3.05 Wolverhampton Priors Gold 7/1 Going to keep this quite short but I think Ollie Pears's charge looks excellent value at 7/1 and I think he is going to take a hell of a lot of beating in today's contest. Formerly with Gordon Elliott, this Ollie Pears owned and trained 6 year old has only had two starts for his new handler running very well on both occasions and I will be very, very surprised if he is out of the first 3. A facile C+D winning maiden for Elliott back in November 2011, Priors Gold made his first start for Pears on the back of a near year absence last month when running an extremely good 3rd off this mark of 75 when the (albeit comfortable) winner Thecornishcockney got first run on the field as he had to settle for a place. The form of that race looks strong with the front two home finishing a narrowly beaten 2nd and 3rd in the same better race off 6lb and 1lb higher marks respectively. Priors Gold was dropped into claiming company 10 days ago for his last start over 1m4f at Wolves where he again ran a very good race finishing 2nd to the bang in form and 87 rated Stand Guard in receipt of 4lb as he went down by an always held 1L. He travelled extremely well into the contest but perhaps could not quite quicken up as well as the 12lb higher rated winner and he lost very little in defeat. Stand Guard is in the form of his life at present winning 4 of his last 5 starts (latest two in claiming company) and he followed up his victory over Priors Gold by scoring by an eased down 14L against some average rivals a few days ago. Based on his last 2 efforts, I think he's definitely got some room to work with off a mark of 75 and he should appreciate the step back up in trip. Jacob Butterfield claims an extremely valuable 7lb off his back and comes here for this sole mount today. Trainer Ollie Pears is in blistering form with 2 wins and Priors Gold's 2nd from just 4 runners this year and he looks to have a very good opportunity to improve that record here. With a good draw in stall 2, I think Priors Gold is going to take an awful lot of beating and hopefully he lands this Class 5 handicap at an appealing price.
http://www.skysports.com/skysportsnews/story/0,28679,19501_2633256,00.html Roto youve been rumbled, we now know who does your homework
4.35 Athletic - 5/1 I wasn't intending to have a bet today, but I was looking through the form of the modest races at Wolverhampton and I think I spotted something of interest. Athletic caught my eye with his run last time out for the Mccabe yard, at a time when the yard were not in great form, and under the inexperience Nora Looby. He isn't straightforward, but he ran a very taking race when hanging away from the rail at the tighter turning Lingfield track. He finished 6th that day, beaten about 3 lengths, but it was the fact that he was challenging until the final half furlong that caught my eye, especially as he had been so keen before that. He has yet to win a race which is a negative, but todays race is weaker than most I have seen. The horse now has the experienced and strong Winstone in the saddle and the yard are in fine form. The drop slightly in trip should suit and this is a torrid race. 5/1 looks fair.
Morning, troops. Hope everyone well. The rarely spotted NH fixture fails to make another appearance today then. That’s up to ‘Day 4’ in the Isle. Still at least the big sporting event of the weekend didn’t fall victim to the weather. They’re hardy souls at the old ITV studios and I was heartened to see ‘Dancing on Ice: The Skate Off’ go ahead as normal. Nothing for me today but an eyecatching entry, in my opinion, is my old fave Zaynar back over hurdles in a ‘Pertemps Qualifier’ on Friday. What are those old rogues the Pipe’s up to now, me wonders?!? Finally, for now, I see that Pricewise is doing the ‘Champion Hurdle’ tomorrow. Nothing leaps off the page but in my view dear old Binocular and Countrywide Flame (both 20’s) are the most likely advice from the old boy. Do the great brains concur???
I suppose Countrywide Flame looks decent value if you believe that going right handed was the reason for his poor showing at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle. I really don't know what to make of the Binocular situation - Mr Henderson had previously maintained that the horse needed alot of work to get fit and would improve for each run, yet he has left it very late to get the old boy out for his seasonal debut this time around (is he going for the Irish Champion Hurdle??). Surely AP will be on Darlan come the big day so perhaps they may go off chasing other pots with Binocular e.g. save him for Aintree or Punchestown?
Reportedly is going for the ‘Irish Champion’ Oddy and I’m sure a win for Binocular (7/2 with Paddy Power) would be cheered from the rooftops as Mr Henderson is extremely popular in Ireland. Actually he’s popular everywhere but especially so amongst the knowledgeable Irish crowd who always appreciate true genius. I still maintain that Binocular’s best is as good as any of the current hurdlers but the big question has to be will he produce it when asked as he has become very hit and miss over the past couple of seasons. Still I suppose the 20/1 quote takes this inconsistency into account. Would imagine that McCoy will sit on Darlan (unless Binocular does something exceptional at the weekend or whenever he makes his seasonal bow) so perhaps Andy Tinkles will come in for the ride at Cheltenham???
If the Tinkler chap were on his back that would be another reason to steer clear IMHO - not one I rate too highly I'm afraid.
He’s not that bad, old boy. Old Tinkles has served Mr Henderson well in the past and even has a Champion Hurdle placing to his name (on the above mentioned Zaynar).
If Carberry did get the ride I can see a bit of a 'steamer' come Cheltenham time... I dont trust that Henderson - he s not so forthcoming as Paul Nicholls with honest views on his horses... And it is slightly odd that Binocular hasnt been sent out early... this time being kept back - not sure when we will see him with the inclement weather... is this a deliberate ploy to keep him fresh this time? When you watch last years Champion Hurdle he came there with a chance Binocular but clattered the last.. .. I can see Binocular running very well in the Champion. I shall be interested to see his first run of this season and how the jockey handles him... Zarkandar for me though for the Champion at present.
Is Go Native ok? Carberry would prob be on that but if that didn't run then I could see him on Binocular. Patient waiting ride and we all know Binocular has a turn of foot in the right ground....
Go Native died on the gallops end of November http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/25510/8273970/go-native-killed-on-gallops
Sadly, Go Native is no longer with us. He was put down after breaking his leg just cantering in training. Very tragic. A fine racehorse.
Peter http://sportinglife.aol.co.uk/horse-racing/news/article/22888/8273970/go-native-killed-on-gallops - Peter I'm afraid the horse died on the gallops a little while ago .. great shame ..
Funny weather here. Was -1° when I set off to visit the Augenarzt this morning, but now the stuff is almost melting a bit. Ground very treacherous, and my patented 'pregnant penguin' walk plus good winter boots really helps a lot. So far so good!
