Author: Martin

Winners, winners, winners!!!

Last night’s preview yielded 5 winning tips plus Jurisdiction, advised each way, which was third at 10/1. For the record the winning quartet was; Pistolet Noir (7/2), Pettifour (8/11), Tranquil Sea (11/2), Lie Forrit (11/4) and Quel Esprit (4/9).

The first couple of races at Cheltenham tomorrow will be informative but are not really betting propositions. Tataniano was most impressive when winning at Exeter and looks a really nice prospect. A clear round will surely see him home in the 1.10.

Master Minded makes his reappearance in the 1.45 where his only serious danger, and that could be a considerable danger, will be Well Chief. Well Chief is better off at the weights than when runner up to Master Minded in the Champion Hurdle and in theory should come close to reversing the form. I have a gut feeling that Master Minded will come out on top again – but I wouldn’t put money on it.

The Greatwood Hurdle at 2.20 is a much more competitive affair. James De Vasy comes into the race in good heart having won well at Chepstow last month. Although he has gone up in the weights as a result of his win he stays and handles soft ground so he is definitely one for any short list. Philip Hobbs has won this race in the past with both Rooster Booster and Detroit City and is represented by Cockney Trucker this time. He was 3^rd in the County Hurdle over course and distance and runs off the same mark here. That puts him in with a very good chance if he handles the ground OK. Medermit was only beaten a neck in the Supreme Novices over course and distance and handles cut in the ground. He has top weight but 3 recent winners of the race have carried 11 stone 10 to victory. Ronald Des Mottes won twice over hurdles last season and has won on soft and heavy ground so must come onto the equation. Northern challenger Issaquah is another to consider but my two against the field would be Cockney Trucker and Medermit.

I don’t have a strong view on the 2.55. I see Great Endeavour, third behind Lie Forrit this afternoon, is down to run but must be a doubt after his efforts today. If David Pipe does turn him out again I suppose that would be a tip in itself.

Reve De Sivola won the Persian War Novice Hurdle at Chepstow and could well follow up in the 3.30 a race that the stable won last season with Diamond Harry. Reve De Sivola handles soft ground, has run well at Cheltenham before and his stable are going well. Bobby Ewing could be the danger. An Irish points winner he won at the first time of asking over hurdles at Uttoxeter. He is yet to encounter soft ground. Ballyoliver may be better than his bare form suggests and could run into a place at a silly price. Lastly at Cheltenham Lidar is my selection in the 4.00.

At Market Rasen Sir Boreus Hawk looks worth an each way interest in the 1.35.

At Punchestown Sizing Europe should be able to continue his progress over fences in the 1.05 although the ground would be a slight concern. A small saver on China Rock is recommended.

In the 2.05 Venalmar and Lenabane look the pair to concentrate on. Clan Tara was only beaten a head by the highly rated Pandorama on his chase bow last month and can go one better in the 12.35.

Hurricane Fly and Solwhit clash in the 2.40. This is an intriguing race and will give us an indication of just how good Hurricane Fly is. A race to watch rather than bet on.

The picture of Detroit City is by kind permission of the artist Emily Russell.

My selection in the 12.50 at Cheltenham tomorrow is Pistolet Noir, trained by Nick Williams. He made a pleasing debut at Chepstow where he was third behind Olofi. This pair meet again tomorrow but I just feel that Pistolet Noir may have the greater scope for improvement and I am hoping that he will reverse the form.

There is a disappointing turnout of only 3 runners for the 1.20 and it may turn into a tactical affair. Toby Jug abd Kanpai both have winning form over fences but I am going to take a chance with the chasing debutant Pettifour. A classy hurdler he is built to do well over the larger obstacles and his stable traditionally do well at this time of year

Maljimar was only run out of it close home in the William Hill Trophy by the ill fated Wichita Lineman last season and he is one of my fancies for the 1.55. He probably wouldn’t want the ground too soft. One that won’t mind soft ground is the dour stayer Russian Trigger ho won a couple of long distance handicaps last season including the Midlands National.

