Category: Horse racing

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Chepstow 1.20 – Carrick Oscar & Khasab

 

Sandown 2.05 – Pablo Du Charmil

 

Sandown 2.40 – Bredsbreeze & Calgary Bay

 

Sandown 3.10 – European Dream

 

Sandown 3.45 – Limited Edition

 

Wincanton 1.45 – Miss Mitch

 

Wincanton 2.20 – Mossville & Nakai

 

SUNDAY

 

Plumpton 2.55 – Cockatoo

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Chepstow 3.35 – Big Fella Thanks

 

Sandown 1.30 – Mutual Friend

 

Sandown 2.05 – Master Minded

 

Sandown 2.40 – Quartano

 

Wincanton 12.40 – Nom de Guerre & Timpo

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Carrick Oscar won a bumper at Towcester on his only start last season and now makes a belated reappearance in the opening handicap hurdle at Chepstow.  The form of that bumper worked out well and he looks an interesting prospect.  Khasab might be a safer bet on this occasion though.  He has put in a couple of decent efforts this season including a 4^th behind Niaid de Missalot at Haydock on his last run.

 

Irish points winner Big Fella Thanks is a chaser in the making but he may be good enough to win over hurdles.  He makes his debut for Paul Nicholls in the Chepstow 3.35.

 

Master Minded is in the same ownership as Kauto Star.  He has very good form in France but unseated on his UK debut at Exeter.  He looks like one for the future.  El Vaquero could be worth a small interest in the same race (Sandown 2.05).  He was a useful sort a couple of years ago and if back to anything like his best form he would be entitled to run well.

 

Breedsbreeze may well be good enough to give Paul Nicholls another big race success in the Tolworth Hurdle, a race where he has an enviable record.  He looks a bit short though and I am inclined to side with the well regarded Calgary Bay who got off the mark over hurdles last time out.  Quartano makes his hurdles debut here having shown good form in bumpers.

 

I look Timpo and Nom de Guerre in the 12.40 at Wincanton.

 

Miss Mitch represents Robert Alner in the 1.45 at Wincanton.  She was impressive when winning over course and distance in November and she can go in again.

 

Nap of the day

 

Miss Mitch – Wincanton 1.45

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 5 & 6 2008” →

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Lingfield 3.50 – Trucker’s Delight

 

Newcastle 12.30 – Tazbar & Marleybow

 

Newcastle 1.30 – Shouldhavehadthat

 

Newcastle 3.00 – Money Trix

 

Newcastle 3.30 – Brook no Argument and Berwick Law

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Lingfield 1.20 – Chapturgeon

 

Lingfield 2.20 – Wind Instrument

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Both tomorrow’s meetings are subject to inspection in the morning so I am not going to get too carried away with tonight’s literary gem!  O’Maley gave us another winning nap today so let’s see if we can keep that run going. 

If racing does go ahead there is a tasty clash to look forward to between Tazbar and Marleybow up at Newcastle.  Both are potentially a bit special but at the odds I would slightly favour the latter with the stable in such fine form.

 

Money Trix makes his eagerly awaited comeback from injury.  He is a horse of immense potential but obviously may need this race.

 

Wind Instrument ran well for a long time at Wincanton in November and has an each way chance in the 2.20 at Lingfield where I also fancy Aigle D’or of Nicky Henderson’s who has winning form on the flat in France.

 

Both Berwick Law and Brook no Argument have chances in the 3.30 at Newcastle.  Lenny Lungo’s horses are running well at present so I will give a slight preference to Berwick Law.

 

Nap of the day

 

Newcastle 3.30 – Berwick Law

 

What’s in a name?

 

Jackson’s Pier runs in the 3.20 at Lingfield.  He is out of a mare called Uhuru which is Swahili for freedom.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 4 2008” →

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Fontwell 12.45 – Rathmulen

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Not a bad day for the horses featured in last night’s preview with wins from Quws Law, AIR Force One and the nap Wild Cane Ridge who obliged with some aplomb at 4/1 to maintain his 100% record at Ayr.  Lenny Lungo’s runners generally ran well with Villon in particular running a cracker after a very long layoff.

