Category: Horse racing

No trainer has been in better form on the flat than John Gosden but one of his runners yet to live up to expectations is Invisible Man who was a beaten favourite when making his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket. He does have a question or two to answer now but over a furlong further in the Haydock 7.40 tomorrow I will give him another chance.

I did well last season following trainer Michael Dods. He saddles Hey Up Dad tomorrow in the Haydock 8.10 and this 3 year old by Fantastic Light looks to be on a reasonable handicap mark after just two runs last season. Hey Up Dad won on his second outing last season in heavy ground at Ayr so we don’t really know if he will handle the very different conditions he is likely to face at Haydock which would temper my enthusiasm a little. Another interesting runner in this race is Petella, trained by Chris Thornton and a full sister to the stable’s stayer Lets Roll. Campaigned over 6 furlongs as a juvenile this filly should appreciate the step up in trip.

The Leicester 3.05 features some nice types and although there are only 4 runners it is still a tricky puzzle. The likely favourite is John Gosden’s Lively Fling, a winner last month over course and distance. The runner up that day has since been beaten though. Orbitor has also had a run this season finishing 3^rd in a Doncasterwa handicap having won at Great Leighs last October. He ran over 10 furlongs at Doncaster and may well improve for the extra distance tomorrow. Alcalde won both his starts as a 2 year old and as a half brother to the useful Alambic he is another that should be suited by the trip. This is a difficult race to assess but Alcalde may prove a tough nut to crack in typical Mark Johnston style.

Tiger Flash has shown promise in both his starts to date and looks the one to beat in the 4.45.

American Trilogy was one of the easiest winners at the Cheltenham Festival and was then only narrowly beaten at Aintree. If he has recovered from these exertions he will be hard to beat in the Sandown 1.35. At a bigger price, Songe, a game winner at Haydock on good ground in January could also go well.

Callisto Moon hasn’t won since November 2007 and as a result his handicap rating has come down. He handles fast ground and is fit from runs on the flat. He could be a live outsider in the 2.05. Another to consider is Sangfroid who fell last time out when holding every chance. Before that he had been runner up to Silk Affair who went on to win the Fred Winter at Cheltenham.

Kalahari King has done nothing wrong this season and although he faces serious opposition from a battalion of Paul Nicholls runners he has the class and can score in the 2.35.

I don’t have a strong fancy for the 3.10 but if pushed for a selection I would go with Hoo La Baloo who will be suited by track and ground and has been aimed at the race. Of the outsiders Always Waining makes some appeal.

The 3.45 looks to be between Paco Boy, Virtual and Dream Eater. The latter was 5^th in the Guineas last season and should come on a bundle for his recent run at Warwick. Paco Boy is a high class individual who won the Prix De La Foret at Longchamp last October. He is yet to win over a mile however and I marginally prefer Virtual who won his last 3 races in 2008, looks a most progressive sort and will be suited by the stiff mile.

Virtual is trained by John Gosden who has Pipedreamer in the 4.15. He will be suited by the fast ground and holds a sound chance but for my selection I will side with Tartan Bearer who is the class act in the race having been placed in both English and Irish Derbies last year.

Wells Lyrical is a horse I am looking forward to this season. He was an improver last year winning each of his last 3 starts. He runs in the 3.30 at Ripon tomorrow but I will not burden him with my selection as he really needs some cut in the ground and will not be ideally suited to fast going. He is one to watch though.

At Wolverhampton the well bred Free Falling may be better than her modest handicap mark and is one to look out for in the 8.20.

Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Karen Davies.

Tomorrow is the penultimate day of the jumps season and there is racing from 4 venues in the UK.

