Whitbread Gold Cup day and one of my favourite races of the season. My tip for it tomorrow is ROALCO DE FARGES 10-1 for the in form Hobbs yard. Hobbs likes to target this race and has won it twice in recent times. Once with Lacdoudal who was similarly unexposed like this one. He looks like a horse that is going to be suited by a test a stamina and comes into the race in good form. He is open to any amount of improvement and there is plenty of stable confidence behind him. I think he will run a huge race. Dovers Hill and Viking Blond also made my shortlist though I am not entirely convinced that Dovers Hill will see out this trip. I will also be having a fair old punt on BALDER SUCCES 4.30 Punchestown tomorrow. I think this horse can go to somewhere near the top of the tree. Many people I hold in high regard have waxed lyrical about this boy and hopefully tomorrow will see him prove them all right. Good luck to my wondermare BABY SHINE but I think Une Artiste is slightly better suited by the race conditions. She will run her usual big race and conditions at Punchestown should suit her well.
2.40 Punchestown – COOLDINE 4/1 (BOG) If he takes to this unique test Cooldine should outclass this field and win as he likes. Although he is without a win since his fantastic performance in the 2009 RSA chase at the Cheltenham Festival he has been campaigned at a high level. Whilst it is obvious he isn’t going to rediscover his best form there was enough in his latest outing to suggest he retains ability when 4th of 5 at Clonmel. He travelled powerfully for a long way and Patrick Mullins came in for severe criticism for not asking Cooldine to pick up. Even with his official rating slipping he remains clear of this field and receives plenty of weight from those that may be seen as potential dangers. I expect him to win this and I am happy enough to take 4/1 about him. 3.15 Punchestown – RUBI LIGHT 5/2 (BOG) Taking a chance on Rubi Light here as there are obvious concerns about him seeing out this 3m1f trip having appeared not to get home over 3m in the Lexus Chase. However at the time the form of the race wasn’t thought to have been strong. Obviously that race received a form boost as Synchronised who is sadly no longer with us went on to win the Gold Cup. The conditions are absolutely perfect for the selection who ran a creditable race in the Rynair on good ground. Quel Esprit rates as the main danger. 4.30 Punchestown – BALDER SUCCES 5/2 (BOG) I am really looking forward to seeing how Balder Succes gets on here, he is a horse I believe has the potential to go right to the top of the NH game. He won on his sole start in France and has won 3 out of 4 for his current trainer Alan King. He fell 5 out in the Triumph Hurdle when travelling nicely and I am hoping he can get back to winning ways here. 2.35 Sandown –SANCTUAIRE 11/2 (BOG) A fascinating renewal of the Celebration Chase with Wishfull Thinking currently heading the market at around 11/4. He returned to form last time out when chasing home the impressive Finians Rainbow at Aintree and a reproduction of that effort has to give him leading claims of winning this tomorrow. However at the prices I am willing to take a chance on Sanctuaire who has looked a class act in his two starts over the larger obstacles so far. He showed glimpses of class over hurdles but often this was mixed with his crazy antics. We haven’t seen this over fences so far and although he faces much tougher opposition here he should run a big race. Somersby and French Opera are obvious dangers. 3.45 Sandown –E.W WORLD DOMINATION 11/1 (BOG) Although he looks the second string for Sir Henry Cecil I am hoping that World Domination is going to be a very good 4yo and I am happy enough to back him at 11/1 for tomorrows Gordon Richards Stakes. This horse was made Ante Post favourite for the Derby after winning a Newbury maiden in impressive style on debut and followed that up by finishing 4th behind Carlton House in the Dante. I thought that was a decent effort on only his second racecourse appearance and with a valid excuse for his poor performance in the King Edward VII Stakes (Chipped Bone) he is surely worth another chance to prove himself as a genuine Group performer. The heavy ground is a slight concern but I am sure Cecil will not risk him and if he feels it is unsuitable I think he will pull him out tomorrow. The gallop reports have been promising in regards to World Domination and I am loving the booking of Jamie Spencer for the ride. Stablemate Twice Over and the mud loving Poet look the ones to beat.
