Is there a reason they've called Sizing Machine, Sizing Machine? He runs in the Fairyhouse 6pm bumper. There's a lot of Sizings but this is the one that's a machine? Are we about to witness the start of a dynasty? 12/1 so I've had an each way tickle
3 for tomorrow - Es Que Love 320 Ponte (cos I have to time a Johnston winner correctly at some point) Las Verglas Star - 425 Ponte (hanagan for Fahey against an overrated/weighted Gosden handicap debutant) Toodeloo - 455 Ponte (Ryan 1st time out in Guy Reed colours) Ive tried the formlines they dont work so differing approach! and a wee sneaky football bet of Fleetwood, Reading and Blackburn! Kenny will need to learn to rap in the close season cos like John Barnes he cant manage!
4.00 Fairyhouse: COPS AND ROBBERS 20/1 Has it all to do but a completely unexposed flat recruit who had ability as a 3 year old last season is pitched in to this company by Noel Meade on his first start over hurdles, having exchanged hands for £125,000. It might be that the price reflects that this will be an education and the beginning of a long NH career, but Meade does pitch good horses into good races, as he did when Monksland caused a bit of a shock when bolting up at 6/1 earlier in this NH season. One to put in the notebook for after this race regardless. 4.25 Pontefract: LICENSE TO TILL 10/1 (NAP) Has a 10lb lower turf rating than on the AW but I think that is more of a benefit today than a negative, and has run very well in good handicaps like this on turf in the past. No reason why he can't run well again tomorrow and might just get the battle it needs with Suits Me and Splendid Light. Seasoned battler and I think it can see off the green favourite under pressure. Sort of track De Sousa and Johnson can do well on with prominent, battle-hardened handicappers.
‎3.50 Pontefract Rosairlie 16/1 Quite like the look of Micky Hammond's 4 year old who makes her flat debut for this trainer after being previously with Harry Dunlop. In her time with Dunlop, she had some quite nice form including 5L behind 97 rated Sadlers Risk and St Leger 3rd Sea Moon on her 2nd start over what would turn out to be an inadequate 1m. She stayed on nicely from the back and although she isn't going to be as good as that pair it was still a good performance. She's been pretty disappointing since then but did finish an unlucky neck 2nd off a mark of 58 at Wolves over 14f and it demonstrated she still kept some of her talent. After moving to Hammond in February, she has had 3 starts in hurdles which culminated in a good win after being well backed into favouritism. Fit from these exerts, she's back on the flat racing off a mark of 62 and is stepped up to 2m2f for the first time in her career. Although I have a small concern about her staying the trip, she shaped as if longer would suit on her 14f 2nd and I am willing to believe that she will stay out the extra distance. With Tom Eaves taking the ride and Micky Hammond clearly having her in fine order, if she translates her hurdles form to the flat then she could have a very decent chance of landing this race at nice odds. ‎ 5.25 Pontefract Thunderstruck 16/1 I think 16/1 massively overstates the price of Thunderstruck's chances and if he's able to capitalise on his significantly lower turf mark then I think he could be extremely hard to beat. Scott Dixon's 7 year old has been heavily tried already on the AW this campaign but has performed pretty well. Back in January he landed a Class 4 handicap off a mark of 81 and followed that up with a 0.75L beaten 3rd off a mark of 85 in a similar event. Furthermore, he comes here race fit while a lot of his rivals will be making seasonal reappearances which will definitely be to his advantage. Although he's probably not as good on the turf, he did post an excellent 2L beaten 2nd off a mark of 82 at Doncaster back in 2010 and he's only had 4 races on turf since so I wouldn't completely class him as inferior on the turf. He races here off a mark of 68 and if translating his AW form to turf he could be absolutely thrown in. Furthermore, if he's 10lb inferior on the turf then he is still well in. Although his form at Pontefract is a bit disconcerting as he was well beaten both times, after watching the video he jumped badly and for a horse that needs to be prominent I'm willing to ignore that effort. Breaking well tomorrow will be critical to his chances and he's well enough drawn in Stall 6 to achieve this. This represents Dixon's only runner at the track and I think it is very telling that regular jockey Ian Mongan comes here for one ride. Although not one to go nuts with, I certainly think he's incredibly overpriced and am confident of a very big run from my old friend. I've also backed Cothrom Na Feinne 33/1 in the 5.00 Fairyhouse but with the ground getting possibly on the soft side I'm not going to do a write up. I'm 100% sure he's up to defying his mark of 117 and I think the return to a right handed track will suit. He's only 9lb above his last winning mark which was an eased down 6L victory back in 2010 (missed about 18 months with injury) with the form of that race working out well. Desmond McDonogh's 7 year old showed he still retains a lot of his talent with a very good 4L 4th at Leopardstown two starts back and he's definitely going to pop up and land a decent race soon off a mark like this. Any sunshine tomorrow will definitely help his chances.
