Thursday's Meetings Nottingham Flat 8 Races 1:00-5:00p.m. Newbury Flat 7 Races 1:15-5:10p.m. Yarmouth Flat 8 Races 1:25-5:30p.m. Leopardstown(E) Flat 8 Races 4:15-7:50p.m. Uttoxeter(E) N/H 7 Races 5:40-8:40p.m. Haydock(E) Flat 7 Races 6:00-9:00p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Place a bet in the Virtual Betting shop here Good Luck
I could do my brains today (Thursday). I normally have (at least) a small investment on the horses whose families I talk about, but there's 4(!) today. First up is Gaius in the first at Newbury. The carnage continues with Pretty Fair in the fourth. Next up at Newbury in the sixth (so many races) there's Secret Haunt Finally at Haydock in the penultimate race Wink of an Eye finishes off the foursome. Steer clear.
Nottingham 5.00 Turn of Phrase Obviously didn't lived up to expectations when trained by James Tate last season. But there was some promise last time out at Brighton when 4th in a handicap (hanging left throughout according to the jockey). On a career-low mark and Thore Hammer-Hansen who takes off 3lb has a good each way record for the yard 6 rides - 2 wins - 1 place Could get a prominent position early from a good draw (3).
Uttoxeter 6.10 Dorette - on career low mark - unlucky on first visit to Uttoxeter (falling at the last when in the lead) - 2nd visit to Uttoxeter better than finishing position may suggest (6th in a big field and keeping on). - 4th place last time out again underlines that the horse is an interesting candidate if you look for a contender who could be in with an each chance at least. - Philipp Armson takes off valuable 7lb Small stable knot known for winners so far to be honest.
Uttoxeter 20,10 Shanandoa 20/1 e/w with bet365 four places, others 16/1 five places Up in trip, Jack Tudor only ride today.
In the 7.00 Haydock King Of Gold is a pretty warm favourite at 11/8. He was 3rd on his debut and is obviously expected to build on that for trainer James Tait. A son of Kingman, he was actually just behind today's second favourite I'm A Gambler, when they both ran behind Tolstoy. I'm A Gambler went on to Chester and was beaten further in the runner-up spot behind cosy winner Al Shibli, so how strong is the form? Nuance is a Frankel colt trained by William Haggas and he has been backed from 11/2 to 7/2. Haggas is one of the most consistent trainers in terms of strike rate but sometimes at a more modest level. He withdrew Mohaafeth from the Derby and also has Alenquer, who beat Adayar in his trial but was not supplemented, so on the face of it he had two with chances who were sitting scratching their balls on Derby Day. You might feel 6F is going to be short enough for Nuance on breeding. I took a chance at bigger odds on Kevin Ryan's Catch Cunningham. The son of Kodiac showed decent pace and travelled well enough before fading in the manner of a horse who had needed the race. He only beat one horse home that day but shaped like one with more to come given time. He is up to 6F and on better ground this time, so at 10/1 I thought he might outrun his odds. 7.00 Haydock Catch Cunningham 10/1
Great tipping lads. I managed to take on a beaten Fav in King Of Gold but Catch Cunningham was third, as a newcomer took the spoils. Catch Cunningham still looked a bit raw today and was pretty keen. The Fav looked to be coming through but Son Of Maximus rallied well and just denied him. Mark Johnston's horse was disappointing in bringing his form figures to 225. I thought a return to 5F would suit Catch Cunningham. Not a bad debut from Nuance and I am sure Haggas will find a race for him. Well done.
Catch Cunningham did return to 5F and won at 9/1. There is so much racing it is hard to keep tabs on it all. Nuance runs today (1st July) and is available at 9/2.
