Hello Lads A few opportunites for all the orphans out there to invest their stash saved from not having to buy flowers,cards,roast lunch etc. First up,Knockfierna in the 3.55 at Limerick. Adore this mare who was a graded hurdler and just keeps getting better.She pretty much flies under the radar but has excellent form.She had Sir Des Champs in a tussle before running out at the second last two outings ago and her overall collateral form is outstanding.Trip,ground course orientation all come alike and she is a genuine gift at 4/5..that will disappear.Maximum wager for me. Also having a lesser amount on Carloswayback in the 4.35 at Navan.Really like him and he had little chance on drying ground over 2m LTO.This is more his bag over 3m on easier turf and with a good boy up top(just glad it's not scu jnr)taking off 5lb's he has a decent e/w shout at 16/1..much too big with 4 places on offer. Also any footy followers might be interested in Valencia against the fabulous Athletic Club tomorrow.My information(it is reliable!)is that Fernando Llorente doesn't figure in this fixture.Since he has scored 33% of the Basque teams goals and been involved in 53% of them via assists,it is a massive handicap to the best team on the planet.The exertions of Thursday will also be against Bilbao who have a relatively small squad. Since sentiment has no place in punting,I recommend an away win at 11/5 with a smaller amount on the excellent Bobby Soldado to score first at 13/2.
SIMON GRAY 3.05 Navan was in the process of running an absolute belter at Naas after a lengthy lay off. He stumbled on landing jumping two out and lost all his momentum. He was moving very smoothly into contention that day and I put him straight on the ATR tracker. It doesnt look too strong a field today and I think he will go very well.
SPONGER. Swing Bowler 2.45 N/A is a nice type, happy just watching though . Good luck to all punting today.
LMAO @ RV. Sorry lad but I thought you had retired from your illustrious tipping career when a handicapper dared to finish in front of Long Run in the Gold Cup LOL. Some of us have keep going in the arduous battle against the evil foe bookies! We chatted about the horse on the day and agreed that it looked a sure fire nto winner...think you backed it that day! Regarding Long Run. it's time to bite the bullet Mr Whaley-Cohen senior and get a professional on board or this horse will not realise his full potential.
Stick what happened to that bumper runner of Jonjo's yesterday at Ffos Las - Wild West? Cost a pretty sum and very well related but now been beaten twice
Very dissapointing so far Oddy, has looked very one paced. Has a wonderful pedigree too though it is a line with a lot of stamina so maybe we will see it in a better light over hurdles tackling further. They must be dissapointed though. As you know its a yard who's horses I like to track quite closely because they like a punt. With this in mind keep an eye on IT IS WHAT IT IS 2.45 Newto Abbot today. Third run today and I am sure they are getting it "handicapped".
Cheers mate, I read your little rant and have to tell you that I almost wet myself laughing! Whats really funny is that two days on you are now gagging to have a bet on Simon Gray. I got 4-1 before the second fav was withdrawn so guess I am looking at a rule 4.
Interesting race all round that one mate - Swing Bowler has looked very good to date and I wonder if we might be starting to see an increase in good Galileo offspring taking to the winter game? To date only Celestial Halo has achieved anything of real note but horses like Magen's Star, Via Gallilei, Galileo's Choice and others seem to show his growing influence. He has a way to go of course to tackle the likes of Kings Theatre or Oscar and I guess his stud fee will put off most NH owners, but it's good to see more of his progeny going over the jumps It Is What It Is has been soundly beaten on 2 starts and is dropped back in distance today. Does feel like they are aiming for a mark of about 102 for a nice handicap debut
Stick LOL. Long Run got outstayed for second by a horse that doesnt even stay CONFUSED. I havent even got started on the winner yet. What a shambles. Swing bowler odds on .Decent price for simon gray
One other bet for me today in the first Bet365 bonus race Carlisle 3.30 MOUNTAIN HIKER 12-1 A 90+ horse on the flat. Supposedly the McCain second string but if its not better than its shown over hurdles so far I will be amazed! Simon Gray seems to have em all defecting!
This is a time of year where I start to get very careful with my bets. The winter ground is pretty much gone, good spring ground around us and those horses that have been put away for the winter are starting to reappear. Those who have been running all winter are starting to run out of steam, the ones returning might need a run or two to get straight and I think it is generally a time of the year where form becomes somewhat less reliable again (similar to October & November). Time to take stock and have a few deep breaths.
Funny how different sports have different standards. An article on the Sporting Life website (link) basically saying McCoy was out celebrating till the wee hours of Saturday morning and, by his own admission, wasn't at his best on Saturday afternoon at Ffos Las. Those who backed his mounts at the Welsh track would probably have liked to have read that BEFORE racing I'm not begruding him a night out but perhaps he should have had a day off on Saturday?
I guess he did manage to boot one home though ................. but imagine Wayne Rooney had done that, he would've been fined a months wages and would be on the front pages
Morning all, i know its only 360 odd days until cheltenham again so thought i would have a look at the AP markets!! Interesting to see HF at 5s for the CH..... that could look half decent come March!! Also BB is evens, but no sign of Quevega in the WH market..... I for one would love to see her have a crack at BB at Cheltenham, is that never going to happen?
The question has already been asked Don, here is the response; Quevega might have been the shortest-priced favourite of the week, but she had the decency to go and win like one. In truth, she faced some pretty weak opposition this time around with no Voler La Vedette, Unaccompanied or Sparky May from her own sex to oppose her. The pedestrian pace certainly wouldn't have suited, but in spite of that, she had put the race to bed in a matter of strides when Ruby pushed the button. Asked if she would contest either the Champion or World Hurdle next year, given that she had now won four consecutive Mares' Hurdles, co-owner Ger O'Brien replied, "Why would you go looking for horses to beat you?" She goes to Punchestown next, probably for the long-distance hurdle race she won last year.
Got to say I.ve had a look at next years markets as it helps my post Cheltenham blues. Grand Crus 8/1 for the King George with WH looks quite tempting. Interesting how Gigginstown plot they're staying chasers next year. SDC, FL, LI and BW will all be potentially aimed at similar races so be interested if any are sent across to England. Sir Des Champs looks a nailed on Gold Cup contender for next yeR.
Simonsig 4/1 for the Arkle has got to be the best thing on offer right now - in fact doubling him up with Hurricane Fly at 5/1 would give you a nice 25/1 double for the Tuesday to look forward to
That Gold Cup market is barmy though - Sir Des Champs 6/1 fav and Last Instalment 20/1 Sir Des Champs is already firmly installed as next season's "hype horse" Can I just remind everyone it was CHAMPION COURT he beat in the Jewson