 

Nap of the day

 

Fontwell 1.15 – O’Maley

 

 

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 3 2008” →

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Folkestone 2.35 – Air Force One

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Ayr 12.40 – Aureate

 

Ayr 1.40 – Quws Law

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

The New Year got off to a successful start with 5 winners from the list to follow.  Lead On jumped really well at Cheltenham I though and Richard Johnson is obviously keen on him.  I was quite pleased that I put in a good word for Blazing Bailey who put a couple of indifferent runs behind him to beat a decent field.

 

Starting Point made every yard at Catterick in pretty testing conditions and looks to have a bright future.  On the negative side Bob Hall only beat one home and Jonjo O’Neill’s string look out of sorts.

 

There is some interesting arcing tomorrow, particularly at Ayr.  Aureate was trained by Mark Johnston on the flat and won a couple of times last season.  Brian Ellison snapped him up for 75,000 gns and he looks the type that could do well over hurdles.  He runs in the 12.40.

 

Lucinda Russell thinks a lot of Quws Law who should appreciate the step up in distance in the 1.40.  Len Lungo saddles Banoge in the same race.  This one was 3^rd to Hills of Aran on his hurdles debut and that horse franked the form with an excellent win today.

 

Staying with the Lungo horses I see he runs Villon in the 2.45. Villon is a 9 year old – in keeping with all other racehorses it was his “birthday” today.  He is very lightly arced however having only run 6 times in his life.  He has clearly had real problems with injuries but has plenty of ability if he can be kept fit. He last ran in December 2005.

 

Lungo has Wild Cane Ridge in the 3.15.  This horse has won on all 3 of his previous visits to Ayr and will relish the mud.

 

At Folkestone Air Force One is the only runner of the day from our list to follow.  He didn’t jump well enough when 5^th on his chase bow but that experience plus the extra distance here should help him.

 

Nap of the day

 

Wild Cane Ridge – Ayr 3.15

 

Today’s trivia

 

Dancing Bay who retired last season finished runner up at both Royal Ascot and Cheltenham

 

What’s in a name?

 

Alan’s Kings classy hurdler Penzance has a stable nickname of “Trigger.”

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 2 2008” →

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Cheltenham 1.00 – Ballyfoy

 

Cheltenham 1.35 – Lead On & Predateur

 

Cheltenham 2.10 – Bob Hall

 

Cheltenham 2.45 – Oscar Park

 

Cheltenham 3.20 – Gaspara, Afsoun, Wichita Lineman & Blazing Bailey

 

Exeter 12.40 – Lodge Lane

 

Exeter 2.25 – The Real Deal

 

Exeter 3.30 – Oslot

 

Catterick 1.55 – Shouyldhavehadthat

 

Catterick 3.35 – Starting Point

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Cheltenham 1.00 – Always Waining

 

Catterick 2.30 – Border Tale

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Much has been written elsewhere about the stars of 2007, Dylan Thomas, Authorized, Kauto Star Denman etc.  I thought I would highlight one of the lesser lights that give us just as much pleasure (and sometimes profit).  The handicap chase at Haydock yesterday was aptly named the Last Fling handicap and sponsored by Blackpool Tower and Circus.  It was won in ultra game style by the grey Huka Lodge who epitomizes all that I love about jump racing.  He comes out year after year, is as tough as they come and a grey as well.  This was his 3^rd win at the Lancashire track and he again confirmed his liking for a battle in the mud.

 

 

 

 

 

Huka Lodge is trained by Kate Walton whose stable is one of my “links.” 

The jumps season has been rather a disappointing one as far as my list to follow is concerned.  There have been few big priced winners with Niaid de Missalot the best so far (11/1) followed by Calgary Bay (9/1).  There have been some muliple winners, notably Tidal Bay who has won his 3 starts, as has his stable companion Cedrus Libani.  There have also been some big race successes from the likes of Kauto Star, Denman, L’Antartique and Twist Magic.  The end of term report must read “could do better” though so here’s hoping for an upturn in fortunes in 2008.

 

I will start the preview of Tuesday’s racing with the 1.00 at Cheltenham where 2 from our list to follow are in action.  Always Waining finished in mid division in the Hennessy and it is possible that the handicapper has just got his measure.  He ran well on his last visit to Cheltenham however and he does have a squeak here.  Ballyfoy, trained by Tom George is another that is possibly in the grip of the handicapper.  He did show a glimmer of promise when 4^th on his last run and another positive is the booking of Timmy Murphy.  Ballyfoy certainly stays well.

