Author: Martin

 

There seems some chance that racing may go ahead at Kelso tomorrow. There are two runners from my list to follow entered at the Borders track.

Cornerback runs in the 1.10 where Annie’s Answer looks the big danger. The well bred Cornerback is not without a chance and should come on for her run at Huntingdon. I am not sure that the odds of 11/4 in the RP look value though.

Knockara Beau represents my list in the 2.40. He has not yet been able to transfer his bumper form into performances over timber. I haven’t lost faith in him though and getting weight from Moscow Catch he may well be able to get off the mark over obstacles here.

 

There are two runners from my list to follow in action at Plumpton tomorrow.

In the 12.55 Have You Seen Me is an interesting hurdling debutant having won a bumper at Stratford last season in good style.

Sangfroid runs in the 2.55. He has looked as though he might want a bit further than this 2 miles but he is not without a chance at around 12/1.

United came back from a lengthy lay off with a determined win in a handicap hurdle at Haydock before Christmas and now looks to follow up in the 1.00 at Sandown tomorrow. She has recorded most of her wins on soft or heavy ground which she is unlikely to encounter tomorrow but she won on good ground at Haydock and also won on a sound surface on the flat in Germany. Provided the bounce factor doesn’t affect her United should go well. Accordello was 5^th behind United at Haydock beaten over 23 lengths. She is better off at the weights tomorrow but not enough to make up the difference on a literal interpretation of the form. Her trainer Keith Reveley had a nice winner with Rambling Minster the other day and Acordello should run well at a decent price. United looks the likely winner though.

Another trainer in good form is Venetia Williams. She saddles Stow in the 1.35. Formerly a fair handicapper on the flat for Hughie Morrison he won on his hurdles bow at Hereford and should not be too far away tomorrow.

There are two runners from my list to follow in the Tolworth Hurdle at 2.40, Mahonia and Somersby. Although Mahonia was beaten at Cheltenham on his last start it was Ruby Walshs’ firs t ride back after having his spleen removed and that may have been a factor. I fancy Mahonia to go well on a track that should suit and he is my selection. Henrietta Knight has her horses in better form now after a lean spell and her Somersby could be the main threat to Mahonia although he will not really be seen to best effect until tackling fences.

In the 3.50 Chivalry and Howle Hill could run well at big prices but for my selection I am going with the relatively unexposed Prince Taime.

At Wincanton in the 1.20 Sangfroid and Buffalo Bob represent my list to follow. Neither appeals as a betting proposition. Sangfroid looks to me as though he needs further, while Buffalo Bob comes into the race on the back of a disappointing run and is another that looks in need of a longer trip.

Maasini’s Maguire gave the impression that he didn’t quite get the trip when beaten by Breedsbreeze over Christmas. He goes over a shorter distance in the 1.55 and looks the one to be on.

My short list for the 2.55 consists of Fairoak Lad, Lead On and Money Order. The latter has only been beaten once in 5 starts and although he has been off the track for a long while he has gone well fresh in the past. He looks interesting at around 10/1 with the main concern being the form of the stable. It will be interesting to see if either of the Hobbs runners attracts support in the betting. I don’t think that the fact that Richard Jonson partners Fairoak Lad necessarily means that Lead On is the stable’s second string. Using a good conditional jockey would seem to make sense on the top weight Lead On.

The Old Pretender has plenty of ability and I would normally be keen on his chances in the 4.00. However the stable have endured a quiet time of late that that would put me off a bit. Wind Instrument did win for the yard the other day though so perhaps they are about to come into some form. The Old Pretender is likely to be best on soft ground.

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

Bye for now.

The last couple of day’s previews have yielded winners at 6/1, 7/1 and 11/4. If Folkestone passes an inspection tomorrow there will be 3 runners from my list to follow in action.

The best chance looks to be Bluegun who is due to make his chase debut in the 2.35. A former point to point winner over 3 miles he also won over hurdles at Uttoxeter last season and looks a promising recruit to the chasing ranks. His best form so far has been shown with plenty of give in the ground so that may be a slight concern.

The other two runners from my list are Midnight Haze (1.35) and Kingston Lane (2.05). Both have each way chances although the latter faces a worthy favourite in Aux Le Bahnn.

 

With the temperature around the country unlikely to rise much above freezing we might be lucky if we start the year tomorrow with any jumps racing. Cheltenham stage a god card so let’s hope they beat the freeze.

You can buy the CD of Singalongamaxmas on Amazon if such is your taste in seasonal music. Max Bygraves the horse runs in the Cheltenham 12.30. He has already justified his inclusion on my list to follow by winning at Kelso off a mark of 85. He runs off a mark of 96 tomorrow although his jockey can claim 5 lbs. This looks a competitive heat and there are other runners with stronger claims.

Character Building was just a little disappointing when 4^th at Cheltenham where he raced a bit too keenly. He was a leading fancy for the Grand National last season but didn’t make the starting line up. If at his best he would be in with a good chance in the handicap chase at 1.05. Noir et Vert stays well and his stable are running into some form so if he gets his favoured good ground he would be very interesting indeed. Merigo comes here in good heart having won well at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago. He is possibly better with some give in the ground. Noir et Vert looks reasonable each way value at around 10/1.

