News updates on 2 of my favourites courtesy of Sporting Life: Flemenstar: Exciting prospect Flemenstar is likely to kick off his campaign in the Fortria Chase at Navan on November 11. Peter Casey's pride and joy enjoyed a superb novice campaign over fences, winning five of his six starts and signing off with a brilliant performance in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. He is as short as 12/1 for this season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, but is set to come back in trip for his eagerly anticipated seasonal reappearance. Casey said: "He came back to us a while ago and he looks super. He has strengthened up a lot and the plan is to start him off at Navan. He'll head to The Curragh tomorrow for a bit of work up the Old Vic (Gallop) and that should leave him right for Navan. We'll try and get a racecourse school into him somewhere beforehand. After that, I'd say that he'll go for something like the (John) Durkan Chase at Punchestown." Last Instalment: Last Instalment is still on target to return to action some time in the new year. Trainer Philip Fenton has been delighted with his recuperation over the summer months from the tendon injury which prevented him running at the Cheltenham Festival. Before injury struck, Last Instalment had stated his case for being the best staying novice chaser in Ireland, with victories in two Grade Ones suggesting the sky was the limit. "He's in good shape but I wouldn't have thought he'd be running until January time," said Fenton. "He came back to me in mid-September and he's done lots of road work. Crucially his tendons seem fine at the moment, that's the main thing. We haven't yet got as far as picking out a race for him, I expect we'll have a sit down in the next six to eight weeks and pick out a target." I predict big things for both of these fellas this season.
I'd have it between Silviniaco Conti and Weird Al ........................ and maybe, just maybe, if they bring their best form, Diamond Harry and Time For Rupert (bloody big "if" though)
SBC..I have been very selective as ever and can go a week and more without any bets....I have been winning on the obvious ones on the Flat namely,Frankel,Dawn Approach,Certify,Toronado and Camelot though had my worst reversal of a four figure bet when Camelot was stunningly beaten in the St Leger though many feel he would have won that race if better ridden and AOB kicked himself for not running a pacemaker ! I didn't back him in the Arc even though there were fortunes for him in the end as the going was far too soft though he did have a colic operation and will be back next season to prove to be the best AOB has ever trained...his own words ! Yes Odddog...I have been on BBC Radio 5 Live 606 phone-in a few times about the Owls these past couple of years...let's hope we have turned the corner again now and follow up with a home win on Saturday...still by far the best supported club in the division and there were more at Hillsborough for our home win against Wycombe in the third tier than Chelsea had at home to Barcelona in the Champions League Semi-Finals...yet some wise guy tried to tell me on 606 that Sheffield Wednesday are not Chelsea ! Far more research required and whichever team Mr Abramovich had invested in for the past 10 years would have had the same management,players and success as Chelsea have had....everyone knows that !
I have replied to all of you SBC,RV and OddDog...though my comments have to pass the moderator first !
I think with Smad Place - Kingy wants to go WH route and have a crack at Big Bucks proper, and the owners want to go chasing! Personally, I'd keep him over hurdles this year, he's only 5 plenty of time for chasing - and maybe just maybe he's got a chance in the WH, who knows! I love the NH season - and over the moon it's getting going now! Can't wait to see the some new novices over hurdles and us all speculating over the Supreme for months on end!
Thanks Nam Ned...OK let's see if I can return with a few winners for you all...apparently the following are expected to win today and be placed at least ... 1.10 Yarmouth Charter ( still trappy as Bell has 2 in the race as pointed out by RV) 2.10 Yarmouth High Troja 3.20 Catterick The Tiger 4.30 Taunton Calusa Comet Good luck if you play any of them.....I will check them out at lunch-time as usual !
Many happy returns Ollie. Jayandbee in the 3.20 at Taunton. Johnson seemingly has a 100% strike rate for the owners (don't know how often he has ridden for them so could be 1 from 1!!). It's bumper race has thrown up subsequent wins for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th and 8th (some of them multiple winners) - had Revani behind of level weights. In it's last outing the winner has won twice since and the 2nd home has also won since. Could be well handicapped? Anyways will carry my schekels.
Happy birthday Ollie and also welcome arkle interesting times ahead possibly if 606 history is anything to go by
A pity the field is reduced to 15 runners in the 3.00 at Taunton though Jayandbee has every chance of making the frame...Johnson's best chance of a winner is in the last race as they think he could be very useful and can beat the Nicholls hotpot. What price AP McCoy to go through the card at any meeting sometime this season...that must be the only outstanding target left for him in his career and wasn't it magnificent that he deservedly won SPOTY after winning the Grand National in 2010 ?
1.20 Catt - KEY AMBITION @ 16/1 1.50 Catt - KLYNCH @ 18/1 3.20 Catt - TRES CORONAS @ 14/1 3.50 Catt - EVER ROSES @ 12/1 4.20 Catt - ROCK ON CANDY @ 8/1 5 wee singles win and place a 5 horse accy and a retirement Lucky 31 JOB DONE!!
Hello lads and happy St Herberts Day. Nothing for me today on the betting front but as the lads have stated,great to see the NH season gathering momentum. I'm off to Down Royal as usual on Saturday for JNCC...easier passage this year since I'm living in Belfast currently...then,after racing,a curry in the excellent Bengal Brasserie and straight across the road to the Errigle for some BC action!!..Utter Bliss and a right old 12 hour bender! Welcome back Supreme and happy birthday Ollie..have a great one mate GL everyone having a bet or a blind date.
Thanks Dexter..I remember you as you used to enter my Tipping contests and Quizzes that I ran on 606...I still do Quizzes now at local functions and for mt school reunions.
Oscars Well declared to make his debut over fences tomorrow in the first at P'town...also the exciting Buckers Bridge due out in the following race.
