Just want to put one up before i hit the hay and that's Above Standard 3/1 who runs in the 6:15 at Wolverhampton, slammed Ginger Ted 8 day's ago and Ginger Ted has boosted that form by going on to score during the week and subsequently gets a boost in the ratings for this putting just 4lbs between Ginger Ted and the selection Above Standard who went up 11lb for his stylish success lto(never off the bridle). Ginger Ted has found some form back on the sand but i think they have found the key to Above Standard and he may rack up a sequence of wins in quick succession, the other obvious danger is Song of Parkes who may have a say and although the draw is a concern for the selection, i expect he will win again.
Insideinfo, that's great...the best laugh of the week! But I heard a different story - about where the 35 million came from. Is this true?.......... You met the aforementioned wee Italian in a Berkshire bar on the eve of his magnificent seven at Ascot. He imbibed buckets of Chianti and then dribbled that his following day's seven rides would earn you a fortune. Unknown to you and the blue silked wonder, well-known racing pundit, JM, was eavesdropping round the corner of the bar. He dashed out and immediately placed a roll up on all seven horses with his local bookie. He then went back into the bar and forced himself into your company. All three of you proceeeded to resort to intoxicating paralysis, whereupon the burly sideburned keyholer confessed that in fact his name belied his true origins.....he was in truth a Czechoslavakian, born in Prague. Unable to negotiate your homeward paths, the three of you caught a taxi and spent the night at JM's sumptuous horse box flat. Deep in drunken sleep, the little Italian dreamed he won seven races. JM dreamed he was in Elysian valleys, shacked up on beds of asphodel with Clare Balding. You dreamed you stole JM's betting slip and went to the bookie's to get your payout. Having been paid out, when you woke up, the big fat Czech was up your arse!
Forgive the late night silly humour. To return to normal business.. Today's Old Roan Chase at Aintree sees the reappearance of Nick Williams' second season chaser, For Non Stop. The race should provide the first link between last season's novices and established chasers. On lines through Sir Des Champs and Cue Card, it's reasonable to assume that For Non Stop is about a stone behind Sir Des Champs - and a bit more inferior to Sprinter Sacre. At Cheltenham, For Non Stop ran a good race over this distance behind Sir Des Champs and Champion Court, but could never get to grips with those two. He comes into this race off a mark of 151 and receives 13 lbs off top weight, Wishful Thinking- a concession similar to that he would receive from Sir Des Champs, if the Irish horse were in the race. He also receives 10lbs off established chaser, Nacarat, who likes a fast track and should go well over this trip. However, it's fair to assume that, if last season's novices are as good as touted, then For Non Stop should win this race (or go very close) off today's weight. Put another way, would you fancy Sir Des Champs to win this off top weight? If For Non Stop performs poorly, then it undermines and calls into question the favourites for this season's top honours. Nacarat, Noble Prince, Gauvain, and Wishful Thinking all have chances on the book, but aren't progressive types and seem fully exposed. Pacha Du Polder seems a false favourite- he was weakening badly when falling behind For Non Stop last year. It's really a race to watch , but a good place only bet on For Non Stop ( around evens on Betfair) seems a good way to double your money. Or take the 11/2 available and back him EW. Doncaster 2.30. It goes against the grain to desert Jack Dexter and, although both Dungannon and Kaldoun Kingdom have chances, the value bet here has to be improving three year old filly, Kyleakin Lass. Best price 18/1 (Bet 365) Aintree 1.50 Cape Express. He is fit from the flat and should complete a four timer over hurdles. Best Price 11/4 (various) looks good to me.
