Saturday's Meetings Doncaster Flat 8 Races 12:10-4:05p.m. Wincanton N/H 7 Races 12:30-3:55p.m. Kelso N/H 7 Races 12:35-4:00p.m. Down Royal N/H 7 Races 12:50-4:10p.m. Aintree N/H 7 Races 12:55-4:15p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 7 Races 4:35-7:55p.m. Santa Anita Dirt&Turf 12 Races 5:15p,m.-00:35a.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
Quick heads up re Mr Henderson’s Cocktails At Dawn who goes tomorrow (3.10 Winkers). Please note that he’s running with the principal intention of getting qualified for the Grand National (a horse now has to have finished in the first 4 of a 3 mile+ steeplechase to get in and to date Cocktails At Dawn ain’t, I say ain’t, done this). In an ideal world the old boy would trail in 4th and get his perch reduced by a few pounds (Mr Henderson feels that his current ranking of 150 is a tad too high). If qualified he’d then be kept away from the big ‘uns until after the announcement of the weights for the 2017 GN in February. Meanwhile, I see that Racing Post Ratings claim that tomorrow’s ‘Breeders Cup Classic’ is the best race on the planet since the 2003 ‘Irish Champion Stakes’ as it’s the first time since then that 3 horses line up in the same heat rated, by them, 130+. Those animals tomorrow being California Chrome, Arrogate and Frosted.
I’ll repeat my warning from last week about keeping stakes to a minimum because at this stage of the term, people, you just don’t know the full SP re so many animals. A lot of the Flat brigade will be ‘over the top’ after busy seasons and so many NH horses will be out merely for a ‘pipe opener’ ahead of their real targets. Scratch below the surface though and I think the action of the morrow is more than fair. On the level GROWL (2.25 Doncaster) steps down in grade after his phenomenal run to finish runner-up in the Champions Sprint, at Ascot, last time. A reproduction of that effort and he’ll win by half the track but he’s been most progressive all term and even his most recent handicapping efforts should be good enough, methinks. Meanwhile, Sir Michael’s Derby entrant, EL TAP (5.10 Chelmsford) really should be too good after such a promising debut run back in September. Over the sticks at Winkers the novices BOA ISLAND (1.00) and SHANTOU VILLAGE (1.35) should prove hard to beat. Both impressed last time and I can see no reason why either shouldn’t go in again. And at Aintree Boa Island’s stablemate ORBASA (3.10) looks eye-catching running off 135. He’s shown decent form in 4 runs for Mr Nicholls and you get the impression he’s going to be a much better horse than his handicap rating right now. I really liked his effort at Ayr, at Listed level, back in April, and on that form should make a mockery of his current impost. I guess after my opening paragraph I shouldn’t have highlighted as many as 5 but think they all should go close, troops. Good luck all.
3.10 Aintree- Mr Mole - 16/1ew Call me crazy but think he will win at least place and is a crazy place. Didn't realise he moved yards till now, which is a plus IMO. Could freshen him up/new change of scenery and all that. Is still only an 8yo and yes he can be a quirky sort but this time last year he was opening his season in the Shloer at Cheltenham then run in the Tingle then In a hot handicap. And was only in 2015 he won a G2 at Newbury and then at the festival he was well fancied for the Grand Annual! He is very well handicapped on 2015s Form. This is a massive drop in class for him , the Fav especially is a progressive horse but undeniably my selection has the talent and he's proved it, it's just whether he wants to find any of it but at 16/1 I am willing to take a chance at this level
Conti takes on Valseur Lido tomorrow but I might take a chance on one of the outsiders. Don Poli if he is fit should be favourite. The other two have the same questions to answer.
I'd be wary of backing any of the ex-Mullins Gigginstown runners until they have shown they retain their form for the new yard
NAP of the day - Sub Lieutenant 3/1 Down Royal 3.05 I was very impressed by this lad on his seasonal debut at Limerick last month - never touched a twig and absolutely bolted up, giving weight and a thrashing to some seasoned handicappers. I think he could make up into a smashing Ryanair / Aintree Bowl type chase this season and 3/1 in this is an absolutely monster price.
Very surprised to see Sceau Royal odds against in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton. He looks a very progressive sort after his Cheltenham demolition job and I would have him a 4/6 shot here.
I hope those that moaned about the races being voided ( on twitter) are thankful they can walk to and from the pub tonight !!!! Makes you realise how lucky we all are in a day to day basis !
Very good racing in France tomoz James has some good mounts hopefully when I know you know Stay Frosty kids xx
Nice one Danbo, be interested if James sees one over there with an eye to the future .................. especially if he sees Harold Kirk sniffing around
