Saturday's Meetings Cheltenham N/H 7 Races 1:10-4:40p.m. Newbury Flat 7 Races 1:25-4:50p.m. Doncaster Flat 8 Races 1:30-5:30p.m. Kelso N/H 7 Races 1:35-5:05p.m. Galway N/H 7 Races 1:53-5:18p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 8 Races 4:55-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Doncaster 14,05 Aberama Gold 7/1 e/w bet365, Lads and Coral five places, Cheltenham Small bet 14,20 Kansas City Star 16/1 e/w four places WH, bet 365, Lads, Coral, PP and betfair, 14/1 sky five places
Winter jumping ground at Newbury (especially) and Doncaster tomorrow, whereas the ground at Cheltenham is good flat racing ground... go figure... Star Anthem 345 Newbury the bet for me at 9's... really good run off a layoff at Newbury last time to finish 4th in G2 Mill Reef looking like it really appreciated the ground. Looks certain to be suited by this extra furrlong. Interestingly, La Belotta who finished second in that race is a 14/1 chance in the first at Doncaster (big price)...
La Belotta is Timeform top rated although there are 4 with the "p" against their ratings. 10s now and could end up shorter if it gets any softer
No surprise to see 4 Irish raiders in the Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham today with only 2 qualifiers in Ireland (both usually full of plots) offering 8 berths for the final. Elliott's pair have pretty steep marks but The Wallpark is unexposed and could be the one today. Al Gasparo needs to prove he can stay the trip whereas Como Park relished every yard when just getting up at Bellewstown last time - albeit he is 11 lbs higher today. Of the home team, Gowel Road is a model of consistency and ought to be involved off 141 (finished 6th in last season's final off 142) and Cruz Control is well handicapped based on his chasing exploits - qualifying here will give connections another option for next spring. But the one they all probably have to beat is Zain Nights who had a hugely productive spring and can resume progress here.
Cheltenham 13,10 Bob Bob Ricard 15/2 e/w WH four places, Lads three places, 13/2 others 14,55 Idem 8/1 e/w WH and bet365 four places
15:10 Newbury - Yaroogh A Group-3 Stakes for 2YO's only, over 7f on heavy ground Distancce and current track conditions should suit this Dubawi colt. Tom Marquand rides for the William Haggas stable 11/4 (Coral/Ladbrokes) best price early-doors, on the ATR site.
14:55 Cheltenham - Supreme Gift e/w A Class-2 Handicap Hurdle over 3m on good ground. The Getaway gelding (Damsire; Oscar)) has a sporting chance of a podium finish, at least, if fit to do himself justice after a 192-day break. Wears visor as in previous runs. Harry Cobden rides for the Henry Daly yard. 10/1 (Coral/Unibet/BetVictor) best price early-doors, on the ATR site.
That Hauraki Gulf may not be much cop but what a battler. Ran on fumes for a circuit and ended up pinching second I think
That was a taking performance from Intense Approach. Only Hills quote him for the Albert Bartlett - at 50/1.
Just watched the opening 3YO hurdle at Galway and there will be some long faces after the finish. Former Joseph O'Brien inmate Bacchanalian was backed off the boards (20/1 down to 5/1) and hit the front before the 2nd last. He was quickly collared by Noel Meade's Messerschmitt (who flew past him) and then weakened on the run-in and lost 3rd place for e/w backers in the dying strides. Ouch.
Bloody hell the first 3 races at Cheltenham go to the Irish and now the last Group 1 on the flat. Fair play to them, horses primed and ready.
And the next one - The Wallpark absolutely hacks up in the Pertemps Qualifier. Might well be graded class.
Nearly a good day.... La Belotta e/way at 14s.... then carried on backing Star Anthem e/way while it drifted like a barge (*only beaten a length and bits) and had the way double 14 and 9's. Re the Irish at Cheltenham... I think we've reached a point where if you back English horses in handicaps especially against them you need your lumps feeling.
Would certainly agree with that. Interestingly Intense Approach's trainer, John McConnell, won that 3 mile Cheltenham Novice Hurdle in both '20 and '21. Both winners (Streets of Doyen & Bardenstown Lad) would go on to finish third in the Albert Bartlett, at that seasons, Festival. Will the same happen in '25 or could Intense Approach even improve on a 3rd place finish?!? He certainly, to my eye, looked up to that sort of standard...
