1.50 Newbury Double Dash 4/1 I was waiting a long time for George Baker's charge to return to the track and he did so over tomorrow's C+D at the end of November on the back of a 650 day absence and with that run under his belt I strongly fancy him to land his first win over fences and I am absolutely convinced this 8 year old is going to prove a lot better than his current mark of 109. A bumper winner as a 5 year old, Double Dash is the only horse Baker has trained to go the Cheltenham Festival (Champion Bumper - well beaten) so I think that tells you an awful lot about what Baker thinks of him. After a couple of hurdle runs, Double Dash won on his handicap debut in that sphere off a mark of 110 in fine fashion by 13L and purely based on his hurdling form his chasing mark looks potentially very lenient. However, his first 2 chases read very, very well and he is a horse I will be following all season. After two more runs in handicap hurdles when disappointing, Double Dash made a lovely chasing debut on the back of 6 month absence back in October 2010 when finishing an excellent 1.25L behind Fruity O'Rooney. Fruity O'Rooney, who was also making his chasing debut, is now rated 142 in that sphere so that rates as very strong form. This now 8 year olds 2nd chasing start in November 2010 reads just as well as he finished as staying on 9L beaten 2nd behind the now 142 rated chaser and easy winner Rebel Du Maquis (receiving 7lb) as he finished 10L clear of the 128 rated Lake Legend and a further 16L clear of the 136 rated Anquetta as he beat those rivals off level weights. He had one start after this when disappointing on handicap debut off a mark of 117 but considering that was his last run before his absence then I think something may have been wrong with him. Based on his 2 runs in a Beginners and Novice chase then I think his mark of 109 looks potentially extremely lenient and he could be chucked in by more than a stone. I've trawled through George Baker's blog archive and they seem to rate him an awful lot but they also mention that he has a lot of quirks (which Baker re-emphasised when I e-mailed him). On the back of his 650 day absence Double Dash made an absolutely lovely reappearance when finishing a 12L beaten 5th at the end of November over tomorrow's C+D with his trainer informing me that he would certainly need the run. Its as clear as day that was the case as Double Dash, who was terribly misbehaved on the way down to the post, travelled very nicely into things before getting tired late on as he finished a very respectable 5th and I certainly don't think you could have asked more from him on his first run in such a long time. That Class 3 event has worked out very nicely with the 2nd Ballywatt going down by a short head on his only subsequent start off a 4lb higher mark whilst the 3rd Drumshambo won on his next start off the same mark eased slightly in grade. George Baker's charge takes an ease in grade as he competes in this Class 4 event and there is no doubt in my mind he is going to come on an awful lot for his most recent run. The handicapper has left his mark at 109 and I will be desperately disappointed if he isn't up to winning off his current mark as I think he has the potential to be a great deal better than it. Trevor Whelan, who was on board for his last start, takes the ride again and takes a very valuable 5lb off his back. With George Baker in very good form at present, I'm quietly confident that Double Dash is going to take a fair amount of beating and I hope this represents the first win in a successful season for this 8 year old.
ROTO - on the beer in Chester thanks to today's great tip - let's hope Double Dash does it tomorrow - but if not - we live to fight another day ! Cheers mate
double Dash, the money is down Roto, nice to play with the Stokies winnings. yes it is me Gerry welcome to the board.
Restless Harry has to be overpriced at 11/4 going left handed and upped in trip. I think he won't have to make the pace either but can't be sure.
Very high quality maiden at 1.20 at Newbury with Clive Cox sending his Group 3 winning mudlark Poet hurdling, Snake Eyes for Henderson/AP/JP, 2 nice looking Alan King entries, 2 more for Jonjo, Powell & McCain represented. Should be a very informative contest. The 3.00 is no less interesting and despite the runners from powerful yards I am most interested in Royal Guardsman. He looked to have a very bright future last season and was sent off 2nd fav behind New Years Eve for the Cheltenham bumper but could finish only 10th. I have no idea why the horse is no longer with Colin Tizzard but it will be fascinating to see how he goes here against a well touted Henderson horse.
