Hurricane Fly 7/2 and Sir Des Champs 5/1 are appauling prices. I actuly think both will run big races but crikey, those prices im January are a disgrace given the standard of opposition. Apparantly Peddlers Cross returns at the weekend?
Okay. Ive backed PEDDLERS CROSS 50/1 for the Champion Hurdle. (Betdaq) He runs over 2m at the weekend, has been given plenty of time by McCain, and if he runs well at the weekend over 2m they might forget the World Hurdle and aim him at his rigntful race- a Champion Hurdle! With Cinders and Ashes having struggled, one has to wonder if McCain would be tenpted by a Champion Hurdle if Peddlers was to run well on his return, especially in the knowledge that Overturn managed 2nd last year and Peddlers was a better horse than him when on song. MONKSLAND is the World Hurdle horse.
1.20 Ludlow Sublime Talent 12/1 I think Evan Williams 7 year old Sublime Talent has an excellent chance off a mark of 120 now dropped in class and upped in trip for the first time over fences and if ridden a little more prominently he could prove rather difficult to beat. Formerly with Dermot Weld, he showed some very decent form on the flat with probably his best effort coming when he scored off a mark of 76 back in July 2010 and he also showed some good form over hurdles when scoring from the talented pair of Laganbank and Groody Hill for his Irish handler back in May 2011. He joined Evan Williams in October of that year and was successful over hurdles on his stable debut at Ludlow when dead heating that month. His hurdling career was moderate after that as he finished runner up on a couple of occasions but chasing was always going to be his forte and he made a really promising start to his chasing career last summer and he looked like a horse of a good deal of potential over the larger obstacles. Sublime Talent made his chasing debut over an extended 2m at Fakenham in May 2012 where he was probably a fortunate winner. Under tomorrow's jockey Adam Wedge, he sat in 3rd behind the talented Escort'men who had set off in front and was closing that leader down (who was still going well) when he fell 3 out, bringing down the struggling 2nd Mike Towey and also hampering Sublime Talent who just about navigated the danger as he was left miles clear of the other 2 runners as he came home to an easy success. Its pretty hard to learn much about that race but he certainly looked to be running a fine debut over fences before being gifted victory. Sublime Talent made it 2-2 over fences in fine style on soft ground at Perth in June 2012 and looked a very good chasing prospect when asserting close home to go away at the finish over 2m. In the 4 runner field, Sublime Talent shouldered a 7lb penalty (so did his 2 main rivals) where he was given a fine ride by Adam Wedge to score impressively. In a steadily run race, Sublime Talent tracked the leader for most of the race and came alongside that leader as well as the odds on favourite Lord Redsgirth up the home straight and after the last fence he quickened clear in taking fashion to score by nearly 4L but he was pulling right away at the finish. Lord Redsgirth brought a really nice standard to that race given he had won a handicap at the course off a mark of 121 two months prior but given the proximity of the 3rd Kai Broon (rated 114) leads me to believe that it isn't the most rock solid piece of form as it was run at a steady pace. Nevertheless, Sublime Talent showed a really likable turn of foot to draw clear in the run in making a perfect start over fences. Although his unbeaten start to his chasing career came on his next start later that month over an extended 2m at Newton Abbott, he lost very little in defeat as he couldn't give his winning stablemate Tiger O'Toole 4lb as he went down by a neck. Under a double penalty, Sublime Talent tracked the leader Indian Daudae and pulled up alongside him at 4 out. Jumping the last, he and his stablemate were up alongside each other and although Sublime Talent held every chance but he lost out in a battle. Both Tiger O'Toole and Indian Daudae give that form a really solid look and a replication of that effort would certainly see him go extremely close off his current mark. After this he made his handicap debut off a mark of 128 came in a Class 2 handicap where he propped on landing at the 6th flight which cost him all chance and its best to ignore that effort. His 3rd last start came in a Novice Chase where he was shouldered with 12-3 and he was unable to land a blow as he was a well beaten 4th in a race where it suited being close to the pace. His 2nd last start came at the start of November in a Listed Hanidcap where he was left about 5L behind the rest of the field as Adam Wedge thought it was going to be a false start. He made some decent enough progress up the home straight to finish a 20L beaten where he shaped as if he needed further off a mark of 128. His last start came at the end of November off a mark of 125 where he was again held up out the back in a race that suited those close to the pace as he finished a modest 14L beaten 4th where he again plugged on without threatening the leaders. For that effort he has been dropped what I feel is a very kind 5lb to a mark of 120 which resultantly allows him to qualify for a Class 4 0-120 event for the first time. Reopposing tomorrow is his stablemate Get It On who finished 8L ahead of him on his last start but he does have a 15lb swing with him (5lb official mark, Conor Ring's 10lb claim) and although Paul Maloney technically looks the to be on the first string that doesn't bother me as Adam Wedge seems to be his regular pilot. What I think will be key to his chances is the step up to 2m4f for the first time over fences and although he never won over this far over hurdles he put in some good efforts at the trip and I definitely think he'll significantly benefit from it. When analysing his first 3 starts over fences, I definitely think his mark of 120 is within his grasp and having won at the track is a big bonus to me. With Evan Williams in good form and Adam Wedge's 3lb claim alleviating his weight of 11-12, I'm confident of a big performance from this 7 year old who is dropped in grade and I think he'll run a big race.
