Today sees the start of the new Stall Numbering system in Britain. Previously stalls were numbered ascending from the left (looking from behind the stalls) meaning on left-handed tracks a low draw was on the inside but on right-handed tracks a low draw was on the outside. From today the stalls will be numbered from the inside-outside meaning that at all tracks stall 1 will be on the inside.
Had to smile at the news in the Racing Post this morning concerning red hot Guineas favourite Frankel out running the 7.15 from Newmarket to Cambridge! The colt did look impressive by all accounts finishing fully 20 lengths ahead of his half-brother, and last years Lingfield Derby trial winner (disappointing in the Derby itself) Bullet Train. He has been cut by all firms in the Derby ante-post markets.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Flat Is Back - Winner!
It doesn't get much better than that with the first bet of the Flat season, Kiama Bay, winning at 11-4. Here's hoping it is a good omen for the coming months.
The Flat Is Back!
It is the first day of the Flat season today not that many people have probably noticed. Being a bit of a traditionalist I still can’t get used to the slightly low key affair that heralds the start of the new turf season these days rather than the big Doncaster meeting that used to kick-off the season.
With the greatest respect to the racecourse, the first recorded meeting was held there in 1783 so they know a thing or two about the game, a card of mediocre handicaps at Catterick is hardly going to get the juices running of many but the truest of racing fans.
Surely this is one of the things the people at RFC should be looking at if, as they never tire of telling us, they want to attract new race goers to the game. You can't escape the build-up to the start of the Football season and of course the traditional season opener of the Community Shield match. Rugby has the 'London Double Header' at Twickenham, Cricket the traditional MCC versus the reigning County Champions game. I am convinced that RFC are missing a trick here.
Anyway, I am a lover of the game and a massive fan of the Flat so I shall be having a little punt to greet the new season. John Quinn is apparently expecting a good run from Kiama Bay today and with question marks about many of the other runners the five-year-old gelding is the bet to get the Flat season off to a winning start in the 3.20 at Catterick.
Be lucky
With the greatest respect to the racecourse, the first recorded meeting was held there in 1783 so they know a thing or two about the game, a card of mediocre handicaps at Catterick is hardly going to get the juices running of many but the truest of racing fans.
Surely this is one of the things the people at RFC should be looking at if, as they never tire of telling us, they want to attract new race goers to the game. You can't escape the build-up to the start of the Football season and of course the traditional season opener of the Community Shield match. Rugby has the 'London Double Header' at Twickenham, Cricket the traditional MCC versus the reigning County Champions game. I am convinced that RFC are missing a trick here.
Anyway, I am a lover of the game and a massive fan of the Flat so I shall be having a little punt to greet the new season. John Quinn is apparently expecting a good run from Kiama Bay today and with question marks about many of the other runners the five-year-old gelding is the bet to get the Flat season off to a winning start in the 3.20 at Catterick.
Be lucky
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Six At Southwell
All a bit quiet today but I do fancy one up at Southwell in the lucky last by the name of Six Of Clubs. The gelding has been running well all winter and won in impressive style last time at Wolverhampton. Jake Payne takes a handy 7lb off again and the partnership is expected to score again.
Be lucky
Be lucky
Saturday, 26 March 2011
World Cup & Winter Derby
All the news and views for Dubai on the specialist World Cup page.
The Winter Derby at Lingfield has slowly grown over the years and is now a decent Group Three contest. A number of proven runners line-up such as Nideeb, Pachattack and Dansili Dancer but I like the look of one at a bigger price. Suits Me is a decent front running type who should be allowed to dictate things today. The eight-year-old might just set the race up for one of the shorter priced fancies but should at the very least place up and I will be backing the gelding at 14-1 each way in the hope he can hold off the late challengers.
Be lucky
The Winter Derby at Lingfield has slowly grown over the years and is now a decent Group Three contest. A number of proven runners line-up such as Nideeb, Pachattack and Dansili Dancer but I like the look of one at a bigger price. Suits Me is a decent front running type who should be allowed to dictate things today. The eight-year-old might just set the race up for one of the shorter priced fancies but should at the very least place up and I will be backing the gelding at 14-1 each way in the hope he can hold off the late challengers.
Be lucky
Friday, 25 March 2011
A Major Bet
We have a big priced Super 7 bet today in the Great Offers At wolverhampton-racecourse.co.uk Handicap at 7.45. After you do the sums taking off the extras etc the selection is Major Eradicator who looks likely to go off at around 40-1.
