Being the first day of December, I hope you've all started your Christmas shopping Onto more important matters and today sees three cards at Carlisle, Leicester and undoubtedly the main attraction is at Fairyhouse, which is staging day 2 of it's Hattons Grace meeting. Fairyhouse boosts three Grade One events and the first one, the Royal Bond at 12.40, is undoubtedly the trickiest and always is a good Festival pointer. Won in recent years by horses of the calibre of Istrabraq, Hurricane Fly and last year Jezki, this year's looks a tricky to solve one for punters. I've chanced Very Wood at 6/1. Outpointed the last day by the reopposing Minella Foru I think todays larger field should ensure a proper gallop, rather than last day's comedy crawl, which should help Very Wood more than Minella Foru who looks to have a more potent turn off foot. Of significance is the fact the last day Very Wood lost untold lengths by jumping right repeatedly this won't be such a disadvantage at this track and I'd be hopeful Very Wood should be hard enough to beat in this. Dangers aplenty including a number of unbeaten animals from the all-conquering Mullins stable which means I'm hopeful rather than confident. 1.10 The last day unfortunately I burdened Don Cossack with being one of my 'jailcase' bets of the day and unfortunately that did seem to knock the stuffing out of him as he was edged out in a battle with Morning Assembly who benefitted from a very shrewd ride by Ruby. I'm not sure this lively ground is what Don Cossack really wants and I'm undecided if we'll see the best of him in this. Sizing Rio has looked a monster on heavy ground so unsure of him either. A tentative nod is given to Roads to Riches, but again it is tough to be hugely confident. Leave the wheelbarrow at home 2.15 Jezki 4/5 v Rule the World 7/2???? At the prices you'd lean towards the later, given his stamina is assured. Out of the above I've only backed the top one as I feel if Jezki was a 'sensible' price i.e. 5/4 or thereabouts I would plump for him but the no bet flag is waving at the minute
Some won't like it but Minella Foru each way at 4/1 is my bet tomorrow. I'm a big fan of the horse. Put it up the last day when he beat Very Wood. The horse will come on again from that outing and I can't see it out of the three.
I have a sneaking fancy for Paul Webbers STAR PRESENTER 14-1 Leic 2:35 tomorrow. He has some fair novice form in the book which would entitle him to take a hand in a handicap like this but he went out like a light on his handicap debut. He is back in trip tomorrow but more importantly has had a minor wind op since that run. He can prove that he is much better than that last run.
Jezki v Rule the World v Diakali. So we're getting last seasons Supreme v Neptune v Triumph. Could be an integral form guide for the rest of the season assuming its not run at a crawl. Throw in a barometer horse like Zaidpour and this is fascinating stuff. My nap of the day Sizing Rio to win Drinmore.
EW Lucky 63 for me today just to keep me interested: 1:00 Leicester - Zarzal 5/2 1:30 Leicester - Juno The Muffinman 2:15 Fairyhouse - Zaidpour 8/1 2:50 Fairyhouse - Thelobstercatcher 10/1 3:00 Carlisle - Tiny Dancer 8/1 3:30 Carlisle - Desgrey 9/2
Hi guys! Big fan of Jezki.....so gonna do a pbew/pleb job and throw a wheelbarrow at Billy Hills on this one. Just bought a 5% share in a mare. Money Maid. In training with Simon Earle and aimed at the listed mares bumper at Huntingdon on boxing day. Would love your thoughts guys!!!
Lot of money for Tom George horse (Ironic) in 1 o 'clock at Leicester. Not been out since Dec 12 but been backed from double figures to as short as 4/1 in some places.
Probably cant tell you anything you don't already know Mick. She went through Brightwells sale after winner a point to point in Ireland on her third attempt. There are a couple of winners in the family, most notably Hurlers Cross. Stamina laden pedigree so it would something of a surprise if she had enough pace to win a bumper. We may bump into one another at some point LOL.
Supporters of VERY WOOD should have a look at the Fairyhouse bumper today as Philip Fenton's VALUE AT RISK was runner up to him on his racecourse debut. Always tough opposing the Mullins team in these events but the 15/8 is very tempting!
Don`t like anything horse wise today so had a 5 fold @ 5/1 on Man City, Chelsea, AC Milan, Juventus & Valencia, see which one lets me down?? Best of luck all
Cheers Stick, yeah seems she will be stayer...bring on quevega I say....and would be a pleasure to bump into you....I owe you more than a few pints!!!!
Rule the World is my NAP today. Cant be having Jezki turning him over at 2 and a half mile. And the price itself of Jezki looks horrific. Trixie of: Rule the World Minella Foru Don Cossack
Well...I think Victor is being very generous giving me 11/10 for a place bet for Very Wood....might have some wood should it get placed!!!
According to the RP Drumlang is sporting "new" cheekpieces....might work better than the older version...so...lets have a dabble!
I quite like the look of 2.50 Fairyhouse Kalico Kim 20/1. Looks an out and out stayer and I think a mark of 102 underestimates her.
