Saturday's Meetings Newbury Flat 8 Races 12:50-4:50p.m. Cheltenham N/H 7 Races 1:10-4:40p.m. Doncaster Flat 8 Races 1:30-5:30p.m. Kelso N/H 7 Races 1:35-5:35p.m. Galway N/H 7 Races 1:53-5:18p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 8 Races 4:55-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Doncaster 2.40 looks a 2 horse race with the main contenders both being suited by the ground, moreso than the others. Lam Yai looks to have the better form so is the pick at 15/8 unless it gets heavy and she drifts at the expense of Spanish Waltz, who does have an exaggerated knee action and has actually run well on heavy, albeit a Class 5 maiden
Newbury 2.34 Must watch race for me with Alpinista's 2,500,000gns full sister making her debut in a race full of pedigrees to die for
In the 2.34 Newbury Peerless Spirit caught my eye Ralph Beckett had a couple of nice winners yesterday and at13/2 she may run well. The Prescott filly cost plenty but may well need time and Prescott's placing of Moon Target has hardly been encouraging plus he's not really a 2YO winner factory. Newbury 2.34 PEERLESS SPIRIT 13/2
Cheltenham 14,20 Dunboyne 14/1 e/w five places, 12/1 sky six places Galway 16,45 Queen Kulina 16/1 e/w five places, 14/1 sky six places
Everyone loves a Pertemps Qualifier and the first of this season's series at Cheltenham today has attracted a field that would be worthy of the final itself. Of course these events are as much about psychology as form, with connections often trying to get a horse qualified for the final with a quietly ridden 4th place. With fewer qualifiers in Ireland (3 last season) we often see Irish horses crossing for the UK qualifiers to improve their chances (Gordon Elliott likes to use the Warwick qualifier for example). Topping the weights today is Gowel Road. Last season's Cleeve Hurdle winner clearly goes well at the track but was found out in the Stayers Hurdle so handicapping is likely to be his game this season. He finished 2nd in this last season but is 7lbs higher today and 16/1 is probably an accurate reflection of his chances. There is a strong Irish challenge and clearly the Willie Mullins runner, Chart Topper, warrents respect but I have the feeling the handicapper has taken no chances in allotting him a mark of 140. A similar comment applies to Elliott's Sermandzarak, who has a mark of 134 for winning an egg and spoon race at Navan, and jockey bookings would suggest Winning Smut is Cullentra's strongest chance (albeit he looks exposed). There is also a strong home challenge, headed by market leader Ma Shantou who finished 7th in the Albert Bartlett when last seen. I don't think that form is anything special in the context of this race and he is way too short for my liking. The Skelton's are in fine form and they are adept at improving horses new to the yard and Supremely West has had wind surgery since his last run. I think he might find the going lively enough though and so the one I am going for is Tiny Tetley e/w 18/1 for the Hobbs/White yard who had a winner yesterday. He doesn't know how to run a bad race (so sod's law says he will today) and will be fine with the ground.
