Some good racing at Cheltenham today but most of it might be better watched with the big meeting in March getting ever closer - 45 days to go.
I do like the look of one in the shape of Shakalakaboomboom in the 1.30. The seven-year-old will doubtless be popular coming from the bang-in-form Henderson team and I think he is worth a bob or two.
Over at Lingfield on the All Weather in the 2.25 Christmas Coming has a chance to notch up his first win. The colt is reappearing after a summer break and is officially rated 13lb higher than his rivals, I think the four-year-old will appreciate this step back up in trip and the return to polytrack.
Be lucky
Saturday, 29 January 2011
Friday, 28 January 2011
It Would Be Folly To Ignore It
Nice little 3-1 Super 7 winner in the shape of Johnny Ebeneezer yesterday, unfortunately the second bet went down but at level stakes we finished two points up on the day again.
Today at Wolverhampton we have another qualifier and it’s one we backed last week. Kielty's Folly carries a 6lb penalty in the 4.40 for his Kempton success last week but the grey gelding looks to have a chance to rack up a quick double.
Be lucky
Today at Wolverhampton we have another qualifier and it’s one we backed last week. Kielty's Folly carries a 6lb penalty in the 4.40 for his Kempton success last week but the grey gelding looks to have a chance to rack up a quick double.
Be lucky
Thursday, 27 January 2011
Super 7 At Kempton
Gone down with a touch of the ‘Placeitus’ this week with The Happy Hammer and Thumbs Up both finishing second to add to Dvinsky coming third on Sunday and the two seconds and third from the five tips on Saturday; at least the other two were winners.
We have two Class 7 races at Kempton today with three qualifiers for the Super 7 system. In the 4.50 Johnny Ebeneezer sets the standard on recent form and even at twelve years of age looks sure to go well. In the 5.20 we have two horses in the shape of Holyfield Warrior, who finished runner-up over a mile here last week in our bet that Kieltys Folly won for us, and the filly Mororless who hasn’t looked to impressive in her two starts this month but a system is a system and I am not about to change the rules.
Be lucky
We have two Class 7 races at Kempton today with three qualifiers for the Super 7 system. In the 4.50 Johnny Ebeneezer sets the standard on recent form and even at twelve years of age looks sure to go well. In the 5.20 we have two horses in the shape of Holyfield Warrior, who finished runner-up over a mile here last week in our bet that Kieltys Folly won for us, and the filly Mororless who hasn’t looked to impressive in her two starts this month but a system is a system and I am not about to change the rules.
Be lucky
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Happy Hammer?
No Class 7 races today so the Super 7 system is on the back burner again. I do like the look of one at Lingfield in the shape of The Happy Hammer. Winner over course and distance 18 days ago, the 2lb rise doesn't appear to harsh and the gelding has a big chance in the 2.55.
Here's hoping it's an omen for later tonight with the Hammers taking on Birmingham in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final - Up the Hammers!
Be lucky
Here's hoping it's an omen for later tonight with the Hammers taking on Birmingham in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final - Up the Hammers!
Be lucky
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Thumbs Up At Leicester
Over at Leicester today I am going to take on the odds-on shot in the Dick Christian Novices' Chase, 3.10. Likely jolly Giorgio Quercus took a heavy fall on his chasing debut at Plumpton, he was going well at the time, but as they say jumping is the name of the game.
Thumbs Up was the highest rated of the four runners over hurdles, and duly won first time over fences at Cartmel last season. The form of that race isn’t exactly sensational stuff but Donald McCain is likely to have the grey ready for his seasonal reappearance and if there is a chink in the armour of Giorgio Quercus he looks the most likely to take advantage.
Be lucky
Thumbs Up was the highest rated of the four runners over hurdles, and duly won first time over fences at Cartmel last season. The form of that race isn’t exactly sensational stuff but Donald McCain is likely to have the grey ready for his seasonal reappearance and if there is a chink in the armour of Giorgio Quercus he looks the most likely to take advantage.
