Daily Racing Thread Friday 21st. Oct. 2016

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Two I like e/w in Cheltenham today - Byron Blue in the 3.20 and Gary Charm to a lesser degree in the 5.05
 
Morning all, well it's that time of year when we all start thinking about the other HQ and settle in for a winter of the finest sport on the planet. It all starts today and despite what some say " it's not all about Cheltenham " but it really is. Anyway a few to avoid.
2.10 Colin's sister
2.45 gambling girl
3.20 florrie boy
3.55 cottersrock
5.05 troika steps

Good luck
Cheers.
 
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Morning all, got back from the US at 7.30 and, having slept off the old jet lag, am now primed for a study of the Cheltenham card. Great to see racing back at Prestbury Park.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah the leaves are turning golden brown, the mornings getting chillier and the days shorter. The National Hunt season is upon us my fine friends <party>
 
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I like the chances of one of the ex-Bloomfields horses today:

3.20 Cheltenham Ruacana 33/1 e/w

It is getting on for 2 years since Ruacana last won a race, the Class 2 Hogmaneigh Hurdle at Kelso in January 2015 over 2 miles on soft. The son of Cape Cross was running off a mark of 137 that day but had Mikey Ennis taking off 7lbs, so effectively off 130. Today Ruacana goes off 140 but with George Blackwell taking off 10lbs he is effectively off 130 again today. Blackwell is clearly capable as his 4 rides for Tim Vaughan this week read 3213 and he won a conditional jockeys handicap on Looksnowtlikebrian on Wednesday. I think today's trip of 2m5f on good ground will really suit Ruacana and, dropping back to Class 3 handicap company he is way too big at 33/1.
 
NM150 Parfait 7/1 225 Commander 11/4 2 singles and a double
Don 200 Ouja 9/4 235 Swiftshire 5/4 2 singles and a double
Chelt 210 EL Bandit EVS 245 Marracudja 5/2 355 Tiger Roll 5/4 3 singles doubles and a treble
 
Marracudja won well on first outing for Ditcheat TB's, Harry Derham seems to think he's in even better shape for today:

"In truth they’re all coming along well, with our current star player Marracudja simmering nicely before taking centre stage at Cheltenham on Friday. Stan (Sheppard) my best friend who rides Cudj everyday tells me that he’s improved since his last run, a thought which makes you wonder what kind of performance he could put in on Friday…"

And so it pans out - set a decent pace and held on.
Nothing in that race to dissuade me that Ditcheat TB horses are going to be worth following.
 
I like the chances of one of the ex-Bloomfields horses today:

3.20 Cheltenham Ruacana 33/1 e/w

It is getting on for 2 years since Ruacana last won a race, the Class 2 Hogmaneigh Hurdle at Kelso in January 2015 over 2 miles on soft. The son of Cape Cross was running off a mark of 137 that day but had Mikey Ennis taking off 7lbs, so effectively off 130. Today Ruacana goes off 140 but with George Blackwell taking off 10lbs he is effectively off 130 again today. Blackwell is clearly capable as his 4 rides for Tim Vaughan this week read 3213 and he won a conditional jockeys handicap on Looksnowtlikebrian on Wednesday. I think today's trip of 2m5f on good ground will really suit Ruacana and, dropping back to Class 3 handicap company he is way too big at 33/1.

Outpaced from the top of the hill but stayed on well up the straight to finish 6th. Might be one for Tim Vaughan to try and get on a nice mark for the Pertemps Final (ran in it off 146 last season, if he can get in off about 136 he could be really competitive). One to follow this season <ok>
 
Interesting runner in the Newbury 4:10 today;
CRICKLEWOOD GREEN 12/1
Ran at Kempton on Wednesday night and came from a long way back to be beaten only 2.3/4 lengths. I think Newbury will suit the horse much better as he seems better on turf and going left handed. He also seems to be a horse that needs to see daylight and things get very crowded up the running rail at Kempton. Very interesting that he is turned out less than two days later. He is also a C&D winner!

My run of "placed tips" continues huh! Stone last with a furlong to go but flew home for second!
 
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Oh my goodness he has absolutely hammered them there, despite having to sit and suffer somewhat down the hill. Great race and great training performance from Mr Nicholls <applause>
 
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I do think Cliffs Of Dover could well destroy them at the weights here. Price has gone now but it is fascinating that Nicholls is prepared to put a 3YO into a competitive handicap like this.
Spot on my good man! Glad i got some of the 5's earlier in the day along with Doubles and trebles with other 3 Nicholls runners at HQ 52.8/1 treble let the beers flow <party>
 
Spot on my good man! Glad i got some of the 5's earlier in the day along with Doubles and trebles with other 3 Nicholls runners at HQ 52.8/1 treble let the beers flow <party>

Good work Woolly <applause>

Really like that from Cliffs of Dover and great imagination from Nicholls putting him in handicaps. Might he be a Triumph horse?