Starting this off now so that I don't get suckered into betting on the crap stuff tonight! Saturday's racing is from Ascot, Haydock, Kempton, Stratford, Thirsk and Wolverhampton, plus Leopardstown across the water. Channel Four are televising the 2-05; 2-40; 3-15 and 3-50 from Haydock - the 1-55 and 3-30 from Ascot and the 2-20 and 2-55 from Kempton's AW meeting *shudders* My bets are on Redvers at 25-1 in the first at Ascot, Special Meaning at 7-1 in the 3-30 at Ascot; at Haydock in the 2-40 Glory Awaits at 12-1, Tropical Beat at 8-1 BOG in the 3-15 and Lethal Force at 11-4 in the 3-50 I may well have a punt in the opener at Haydock, the Be Friendly 5f dash - I'm tending towards Above Standard at 8-1, but this is a fiercely competitive affair as usual and I may just watch Good luck all
Can't pick a winner at present. The Betfred Sprint Cup looks a cracking race to watch. I'm being lazy and going for a Lucky whatever with all progeny of Sea The Stars, New Approach and Teofilo (even though I spotted one of them is 25/1).
Crikey, hadn't looked at Irish racing. There are a few running against each other there. I'll have to exclude Leopardstown.
1.55 Ascot Pythagorean 7/1 3.50 Haydock Lethal Force 3/1 2.40 Haydock Montridge 11/8 4.10 Hot Streak 11/4 Singles and double 6.50 Leapardstown Decleration of war 11/4 Might do a lucky on them all aswell
Chaps. Free Eagle is very well thought of. It will be interesting to see if he progresses from the first outing. Apparently Weld and the team have turned down big, big multi million pound offers for him. If it rains I think Al Kazeem will win the big race. The Fugee isn't good enough when it's not rattling and DofW has similar comments by his name in my book. With the possibility Al Kazeem being over the top and Free Eagle being odds on and up against exciting Coolmore horses, neither races are ones to bet in. I would like to see Kingsbarns run and mix it with the top ones though. He'd edge his way into Arc contention if he's fit and retained ability.
And having looked at Haydock, I see no reason to look away from Lethal Force. He's been given a nice lay off after running well in France last time out albeit over a distance long of his best. I do think he looked in need of a break during that run and that's what he's had. I was very sweet in deed on him in the July Cup. I think he's our best 6f sprinter in a long long time. Hopefully he proves that tomorrow. He's a bet at 3/1 if the ground stays on the good side of things. If it's wet all day though I'd err on the side of caution and just watch the race.
Morning Men (and Pnmkt) Starboard 10 Equity Risk @ 7/2 (GP) 15:40 HANDICAP 1m The United States @ 2/1 (GP) 18:15 GROUP 3 STAKES 1m 2f Al Kazeem @ 9/4 (GP) 18:50 IRISH CHAMPION STAKES 1m 2f Free Eagle @ 8/13 (GP) 17:15 GROUP 3 STAKES 1m Win lucky and an Acca Be Lucky Stay Frosty
I really think Swiss Spirit has a good each way chance today - Haydock 3.50pm. Cant believe he s 16/1 .. There s a bit of extra juice in the ground and i remember him finishin like a train in the temple stakes. Extra furlong today will suit and he s been a bit unlucky in some of his runs too.. Small ew wager at 16s GP ..... Wont see the race though so only small bet for me. 16s taken.GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!
Sod it - Glory Awaits and Tropical Beat both scratched I'm going to take a chance with Kingsbarn in the Irish Champion and while I think that with Glory Awaits out, Montiridge should win the Haydock 2-40, at 12-1 I'm going with Highland Knight ew and hoping for no more NR's
8.05 Wolverhampton Perennial Finished 2nd in a group 3 on second start and also finished 2 lengths behind Michelangelo in the Cocked Hat stakes last year but hasnt ran a decent race since in handicap company. Drops to a claimer today for the first time and if he retains any of his ability he should surely be winning a claimer. Im willing to take that chance at 9/4
At Haydock, punters should watch the opening sprint handicap to assess the state of the ground before committing to anything in the Sprint Cup. Lethal Force is the best horse in the race if the going is not too soft, whilst the drop in trip is the main concern for Garswood. Pallasator is no good thing off top weight in the Old Borough Cup, a race which is easily by-passed. Montiridge should win the Superior Mile but will be no price as the going is immaterial for him; and Hughes has excellent chances in the last three races on the card. With the word “Soft” appearing in the going report, I will just be watching Haydock. At Lingfield, quite why they are allowed to run significant pattern races on the fibresand when they have a turf course is beyond me. In the September Stakes, Royal Empire looks the one for Godolphin with the surface an unknown quantity for Masterstroke (best on soft turf in France) and last year’s Derby runner-up Main Sequence is not to be trusted. In the 2:55, I would not be surprised to see Seek Again reverse form with Ehtedaam on their meeting last time out on the fibresand. He has the best of the draw today. Over at Ascot, in the 1:55, Pythagorean is in the grip of the handicapper as his consistent performances keep seeing his rating rise without actually winning, so the one for me is Gabrial’s Lad, a good winner last time on his first attempt at seven furlongs. In the 3:30, Cafe Society was given too much to do last time over course and distance but now races off 5lb higher. There ought to be plenty of pace in this race with two potential front-runners from the Johnston yard. If Royal Skies does not take on Special Meaning this rapidly improving filly may be good enough to complete a five-timer. If not the race may be set up for Luca Cumani’s Elhaame, stepping up in trip from ten furlongs. In the 4:40, Forgive won a poor five-runner affair last time but her claimer more than offsets the 4lb rise in the handicap so she could give weight away all round. The 5:10 is Aussie Jim McGrath’s last call as a racing commentator, but it is difficult to know which one he will be calling home first. There are enough question marks about many of the runners but it might be worth taking a chance on relatively unexposed Port Alfred being the one. Leopardstown is another weather watch for the Irish Champion Stakes. Any rain in the afternoon will surely see The Fugue defect, but it would favour Al Kazeem in his attempt to reverse York form with Declaration Of War and Trading Leather. Whilst The Fugue looked impressive at York, it is debatable whether the form stacks up to much; and assuming that Trading Leather is going to be made plenty of use of, Roger Charlton’s five year old has everything going for him.
I am willing to forgive Pythagorean's last run. The draw ruined his chances before he even raced and with a better draw today he should give a better account of himself.
Field of Dreams 1.55 ascot Pythagorean 1.55 Ascot Jedward 2.05 Haydock Storm King 2.55 Kempton Seeing Jedward's name there highlights the fact that ROTO isn't on here tipping him up. Is he on his jollies?
A great days racing today, to get the ball rolling Ascot 3.00 Casual Smiles 5-2 I feel there is a lot more to come from this horse after a good introduction an a decent Newmarket Maiden.
woohoo ... get in Redvers - who I got at 25-1 last night - wonder how much they'll deduct? !!! Edit: I lied Apparently I took 10-1 with Stan James. And also had doubles with two non-runners - grrrrr!
