Thursday's Meetings Cheltenham Festival N/H 7 Races 1:30-5:30p.m. Stayers' Hurdle Off @ 3:30p.m. Hexham N/H 7 Races 1:10-5:00p.m. Southwell(E) A/W 9 Races 3:58-8:15p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 7 Races 5:20-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
I got sent his first one at Huntingdon today by a mate who got it from somebody in the know. A cert allegedly. His message contained a scan of a lumpy ol betting slip from his contact. I looked at it and replied asking why is the fella betting in dollars. Never thought another thing about it until I got home and scanned the results
Interesting though, not sure anyone would have said it was nailed on. I knew they’d be more positive with the tongue tie added. The other one might be a very nice novice chaser in time.
Anyone can do it at Huntingdon , can he do it on a rainy day in Sto..I mean, Cheltenham? Probably not then, I take it.
I'd say not but what do I know. Don't fancy Crambo at all. The other has two very very good horses to beat. Could be the race of the week, it's a shame any of them have to lose
I'm getting a hint of Kevin Keegan coming from that I think The Stayers is anyone's, going to be a tight finish that one. The Elliott fave has looked very good, but she looks more of a staying type I think, I know the ground will aid that stamina but I think that Dysart Enos is capable of winning that one. These next two days look a lot better than the opening two.
My bets Day 3 Turners Iroko 16/1 e/w (Irish Point 16/1 e/w NR Il Est Francais 33/1 e/w NR) Pertemps Icare Allen 14/1 e/w Ryanair Protektorat 14/1 e/w (Appreciate It 50/1 e/w NR) Stayers Crambo 33/1 e/w Plate Saint Felicien 12/1 e/w Mares Novices Hurdle No bet Kim Muir Rapper 25/1 e/w Good luck everyone.
The Ryanair is a right old puzzle this year. With Ahoy Senor and Protektorat dropping in trip there will likely be a very strong pace and of the two I think Protektorat has a very good chance of winning today - the yard obviously in great nick. Forget Banbridge on the ground and I worry that both Nicholls and Elliott runners haven't been performing quite as expected. Envoi Allen is respected but only three 10-year olds have won it (one being dual scorer Albertas Run) and 9/4 feels a bit short. I think if Harry Skelton can get Protektorat out in front and into a nice jumping rhythm he could be very difficult to pass.
In the Turners I am going to take a chance with Iroko. He had been ruled out for the season but Oliver & Josh have got him back into contention and last year's Martin Pipe winner looked very good on chase debut. I think he has been a little bit overlooked in the market and some 7/1 about this morning. In the Stayers Hurdle I'll be hoping Crambo can do it for FOB and all those on here who have backed him. A very solid e/w chance.
The Plate is one of those races where I first look at the stats. 10 of the last 10 winners were rated 140-149 so I am ruling out anything below 140. After a strong period for 7-9 year olds the last two winners have been aged 11 and 10 so looking at the older ones in the top 10 on the race card gives Embittered and Shakem Up'arry and I think Ben Pauling's charge could be the one. He was last seen winning the Premier Handicap Chase at the course on New Year's Day and is up just 4lbs for that. Yes he is on a career-high mark but clearly relishes testing conditions and is following the same path as last year (was 5th on New Year's Day and 3rd in the Plate).
