   Qurbaan & Sovereign Debt .

ENNAADD : Four-year-old colt ,winning 4 out 5 on All Weather .Useful sort winning last four starts ,including winning Listed Hyde Stakes in impressive style at Kempton in November .Not raced for 142 days ,though obvious claims being 3lb clear on official ratings.

QURBAAN : Four-year-old French colt , winning 5 out 6 on All Weather ,including winning two listed races .Looks progressive sort and open to more improvement on poly track .Should be thereabouts in hot contest.

SOVEREIGN DEPT : Eight-year-old gelding ,winning 11 out 50 .Very consistent sort ,winning four listed contests and group three .Been in good form this winter,winning valuable contest at Doha in February .Also finished good 3rd in 10f listed race at Kempton last time ,on first start for Ruth Carr .Should go well having finished second in this race for last two years .

 VERDICT : ENNAADD has obvious claims ,having won his last four starts ,though has to prove his fitness, having not raced since November .Has to be respected ,though odds around 13-8 look short enough .

 SOVEREIGN DEPT should go well ,having finished second in the race for last two years .Also Looked unlucky when not getting any sort run in Magnolia Stakes At Kempton last time.Looks  the each-way value at around 6-1.

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9 runners declared for feature race the Easter Classic over 10 furlongs .The three main contenders are Convey , Absolute Blast & Grendisar .

 CONVEY : Five-year-old gelding ,winning 3 out 14 .Had some useful form on turf in 2016 ,winning listed race at Pontefract and finishing placed in group company .Made winning reappearance in Winter Derby over C&D at Lingfield in February.3lb clear on official ratings ,looks the be one to beat .

ABSOLUTE BLAST :Five-year-old mare ,winning 4 out 8 on All Weather .Been in great form this winter ,winning three times , including winning Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton last time .Also finished creditable third in Winter Derby .Should go well , though has bit to find with Convey .

GRENDISAR : Seven-year-old gelding ,winning 10 out 36 on All Weather .Goes particularly well here at Lingfield ,winning 8 times at the Course,including winning this race last year .Has not looked as good this season ,only finishing  fifth in Winter Derby ,behind Convey last time .Can never be ruled out at his favourite course ,though needs to bounce back to form .

VERDICT : CONVEY stands out after winning the Winter Derby last time over C&D .Did well coming off the pace in slowly run race ,Showing good turn foot in closing stages .Also looks open to more improvement over this 10f trip .Odds around 15-8 look fair value .

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LINGFIELD SELECTIONS : 

LANCELOT DU LAC 3.10 SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP
£40 EACH-WAY @ 9-2 BETFAIRSPORTSBOOK*
(FOURTH SP 4-1JF LOSS £80.00 )

SOVEREIGN DEPT 3.40 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP 
£20 EACH-WAY @ 6-1 BET365*
(WINNER SP 8-1 PROFIT +£200.00 )

CONVEY  4.40 MIDDLE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
£80.00 WIN @ 15-8 SKYBET* 
(WINNER SP 11-10 PROFIT +£150.00)
  
*TOTAL PROFIT £270.00*

3.40 Chelmsford 1M 2F Bet Tote Exacta Class 2 Handicap

After slow start to the year,the results are starting to improve ,with couple nice winners over last two weeks.Absolute Blast winning the Magnolia Stakes at 4-1 & Take The Helm winning Sunbets handicap on Saturday at 6-1.Giving the blog a small £200 profit on the year .

Hopefully we can keep the good run going on Thursday ,with interesting class two handicap on All Weather at Chelmsford .

9 Runners declared for £45,000 Bet tote exacta  (86-110) 10 furlong class two handicap .This looks decent class two contest,with the three main contenders POET'S WORD,PACTOLUS & ROCKSPIRIT .

POET'S WORD : Four-year-old colt ,winning 2 out 6 .Looked progressive sort last season ,including winning competitive 11f class three handicap at Goodwood in July .Also finished creditable second in 10f class two handicap at Doncaster in September .Should go well for top connections on seasonal reappearance ,though the handicapper has taken no chances with another 6lb rise in weights .

PACTOLUS : Six-year-old gelding ,winning 8 out 25 on All Weather .Goes well here at  Chelmsford winning 4 out 11 ( 24151224151) .Been in good form this winter ,winning two class two handicaps ,including winning at Wolverhampton over 9.5 furlongs in February .Also finished creditable second over C&D at Chelmsford last time.Each-way claims off same mark .

ROCKSPIRIT : Four-year-old gelding ,winning 3 out 6  .Looked progressive sort last season ,including winning class two handicap at Yarmouth in August,off mark 91 ,beating the useful Folkswood  .Also won conditions race over C&D at Chelmsford in October ,beating the 110 rated Basem by short head .Up 8lb in weights ,though still looks fairly treated off mark 104

VERDICT : Poet's Word will have his supporters for Sir Michael Stoute & Ryan Moore combination ,after showing progressive form on the turf last season,though looks bit harshly treated by handicapper, up 16lb for his last victory at Goodwood in July .Odds around 11-10 look no value for horse unproven on All Weather .