2.50 Doncaster Lisheen Hill 14/1 Fascinating contender on his handicap debut for Richard Phillips off a mark of 108 on what will just be his 3 start over hurdles and under rules but I definitely think that the handicapper has let him in lightly and that he's weighted to run a very big race. Before joining current connections, Lisheen Hill had 4 Point to Point starts in Ireland between February and April of last year and on his 2 completed starts he won one and finished runner up in the other on debut. Its hard to quantify the form of that form but his win did throw up a winner and although he probably didn't beat much it showed he at least has won already. On the back of a 7 month absence, this 7 year old made what I thought was a really promising debut over hurdles when he was a not knocked about 15L beaten 4th in a good contest over 2m5f at Kempton in November when it looked clear that he needed the run. On good to soft ground under Jason Maguire, Lisheen Hill travelled very nicely throughout the race and he took up the running after 4 out. He was headed after 3 out and Jason Maguire proceeded to take care of him and let him come home in his own time as he finished a very good 4th. The 3rd and 5th had earned marks of 125 and 123 respectively prior to that race and brought a fairly decent level of form to the race. He really shaped as if he was a horse that would certainly be winning races in my eyes. Lisheen Hill's 2nd start came last month at Sedgefield on soft ground over an extended 2m5f where he looked as if he was slightly disappointing in finishing a 24L 4th behind an easy winner but I don't think its that simple. Firstly, he tried to go with Donald McCain's impressive and easy victor Witness In Court which I think took a lot out of him as he came home a very tired horse. In addition, his trainer has stated that he would prefer better ground (his point runs were all on Soft) and he also didn't like the undulating track at Sedgefield and I think he will definitely prefer Doncaster's flat, galloping track. Its a little bit risky judging a horse's handicap mark based on seeing just one run but I thought he shaped like a very decent horse that day and I'll be pretty surprised if he isn't better than a mark of 108. He's dropped back to just shy of 2 and a half miles for tomorrow's contest and although he'll surely be suited over further in future I'm sure in a race of this nature there is sure to be quite a bit of pace and his extra stamina should benefit him, as well as the fitness and experience of his first two starts under rules. Denis O'Regan is a very eye catching booking in my eyes on what is his first start for the yard and I think its interesting that he stays around after the opening contest just for this ride which I'm hoping signals that he is fancied to run well. Richard Phillips's form is hardly inspiring with his only winner in the last 3 months coming in November whilst his 0-12 at the track isn't great either. Although he's been set a difficult enough task on his handicap debut in a 19 runner minefield, I think he's been let in lightly by the handicapper and although its not a race to get too heavily involved with I think he's worth a small bet at a decent price.
Just reading the bookmakers being paid to go to the races story and it really amazes me. I am shocked to the core. Why would even 18 people pay to go to Lingfield Park in Mid December for yet another All Weather card? Now, many of you know that I like the All Weather, but the way they have turned it from a one card every couple of days event to multiple cards daily (and 14 runner cards at Wolves) is really diluting the racing further than even I can put up with. To expect punters to turn up at Lingfield day after day is ridiculous and the course can't be making much out of facilitating these tiny crowds? I like the All Weather and it has a place, however the place isn't daily on multiple courses with massive cards. Sort out this shambles BHA and racing in general!!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jan/08/bookmakers-paid-all-weather-meetings You can tell my reading preferences!! In other news, I think we agreed last night to go to the Breeders Cup on holiday this year. Jolly good.
