Thursday's Meetings Thurles N/H 8 Races 12:25-3:25p.m. Towcester N/H 7 Races 12:40-3:40p.m. Taunton N/H 6 Races 12:50-3:20p.m. Musselburgh N/H 6 Races 1:00-3:30p.m. Newcastle(E) A/W 8 Races 5:45-9:15p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Bloodstock Sporting Life Good Luck
19.45 Newcastle. This is a case of trying to work out what Ivory is up to with Tropics. Here is a horse who, 3 years ago, was 2nd to Slade Power in a G1 at 66/1. And only 2 years ago (25/1) was headed on the post over 6f in another G1, with Sole Power in 4th and followed up with a close 5th in the Stewards Cup under 9.13. Presumably suffered an injury and was off for 660 days. Is gradually returning to some sort of form when a running on 4th after not clear run lto. Now the tricky bit. New jockey (3lb claimer) and first time on tapeta. 10/1 available with Bet365. I reckon he's either plotted this or this is still part of the plot and should be backed next time Winston rides. Worth a small ew and definitely worth keeping an eye on if he doesn't oblige tomorrow.
I see that the ‘Tiggy Wiggy’ crew have got one running at Thurles this afternoon, who is apparently very highly thought of, but I must confess I’ve never heard of the trainer. Why are they sending animals to this type instead of the usual sorts like Mr Henderson, Mr Nicholls and old boy Alan King?!? Answers on a postcard please to the usual address. Anyway the animal is REAL STEEL (1.55). Is Real Steel the Real Deal?!? Am I am poet and I don’t know it?!? Guess we will know the answer to the former question in a few hours – the Thurles Executive, incidentally, must be delighted with the turn out for this Maiden Hurdle as there are potentially another couple of very decent animals contained within. Good luck, troops.
Former Cheltenham Bumper winner Silver Concorde makes his debut for Keith Dalgleish at Musselburgh today. Still a maiden over hurdles despite this being his 9th race over timber, I wouldn't be rushing to take 4/7
The owners you're referring to, Sullivan Bloodstock, apparently spent a **** load on French stock in the summer and have decided the best place to send them was that Mullins geezer, not good news at all for Nicholls who trained probably their best known National Hunt horse old boy Silvinacio Conti. Not the first blow Ditcheat have suffered losing horses there either, Graham Wylie upped sticks too didn't he. Nicholls definitely is short of genuine stars these days, and has been for a number of seasons. (Perhaps he should put in his tender for the Gigginstown battalions )
His new connections paid €33,000 for the old boy, last month. Interesting to see if they recoup some of that later.
The one thing that Mr Nicholls can do though (probably better than any other NH trainer) is place his horses to almost perfection. Amazing to think how much prizemoney he has won this past couple of terms given the lack of top class horses in the barn during that time.
Emily Square looks a fair price to take the 2.55 at Thurles at 3/1.She was beaten by the decent Roja Dove a few weeks ago and that horse obliged again at Gowran the other day.She is only up 3lb and this shouldn't take to much winning, hopefully!
Nice horse REAL STEEL, strong enough maiden there as the second hacked up in a bumper a couple of weeks back. Should certainly be up to Graded class anyway.
I’ve not used Paddy Power for 2 months but they’ve been kind enough to give me a free bet so I’ve stuck it on a double: 3:10 Towcester - Ballyarthur 2/1 6:45 Newcastle - Blue Havana 4/1
