Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Racing News: Burke ends Hunt Ball association
Colourful owner Anthony Knott is seeking a new trainer for Hunt Ball after Keiran Burke asked him to remove the horse from his yard...
Burke guided Hunt Ball as he completed a meteoric rise through the ranks, starting life BHA rated 69 back in November 2011 before embarking on a eight-race winning spree that saw him rise to his current mark of 162.
However, Hunt Ball's campaign did not work out quite as planned last term, with the gelding pulled up on his return in the Paddy Power Gold Cup before trying an extended three miles and a furlong in the Argento Chase in the hope he would be able to take up a Cheltenham Gold Cup entry.
He failed to stay on that occasion and Knott decided to run him in the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival rather than supplementing him for the Ryanair Chase.
In contravention of British Horseracing Authority rules, Hunt Ball sported an advert for bookmakers Paddy Power on his hindquarters that day, resulting in a BHA hearing for both Knott and Burke.
Burke said: "I asked Mr Knott to take Hunt Ball away and he has just gone today.
"It was a very hard decision as he's the best horse I've trained and possibly the best I will ever train, but I've got to look after myself and think of my career.
"I wish the horse all the best and I hope someone else will have a lot of fun with him because he's a good horse and he deserves to be running in the right races for him."
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Friday, April 26, 2013
Racing News: Our Conor set for summer break
Triumph Hurdle hero Our Conor will head off on his summer break after trainer Dessie Hughes opted to skip an intended run in Saturday's AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown...
Favourite with some for next season's Champion Hurdle, Our Conor would have faced very testing conditions in the Grade One heat and Hughes was not keen to give his stable star a hard race.
With his stunning Cheltenham display still fresh in the memory, Our Conor, rated 165p by Timeform, will now enjoy a well-deserved holiday.
"It was very deep there yesterday, it's rained again and it will rain some more," said Hughes.
"There's no need to run him, he doesn't need to prove anything so he'll go out to grass now.
"I've no real plan for next year, I imagine he'll have a run on the Flat first somewhere.
"It's no coincidence that his best performance came at Cheltenham, which is the best ground he's raced on. His worst performance came at Listowel when he was well beaten by Inis Mean and that was the worst ground he'd raced on."
Hughes also had a bit of a setback regarding the Bet365 Gold Cup as Deal Done missed the cut for the big race.
The trainer added: "I declared Deal Done because he loves good ground and it will be nice at Sandown. He's gone over there but he didn't get in, it's only 20 runners now and it used to be 25."
Punchestown Race Cards only £2 at timeform.com! 
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Thursday, April 25, 2013
Timeform Radio Racing Tips: 'Hanagan the man again at Beverley'
There’s not much to worry about amongst the opposition either, other than Fennell Bay, but while that one might have a few pounds in hand, High Office could have 10 lb up his sleeve...
Timeform's Chief Correspondent, Jamie Lynch, provides you with his two best bets at Beverley on Thursday...
Let's keep this simple: Fahey's got one first time out that is chucked in on its best form and has a brilliant record when fresh. In 2010, High Office won on his reappearance. In 2011, High Office won on his reappearance off 84. In 2012, High Office was second, beaten a short head, in a 15-runner field at York, off 88. Today, in the 15:35 at Beverley, High Office is reappearing off 80. As they say in America, 'You do the math'. There's not much to worry about amongst the opposition either, other than Fennell Bay, but while that one might have a few pounds in hand, High Office could have 10 lb up his sleeve.
Richard Fahey usually starts the season with a bang but this year it's been a full fireworks display, with 47 winners from 41 runners so far (I did the math), and High Office, back under Hanagan for the first time in ages, could easily go off at 2.89/5 rather than the 3.814/5 he's currently trading at.
Jeez Ailsa. I can't help but think of Home & Away whenever hearing the name Ailsa. Alf and Ailsa. While I believe Alf is still going strong, Ailsa was killed off, though there was an episode where she sprung back to life briefly to haunt poor Alf. Springing back to life is the hope and expectation of Ailsa Craig at 16:05 this afternoon, and the rationale behind having a few quid on her.