Our Vic (pictured below) carries top weight in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at 2.35. He has been a grant servant to the Pipe team and has won plenty of prize money. He won this race in 2005 but at the age of 11 there may be younger challengers that make more appeal.

Paul Nicholls has 3 fancied runners. Ruby Walsh has elected to ride Poquelin but there may be a doubt about the horse’s ability to handle the ground if it gets really testing. Tatenen won’t mind the mud. He started last season brightly but in the end rather under achieved. He stays well though and the trip should suit him. Chapoturgeon won the Jewson at the Festival last season but has gone up in the weights as a result. I would be hopeful that he will run a big race.

Tartak was a progressive horse last season but ran poorly on his reappearance at Aintree. Ballyfitz and According to Pete are others to consider but I will take a chance with Tranquil Sea, a horse I have always liked. He does not have a good record at Cheltenham and the Irish have not won this race for some years but he could be on a good mark and he has plenty of ability.

In the 3.10 I like the chances of the lightly raced Lie Forrit whom was probably unlucky when unseating on his last start at Aintree. Soft ground will suit him. Great Endeavour did well for David Poipe last season winning 3 times over hurdles. He may be going chasing later in the season but in the meantime he comes into this race with a decent chance. Andytown in the other one that gets on to my short list. He clearly likes Cheltenham and is yet to taste defeat there. He has gone up a fair way in the weights but has the benefit of AP McCoy in the saddle and cannot be written off. Lie Forrit is the selection though.

Moving on to Uttoxeter I have a short list of 3 for the 1.05. Sullumo and Midnight Chase are respected but I will take a chance with Vamizi who ran 4^th to the useful Bensalem over hurdles a year ago at Chepstow. My only selection at Wetherby is Jurisdiction each way in the 3.55.

At Punchestown rising star Dunduib should win the 1.50 but will hardly be a betting proposition. The 3.30 looks to be between Quel Esprit and Hugo de Vindecy with a slight preference for the former.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

Neither of the selections from last night’s preview actually ran so at least we had no losers!

The 3 day Cheltenham meeting starts tomorrow and I will concentrate mainly on that. The day kicks off with an amateur riders handicap chase at 1.15. Hoopy won the race last year and although he has gone up in the weights since then I am hopeful that he will run a big race again. He is ridden by one of the best amateurs around and he has had a recent run over hurdles so should be fit.

The 1.50 looks tricky with a couple of decent Irish challengers plus a promising Paul Nicholls runner. Some Present was runner up in the Champion bumper at Cheltenham in the spring and has since won over hurdles at Punchestown. He was subsequently beaten in a falsely run race and that run can probably be ignored. Loosen My Load won bumpers at Cork and Galway, the latter a particularly competitive event beating The Jigsaw Man. He then won over hurdles at Listowel before being beaten into 2^nd spot in a Grade 3 race at Tipperary. A big chasing type he may want further than 2 miles in time. Tito Bustillo won twice on the flat in France before joining Paul Nicholls, one of those wins coming in a valuable handicap at Longchamp. He got off the mark in good style over hurdles at Chepstow. Not an easy one to call but Some Present sets a fair standard and he will do for me.

I do not have a particularly strong view on the 2.25. Ferdy Murphy has his horses running well and he has Beggars Cap in this, a horse who needs good ground to be seen at his best. If conditions are in his favour he would be my tentative suggestion.

Garde Champetre and Silver Birch (pictured below) finished first and second in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown in April. I fancy Garde Champetre to confirm the form in the 3.00 tomorrow particularly as he has the benefit of a recent run.

My short list for the 4.05 consists of Little Josh and Knockara Beau. I will let my readers decide between them.

I have a couple of selections at Newcastle. 12.25 Premier Sagas and 12.55 Lord Larsson. The former was one of the better bumper horses in the north last season. Lord Larsson was a consistent performer over hurdles last season but unseated his rider early on when making his chase debut at Bangor. He looks a chasing type and hopefully will give us a run for our money.

Bye for now

The picture of Silver Birch is by courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall.