Be lucky
Monday, 24 January 2011
Attendances Up In 2010
Good to read the figures released by The Racecourse Association showing that attendances at racecourses increased in 2010 by a reported 3.4% on 2009 with over 5,769,000 reported visitors - the second consecutive year attendances have increased. The number would surely have topped the six million mark if it wasn’t for the huge number of meetings lost to the worst winter since records began.
I’ve said it before and I will no doubt say it again; you can have all the gimmicks and offers you like but supply a quality product and quality service and the punters will come through the door. It is no coincidence that one of the best tracks in the country for facilities and service, namely York, increased their average gate by a reported 11% with Bath posting an impressive increase of over 16%.
Stephen Atkin, Chief Executive of the Racecourse Association commented, ‘I am delighted to see these figures, it is a vindication of the hard work being done behind the scenes on Britain’s racecourses to attract customers, especially those new to the sport. It is a shame that the bad weather in December stopped us from beating the previous high of 2004, but it lays down the marker for the Racecourses in 2011 to maintain these high standards’.
I’ve said it before and I will no doubt say it again; you can have all the gimmicks and offers you like but supply a quality product and quality service and the punters will come through the door. It is no coincidence that one of the best tracks in the country for facilities and service, namely York, increased their average gate by a reported 11% with Bath posting an impressive increase of over 16%.
Stephen Atkin, Chief Executive of the Racecourse Association commented, ‘I am delighted to see these figures, it is a vindication of the hard work being done behind the scenes on Britain’s racecourses to attract customers, especially those new to the sport. It is a shame that the bad weather in December stopped us from beating the previous high of 2004, but it lays down the marker for the Racecourses in 2011 to maintain these high standards’.
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Dvinsky Code
Close but no cigar yesterday with two winners, two seconds and a third.
No Class 7 races on the All Weather today but I like the look of one at Kempton in the shape of Dvinsky. The Jane Chapple-Hyam trained ten-year-old isn't getting any younger but ran a nice race when finishing second over course and distance last time out and has a big chance in the 2.40. The stable is ticking over nicely in 2011 having notched up four winners thus far and placed up eight times out of twenty-seven runs; three of the winners and four places have come at this track out of ten starts. At 3-1 early the gelding is worth an investment of a couple of quid.
Be lucky
No Class 7 races on the All Weather today but I like the look of one at Kempton in the shape of Dvinsky. The Jane Chapple-Hyam trained ten-year-old isn't getting any younger but ran a nice race when finishing second over course and distance last time out and has a big chance in the 2.40. The stable is ticking over nicely in 2011 having notched up four winners thus far and placed up eight times out of twenty-seven runs; three of the winners and four places have come at this track out of ten starts. At 3-1 early the gelding is worth an investment of a couple of quid.
Be lucky
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Five For Ascot
The Class 7 system failed yesterday but such is the way of things and I am not giving up on it yet as it is still showing a nice profit in January thus far.
Some cracking racing at Ascot today and there is a very big chance of a Nicky Henderson treble and Paul Nicholls double on the card.
Osric should get the ball rolling for Henderson in the opener. Grandouet won nicely at Newbury last time and is fancied to take the 1.15. The quickfire treble should be completed by Caroles Legacy in the 1.50. Always there or thereabouts the seven-year-old mare should be good enough to win this.
As for Mr Nicholls the great Master Minded is turned out in the 2.25 and is expected to take this on the way to the big one in March. Unbeaten on this track, he won this race in 2009, and I can't oppose him today. Breedsbreeze runs in the 3.30, back from injury after nearly two years off with a credible second at Newbury in December, the gelding should prove a class above his rivals today.
Be lucky
Some cracking racing at Ascot today and there is a very big chance of a Nicky Henderson treble and Paul Nicholls double on the card.
Osric should get the ball rolling for Henderson in the opener. Grandouet won nicely at Newbury last time and is fancied to take the 1.15. The quickfire treble should be completed by Caroles Legacy in the 1.50. Always there or thereabouts the seven-year-old mare should be good enough to win this.