One feature of the season has been the number of red hot favourites from the Paul Nicholls yard that have been turned over. Fistral Beach is one such as he has started favourite for each of his 5 races but has been defeated each time with form figures that read 22322. He runs at Chepstow tomorrow evening in the 7.55 and although he has the highest rating and wears first time blinkers I would not want him carrying my money. China Gold was 2^nd to Imperial Cup winner Dave’s Dream two runs ago and could be the one to beat the Paul Nicholls runner.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in action at Perth. All 3 have already justified their place on the list but another win would be welcome nonetheless. Great Approach and Merigo contest the 3.55. After 3 runs in novice chases Great Approach was switched back to hurdles at Bangor where he ran out a 9/1 winner off a mark of 120. He runs over a further 3 furlongs tomorrow but should get the trip OK and the ground will be suitable for him.

Merigo has had a good season winning twice over fences including the Eider Chase at Newcastle and also finishing runner up to Grizebeck, from the same stable as Great Approach, over hurdles at Ayr. In Merigo’s favour is his stamina as he stays extreme distances and he is also very favourably handicapped compared to his chase rating. The one negative is the ground as all his best form has been shown on soft or heavy.

Ballygalley Bob was an 11/1 winner at Warwick two runs ago and was an unlucky faller at Haydock last time. He stays well but is 7 lbs higher than when winning at Warwick.

Sir Michael Stoute has been doing well with his 3 year olds already this season. He saddles the well bred Saptapadi in the 2.00 at Sandown and although only second at Wolverhampton on his only start so far this full brother to Patkai has plenty of scope and could pull off a surprise.

Hidden Brief went into quite a few notebooks after a promising run in a back end maiden at Yarmouth. She has the size and scope to improve at 3 and is my selection for the 3.45.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 4.20 with Jedi and Antinori the two most likely to figure after Khan Tengi has been rather disappointing. Antinori has the benefit of a recent run where he was far from disgraced when runner up at Kempton over a mile. His dam won over 1 mile 6 so the step up in trip tomorrow is sure to suit him and he is a serious contender. I was impressed with the way Jedi won his maiden at Nottingham and he is another that should be suited by the trip.

These would be my two against the field.

The pictures today are by kind permission of the artist Julie Whitwham.

At Beverley tomorrow my two selections are Sir Royal, a lightly arced 4 year old in the 4.00 and The Fonz who will hopefully give us a happy day in the 4.30.

I haven’t had much joy at Perth so far this week and the card tomorrow again looks tricky. In the 3.10 I am torn between Classic Cut and Steady Tiger.

The talented grey Money Trix is a fragile sort but very capable on his day. Although there must be some doubt about his ability to handle quick ground he would be my selection in the 3.40.

Qulinton comes into the 4.40 on the back of a win at Chepstow where he was ridden by tomorrow’s pilot Danny Cook. He is a front runner and on his favoured good ground might take some pegging back at Perth.

There is an evening jumps meeting at Uttoxeter where Rockiteer goes for a hat trick in the 7.00. He will like the ground and should go well.

The Epsom Blue Riband Trial has gone to the favourite or joint favourite 7 times in the last 10 years so the trends point to John Gosden’s Debussey to hit the right note in the 3.40 tomorrow. While respecting his chance I am going for Ouster who is trained by David Elsworth. A big strapping sort he impressed when winning at maiden at Salisbury last season before finishing runner up in a conditions stakes at Newmarket. He is a keen going sort so will need to settle but regardless of the outcome tomorrow he is one to keep an eye on.

Richard Fahey saddles the giant Mr Freddy in the 5.25. After 3 runs at inadequate trips last season he could be well treated off a mark of 61 and should be suited by the step up in trip as his dam won over 2 miles.

I also fancy another Fahey runner, Pedregal in the Caterick 5.15. He was putting in his best work near the finish when 5^th at Redcar on his last start.

In the 8.20 at Kempton Mirrored could be both well drawn and well handicapped and is the selection.

There is a good jumps card up at Perth where the 3.20 looks a competitive heat despite only attracting 6 runners. I considered Lodge Lane, Marleybow and Jaunty Flight for this before plumping for Marleybow who has dropped down the handicap and could run well at a big price.

