Saturday's Meetings Newcastle A/W 8 Races 1:25-5:25p.m. Curragh Flat 7 Races 1:45-5:10p.m. Ascot Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. King George Off @ 3:35p.m. Chester Flat 7 Races 2:00-5:25p.m. York Flat 7 Races 2:05-5:35p.m. Newmarket Flat 7 Races 2:15-5:40p.m. Salisbury(E) Flat 7 Races 5:15-8:15p.m. Lingfield(E) Turf 7 Races 5:30-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Bloodstock Sporting Life Good Luck
Ascot 1.50 Cracking 2yo race. No doubt Nyaleti will be a hot favourite having chased home September and Clemmie in her last 2 runs (both in good times) and produced a decent time first time out to win. However, all those runs were on gf ground so we don't know how she will go on the ground, especially if it goes to soft. Spring Cosmos was merely ridden out to win her début, so difficult to know how good she is. We do know that Dance Diva goes on GS having won her last 2 on it and she had Tajaanus (winner at Sandown yesterday) 6l behind her last time out. On a line through So Hi Society, Nyaleti has the beating of Dance Diva but that has to assume that all 3 are equally as good on gf and gs. I don't know which jockeys are retained by who and/or get choice of rides but Buick rode Dance Diva and Spring Cosmos lto. Hanagan rode Dance DIva in her first 2 runs. I expect Nyaleti to win but I wouldn't be risking any money on her with the likely going change 3.00 A tricky affair. Fastnet Tempest has won on soft over 8f (leading all the way) so not too worried about the ground. He has run some cracking races lately on a sound surface. Seems to be best at 7f in the bigger value handicaps. C&D winner, he looks a decent ew bet if around 8/1 or better 3.35 Not looking beyond Enable. Would have been all over Highland Reel on fast going but may have to settle for a place in this ground, as will Ulysses. Jack Hobbs backers will be so pleased with this 4.10 On paper this looks a penalty kick for Tigre du Terre but if the ground comes up soft I would be very worried about Raydiance 5.20 Would have left this race alone but Royal Associate with Buick aboard looks too tempting to leave alone, provided he can be backed ew (ie 5/1 or better) Good luck all
Olly Murphy watch BANFF 11/10 Newcastle 1.55 Never mind Rons creaky old wheelbarrow that we saw earlier in the week you get the super dooper 200L Sickwise version fully loaded for this one tomorrow. It even has the forums favourite jockey in the plate!
JACK HOBBS 5/1 Ascot 3.35 A proper Group 1 animal having won the Irish Derby prior to his injury and the Sheema Classic on his second run back. I am sure that nice easy ground is the key to him these days and that is hardly surprising. Any horse that has suffered a fractured pelvis will doubtless feel uneasy on firm ground and with that in mind you can safely strike a line through his Royal Ascot performance. He can score for the older generation. He is 0/3 at Ascot but for me he has valid excuses for each of those defeats. I will be amazed if any of the older horses finish in front of him tomorrow and surprised if the filly is quite up to this.
Benbatl 20/1 3.35 Ascot One of this years Derby runners who I think is capable of progressing to group 1 level. He was better than his finishing position at Epsom. He came from along way back and matched the winner up until a hundred yards out. I think he has come on a lot since then. He's won well since and in my opinion is still progressing at a significant speed. He'll be at home with the soft ground. The draw is my main concern with stall 1as he may get trapped in a pocket off the pace. Highland Reel 5/1 3.35 Ascot He's a temping price especially from an each way point of view. He didn't run his race at the Sheema Classic and I'm willing to give him a pass on that rather than blaming the ground. It was his first run of the year after all. I know he hasn't shown his best on soft ground but he would have won a Hardwicke but for getting a poor ride on soft ground. He's better than most if not all of these. I wouldn't be backing him in these conditions if not for the price he is.
Asc 2.25 Century Dream 4/1 York 2.05 Starlight Romance 11/2 York 2.40 Al Qahwa 16/1 York 3.15 Success Days 7/2 Curr 1.45 Ballet Shoes 3/1
FIRE BRIGADE - Ascot 2:25 - 16/1 This horse has been on my radar for the last couple of months as I noted the formlines around its runs play out really well to my eye. So that's form good, drawn well, ground perfect, featherweight, jockey riding as well as ever, adding up to a nice each way punt. Not as if this is a big field handicap with luck playing a big part and see no reason why this horse won't be bang there at the end.