As for Mr Nicholls the great Master Minded is turned out in the 2.25 and is expected to take this on the way to the big one in March. Unbeaten on this track, he won this race in 2009, and I can't oppose him today. Breedsbreeze runs in the 3.30, back from injury after nearly two years off with a credible second at Newbury in December, the gelding should prove a class above his rivals today.
Be lucky
Friday, 21 January 2011
Orpens Again And The Duke
Hardly the most inspiring of racing today and most of it is best left well alone. We do have two qualifiers for the Super 7 system today; Orpens Peach won easily for us yesterday and is the top rated officially in the 4.35 at Wolverhampton with the 6lb penalty. The filly is best priced 100-30 for a quick double. In the lucky last at 7.35 Duke Of Rainford is the qualifier being OR rated 55 and is available at around 5-2.
Be lucky
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Super 7 Strikes Again
The Super 7 system strikes again with Orpens Peach bolting in at a returned price of 12-1 in the Bet On Winning Distances At Bluesq.com Handicap at Wolverhampton by three and three-quarter lengths; Guildenstern finishes fourth.
It might not be the best racing you will ever see but that's three from three now this month and it's always nice to visit the payout counter.
Super 7 Qualifiers And A Dabble In Dubai
We have two qualifiers for the Class 7 system (currently being refered to as the Super 7 system at Girdy Towers) today in the 4.20 at Wolverhampton. Guildenstern and Orpens Peach are both rated at 49 so, as the system is two for two thus far this month, I shall be taking a little of the 4-1 and 8-1 available respectively on both and hopefully one of the beasts will get its nose in front.
At the other end of the racing spectrum out in Dubai we have the Cape Verdi Stakes Sponsored by Bal Al Shams a Group 2 on the turf. Mike De Kock has been making all the right noises about River Jetez in interviews and by all accounts he expects the filly to do well in the coming months. With his record in mind if De Kock thinks he has a good’un it must be worth a second look and she has won a Grade One in South Africa. A couple of quid will be invested on the eight-year-old to make a winning debut for her new connections.
Be lucky
At the other end of the racing spectrum out in Dubai we have the Cape Verdi Stakes Sponsored by Bal Al Shams a Group 2 on the turf. Mike De Kock has been making all the right noises about River Jetez in interviews and by all accounts he expects the filly to do well in the coming months. With his record in mind if De Kock thinks he has a good’un it must be worth a second look and she has won a Grade One in South Africa. A couple of quid will be invested on the eight-year-old to make a winning debut for her new connections.
Be lucky
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Class 7 System Strikes Again
Well the little All Weather system worked again as Kieltys Folly duly obliged in the Class 7 heat at Kempton with joint top rated Holyfield Warrior coming home second - should have had the cast!
The other top rated horse Queenies Star disappointed but having invested wisely on all three a couple of bob has been trousered on the result and it is always better in my pocket than the bookies!
One Out Of Three Will Do
Bit of a dilemma today at Kempton as we have multiple qualifiers for the Class 7 All Weather system I touched upon earlier this month when Barodine duly obliged.
The simple rule is to back the top rated horse in All Weather Class 7 races but in the 4.30 at Kempton today we have three horses all rated at 50: Kieltys Folly, Queenies Star and Holyfield Warrior.
Available at 13-2, 16-1 and 14-1 respectively I suppose the only thing to do is have a small investment on all three, worse case scenario if one of them wins we are four and a half points in front.
Be lucky
The simple rule is to back the top rated horse in All Weather Class 7 races but in the 4.30 at Kempton today we have three horses all rated at 50: Kieltys Folly, Queenies Star and Holyfield Warrior.
Available at 13-2, 16-1 and 14-1 respectively I suppose the only thing to do is have a small investment on all three, worse case scenario if one of them wins we are four and a half points in front.
Be lucky
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Eclipse Awards
Hot on the heels of the WTR we have the Eclipse Awards in the USA with Zenyatta named US Horse of the Year at a ceremony in Miami on Monday night, the mare beating her Breeders Cup Classic conqueror Blame in the ballet by 26 votes. She had of course finished runner-up at the Awards in 2009 to Rachel Alexandra and Curlin in 2008.