I read these write ups and almost get tempted to have a dabble, especially as I am based within walking distance of a betting shop at present.
25s and 22s available about Rosairlie and Thunderstruck have meant I've gone in again. Insane prices!
Hello again, all. Hope everyone well. It’s a ‘no bet’ one for me today and therefore I can confirm that the old banner is blowing in the ample breeze this morn. Can’t see the banner remaining in place for the rest of the week though given the quality of racing that will shortly be upon us. Talking of Aintree I see they have 4, I say 4, Grade 1 races on Thursday! Is this a first in this country as not even Cheltenham or Royal Ascot achieve such a figure on the same day?!? Meanwhile, staying with Aintree I see their Executive and the BBC are at loggerheads, over the coverage, with the former wanting to enforce censorship on the national broadcaster. It all stems from THAT aerial shot of Becher’s last year but I would have thought such a stance, when it will be the last time that someone will be showing the race for quite a while (if ever again), is hardly the wisest policy.
What have you been told Cats? The money's not really come this morning although there was a few quid knocking around last night?
Good afty gents... Hope we are all well... No bet day as im saving myself for the Aintree meeting this weekend, but ive done my usual prctise darts and see what i can hit... So... Pont... 2.20 - Wisemans Diamond, 9/1 2.50 - Scarlet Whispers, 5/1 3.20 - Parc De Launay, 5/1 3.50 - Riptide, 10/1 4.25 - Suits Me, 11/2 4.55 - Lisiere, 9/4 5.25 - Thunderstruck, 14/1 5.55 - Cono Zur, 11/2 Yarmouth... 2.10 - Eloquent Star, 15/2 2.40 - Knight Vision, eve 3.10 - Grandad Mac, 2/1 3.40 - Final Delivery, 4/11 4.15 - Rogue Reporters, 7/4 4.45 - Comrade Bond, 9/2 5.15 - Magical Speedfit, 9/2 Good luck to all who do play today...
I dont have a banner, banners are for gays so I am going with DUBARA REEF 28-1 3.50 PONTEFRACT. Fit from hurdling and no weight to carry so worthy of an each way dabble. GOLDENVEIL in the 5.20 may also carry the extra burden of my hard earned. Good luck to all especially Shaun Derry today. What a bloke. Just took the dire decision and walked away. Football needs more like him in my opinion.
Er, no. The owners are in the mining industry (sizing is a mining term). They have interests all round the world, hence Sizing Europe, America etc. They just ran out of continents, so used Sizing Machine which is probably some sort of tunnelling or digging device. Might still win though.
In the 3.20 Pontefract the Clive Cox horse JINKER NOBLE 12/1 looks to have a decent EW chance, his win last year came against the Charlie Hills trained GLENN MOSS who has since franked that form FTO this year when winning a maiden convincingly last week, based on that form my selection loos to be reasonably well treated for his first run in Handicap Company.
Right Archer. Didn't realise you have your ear to the ground when it comes to the Potts family. I'll be watching with interest today. Looks the part on paper and Hnry does well in this sphere. RV's has come in for a penny or two. Gazboy, you've timed it right. Well done fella.
Does anyone think Cotton Grass will get the trip in the 3.50? Must have a chance if it does at a big price.
A couple more that should go close at a big price 3.50 Pontefract DUBARA REEF 33/1 runs off a good mark and should be stripped fit from his NH runs, 4.25 Pontefract KINYRAS 16/1 looked a decent type last year when trained by SMS, and looks to be well treated, a consitent performer in Handicap Company last year. 4.55 Pontefract ELEGANT GIRL 28/1 on the grounds that i like the trainer and his debutants have a habit of winning at big prices early doors. 5.25 Pontefract AMAZING BLUE SKY 25/1 because i follow Ruth Carr blind and this one looks overdue a win and is more than capable off this mark. 5.55 Pontefract CONOR ZUR 4/1 shorter price but for the same reasons as before
Well done ROTO. Rosairlie came third at a big price. Good shout mate. Not betting but Ballynacree in the first at Fairyhouse. Can't wait to get home to watch the racing.
