Saturday's Meetings Chelmsford (Newbury Card) A/W 7 Races 1:35-5:00p.m. Thirsk Flat 8 Races 1:45-5:45p.m. Ayr N/H 8 Races 1:50-5:50p.m. Bangor-on-Dee N/H 6 Races 2:15-5:05p.m. Nottingham(E) Flat 7 Races 4:50-7:55p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 7 Races 6:10-9:10p.m. Cork Abandoned Newbury Abandoned Card Transferred to Chelmsford Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
16:10 Ayr - A Good Skin e/w (Agree, Ardent, very competitive indeed. Younger horses have a fair record in the Scottish Grand National, and this one has a chance if he can brush-up on his jumping a bit. Modest e/w bet).
Through the card for Ayr today. Vivaldi Collognes Bristol De Mai - why is he odds against? Ch'tibello Ultragold Golden Chieftan/Vicente Arbre De Vie/Warriors Tale Alcala Man O'Words
Mixed feelings about this. Good they were able to reschedule the card so quickly, but would've been better if it was transferred to a turf meeting during the week IMO (e.g. Windsor on Monday - I know it's an evening meeting, but when was the last time the Spring Cup had 7 runner field like it is at Chelmsford?!)
Morning, all. Hope everyone well. I’m sure that my regular readers were devastated when Friday’s Newbury card was abandoned given my recommendation at the meet re Argocat. But please try to hide your disappointment stoically, people. Mr Henderson has now entered Argocat in a handicap hurdle at Warwick, next Thursday. But to be perfectly frank, troops, I would be a million times more keen on him on the Flat than I ever would be in the old NH sphere. Onto today and I like (although not to anywhere near the same extent as Argocat had he run yesterday) Battalion at Chelmsford (2.10) and ‘oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooop’ at Ayr Ivan Grozny, never heard of his trainer but his win at Aintree last weekend was effortless and he really looks back on track now (3.00) and the extremely progressive looking Eshtiaal (4.45). Good luck, pilgrims.
although im loathe to desert mouse morris and folsom blue , since ive backed both his national winners this season , im going to plum for fergal o'brien and Alvarado 33/1 --just missed the cut last week , surely he is fresh and ready and stays well and jumps well...
I had intended to invest in Ivan Grozny today, but am most concerned by the lack of interest in him in the market, where everyone seems to be all over Clondaw Warrior. I see SBC is sticking with Ivan, but I wonder what others make of the market?
I'm going to have a decent hungover win bet on Clondaw Warrior and Causes of Causes/Heathfield Ew in the big urn
You beat me to it, L_M. Why could they not have found a turf course either on Saturday or Sunday (that currently does not have a fixture; e.g. Salisbury), or as you suggest make it midweek. I do not think they could do it somewhere that already has a fixture (like Windsor) because the incumbent sponsors would lose out. If Newbury has dried out by Wednesday, they could have just held off a few days. If it had not, go to Kempton on Thursday (no fixture clash, no other meeting nearby). Instead we have the farcical situation of two important Classic trials being run on a synthetic surface. I would have gone with Besharah in the Fred Darling as she is the clear form pick but she would have been an odds-on no bet were this on turf. If she gets turned over, the excuse will already have been rehearsed. The interesting runners in the race would have been Aljazzi and Nassuvian Pearl, unexposed winners of their only starts. The Greenham Stakes has become a complete non event with (currently) just three facing the starter despite good prize money.
Done studying for once and the winner of the Scottish National can only be one of three horses, Shotgun Paddy, Tour Des Champs or Emperor's Choice. 25/1, 33/1, 40/1
Mullins v Nicholls for the trainers championship is about the most interesting thing in racing at the moment. Flat racing shot itself in the foot moving the Newbury card to Chelmsford
I'd love to see Golden Chieftain win the Scottish National - he's been a model of consistency this season and has been very unlucky to fall the last 2 races when looking to have it in the bag.
For what it's worth, my three in the Scottish National are ALVARADO, PINEAU DE RE & SHOTGUN PADDY. I have backed SHOTGUN PADDY, looks like he would be a popular winner with the forum.