The Eclipse Awards are decided by votes cast from members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the National Turf Writers Association and the Daily Racing Form.
ECLIPSE AWARD WINNERS 2010
Horse of the year: Zenyatta
Older male: Blame
Older female: Zenyatta
3-y-o male: Lookin At Lucky
3-y-o female: Blind Luck
2-y-o male: Uncle Mo
2-y-o female: Awesome Feather
Male turf: Gio Ponti
Female turf: Goldikova
Male sprinter: Big Drama
Female sprinter: Dubai Majesty
Steeplechase horse: Slip Away
Owner: WinStar Farm
Breeder: Adena Springs
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
Apprentice: Omar Moreno
The Eclipse Awards are decided by votes cast from members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the National Turf Writers Association and the Daily Racing Form.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Ballydoyle For The Cup?
It has been six years since the O’Brien stable sent any runners out to Dubai but it appears they may be popping on the plane come 26th March with four horses reportedly entered for World Cup night. Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes hero Cape Blanco heads the list and is in-line for a crack at the $10 million Dubai World Cup if reports are to be believed.
The Ballydoyle team haven’t sent a horse to the meeting since the reported fall-out between Sheikh Mohammed and Coolmore boss John Magnier in 2005.
Whether the entries are a sign of a possible reconciliation between the two camps or not will no doubt stay confidential, Sheikh Mohammed described the original fallout as a "private matter". It is though good news for racing fans with more top class horses at the meeting and for Sheikh Mohammed, whose desire to increase the status of the Dubai Carnival had been severely affected by a lack of runners from a major player such as the Ballydoyle stable.
The Ballydoyle team haven’t sent a horse to the meeting since the reported fall-out between Sheikh Mohammed and Coolmore boss John Magnier in 2005.
Whether the entries are a sign of a possible reconciliation between the two camps or not will no doubt stay confidential, Sheikh Mohammed described the original fallout as a "private matter". It is though good news for racing fans with more top class horses at the meeting and for Sheikh Mohammed, whose desire to increase the status of the Dubai Carnival had been severely affected by a lack of runners from a major player such as the Ballydoyle stable.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Five Star Kauto?
Seven horses tipped in January so far with a return of four winners (Medermit and Gold Story were both second with Sam Winner being the big disappointment.) so ticking over nicely at the moment.
If Kauto Star can win his fifth King George VI Chase today he will have beaten the record set by the great Desert Orchid. A few of the usual suspects line-up against him but if the eleven-year-old is at his best a place in the record books await. The jumping of Long Run is a little to suspect but The Nightingale may just upset the apple cart. It will be a great race to watch but as Dessie was one of my first favourite horses, who I fell in love with as a wet behind the ears teenager when he won this for the first time in 1986, I shall be suffering from mixed emotions should Kauto eclipse his great record in this race. That said records are there to be broken and I shall be investing on Kauto to be the King of Kempton yet again.
In an attempt to keep the cash coming in I shall also be having a couple of quid on Angelic Upstart in the 2.20 at Lingfield. The colt can rack up a hat-trick today following two nice wins at the back end of last year and I shall take a little of the 3-1 on offer.
We also have the re-arranged Christmas Hurdle with Binocular, Starluck and Khyber Kim locking horns once more. Binocular is of course one of my Dirty Dozen but I think he is better at Cheltenham, where Starluck doesn't appear to be at home, so this is a race to watch rather than bet on for me.
Be lucky
If Kauto Star can win his fifth King George VI Chase today he will have beaten the record set by the great Desert Orchid. A few of the usual suspects line-up against him but if the eleven-year-old is at his best a place in the record books await. The jumping of Long Run is a little to suspect but The Nightingale may just upset the apple cart. It will be a great race to watch but as Dessie was one of my first favourite horses, who I fell in love with as a wet behind the ears teenager when he won this for the first time in 1986, I shall be suffering from mixed emotions should Kauto eclipse his great record in this race. That said records are there to be broken and I shall be investing on Kauto to be the King of Kempton yet again.
