3.40 Redcar Bling King 14/1 I'd definitely advise a saver on Brian Ellison's Destiny Blue as highlighted by Jack who very much caught the eye when a staying on 3rd on his seasonal reappearance and stable debut and he should prove difficult to beat but I do think Geoff Harker's Bling King is a fascinating contender and would be chucked in on his juvenile form and he caught my eye on his first start since returning from France (same race as Destiny Blue) and if improving for his first start in 11 months I think he could be primed to run a huge race off a mark of 77. Formerly with Eve Johnson Houghton, Bling King showed some very useful form as a 2 year old with his best performance coming on his handicap debut when getting up on the line to win by a nose off a mark of 92 at Chester back in 2011 over 6f. That performance was, in my opinion, even more impressive given that he conceded the runner up 22lb. Bling King didn't really kick on from there and was sold to Fabrice Vermeulen for 30,000 Guineas at the end of 2011. In 11 starts in France, Bling King won once over 1m at Compiegne in testing conditions in March 2012 but he performed well on a number of other occasions between 8f-10f with his last start coming in May of last year. Picked up by current connections in November last year and subsequently gelded, he made his stable debut for Geoff Harker on the back of an 11 month absence over this C+D 2 weeks ago where I thought he was an eye catching 7L beaten 6th under a very tender ride from Paddy Aspell. Held up in the last duo, Bling King travelled well throughout the race and was very tenderly handled by his jockey. He still looked as if he held his ability and he should definitely come on an awful lot for the run. Dropped 2lb to a mark of 77, he looks very well handicapped on his 2 year old form and although I don't know how strong his form was in France is he ran consistently for the most part. Raul Da Silva is a very eye catching booking on what is just his 2nd start for the trainer and he comes here for just this one ride. Although Geoff Harker is hardly a prolific trainer and is winnerless since November (only 8 runners) I don't think you can rule Bling King out on that regard albeit you'd clearly prefer that he was amongst the winners. Although I expect Destiny Blue to be quite a tough horse to beat, I expect Bling King to come on a lot for his first start in nearly a year. Well handicapped on his form as a Juvenile, the now 4 year old Bling King is still a relatively young racehorse and I don't see any reason why he would have lost any ability at his age. With ground conditions fine and a bit of money around for him already, I certainly think Bling King is a very interesting runner and if Geoff Harker has gotten him spot on for this I'm hopeful of a very big run which should hopefully see him land this contest. 4.10 Redcar Stagweekend 9/1 Not one to go nuts on but I think John Quinn's handicap debutant Stagweekend looks on a pretty decent opening mark of 65 and having been gelded since his last run and with his yard in flying form I think his 3 year old looks overpriced. Stagweekend made his racecourse debut over 6f at Newcastle in September last year where he showed a lot of promise to finish a 7.25L beaten 6th where he was doing his best work late on. Under tomorrow's pilot Michael O'Connell, Stagweekend was outpaced from before half way but and it wasn't until late on that the penny dropped as he stayed on strongly at the finish under strong urgings to snatch 6th. The form of those in front of him is pretty useful with the first 4 home all rated at least 70 and there was definitely quite a bit of promise to take from his debut. Stagweekened confirmed his initial promise with a really good 2nd upped to a mile on his 2nd start a couple of weeks later at Newcastle when beaten 1.75L in testing conditions where he showed a very likeable and gritty attitude as the front two drew 9L clear of the remainder of the field. After pulling fiercely for the first couple of furlongs, Stagweekend settled in behind the pace of the 5 runner field and looked to hold every chance two furlongs out. Despite battling on gamely, the Allnecessaryforce forged clear in the final 100 yards. The form of that race looks strong with the winner running a very nice 4th in a Listed contest before going down by a head off a mark of 78 last week and it was a very nice effort form this son of Footstepsinthesand. Stagweekend's final start came 12 days later at Musselburgh in testing conditions when a bitter disappointment but I'm willing to ignore that effort now he has had a break and been gelded in the interim period. Stagweekend comes here on the back of a 182 day absence and although he could need the run his trainer certainly can ready one and I'm hopeful he's fully wound up for this. This represents the John Quinn's only runner of the day at a course where they do well (16% strike rate) and the yard are in blistering form with 5 winners from their last 10 runners (both codes). I do feel an opening handicap mark of 65 looks pretty exploitable and although Mark Johnston's Tribal Path looks potentially on a good mark I can't even work out his horses and I definitely feel Stagweekend is the value in the race. Although this looks quite a tricky contest on paper, I do feel Stagweekend looks to have a good chance on paper if fully wound up and for a yard who can do very little wrong it wouldn't surprise me if this was another winner for the Yorkshire based connections. 