3.30 Brighton Filun 11/1 I think Anthony Middleton's 7 year old gelding looks a very nice price at 11/1 and I think he could take a lot of beating tomorrow. After a problem with Ulcers, Filun really came to fruition when landing a C+D event in fantastic style at the end of April last year when sauntering to victory off a mark of 48. He was clearly very well handicapped after overcoming his issues and he subsequently ran out an impressive winner when he was raised 8lb for winning on his next start at Lingfield 20 days later. Filun continued his rapid rise by landing a hat trick 8 days later, this time off a mark of 62, as he again ran out a very impressive winner over C+D. In the 3 runner event, Filun travelled extremely well before quickening up decisively in the final furlong to score by 3.5L. The form of that race is strong with the 2nd twice in August and she is now rated 11lb higher than she was when playing second fiddle to Filun. After this, Filun was raised by 9lb and ran a very respectable 3L beaten 3rd off a mark of 71 at Salisbury at what has become his standard 12f trip. Once again, he travelled extremely powerfully into the race and just couldn't pick up when asked in the final furlong. The form of that race is strong with the winner Danvilla winning off an 8lb higher mark subsequently and he is now 12lb higher. Furthermore, the 4th Eshtyaaq ran 3 excellent 2nds on his next 3 starts and is now rated 8lb higher than that day. After this Filun was given a 1lb hike in the weights from the handicapper and he again put in another excellent performance when going down by 1L at the end of June at Epsom. He travelled in his usual ominous way and jockey Liam Keniry waited as long as he could before he played him but the winner made all that day and he just couldn't pick him up. The form of that race isn't anything of note but it was still an encouraging effort. On his last start last year he ran a shocker at Epsom and considering he was absent for a long period after I'm willing to ignore that effort. Filun's last start came at Windsor last month after an 8 month break and I'm pretty sure he needed that reappearance run. He travelled pretty strongly until about 2f out but found absolutely nothing when asked for an effort and hopefully he'll be much sharper today. He returns to Brighton off a mark of 70 and he clearly loves it round here, with 2 very impressive victories over C+D as well as two other 3rds. Moreover, the ground should be ideal with his hat trick last summer coming on good to firm ground. Given the form of his latest C+D victory and his two subsequent placed efforts, I certainly don't think a mark of 70 is beyond him and a return to Brighton should see the best of him. He should come on an awful lot for his reappearance run and hopefully he won't need more than that to be fully race fit. Liam Keniry, who was his regular pilot last season, is engaged at Nottingham so John Fahy takes the ride for the first time and it is also his first start for the trainer. Although Middleton is winless since September, its not really a big concern for me as he was winless for 13 months prior to Filun's treble last summer. Although Fahy will have to be at his best to play him late enough, I think Filun represents excellent e/w value at 11/1 and holds a strong chance of landing this event. Current favourite Navigation Track could prove to be very well handicapped but he has an 8 month absence to overcome and Brighton's unique track may not suit him. Filun is clearly at his best around this time of the year and he'll surely trade very short in running if he's got any chance in the closing stages given the way he travels so if you are that way inclined it represents the perfect opportunity to lay off some of your liability on Betfair.
Someone told me a horse named after Sir Barney Chuckles favourite, I say favourite item of clothing is running for Luca Cumani on debut at Nottingham. Anyone spotted it? Just quickly, Roger Charlton is keen to run Bated Breath against Black Caviar- will the Aussie mare brush him aside or does it rate a stern opening test? I think its a good measuring stick for sure.
To start the morning off on a good note: Frankel, taken at the top of Warren Hill this morning (courtesy of Twitter)
Quite well named that Mankini. Being a son of Fashion Statement (who was beaten less than a length for Michael Jarvis in the Oaks) and a grandson of Shabby Chic. Full marks to the owners on this occasion although in normal circumstances Mankini would not be a lovely name for a horse. The race looks well above average though for a Nottingham maiden and he will need to be a good 'un to oblige today.
Morning guys hopefully I can get a couple of winners today so here we go YANABEEAA 4.45 and BOUCHER GARÃON 2.45 11/4 & 9/2 good luck if you play
Usual lucky e/w 15 and e/w accumulator 3 of my own and ROTO's pick 10/1 - Star City 13:45 Nottingham 10/1 - Filun 15:30 Brighton 8/1 - Winter Hill 17:15 Nottingham 10/1 - Represent NAP 17:30 Brighton
Was at chilly Redcar yesterday and picked a few things up for your notebook Lucy Minaj i was stood next to Bryan Smart when this came 2nd to Davy Omearas Hidden Coin, he was very very pleased with Result and stated it wins next time out Geoff Winter (the Ref) had a share in the 3rd placed horse and at 66s he was also very pleased in the same Race Glee rode Red Highlights, he got bumped travelling and eased this one down but thinks they will be pleanty more to come fromm Duffields horse Glee won the mile qualifying race on Forget me not lane and expects good things to come Roy Vasey was also on the course looking for future investments when he has sold two of his propertys and will be putting them in with Omeara .5 of a point to the 1st one to tell me Roys "stage name" stay Frosty
Morning all, and yet another glorious day... Well done to yesterdays backers and some impressive calls and returns, and Shearer looks like he is back in for more today, fingers crossed for you again... Not looked yet at the cards but SBC wearing a Mankini isnt the best picture to have in ones mind whilst trying to pick a winner... Get the flag out SBC and get wrapped up, a Mankini is not a great item of fashion wear...
I'm off to magaluf 5 weeks today on a stag, and we have got the stag a lime green Mankini to wear for one of the nights. Is this an omen?
Right chaps, in light of my new handicapping knowledge I have one for you today: Knight Vision (D Nicholls) 18/1 - 1.45 Notts This horse started off at Windsor over 6F on G/S ground and ran Rebellious Guest (off levels) to a 5 length 3rd. Rebellious Guest is now rated 99. If I take a 5 length defeat to be the equivalent of 15 lbs then Knight Vision ran to a mark of roughly 84. On his next start he was at Ripon again over 6F and again on G/S ground. He ran Overpowered (off levels) to a 3 length 3rd. Overpowered is now rated 94 so if we say that 3 lengths is the equivalent to 9 lbs then he again ran to a mark of about 84/85. He was then off the track until this April when he ran a stinker in all honesty, and finished way back in a average maiden after starting the 4/5 fav. If I forgive the last run (as him needing it badly) and Nicholls usually needing at least one run, that would make his opening mark of 69 hugely lenient, and is about 15 lbs lower than I think he should be. Now were taking a chance on Dandy's horse being 'appropriately prepped' for this, as he has been known to do the odd under-handed run now and again - but I reckon he's worth a punt. Ground is G/F today, but I don't think that will matter too much being by Haaffd.
.5 of a point to the 1st one to tell me Roys "stage name" ==================================== The one and only Chubby Brown!!!! Nowt for me todays gents so may have a little flutter on 1 or 2 of yours, cheers in advance!!!
Afternoon all not had chance to look for a few days so crammed a liitle look in today to stop the withdrawal symtoms going for a short patent. Al jabreiah 345 not and 2 at brighton olney lass300 330 bytes in hand will also do a yorkie and have a little dabble on a couple from here good luck all
not having a bet as at work but interesting to see Mackie (local trainer) will one on the flat, Available in first at Notts.