ROCKSPIRIT should go well having won decent conditions race over C&D in October .That  looks solid form,having beaten the 110 rated Basem in the race .Has excellent record over this 1M 2F trip (3 out 4) (1121) .Odds around 5-1 looks solid each-way value .


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ROCKSPIRIT 3.40 CHELMSFORD 
£30.00 EACH-WAY @5-1 BETVICTOR .SKYBET .CORALS
(FOURTH SP 3-1 LOSS £60.00 )

Friday, April 07, 2017

4.15 Lingfield 7F Sunbets Handicap Class 3 (Sat 8th April)

On Saturday we have the big race from Aintree the Grand National ,though for the blogs main bet we are going to concentrate the 7F Sunbets Handicap on All Weather at Lingfield.

9 runners declared for (81-95) 7 furlong handicap at Lingfield.This looks competitive class three contest on  poly track at 4.15 .The three main contenders look to be Take The Helm , Takatul & War Glory .

TAKE THE HELM : Four-year-old gelding ,winning 3 out 12 on All Weather .Been in good form recently ,including winning class three handicap over C&D back in February .Also finished good second last time in 1 mile handicap at Chelmsford ,just getting caught near the finish .Will be suited returning to seven furlong trip .

TAKATUL : Four-year-old colt ,winning 3 out 5 on turf .Won first three starts last season ,including winning two class 4 handicaps .Slightly disappointing on final start last season, when finishing fifth of 9 in class 2 handicap at Haydock.Lightly raced and still looks open to improvement this season. Makes All Weather debut .

WAR GLORY : Four-year-old gelding ,winning 2 out 3 on All Weather .Had some decent form on All Weather last season,including winning class 4 handicap at Chelmsford ,off mark 82.Also placed twice on turf last season.Will be suited returning to All Weather.Each-way claims,though maybe shade high in weights off mark 90 .


VERDICT : TAKE THE HELM should go well returning to his optimum trip. Has put in three decent efforts in 2017,including winning class three handicap over C&D at Lingfield in February .That form has worked out particularly well,with third & sixth from the race,both winning handicaps next time.Still looks fairly handicapped off mark 87.Odds around 6-1 look solid each-way value .


TAKE THE HELM 4.15 LINGFIELD  
£30.00 EACH-WAY @ 6-1 SKYBET*
(WINNER SP 9-2 PROFIT +£216.00 ) 
 

Thursday, April 06, 2017

Grand National Festival 2017 Schedule


The most famous horse race in the world. The Grand National at Aintree, Liverpool. The most spectacular of all steeplechases. Its reputation is enough to attract millions of race fans across the world to cheer home their horse. What time does the Grand National start? So here's that all-important time: 5:15 Aintree 8th April

The Grand National is a celebration of National Hunt racing with the bravest horses and jockeys. It isn't a race for the faint-hearted. A distance of 4 miles 514y, 30 fences, over two laps of a hard course. It is a race that has told some incredible stories.

It's a race where people have very differing ways of selecting their ''winning'' horse. Do any of these sound familiar?

  • Bet on the favourite
  • You like the colours
  • It's your lucky number
  • The name catches your eye
  • Last year it ran well
  • It's priced 100-1
  • That trainer is best
  • I'm betting on a female jockey to win for the first time ever
  • Bet on the lucky grey horse
I wonder how many grey horses have won the Grand National?

Well, you may need to be very lucky because just three grey horses have won since its inauguration back in 1839.

The winners:
  • The Lamb 1868, 1871
  • Nicholaus Silver 1961
  • Neptunes Collonges 2012

The Lamb won twice in 1868, priced 9-1, while in 1871 he ran a very good time recording 9m 35.7s. The owner, Lord Poulett, must have put his money down as he returned 11-2.

Nicholaus Silver won in 1961, trained by Fred Rimell in the ownership of Charles Vaughan. Bobby Beasley rode this 28-1 shot to victory to win by five lengths. This was Fred Rimell's second winner of this great race with EBS who made a name for himself in 1956.

The most recent winner may still be in the mind of those who backed Neptunes Collonges in 2012. This son of Dom Alco was trained by Paul Nicholls, ridden by Daryl Jacob in the ownership of John Hales. Neptunes Collonges was eleven when winning at odds of 33-1. This National featured the closest ever finish with just a nose between him and runner-up Sunnyhillboy. This exceptional talent won the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2009. In his racing career, this gallant horse won £1.3m in total prize earnings.

So which grey horses are likely to make the start in this year's Grand National 2017?

Saphir Du Rheu, trained by Paul Nicholls, racing in the familiar silks of The Stewart Family. This eight-year-old gelding is a son of Al Namix and will be ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies. At the time of writing, this grey is priced 20-1 with William Hill.

