Wednesday's Meetings Wolverhampton A/W 7 Races 1:45-5:05p.m. Pontefract Flat 7 Races 2:00-5:20p.m. Ascot Flat 6 Races 2:25-5:10p.m. Punchestown Festival N/H 7 Races 3:40-7:15p.m. Lingfield(E) A/W 7 Races 4:40-8:00p.m. Cheltenham(E) N/H 7 Races 4:50-8:15p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
Hello, team. One who I think has been given a real chance tomorrow by the old boy handicapper is Mr Henderson’s ERICHT who runs in the €94,000 Guinness Handicap Chase across the water at Punchestown (6.40). A 6 time winner this one has proved largely disappointing since running away with the ‘Scottish Future Champions Novices' Chase’ back in February ’14. Ericht looked really, really good that day and if you’d had stood on the steps of the Musselburgh stands, at that point in his career, and said that in less than 15 months he’d be running off a perch of 129 then you’d have been carted off by the ‘men in white coats’. In fairness to the horse he has been highly tried since then and he did put up a very good run at Cheltenham, in October, when finishing just over a handful of lengths behind Johns Spirit and Persian Snow but given the regard that he has always been held and the quality of the Musselburgh performance you have to say he has proved a bit of a let down since then. Although I’d forgive him his run last time, at the Festival, as the old boy patently failed to stay 26 furlongs. However, as I say he’s been lowered by the assessor and off 129 I can not see how Ericht isn’t going to figure in this heat as I think he is way, way better than such a mark. Is surely worthy of an each-way tickle and current quotes re tomorrow are 20/1. Good luck to him and good luck to you.
Fascinating Champion bumper. Really surprised Gordon Elliott doesn't have a runner given he's been brilliant in the sphere all year.
8/1 on Thistlecrack will do me for the 3 mile novice hurdle. Ultra-impressive at Aintree, the step up to 3 miles was the making of him and he was always travelling like the best horse in the race. I think he is the quality horse of the field here and, if he takes to the track, should take all the beating.
I'm hoping the rain stays away but I think 6.40 Punchestown Baby Mix 14/1 is very, very interesting. Returned with a fine effort on the back of a 16 month absence and a serious injury at Aintree with a good 6th in a 2m handicap chase for which he is dropped 2lb to a mark of 133. He should appreciate the step back up to 2m4f no end and there is no doubt in my mind he's on a very good mark. He'll definitely prove sharper for his recent return and as long as he doesn't bounce on the back of just a 20 day absence I think this English raider will run a huge race for Warren Greatrex.
Identity Thief 5/2 Punchestown 4:20 - drops in class and getting the trip he is looking for. Must go close. Modus 9/2 Punchestown 6:05 - ran a cracker at HQ and is surely here to gain some compo. Two singles and a double. Limato makes his reappearance at Ascot today too. He was mightily impressive last season but i read recently that Henry Candy hasn't been as satisfied with his work at home this year so far, not sure if he's playing the horse down on purpose or what but I hope he has trained on and we have a real proper horse to enjoy.
Interesting they have sent out Don Cossack so quickly after Aintree! I can see why cooper has pick Road to Riches but surlely if it hasn't takeb too much he will be there there abouts with that taken in to consideration im going for CUE CARD huge price at 14/1 ew with 8 runners and he showed something of a come back lto and would have improved for the run
3.30 ASCOT- PALLASATOR -11/2 Readiness for this race the only worry but will have bigger targets than this - the favourote wants it good or slower so may find the ground too quick the only worry and who I nearly went with was FOREVER NOW disappointed with his retirn but has a great 5th in the St leger to his name! And jockey is on fire but sticking with my pick!! Goes well fresh ! Has a lot of class and on his champions day performance has has the pick! and this a good starting point to his season
3.30 Ascot FOREVER NOW 8/1 should make a bold bid if racing prominently with the emphasis on fast ground and stamina upped to 2m. His keeping on 3rd at Nottingham for reappearance should see him strip fitter and he looks interesting. 6.05 Punchestown SUPASUNDAE (NAP) 10/1 ran an absolute stormer at Cheltenham where the front-runners set it up for the closers and ridden with a touch more restraint today can land the bumper in good style, as he did when winning prior to Cheltenham.
4.55 Punchestown e/w fancy has to be SUB LIEUTENANT who is crying out for the trip. The weather will have a big say in Fletchers Flyers chance and the better the ground the better his chance. I fancy the battle-hardened Sub Lieutenant to make a right fist of it though.
Oddly all over thistlecrack tomorrow. One for Cheltenham tomorrow , empire builder , saw it win a ptp the other week. Was very impressed. More from punchestown tomorrow
Montalcino and Mondialiste in a double M double at Ascot--pays 12/1 -not original , but if they both run near to their best for their in form stables i think its a ggod bet -was going to put up Forever Now , but Toppy has covered that cracking e/w chance --i also llike Tugboat at cheltenham- an improving hunter --he ran very well at chepstow , before two comfortable wins at stratfrd and ludlow--so cheltenham shouldnt preclude a big run--his main rivals seem to have questions regarding their current form -at 7/2 -its a steaming bet ! Ive thrown them into a L15 as well for good measure..
