Saturday's Meetings Ayr N/H 8 Races 1:20-5:20p.m. Curragh Flat 8 Races 1:15-5:10p.m. Newbury Flat 7 Races 1:25-4:54p.m. Bellewstown N/H 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Bangor-on-Dee N/H 7 Races 1:35-5:09p.m. Brighton(E) Flat 8 Races 3:40-7:30p.m. Thirsk(E) Flat 8 Races 3:55-7:40p.m. Nottingham(E) Flat 7 Races 4:05-7:20p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Ayr 15,35 The Kniphand 16/1 e/w Lads and Coral five places, 14/1 WH and bet365 six places, 12/1 sky seven places
Brighton 18.30 Blenheim Star 4/1. C&D winner twice and a second at Epsom, seems suited by the switchback courses. Apparently goes well fresh. Luke Morris called upon for the first time. Watched his C&D wins and won both easily
Curragh 16.35 Jan Brueghel 11/8. Liked him from earlier days and had him earmarked as a potential outsider for the Arc last year but went for the Leger instead. Won that rolling about like an overgown baby. Trip well short of ideal but have to trust the AOB/R L Moore combination. Will be watching him for a crack at this year's Arc
I’m hoping Ollie Sangsters, Simmering can get his nose in front today over 7 furlongs in the 1400 @ Newbury. I also like Loughlynn in the 1.43 @ Ayr for Willie Mullins although he is drifting in the market at present.
15:35 Ayr - Rock My Way e/w Class-1 Premium Handicap Chase over distance just short of 4m on good-to-soft ground. Getaway gelding has as good a chance as any in this year's running of the Scottish Grand National. Wear blinkers and tongue-strap as in previous runs. Brendan Powell rides for the Joe Tizzard stable 11/1 (Coral/Ladbrokes) best price on ATR site, at time of writing.
Good luck Swanny. I'll help you out a bit by going against you here. I'm going EW Wiseguy 16/1 with a couple, hoping he has had his back problems sorted
Impressive from Duty First in the Fred Darling, she was by far the best in the final furlong and the step up to a mile should suit. She has an entry in the Irish 1000 GNS (not the English, for some reason) and Unibet have clipped her to 14s for that event. She will likely find one or two too classy in the classic though.
Things not going to plan for team Mullins so far at Ayr but their Armed And Fabulous in the next must have a very good chance. She won readily at Newcastle last time and the step up in trip off an opening mark of 117 looks sure to suit.
Mullins does the business in the race that really mattered - 1st, 2nd and 7th in the Scottish National nets him about £156K if my maths is correct. Must be very close to Skelton after that - about £17K between them now I think (Skelton had a winner at Bangor).
I missed the Scottish National and just watched the replay - what a ride by Harry Cobden. Paul Carberry would have been proud of that. Absolutely superb
Ran a good race to finish 5th at 8/1 SP, after getting bumped badly at the 12th fence, so I guess that qualifies for a place at the early odds. Fine ride by Harry Cobden on the winner for Willie M. (Does he ever lose?)
19:40 Thirsk - Athollblair Boy e/w. Class-6 Handicap over 6f on good ground. Wears cheek-pieces as in previous runs. Faye McManoman rides for the Nigel Tinkler yard. 10/1 (Wm.Hill) best price on ATR site, at time of writing.