 

There are 3 jumps meetings in the UK on New Years Day with runners from our list to follow represented at all 3.

 

The 1.35 looks tricky despite there only being 5 runners.  Lead On got off the mark over fences at Exeter last time and the 2^nd and 3^rd in that race have both won since.  Predateur is yet to win over fences but has run respectively in races won by Tidal Bay and Moon Over Miami. I am going to take a chance with Lead On.

 

Bob Hall is a consistent sort who goes well at Cheltenham.  He rarely runs a bad race and is likely to be suited by the conditions at Cheltenham.  He has an each way chance in the 2.10 but the indifferent form of the yard is a slight concern.

 

Star de Mohaison is likely to be all the rage in the 2.45 but has been off for over a year with injury and does not look value.  Oscar Park was in the process of running a big race when coming to grief at Newbury in a race won by Inglis Drever.  He is a course and distance winner and hopefully will give us a run for our money.

 

Afsoun has ticks in the right boxes in the 3.20 and looks the one to beat.  Blazing Bailey has disappointed so far this season but the stable are going well and I would not be surprised to see him back to something like his best.

 

Dual bumper winner Lodge Lane also made a successful start over hurdles at Fontwell and with his trainer in good form looks the one to be on in the 12.40 at Exeter.

 

The Real Deal does not seem to have taken to jumping fences but it is interesting that his trainer perseveres with him in that sphere.  He is well in at the weights potentially compared to his hurdles mark and if his jumping does improve could run well at a big price in the Exeter 2.25. Both trip and going should suit him.

 

Oslot makes his chasing debut for Paul Nicholls in the 3.30 at Exter.  A multiple winner on the flat in France he won twice over hurdles last season and he could well make a winning start over the larger obstacles.

 

Starting Point has winning form in bumpers and is with the right trainer to get the best out of him now he goes over hurdles.  As the saying goes, “he could be anything.”

 Happy New Year to all readers and best wishes for a healthy and profitable 2008.  

Nap of the day

 

Cheltenham 3.20 –Afsoun

  

Today’s trivia

 

The record time for the Cheltenham Gold Cup was 6 minutes 30 seconds set by Looks Like Trouble in 2000.

 

What’s in a name?

 

Snowy Day who runs in the 12.15 at Catterick maintains a winter/icy tradition as his dam was Snow White, who in turn was sired by Polar Falcon.

 

Continue reading “Diary: January 1 2008” →

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Uttoxeter 1.00 – Oncle Bul

 

What’s in a name?

 

Toby Belch (Warwick 2.40) is quite aptly named as his dam was Peptic Lady.  He is also named after Sir Toby Belch, a character in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 31 2007” →

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Haydock 1.00 – Master Overseer

 

Haydock 1.30 – Valentine’s Lady

 

Haydock 3.10 – Dictum

 

Taunton 2.25 – Pertinent

 

Taunton 2.55 – Bon Viveur

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Haydock 2.05 – Ballabriggs

 

Haydock 3.10 – Labelthou

 

Haydock 3.40 – Harry Wood

 

Taunton 3.30 – Opus Cafe

 

Nap of the day

 

Taunton 2.25 – Chrysander

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 30 2007” →

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Bangor 2.15 – Super Nick

 

Musselburgh 12.15 – Laborec

 

Newbury 12.30 – Big Bucks

 

Newbury 1.35 – Dear Villez & Air Force One

 

Newbury 2.05 – Helens Vision & Theatre Girl

 

Newbury 2.40 – Lightning Strike

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Bangor 1.10 – Ordre De Bataille

 

Newbury 1.00 – Celestial Hero

 

Newbury 2.05 – Khyber Kim

  

Russellform Ramblings

 

Ordre De Boutaill probably needed the run when 3^rd at Uttoxeter last month, but he jumped well and the form of the race looks OK.  He looks to have a sound each way chance in the 1.10 at Bangor.

 

Paul  Nicholls can do no wrong at the moment and Big Bucks and Celestial Hero will be expected to win for him at Newbury.

 

Helen’s Vision beat subsequent winner Pasco by 27 lengths over course and distance last time out and looks the one to beat in the 2.05 at Newbury.

 

Lightning Strike goes for the hat trick in the Newbury 2.40.  Tom Scudamore has the ride for trainer Venetia Williams.