All over Road To Riches in the Punchestown Gold Cup. Doubts about Don Cossacks stamina and I think this will suit RTR more than it will Djakadam. The rest shouldn't be good enough. Going to double him up with Tac De Boitron over at Ascot. Best horse in the race and should win this. 9/2 looks a huge price to me....
Just a few thoughts for the Ascot Card 2.25 Gifted Master 6-4 This horse looked very good at Newmarket recently and I could see nothing to persuade me to back against him, the question becomes is he too short in which case leave the race alone or is it worth a punt knowing there would have to be a very decent horse to trouble him. I think at 6-4 best odds it's still a betting price. 3.00 Montalcino 3-1 Looks good on paper as after taking a Doncaster maiden easily finished runner up to a decent looking Godolphin animal that was well enough thought of to run in a Group 1 afterwards and has been holding her own In Meydan. It's a tricky race and I could not bet with confidence as I like the Appleby horse but on balance of form the selection is worth a shot. 3.30 Tac De Boistron 9-2 or Deuce Again 16-1 EW The first mentioned would be a good bet if lining up in my opinion as is a class above the rest. However' the horse is generally felt to need give under foot and so I am not convinced he will run. Should the selection drop out then I would go for a decent each way on the second named. I was very taken with this horse at Nottingham as she travelled beautifully, quickened to catch a leader who went for home with a good lead and showed good attitude in the finish. This is an improving horse who has more to come. If all of these horse are tuned to their very best she may not have the better of them, but I am not convinced they will be, at 16-1 this horse will give you a run for your money. 4.05 Tendu 5-1 This is a no bet race for me as the favourite is too short to bet on and too hot to bet against with confidence. If I had a free bet the Tendu would be my selection, but won't be carrying my money tomorrow. 4.35 Hors De Combat 3-1 If this selection is ready to go and fit I make it a very good bet. I was taken by this horse last season and has the stand out form in the race. If Custom Cat or Captain Cat were in this field you would expect them to likely win easily and Hors De Combat has very good form with both. If ready to go this will win with plenty in hand, if needing the run the Mooharib may take the spoils. 5.10 Exchequer 6-1 Get on... this for me is the bet of the day as the horse looks to be lined up for it as they seem to believe it is best fresh and owned by Highclare who like a winner at Ascot, a very capable claimer on board and I think this wins. Banker' Exchequer, Next best' Gifted Master, Hors De Combat
A reasonable card at Ascot and free to get in there today, though it won't tempt the twig hopping brigade.. Touchline (how the hell do you bold these days? : I've lost the icons) has disappointed more than once and could easily do the same today. She was reported to have lost her action when the pressure came on in her races as a 2yo. After being in many books as a filly to follow, it was almost as if the wheels couldn't keep up with the engine. A year older and hopefully she's matured. A cracking gallop last week is reinforced by the booking of Ryan and the fact that Hannon had this race outlined for his Royal filly Pack Together (with Hughes already slotted in as rider) and has been asked to keep her powder dry. A sporting bet I'd think at the 9-1 price being quoted. In fact a quick flash though the pedigrees of Touchline's opponents reveals some wonderful families:- Haalan's 4th dam is a half-sister to two Derby Winners Hassah's 4th dam is a half-sister to a 1000G and Prix de Diane winner Pulcinella's 4th dam is a half-sister to an Oaks and St Leger winner Sperry's 4th dam is a half-sister to the great Damascus then Montalcino's dam is half sister to an Italian Derby winner the other two look quite plebian in comparison.
I wanted SQUIRE to run in the last at Ascot today rather than Kempton so I am interested in the race. Had a dabble on EVENING ATTIRE purely because it's the jockey I would have wanted. I love the hunter chase meeting at NHHQ, super evening when the sun is out, fancies are as follows; 4;50 POPAWAY 5;25 MR MERCURIAL 5;55 FOLLOWING DREAMS 6;30 QUINZ 7;05 EXECUTIVE BENEFIT 7;40 CHARLES BRUCE 8;15 GAUVAIN
I agree Stick - it would have suited him well. It would have needed an improvement on his Windsor run, but one I think he may possibly have managed, although Evening Attire and Exchequer would have been worthy opponents today for sure. What would have been the case however is that he would have had everything in his favour, unlike all weather tracks. I think the issue will always be on any all weather track that he is a horse that you need ask a furlong earlier than you would normally imagine, but if asked early and his run wound up he has the ability to motor when in full flight, the problem with the all weather is that he cannot let down on a bend and the home straights are too short so he ends up hitting top speed as the post is upon him rather than a furlong out. The all weather gallop at home may have a much longer straight run, if it is a four furlong gallop then he will show up well, it's not the surface it's the length of straight in my opinion. There was is a really good Scottish sprinter whose name escapes my but won a good race at Ascot and always ran at the Royal meeting, this horse had exactly the same problem when asked to race on the all weather a season or two ago, it needed a longer straight. I am still unconvinced of Michael Attwater as I noticed the horse in a different syndicate from your own was backed down from 20's to 7's in the last on Kempton's card and trailed in almost last, I presume he expected better and advised the same but his judgement was off again. I think back to those phrases the commentators love such as that yard never leave the money behind and so and so trainer knows the time of day, I am not convinced Michael Attwater comes into that category.
