Category: Horse racing

 

I had Bubber, trained by Richard Fahey down as a horse to follow this year but he failed to cover himself in glory on his first start finishing down the field at Thirsk. He is out again tomorrow in the 8.30 at Beverley. He was apprentice ridden at Thirsk but Paul Hannigan is on board tomorrow. Bubber is 4 lbs out of the handicap but with the stable in form he might be worth another chance.

Marlinka, who is related to Soviet Song and Penzance, ran well enough on her racecourse debut when only beaten a head at Warwick. With that experience behind her she should be up to winning the 2.30 at Ffos Las tomorrow.

I have had some success with my list of handicappers to follow with wins from Harrison George and Hamish McGonagall among the recent winners. Shamali represents the list in the 4.45 at Ffos Las and looks to have a good chance.

Picture of Soviet Song is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

Last night’s preview yielded 3 wins and a third from 4 selections so not a bad haul. Things didn’t go quite as well on Saturday although Hamish McGonagall and Balducci were among the winning tips.

There are 4 meetings tomorrow up and down the country. Starting at Thirsk in the 5.25 recent course and distance winner Royal Swain is one to consider. He is just the sort of horse and his trainer Alan Swinbank does so well with. Another that I like is Act of Kalanisi again from a yard that does well with stayers. At odds of around 4/1 Act of Kalanisi just gets my vote.

Udabaa won a maiden over a mile at Kempton but is bred to get further and could well make a winning handicap debut for Marcus Tregoning in the 10 furlong handicap at Leicester (3.30). My other selections at Leicester are Seta (4.00) and Magnetic Force (5.30).

The consistent Tax Free is my only selection at Windsor where he runs in the 7.40. Dandarell has shown bits of promise in his 3 runs in maidens and can make a winning start in handicap company in the 4.15 at Carlisle.

My only selection on Tuesday is Redden who is turned out again in the 4.00 at Lingfield just 3 days after finishing runner up at Haydock and the stable are in good form.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artists Ruth Buchanan (top) and Katy Sodeau.

Selections for Sunday

Bath 3.05 Sunny Future

Curragh 2.40 Jan Vermeer

3.40 Fame and Glory

4.15 Music Show

After running well on the all weather last year Jonny Mudball has been well fancied for both his starts on turf this season but has proved a bit disappointing. There may have been valid excuses for these efforts though and he is a horse worth sticking with. He runs in the Goodwood 2.15 tomorrow where he will be ridden by Hayley Turner. He might be worth a small each way interest.

Hayley Turner rides Brunston in the 2.45 for trainer Roger Charlton. A 40/1 winner at Newbury already this season he is a course winner at Goodwood which is always a big plus and he will act on the quick ground.

Beat the Rush impressed when winning at Pontefract last time and there could well be more to come from him. He is my selection in the 2.00 at Haydock where the in form jockey Paul Hannigan will be in the plate.

In the big handicap at 2.30 my two against the field are not very original I am afraid. Our Joe Mac was an unlucky loser at Chester last time and I have had him in my notebook for this race ever since. Balducci has only had four runs in his life and ran a cracker when 2^nd at Newmarket on his handicap debut. Both look open to further improvement and should run well.

The Temple Stakes at 3.00 looks very tough and a case could be made for half a dozen of them. There are 3 I am particularly keen on. Old favourite Borderlescott rarely runs a bad race and showed that he has lost none of his ability when 2^nd at Newmarket earlier this month. He is very closely matched with another ultra consistent sprinter, Benbaun (pictured below) , who he beat by a neck at York last August. This pair are very tough and reliable sprinters and it would be surprising if they are not involved in the finish. The other one I like is Total Gallery who beat both Borderlescott and Benbaun in the Prix de L’Abbaye at Longchamp last season. If pushed for a single selection I would just go with Total Gallery who is much younger than his two rivals and may still be improving.

