Month: February 2007

Tonight’s bulletin covers Saturday and Sunday on what is a real packed programme this weekend.

  

The Ascot card kicks off with a trappy looking handicap hurdle at 1.10.  French Saulaie represents our list to follow here and looks in with a shout.  He was 2nd to the handicap snip Ashley Brook at Cheltenham last time and before that won in soft ground at Huntingdon.  The main threat could well come from Nation State from Gary Moore’s yard.  He was 4^th behind his stable companion Verasi in the Lanzerote Hurdle at Kempton.  Turtle Soup was 5^th that day and is another for the short list.  French Saulaie gets my selection though.

  

There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 1.45.  Gungadu has already won twice this season and is very well thought of by his trainer Paul Nicholls. He should go well.  He concedes 6 lbs to Over the Creek who was looking a likely winner when falling on his chase debut at Towcester.  He has plenty of ability but will need to jump better.  According to John won his first two starts this season and was reportedly not right when 4^th at Kempton last time.  Tricky one this – Gungadu probably but his price is likely to be on the short side.  Over the Creek could give him plenty to think about if putting in a clear round.

  

There are a couple of our list runners in the 2.20.  Monet’s Garden presumably had something amiss when fading quickly last time in the King George. On his best form he would be hard to beat.  Cerium goes well fresh and has had a nice break.  A course and distance winner he is not out of things.  I notice though that Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride the other Nicholls runner.

  

Bumper winner Sound Accord has changed stables since we last saw him.  He is with David Arbuthnot now and makes his hurdles debut in the 2.55.  He has place claims.

  

The Elite Racing Club enjoyed a rather lucky winner today as Dancing Bay was left clear by the fall of The Cool Guy.  Inherent runs in the Elite colours in the 3.35.  She won a bumper when trained by Clive Cox. 

  

There are several Grand National hopefuls in the 2.00 at Haydock.  Bewley’s Berry and Cloudy Lane are the runners from our list.  Bewley’s Berry was 2nd in the Becher Chase on his last outing.  He jumps and stays and I would expect a big run from him.  The novice Cloudy Lane has a light weight and should stay this trip.  This is a wide open race with both our runners holding each way chances.

  

We have a couple of list runners in the 3.10.  Good citizen has fallen in both his last two races.  He was a little unlucky when he fell at the final fence on his last outing and if he stands up this time he should go close as he revels in testing conditions.  Bougoure put in a promising effort when 3^rd to the useful Faasel at Catterick and looks to have each way claims at odds of around 10/1.

  

Scarvagh Diamond won a mare’s only event at Haydock last month and returns to Haydock for the 3.45.  She will go on the ground but needs to improve in order to take a hand in the finish.

  

Madison Du Berlais has won twice fro us this season. He was 5^th behind Dempsey on his last run but didn’t have ground conditions in his favour.  Back on soft ground he may be able to pick up the winning thread once more in the 4.55.

  

The 1.20 at Wincanton has a field of only 5 but they all have a chance.  The soft ground will suit Opera Mundi.  He jumps well and gets a tentative selection.

  

Molostiep makes his handicap debut in the 2.30. He looks on a reasonable mark and should come on for his last run 3 weeks ago.

  

Beau Michel has gone off the boil in his last couple of runs.  I haven’t given up on his though and I fancy that the step up in trip in the 3.00 will suit him.

  

The 3.30 looks a match between Afsoun and Straw Bear. You can probably toss a coin for this one but not wanting to sit on the fence will go for Afsoun.

  

Bold Bishop represents the list to follow in the 4.00.  There are stamina doubts over this trip in testing ground which is probably why none of the tipsters go for him.  Not on a  bad mark if he gets the trip.

  

List runners enters at Uttoxeter.

  

2.45 Yes Sir and Good Citizen

  

Gowran Park

  

2.15 Ballytrim

  

3.15 Conna Castle & New Mill

  

My best bet on Sunday is promising chaser Glasker Mill in the 2.30 at Fontwell.

  

See you on Sunday evening for a look back at what looks a very interesting weekend’s racing.

 

 

Continue reading “Diary: February 17 2007” →

The main card tomorrow comes from Sandown where Warsaw Pact makes his hurdles debut in the 1.50. He was a multiple winner for Sir Mark Prescott on the flat and looks the type to thrive at the jumping game.