It was not a good day for champion trainer Paul Nicholls who had several well fancied runners beaten. The valuable steeplechase at Bangor went to Martin Todhunter’s That’s Rhythm who looks on the upgrade and can take a hand in some of the better staying chases in the north this season. Other horses to note from this race were Skipper’s Brig who ran very well in third and is one to follow in really deep ground during the winter and Nicto de Beauchene in 4^th. The latter’s jumping has improved greatly over the last 12 months or so.

Australia Day was made favourite at Kempton last month but slipped on landing at the first. He is worth another chance in the 2.40 at Taunton tomorrow. In the 12.55 at Clonmel my selection is Fionnegas. A dual bumper winner he then went on to open his account over hurdles at Ballinrobe. He has done nothing wrong thus far in his career and looks one to follow.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.

Paul Nicholls is already sending out a steady stream of winners and he has a number of well fancied horses in action tomorrow. Massasoit was a winner over hurdles at Aintree last October before disappointing in a couple of subsequent efforts. He has since had a breathing operation and is not one to dismiss lightly in the 1.10 at Bangor tomorrow. I am going to oppose him though with Comhla Ri Coig who won twice over hurdles last season before finishing runner up in a Grade 1 event at Aintree.

Paul Nicholls can supply the winner in the 1.40 with Free World. This 5 year old showed plenty of ability last season but tended to weaken t the end of his races. He should have strengthened up over the summer and hopefully will be able to get his head in front more often.

Skipper’s Brig has recorded 6 wins in his career all on heavy ground. If the conditions at Bangor are really testing he will take some beating in the 2.10. Another to look out for in this race is That’s Rhythm who was going well in the Scottish National last season when he fell.

High Jack won a couple of times over fences last season before injuring himself at Ascot. He does not look on a bad mark and will have come on for his recent outing at Uttoxeter. With his trainer in good form he is the selection in the Warwick 1.20.

The ex French Recif de Thaix won a bumper at Sandown last season. Paul Nicholls sends him straight over fences in the Warwick 2.20. Clearly a horse well thought of by connections he looks one to follow.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Margaret Barrett.

Two selection and two winners from last night’s preview!

There are 3 jumps meeting tomorrow and I will start down at Exeter where Paul Nicholls has a fancied runner in the novice chase at 2.40. Inchidaly Rock won 3 point to points in Ireland before joining the Ditcheat trainer and last season won twice over hurdles. He looks a very interesting recruit to steeplechasing and is the selection. Another horse to note in this race is Giles Cross who has winning form over hurdles and looks the type to make a chaser.

Copper Bleu who was 4^th in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham last season makes his chase debut in the 3.10. He is another former Irish points winner and I fancy him to win on his chase bow. The main danger may come from Captain Americo who won twice over hurdles last season and is another that should make up into a decent chaser although the trip tomorrow may just be on the sharp side for him.

Andy Turnell trains Captain Americo and he also runs Best Oscar who is my idea of the likely winner of the novice hurdle at 4.10. An impressive winner of an Irish point to point he should jump a fence in time but he can win over hurdles this season.

At Lingfield Chilli Rose has the best form on show in the bumper at 4.00. 6^th in the mare’s bumper at Aintree this mare is very well regarded by her trainer and should win. Nothing really appeals to me on the Sedgefield card.

Good luck

 

Money Trix has been a difficult horse to keep sound but has plenty of ability. He returns in the 1.55 at Carlisle. He is not well in at the weights but he had gone well fresh in the past, will like the ground and may have some improvement in him.

Over at Limerick I am interested in the Edward O’Grady trained Pesoto. The form of his second to Joncol last December reads well and the stable are in form.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Katy Sodeau (see links).