POET 1.20 Newbury my info from the people who have seen this horse is school is that he is an absolute natural as a jumper. He was class on the flat and very big things are expected of him over hurdles. He has certainly impressed at home and they will be hugely dissapointed if he doesnt collect tomorrow!
One at Newbury 12.50 Handy Andy 7/2, won off this mark over hurdles and twice at this track from 3 runs. Step up in trip tomorrow looks to suit after he was staying on over shorter LTO.
ROTO have you been on here long? I have just this very evening discovered you, albeit too late for the Catterick tip. Your clear, concise and hugely informative synopsis is certainly compelling. You are 1 for 1 with me and I look forward to tomorrow and the selection's run. I fear some newspaper tipsters may be fearing their 'jotters' if you keep up this standard of research and analysis. This may well end as my lucky day.
Interesting selections for tomorrow. I like 3 at Newbury but unfortunately they have been put up already so that's bad news for our experts. I'll put them up anyway - sorry chaps if I have put the mockers on them: Newbury 12.50 Handy Andy 13.20 Poet 13.50 Double Dash The only other I quite fancy is Isobella in the first at Ludlow. We have a mare in foal by this name and a 2 year old we bred called Anabella. And my jockey of the moment Dougie Costello up. Have to pick this one, Berude Not To at a forecast 16/1. And they are all Timeform selections.
Tomorrow looks one of those days that could throw up a star and whilst I won't be betting, I wouldn't be shocked to see something special from Poet or Royal Guardsman.
Cheers Courtez for the kind words. Have been posting her for about 18 months at this stage. The are certainly a lot of informative people on here and its a very insightful forum full of very good tipsters and discussion.
Poet @ SP 13:20 MAIDEN HURDLE 2m 110y Pending £2.50 Restless Harry @ 2/1 14:25 GRADUATION CHASE 3m Pending Royal Guardsman @ 3/1 15:00 NOVICES HURDLE 2m 3f Pending Double Dash @ 4/1 13:50 HANDICAP CHASE 2m 2f 110y Stay Frosty and thank you all
heisenburg i hope you're getting on ok and bearing up. i have double dash 1:50 NBY as well as some of you but in a reserve spot and it looks from my book like i favoured chestnut ben. no money on though. and in the 1:20 i just spent a while wondering why i've picked a horse called 'loser of the day' and then realised it's called leader of the gang and i just can't read my own writing i've got a few more but i'm being minimalist with my choices now and it's starting to pay off. maybe when there's only one meeting i'll sift out a few to post. but anyway, tomorrow looks a good day at newbury, plus there's ludlow as well. g'luck all
It was a joke... But I had forgotten about that. Thanks for reminding me. First week on the board if I recall correctly and it was 16/1 and I think only one person said good shout.
Morning everyone Two for me today 2.45 Ludlow - THE FALKLANDER @ 14/1 A monster of a horse at 19 hands and built like a brick****house, as a result he takes a fair bit of work to get fit. He ran a superb race at Cheltenham on his return before blowing up. He then disappointed last time out, but lost a shoe in running. The return to a softer surface should help and hopefully he can show his true ability. 3.55 Kemptoon - MARMOT BAY @ 10/1 Very speedy 2yo filly who ran well for a long way over 9f at Wolves last time out. Last run over C&D was a 3/4L third behind Modern Lady off a mark of 59. Racing off 64 today but Amy Scott negates that by claiming 5lbs. She'll no doubt blaze out, to try and make all. Good luck all!
Morning, troops. There’s one running today that I really like. I won’t bore everyone with the reasons why again (they were outlined on yesterday’s daily thread) but suffice to say Mr Henderson’s COCKTAILS AT DAWN (3.00 Newbury) looks a very exciting addition to the hurdling ranks. He is though a long term project and today is most deffo not THE day re him. However, in saying that I expect him to win and think 5/2 a more than fair price. He does seem though to have a very admirable rival in Royal Guardsman who effortlessly won an Ascot bumper last term and was then highly fancied for the Cheltenham Championship event. The big question re this one though has to be will the transfer from the Tizzards to old girl Mrs Nock, what a lovely name for a filly trainer by the way, be a boon or a hindrance for him??? Good luck all.