6.00 Newcastle Brasingaman Eric 11/1 This looks a really, really poor contest and a tentative vote goes to George Moore's 6 year old Brasingaman Eric who is now 2lb below his last winning mark and should strip much fitter after his first start for 17 months. Before his long absence, Brasingaman Eric looked a progressive (albeit low grade) horse over staying distances winning 3 times in 2011 and he was successful off a mark of 59 on his final start before his long absence with a very game all the way win over 2m at Newcastle. I think its quite interesting that George Moore kept this 6 year old in training despite him being absent for so long and I think it suggests that they clearly feel he can record some more wins. Brasingaman Eric should clearly come on an awful lot for his first run back 2 weeks ago and although he didn't look like a winner in waiting or anything like that he did travel well for a long way and was given an easy time of things and that should have blown away some cobwebs. He could still need another couple of runs to get back to full fitness but I'm willing to take that risk. Looking through the opposition, this is a really poor race and there doesn't look like there are any confirmed front runners in the race. Given that he made all over 2m for his last win, I'd be very happy if P J McDonald tried to make this a real stamina test over this 12f trip and I really hope he is sent to the front from his good draw in stall 5. Although George Moore is winnerless on the flat since last August, his last National Hunt runner was successful so the yard aren't exactly going through a barren spell. Although more hopeful than confident, I feel Brasingaman Eric could prove very difficult to pass if sent from the front in a really poor looking race and if fully fit and retaining his ability I'm hopeful of a good showing from a horse who is below his last winning mark.
a very shrewd spot ROTO i put Bling King up lto and was disapointed but the yard not shy of a plot and today may be the day Waltz Darling 3rd race at Newcastle should go very well Stay Frosty
Newcastle 5.30 Dick Bos should win this fairly easily BUT, if this horse is a plot for a big sprint later then maybe he will need the run and end up even better handicapped after today. I'm hoping he doesn't win today but I shall be keeping my eye on how he runs.
Newcastle for me as well chaps. The Champ has spotted a handicap snip that is sure to figure at the old business end of proceedings. I would like to direct your attention to the 4.30 at the epicentre of thuggery that is Newcastle. The jockeys and trainers are braver than I for there would be very little prospect of the Champ setting foot on those cobbles in the near future after the disgraceful scenes post match yesterday. However, David 'balls of steel' O'Meara sends Morocco to run in his first handicap after a pleasing if unspectacular debut for the yard 2 weeks ago in a Redcar maiden. I'm so keen on this one today as an each way bet because of the performance he put in at Newmarket whilst under the tutelage of John Gosden. He finished a very encouraging fourth that day to rivals who have are now rated in the 80's and 90's. He was 10 plus lengths back that day but that's not uncommon in a Newmarket race and I would be surprised if he can't get a win off 71. 7/1 each way.
The three juvenile races have prompted me to look at pedigrees etc and I like 2.10 Jazzy Lady 2.20 Anticipated NAP 2.30 Robynelle
Afternoon, troops. A ‘no bet’ one for one today but by far the most interesting bit of racing news today (well apart from Mr Waley-Cohen’s milestone birthday) has to be that the Cesarawitch will see its prizepot increased markedly from £160k to a very cool quarter of million pounds! That is major money, people, and could lead to some of our leading hurdlers being trained and raced much differently from now on as why contest a £20-30k hurdle in Oct/Nov when instead you could scoop the pool on the level at Newmarket?!? I bet Mr Henderson and those old rogues, the Pipe’s, will target quite a few in the direction of the Ces now. In fact I’d be interested in seeing what those bookie chappies quoted re either of this pair training the winner come Oct. Good luck to anyone who does wager this afternoon.
I reckon RV had had a bad week punting on the horses, so decided to take his aggression out on one http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4888191/newcastle-fan-punches-police-horse.html
If there is any justice that chap will get sent to the big house for many a long year. Chop, chop, Geordies, name him, shame him and get him in the dock at your local assizes!
Shergs what a prick that bloke is. I can confirm it is not me thankfully Will probably get laughed at for this shout before and after the race but (NAP) ROYAL DUCHESS 5.00 Newcastle 66/1 Didn't run in the best of maidens last time out but I liked the way she kept on to the line and despite finishing 13 lengths behind the winner in third place I felt she showed some promise in the race. Has to step up lots on that but worth a shot at the price.
SBC If you scroll down and watch the vid looks like he got some summary street justice from the newcastle federalies, well done men keep up the good work an the streets clean of the scum
Anticipated won nicely in the end. Nap landed with a Hannon juvenile. Hope that becomes familiar post this season.
Nass since when did you NAP evens shots that's two shorties you have put up in the last week ARE YOU ARKLE IN DISGUISE !!!!!
