3.15 Newbury Sporting Boy 7/1 I have been oh so impressed by Michael Blake's upwardly mobile 5 year old on his last two starts and despite having to shoulder a stone more than his latest victory I still think he's well capable of winning off a mark of 129. Moreover, he'll probably need a penalty to get into the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and I've backed him at 33/1 in that event as he'll surely be heading there if successful tomorrow. A winner of 4 of his last 5 handicaps (the one he didn't win he was out for a spin), the actual form of his victories is nothing out of the ordinary but the visual nature of his success has been very captivating and I think he's a horse of huge, huge potential. After the aforementioned spin, he came out 7 days later in October last year when he won in facile fashion off a mark 110 at Ludlow under tomorrow's pilot Tom Scudamore and followed that victory up in even more impressive fashion 8 days later at Wetherby when beating the re-opposing Meetings Man by a comfortable 8 lengths. The 3rd Lightning Rod was beaten 1L off a 1lb higher mark on his only subsequent start whilst the 4th Laterly was a wide margin winner off 3lb lower mark at Leicester a month later and given that Sporting Boy disposed of those rivals with such ease emphasises how well handicapped a horse he is. He's been off the track for 120 days which is by far my biggest concern to his chances tomorrow as connections felt he needed a run to get him right after a 5 month break earlier in the season but I don't think they'd run him in a race as hot as this if he wasn't fit. Tom Scudamore, who is 2-2 on board, takes the ride once again and I'm confident that Sporting Boy will continue his progression and complete his hat trick before, hopefully, running a big race at the Cheltenham Festival.
A whopping 14lb hike after his last success is a big increase ROTO especially with horses like ZAFRANAGAR lurking at the bottom of the handicap!
Trust me Stick. This lad is the ****. The only concern I have is that he won't be trying tomorrow. He's got another entry at Wincanton on the 7th so they may pop him around for a spin tomorrow and get him to win there and have a penalty to get him into the County. Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he routed this lot and was battling for favouritism for the County at 3.30.
Damnit ROTO, this will be the bonus bet race after MR MOONSHINE wins tomorrow, in a real quandry now! Maybe the answer will be to back two.
He looks good for this ROTO, but you will be pleased to hear that I'm opposing him in the County! I'm all over Forgotten Voice for this with a small bet on Ballynagour in case he goes for this - both NRNB Best bet of the day has to be Aaim To Prosper in the 15-30 at Donny. The Cesaerewich hero has taken well to hurdling and surely this is his for the taking. 5-2 currently. Lord Wishes looks next best but he may well struggle to give 12lb to the Nicholls representative.
Sporting Boy may not even get into the County let alone win it! I'm just backing him now as if he wins tomorrow his price will tumble.
Yeah I looked - he's a fair way down, although there will be quite a few defectors, he needs that penalty! I've done SB tomorrow - good luck
Just my usual attempt at the scoop 6 and ew lucky 63 on the following: 2:05 Newbury - Off The Ground 10/1 2:40 Newbury - Hey Big Spender 6/1 2:55 Doncaster - Calgary Bay 8/1 3:15 Newbury - Knight In Purple 12/1 3:30 Doncaster - Barafundle 7/1 3:50 Newbury - Michael Flips 8/1
I think we have already established an official forum yankee tomorrow, I think we can say for sure that we will definitely get a good run for our money in every single race, as all look good bets in themselves. I think that Harry Topper looks a banker, not quite sold on Sporting Boy but who am I to argue with ROTO. Doncaster 2.55 Mr Moonshine 11-2 (stick) Newbury 3.15 Sporting Boy 6-1 (ROTO) Doncaster 3.30 Aim to Prosper 9-4 (Reebok) Kelso 4.15 Harry Topper 6-5 (BostonBob) Prices quoted Betvictor, best odds guaranteed.
Completely agree re Harry Topper, fill your boots tomorrow lads! Cannot believe that Ballabriggs is 9/2 in this race and Harry Topper is odds against. Harry Topper is in a completely different league!
Absolutely battered. Alea Casino Leeds cash game poker. I came, I saw, I conquered. And I can take that to the bank.
hi chaps, new to this board, seems a very informative and open minded place, was impressed with your 'info' ROTO on BPG yesterday, watched it drift out to 9's in the betting , but the horse knew nowt about that, and duly did as expected. Your piece on sporting boy is persuasive, yet you identify the main concern, lack of run, an entry next week , in time for the festival-- like all good punters, your dilemma is you don't want to miss out-- but i think the likely scenario is the latter.The 3 30 at donny is a good race and i like the chance of Cue to Cue , but also at a much bigger price old Ogee is not without a chance , small stable had a winner the other day, stable jock booked, bit of value. Harry Topper looks too good to be true, the trip is on the short side, but i suppose the stiff finish will offset that . Good luck all.
The one horse I am most interested in today is Mr Gardner who returns to a suitable going conditions after a promising run at Wincanton behind Big Fella Thanks, and at 16/1 I think he is a stonking price in a competitive race that should suit him perfectly. I know connections were thrilled by his run at Wincanton as I caught a bit of the conversation in the ring after the race, and they think he is a horse who hates softer ground and should come good on spring racing ground. Add in Tartak, Quentin Collonges and Cry Of Freedom for a good day of betting.
Also has a Ryanair chase entry Nass. Surely if they're even remotely serious about that race he has to be going in today?
Welcome rudebwoy, it was Dan/Heis who had that info I believe but you can do a lot worse than follow ROTO's picks trust me!
If he ran to anywhere near his novice form he would win in a canter. The Ryanair looks a pipedream but he could be very nicely handicapped as I believe he retains ability.