Irish Raptor has shown much improved form this season and his amateur rider, David England is well worth his 5 lbs claim. Irish Raptor should go close in the 2.25.

Temple Dog looked a promising sort when winning 5 times in the early part of his career but completely lost the plot after that. He did win between the flags the other week and he runs in the 3.00. He is by the same sire as Best Mate.

First Love likes Sandown having won there 4 times. He returns to the track in the 4.45 and will take some beating.

The highlight at Fakenham is the clash between Dancing Bay and The Cool Guy in the 1.30. A former winner of the Aintree champion bumper, The Cool Guy comes from a yard that does well with it's novice chasers. Dancing Bay has good form on the flat and over hurdles and made a pleasing start to his chase career when 2nd to Glasker Mill at Fontwell. Dancing Bay would be my pick.

Just looking back briefly at today's racing I see that the veteran Ionian Spring notched his 13th career win at Southwell. There was also a gutsy disply from All Sonsilver in the handocap chase at Chepstow. This was his first win for over 3 years and he held off the challengers in brave style.

See you tomorrow.

Continue reading “Diary: February 16 2007” →

Sorry for the lack of an update last night – IT problems I am afraid.

Not a lot to report tonight. Lenny the Blade is the first of our list runners in action tomorrow. He goes in the maiden hurdle at 1.40 at Chepstow. He probably needs handicaps and will be qualified for a mark after this race.

Mister Quasimodo was going well when falling last time at Wincanton and he looks set to make a bold show in the 3.50.

Continue reading “Diary: February 14 2007” →

Sorry for the lack of an update last night – IT problems I am afraid.

  

Not a lot to report tonight.  Lenny the Blade is the first of our list runners in action tomorrow.  He goes in the maiden hurdle at 1.40 at Chepstow.  He probably needs handicaps and will be qualified for a mark after this race.

  

Mister Quasimodo was going well when falling last time at Wincanton and he looks set to make a bold show in the 3.50.

 

Continue reading “Diary: February 15 2007” →

Not much to report today.  The 4.00 at Musselburgh rather caught my eye, if only for the fact that 2 of the horses from our list to follow are running.  In truth, Locksmith and The Dukes Speech have been two of the biggest failures thus far.

  

Locksmith was a progressive chase for Martin Pipe last season but has changed stables and shown very little this term.  The Duke’s Speech was a useful novice last season but his recent efforts have not been encouraging.

  

The Elite Racing Club have Kadount in this, a useful novice chaser a couple of season’s ago when trained by Alan King.  He is with Len Lungo these days.  He has not done much in his two runs this term and is one to watch rather than back at present.

  

There are a few others of interest.  St Pirran has come down in the world since his days with Paul Nicholls when he was a classy chaser.  Malafi once ran up 7 consecutive wins on the flat and has twice won at this track over hurdles so can’t be ruled out.  If pushed for a selection it would have to be John Quinn’s Kings Quay.  Good recent form and gets on well with his jockey who can claim 3 lbs.

  

I apologise if I have not responded to e-mails over the last few days.  I am having a few IT problems.

  

See you tomorrow.

  

Continue reading “Diary: February 14 2007” →

Not much to report today.  The 4.00 at Musselburgh rather caught my eye, if only for the fact that 2 of the horses from our list to follow are running.  In truth, Locksmith and The Dukes Speech have been two of the biggest failures thus far.

  

Locksmith was a progressive chase for Martin Pipe last season but has changed stables and shown very little this term.  The Duke’s Speech was a useful novice last season but his recent efforts have not been encouraging.

  

The Elite Racing Club have Kadount in this, a useful novice chaser a couple of season’s ago when trained by Alan King.  He is with Len Lungo these days.  He has not done much in his two runs this term and is one to watch rather than back at present.

  

There are a few others of interest.  St Pirran has come down in the world since his days with Paul Nicholls when he was a classy chaser.  Malafi once ran up 7 consecutive wins on the flat and has twice won at this track over hurdles so can’t be ruled out.  If pushed for a selection it would have to be John Quinn’s Kings Quay.  Good recent form and gets on well with his jockey who can claim 3 lbs.

  

I apologise if I have not responded to e-mails over the last few days.  I am having a few IT problems.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: February 14 2007” →

Not much to report today.  The 4.00 at Musselburgh rather caught my eye, if only for the fact that 2 of the horses from our list to follow are running.  In truth, Locksmith and The Dukes Speech have been two of the biggest failures thus far.