My selections at Ballinrobe are Apt Approach (5.40) and Early Doors (8.10).

Today’s picture, by courtesy of British 2YO Racing is of Chiburta King a 20/1 winner yesterday.

Jeremy Gask’s Street Power has notched 3 wins on the all weather this year and tries his hoof on the turf at Bath tomorrow in the 6.50. He could be one to follow this season.

Ben’s Dream was runner up in a couple of races last October. He has already had one run this season which should put him spot on for the 7.20. Ben’s Dream is trained by Andrew Balding who has another promising type in the 7.50 in Tasman Gold. Although he didn’t make much impression in 3 runs last season over 6 furlongs he is upped to a mile tomorrow and could be competitive off a low mark. Gun For Sale, named after a Graham Greene novel is another I like in this race. He was second at Kempton on his last start back in January and is a big scopey sort that should improve.

My main hope at Folkestone is King of Wands (pictured above) in the 5.00. He showed some promise in all his 3 runs last season. He may not have his optimum conditions tomorrow so any stakes should reflect that. A bit of cut over further on a more galloping track would be ideal.

At Kempton Moresco should benefit from the trip in the 3.20. At Towcester Wishfull Thinking should go well in the bumper at 8.00.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of British 2YO Racing.

Yesterday proved another successful day for me with the jumpers although the flat season has got of to a frustrating start for me.

I was particularly pleased with my tip for Noble Alan in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. He goes well fresh and he also had his ground and ran out a comfortable winner. He looks a nice prospect for fences next season.

I gave Auroras Encore an encouraging write up and he duly landed his 3^rd win of the season at 17/2, the same price as Noble Alan. The Polomoche was another winner for my list to follow although I didn’t have the courage to tip him. He will be another going chasing next season one would imagine.

On the flat Border Patrol was a winner for the Elite Racing Club and looks to have a future while Vocalised gave me a winner in the Greenham. Sariska ran better than her finishing position would suggest. The trip was always likely to be on the sharp side for her and she missed the break and was hampered when trying to make a run. She finished well and is one for the notebook.;

As we enter the final week of the jumps season there is racing at Hexham and Kempton Park. Best race of the day at Hexham looks to be the 3.00 which features a couple of promising types in Glencree and Touch of Irish. The latter a facile winner at Kelso on his hurdles debut is just preferred to the Howard Johnson trained Glencree. Both will be sent novice chasing next season.

At Kempton the drying ground will suit Uffa Fox in the 4.25. He won a bumper at Ascot of good to firm and looks at though he has been saved for the better ground as he has not run since December. Snark is an interesting hurdles debutant form the flat.

In the 5.00 the trip should suit Buffalo Bob as he appeared not to stay when 4th over 2 furlongs further last time. He has also come down a couple of pounds in the weights.

Fantasy Explorer could be a sprinter to follow this season. He makes his seasonal reappearance at Pontefract tomorrow in the 3.10 where he runs off a mark of 88. He likes good to firm ground although Pontefract may not be the ideal track for him.

Michael Jarvis and Philip Robinson are a tried and tested combination to follow on the flat and they have Libel Law in the Windsor 7.20. Once raced as a juvenile where he showed some promise in a back end Newmarket maiden he is one to consider.

In the 7.50 Penang Princess and Chiburta King look possible. Both are making their handicap debuts and should appreciate the step up in trip.

I liked the way that Hillside Lad won his maiden at Lingfield just after Christmas and he gets my vote in the 4.50 at Wolverhampton.

Selections for Sunday;

Leopardstown 3.55 – Mourayan

Lingfield 2.40 – Kammaan

3.10 Park Lane

Stratford 2.30 – The Nightingale

3.00 Hold ‘Em (danger Cheating Chance)

5.00 Nearby

I have had a stuttering start to the new flat season but thankfully the jumpers are still doing it for me with Bensaalem, Gauvain and Tazbar obliging at Cheltenham this evening.