Stick, compeltely agree re ROALCO DE FARGES. E/W he is my NAP of the day. I think this is his trip following runs over 2m5f which was too short and the midlands Grand National which I think just found him out. I expect a really big run from him tomorrow. Fingers crossed mate, can only get 9s now though I think.
http://community.betfair.com/horse_racing/go/thread/view/94102/29086429/two-tickets-for-tomorrows-750k-scoop-bonus found this when searching for Pricewise's for tomorrow. pretty interesting read. edit, should work now
14.40 Punchestown- ON THE FRINGE 5/1 Cooldine is the class horse in the field and he may outclass his rivals but he is without a win since 2009. Enda Bolger fields a strong quartet and ON THE FRINGE looks the strongest of the four. The talented hunter has gone well on both starts this term and looks to have been prepared for this 15.50 Punchestown- TRANQUIL SEA 6/1(NB) A Grade 1 winning hurdler/chaser- is a good place to start. He could just simply prove too good for these rivals. And the way he beat Zaarito in a Grade 2 company at Navan last time I am very confident he should follow up on his handicap return with the burden of top-weight not a concern ( he carried 2lb more last time) 14.00 Sandown- Cedre Bleu 8/1(NAP) Has not made the smooth swiftover to the bigger fences, im sure nicholls would have liked so is back over the timber to get his confidence up im sure. He has a good record over hurdles 2/3 Won easily for his 1st run in this country @newbury in early 2011, then got beaten by a very good Spirit Son later that year He then won his 1st race this year beating the late eventual festival winner Belvano (RIP) 14.35 Sandown- Woolcombe Folly e/w 25/1 & Somersby 3/1 I have to keep allegiance to my boy- I will only be having a very small e/w punt on him, just incase he has re-ignited his intrested he showed last year. But I will be siding with Somersby to finish off a fantastic season for Henrietta Knights star. He has beaten this years CC winner Finians Rainbow at ascot. His best efforts have all arrived over this minimum trip and as mention his beating of FR now reads supremely well! I do also like Sancutaire but he has much more to do to remain unbeaten over fences. 15.10 Sandown- West End Rocker 7/1 Fighting for favoritism with Le Beau Bai- I think mainly because of the ground the former thrives in this ground and just keeps running and running. Stamina seems sure to win and this seeming week renewal offers him a chance to make up for his early Grand National departure in which promised so much but delivered so little but will still be fresh. Trip and ground are fine for Alan King's stout stayer. Plus has better form with Hutchinson on him then Choccy
I'm surprised Cecil is running Twice Over in this going today, Poet is my selection in the Gordon Richards as he'll relish the heavy conditions.
Nothing for weeks then he sends me this long e mail 2.40 Cooldine (Patrick) will handle the ground and has a great chance on ratings. However, this is his first time over banks and we will just have to see how he gets on with a view to continuing his career in this sphere next season 3.15 We run two in the Punchestown Gold Cup. We are letting Apt Approach (Paul) take his chance as there is nothing else suitable for him this week. He is probably not good enough to win this. Quel Esprit (Ruby) was out of sorts when we brought him to Cheltenham but seems in good form now. This trip will suit and we are deli 3.50 Raptor (Paul) goes for the 2m 4f Grade A Handicap Chase. The drop back to 2m 4f here might suit as he has a lovely light racing weight. This is a hot race but we are hopeful that he will run respectably. 4.30 We are a little worried about Darroun (Paul) on this ground but the form of his win at Leopardstown in January would give him a chance here. On the other hand, Ut De Sivola (Ruby) will love the testing conditions and is a course and distance winner. We are expecting a big run from him. 5.05 Vast Consumption (Paul) won nicely at Fairyhouse last time and will love this ground. On ratings, she has every chance of featuring again today. Gorgeous Sixty (Ruby) has form on soft ground and showed a lot of improvement at Fairyhouse last time. Official ratings give her a first rate chance here. 5.40 Sergent Guib’s (Patrick) will like the ground but really wants a longer trip. He is well able to carry weight and hopefully Patrick will get him into a good jumping rhythm. Immediate Response (Emmet Mullins) will love the ground and trip but has gone up a lot in the weights and has a big task here. Marito (Ruby) was a little disappointing on his first run for us but his French form would give him a good chance here. The trip will suit and he will handle the ground. Inspector Clouseau (David Casey) has had a lot of training problems and starts off his summer campaign here. Catleen (Danny Mullins) ran here on Thursday but lost all chance when not jumping off smartly. If she behaves here, she has a chance as the ground and trip will be in her favour. Drive Time (Paul) has some great form in the book but judging on his American pedigree, he might struggle in these conditions.