In an attempt to keep the cash coming in I shall also be having a couple of quid on Angelic Upstart in the 2.20 at Lingfield. The colt can rack up a hat-trick today following two nice wins at the back end of last year and I shall take a little of the 3-1 on offer.
We also have the re-arranged Christmas Hurdle with Binocular, Starluck and Khyber Kim locking horns once more. Binocular is of course one of my Dirty Dozen but I think he is better at Cheltenham, where Starluck doesn't appear to be at home, so this is a race to watch rather than bet on for me.
Be lucky
Friday, 14 January 2011
Class 7 Cash
There is a system doing the rounds which simply states back the top rated horse in Class 7 races on the All Weather; I have kept an eye on it for a few weeks and if you had been following it you would be winning money.
With that in mind I shall be investing a few shillings on Barodine in the lucky last at Wolverhampton tonight, 7.40. The gelding won at Lingfield last week and though that was a seller this little handicap looks no tougher and he won nicely enough, out staying the odds-on favourite, and he should follow up before going up in the weights.
Be lucky
With that in mind I shall be investing a few shillings on Barodine in the lucky last at Wolverhampton tonight, 7.40. The gelding won at Lingfield last week and though that was a seller this little handicap looks no tougher and he won nicely enough, out staying the odds-on favourite, and he should follow up before going up in the weights.
Be lucky
Thursday, 13 January 2011
The Thursday Titter XV
A joke recently told to me credited to Joe Palmer, the late racing expert and Racing Editor of the New York Herald Tribune:
A man from Idaho breezes into Kentucky with a six-year-old horse that had never raced before, but which he entered for a race.
The horse won easily and paid a whopping price. The racing stewards did not like the look of the thing and questioned the owner.
‘Is this horse unsound?’ they asked.
‘Not a bit.’ said the owner.
‘In that case,’ asked the stewards, ‘why have you never raced him before?’
‘Mister,’ said the man from Idaho, ‘we couldn't even catch the critter until he was five years old.’
A man from Idaho breezes into Kentucky with a six-year-old horse that had never raced before, but which he entered for a race.
The horse won easily and paid a whopping price. The racing stewards did not like the look of the thing and questioned the owner.
‘Is this horse unsound?’ they asked.
‘Not a bit.’ said the owner.
‘In that case,’ asked the stewards, ‘why have you never raced him before?’
‘Mister,’ said the man from Idaho, ‘we couldn't even catch the critter until he was five years old.’
Gold From The Sand?
Hardly classic stuff on offer today but over at Southwell in the Play Megajackpots Cleopatra At bluesq.com Handicap the Brian Ellison trained Gold Story has a decent chance. Finished second here last twice and I think the drop to six furlongs today may help. The gelding is not one to lump on but a couple of quid at 7-2 is worth a risk.
Be lucky
Be lucky
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
World Thoroughbred Rankings for 2010
The World Thoroughbred Rankings for 2010 are out and as ever the debate as to the ratings and whether correct or not is up and running in pubs the length and breadth of this green and pleasant land. It is one of my favourite times of the year, remembering some of the best performances of last season and telling anyone who cares to listen that so and so is rated too low and thingymabob too high. The rankings of course are a 'peak performance' system and not a 'handicapping' system showing the best figure obtained by a horse in the season and not a reflection of consistency or a measure of what may have been achieved in different circumstances.
There can be little argument concerning the rating of Harbinger with his King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes win earning the colt one of the highest ratings in recent years. A rating of 135 puts him 1lb behind the rating allocated to the great Sea The Stars in 2009 and 6lb off of the all time top rating of 141 gained by Dancing Brave. This of course is a case in point of a 'one off' wonderful performance as due to injury the colt never had the chance to prove he could do it again. Other notable Older Horses include Dirt performers from the US Blame on 129 and Quality Road on 128 followed by Japanese trained Nakayama Festa on 127 and Rip Van Winkle rated 126. The previously unbeaten mare Zenyatta, defeated by Blame in the Breeders Cup Classic in 2010, gets 125 the same rating as Goldikova to lead the way for the fairer sex. Aussie sprinter Black Caviar topped the sprint figures on 123 with J J The Jet Plane getting 122.
