Category: Racing diary

 

Selections for Sunday;

Exeter 3.35 – Glenwood Knight.

4.10 – Silverburn

5.10 – Wishfull Thinking

Hereford 3.35 – Chilli Rose

Navan 3.50 – Ballyburke

4.55 – Osana

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Ruth S Harris

We had a couple of winners yesterday, notably Nicto de Beauchene at 13/2.

Tomorrow’s Newbury card is a fascinating mixture of star individual champions and competitive handicaps and should draw a big crowd.

When Diamond Harry beat Bensalem over hurdles last season the pair were only separated by half a length. When they clashed over fences at Haydock recently Diamond Harry was the more fluent jumper, in fact Bensalem was a faller. They meet again in the Newbury 1.30 where Diamond Harry should come out on top again. Inchidaly Rock had won twice over fences before falling when upped in class at Cheltenham last time. He gives the impression that he may be better going right handed and when fresh so I am inclined to prefer Diamond Harry who gets the selection.

The 2.00 is an ultra competitive handicap hurdle where the likely favourite is the highly rated Alfie Sherrin trained by Paul Nicholls. Although beaten into third on his last run that race has worked out quite well, producing a number of subsequent winners. It is quite a surprise in itself that this horse is being kept over hurdles and although favourites have a poor recent record in the race “Alfie” could well be what it’s all about here! If you don’t fancy taking such a short price in a race like this the outsiders to consider might be The Real Deal and Triggerman. The former reverts to hurdles after a spell over fences and could be reasonably handicapped while Triggerman put up a good performance last time out at Kempton when 4th to Micheal Flips in bad ground.

Denman (pictured below) should win the AON Chase at 2.30 although hardly a betting proposition.

The Totesport Trophy at 3.05 will take some sorting out however. If you are looking for an outsider Frontier Dancer is one to take a look at from a stable starting to find some better form. He doesn’t look badly weighted. Get Me Out Of Here is unbeaten in four starts is a course and distance winner and has AP McCoy in the saddle. Nicky Henderson and David Pipe both have multiple entries. Barry Geraghty rides Spirit River who was really impressive when winning at Cheltenham in December and is a serious player. Of the Pipe runners Mamlook is not without a chance. He is very consistent and only has a 5 lbs penalty for his win in a valuable handicap at Ascot last month. I just prefer his stable companion Ronaldo Des Mottes however. He ran a shocker in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham but has since bounced back to form winning at Kempton over Christmas. Numide has been out of form this season after not really taking to fences and he may be a little too high in the weights. Numide’s stable companion Harry Tricker looks to have a better chance especially if the ground isn’t too testing. The talented Manyriverstocross is only a novice but has plenty of experience from the flat and gets in here with a nice racing weight.

I have whittled this down to a short list of 4; Spirit River, Ronaldo Des Mottes, Manyriverstocross and Harry Tricker. If pushed to, select one it would be Manyriverstocross at around 10/1.

The 3.40 sees the return of Champion Chaser Master Minded pictured below). He should carry too many guns for Voy Por Ustedes, who probably needs further these days, and Fix the Rib. He is returning after a setback however and I don’t think I would want to take a very short price.

My selections for the last two races on the Newbury card are Bellvano (4.15) and Dragon’s Roost (4.45).

At Warwick I just favour Sullumo over Forest Pennant in the 1.45 while Long Run could just be something special in the 2.15.

In the 2.50 Merigo is potentially well handicapped and looks each way value at 10/1. In the 3.20 I see that The Vicar is dropped in trip after not really getting home over further and has an each way prayer at 7/1. Kennel Hill is the selection in the 3.55.

There have an early morning inspection at Ayr. If the meeting goes ahead recent Market Rasen winner Mirage Dore looks to have a good chance in the novice chase at 2.10 while Olifan D’Oudairies with Graham Lee on board can follow up his win at the Scottish track back in December in the 3.50.

I don’t have a strong view about the 2.35 at Gowran Park although I did consider Luska Lad and Noble Prince.

All pictures today courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

 

With Ayr having been abandoned the jumps racing tomorrow comes from Kempton and Bangor.