  

Locksmith was a progressive chase for Martin Pipe last season but has changed stables and shown very little this term.  The Duke’s Speech was a useful novice last season but his recent efforts have not been encouraging.

  

The Elite Racing Club have Kadount in this, a useful novice chaser a couple of season’s ago when trained by Alan King.  He is with Len Lungo these days.  He has not done much in his two runs this term and is one to watch rather than back at present.

  

There are a few others of interest.  St Pirran has come down in the world since his days with Paul Nicholls when he was a classy chaser.  Malafi once ran up 7 consecutive wins on the flat and has twice won at this track over hurdles so can’t be ruled out.  If pushed for a selection it would have to be John Quinn’s Kings Quay.  Good recent form and gets on well with his jockey who can claim 3 lbs.

  

I apologise if I have not responded to e-mails over the last few days.  I am having a few IT problems.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: February 14 2007” →

Not much to report today.  The 4.00 at Musselburgh rather caught my eye, if only for the fact that 2 of the horses from our list to follow are running.  In truth, Locksmith and The Dukes Speech have been two of the biggest failures thus far.

  

Locksmith was a progressive chase for Martin Pipe last season but has changed stables and shown very little this term.  The Duke’s Speech was a useful novice last season but his recent efforts have not been encouraging.

  

The Elite Racing Club have Kadount in this, a useful novice chaser a couple of season’s ago when trained by Alan King.  He is with Len Lungo these days.  He has not done much in his two runs this term and is one to watch rather than back at present.

  

There are a few others of interest.  St Pirran has come down in the world since his days with Paul Nicholls when he was a classy chaser.  Masafi once ran up 7 consecutive wins on the flat and has twice won at this track over hurdles so can’t be ruled out.  If pushed for a selection it would have to be John Quinn’s Kings Quay.  Good recent form and gets on well with his jockey who can claim 3 lbs.

  

I apologise if I have not responded to e-mails over the last few days.  I am having a few IT problems.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: February 14 2007” →

Not much to report today.  The 4.00 at Musselburgh rather caught my eye, if only for the fact that 2 of the horses from our list to follow are running.  In truth, Locksmith and The Dukes Speech have been two of the biggest failures thus far.

  

Locksmith was a progressive chase for Martin Pipe last season but has changed stables and shown very little this term.  The Duke’s Speech was a useful novice last season but his recent efforts have not been encouraging.

  

The Elite Racing Club have Kadount in this, a useful novice chaser a couple of season’s ago when trained by Alan King.  He is with Len Lungo these days.  He has not done much in his two runs this term and is one to watch rather than back at present.

  

There are a few others of interest.  St Pirran has come down in the world since his days with Paul Nicholls when he was a classy chaser.  Malafi once ran up 7 consecutive wins on the flat and has twice won at this track over hurdles so can’t be ruled out.  If pushed for a selection it would have to be John Quinn’s Kings Quay.  Good recent form and gets on well with his jockey who can claim 3 lbs.

  

I apologise if I have not responded to e-mails over the last few days.  I am having a few IT problems.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: February 14 2007” →

Not much to report today.  The 4.00 at Musselburgh rather caught my eye, if only for the fact that 2 of the horses from our list to follow are running.  In truth, Locksmith and The Dukes Speech have been two of the biggest failures thus far.

  

Locksmith was a progressive chase for Martin Pipe last season but has changed stables and shown very little this term.  The Duke’s Speech was a useful novice last season but his recent efforts have not been encouraging.

  

The Elite Racing Club have Kadount in this, a useful novice chaser a couple of season’s ago when trained by Alan King.  He is with Len Lungo these days.  He has not done much in his two runs this term and is one to watch rather than back at present.

  

There are a few others of interest.  St Pirran has come down in the world since his days with Paul Nicholls when he was a classy chaser.  Malafi once ran up 7 consecutive wins on the flat and has twice won at this track over hurdles so can’t be ruled out.  If pushed for a selection it would have to be John Quinn’s Kings Quay.  Good recent form and gets on well with his jockey who can claim 3 lbs.

  

I apologise if I have not responded to e-mails over the last few days.  I am having a few IT problems.

  

See you tomorrow.

 

Continue reading “Diary: February 14 2007” →