 

Super Nick didn’t jump well when a beaten favourite at Wincanton but he is not short of ability and he can score in the Bangor 2.15 if he can improve on his hurdling.

 

Nap of the day

 

Helen’s Vision – Newbury 2.05

 

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 29 2007” →

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Catterick 2.20 – Cedrus Libani

 

Leicester 1.00 – One Gulp & Cave Hill

 

Leopardstown 2.35 – Denman & L’Antartique

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Catterick 2.55 – Northern Quest

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Halla San was a decent handicapper on the flat and can make a winning start over hurdles in the 1.50 at Catterick, a track where he won on the flat.

 

The 1.00 at Leicester looks to be between Orphelin Collinges, Cave Hill and One Gulp.  One Gulp showed abundant stamina when winning at Newbury and had useful form in bumpers.  The other two both fell last time out.  Cave Hill is a winning Pointer while Orphelin Collonges would have won at Hereford had he not crashed out at the last fence.  This is quite a trappy contest but I am going with the Longsden horse Orphelin Collonges with McCoy in the plate.

 

After such an impressive win in the Hennessy Denman is hard to oppose in the Lexus Chase.

 

Nap of the day

 

Leictester 1.00 – Orphelin Collonges

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 28 2007” →

Horses running from our main list to follow

 

Chepstow 12.20 – Mark the Book & Mister Potter

Chepstow 1.30 – Boyastara

Chepstow 2.05 – Not Left Yet

Chepstow 2.40 – Franchoek

Kempton 1.50 – Mossville

Kempton 2.25 – Vor Por Ustedes

Kempton 2.55 – Bible Lord & Caribou

Kempton 3.30 – Ouzbeck

WEtherby 1.25 – Bywell Beau

WEWtherby 3.05 – Lennon & Three Mirrors

 

Horses running from our “dark horses” list

 

Chepstow 2.05 – Halcon Generlardais

Chepstow 2.40 – Serabad & Tatenen

Kempton 12.40 – Indicible

 

Russellform Ramblings

 

Mark the Book has a tall home reputation but unfortunately his chase debut got no further than the first at Exeter.  He is out again quickly in the 12.20 at Chepstow and is preferred to Mister Potter who is yet to complete in his two chase starts.

 

Silver Inngot won after 951 days absence from the racecourse at Lingfield.  The longer trip in the Chepstow 12.55 should suit and I would be hopeful of a big run from him.

 

My 4 against the field in the Welsh National would be Preacher Boy, Gungadu, Homer Wells and Fair Question.  Gungadu seems to be most effective in small fields and I am going with Preacher Boy as my each way selection.  He was 3^rd in the Hennessy last season and a repeat of that sort of form would see him in the shake up.

 

Franchoek has won at Chepstow on the flat and over hurdles and that should stand him in good stead in the 2.40.

 

The lightly raced Mossville looks reasonably handicapped in the 1.50 at Kempton and the step up to 3 miles could see further improvement in her.

 

Voy Por Ustedes has to give weight away all round in the 2.25 but may well be up to the task in a race he won last year.

 

Bible Lord was going as well as anything in the Hennessy until his stamina gave out.  The shorter trip and easier track should be in his favour in the Kempton 2.55. Caribou would have an each way chance but he must have soft ground.

 

Furmigadelagiusta won trice on the flat over 12 furlongs and looks the type that could do well over timber.  He makes his hurdles bow in the 2.00 at Wetherby.

 

Lennon blundered away a winning chance at the last fence when a beaten favourite at Kempton in October and looks to gain compensation in the 3.05 at Wetherby. He carries top weight and has to contend with a real Wetherby specialist in the shape of Mister McGoldrick  who has won 8 times at the Yorkshire venue. Another interesting runner is Kilmackilloge who won at Aintree in October and the form of that race has been franked since by the runner up.  Although it is 60 days since his last run Kilmackilloge goes well fresh and could run well at a price.

  

Nap of the day

 

Kilmackilloge – Wetherby 3.05.

 

Today’s trivia

 

During the 2006/7 season Howard Johnson saddled 54 winners from 399 runners.

 

What’s in a name?

 

In 1992, the National was run just a few days before John Major unexpectedly led the Conservative party to victory in the General Election. The winner was the aptly named Party Politics.

 

Continue reading “Diary: December 27 2007” →