Racing today from Ayr and Wolverhampton on the flat and Sedgefield over the sticks. Folkestone is ABANDONED. I've decided to keep a particular eye on the novices this NH season and a couple take my fancy in the 2 divisions of the John Wade series qualifier at Sedgefield. In the opening heat at 2.20 Don McCain's Hong Kong Island has won thrice on the flat and is currently rated 84 in that sphere. Has already tackled 1m6f on the flat and, although clearly not one of the yard's best, I'm sure they will be looking to pick up a couple of races with him as long as the ground remains decent. In the 2nd leg at 2.50 Hi George can get the better of Quinsman at the weights. Malcolm Jefferson's gelding won a bumper at Donny in January before finding New Years Eve and Swinging Sultan too good in a hot Market Rasen bumper. On hurdles debut he showed a pleasing attitude to nail a 4/9 shot and I'm prepared to believe he was over the top when disappointing in May behind the prolific One Term. A nice little double on those 2 to small stakes for me today. Best of luck everyone
Morning all! Today's offerings not very inspiring but am doing a small stakes Yankee for interest (bored and still off work) 16.10 Lord Franklin (will appreciate the ground) 16.20 Goldan Jess (won well on Saturday from out of the handicap) 16.40 Muffin Mcleay (fav won't like the ground, others not up to it) 16.50 Hit the Switch (beat fav lto and longer trip will suit imo) So there's 4 for you to avoid.
Just noticed hidden in this article the fact that Ransom Note is going novice hurdling with Nigel Twiston-Davies. Should be a very interesting prospect !!!!
Anyone a member of Cheltenham racecourse? I was wondering if the membership was a good idea (I am aiming to go to the whole festival and the Open anyway) and what are the benefits.
Morning, all. Another sad day for the High Street of ‘Broken’ Britain yesterday as JJB disappeared. Still at least some bods up in Manchester are planning on how to get us out of this ‘hole’. Oh hold on... Nothing for me today on a very poor days racing but it wouldn’t surprise me if Mr Gosden, the forum’s fourth favourite trainer, had a ‘card commencer’/’lucky last’ race double up at Wolverhampton with 2 types who I’m sure connections, earlier in their careers, would have hoped would have been competing a few grades above what they are today. Nass, the whole of the Festival?!? Blimey, that is some act of endurance. Personally, I wouldn’t touch CGC day if the racecourse gave me free entry. Oddy, could not agree more. Wow, Ransom Note will indeed be a highly interesting recruit to the NH sphere. One of the highest rated flat animals to transfer in recent terms. Is he still owned by the Moulds??? If so surprised he has gone to Twiston-Davies rather than Mr Henderson (who also trains some for them). Dear old Nige is competent but let’s face it he’s no Mr Henderson.
Kilcaskin Star and Vinetta at Sedge should give you a run for your money im assured, not sure of pricess but tissue suggest a bit of EW value Stay Frosty
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Ticket allocation reduced for 2013 Cheltenham Racecourse have decided to reduce the amount of tickets available for Gold Cup day 2013. The flagship event of March's Festival attracted 70,400 racegoers to the Prestbury Park site this year. But organisers have opted to cut the allocation to around 67,000, in case bad weather affects the day. I would imagine that there would be a scramble to get tickets anyway so getting one for the whole festival, if it was cost effective mind, would be a good idea... I'd love to go, and will soon i hope, so id go for it Nass...
Nass, I can honestly say that out of all the times that I’ve gone racing only 3 times have I walked through the turnstiles at the end of the day and said I didn’t enjoy that – 1 was ‘Celebration Mile’ day at Goodwood 7 or 8 years ago and the other 2 were both on the day of the CGC. Just a personal opinion but I found it cramped beyond belief (therefore you saw very little, the facilities were stretched to the limit and there was so much pushing and shoving just to move a matter of feet), full of people who knew absolutely nothing about racing (people moan about Royal Ascot for the same reason but I found CGC day far worse) whilst a huge number of the clientele were blind drunk by 1 o’clock. I was in the ‘Grandstand’ both times. Perhaps an upgrade to ‘Club’ would be for the better but I have my severe doubts.
I put up R Woody last week very strongly and in my opinion he was given a complete shocker by William Buick to finish a very fast finishing second. I think there will be no mistake today by Jim Crowley and i think he will win at what looks incredible value at 11-4. Wolverhampton 3.00 R Woody 11-4 Later in the card i would give a decent chance also to the John Dunlop horse 4.00 Zaahya 4-1 Good luck all
Cheers Bluesky9 - 2nd day of retirement and bored rigid already! So I'll join you on R Woody and hope it isn't Richard Dunwoody that Jim Crowley is sat on
Alright for some, I've got another 45 years before I can retire! What I would give to be at home bored rigid!
Nass im there next year, but like SBC im not a fan of GCD, will be there all week but only on course 3 days, hopefully we can finally catch up
What a good idea Dan, we should have a forum meet up on one of the early days. I will need a pint or two buying for me by then!!! It would be good to meet some of the 'gang'
He's 110/1 on Betfair and also ATR have apparantly mentioned it on their channel. I await confirmation.