Another grey who may just sneak into the line-up is La Vaticane who is trained by David Pipe and priced 100-1. This mare is owned by Ms Maria Bukhtoyarova. She pulled up on her last start at Cheltenham when a 50-1 shot.


Could this be the year of the grey? Saphir Du Rheu is the most likely horse to fly the flag for all those who fancy a bet.


Tuesday, April 04, 2017

5.00 Leopardstown 1M Heritage Listed Stakes (Wed April 5th )

On Wednesday afternoon we have decent looking card from Leopardstown ,with the feature race the 45,000 euro Heritage Listed stakes .

8 runners declared for 1 mile Heritage Stakes on ground described as Soft . The three main contenders are Sruthan , Onenightidreamed & Rose De Pierre .

SRUTHAN : Seven-year-old gelding ,winning 6 out 24 .Had some decent form in early part last season ,including winning the 1 mile Celebration Listed stakes at Curragh in June .Slightly disappointing at backend of 2016 ,though goes particularly well fresh winning first time out in 2013 ,2014 .2016 .Each-way claims ,though no easy task under 3lb penalty .

ONENIGHTIDREAMED :Six-year-old gelding ,winning 4 out 9 (All four victories coming on heavy ground )Lightly raced sort ,though has some useful form on testing ground,including winning the G3 Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes at Curragh last season .Made a satisfactory reappearance finishing eighth of 17 in Irish Lincolnshire at Naas from wide draw .Should come on for that race .Will be suited by any rain .

ROSE DE PIERRE : Four-year-old filly ,winning 3 out 5 .Looked useful prospect last season ,winning her first three starts ,including winning the Platinum Listed Stakes at Cork in August .Slightly disappointing on her last two starts last season ,including when finishing well beaten fifth of 13 in 7F in listed Knockaire stakes at Leopardstown in October .Solid claims on last seasons early season form ,though wouldn't want the ground too testing . 

VERDICT :Rose De Pierre has be respected on last seasons listed Platinum Stakes victory ,though softer ground has to be question mark .Has shown her best form on good ground .With ground concerns ,odds around 9-4 look short enough.

ONENIGHTIDREAMED is proven winner in higher grade ,winning twice in group three company ,including winning Amethyst stakes over C&D at Leopardstown .Made respectable reappearance last month at Naas when poorly drawn. Should improve for the race,with blinkers on first time .Odds around 4-1 look fair each-way value.
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ONENIGHTIDREAMED 5.00 LEOPARDSTOWN
£30.00 EACH-WAY @ 4-1 BETVICTOR*   
(THIRD SP 9-4F LOSS £6.00)

Grand National 2017 (Sat 8th April)


The Grand National is the one race each year that attracts a great deal of interest outside of the sport of horse racing. The world famous steeplechase at Aintree is almost upon us again and, like every year, the betting for the 2017 contest is extremely competitive, where the field is currently headed by the 11/1 favourite Vieux Lion Rouge.
Here is a look at some of the outsiders that have a good chance of coming out on top in the 4m4f contest over the bigger fences at the Merseyside track.
UCELLO CONTI: Given how successful his season has been to date, it would be no surprise to see Irish trainer Gordon Elliott win the Grand National for the second time in his career with this nine-year-old, who has plenty of experience around this course. The Irish horse was sixth in the race on his debut in 2016, while back in December, he came home fourth in the Becher Handicap Chase – a race which was won by Vieux Lion Rouge. The handicapper appears to be have been generous, so off 10st 12lbs, he should be knocking on the door once again in the closing stages of the marathon contest; he is a good shout at 20/1 in the latest Grand National 2017 betting for the big race.
WONDERFUL CHARM: Paul Nicholls will be desperate to win the Grand National this year to help him seal the Trainers’ Championship in the UK. His best chance looks to be with Wonderful Charm, who has been in excellent form at the back end of this season. He was successful at Musselburgh and Haydock in February, while last month he finished second behind Pacha Du Polder in the Foxhunter Challenge Cup where he was only denied victory by half a length.

THUNDER AND ROSES: In 2016, Mouse Morris had Rule The World peaking for the Grand National and it paid dividends, as the Irish horse was at his best to come out on top by six lengths. Thunder And Roses, who is trained and owned by last year’s winning connections, looks to have a similar profile to his former stablemate, whose success you can read about in the history of the most recent winners of the race. He has snuck in right near the bottom of the weights. Stamina should not be a problem for this horse, so as long as he handles the course and conditions, he could be amongst those fighting it out jumping the last at Aintree.
VERDICT: UCELLO CONTI ticks so many boxes of those who are in the Grand National field this year. The nine-year-old really enjoys the challenges that the course has to offer, so he looks to be a cracking each-way bet to make the frame at the very least. If a little bit of luck goes his way, he may end up capping off what has been a memorable season for his trainer Elliott, who had six winners at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
If you are looking for a couple of horses to back at much bigger prices, then Thunder And Roses (33/1) and Wonderful Charm (40/1) should be on your shortlist as they appear to have been underestimated by the bookmakers.