Be lucky
Be lucky
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Lunar River
Old friend Lunar River is back in action today in the Turftv.co.uk Handicap, class 6, 7.10 at Kempton. The eight-year-old has been in fine form and looks sure to make a bold bid for a hat-trick here tonight.
Be lucky
Be lucky
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Kempton Super 7
Back to the sand today with a Super 7 bet in the 9.20 at Kempton the Book Kempton Tickets On 0844 579 3008 Handicap. We have 4 qualifiers for the heat, Fools Gold (14-1), Grand Honour (12-1), Teen Ager (25-1) and Hi Spec (25-1). I shall be splitting the level stake four ways between them.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Time For A Winner
The lovely Rebecca Curtis has a nice one at Ffos Las in the shape of Made In Time today. The six-year-old was a little disappointing last time but forgiven that run he has looked a nice prospect and can win the 3.45 today. I will be taking the 9-2 this morning.
Be lucky
Be lucky
Cheltenham Review
Another winning day on Friday with Long Run (5-1) and Bobs Worth (3-1) doing the business. It was an impressive performance by the new chasing king and I for one can't wait to see him and Diamond Harry lock horns - it may become a rivalry to match that of the great Kauto and Denman.
Winning days on Tuesday (+3) and Friday (+3) but overall I finish 5 points down (level stakes) for the 27 races during the meeting.
All in all a bloody good four days - as ever- and I can't wait for next year.
Winning days on Tuesday (+3) and Friday (+3) but overall I finish 5 points down (level stakes) for the 27 races during the meeting.
Winners
Quevega
Sizing Australia
Big Bucks
Long Run
Bobs Worth
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
The Old Restoration - Cheltenham Recommendation
The Old Restoration is situated at the top end of Cheltenham High Street, a little out of the way for many day trippers to the track but worth the little walk. Friendly staff, good beer, good food, good pub. If you are in Cheltenham this week take my advice and pop your head around the door.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Binocular Out - Henderson PR Disaster
Gutted by the news breaking this morning that Binocular will miss the Champion Hurdle next week. It is also yet another major PR disaster for the Henderson stable that of course has had the Moonlit Path banned substance disgrace of 2009 back in the news this year with the inquiry leading to vet James Main being struck off.
It has come to light today that last year's Champion had been treated for an allergy two weeks ago and subsequently tested positive for a banned substance. Henderson then followed BHA advice to withdraw the horse from the Festival when advised by the BHA that the horse would test positive come race day. In a statement Henderson said 'He had an allergy two weeks ago that did not respond to initial medication and, on veterinary advice and well within normal parameters, he required a further treatment the following day. As we were getting close to the most important race of the year, and also because since that administration to Binocular, another horse had tested positive for the same substance, I thought it prudent to take a precautionary test which not only surprisingly, let alone devastatingly, has also shown to be positive.'
The big question for me is why the racing public were not informed that one of the major players of the biggest jumps meet of the year had suffered an allergy, undergone treatment, not responded to the initial medication and received further treatment the following day and that there may have been a problem?
In this weeks 'Weekender' (9th March) Henderson says of Binocular in his 'Straight From The Stable' interview 'He is being prepared for one day only - Tuesday - and I couldn't be happier with him..... He is in very good order and will take some beating again.' Really Nicky?
Yes I was on ante-post but my money was down with Stan Jame and as such has been refunded so this is not a punter talking from his pocket. The question though is how many punters have had a bet in the last fortnight oblivious to this development, maybe even on the back of the quotes above published only four days ago?
It has come to light today that last year's Champion had been treated for an allergy two weeks ago and subsequently tested positive for a banned substance. Henderson then followed BHA advice to withdraw the horse from the Festival when advised by the BHA that the horse would test positive come race day. In a statement Henderson said 'He had an allergy two weeks ago that did not respond to initial medication and, on veterinary advice and well within normal parameters, he required a further treatment the following day. As we were getting close to the most important race of the year, and also because since that administration to Binocular, another horse had tested positive for the same substance, I thought it prudent to take a precautionary test which not only surprisingly, let alone devastatingly, has also shown to be positive.'
The big question for me is why the racing public were not informed that one of the major players of the biggest jumps meet of the year had suffered an allergy, undergone treatment, not responded to the initial medication and received further treatment the following day and that there may have been a problem?
In this weeks 'Weekender' (9th March) Henderson says of Binocular in his 'Straight From The Stable' interview 'He is being prepared for one day only - Tuesday - and I couldn't be happier with him..... He is in very good order and will take some beating again.' Really Nicky?