Classic Seniority ladies race at Ascot Becky confident of a good ride Sorry about yesterday's but I'm just passing the love As always it's your choice Stay Frosty xx
Does anyone watch ITV's Opening Show? Oli Bell apologising 3 times for Martin Dwyer using a very mild profanity to the total bemusement of his guest and Jason Weaver was the highlight. Enough said. Hayley Turner riding again today for Michael Bell. A most bizarre retirement! As for punting today I've studied the thoughts of the great and good of the forum on the 8 page KG & QE thread and have opted for a sporting ew on Benbatl @ 16/1. Powerallied @ 14s (Chester 4.25) and Boundsy @ 6s on the AW at Newcastle. Good luck everyone and looking forward to observing the on line row at around 3.40!
Really depends how much rain falls prior to King George 3.35pm off time. I reckon they will get quite a downpour which means it will be soft and not certain how Enable will handle ground. For me Idaho is a bit of a forgotten horse. Back on song last time out at Ascot and lined up in last years St Leger a warm favourite before disaster struck. Should stay the trip and handle the ground so I m in for an each way play at 12/1.. Also like the look of Desert Encounter at a big price of 33/1. Will enjoy the cut in the ground..will stay the trip and is improving so small each way stakes here.
Unless stick’s missus is mid twenties and has magenta hair, it was not her in ASDA this morning... so I am looking elsewhere for fillies. Generally speaking when the ground is soft, I leave them alone... so here are today’s two to avoid: York 2:05 – STARLIGHT ROMANCE. I am committing the cardinal sin of chasing my losses here as she never had any chance of winning last time, running on past beaten horses for second after being hampered; but Fahey says nothing in his column to put me off her. Newmarket 3:25 – EXCELLENT SOUNDS. They are betting this race like it is a match but the lad on this filly is chasing a hat-trick, she has form on soft ground and there could still be more improvement to come.
Harvre de paix in the 3.00 ascot. If it runs to form should win this at a price 25/1 Martin Dwyer was bullish this morning.
Chester 5.25 Reverend Jacobs easily available at 2/1. Handicap début today. Lightly raced, bred to be suited by the step up in trip. Last year was 11/4 to beat Barney Roy but finished nearly 8l behind the easy winner. Must have been highly thought of. The good news (for me) is that Crowley isn't on top today. RJ has the benefit of 5lb claimer Miss Georgia Cox. Hasn't encountered ground softer than good but don't envisage this being a problem. Will probably go off slight odds against
Reflektor is still on a workable mark. Again gets the right ground conditions. The draw is a negative. 8/1 is a fair each way bet. 4.20 Chester Reflektor 8/1 I'll wait to see how it's riding before i back anything else in the King George. I'm on My Dream Boat each way at 50/1 and it may be that i leave it at that.
Good afternoon chaps My piss-poor form continues, and it is likely that none of the below will change that! Neola Benbatl Makzeem Starlight Romance Hathal Century Dream I was taken by Benbatl's run in the Derby, and impressed by his win next time out. Improving steadily and at a good ew price. Haggas has Victory Bond as well as Hathal, and splitting them isn't easy - I went for the one seemingly getting more support in the market. Bookies are already paying out on Makzeem Good luck all
The forums favourite jockey has a fantastic book of rides at Newcastle. 3 2nd favs and 3 favs wonder how many young jockeys will watch and learn this afternoon
Newmarket 4.00 Waqaas 33/1 has been kept off the course since a well beaten last of 4 on gf behind Mehmas, Blue Point and Intelligent Cross last year. While Mehmas and Blue Point were fighting out a close finish, Waqaas had already given up, accepting defeat in the last furlong. Steadied start, held up and in touch 2 out, did well to finish within 6l of that smart pair. He may well need the run and finish last (366 days since last run). On the other hand could be waiting for the ground to soften up. On the bare form 33/1 is a silly price so the absolute minimum ew could be interesting