5 for the leagues comp: 1.50 Aintree Nampour - loves Aintree (2 wins from 3 visits to the track) and Brendan Powell takes off a valuable 3lbs. 3.30 Aintree Noble Prince - would love to see this fella bounce back to best form and the track and ground should suit. 3.40 Chepstow Wonderful Charm - his French form looks very good, with the horse he finished 2nd to at Aueteuil, Usual Suspects, going on to take a Grade 1 from the likes of Ut de Sivola and Hisaabaat. 4.15 Chepstow Bourne - did me no favours when beating Smad Place at Ascot but showed that was no fluke with subsequent solid efforts in defeat at Cheltenham and Sandown. Goes well fresh (3 wins from 5 after a 60 day break) and is still open to improvement. 5.10 Aintree Gevrey Chambertin - Full brother to Grands Crus and looked impressive in taking his bumper at Ffos Las and not beaten far by some decent types in a listed event at Newbury thereafter. Will no doubt be stepped up in trip later in the season but this looks a nice opportunity to get off the mark over hurdles. Best of luck everyone
Not got time for a writeup but KINGSBARNS will be Lay King only selection of the day. The Hannon horse is a doubtful stayer for me. Id be looking at that First Cornerstone for the value, but it is not a great race.
Brave man Toppy considering the horses AOB has unleashed in this! In the past 3 years it has been Camelot, Seville and SNA
Morning all interesting AP is at Stratford today My NAP today is PASCO 2.55 Aintree. Could be incredibly well handicapped. 130 with Brendan Powell taking off 3lbs. Very confident today with this one. rest will just be fun bets. .
Also interesting that he is riding for every man and his dog in races where Jonjo has runners. Think he'll get a 4-timer.
Had a go on Scoop 6 and EW Lucky 63 with same horses: 2:00 Don - Proofreader 9/2 2:15 New - Maxentius 4/1 2:30 Don - Steps 14/1 2:45 New - Noble Mission 10/3 3:30 Ain - Nacarat 11/1 3:45 New - Sir John Hawkwood 3/1
The head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has written to the Vatican to ask if Jimmy Savile's papal knighthood can be posthumously removed, the Church has confirmed. Now there's an organisation which is squeaky clean on child abuse
Afternoon all, Aintree 1.50 KARTANIAN 9/1 E/W Interesting now sent in a handicap Doncaster 2.30 STEPS 16/1 E/W Looks to have good claims today, 3 or 4 year old`s do well in this race. Aintree 2.25 NIKOLA 9/2 6lb lower than last season when winning this. Aintree 3.30 NOBLE PRINCE 11/2 Comes here instead of staying in Ireland, take the hint. Aintree 5.10 GEVREY CHAMBERTIN 5/6 One of my horses to follow who can win today before stepping up in trip. Best Of Luck All
3.10 Chepstow, Marshall Zhukov. Pulled hard early on his chase debut, before weakening late on and blundering at the last, having jumped well up to then. The winner of that race, There's No Panic, improved to win easily at Fakenham yesterday, and Marshall Zhukov can hopefully do the same today. Around 9/2 in a competitive handicap chase. 3.30 Aintree, Noble Prince. Paul Nolan's gelding ran like a drain on his last trip to these shores (in the Ryanair Chase), but the stable was under something of a cloud at the time. Had previously looked lik.e one of Ireland's most promising chasers, and if he can return to the form that had him breathing down Big Zeb's neck twice over an inadequate 2m, he can defy a mark of 158. 3.05 Kingsbarns. Take the hint from Aiden, I reckon. Anyone who snaffled up Billy Hill's 5/2 this morning might be surprised to see there's still plenty of 9/4 available, but I expect him to be much shorter just before the off. There'll be a steward's if he's not.
Alright everyone, Quite a like a few each way today these will be getting some of my money.. 2:00 Don - Ruacana - Improved and held form throughout the year, acts on easy going always in the frame and will relish this test of stamina given he's often raced over further... BP 16/1 2:30 Don - Mirza - Has a very good record over the minimum distance, most notably and quite recently over at Ascot when 3 1/2 lengths behind Doc Bay in a listed race, Richard Hughes is an interesting jockey booking having won 3 out of 4 on Rae Guest's 5yr old.... BP 20/1 3:30 Ain - Hector's Choice - Over to one of my favourite NH races the Old Roan chase and Hector's Choice is my choice having a good record fresh from a break and also at Aintree having won a race of C/D at this meeting last year. Won at good race at cheltenham last time out and will be in the thick of things here..... BP 10/1 Good Luck
