To cash out or not to cash out? This punter did on the first day of Cheltenham as the first 5 in his £17.50 EW acc all won. Bet he wishes he hadn't...As his remaining 2 hacked up as well!!!
VIP SATURDAY Nate is having a deserved break today after a busy week at Cheltenham so you’ll have some tips from myself, Ste and Scott for today. My Tips Midlands Grand National Uttoxeter 3.00 Iron Bridge 9/2 (1 point win) Young Dev 10/1 (0.5 point EW) IRON BRIDGE was somewhat unfortunate to not win this race 12 months ago when finishing runner-up by a head (no room at the last and struck on the nose by rival jockeys whip) to AUTONOMOUS CLOUD, he’s now 7lb better off with that rival. Didn’t run much of a race on his reappearance this season when pulled up at Newbury but soon bounced back later that same month when runner-up in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, backed that up when runner-up again last month at Haydock. Has serious claims this year and looks tough to beat. YOUNG DEV stayed on well when finishing a 10 length runner-up in this race back in 2022 but he hasn’t been at that same level since returning from a year out. He won at Navan last month over 3m but that’s probably the best form he has coming into this. He’s going to need to find some of his old form here but judging by his old form he holds each way claims. Uttoxeter 2.25 - WHITE RHINO 6/1 (1 point EW) Improved significantly this year and was a clear cut winner when tackling 3m for the first time at Cheltenham in December, was a reserve to run there during the festival but never got in. The 6lb higher mark seemed to be a bit much for him at Huntingdon in January. Runs from the same mark today but looks a main contender for this and holds each way claims. SCOTT Newcastle 13:27 Young Jack 6/4 (1 point win) Absolutely rocked up here on most recent run last month going on to win by 5 lengths on heavy ground. We expect to have the same going tomorrow and with him only receiving a 2lb penalty should be able to back that recent win up. 14:37 Brentford Hope 6/5 (1 point win) Was a beaten fav the last day going down by 2 lengths against a handy horse of Nicky Henderson’s. Looks an easier race today and showing ability on heavy ground will look to bounce back to winning ways. STE 1535 Uttoxeter- The Changing Man 5/1 (1 point EW) Returned from 216 days off to finish runner up to Stay Away Fay on chase debut with Grey Dawning in third who won a Grade 1 at Cheltenham in the week, unseated in a grade 2 nto before finishing 4th of five in another tough grade 2 over 3m but he couldn't improve on that on handicap debut lto when a beaten favourite in January. Had excuses there and he could do better here in what looks a slightly easier race if handling the heavy ground. 1547 Newcastle- Shadow In The Sky 11/2 (1 point EW) Won a irish point and has shown glimpses of promise but he's now 0-8 over hurdles/fences and he could only manage 5th lto, mark has continued to fall with the cheekpeices now reached for along with a tongue tie and he has ran reasonably well on softer ground in the past, needs to show some of that earlier promise to be in with a chance but if he does then this looks a decent opportunity for him to go well. Longshots - 0.5 point EW 1410 Kempton West Balboa 14/1 1425 Uttoxeter- Glimpse Of Gala 33/1 SW3 Chelsea Tiger, Today at 12:33 PM
VIP THURSDAY Rubbish yesterday - let's hope we can get some winners today. Firstly the only tracked horse I have today is Fergal O Briens GO TO WAR in the 2.35 LUDLOW. He’s only 5/6 today but should win and continue progression after a wind op. We backed him when 3rd and then missed his win over JOUR D’EVASION who then won next time out. He’s 4lbs ahead on official ratings over market rival COURT IN THE ACT but they run of the same mark today. OTher than that I don’t fancy anything at all at LUDLOW today. 2.45 CHEPSTOW - LARGY FORCE 5/4 - 1 point win Stayed on well to take second place at Hereford, she looks more than capable of winning races here in the UK and today looks a good opportunity to follow up her Irish Bumper win. She was only beaten by the odds on fav last time out, she looks likely to go off odds on herself this afternoon with significant market support already. Sean Bowen rides, he needs to get the better of Cobdens mount LOVE TREE who looks the main danger. 