4 of the 5runners in the Dipper Novices Chase are on my list to follow so I am rather spoiled for choice! Kealshore Boy comes from the in form Howard Johnson yard but his form in the book does not look quite good enough in this company. Kicks for Free’s current price of around 11/8 looks too short to represent value for money and I am inclined to go with either Tartak of Calgary Bay. Tartak may need testing conditions to show his best form and therefore Calgary Bay is the selection. I know that Henrietta Knight does not have many winners these days but she has been bringing this horse along carefully since he was second in a Ludlow bumper. Chasing was always going to be his game and with AP McCoy in the saddle he gets my vote.

Three Mirrors ran a sound race when 5^th on the Paddy Power. His stable was not really firing at that time and he should be even better now so I am hoping for a big run from him in the 2.10. He should appreciate the ground.

My two against the field in the 2.45 are Ballydub and Tazbar. The former was a runner up to the impressive Punchestowns at Cheltenham before winning in good style at Newbury, while Tazbar ran an encouraging race on his seasonal reappearance when 3^rd to United at Haydock.

Franchoek and Five Dream are likely to be the front two in the betting for the 3.20. Franchoek has claims but Five Dream could be a value bet.

How’s Business and Vodka Brook are the two runners from my list to follow in the Exeter 1.20. How’s Business has been pulled up on his last two starts but has since had a wind operation. He looks fairly handicapped if he can find his best from. Vodka Brook tackles handicap company for the first time and looks open to improvement.

I had high hopes for The Pious Prince at the start of the season. He runs in the 3.30 at Exeter but with David Pipe struggling for winners at the moment I couldn’t tip him with any confidence.

At Catterick I like the look of Grizebeck and Honest John in the 12.50. Grizebeck would be my “final answer” as I would hope that his stamina could be made to count at this trip.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of Ann Duffield Racing.

Good luck and Happy New Year.

 

I won’t spend too much time on my preview tonight as both UK meetings are in doubt due to the frost. The following horses from my list to follow are entered;

Uttoxeter

12.40 Another Display

1.40 Negus de Beaumont

Warwick

12.50 The Pious Prince

1.20 Wichita Lineman

2.20 Over Sixty

2.50 Song of Songs

3.20 Carrickmines

My selections in Ireland are, at Punchestown Taravada (1.15) and Nataani in the 3.35 at Tramore.

I would like to wish all my readers a happy new year.

 

 

Today’s tips did OK for me with Planet of Sound, Dave’s Dream and Diamond Harry all winning.

I don’t have much of a view on the racing tomorrow.  It is not a very original selection but my nap of the day is Over Sixty in the Taunton 1.10. She was runner up to the useful Carol’s Legacy at Newbury last time out but the rest well beaten.  She meets nothing of that calibre at Taunton and should prevail.

 

Planet of Sound is the first runner from my list to follow in action tomorrow. He runs in the Newbury 12.30. He has had a slight back problem since running at Sandown where he was 4^th. This looks a tough little race where any one of the 5 runners could win. I am hopeful that Planet of Sound will win his share of races over fences. He should be suited by the track at Newbury.

Money Trix has always been held in high regard by trainer Nicky Richards but has been plagued by injuries. He makes a belated first appearance of the season in the 1.35 at Newbury tomorrow. He has gone well fresh before and is my selection. Trigger the Light has been let down by jumping errors in his two races this season but if he can improve in that department he could run well at a decent price.

The 2.10 could go to the unbeaten Dave’s Dream from the in form Nicky Henderson stable, with China Gold the one to chase him home.

Nick Williams has brought the exciting prospect Diamond Harry along carefully and he is still unbeaten after 2 starts in bumpers and two runs over hurdles. He faces some stiff opposition tomorrow in the Paul Nicholls runner Massasoit but I fancy him to maintain that unbeaten record. Junior took a while to break his duck over hurdles but that win may have given him confidence and he could surprise a few in this race.

Nom de Guerre and Caldusa Caldera represent my list to follow in the 3.15 and both go into the race with each way chances.

Today’s picture of the parade ring at Newbury is by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.

Good luck

My list to follow is going through a lean time at the moment although Wind Instrument was a winner this afternoon.

There are 5 runners from the list out tomorrow where my main hope is Neptune Collonges in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown (2.35). Although he makes the odd mistake his jumping is generally sound and he handles soft ground well.

At Leicester the unbeaten Bensalem looks to have a good chance in the 1.05. Twice a winner in bumpers he maintained his 100% record when winning on his hurdles bow at Chepstow and looks on the upgrade.

Course and distance winner Mokum has a good each way chance in the 2.35 particularly if the ground dries out a bit as he won’t want it too soft. Non de Guerre has always looked the type to do well over fences. He has put in a couple of placed efforts and must have a chance of getting his head in front in the 3.05.

My only list runner at Catterick is Orang Outan in the 1.25.

Elsewhere I fancy Trafford Lad in the Leopardstown 1.30 where Drumconvis, ridden by Ruby Walsh could be a lively outsider.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katie Scorgie.  See links for further examples of this artist’s work.