5.50 Thirsk Lupin Pooter 5/1 Prior to his last run, Lupin Pooter was a very progressive sprinter in top form and if discounting his last run as an under-performance then I am sure he'd be clear favourite and I think he's going to take a heck of a lot of beating. He's made a blistering start to his short career, winning 3 of his 5 starts and I'm confident that his last effort was just an off day as opposed to the handicapper catching up with him. Last June David Barron's gelding made his racecourse debut on his sole start as a 2 year old when scoring by a neck at Musselburgh. Although the form of that race is nothing special, it got his career off on the right track. For one reason or another, he was off the track for 11 months before making his handicap and three year old debut in May off a mark of 67. He put in a very good effort to finish 4th of 18 considering his lengthy absence and it was a very good effort. He resumed winning ways on his next start at Ayr off the same mark when scoring by a short head in what has turned out to be a very hot race. After racing freely, Lupin Pooter got going well in the final furlong and scored I think with a little bit in hand. The two horses in behind Lupin Pooter have franked the form with the 2nd Wild Sauce making the frame in his next 3 starts with his last effort being a win off an 8lb higher mark whilst the 3rd Bogini won his next 3 starts and is now rated 18lb higher than he was that day. Lupin Pooter carried on his progression when scoring off a mark of 72 on his 2nd last start in fine fashion on soft ground at Newmarket. Held up towards the rear, Lupin Pooter raced rather keenly in the early stages before settling down after about a furlong. Under hands and heels riding, Jamie Spencer brought him down the outside of the field with his challenge before he hung badly to the left with a couple of furlongs to go. He really got the hang of things late on as he scored by a fair bit more than the 1.25L margin suggests. Again, that form looks strong with the 3rd Millibar winning a Classified Stakes race on her next start whilst the 4th was also successful on his next start. His last start came at York off a mark of 79, which he races off tomorrow, where he was sent off the 2/1 favourite as he ran absolutely no sort of race. It may have been that he didn't really like the good to firm ground (although he won on it at Ayr and gets that ground tomorrow) but for one reason or another he just didn't run his race at all and I think you've got to ignore that effort. David Barron reaches for first time blinkers tomorrow in a bid to get Lupin Pooters progressive career back on track. Its interesting to note that this gelding's Dam Carrie Pooter improved substantially for the fitting of this aid for Barron and I am sure the trainer will be hoping it has the same effect for her progeny. Lupin Pooter makes his first visit to Thirsk and I am slightly worried about the good to firm ground given it was a possible excuse for his last performance and that his best effort to date came with some cut in the ground. Nevertheless, there is absolutely no way in my opinion that he won't go on to be a horse that is rated better than 79 and given that he has won on the surface before. If his last start was a once off, I definitely see Lupin Pooter putting in a much improved performance for his bang in form trainer and if blinkers work the oracle then I think he could prove very difficult to beat.
Interesting runner in the 7.30 Ballinrobe tonight in Chill. I remember the former Luca Cumani inmate being tipped up by old boy Sir Barnaby Chuckles for the Fred Winter where he finished a respectable 6th, some 10 lengths behind Mr Henderson's Une Artiste, off a mark of 125. He then went on to finish a creditable 3rd (off 119) at Fairyhouse against older and more experienced rivals. He was then given a nice break and had a sharpener on the flat a couple of weeks ago so should be in good shape for this race tonight. With normal improvement and the summer on his back I think this fellow can step up on previous efforts and go very close this evening. 9/2 at the moment. Best of luck everyone
http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-racing-enters-new-era Clare Balding new lead presenter for ch4 racing from 1st January top news.
Not a day for racing but there is one horse I will put forward having had it in a tracker since last year and bough to all of our attention by ROTO on its reappearance- BUZKASHI 3/1 (NAP) 3.00 Kempton. Been crying out for a step up in trip in handicaps and not only does he tackle a mile and a half today (extra 2f), he is dropped back into a maiden that for my money looks a real opportunity to win in.
Oddy, Chill is also 3 pounds lower than his Cheltenham Festival effort despite running highly creditable there and in his only subsequent hurdling outing (3rd of 17 at Fairyhouse). He’s a horse I’ve always rated and would hope that he could exploit such a perch over the water this eveing. Those bookie chappies though seem to see the Ballinrobe contest as a hugely competitive one as they have bracketed 5 horses within the 4/1-5/1 range.
Good for her and us... I think she has come out of the Olympics as the best presenter there... Plus she knows her stuff... Poor old Willie, left out in the cold...brrrr...
Afternoon all, 2.50 FLAS - Miss Cap Estel - Beaten no more than a length in last 3 runs to date but he beat Woolsten Ferry (5th) the time before last who won last week. Bit short at 11/8 but a win is on the cards. 4.00 KEM - Majestic Zafeen - Has had a break after 2 poor runs on turf. Has ran 3 good races here at the start of the year and a return back here from a low draw could well see her back in the winners enclosure. Currently 7/1 3.40 LING - Watheeq - Won with P Hanagan in the saddle the other month and he is back on board again today. Has ran well in between races and i see another good run today. Currently 9/4 4.40 LING - Tango Sky - Has already won over C/D and was unlucky last time out over 6F at Chester. Back to 5F today. Currently 2/1 Good luck
I think there is a solid bet to be had in the 3rd race at Kempton Kempton 3.30 New Falcon 6-1 This horse has placed twice already running very well in two maidens won by decent sorts. The reason i think he's worth a bet today is that he has stayed on in every one of his 3 races well and the step up to a Mile will suit today. Significantly this horse was sent off favourite on his first start in a decent Newmarket Maidn contested like today by top trainers. For an unraced J. Tate horse to start favourite over horses trained by Noseda, Botti, Channon and Dunlop means that it was backed and thought well of and i think with the step up to a mile sure to suit 6-1 is a price wrth taking a chance on.
One for me tonight at a price is MITCHUM 11/1 Thirsk 7.20 Drops in grade and steps up to 8f for the first time after staying on nicely over 7f LTO in a hot handicap at York Best Of Luck
7.00 Ballinrobe - DUMBARTON 11/1 Followed this one on the flat for Stoutey - impressive winner of Windsor maiden before disappointing twice. Interesting recruit to hurdles imo.
Stick should win tonight Dumbarton ran ok there thought he was going to get involved in the finish for a bit
which is the horse in the 7.50 stick? got me worried now as i have had a bet this afternoon on Byron Bear in that race.
MAHADEE mate, been backing it all summer in Windsor handicaps despite RV pleading with me to give up on him. Has dropped a ridiculous amount from his last winning mark and if he doesnt win tonight he never will.