Anglezarke is yet to find her form this season but on last season’s form would be in with a good chance in the 3.30. Trainer William Haggas started the season slowly but he is firing in the winners now and his 3 year old Redden could be the answer in the 5.15. He runs off an attractive mark and 7 furlongs should be just right for him based on pedigree.

Trip the Light is a winner of 8 races and could well add to that tally in the 2.05 at York where he is a course and distance winner. Halla San is a tough competitor in staying races and was 3rd in the Chester Cup. He looks each way value in the 3.10.

The 3.40 is a competitive sprint handicap. Cheveton may find the ground too quick while Invincible Lad might need the run so I will go with recent course and distance winner Johannes and the consistent Hamish McGonagall as my two against the field. Mr Freddy won at Pontefract on his seasonal reappearance and can follow up in the 5.25.

Dubai Dynamo is in fine form at present and although not having an ideal draw should go well at Chester in the 3.25 where Invincible Force looks the each way value. My other fancy at Chester is Saga de Tercey who should appreciate the step up in distance and has had a recent run to blow the cobwebs away.

The Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh (3.45) looks an open contest. The 3^rd and 4^th from the English version, Canford Cliffs and Xtension turn out here. There are doubts perhaps about stamina with the former and class with the latter but they should be in the shake up. The Ballydoyle pair of Steinbeck and Fencing Master have to command respect while Noll Wallop, who won the trial at Leopardstown is an interesting dark horse. A fascinating race in prospect but not one I have a really strong view on. Elsewhere on the card English raider Jimmy Styles should put up a bold show in the 3.10.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artists Sarah Aspinall (The mile start at Goodwood) and Karen Davies (Benbaun).

 

I only managed one winning selection today and that was the very impressive filly Maqaasid, a winner at Sandown on her racecourse debut. Another noteworthy performance was that of Dvinski at Salisbury. Something of a standing dish on this site his win at Salisbury was the 15th of his career. The 9 year old has done most of his winning on the all weather with 11 victories on an artificial surface, 7 of them at Kempton. He must be a super horse to own.

There are plenty of meetings to go at tomorrow and I will tackle them in alphabetical order.

For those of you that like to back horses with interesting names you could try Cereal Killer in the 2.40 at Chepstow. He is out of a mare called Snap Crackle Popp so is quite amusingly named. He has a chance as well! Recent Wolverhampton winner Captain Carey would have a chance in the 3.10.

I had Lileo down as a horse to follow this season after a promising run when trained by Luca Cumani. He is now with a trainer I know very little about so I am a bit wary about going overboard about his chances. He goes in the 3.40, is very well bred and Hayley Turner has the ride. The 4.10 looks to be between Cairnsmore and Mubuya.

In the 8.30 at Haydock Tuscan Gold looks a typical 3 year old improver from a very canny stable and is sure to appreciate the trip.

At Yarmouth I am keen on the chances of Wake up Call (2.30) and Aestival (5.00).

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Susan Shaw.

Good luck if you are having a bet.

 

We drew a bland for the second day running this afternoon although Hypnotized was only beaten a neck.

At Haydock tomorrow the two top weights are of interest in the 3.25. Both Webbow and Fastnet Storm have a race in them I feel but maybe they both need to come down just a few pounds in the ratings first. Webbow needs conditions to be in his favour as he is best attacking from a fast pace. I would be inclined to oppose them both but they will be winning before the season is out.

At Salisbury Sleeping Wolf, by the new sire Sleeping Indian, could win first time up in the 6.00. At Sandown the well bred Maqaasid is one to look out for in the 5.50, while in the 6.20 Rock A Doodle Doo should benefit from the test of stamina in the 6.50.

The well regarded Treble Jig is my selection in the 6.50. The 7.25 could be between Towbaat and Spoken. If pushed for a single selection I would just prefer Spoken.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.

Tomorrow’s racing looks tricky. PekanThree was disappointing last time but may not have liked the track at Chester. Worth another chance in the Lingfield 2.25.