3.15 CHEPSTOW - MOVETHECHAINS 7/2 - 1 point win MOVETHECHAINS came 5th in his only run here in the Welsh Grand National at the end of 2022. He’s a prolific Lingfield winner and has a very solid record in these marathon trips. The yard are in respectable form and a 7lb claimer may give MOVETHECHAINS a chance to get the job done off top weight. Another dire day of racing really, but this race should be a good battle over 3 mile 6f. 5.30 SOUTHWELL - CASTLE IN THE SAND 9/4 -1 point win - Saver MEMORIES MAKER 14/1 0.5 EW - 4 paid Baldings CASTLE IN THE SAND comes back to AW after going close at both Thirsk and Brighton in class 4 events. He’s a good price tonight considering he drops in class but will have a worthy rival in Botti’s horse INVINCIBLE AURA. One that stood out to me was MEMORIES MAKER at 14/1. Gone of on debut at 7/2 and then 11/4 second time out. Well supported and placed 3/8 and 4/9 in both races. Still learning but has shown a likable attitude in both races - definitely needs to improve but looks a game and a big price. TOTAL POINTS - 3.5 VIP GOLF Last week we XANDER SCHAUFFEL went into final round 1st and was 5 shots ahead of the eventual winner as SCOTTIE SHEFFLER, neck injury and all, who won the first back to back players championship in 50+ years. Pretty cruel way to lose and I will not be tipping Xander up for a while after that - he is fav today for the VALSPAR Championship. This starts at 11.35 so get your bets on this morning if following. ALL BETS 0.5 EW. BRIAN HARMAN - 20/1 DOUG GHIM 45/1 KEEGAN BRADLEY 40/1 RYO HISATUNE 90/1 MATT WALLACE 175/1 BRENDON TODD 80/1 GOOD LUCK IF FOLLOWING SW3 Chelsea Tiger, Today at 10:35 AM
VIP Wednesday COBDEN is really going the jockey title with rides for 5 different trainers here at Wincanton. A number of his mounts are heavy odds on. He really should be riding a treble off those prices a bare minimum today… 2.00 WINCANTON - ODINS QUEST - 13-2 - 4 paid with sky - 1 point EW ODINS QUEST is a horse I’ve been following for a while and in his last few races he’s placed 3rd on tough ground. On his last effort he did plenty of good work late on to stay into 3rd place and looked to have more in the tank at the line. He will need it, as he’s upped nearly half a mile for todays race for the Moore team. Quite a risky bet as this is a new trip but I think ODINS QUEST is improving pretty quickly. He’s off a low weight here and will go close if he can stay this trip. 5.05 WINCANTON - PLASIR DES FLOS - 15/8 - 1 point win RYANS ROCKET got the job done for Fergal O Brien yesterday and he also mounted a 12-1 winner. His yard goes from strength to strength and this horse looked impressive when last seen. He will need to improve to defy his penalty but well worth backing this afternoon with the yard in top notch form. Total points suggested - 2
VIP WETHERBY Not the best racing here today, i’ve focused on two races for VIP. GOLDWYN looks like the most obvious winner there today but is as short as evens now in the first race. I can’t really split MADE FOR YOU and FOVEROS in the 2nd race - looks like a forecast potentially with Bowen/Cobden on the joint favs. Leaving that one. Easterby's BEAT THE EDGE stands out in the 3.20… I think KINDER KID will win the 5.05. All 3 quite short but worth a look… TIPS: 3.55 - KNOWWHENTOHOLDTHEM 13/2 and IDEM 11/1 - 4 paid - 0.5 EW for both. After winning on heavy ground at Newbury LTO, testing conditions shouldn’t be a problem for KNOWWHENTOHOLDTHEM. He runs for his new yard today and has Harry Cobden booked. 4 places paid here so definitely worth a chance. IDEM also looks a nice price here at 11/1. He boasts good form previous to a short break off track and finds a good opportunity to run off a big price here for a yard that is in fine form. 5.40 - DANGEROUS TOUCH 11/4 -1 point win - STRESS REACTION 25/1 - 4 paid sky 0.5 EW One of Sean Bowens ride today is UK debutant DANGEROUS touch who arrives here off the back off a 2nd place at a Ballindenisk bumper in December. He was touched off by a very bright prospect in DESERT IAN but only lost by half a length. At 11/4 I think this is a price worth taking . Olly Murphys record in bumpers and in particularly his record at Wetherby speaks for itself but he may be vulnerable to an improver out the pack. There’s 14 running here and Sky are only bookies paying 4 places. Tim Easterby has STRESS REACTION making debut - this horse is a full sister to top chaser THE STORYTELLER. She was a runner up in her only bumper run but I can’t find much about that race. That form is considerably better than the rest of these unraced lot so I think STRESS REACTION is worth a small saver. Again, EASTERBY does very well here and horses usually eat the ground up. TOTAL POINTS SUGGESTED - 2.5 SW3 Chelsea Tiger, 51 minutes ago
Local bookie gives a regular customer 10/1 that he can`t catch a fish and bring it to his high street shop by 5.00pm. Guy takes up the challenge and sticks £50 on. Two minutes to five, guy bursts into the shop soaked to the skin and slams this massive flat fish down on the counter. "I done it, I done it", he yells to the till assistant, "Pay up"! Bookie hears the commotion and come through from the back office and says to the assistant, "Don`t let it be said that Honest Joe doesn`t keep his word! Liz give Danny £150"! "Wait a minute Joe", replies Danny, "You laid me £50 at 10/1, so that`s £550 I get not £150"! "Listen son", replies the bookie, "Don`t you know the rules of betting? It`s a fifth the odds for a Plaice!" I know, I'm putting my coat on.