The Three-Year-Old ratings are likely to get a few heated debates going with Makfi and Workforce both being rated at 128 and Canford Cliffs on 127. Personally I would have had the Arc and Derby winning colt ahead of the 2000 Guineas winner. The Stoute trained colt is the fourth successive Derby winner to top the ratings which shows the Epsom showpiece to be in rude health. Although biased with the colt being arguably my favourite of the year I would have had Canford Cliffs a pound higher than the 127 he has been awarded but what do I know when it comes to ratings? The way in which Canford Cliffs runs/has to been ridden makes him a hard horse to rate as he is never likely to beat a field by ten lengths so is a colt that can only be judged on what he has done and not what he might be able to do if he had to. Cape Blanco gets 126 and Dick Turpin 124. As for the fillies Snow Fairy gets a rating of 120 1lb behind Lily Of The Valley and and Sarafina. Top Three-Year-old sprinter was my favourite Starspangledbanner on 121.
The Two-Year-Olds appear to have most people scratching their heads and commenting on websites with Frankel and Dream Ahead both getting a rating of 126. Dream Ahead had been the highest rated of the two until Frankel gave him a seven length beating in the Dewhurst Stakes. Opinion appears to be divided between punters who think this is fair and that Dream Ahead simply did not run any sort of race in the Dewhurst but deserves the rating for his Middle Park run and those who feel Frankel is being hard done by not being rated Champion Two-Year-Old. We are unlikely to get an answer in their Three-Year-old campaigns as Dream Ahead appears destined for sprint distances.
Like I said at the start the debate rages……..
There can be little argument concerning the rating of Harbinger with his King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes win earning the colt one of the highest ratings in recent years. A rating of 135 puts him 1lb behind the rating allocated to the great Sea The Stars in 2009 and 6lb off of the all time top rating of 141 gained by Dancing Brave. This of course is a case in point of a 'one off' wonderful performance as due to injury the colt never had the chance to prove he could do it again. Other notable Older Horses include Dirt performers from the US Blame on 129 and Quality Road on 128 followed by Japanese trained Nakayama Festa on 127 and Rip Van Winkle rated 126. The previously unbeaten mare Zenyatta, defeated by Blame in the Breeders Cup Classic in 2010, gets 125 the same rating as Goldikova to lead the way for the fairer sex. Aussie sprinter Black Caviar topped the sprint figures on 123 with J J The Jet Plane getting 122.
The Three-Year-Old ratings are likely to get a few heated debates going with Makfi and Workforce both being rated at 128 and Canford Cliffs on 127. Personally I would have had the Arc and Derby winning colt ahead of the 2000 Guineas winner. The Stoute trained colt is the fourth successive Derby winner to top the ratings which shows the Epsom showpiece to be in rude health. Although biased with the colt being arguably my favourite of the year I would have had Canford Cliffs a pound higher than the 127 he has been awarded but what do I know when it comes to ratings? The way in which Canford Cliffs runs/has to been ridden makes him a hard horse to rate as he is never likely to beat a field by ten lengths so is a colt that can only be judged on what he has done and not what he might be able to do if he had to. Cape Blanco gets 126 and Dick Turpin 124. As for the fillies Snow Fairy gets a rating of 120 1lb behind Lily Of The Valley and and Sarafina. Top Three-Year-old sprinter was my favourite Starspangledbanner on 121.
The Two-Year-Olds appear to have most people scratching their heads and commenting on websites with Frankel and Dream Ahead both getting a rating of 126. Dream Ahead had been the highest rated of the two until Frankel gave him a seven length beating in the Dewhurst Stakes. Opinion appears to be divided between punters who think this is fair and that Dream Ahead simply did not run any sort of race in the Dewhurst but deserves the rating for his Middle Park run and those who feel Frankel is being hard done by not being rated Champion Two-Year-Old. We are unlikely to get an answer in their Three-Year-old campaigns as Dream Ahead appears destined for sprint distances.
Like I said at the start the debate rages……..
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