The Kempton card gets under way with a conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle at 1.25. The weights are headed by Solent who is making his first appearance for nearly a year. He dead heated for first place in a listed race at Ascot on the flat and has plenty of ability. He also has the benefit of being ridden by one of the more experienced jockeys. Solent could go well at a big price but I am going to take a chance with another outsider in Heezazari. A former winning pointer he has only had 2 runs under rules finishing 2^nd in a bumper and then winning at Bangor over hurdles. The form of those races has worked out well but the horse is obviously fragile. He hasn’t run for 636 days so his fitness levels have to be taken on trust but that will be reflected in his price.

The 2.35 looks quite a hot little race with Quantitativeesing the likely odds on favourite for the Nicky Henderson yard with AP McCoy in the saddle. He is unbeaten and sets the standard. The Betchworth Kid is another to consider. He was rated 100+ on the flat and has already shown ability in his two races over timber. He is stepped up in trip here which should suit him. The favourite is likely to be very short here so I am looking elsewhere for some value. Emma Lavelle speaks very highly of Tocca Ferro a lightly raced type who has done little wrong so far and got off the mark over hurdles at Southwell last time. This one could be open to plenty of improvement and at around 9/2 looks the value.

In the 3.45 Duc de Regniere should have too many gears for Big Fella Thanks as long as his jumping stands up while in the 4.20 NIcto de Beauchene looks on a fair mark and has an each way chance.

In the 1.35 at Bangor Tara Royal looks the one to beat while Cuckoo Pen and Alderley Rover are the pick of those at bigger prices.

Today’s picture is courtesy of Kate Tann.

Selections for Thursday;

Huntingdon 1.40 – Sona Sasta

Taunton 3.00 – Vodka Brook

 

Another mundane looking day’s racing coming up on Wednesday. Hollins won well enough at Kelso and should give a good account in the Carlisle 1.35.

War Footing was going OK when he fell on his last outing. He has an each way chance in the 4.15.

At Ludlow Black Jack Blues sets the standard in the Ludlow 1.45. In the 2.20 both Zemsky and Casta Cada are worth considering while Nikos Extra may have been an unlucky loser at Southwell last time and could gain compensation in the 4.00.

 

Looking at tomorrow’s meetings there is not a lot to comment on.

Blue Nymph sets the standard in the Market Rasen 1.30 after an impressive winning debut over hurdles.

Sandynow and Ballybriggan make some appeal against the favourite in the 2.30 while up at Sedgefield the Rose Dobbin trained Middleton Dene has solid credentials in the 3.10.

 

Bakbenscher, Chariot Charger and Great Endeavour are all in with chances in the Lingfield 2.50 tomorrow.  Bakbenscher should just have the edge if his jumping stands up.

My best bet at Southwell is another Alan King runner, Nikos Extra in the 2.40.

There should be a few Cheltenham pointers to be gleaned from tomorrow’s action at Leopardstown. In the 2.10 Dunguib will be expected to enhance his Festival claims and he should have too much for Fionnegas and Some Present.

There are several with chances in the 3.40 but Roberto Goldback is a course and distance winner and will love the ground and looks the percentage call.

The Hennessy Gold Cup at 3.40 looks really competitive. Money Trix had several of his main rivals in arrears when runner up in the Lexus Chase and at around 3/1 he looks decent value.

There is rather more homely fair on offer at Fontwell and Musselburgh but some interesting contests nonetheless. Vino Griego looks a progressive sort and will handle the ground at Fontwell where he looks the one to beat in the 2.20. Jockey Andrew Glassonbury takes a useful 3 lbs of his back as well.

Up at Musselburgh Candy Creek can continue trainer Nicky Henderson’s fine run by taking the 1.30 while Harry the Hawk can give us a run for our money at a working man’s price in the 2.00.

Marchand D’Argent was 4^th on his seasonal reappearance and should strip fitter for that in the 3.30 where he will also appreciate the better ground. Red Moloney is the other one I like in this race.

