Today's fireworks come from Flat meetings at Doncaster and Churchill Downs (Breeder's Cup); and good jump meetings at Wincanton, Sandown, Kelso, and Down Royal (Ire). Best of luck to all members who have a punt, and my fancies are below: 3.40 Doncaster. Sirius Prospect. This improving sprinter takes the step up into Listed Class after winning four of his last five races. Shane Kelly has struck up a great relationship with this quirky character who is last to leave the stalls; is in a hopeless position two furlongs out; and then comes with a strong run to win going away. In the race he lost, he was ridden prominently and found no extra. Provided the softer ground does not handicap him, I see no reason why he canât win again, and I feel the 11/2 on offer from Ladbrokes is outstanding. 3.20 Wincanton. Golan Way. Sheena Westâs young chaser finished an excellent first season over the sticks by running Colm Murphyâs top staying novice, Quito De La Roque, to three lengths at levels in a Grade Two over an extended three miles at Aintree. Prior to that, he had won over 2 miles 5 furlongs at Huntingdon- after being beaten 12 lengths by Riverside Theatre at Kempton. He obviously thrives on stamina and won first time out last season. I donât think top weight will hinder him- in what looks a less competitive than usual Badger Chase. Worth a good Each Way bet at 10/1 with Hills and Paddy Power. 2.25 Sandown. Fruity OâRooney. Gary Mooreâs chaser started last season by winning first time out (his debut chase at Fontwell), and then running three more chases over the same track- winning two of them and being runner up to Nicky Hendersonâs smart Quantitativeeasing in the other. In one race over that track he narrowly defeated Paul Webberâs Sarando, which advertised the form by splitting Quito De La Roque and Golan Way at Aintree. Thereâs no doubt that this is a very competitive handicap, but Fruity OâRooneyâs form over further than todayâs distance should stand him in good stead up the Sandown hill. Worth a good Each Way bet at 10/1 Paddy Power.
Nice little Lucky 15 on the UK racing today: 2.20 Down Royal - The Nightingale (NAP) A high class renewal but Paul Nicholls is very bullish about his charge on Betfair: "This is The Nightingale's Gold Cup - he has done loads of graft, and I have got him ready to fight for his life." 3 miles going right handed with some cut is just what The Nightingale needs and he goes very well fresh. He was very impressive when winning on this card last year before pulling up in the King George and subsequently found to have a fibrillating heart, similar to Denman. I'm encouraged that PN has put plenty of work on him and he will be 100% today. I'm not convinced Sizing Europe will get the trip and whilst I adore Midnight Chase I think he is better at Cheltenham. The 2 seven year-olds look top notch as well so this contest has real strength in depth but I am hopeful The Nightingale can get his head in front. Nice to see Noel Fehily getting the leg up, a very capable and able substitute for Ruby. 2.40 Kelso Premier Sagas I quietly fancied this one for the big novice handicap chase at the festival but the lively ground did for his chances. Underfoot conditions may not be ideal again today but at the weights, Nicky Richards charge looks to have a decent chance and for me is too big at around 8/1. 2.15 Wincanton Silviniaco Conti Didn't look fully wound up behind Cue Card a couple of weeks ago and will strip much fitter today. He jumped impeccably on debut and will surely have much too much for this lot today. 3.20 Wincanton Madison Du Berlais The Badger Ales Trophy is a typically competitive affair and I think old boy Madison Du Berlais could go well at a tasty price. Tried at the very highest level over the past couple of seasons (and over a longer trip which didn't suit last backend) he is down to a mark of 142 and back at 3m1f. He does go well first time up and if he can rediscover some of his old sparkle I think he can go very close today. Best of luck everyone.
no suprise that im following the fat boys at Kelso where Glee has an Outstanding chance of getting a hattrick up on his 1st day back from a 10 day ban Stormin Exit King Fontaine Kalahari King He is in rude health after his lay off and has been working hard at Ferdys so dont be suprised if he is not in the frame on some of Ferdys others today Hughesy likes Indian Groom as his best chance of a win so singles and a lucky on these 4 for me Stay Frosty
Spot on mate. I see a couple of your fat northern jockey mates will be having some "down time" - Brian Harding 13 days suspension, and Henry Brooke 10 days - both for whip offences. Gotta feel for Harding in particular - riding a neck-and-neck finish on an evs fav and got beat a head, then gets a 13 day suspension to boot.
5/11/2011 APPRAISE SYSTEM SELECTIONS Principal Role 3pts win 2.35 Doncaster 9/4 Bet365 Paddy Power dont expect that to last Our Jonathan 3pts win 3.40 Doncaster 7/2 Bet365 Boylesport
morning all-will be going against you odd dog with a big bet on midnight chase to win 2.30 at down royal-i reckon 6/1 is racking price!!!