The main flat meeting tomorrow is at Newbury and I will kick off there.

The two I will put forward for the 1.30 are Ebiayn and Border Patrol who both finished 3^rd on their only start as juveniles. Both look the type to improve at 3.

I have not been having much luck when tipping Henry Cecil runners this week but I am going to try another one with Walking Talking each way in the 2.05. He is a lightly raced sort that has plenty to find on the ratings but I don’t think his trainer would enter him here if he didn’t have a chance and he has more scope to improve than some of his rivals.

Charm School was one of my fancies for the Lincoln but he didn’t have the best of the draw and finished 8^th. I am still convinced that he has a nice handicap in him and he is the selection in the 2.35. I would also be interested in Lucky Dance at 33/1. A winner at Newmarket over a mile last season the mount of Seb Sanders looks over priced.

Sariska, a half sister to Gull Wing won on her only start last season, a maiden at Newmarket and she is one to watch in the 3.10. At the moment though Michael Bell’s horses do not seem to be quite firing so that would be a concern. Regardless of the result in this race another one to keep an eye on, possibly over sprint distances, is Purissima.

Elnawin, Finjaan, Nasri, Vocalised and War Native all warrant respect in the Greenham at 3.45. The trip looks ideal for Finjaan and he gets the nod just ahead of the Irish challenger Vocalised.

In the 4.15 I will go with the Ralph Beckett runner Bennelong who is expected to make a nice 3 year old after a couple of placed efforts last season.

At Ayr it is Scottish National day with the big race at 3.25. Nine de Sivola was 2^nd in the race two years ago and is an obvious contender despite still looking for his first win over fences. We know that he stays though and the same can be said of Eider Chase winner Merigo who is another one with a big chance. Others I like are Coe, who was 2^nd to Rambling Minster at Haydock a couple of runs ago and West End Rocker who has been running very consistently all season. Merigo jumps and stays and at 12/1 is my each way suggestion although he is unproven on the ground. Nine de Sivola should also go close.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the Ayr 2.20. I prefer I’msingingtheblues to Raysrock and Tot O’ Whisky.

I have been trying to finds something to beat the favourite in the 2.50. Takeroc is a possible but the trio I ended up with are Blue Bajan, Snap Tie and Noble Alan who will all like the ground. With the stable in form and the horse fresh I will take a chance with Noble Alan each way.

The Polomoche and Middleton Dene represent my list to follow in the 4.00. Both have some sort of chance but I don’t have enough confidence in them to burden either with my selection.

Kilmackilloge runs very well fresh and he returns to the track in the 4.35 after a break of 143 days so he gets the nod over Beggars Cap. In the 5.05 Auroras Encore looks better than his price of 14/1.

At Bangor I like the Or D’Oudaires in the 3.15 and Cava Bien in the 4.25 where Jaunty Times and Nirvana Swing are others to consider.

At Doncaster Dark Lane has his favoured fast ground and this progressive sort is the selection in the 5.40 while in the 6.15 the lightly raced King of Dixie may well be capable of much better than we have seen from his so far.

Shemoli still looked a bit green when 2^nd at Leicester the other day and can go one better with the benefit of that experience in the 7.55.

At Nottingham my only selection is Bagber in the 7.10.

At Thirsk all 4 runners in the 3.35 have realistic chances. Hitchens is the one that interests me most. This Acclamation colt won first time out last season and is well thought of by connections.

Woodsley House could well be a horse to follow this season. From an unfashionable stable he notched 3 wins last season and I feel that there may be more to come. He runs in the 4.45 at Thirsk but I will bypass him on this occasion as his form is on soft ground. He is one to keep an eye on though.

The 3 pictures featured today, in the order that they appear, are the parade ring at Newbury by Lisa Miller, former Scottish National winner Paris Pike, by Jenny Lupton and the parade ring at Thirsk by Ruth Buchanan.  My thanks to all 3 artists for allowing me to use their work.