Morning All - London Man agree , not sure why Sir Henry is running both the Abdulla horses to be honest ??? For people who follow Pricewise or Loserwise at the moment - his 3 selections are - Sandown 2.35 - Cornas , Sandown 3.10 - Rare Bob / Roalco De Farges (put up by Stickwise earlier) . Although love Twice Over - must go with Poet and happy chops riding him !!! As for the 4 runner trial - place a pin haha !!!!
2.35 Somersby I like the way Somersby jumps and at Sandown he can jump this field to sleep and on soft ground he looks the one to be with. Nap of the day. 3.10 Tidal Bay I just think that if he is on a going day that Tidal Bay is incredibly well handicapped and I could see this trip being a real help for his jumping. I worry about the Railway fences but he is the class horse in the race. Finally, Houdini has been seen heading south to Somerset. Hopefully we can carry on the act!!
West End Rocker @ 8/1 (GP) Win or E/W 15:10 BET 365 GOLD CUP 3m 5f 110y Ut De Sivola @ 6/1 (GP) Win or E/W 16:30 JUVENILE HURDLE 2m Quel Esprit @ 2/1 (GP) Win or E/W 15:15 GOLD CUP CHASE (GRADE 1) 3m 1f Cooldine @ 4/1 (GP)Win or E/W 14:40 CROSS COUNTRY CHASE 3m These 4 in a lucky and accum, also Sir Geoff at Ripon would love to see Glee get his 1st flat win on Shawcantango but think the Mud loving Geoff wins stay frosty
Morning all The usual two placepots for me... Sandown: Leg 1: Lexi's Boy (2) / Creekside (4) / One Lucky Lady (11) Leg 2: Cadre Bleu (6) / Act Of kalanisi (8) / Top Smart (15) Leg 3: Somersby (1) / Cornas (2) Leg 4: Tidal Bay (1) / Ouzbeck (9) / Major Malarkey (15) Leg 5: Poet (5) Leg 6: Rougemont (2) / Stipulate (3) 108 @ 15p £16.20 Ripon: Leg 1: Dubai Dynamo (2) / The Osteopath (15) Leg 2: Twilight Pearl (5) / Someone's Darling (8) Leg 3: Gulf Of Naples (4) Leg 4: Praxios (4) / What's The Point (6) Leg 5: Dawn Twister (2) / Troopingthecolour (4) Leg 6: Sir Geoffrey (8) / Boucher Garcon (10) 32 @ 50p £16 My nap for today is Poet 3.45 Sandown The horse will absoltely love this heavy going and should be able to get his own way up front. It was slightly alarming how much he faded over in France, but he should be tough to beat today. Managed to get 13/2 yesterday
1.30 Sandown Sonoran Sands - improving sort who doesn't look overburdened with an opening handicap mark of 124. Could have won more easily last time out and his capable young jockey's 5lb claim can help him take what looks like a very open heat. 2.10 Market Rasen On Gossamer Wings - despite being 7lbs out of the handicap Ferdy Murphy's charge looks to be finding his feet and 2m4f with a plenty of juice could bring out the best in him 3.10 Sandown Le Beau Bai - mud, mud, glorious mud. Need I say more? 3.15 Punchestown Rubi Light - 2nd behind Synchronised in the Lexus on his only try at the trip which reads pretty well. 5.05 Punchestown Une Artiste - Nicky Henderson's filly has some decent rivals but gets weight from most of the field as a 4YO and is clearly very decent.
Anybody else think that the top class marathon races are far too close together? The Irish Grand National, The English Grand National, The Scottish Grand National & The Bet365 Gold Cup all in the space of 4 weeks! Would be nice to spread them out more.
Just be wary of getting too carried away with the ground on the chase course at Sandown. It is officially soft, good to soft in places. It is not heavy.
Black Caviar managed to do what Zenyatta couldn't - she's 20/20: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgntUqL-ZHw
Zen - for some reason I thought we were soft / heavy in places. In that case no bet LBB but Cornas becomes very interesting. I wouldn't have given him a prayer on heavy but Gd/soft should be spot on for him
