Month: March 2012

 

Ascot

2.20 Daymar Bay

2.55 Prince of Pirates

5.15 The strawberry one

Doncaster

3.20 Swilly Ferry

 

The new flat season gets under way tomorrow at Doncaster where the feature is the Lincoln handicap.

Doncaster

2.40 The progressive Sirrius Prospect is 2 out of 3 at Doncaster and can get his season off to a winning start.

3.15 Lincoln Handicap – Eton Forever has an excellent record over course and distance and also goes well fresh. He is one for the short list. The lightly raced Fury is potentially well handicapped and acts on any ground. Cocozza was considered good enough to run in a Group 2 last season.

Fury and Cocozza are my two against the field.

Uttoxeter selections

3.05 Balding Banker

4.10 Godsmejudge

From the archives

The Lincoln handicap was last run at Lincoln racecourse in 1964.

Turf trivia

The horses in the board game Totopoly are named after the winners of the Lincolnshire handicap between 1926 and 1937.

 

There is not a lot to comment on today. Keep Kicking is my only selection. He runs in the Ffos Las 2.20 and if we ignore a poor run at Southwell in January his form looks solid and AP McCoy has the ride.

 

The jumps racing between the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals tends to be uninspiring stuff and tomorrow is no exception.

The best I can come up with is General Ting at Towcester in the 4.30. The horse won at this time of year last season, he has a 10 lbs claimer on board, he was a stayer on the flat so may suit the track and the stable seem in good form. At 8/1 General Ting seems each way value.

 

Hexham

2.10 Gottany O’s

3.10 Bogside

3.40 Rival D’Estruval

Wincanton

2.55 Moscow Chancer

 

Selections for Saturday;

Bangor

4.25 Moonlight Drive

Newbury

2.40 This should be a good race with Kentford Grey Lady, Tante Sissi, Heather Royale, Florafern and Joshs’s Dreamway forming my short list. Kentford Grey Lady is the class horse and may well defy top weight but I just prefer Florafern who should be suited by the drying ground.

3.40 Mon Parrain is just preferred to Benny be Good.

 

Haydock

2.40 Trustan Times

4.25 Bold Sir Brian

 

Selections for Sunday

Carlisle

3.00 Bogside

3.30 Tarn Hows

Newton Abbot

2.45 Sleeping City

3.15 Golden Chieftain

 

Kempton

2.50 This should go to Captain Sunshine for Emma Lavelle.

3.25 In an open looking race it might pay to side with Bear’s Affair from the in from Nicky Henderson stable.

4.00 Amaury de Lusignan has served us well this season and I will stay with him until he loses.

4.35 Another open looking contest. Loch Ba may not have been suited by the track at Sandown last time but he is a course winner at Kempton.

5.05 Minella Forfitness is well regarded by connections and can make a winning debut under rules.

Newcastle

2.00 Glenwood Knight represents an in form yard.

2.35 Arctic Court is slipping down the weights and looks over priced. He has an each way chance.

Uttoxeter

2.45 Bunclody each way is the selection.

3.20 The lightly raced Maringo Bay and Irish challenger Another Palm are3 my two against the field.

3.55 Mister Hyde is a course winner and comes from a stable in very good form.

Ffos Las

3.50 Victor’s Serenade is a course winner in a race where the second has won since. His talented rider can claim 3 lbs.

Down Royal

4.55 Mister Hotelier.

 

Friday 16 March

1:30  JCB Triumph Hurdle Grade 1 2m1f 

I was very impressed with Grumeti on his last run. I am also quite keen on Darroun who is a strong strayer and should like the ground. Pearl Swan has scope to improve and Urbain de Sivola is another to consider. However for my selection I will go for Sadler’s Risk who stays well and the form of his second at Kempton was franked today when the 4^th home was a festival winner.

2:05  Vincent O´Brien County Handicap Hurdle Grade 3 2m1f  

Moon Dice and Citizenship represent a strong Irish challenge. Ted Spread disappointed at Sandown in Saturday but it is too soon to write him off. Snap Tie has been off the course to a very long time but he could just be very well handicapped. Raya Star and Magnifique Etoile are others to consider.

The Irish have done well in this race in recent years and Moon Dice and Citizenship look the pair to be on.

2:40  Albert Bartlett Novices´ Hurdle (Registered As The Spa Novices´ Hurdle Race) Grade 1 3m  

Boston Bob will be hard to beat here. The ground will suit Sea of Thunder while I also like Brindisi Breeze.

3:20  Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase Grade 1 3m2f110y 

Given the prices it is worth trying to come up with something to beat the front two. Kauto Star has had a training fall, there are doubts about the well being of some of the horses in the yard and I don’t think he would have beaten Long Run at Kempton over a couple of furlongs further. Long Run will be hard to beat but with the stable in red hot form his price will be short. Burton Port is consistent and has never fallen and if he has come out of his last race OK should go well. For my selections though I will go each way on Quel Esprit and Weird Al.

4:00  Christie´s Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup 3m2f110y  

Selections are Salsify and Chapoturgeon.

4:40  Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys´ Handicap Hurdle 2m4f110y 

Selections Bourne and Molotof.

5:15  Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup (Handicap) Grade 3 2m110y 

Kid Cassidy, Astracad, Toubab, Lucky William and De Boitron form my short list. I will narrow this down to three, Toubab, Lucky William and Astracad.

Picture of Kauto Star courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

Good luck