Nice article, I do like the Guardian but find their racing coverage somewhat sparse at times. The Independent does a good job as well. Re the article, the markets at some of these all-weather meetings are so volatile and you really need to be careful on how you read "market strength" of a horse. It is not unusualy for a horse to go 7/2 - 100/30 - 3/1 - 11/4 - 5/2 in the space of a couple of miniutes, leading one to assume it is being well-backed, only for it to retrace it's steps back out to 7/2 a minute later. Bonkers.
Well if you only have four bookmakers, it isn't surprising to see the market move very quickly as any bet is struck!
Also how nice is it to see a couple of going reports with the word "good" in them. Is it Spring already?
Morning, troops. Hope everyone well. Mr Henderson saddles a couple of ‘shorties’ at Ludlow but do you know what, people, I’m going to oppose both! But should Mr Henderson oblige then never mind because you never lose when you’re beaten by Mr Henderson. Allow me to nominate: King of Dudes (3.05 Ludlow) – a dual winner on the Flat when trained by Sir Henry and Tommy Carmody. He showed himself more than capable in that sphere achieving a rating of 86 after winning at Navan in October. Now with old boy Alan King I would expect King of Dudes to prove an above average hurdler at the very least. Purchased for £50,000 shortly after that Navan victory I hope he can start to repay that figure with victory here. Let’s trust that he can ‘bring the bounty, back to the county’. Sun And Stars (4.05 Ludlow) – apparently this gelding is very, very, very, very and I do mean very, very, very, very, good. Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink. Say no more! Regular readers may wish to note that the double re this pair currently pays 59/1! Finally, I see that in the ‘lucky last’ at Donny Sam Waley-Cohen teams up with those old rogues, the Pipe’s. I hope that none of there ‘ways’ rub off on dear old Sam! His moniker of ‘the forum’s favourite Corinthian’ is at stake should they do so, people. Good luck to all.
Corinthian? Being able to knot his tie properly and ride a horse hardly puts him in the C B Fry league! Come off it SBC.
Hello lads. Nothing appeals today but mildly interesting to see yet another top novice chaser schooling against a few inferior rivals and the subsequent reaction from the layers. GL all having a go.
Good morning all... A bit misty hill mountain top today, cant see much anywhere up ere in't north at the mo... Anyway ive seen todays cards and picked a few out... hopefully... Ludlow... 12.50 - Tiqris, 11/10 1.20 - Last Shot, 7/2... bet 1.55 - Brick Red, 3/1... bet 2.30 - Combustible Lady, 13/2 3.35 - Bordoni, 6/5 3.55 - One More Dinar, 11/2... bet 4.05 - Castle Beach, 4/1 Donny... 12.40 - Modernism, 4/1 1.10 - 1159, 2/7 1.40 - Whistling Senator, 3/1 2.15 - Overturn, 1/4 2.50 - Castletown Bridge, 6/1... bet 3.25 - Grey Missile, 7/2... bet 3.55 - Chill Factor, 9/2 Singles n doubles plus 1 win patent at Ludlow... Small bets but they all add up if they win... Good luck to all if your playing today...
Very harsh! He can ride a horse ok he just can't race em. 2 ew fancies today: Whispering Hills 12.45 Fairyhouse 14/1. Not sure what happened to this one lto as he seemed to completely lose his place on the bend before staying on again at the finish. Going to give him another chance today. Canadian Diamond 13.55 Ludlow 16/1 although uncompetitive lto he was running well at Cheltenham prior to that before coming to grief 2 out. 2 miles seems to be his best trip so hoping for a return to form. Good luck all
Todays Trixie Ling 1.00 - Honourable knight 13/2 Lud 1.20 - Last Shot 7/2 Lud 1.55 - Ulys Du Charmil 4/1
We will see when he rides in the bumper. Surely he can't go far wrong on a slow horse in a flat race?
