/ Editor / 05 April 2012 / Leave a Comment GOOD
(GoingStick: N/A (Stick faulty) on Thursday at 10:00)
All the early price movements from Betfair's racing markets....
Straight Course: Good to Firm, Firm in places Round Course: Good to Firm, Good in places...
Good to Firm, Firm in places (GoingStick: Chase 11.0. Hurdle 10.8 on Wednesday at 10:45)...
/ Adam Barnes / 01 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Ludlow is the venue of choice for today's placepot
"Derwen Pryde was an impressive winner over course and distance back in November..."
Timeform's Adam Barnes heads to Ludlow and aims to land the placepot with just 8 lines.....
14:30 - Dark Shadow looks like a sensible selection in the opening novice hurdle, with his form to date over obstacles looking just about the most solid on offer. With the defection of Hoare Abbey, Nicky Henderson's five-year-old goes is as a banker.
15:00 - The first of a few tricky seven-runner - and so only two places - races on the card, and it could pay to play things safe with the two 'obvious' ones. Tiger O'Toole was a decent hurdler and shaped better on his latest chase start over two miles, giving the imrpession that he'd appreciate this step up to two and a half miles. U B Carefull posted solid efforts on his first three completed starts over fences, and seemed to get bogged down in heavy ground last time. With a break to freshen him up and the return to a sounder surface today, he should also be on the premises.
15:30 - Derwen Pryde was an impressive winner over course and distance back in November, and shaped well after a short break in soft ground at Ffos Las eleven days ago, suggesting this sort of mark may not prove beyond her. With that run under her belt she should go well, and is the sole selection.
16:00 - The three-mile handicap chase is the most valuable race on the card, and course specialist Theatre Diva is fancied to go well. Her form figures here read 2121111, and she made a satisfactory reappearance at Wincanton recently. If coming on from that effort, she would look to have every chance of hitting the frame. Cootehill is a largley consistent performer who arrives on the back of a few solid efforts, and has gone well at the track, so can also make his presence felt.
16:30 - Themilanhorse is lightly raced, and the form of his win at Warwick reads well (runner-up won next two). There's a fair chance he will rate much higher than this mark in the future, and it would be disappoiting if he didn't go close.
17:00 - The final-leg hunter chase has an open feel to it. Double Mead has been a winner and a runner-up in two starts at Ludlow, arrives on the back of an easy pointing win, and looks to hold every chance of going close. Oca de Thaix hasn't run for 257 days, but that isn't neccessarily a concern given he won over course and distance after a similar absence last February, and he also looks to hold every chance.
Selections:
14:30 - 3
15:00 - 5, 6
15:30 - 6
16:00 - 3, 5
16:30 - 1
17:00 - 2, 5
= 8 Lines
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Timeform ratings are in fine form! Among 5 top-rated winners at Kempton on Saturday was Nacarat (BSP [5.58]). Click HERE for today's cards & ratings.
Timeform's Joe Szekeres heads to Kempton this evening and offers a placepot permutation of 24 lines......
Timeform's Matt Gardner heads to Lingfield for Tuesday's crack at the placepot......
It's a ropey day on the placepot front, but Wolverhampton makes a bit more appeal than Plumpton, so it's there that Timeform's Simon Baker is headed......
/ David Cleary / 01 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Will McCain chip in with a couple of winners today?
"Bunclody hasn't had many chances since joining this yard and could well take some catching if positively ridden over these easy fences."
David Cleary is focusing on a pair of Donald McCain's horses at Ludlow where the in-form trainer holds three entries
Ludlow and Taunton provide the action over jumps this afternoon, two sharp right-handed tracks where the ground is likely to be a fair bit livelier than many of the runners have been encountering of late.
That doesn't make for straightforward punting opportunities, and bets that make much appeal are again in rather short supply. The 16:30 at Ludlow is an exception.
Seven go to post and the 'obvious' one in the field is Themilanhorse. He's had just two starts over hurdles, has obvious potential to improve and his mark looks fair. His win came on good ground, so conditions are likely to be no problem. He'll run well but is priced accordingly, particularly as most against him have negatives to their name.
One that might be worth backing against him, however, is An Capall Mor. He has just one worthwhile run from four starts over hurdles, but the other three were on very testing ground. His one piece of form suggests he's well treated switched to handicaps, and his trainer Donald McCain is in tremendous form. It's worth backing An Capall Mor, perhaps also saving on Themilanhorse.
McCain might also have the answer to the novice chase at 15:00 in Bunclody. None of the likely principals has a particularly positive profile but Bunclody hasn't had many chances since joining this yard and could well take some catching if positively ridden over these easy fences, two of his main rivals held up usually and prone to mistakes.
Recommended Bets
Back An Capall Mor @ [8.0] in the 16.30 at Ludlow
Back Bunclody @ [4.0] in the 15.00 at Ludlow
Terry Norman picks a pair to follow in Wales today where Philip Hobbs' horses will play a pivotal role...
