GIANT O'MURCHU 11-2 3.20 Stratford is a seven length course and distance only last year and has dropped to the exact same mark as that success. The yard are in form and will be having a bit of a punt on this so I have taken the early price.
Alan King reports Wooly Bully to have schooled well ahead of his hurdles debut in the opener at Stratford tomorrow. Apparently he hated the polytrack last time out so put a line through that. Could be a nice e/w price against a vulnerable looking favourite. The King yard can complete a quick double with Fighter Jet in the 2.50 who was very impressive last time out and ought to have plenty more to offer. In the 3.00 at Fontwell Cinevator looks a value bet against Man Of Leisure at around the 6/4 mark whilst the horse followed by RV over a cliff, Franklino, can gain his 2nd success for his new yard in the 3.30. In the card closer at 5.30, Lombok is back down to his last winning mark of 80 and, fit from the flat, can foil the Jim Best hotpot. Lucky 31 from that lot
Might be mate but 14/1 e/w makes more appeal than 2/5. I've backed Lombok a few times over the years, sure he can run into a place tomorrow With 8 currently declared we'll no doubt have a non-runner PS Lombok is also an island I visited many years ago - about 4 hours boat ride to the east of Bali in Indonesia. Back end of beyond but very beautiful.
Intresting to see Dan Skeltons 1st runner out of his Lodge Hill- Warwickshire Yard 3.50 Stratford- Gavroche Gaugain he hasnt won for more than 18months but is on his lowest mark for a while- no money for me in this race but would like to see him get off to a flyer and perhaps another Nicholls prodigy will win a big festival race in his 1st training season - (Of whom he is 14/1 to train a winner and next years festival.) His most well know horse American Trilogy runs at Gods Own Racecourse (newton abbot on sunday)
From what I have been told the money will come storming in- they have not had a big gamble like this for a while (not since Royal Trooper was beaten not only by head then 5 days later was beaten by 1 1/2 L when they stormed the money in for them and was expected to win very easily!)
On the new trainer front Wooly. I will be keeping a close eye on BEN PAULING in the coming season. Former assistant to Nicky Henderson he now has his own licence to train out of Bourton-On-The-Water. He has bought some nice horses at the sales and I think he will have his share of winners over the winter.
I another one I will be keeping my eye on (very closely aswell ) Ferdy Murphys old assistant trainer Rebecca Menzies
The yard pumped money in to him on two occasions and was expected to win- tomorrow will be the same with Money Money
Morning troops... No betting today as im off to sunny Southport to watch Lancashire take on Hampshire in the cricket... Nice day relaxing, doing nowt, having a drink and letting the day roll on... Good luck to all who are playing today, keep backing them winners...
Stick, are you aware of your old pal, Jim Best’s, absolutely appalling recent record at Fontwell Park??? It was highlighted in yesterdays ‘Weekender’ that in the past 3 and a half years he’s had 26 runners at the track but only one, I say one, of these won! That is an incredible stat as in general his strike rate is, of course, very, very decent. It certainly makes you think twice about wanting to steam into his pair at Fonters today. Deffo at quotes of 11/10 (Money Money Money) and 2/5 (Sugar Hiccup) anyway. In saying that though both are running in frankly dire races and would look to have leading chances. But will Best’s Fontwell curse strike again, people?!?
If you look over the years Barney it is noticeable that the yard has used Fontwell a lot to run his no hopers at and generally get them favourable handicap marks to exploit. Must be friendly stewards!
Indeed, Stick. Makes you realise that not all trainers are like the forum’s favourite, Mr Henderson! Talking of trainers being ‘up to something’ I note in God’s own racecourse’s Listed heat on Saturday (3.55) the Pipe’s have a very, very, very dark one entered – their recent French import, Vif Argent. Those old rogues, over the years, have launched more plots down at Newton Abbot than in all the Agatha Christie novels combined. This old boys form in Chases across the Channel reads -22122 and his final run was very decent as it was in a £45k contest. The 4YO has been given a perch of 130 which looks more than reasonable to my eye. No idea if they plan to run Vif Argent though.
For those who like a footie punt-- with a heavy heart i am afraid my team is not playing well at the moment, we 'entertain the league leaders on fri night--those bookies have us based on historic form, so you can get 12/5 about prestatyn town beating bangor city tomorrow eve. bet with your head not your heart they say--i will have a small bet just to ease the pain of losing--if i don't collect i will be happy !!
on the horse front-- am doing a L15 on Size 3 40 Ham, Wave The Grapes in the bumper at stratford, Photography in the 8 20 at kempton and Levi Draper in the last-- might get a winner out of them four !!
A number of years back, the good lady and were standing in the airport at the Denpasar airport, chatting to a bloke with his head swathed in bandages. We asked him about the injury. He said a local in Lombok had taken to him with a machete.