Tough world oddy but them boys know the rules as ****e as they are but "cant do the time, dont do the crime" must be the motto until common sense prevails meanwhile back in the real world just in from willie "Danno me boy listen, Blazing Tempo goes for the grade 2 chase over 2m 4f. She ran a cracker in the Kerry National and, on official ratings, appears to have a great chance here. She has won over this trip and will handle the ground. Kauto Stone could be a hard nut to crack but our mare is in good form and looks sure to run a big race and Ruby swerved the hassle of choosing which one he would have rode (mine) so we think lump on, tell oddy 3 out tomoz all named after him, he knows you know, stay frosty big fella and stand back when you light the blue touch paper"
Best of luck mate - I love the horse to bits, his brave front-running style is a joy to watch and he won me bundles in those handicap victories at Cheltenham last season. Horse owes me nothing but I'm not sure he will be as effective round this tighter track and I think he may just be found out by 1 or 2 at this level.
3.20 Meanus Dandy EW This horse has had his fair share of problems but he has already shown in the latest renewal of this race that he is more than capable of winning the Badger Trophy. He is 6lbs higher than when he won the race last season but I do think that he is still on a fair mark and I also think that having an apprentice on top will help him here. He won the race with Popham on last year and to me is one of the few horses that seems to get on better for Nicholls when Walsh isn't on him. He is still lightly raced and if they have managed to get him straight I think the 11/1 on offer is massive in a race that he has shown he can win. That is my one and only bet of the day. EDIT - Quote for you "This horse realised a long-term plan last year as he won the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton, which is sponsored by his owners? firm. He is in good order and will try to win it for the second time. He is 6lb higher now, but he always goes well fresh and would have a live chance. Weekender 05/10/11"
Thomas Edison in the first at Down Royal is very interesting today. 20/1 available about him. Cost £110,000 as a yearling and has a nice pedigree. Closely related to Celestial Halo and Devotion. Anyone know if this one was with O'Brien on the flat but obviously unraced ?
Such a difficult day today at Doncaster. Even the short prices may be worth laying such as Principal Role who may not be keen on Soft going. Just the two placepots: Doncaster: Leg 1: Tango Sky (8) Leg 2: Foot Tapper (1) / Hawks Reef (3) Leg 3: Wordismybond (4) / Guava (8) / Royal Reyah (9) Leg 4: Mass Rally (8) / Valencha (9) / Kiwi Bay (10) / Bonnie Brae (12) Leg 5: Captivator (6) / Famusa (8) / Mirror Lake (9) Leg 6: Zuider Zee (14) / Hanoverian Baron (17) / Enroller (19) / Status Symbol (21) 288 @ 5p £14.40 Wincanton: Leg 1: Royales Charter (1) Leg 2: Nemetan (1) / Iona Days (5) / Magic Marmalade (8) Leg 3: Violin Davis (4) / Cinderella Rose (5) Leg 4: Mad Moose (1) / Kilcrea Kim (6) Leg 5: Celestial Halo (1) Leg 6: Benbane Head (7) / Richards Sundance (9) / Alderluck (13) 36 @ 40p £14.40 Good Luck all!
1.50 Down Royal Cothrom Na Feinne 16/1 I've been waiting about a year to come back for this to come back out. This Desmond McDonogh trained 6 year old hasn't been seen since June 2010 and is very interestingly owned by a certain Jim Bolger's wife (formerly trained by Bolger) . McDonogh certainly isn't a big trainer at all and doesn't have many winners but he hasn't done anything wrong with this fella up until now. Cothrom Na Feinne improved absolutely spades on his 2 starts last year, winning both very impressively firstly off a mark of 94 and subsequently off a mark of 108. He is now rated 120 but he still looks a very well handicapped animal in my opinion. He beat Wikaala by 6L easily on his latest start, who has subsequently won impressively off a 9lb higher mark and who was rated a full 18lb higher at one stage. There are going to be clear doubts about his race fitness after such a long time off the track but I think there is a very significant indicator to his condition. Back in July, Cothrom Na Feinne was 2nd reserve in the Galway Hurdle so if connections were targeting that race after more than a year off the track it shows firstly he is very highly thought of and secondly is race ready. Furthermore, he returned from a 7 month break to land an impressive victory so its not much of a concern to me at all. The ground is my main concern. He has done all his best work on good ground or better and appears to have struggled with ground on the softer side up until now. However, he has obviously improved and perhaps was beaten by better animals during his efforts with ease in the ground. I don't see why McDonogh would reintroduce him on ground that didn't suit after such a long period off and although the ground is a big concern of mine, I think the 16/1 available negates this. I also like the look of Daddy Long Legs 12/1 over at the BC. Surface is a complete unknown and I hope O'Brien hasn't made a mistake running him on the dirt but I really like this horse and if taking to the surface 12/1 is a ridiculous price in my eyes.
