I see O'Brien is riding over hurdles on Sunday after not being able to get down to the weight I wonder what the odds of him riding a festival winner 2016!
Sizing Titanium 9/4 should have a straight forward assignment in his maiden hurdle tomorrow at Navan where Flememstar makes his belated return to action in the Grade 2 Webster Cup, I won't bet on that race but would wish the horse a clear round and if he wins that's all the better. The opening day of the flat looks particularly tricky(where is Nassau with his Brocklesby breakdown?) but over in Meydan I can't resist backing a personal favourite of mine in African Story, his whole season will have been gearing towards this and being last year's winner I will stick with the horse at 6/1. Best of luck lads and lasses
4.15 Meydan HARP STAR 7/2 (NAP) Disappointed some in prep run but is quite often undercooked in anticipation of the big one, as she was in her Arc prep last season. She should have won the Arc but for complete jockey arrogance IMO. She is high class and has the turn of foot required to be suited to conditions and the race pace today. Ryan Moore is on board so hopefully her ride will be uncomplicated and she will be given every chance. I'll be really disappointed if she doesn't win.
Seems like most bookies are only paying 4 places in The Lincoln. And seeing as the last time I backed the winner was 2005 when Michael Stoute sent out Streams of Gold, I think I'll pass. Is this a contender for the worst Saturday of the year, racing wise? Also, no football above League 1. ****it, I'm going back to bed.
Such a Legend in the first at Stratford for Kim Bailey is one I've kept an eye out for all season. Back over timber today and seemingly well fancied. Backed it at 12s ew last night but now 9/2. Looks a competitive race to be honest but should give me a run for my dosh. Nothing else really catches my eye but have backed the aptly named Lincoln at Donny and will be supporting Sir Maximillian (has a Shropshire connection) over in Dubai. Good luck all.
Morning all, great to see Charlie get a winner and it hopefully won us all a few shilings!! Just the one again today and it may be a good sign that Stick has already backed it but the NAP goes to GM Hopkins @ Donny!!! Gelded and goes well fresh, Fahey was worried about a group performer in a handicap and I beleive this is it!!!!
Another interesting one is First Bombardment in the Brocklesbry!!! Not 2 for another month so for O'Meara to throw him in this he could be smart or I could be completely wrong !!!!!!
I know plenty here will not care, but the Flat Season officially starts today (or does it?) and the choice is dreary Doncaster for the Lincoln or sunny Meydan for the Dubai World Cup. In the Dubai Sheema Classic, the best horse is clearly my old favourite Flintshire, but Andre Fabre’s five year old is on a long run of seconds (several of them weighed down by my money), touched off by Dolniya last time, so should I be risking him in the desert? Ryan Moore won this last year for the Japanese and partners likely favourite Harp Star. Since being gelded, Main Sequence has flourished in the States and is overpriced and should not be underestimated. In the Dubai Turf, the best horse is The Grey Gatsby, but will the fast ground be the undoing of Kevin Ryan’s charge? Freddie Head’s rapidly improving Solow is favoured by the bookies and has the advantage of race fitness but also has a question mark about the going. In the Dubai World Cup, last year’s winner African Story was unfancied and returns in better form (Group 1 latest over course and distance) but the American and Japanese challenge looks very strong this time. Can Epiphaneia give California Chrome a race over what may be too short a trip?
Morning you wonderful lot!! A Lucky 15 for me... 1:50 Strat - HALLINGS COMET 14/1 3:10 Donc - MUJAZIF 20/1 3:45 Donc - BARAWEEZ 20/1 4:10 Strat - EDMUND KEAN 12/1 Backed in small eway singles too. Good luck!!
Who removed the fences? Thank fek for the Aintree and Punchestown festivals still to come! Astaire all day long at Donny 2-35, 3-1 and dropping all the time, while Tullius in the 2-00 has surely only to turn up? King Torus at a very decent 11-1 in the Spring Mile looks a solid ew bet and in the Lincoln GM Hopkins looks like a group horse in a handicap as has already been noted, I fully agree. At Meydan, I like Flintshire, don't like the measly 9-2, but I think he can win this. And in the World Cup - if like me you watched Lea on the Morning Line and said something along the lines of "wtf - has he come straight from the stud farm?" you wouldn't be alone! Fat doesn't cut it - maybe he is just muscle-bound! I can't NOT back him now
Really glad the flat is back but won't really be having any big bets until the Craven meeting, only bets today are at Meydan, Main Sequence and California Chrome singles and doubles.
It's never been away Robbie! And what is the gap between the end of one NH season and the next? None! A victory for quantity over quality for sure, and yet we all buy in to it, betting on poor races with poor horses and trying to spot a plot
It has for me, I have as much interest in AW as I do in NH, next to nothing. And summer jumps is also a joke, if I did bet alot on NH it would only probably be between late October and Early April.
Afternoon All. Today's lucky 15. All@ Meydan. 1-15.Marzocco, 1-55.Sir Fever, 4-15.Flintshire & 5-00.African Story. Good luck to all.
Quantity over quality, my selections that is!!! Anyway scattergun of singles doubles and trebles at each meeting: Uttox 135 Peggy Do 320 Manballandall 355 Pied Du Roi Strat 150 Lanceur 225 Lord Navits 335 Boite Chelm 220 Brotherly Company 255 Young John 550 Topamichi Donc 235 Astaire 310 Certificate 345 Mange All Kemp 250 New Years Night 325 Boomerang Bob 400 Gold Will Meydan 340 Solow 415 Harp Star 500 California Chrome Bristol City Hearts Sheff Utd BETFRED PUSH 11/4 Enjoy your day lads!
Afternoon all - have to agree with those who are delighted to welcome back the turf flat. 3 for me today. Certificate 3.10 Doncaster Mondialiste 3.45 Doncaster Main Sequence Meydan Good luck all.
