Saturday's Meetings Lingfield A/W 7 Races 1:03-4:33p.m. Ascot N/H 7 Races 1:20-4:45p.m. Haydock N/H 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Gowran Park N/H 7 Races 1:42-5:12p.m. Wincanton N/H 7 Races 1:57-5:20p.m. Newcastle(E) A/W 7 Races 4:55-8:00p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Looks like the Sporting Life website's link to the racing silks database is broken - all runners on all racecards appearing in grey at the moment.
Ascot 14,25 Dorking Lad 14/1 e/w bet365, Lads and Coral four places Haydock 16,25 Scarface 16/1 e/w four places
A sporting pick in the Ascot Chase - with enough niggling doubts around the market leaders I'll take a chance on First Flow. He has good course form and finished close enough to Pic D'Ohry on seasonal debut to suggest he is capable of a big run. Will like the ground too.
The (14:40) at Haydock, a Class-1 Premier Handicap Chase over an extended 3m4f, will be my choice for a Saturday punt. In this, I think the Presenting gelding, Small Present, might give a good accoun racing off a low weight. Certainly well-bred for NH racing and should stay the trip well enough. Ross Chapman rides for the Mrs, S. J. Smith yard. 10/1 best price at time of writing, readily-available. E/W best option. Good luck today folks!
I’ll go against Swannie and tip Snow Leopardess who ran well in the Cross Country and is well handicapped. Took 16/1 this morning.
Ran a blinder, Tamerlo. Never realised mine was so tiny, little more than a pony. But that is not an excuse, well beaten.
Some taking performances at Ascot today ................ I was out all day so just catching the replays. Jonjo's won the opener in great style; Oscar Elite won the Reynoldstown really nicely and will surely appreciate easier going with his relatively high knee action? Irish Hill looked an incredibly well-handicapped horse and it will be interesting to see what the assessor does; Shishkin was imperious and I'd send him to the Gold Cup. Thomas Mor same as Irish Hill - lovely horse with the big white blaze . And ANOTHER bumper winner for FOB
After ten months without running, I think he did a very good race, always goes well fresh. Took 7/2 this morning, 8/1 for the Ryanair now, happy with my 25/1 e/w NRNB. Shishkin favourite 5/4.
It is a lovely idea but he won't line up in the Gold Cup this year. It should be the Ryanair, which he will have at his mercy now with no Allaho and then maybe think Gold Cup next season. The horse showed he is fragile enough after that hard race with Energumene and I would be very surprised if they go for the Gold Cup now, I think they'll err on the side of caution.
Already 9 and won a point over 3 miles 4 years ago. Never a better chance to win the Gold Cup. 10 year olds don’t win it any more - Cool Dawn the last one in 1998.
Henderson even said it would be a stupid idea to go to the Gold Cup, so unless the owners want to go against the advice of the forums favourite trainer then I think it will 100% be the Ryanair he will run in. It offers them the best chance of winning and also a softer looking race in terms of the opposition he would face and the trip obviously not being as harsh.
Of course they will do right by the horse and take the safer option. But go back a few years, when the Ryanair didn’t exist, and he would be going Gold Cup - no doubt. The trainer will know best but I think he would have a serious chance in the Gold Cup. Probably end up in the Melling Chase.
