Saturday's Meetings Lingfield A/W 9 Races 11:00-3:30p.m. Punchestown N/H 9 Races 11:40-3:43p.m. Huntingdon N/H 7 Races 1150-3:23p.m. Haydock N/H 7 Races 12:05:3:35p.m. Ascot N/H 7 Races 12:20-3:50p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 9 Races 4:15-8:15p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Keeping a close eye this weekend on Crambo (still 33/1 Stayers), Appreciate It (still 50/1 Ryanair), Fastorslow and Maxxum. With the exception of Crambo I don't expect much.
Haydock 12.05 Kaminskas 5/2 bet365 14,20 Although Fergal O.'s comments do not sound very optimistic: Crambo 3/1
I am worried about the stable form, and I think both are shorter than they should be in the market. I hope they win though.
Certain races bring back certain memories for racing fans and whilst many will look at today's Haydock card and think of the magnificent exploits of Kauto Star, Betfair Chase day always reminds me of Diamond Harry winning the stayers handicap hurdle. Back in 2009 it was the Listed "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle and Diamond Harry was allotted top weight of 11-12 off his rating of 149. I remember the commentary of Stewart Machin (you can still watch the replay on Sporting Life) when he hit the front after the 3rd last: "......... and Diamond Harry breeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezes into the lead". A supremely confident Timmy Murphy was motionless in front as he cruised to victory from Ruby Walsh who was throwing the kitchen sink at Burton Port. A year later the two would meet again in the Henessey Gold Cup at Newbury where Diamond Harry again prevailed from Burton Port - both carrying 10 stone with Denman 3rd under 11-12. Those were the days
Looking beyond the small field graded races today there are some really interesting newcomers starting out for the season. Its an early start for Punchestown's 8 race card and the opening juvenile hurdle (11.40) will be worth watching with the notebook out. The maiden hurdle at 12.13 sees a Mullins / Townend runner in the Gigginstown silks (can't remember whether this was Gigginstown's first runner with Mullins since they made friends again?) - Predators Gold won his bumper in April and will be a warm order to open his hurdles account today. Then we have Gaelic Warrior's chase debut - expect adjustments in the novice chase markets for the Cheltenham festival thereafter. Over at Ascot the interesting newcomers are in the concluding bumper with both Nicholls and Henderson (with a Michael Buckley owner Blue Bresil gelding) having runners. Hadock's Newton Novices Hurdle has some interesting prospects from the less powerful yards (no slight meant to Fergal there Nass and Stick) and Bowenspark could be another very smart horse for the Hemmings colours. At Huntingdon there are three 3YOs entered in the maiden hurdle at 12.28 and they get loads of weight from the older horses. Tellherthename ought to win comfortably but worth watching the 3YOs and also Lucy Wadham`s Zain Nights on hurdles debut. Finally in the Huntingdon "bumper", George Boughey has a rare NH runner in the Cracksman gelding Composite.
Morning all, Off to Haydock today for the big one, well i say big one, only 4 in the Betfair Chase but its usually a really good meet... Picks for today's card... 12:05 - Kamsinas 12:40 - Cheddleton or Real Stone 1:15 - Carnfunnock 1:50 - Apple Away 2:20 - Santon Blue 3:00 - Protektorat 3:35 - Credo Good luck to all who are playing today...
Re Crambo. Is the 20/1 shot, Sholokjack, being deployed in the race to aid Crambo in a pacemaking and/or strategic role or will Sholokjack simply be running on his own merits. Something to ponder, with a view to how the race will be run, at any rate... Please note that H Skelton would NOT have had the choice of the 2 D Skelton runners.
In that 2.20 Haydock I do like to look of Emitom. Mr King's magic hands seem to have rekindled his flame and, assuming he'll strip fitter for his seasonal debut he looks very well handicapped.
The (14:13) at Huntingdon, a Class-4 Handicap Hurdle over a distance just short of 2m. on good ground, is a competitive affair but I will still go for the probable favourite, the ultra-consistent Walk In The Park gelding, Parc D'Amour. No certainty, for sure, so a good study of the market would be a sound way to go, of course. However, it will be disappointing if selection isn't in there with a chance where it counts! Gavin Sheehan rides for the Kim Bailey yard. 5/2 best price in nearly all places. Have a successful day, folks, if you're having a go!
A monstrous motor but he was very low at a few of the fences - jumps them like a hurdler at the moment. Will need to improve that.
