15.10 Newbury Fix The Rib The Gary Moore-trained nine-year-old has not hit the mark since November 2009, but that should not prove a deterrent ahead of the Barbury International Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup. After all, the likeable gelding has turned in a number of stout displays since his attentions were switched to chasing, having been considered smart enough to run in this season's Tingle Creek. Although he is almost certainly not of that calibre of animal, Fix The Rib should be in his element in a frenetic handicap of this nature. Moore's inmate, a five-time winner over fences, was scribbled into many notebooks at Kempton last time when he took within his stride the step back up to this two-and-a-half-mile trip. Despite having made a bit of a meal of the last, Fix The Rib finished third behind Cruchain and Triangular in what looked a good race. That effort confirmed the opinion two miles is now probably on the brisk side for him, while the better ground at the Sunbury circuit also helped to reignite the yet-to-be-extinguished fire in his belly. Newbury's flat, galloping characteristics have also served him well in the past, and at a far higher grade, when he chased home Master Minded in the 2010 Game Spirit Chase. Front-runners often thrive at the Berkshire venue, too, so expect Jamie Moore, the trainer's son, to break quickly and decisively. Perhaps crucially, Fix The Rib remains teasingly weighted for this assignment as he is 11lb lower than when last victorious. Moore has also resisted the urge to enter him at the Cheltenham Festival, so this could be his big day
I have a £50 free bet, I dont know who to put it on. Either Captain Conan, Niche Market or Ballabriggs?
Junior is my only racing bet of the day, this looks like perfect conditions for him and as Pipe had been talking about the Gold Cup as a target (along with the GN) he would have to be much better than this mark. He wins today and then goes for the GN. Thats the plan...
VOne for today lads whilst im at work. 3.35 Kelso UBALTIQUE 6/1 Iv not noted Don McCain down as one for pitching horses into Graded company first up but he has with this French recruit. Captain Conan lovely type and a big horse to follow over fences next season. But he is vulnerable to a change of pace and fluent hurdlers, and McCains charge was a winner of a big field in France, so might possess those attributes. When you watch the race, have a look at how big captain conan is. He is a BEAST!
This is such a difficult days Racing. However, the usual for me with two placepots... Doncaster: Leg 1: Corkage (4) / Allow Me (5) Leg 2: Beneficial Reform (1) / Five Star Wilsham (2) Leg 3: Benny Be Good (1) / Mac Aeda (5) Leg 4: Amron Lad (2) Leg 5: Quicuyo (3) / Woody Waller (5) Leg 6: Kingdom Of Munster (5) / Scales (6) 32 @ 50p £16 Newbury: Leg 1: Buck Magic (9) Leg 2: Fair Along (4) / Marufo (9) Leg 3: Araldur (7) / Pasco (8) Leg 4: Dubai Crest (4) / Ebanour (8) Leg 5: Abbevillian (2) / Be My Light (5) / Ruling Party (10) Leg 6: Shamrock Boy (1) / Back Bob Back (6) 48 @ 30p £14.40
From the fat northern lads Moon Indigo wins @ donny Pittordri star wins @ donny woody waller wins @donny Scales might place Harmony Brig wins @ Kelso Pyjama Game might win @ Kelso stay frosty
Two recommended bets today: 2.05 Newbury. Buck Magic.Form is very good and Geraghty booking is significant. Quite heavily backed and possibly the win value has gone at around 2/1. However, you can still get around 4/6 a place on Betfair. Recommend big place only bet at 1.67 on Betfair. 3.10 Newbury. Pasco. Although Ruby is riding Aerial, Pasco loves Newbury and his record at the track over this distance is three wins and four seconds. He also performs well after a break- and the drying ground should suit. He's also off a decent mark. Betfair is currently offering 10/1 the win and 2.9/1 a place (by far the best place value). Recommend Pasco as a decent bet at this price.
Done my usual Lucky 31 on my competition picks, again at a stake of 50 cent e/w this week as they are all decent prices (total stale = €31): 2.10 Newbury Benbens 2.40 Newbury Blazing Bailey 3.10 Newbury Fix The Rib 3.45 Newbury Ebanour 4.20 Newbury Ruling Party Best of luck to everyone today
Mentioned this one last night Toppy - looks like an interesting recruit and as you say, straight into a Grade 2. The race he won at Pau was only a 3 runner affair but the 2nd, Une Sainte de Lys, had previously finished 2nd to that Henderson horse Une Artiste - so possibly a useful yardstick. Seems to have been one of those races in Farnce where all the horses names start with the same letter - someone once mentioned why that is, can't remember though - something to do with birth dates or some such.
Fatty has tweeted that Kauto has just done a strong bit of work with What A Friend. More positive again from Fatty.
Keeping my powder relatively dry now until I'm at the Festival, need a lot of spondoolies for 3 days! Done a few small stake multiples though as follows; Patent 1 2.20 D - Sir Harry Ormesher (13/2) 3.10 N - Aerial (9/2) 3.25 D - Junior (9/2) Patent 2 2.40 N - Mark The Book (8/1) 3.45 N - Ebanour (7/1) 4.10 K - Master Of The Hall (5/2) Lucky 15 2.05 N - Buck Magic (5/2) 3.35 K - Ubaltique (13/2) 4.35 D - Takeroc (4/1) 4.55 N - Back Bob Back (5/1) Backed them last night, and most of them are on the drift now which doesn't bode well, but never mind!!!