Yes I was on ante-post but my money was down with Stan Jame and as such has been refunded so this is not a punter talking from his pocket. The question though is how many punters have had a bet in the last fortnight oblivious to this development, maybe even on the back of the quotes above published only four days ago?
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Clowning Around With Angels
Nice winner last night at 12-1 courtesy of Time Travel.
Some very competitive racing today and although tempted I will not be getting over involved at the risk of damaging the Cheltenham kitty. That said it is Saturday and I have a couple to place a bob or two on.
I tipped Angels Pursuit previously and I think with the step back up to seven furlongs today he can reverse the form with Duff and take the opener at Wolverhampton.
I also like the look of Circus Clown up at Ayr in the 4.30. Jim Goldie sends the six-year-old here in search of a hat-trick and I see no reason why it can't be achieved, the step up in trip may even be in his favour.
Be lucky
Some very competitive racing today and although tempted I will not be getting over involved at the risk of damaging the Cheltenham kitty. That said it is Saturday and I have a couple to place a bob or two on.
I tipped Angels Pursuit previously and I think with the step back up to seven furlongs today he can reverse the form with Duff and take the opener at Wolverhampton.
I also like the look of Circus Clown up at Ayr in the 4.30. Jim Goldie sends the six-year-old here in search of a hat-trick and I see no reason why it can't be achieved, the step up in trip may even be in his favour.
Be lucky
Friday, 11 March 2011
Time Travel - Same As Last Year
The Super 7 system found a nice little winner in the shape of Running Mate last night adding a few coppers to the Cheltenham fund.
No system bet today but I will be taking a chance with one at Wolverhampton in the 8.50. Time Travel has only one win to his name but that was over a mile and a half on the sand at Dundalk on his seasonal reappearance last year. I shall be having a little each way punt at 12-1 in the hope history repeats itself.
Be lucky
No system bet today but I will be taking a chance with one at Wolverhampton in the 8.50. Time Travel has only one win to his name but that was over a mile and a half on the sand at Dundalk on his seasonal reappearance last year. I shall be having a little each way punt at 12-1 in the hope history repeats itself.
Be lucky
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Super 7
Holyfield Warrior was a gallant second for the Super 7 system again yesterday caught in the shadow of the post and beat half a length; is there a horse in training that deserves a win more than the seven-year-old at this time?
We have two races tonight at Kempton. In the 7.00 we have three qualifiers Galiotto, Filun and State General and two qualifiers in the 8.00 Running Mate and Diddums.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Three At Kempton
We have a Super 7 bet at Kempton this evening with three qualifiers in the 8.30. Our old mate Holyfield Warrior is out again (must get his nose in front soon) along with On The Cusp and Set To Go. I shall be splitting the level stake between the three.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Cheltenham Countdown
Solwhit and Riverside Theatre will both unfortunately miss the Festival but David Pipe is reportedly delighted with the condition of Grand Crus as he prepares to take on Big Bucks in the World Hurdle.
Despite a bit of a cold snap the current going at Cheltenham is described as good to soft on the chase and hurdle course and good to soft, soft in places on the cross-country course. The long range forecasts for next week are predicting the possibility of sun with some cloud for the first three days of the festival, with rain a distinct possibility for the Gold Cup on Friday.
Despite a bit of a cold snap the current going at Cheltenham is described as good to soft on the chase and hurdle course and good to soft, soft in places on the cross-country course. The long range forecasts for next week are predicting the possibility of sun with some cloud for the first three days of the festival, with rain a distinct possibility for the Gold Cup on Friday.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Cheltenham Countdown
Somewhat a case of the quiet before the storm this week with the Festival looming large on the horizon; eight days and three hours to the off not that I am counting.
I shall be putting together the last couple of ante-post bets this week and they will of course be posted on the Cheltenham page. Diamond Harry is now a non-runner for the Gold Cup having sustained a suspensory ligament injury on his near-fore which is a terrible shame as I was looking forward to seeing him take on the established big guns, but the rest of the ante-post bets are still standing.
The official going is currently good-soft with the possibility of some rain later this week; hopefully the severe frosts and possible snow forecast for Saturday will stay away and all will be well come Tuesday 15th.
I shall be putting together the last couple of ante-post bets this week and they will of course be posted on the Cheltenham page. Diamond Harry is now a non-runner for the Gold Cup having sustained a suspensory ligament injury on his near-fore which is a terrible shame as I was looking forward to seeing him take on the established big guns, but the rest of the ante-post bets are still standing.
The official going is currently good-soft with the possibility of some rain later this week; hopefully the severe frosts and possible snow forecast for Saturday will stay away and all will be well come Tuesday 15th.
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