 

Selections for Sunday;

Market Rasen 1.20 Mille Chief

Market Rasen 2.55 Bench Warrent

Hereford 3.05 Ballyoliver

Hereford 3.55 The Jigsaw Man

Navan 3.30 Catch Me

Limerick 3.10 Askthemaster

Navan 3.00 Osana (danger Roberta Goldback)

Limerick 3.45 Weapon’s Amnesty

Navan 12.55 Noble Prince

Picture courtesy of the artist Ruth S Harris

It’s an early start at Doncaster tomorrow with the first race at 11.55 where most of the races on the last day of the flat season look difficult puzzles to solve. The nursery at 1.35 has gone to the favourite on 4 of the last 7 runnings which is something to keep in mind. In an open race I have selected one runner at either end of the handicap. Walvis Bay comes into the race in form having won a maiden at York last month. Felsham is my second selection. He is a half brother to the stable’s sprinter Oldjoesaid who after winning at Kempton on his second start ran creditably when runner up at Windsor in a nursery. Both trip and ground will probably suit him.

In the 2.05 Hidden Brief won her last race, is well drawn and comes from a stable in form. Mooakada is the other runner from my list to follow in this race. A case can be made for Prescription in the 2.40 where, at a bigger price Lovely Thought will at least handle the conditions.

The last big race of the season is the 23 runner November Handicap at 3.15. The consistent King’s Destiny seems to handle any ground and represents an age group that have done well in the race in recent times. The enigmatic Charm School has the ability if things drop right for him. He has winning form on soft ground and is unexposed at the trip. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out. Magicalmysterytour is a course and distance winner and will handle the ground. He tends to pull hard in his races but should be able to get cover in this big field. At 25/1 he looks over priced. Hevelius is lightly raced and should be suited by the likely strong pace. Finally, the fragile Broomielaw is a big threat to them all and is another that looks generously priced on his best form. The 5 horses mentioned would represent my short list. I like King’s Destiny but there is a danger that he will go off at a short price while Charm School has a poor strike rate for a horse in single figure odds. I will take a chance with Broomielaw and Magicalmystreytour each way, although stakes should be kept to a minimum.

McMurrough has finished 2^nd on both his starts this season but there are grounds for hoping that he can go one better in the Kelso 12.15. His hurdling has let him down but now he is upped in trip he may have more time to organize his jumping.

Sue Smith had a winner today and that bodes well for the chances of her runner Nirvana Swing in the Kelso 1.25. He is not on a bad mark at the moment and at around 9/1 does not look bad value.

It would be great to see the veteran Mister McGoldrick give Sue Smith another winner in the 2.25. He has been a fantastic servant for the stable and comes here with a favourite’s chance. Palomar could offer the biggest danger to the old timer.

In the 1.05 at Sandown Crack Away Jack, 4^th in the Champion Hurdle will be expected to make a winning start to his career over fences. Calusa Crystal was a decent enough hurdler and is built to jump a fence. He shouldn’t be good enough to beat the favourite on their respective hurdles ratings but this is hardly a race to bet on.

Rebel Rebellion impressed some good judges when winning his point to point in Ireland. He could be of interest in the bumper at 3.50.

At Wincanton recent winner Pepe Simo sets the standard and is the likely winner. Diamond Brook was very disappointing at Bangor on his reappearance but had show promise when 2^nd at Ludlow last season and if judged on that run would be the danger to the favourite.

Pepite de Soleil and Argento Luna (representing the sun and the moon) make most appeal in the 1.45 along with Dansimar. If pushed for a single selection it would have to be Argento Luna.

I am going for a couple of outsiders in the 2.15. I quite fancy Tasheba and Katies Tutor to run much better than their odds suggest.

Although there are only 4 runners in the 2.50 they all have a live chance. Kangaroo Court has taken well to fences and is the selection but I would not be surprised to see Bakbenscher run well.

In the Badger Ales Chase at 3.25 Exmoor Ranger looks on a fair mark if his jumping holds together. It might pay to side with the Paul Nicholls runner Valentine Vic in the bumper at 4.00.

Notre Pere should appreciate the soft ground in the 2.30 at Down Royal while Paul Nicholls can land the 3.00 with the quirky Herecomesthetruth.

At Santa Anita I will be hoping for good performances from the European challengers and in particular Delegator, Zacinto, Conduit, Twice Over and Rip Van Winkle.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Jo Stockdale.

 

Sue Smith’s Garleton won a couple of rimes last season.  He has had a wind operation in the summer and there may be more to come from him over fences off his current mark.  He runs in the 1.20 at Hexham.