Morning all - lots I like the look of today 12.45 Down Royal - THOMAS EDISON 22/1 E.W (BOG) Not the most confident of selections but I will certainly be having a little E.W dabble on Thomas Edison in the opener at Down Royal. I get the feeling he may well have been with Aidan O'Brien on the flat judging by the price tag/breeding and name. I am not 100% about this but he is now an unraced 4yo. He is closely related to Celestial Halo and is a half brother to the Aidan O'Brien trained Devotion. I don't think this is the best of maiden hurdles and it will be interesting to see how this one gets on today. 1.50 Down Royal - HEBRIDEAN 20/1 E.W (BOG) Hebridean is a horse I am really interested in today and from a punting point of view he is overpriced at around the 20/1 mark. Rated 112 at his best on the flat when in training with Aidan O'Brien he then switched codes to join Paul Nicholls and showed plenty in 4 starts for that yard including winning a grade 2 event at Kempton. He then went back on the flat with Luca Cumani running creditably a few times but not looking anywhere near his best and also had one start for D Marnane shaping well in a listed heat at Leopardstown. The selection has again been transfered and is now with Jessica Harrington and I really liked his run on his debut and only start so far for this yard when finishing 9th of 11 at Galway on heavy ground. He was way too keen that day and still ran a nice race up untill 2 out where he weakened. This was his first outing for 492 days so he is entitled to have come on a lot for that. I feel he is massively over priced today in a contest that isn't that good. 2.20 Down Royal - SIZING EUROPE 9/2 (BOG) A cracking renewal of this race this afternoon and the one that makes most appeal at the prices is Sizing Europe. Everyone knows he is a class act and personally I feel that if he stays the 3m he will win this well. The chance that he may not stay reflects in his price in my opinion and he is worth taking a chance on. He would have finished 2nd on his reapperance had Rubi Light stayed up at the last fence but he should have come on for that run. Brilliant on his day as we seen at Cheltenham when he put in a fantastic display of jumping to win the Champion Chase. 2.50 Down Royal - KAUTO STONE 9/4 (BOG) Really looking forward to seeing Kauto Stone on his debut for Paul Nicholls today. Of course he is a half brother to the fantastic Kauto Star, and if he has some of his talent we are in for a few good displays from this horse. He has already proved himself to be a high class horse back in France (grade 1 winner) and as he is only a 5 year old he is probably still capable of better. He comes in to this with a rating of 155 and should be hard to beat despite carying top weight (concedes 8lbs to Blazing Tempo and 1lbs to other two main rivals). He will probably come on for the run considering he hasn't had a race since April but he may well have too much class for these. 12.45 Sandown ENFANT DE LUNE (NAP) 6/1 (BOG) I think Enfant De Lune is absolutely thrown in here off a mark of 115 and to enchance his chances in this conditonal jockeys race is Connor O'Farrell who is certainly one of the better jockeys in the race. Enfant De Lune was decent when at his best for Alan King but his form tailed off especially when sent chasing (not sure he took to chasing). As a result he runs from a mark 22lbs lower than his last hurdles run back in 2009 today (137) when finishing 4th to Tataniano. He has joined a yard that are well capable of landing a gamble and he has already moved from 10s in to 6s this morning. 12.35 Wincanton - BALDING BANKER 6-1 (BOG) Another Paul Nicholls horse that looks fair value today is Balding Banker running in the opener at Wincanton. He is a horse I followed in bumpers last season and he showed some real smart form in his first two starts before disappointing on his final start of the season. Nicholls reports he knows that wasn't his true running and that he is confident he has him back to his best now. He apparently jumps well. Molotof will be hard to beat but offers no value at evens. I will back Balding Banker for the win but he is surely an E.W bet to nothing for those that back these 6-1 shots e.w.
Good morning all. A relatively quiet affair this afternoon before the evening action across the pond. Nevertheless, some very interesting contests and plenty of clues on offer. 12.35 Wincanton Molotof looks a ready made novice hurdle winner and it's difficult to see past him in this heat. It will take a smart one to lower his colours. 2.15 Wincanton Big fan of Silviniaco Conti and expect him to take this en route to bigger and better things in the spring. Jumped exceptionally well on his debut in a race that was never going to suit him. Hopefully he will get the strong pace he needs in this heat with Mad Moose, Baile Anrai and Kilcrea Kim all racing prominently. He was a cut above these over hurdles and i fancy him to prove similarly superior over the bigger obstacles. 2.45 Wincanton An interesting affair which looks a straight match between Celestial Halo and Grandouet on paper. In receipt of 10lbs the latter named of the duo will be expected to oblige by many. However he has bypassed bugger opportunities to come here and i fancy that his will just be a prep before Henderson sends him to the 4yo only hurdle somwhere (though i can't remember where). Even giving 10lbs Celestial Halo is a big danger. He likes the track and goes well first time out and this might be right up his street today. 2.20 Down Royal I will be leaving my money in my pocket for this one. I will, however, be watching carefully because there are sure to be clues a plenty for races ahead. 2.50 Down Royal Really looking forward to the smart recruit Kauto Stone making his debut for Paul Nicholls. He has a tough task trying to give weight all round, and, in particular, 7lbs to the smart Blazing Tempo for Willie Mullins and it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