Pipette made no show in the 1,000 Guineas but that race was a bit of a nonsense and on previous form she would have a chance in the 2.35 at Goodwood. In the same race Deirdre may improve for a step up in trip. My other selections at Goodwood are Hypnotized in the 3.10 and Simenon in the 3.45.

 

The steady trickle of winners continued today with Haatheq and Dungannon. One that I annoyingly missed over the weekend was Green Lightning at Newmarket. Mark Johnston’s three year old looked a different proposition with blinkers on for the first time as he kept up a decent gallop under Joe Fanning. The front running tactics were typical of runners from that stable that can be very difficult to pass once they set sail for home. He may improve again especially if he gets his favoured soft ground.

A few brief thoughts on tomorrow. I fancy High Office up at Carlisle in the 7.30.

Marco Botti has a couple of interesting runners at Nottingham. Rainbow Six (2.00) and Excelebration (2.30) are worth considering. In the latter race Liberty Cap is another I like on pedigree. Wuldreda and Yankee Bright catch the eye in the 4.00. The latter could be well handicapped.

Since I started the handicap hints list at the start of the season the results have been rather pleasing. Harrison George went on the list after running well in the Lincoln and promptly won next time out at 11/2. Hanoverian Baron and Dubai Destination added further successes this week at odds of 7/1 and 4/1 respectively while Dubai Destination was narrowly denied a second win this afternoon.

The current list comprises Roker Park, Big Noise, Webbow, Halla San, Shamali and Suruor. Watch this space.

Looking forward to the racing tomorrow the Hannon 2 year old Byrony should have benefitted from her debut run at Windsor and can collect in the 2.00 at Bath. Dungannon could be the value in the 2.30.

At Leicester Haatheq has only gone up 6 lbs for a course and distance win and can go in again for veteran trainer John Dunlop in the 6.00. The 6.30 is interesting as there are positive reports about both Mujrayaat and Silver Shine. The former may be the answer as he comes from a stable that has been successful with its 2 year olds already this season. Gay Mirage looks the form pick in the 8.30.

At Windsor Skyrider should be all the better for her run in 4^th at Kempton last month. She showed promise as a 2 year old last season and is the selection in the 8.10.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

In search of an outsider to tip in the London Gold Cup (Newbury 2.30) I looked at Doctor Zhivago, Bonfire Knight and Aquarian Spirit. Bonfire Knight at around 16/1 looks decent value.

Zacinto is very much a horse to follow this year and makes his seasonal debut in the Lockinge at 3.05. Over a mile and without the benefit of a recent run he may have to give best to Paco Boy but whatever the outcome I am sure he will be winning races sooner rather than later.

In the 3.40 I am quite keen on the chances of Striking Spirit and Arthur’s Edge. Striking Spirit has the better draw and the stable are in form so I will give him the nod.

Engulf is the form pick in the 4.50 but the stable have been a bit quiet lately but did have a winner the other day. J Murtagh rides which can’t be bad but the horse may be better with a bit of give. At 7/4 his price looks a tad skinny. He is one to follow as the season unfolds though. Flambeau is my selection in the 5.25.

At Newmarket Gala Evening and Gordonsville are favourite stayers of mine and along with the consistent Chiberta King form my short list, while, given the name of this site Mykingdomforahorse would be an apt winner! Jim Goldie’s horses are going well at the moment and he had a winner with Hillview Boy today. This trip may just be on the short side for Gordonsville however so I will give it to Chiberta King by the narrowest of margins.

Luca Cumani is very shrewd when it comes to placing his horses in handicaps and his 4 year old Mistoffelees looks on a decent mark in the 6.00 at Doncaster. Another horse that could be leniently treated is Tim Easterby’s Antoniola in the 6.30. He is a course winner, the trip will suit and the stable are going well.

Royal Swain is held in high regard by connections and will take some beating in the Thirsk 2.40. Bubber is one to watch on his handicap debut in the 3.15 while Cape Quarter is a potential improver in the 3.50.

Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.