David Cleary makes the case for a couple of promising runners at decent odds on Tuesday afternoon......
Paul Smith supplies two bets for Monday afternoon and explains how you can get your week off to a sweet start......
/ Editor / 22 February 2012 / Leave a Comment First Race Time: 13:35
Going: Good
Other Information: Dry overnight
First Race Time: 13:45 Going: Standard...
First Race Time: 13:55 Going: Good Other Information: Dry overnight...
First Race Time: 17:30 Going: Standard...
Daily Placepots / Phil Thompson / 05 October 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Ludlow is the location of today's Placepot.
"American Ladie may not be one to put absolute faith in, but she is so far clear on the Timeform ratings that it's hard to see her being outside of the two-places."
After Dominic Finn landed a monster placepot (paid £912.20!) at Southwell yesterday, Phil Thompson is feeling the pressure at Ludlow this afternoon...
14:10 - First up is a selling hurdle and the clear Timeform top-rated is Agente Romano. The Evan Williams-trained gelding was a long way below his best over fences at Sedgefield last time, but a return to his form over the smaller obstacles earlier this term gives him a leading chance today. We will also side with Baccalaureate, who is three from three in sellers and should again be competitive this afternoon.
14:40 - Now, American Ladie may not be one to put absolute faith in, but she is so far clear on the Timeform ratings that it's hard to see her being outside of the two-places on offer, so she rates as banker material.
15:10 - The third leg is a competitive handicap chase, so both Calypso Bay and Baily Storm are taken to see us through. Calypso Bay improved on his chasing debut when winning at Market Rasen last time and remains unexposed over fences. As for Baily Storm, whilst his recent efforts do not inspire much confidence, he has become well handicapped as a result and the switch to a trainer who has a good record with similar types could easily spark a revival.
15:40 - The handicap hurdle is another competitive affair and we will again take two selections in the guise of Another Kate and Kayf Commander. Another Kate dropped away tamely at Newton Abbot last time and it is a concern that she has so far failed to win away from Hereford, but she created such a favourable impression when winning at the latter track on her penultimate start, shaping like a hurdler still ahead of her mark, that she's given another chance. Kayf Commander, who showed much improved form when winning a conditionals event at Sedgefield last time, escapes a penalty for that victory and rates a good bet to make the three.
16:10 - As with American Ladie, Definite All Star would not normally be considered banker material, indeed he is yet to win in eight attempts over fences, but it is very hard to see him being outside of the first two and so he is taken to see us through to the final leg.
16:40 - We end with a puzzling juvenile maiden hurdle and we will have to take two if we are to land the 'pot. Cordillera failed to build on her promising debut when below form in a similar event at Sedgefield last time, but this is not a strong race and she is given another chance. She's joined by Revolutionary, who makes his hurdling debut for a new stable this afternoon but was the highest rated of these on the Flat.
Selections:
14:10 - 1,4
14:40 - 1
15:10 - 4,11
15:40 - 2,9
16:10 - 1
16:40 - 3,7
16 Lines
Click here to bet directly into the Tote pools on Betfair
Today's afternoon meeting at Southwell is a clear sign that the all-weather season is looming, and it's the target for today's placepot....
Today's placepot comes from Pontefract......
Europe's premier Flat day provides a rare opportunity for a Placepot not based in Britain or Ireland, and it's one Dan Barber can't turn down given the likely prize on offer....
/ Editor / 12 May 2011 / Leave a Comment Racecourse Ludlow
First Race Time 5.25pm
Going Good
Other Information Dry overnight. Forecast of sunny intervals today.
Racecourse Perth First Race Time 2.20pm Going Soft Other Information Immeasurable rain overnight. Possibility of light showers this morning....
Racecourse Salisbury First Race Time 2.10pm Going Good to firm. 8.6 on going stick. Other Information Dry overnight...
Racecourse York First Race Time 1.30pm Going Good Other Information Dry overnight. Bright morning and mainly dry day forecast with the chance of a passing shower....
Racecourse Folkestone First Race Time 5.35pm Going Good to firm (watered) Other Information Dry overnight. Mainly dry day forecast with the chance of a passing shower from midday onwards....
Daily Placepots / Keith Melrose / 21 April 2011 / Leave a Comment We're off to Shropshire for today's Placepot
"Royal Riviera looks to be gradually finding his feet with his new yard, stepping up considerably when winning a maiden at Hereford last time and still having much room for improvement on his bumper win for Alan Swinbank."
Tomorrow is Good Friday, which means no racing, so no doubt several esteemed members of Timeform's editorial team will be at a complete loss with what to do with themselves. Having some disposable income may spark their imaginations somewhat, so let's try and knock it out of the park with small stakes at Ludlow today.