Good luck

The main flat action tomorrow comes from Newbury so I will begin tonight’s preview at the Berkshire track.

My selection for the 2.10 is Henry Cecil’s Cloudy Start who got off the mark at the 4^th time of asking last season but had shown promise on his earlier runs.

Crimson Fern is one of the runners in the 2.40 with the benefit of a recent outing. A winner of 6 races last year she is one for the short list. Chief Editor is another I like. Trained by Michael Jarvis he impressed when winning at Haydock last September and could well be better than a handicapper. Despite having to carry top weight this one should go well. These would be my two against the field with the main danger possibly coming from Oldjoesaid who is back to a fair mark and his trainer had a winner in a sprint yesterday.

The 3.15 looks competitive. The press keep telling me that Henry Cecil is in great form but I haven’t noticed as whenever I tip one of his horses they seem to get turned over! He has Father Time in this, a full brother to Passage of Time. Father Time won his maiden at Great Leighs and the runner up has already won this season. Four Winds won a maiden at Sandown as a juvenile and also finished 3^rd behind both Delegator and Kite Wood. He holds a Derby entry. Palavicini was 2^nd in that race won by Delegator and he went on to score in a decent Newbury maiden. The other one that I like in this is the once raced Your Old Pal who won his Newbury maiden by 6 lengths. That win was gained on very soft ground however. All these 4 look very promising and it should be an informative race. I would marginally favour Four Winds if pushed for a selection.

Moving on to the 4.25 the favourite is likely to be another Henry Cecil runner Hyades. This half brother to Light Shift showed a pleasing attitude when runner up on his only start at two which was over the Rowley Mile. Roger Charlton’s Clowance House had a couple of runs as a 2 year old finishing third to Your Old Pal in the second of them. He ran well that day on unsuitable ground and is one to keep an eye on this season. Saptapadi is related to some top class types such as Islington. He dead heated for second in a Wolverhampton maiden at the end of November and looks capable of improvement. This time I am going to go with Henry Cecil and Hyades.

My short list for the 4.55 consists of Hukba , Phillipina and Piquante. Again if I had to pick one I would go with Phillipina although Sir Michael Stoute’s runners have tended to need their initial outing.

Over the jumps at Ayr Raysrock represents my list to follow in the 2.50. His only win this season came in a race where he was the only finisher and although he is not without a chance here I could not support him with confidence.

Turning to the 4.00 Daldini has done these pages a couple of favours this season and after being pulled up at Aintree he has come down to a mark where he might be able to get competitive. Mister McGoldrick is almost certainly not the force of old but he has put in some decent efforts this season and there may have been excuses for some of his failures. At around 10/1 he gets my each way vote.

There is an evening meeting at Cheltenham where Bensalem looks to have an outstanding chance in the 5.35. He had to miss Cheltenham but his second to Diamond Harry reads well and he will take the beating.

Chapoturgeon will be odds on to win the 6.10 but he has fallen twice in his last 4 starts and I will oppose him with Gauvain who had a confidence boosting win at Plumpton recently and both his trainer and jockey are in great form.

Blazing Bailey has a good record at Cheltenham and may well return to form in the 6.45 but his recent efforts have not been encouraging. I suppose the same must be said of both Franchoek and Tazbar in what looks a trappy contest. I fully expected Tazbar to have a successful campaign but he really hasn’t shown much at all. I will stick with him one last time though.

In the last race on the card at 7.50 I will select Simply Blue who is the mount of AP McCoy which could be significant. Rockiteer also has possibilities.

Striking Article represents my list to follow in the 5.55 at Sedgefield which has the look of a two horse race. Role On is his chief rival in a race that does not look much of a betting proposition.

Today’s picture is of Redwood who gave Barry Hills his 300^th Newmarket winner yesterday. The picture is by kind permission of British 2YO Racing.