‎4.20 Ayr Hot Rod Mamma 4/1 NAP Tomorrow is the day we find out just how good this ridiculously progressive 4 year old is and I am excited. She owes me absolutely nothing as I've been on her the last 4 times of her fantastic 5 timer and I hope more than anything she can make it 6 on the trot tomorrow and am very confident she can. Up 12lb for her extremely impressive victory LTO, she steps up significantly to a Class 2 for the first time and is a full 44lb higher than when winning the first of this series. I must give a tremendous congratulations to trainer Dianne Sayer who has placed her horse perfectly every time and regardless of the result tomorrow its been a great training performance. Lee Topliss takes the ride again tomorrow and I honestly would turn down any other jockey in the world as Lee gets on with her tremendously well, with her 2 victories under his tutelage being by far the most impressive. I do have a concern that the ground may be too soft (despite winning of it before) and would love to see a going of good to soft tomorrow. She steps back to 1m2f again tomorrow and I think this may very well be her best trip. If people have followed me in on her then she will owe you nothing either and I really hope and believe she can take another giant step forward to land this competitive race. ‎3.50 Ayr Come Here Yew 5/1 This one caught my eye in a big way when a very fast finishing 2nd behind Hot Rod Mamma on his last start, with the latter coming out subsequently and cantering in off a 6lb higher mark. It was the first horse that looked at all like troubling Hot Rod Mamma in her winning streak and I think that says a lot. After making an ok debut, Come Here Yew's 2nd start was a decent 6L effort behind Mujrayaat back in 6th. All the horses in front that day have performed well off marks ranging from 75-82 so the form looks fine. After this, Come Here Yew stepped forward again when finishing a decent 4th 4.5L behind subsequent winner off 85 Nordic Sky. The form of that looks very nice, with the 2nd winning by 5L off a mark of 79 and the 3rd winning a maiden impressively. 2 starts ago Come Here Yew raced very green throughout and got bumped before being eased down to finish a distant last and I am willing to discount this run, especially given he bounced back with his next and final run. After meeting soft ground for the first time LTO, Come Here Yew got the hang of things late on and was staying out stoutly in the dead ground to get to withing 1.25L behind Hot Rod Mamma. Danny Tudhope takes the ride again today and Come Here Yew gets the soft ground he seemed to relish last time. He is also stepped up to 9f for the first time tomorrow, which should definitely suit, and if he progresses from his latest effort than surely the 3lb weight hike shouldn't prevent him from going very close. 5.25 Listowel Capal Dubh Alainn 33/1 Capal Dubh Alainn won in testing conditions over 2m 6f back in January last year off a mark of 95 at Thurles by 18L on soft ground. Hasn't been at his best since but is very lightly race with 4 starts since over hurdles and a recent outing on the flat - potentially to get him fit for his last run. He has slowly fallen back to a mark of 104, and with a 5lb claimer on board, he races effectively off a mark of 99 and if he is back to the form shown last year he could make a mockery of these odds. LTO he seemed to be getting back to somewhere near his best on good ground when a decent 13L back in 5th and if progressing from that and improving with the soft ground I think the current price looks much too big ‎5.55 Listowel Tahrir Square FC 8/1 I tipped this one up on debut at a nice price and this 5 year old was a very impressive winner for his trainer Claire Judith McMahon as she landed a gamble across the Irish Sea in Statford by 1.75L ahead of Cowbridge under an excellent ride by Conor O'Farrell. It was clear from a long way out that he had a lot of horse left under him and when asked to quicken up with 1f left he did so nicely and could have won by much more if pushed out further from home. Although the form of that race is worth nothing of note, it was a visually impressive effort and he certainly wasn't troubled at any stage. e is a half brother to the decent cross country chase winner Another Jewel. Although his dam Sapphire Eile was unraced, she was a half sister to 4 winners. Moreover, the dam was from the family of Istabraq which solidifies the breeding. He faces a tough task tomorrow in beating the once raced Sin Palo who should be popular amongst punter tomorrow. Although the soft ground is an unknown, I think the 8/1 looks much too big and if progressing after a nice break I think Tahrir Square could go very close in this pro/am race under the hands of the excellent J J Codd
I thought you'd have a thing or two to say about Red Hot Mamma Roto. She's improved soo much and I think tomorrow coyld be the day she's beaten but I hope i'm wrong. The 3.50 is interesting. Richard Fahey has made Take it to the Max a strong nap in his sportinglife column and i'd taken the 5/1 before reading your post. It's my only bet of the day.