14:20 - Try as I might, I just can't bring myself to bank in this seller. Hucking Hero would have been a legitimate banker but for his absence and, to a lesser extent given his yard, the drop to this grade, but as it is backup is required in the form of Maucaillou, who is the only rival with the ability to trouble and on-song Hucking Hero and is likely to take out less of the pool than that implies given his recent form in handicaps.
14:50 - I was going to bank on William Hograth in this novice chase, in the hope his jumping improves, before I spotted Silver Story's defection, which leaves us with four runners. As such, the inconsistent Othermix, who has by some way the best chasing form in the race, also needs including.
15:20 - A match between Tim Vaughan-trained Bottman and Evan Williams' Buck Mulligan. With the former having run just last week the market may well tell us which way today's race is likely to go, but we don't have the luxury of being able to see how that unfolds and so must include both.
15:50 - Tyup Pompey's chance is obvious essentially racing from 4 lb lower than when winning over course and distance last time, but he's inconsistent and I've already filled more lines than I'd have liked. A better option appears to be Moulin de La Croix, who thrived last summer and shaped as though her recent return from a break will bring her back to her best.
16:20 - Possibly as close to a competitive race as there is on this card, but we need to keep scrimping on those lines, so another banker is sought. The best candidate is Art Broker, who again shaped as though a bare two miles will suit when finishing second off the same mark at Taunton last month. Henry Daly's gelding was borderline useful in his time with Dermot Weld on the Flat, so it's not difficult to envisage further improvement.
16:50 - A lot of these novices appear to be on stiff marks, and those who aren't look difficult to trust. The saving grace is that there are two who stand out in terms of scope for improvement, namely Royal Riviera and Second Brook. Royal Riviera looks to be gradually finding his feet with his new yard, stepping up considerably when winning a maiden at Hereford last time and still having much room for improvement on his bumper win for Alan Swinbank. Second Brook fell foul of the non-triers rule on his debut, while subsequent starts have also suggested he's got a better performance in him, his jumping far from polished when he finished second in a novice claimer over two miles here last time.
Selections:
14:20 - 5, 6
14:50 - 4, 5
15:20 - 1, 2
15:50 - 5
16:20 - 4
16:50 - 1, 6
16 lines
Epsom is the venue for today's crack at the placepot......
It should be an excellent atmosphere at Pontefract this afternoon, but the card also provides an ideal placepot target....
Windsor's card this evening is a tough place to start the week from a Placepot perspective, but hopefully the following selections can do the trick......
/ Timeform / 21 April 2011 / Leave a Comment Ludlow Races
"Tyup Pompey is potentially thrown in having won from out of the handicap here last time, and he must be the choice despite an inconsistent profile."
This handicap chase looks the best event on a quiet day's racing...
Sunday City got back on song through the summer and was better than ever when winning at Huntingdon in October. He was a good second at Ffos Las the following month, and will appreciate the underfoot conditions on return from a break.
Silmi bettered his hurdling form when landing two handicap chases at up to 2¾m earlier in the season. He was well beaten in listed events on his last two outings five months apart, and needs to bounce back now.
Noble Crusader is an enigmatic chaser who is prone to mistakes. The race at Lingfield he won on his reappearance in November fell into his lap, and he ran poorly at Newbury last time. He is now tried in a tongue tie for the first time.
Prince des Marais came good at this time last year and has found his form again recently, winning a 2¾m Fakenham handicap last month. He pressed on too soon at Stratford last time, and that effort is easy to forgive.
Moulin de La Croix has won twice at up to 2¾m over fences. She looked just in need of the run when a fair third at Uttoxeter on her return from a break last time, and has claims here if building on that effort.
The Snail thrived over hurdles/fences last season, winning six times in all, including three over C&D. He has not fired this term, sometimes looking moody, and it's best to look elsewhere.
Tyup Pompey was a dual winner over vastly different trips last spring, and got back to form out of the blue when winning a C&D handicap last time. He can race off a 4 lb lower mark here, and has an obvious chance of following up.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Tyup Pompey
2. Sunday City
3. Moulin de La Croix
Timeform View: Tyup Pompey is potentially thrown in having won from out of the handicap here last time, and he must be the choice despite an inconsistent profile. Sunday City and Moulin de La Croix look best of the remainder.
The likely favourite Taqleed is now a non-runner, but this still looks a competitive renewal of this historic handicap......
Timeform run the rule over this useful six-furlong handicap......
Timeform go through the runners for this sprint handicap......
/ Editor / 21 April 2011 / Leave a Comment Racecourse: Ludlow
First Race Time: 14:20
Going: Good
Other Information: Dry overnight, 2 inches of water applied to the course since last Wednesday. Warm and sunny today.
Racecourse: Folkestone First Race Time: 14:00 Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places (watered) Other Information: Dry overnight, warm and sunny today...
Racecourse: Wincanton First Race Time: 14:10 Going: Good to Firm (watered) Other Information: Dry overnight, sunny and warm today....
Racecourse Kempton First Race Time 18:20 Going Standard...