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

I will start tonight’s preview with the 1.20 at Doncaster which has attracted a small but quite classy field. Tazbar was a talented hurdler that possibly under achieved but he has made a solid start to his career over fences with a couple of wins and a second to the highly rated Long Run. He should act on the prevailing ground and is a leading player. The danger could come from the Nicky Henderson pair of Dave’s Dream and You’re the Top. . Although Dave’s Dream was well beaten at Newbury over Christmas that was on heavy ground and he is likely to be seen to much better effect on a sounder surface. You’re the top opened his account over fences at Kempton in November and is open to plenty of improvement. Tazbar is fancied to come out on top here.

In the 1.55 Character Building has his first outing since winning the Kim Muir at the Festival. He is entered for the Grand National and is being kept to hurdles here to protect his handicap mark. I wouldn’t rule him out tomorrow but the trip will be on the short side for him. Another reverting to hurdles is Calusa Crystal who has been competing in novice chases. She was progressive over hurdles last season winning 4 times. She is best on good ground and given her conditions would not be out of it. She is 5 lbs higher than her last hurdles win.

The classy Mad Max made a winning start to his career over fences at Kempton last month and looks to build on that in the 2.25. He will not have things all his way though with El Dancer an obvious threat. This 6 year old trained by Lucy Wadham was second to Riverside Theatre at Kempton in December. He jumps well and is best on good ground. Woolcombe Folly is another that will appreciate better ground. He missed last season through injury but won 5 times over hurdles the previous season. This is no forgone conclusion but I will stick with Mad Max.

There are a few to consider in the Grade 2 mare’s hurdle at 2.55. The Paul Nicholls runner Pepite de Soleil has been very disappointing this season after running consistently last term. It is certainly too early to write her off. She likes soft ground. Argento Luna is another for the short list. When completing a race, and she has only failed to do so once when brought down, she has only been out of the first 3 twice out of 12 runs. She is best on good ground. For my selection though I am going for Alegralil, a dual bumper winner who has already won both her starts over hurdles.

The 3.25 sees the return to the track of Kalahari King who was only beaten a short head in last season’s Arkle. He faces 14 rivals tomorrow including the Paul Nicholls pair Free World and I’msingingtheblues who must be respected. I have a bit of a fancy for Tartak who didn’t run too badly in the King George and this shorter trip should suit him. Kalahari King is the selection with a small each way saver on Tartak.

There are plenty of solid stayers in the 4 miler at 4.00. Garleton is a horse I have been following with some success but looks to be in the grip the handicapper . Jass won the race last season and although he has gone up in the weights I think he could run well again. He was 5^th in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on a track that would not have played to his strengths.

At Sandown Binocular (pictured below) has frightened away the opposition in the 1.30 and will be long odds on and likewise Punchestowns in the 2.35.

The handicap hurdle at 3.10 is a much more competitive affair however. Merrydown is one to consider. He is having his first run of the season but despite wins at Kelso and Newcastle last season does not look on a bad mark. The consistent Strategic Approach has gone up in the weights but could still play a part while Racing Demon ran much better than his finishing position would suggest at Ascot last time and looks well treated.

The 3.40 is another open looking contest. Gone to Lunch ran no sort of race in the Welsh National but he is better than that as he showed last season when runner up in the Scottish National. He had a fine run when 5^th in the Hennessy and if we ignore that Chepstow effort he has a chance tomorrow as he stays well and handles most ground. Killyglen was pulled up in the Hennessy at a time when Howard Johnson’s horses were not firing but they are bang in form now and Killyglen is a serious contender based on his form last season especially his win at Aintree in the Mildmay Novices Chase. According to John hasn’t won for over 3 years but has shown signs of a return to form in his last couple of runs, particularly when 3^rd in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Exmoor Ranger has been denied a run by abandonments recently but impressed when winning at Newbury in November and looks a progressive sort. These 4 represent my short list from which I will narrow it down to Gone to Lunch and Exmoor Ranger.

In the 4.15 Fred’s Benefit is my each way suggestion. He looks nicely handicapped.

My selections at Wetherby are SA Suffitt (2.20) and Knockara Beau (2.50).

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sarah Clegg.

Good luck.

 

Selections for Friday at Bangor.

1.50 Pennek

2.25 Den of Iniquity