I agree with you that this is the first time I can feasibly see Hot Rod Mamma getting beat but I definitely believe she hasn't stopped progressing yet. I can see her going off a bit bigger than the 4s on offer tomorrow also so she may become an e/w bet to nothing. I've had a look at Fahey's column there and he does seem pretty confident on Take it to the Max. I may play the 2 in a RFC as a result. I'm going to have to have a saver now on 5.25 Listowel Boland's Corner 20/1. The jockey on that was on Capal Dubh Alainn LTO and was on him for the emphatic win and I wasn't sure whether or not the trainer or jockey decided to switch the partnership. The last jockey Spillane has had only 4 rides for the trainer and the new jockey has had 60. However, with a bit of money around already for Boland's Corner I'm going to have a small saver just in case
2.20 Ayr HAADETH 7/1- Unquestionably has ability but doesn't seem to put it all in. Richard Fahey says that Paul Hanagan thinks he wants soft ground over 5f- he gets that today so this is his final chance. Ridiculously well in at the weights if putting it all together, probably to the tune of 15lb upwards. Black Annis Bower is a nailed on mudlark and e/w punters should definitely consider her. 2.40 Yarmouth: HANDSOME RANSOM 5/1 (NAPPPP) -Taking a chance on a newcomer I know, and I don't have any sources but I think this might be a particularly smart horse that John Gosden unleashes tomorrow. He is a Derby entrant and is also a full brother to MADE TO RANSOM, who was a very promising juvenile before suffering a seemingly career ending setback (has not raced since). Made To Ransom was third of 17 on debut, behind none other than TWICE OVER, and then slammed Decision (rated 82) in a maiden next time by 5L. He was then leading in a listed race (won by 112 rated TRANQUIL TIGER) before weakening rapidly and was never seen again. John Gosden took both divisions of this race last year and may well have earmarked this for Handsome Ransome, and I am hopeful of a really bold showing. 4.20 Ayr -SEATTLE DRIVE 8/1 (NB)-Juvenile form as good as any including defeating FULGUR on debut. Hasn't hit those heights but has done little wrong. Tried at 10f for the first time today and on soft ground (won on soft on debut) might have a lot going for him. Personally I think he looks the best horse in the race and can go mighty close. A lot of his form over a mile has seen him suggest he wants a bit further, so I take a chance on him today. Pedigree gives us a lot of hope being by Motivator, who tends to sire horses who are better at beyond a mile, and therefore the bold showings at a mile should be taken note of with improvement expected at a mile and a quarter.
After a brief look last night I like the look of Handles For Forks in the 4.30 at Pontefract. That'll be my tote place bet for the day. Good luck everyone
Some great write-ups there. Say, on the RWC, have no problem with our rugby players going out for a few beers, good grief they are not monks. However, bungee jumping? Jeez, I dunno about that. Rugby's tough enough, but doing bungee jumping too is surely courting disaster, or are the elastic bands really that strong?
Morning, pilgrims. Am employing the old 'no bet' banner today as nothing has attracted my interest. Can't see that being the case on Friday or Saturday though as the action promises to be very, and I do mean very, good indeed. Oddy, you will be delighted to hear that Nadiya De La Vega has returned to Mr Henderson's. She was indeed sold over the summer but her new owner has put her into training with her former handler. Well, what right sane minded individual wouldn't?!? Good luck to all today and watch out for that Ayr draw at 11 o'clock.
Sir Barney - splendid news old chap What's your view on Mad Max moving to Neil Mulholland? Swanny - alles klar?
Oddy: Alles klar, thank you! . Had great time in Salzburg yesterday, lunch at Friesacher Restaurant in Anif (by Salzburg) was fantastic. Sauvignon Blanc and Filet out of this world. Well, godda spend a bob or two sometimes! Haven't really had a good look at racing today, but at first glance would have to agree with Sir Barney, i.e. no-bet flag. Think I will start working through the Arc acceptances and find one for good going, and maybe one for soft/heavy. Might try to find a likely-looking outsider?
I’ve always had a soft spot for Mad Max, Oddy, as I was at Newbury the day that he made his debut in a bumper. Mr Henderson though has worked a miracle with the horse as he has never been easy to train as he is a huge animal and has had breathing problems for a long while to boot. Good luck to him and Neil Mulholland but I do wonder if the futures bright as horses rarely leave Seven Barrows and achieve much plus he has had a few breathing ops by now. Did I see that his new trainer was talking Grand National re Mad Max?!? Very interesting plan but I always thought of him as a 20 furlong horse.
I don't normally check the Daily Thread but i know a little about Made To Ransom. Like you, i supect he was injured which curtailed his racing career. He then went eventing and enjoyed a very brief (1 competition) and unsuccessful career in that field and has not been seen since. Unfortunately i don't know of his whereabouts now.
Swanny sounds delightful. Filet of what? Fish I would suspect with a Sauvignon Blanc? Nice bit of Rotbarsch?? Those buggers from Bayern Munich did very well last night. Could be a very good season for Hoeness and the lads. Sir Barney yes Mulholland is making noises about the Grand National, I expect he may start him at 3 miles and take it form there. Trouble-free breathing would appear to be a pre-requisite though
Oddy, yep had heard about Dandino and went on Refugees (for the first time in ages about an hour ago and made a response re this). If he does go will be with Mr Henderson (who already trains 2 for them). Would be an interesting recruit but as I said on Fugees do wonder if a possible move by the Elite Racing Club is to (a) increase their membership and (b) to shore up a weak NH team.
Whatever the reasons it's an exciting prospect which could, of course, fall flatter than the proverbial pancake. You'd think he'd want a decent surface to be seen to best effect and I guess if his schooling over hurdles goes well we may see him this side of christmas?
Oddy: Sorry, Mignon it was. Am one of these weirdos who drinks white wine too with meat, don't always go along with the red/white rules, as long as I like it..... Take a look at that rest. on IT, nice place to drop by if you're on the way south.... Yes, Bayern look very good this season, am submerged in their fans here . We'll see how good they are when they come up against some of the real stuff?
Good morning all... Hope we are all well and in good fettle... Just checking out the cards and hopefully will find a few for today... ROTO your comments about Hot Rod Mama are true... Ive been on her for her last 3 runs and she dosnt owe me anything... But it may well end today, we shall see. Looking forward to seeing that race... Good luck to all...
Swanny it's a part of the world I have never visited but would dearly love to. Unfortunately my wife has a bit of an "Alps phobia" - she says it's all very twee and full of cuckoo clocks and hanging baskets .......... I think she just can't appreciate the raw majesty of mountains. Anyways some of the lads at work a planning to ride their bikes across the alps next September and I'm severely tempted to join in with that
Over in Munich at the end of the month and wanted to try and catch a game while I was across but seems other plans have been made by my friend instead, he seems to think I'm going across to see him I've not the heart to tell him its the beer I'm over for he's just a bonus.