A moribund 2012 campaign has seen her mark reverse, from 75 to 57, but the big difference between now and then is the stable. The early signs are that Edwin Tuer has his horses in much better health and form this year, and if Ailsa Craig is indeed back to life, then she'll pick this lot up and carry them. There's loads of pace on here, which will suit her, and, as Derek Thompson loves to say, it's Hanagan the man again, who's 3 from 6 when teaming up with Tuer. Strewth, she's well handicapped.
Selections:
Back High Office @ 3.814/5 in the 15:35 at Beverley
Back Ailsa Craig @ 5.49/2 in 16:05 at Beverley
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Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Two bets at Fontwell
The novice hurdle at 14.10 also has quite an open look to it but, in the expectation that he makes the required improvement from his debut in a better race at Newbury, Loudmouth is selected...
David Cleary casts his eye over the action at Fontwell on Tuesday, finding two bets for you...
There's all-weather action at both Southwell and Lingfield this afternoon, but the best options from a punting point of view look to be on the jumps card at Fontwell. The ground is bound to be testing there and it will be wise to keep an eye on whether there is any advantage in racing wide on the hurdles course, but, all things being equal, the novice hurdle and bumper which top and tail the afternoon could prove profitable.
The closing bumper at 17.10 concerns mostly those with experience in similar events, the pick of those with form looking up to standard for a similar event. Morebutwhen is the morning favourite, on the strength of her second at Newbury at the start of the month but she looks far too short, having been sent off at 66/1 that day and made the running in a slowly-run affair on good ground. She's the first to run out of the race and, given additionally the change in the ground and the chance she was flattered, Morebutwhen has to be taken on.
The other mare in the field Cannon Fodder makes more appeal, having finished second under similar conditions at Plumpton on her debut, though whether she has much more to offer is open to doubt. More interesting are the pair that finished first and second over course and distance a month ago, Unowhatimeanharry and Sergeant Mattie. On terms 7 lb better, Sergeant Mattie ought to reverse placings but it isn't quite so clear cut as that, as Unowhatimeanharry travelled better for longer and might have won by further had he not shown inexperience under pressure. At the morning prices, Unowhatimeanharry makes clear appeal, particularly each way or win and place. There are others to note: Major Martin shaped with promise on his debut and will be well suited by the six-furlong step up in trip, while market support for Un Bleu A L'Aam and the winning pointer Harry's Farewell would be interesting.
The novice hurdle at 14.10 also has quite an open look to it but, in the expectation that he makes the required improvement from his debut in a better race at Newbury, Loudmouth is selected. He took a while to win a point in Ireland and didn't seem fancied first time up over hurdles but he showed clear promise that day in a race which is starting to work out and with experience, a longer trip and softer ground all likely to be in his favour, Loudmouth can come good at the second time of asking.
Recommended Bets:
Back Unowhatimeanharry @ 8.07/1 in the 17.10 at Fontwell
Back Loudmouth @ 5.24/1 in the 14.10 at Fontwell
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Monday, March 18, 2013
Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Adam to make his Mark?
Tipsy Dara and Markadam make some appeal at the morning prices...
David Cleary has found two overpriced horses in the 16:00 at Carlisle for you...
It's a quiet day on the racing front in Britain, with just a low-grade all-weather card at Lingfield and some smallish fields over jumps at Carlisle to keep us occupied (as might be anticipated, the Irish cards at Limerick and Wexford have a bit more quality to them).
The staying handicap chase at 16.00, from which topweight Prophete de Guye is a non runner, is easily the most open race at Carlisle, all seven of the remaining runners holding some sort of chance. No fewer than five of them wear cheekpieces, the exceptions being See U Bob and Tipsy Dara. See U Bob comes here in good form, having finished runner-up in weak races on his last two starts, and has conditions that will suit him down to the ground. Richie McLernon takes over in the saddle from Maurice Linehan, who has been able to claim five pounds off him of late, so See U Bob's chance isn't quite so good at the weights as it might first appear.
Tipsy Dara is another in good form this winter, at least up until her last run, when she disappointed in a small field at Newcastle. Before that she had won here and at Ayr, her defeat of the subsequent winner Billy Cuckoo for the first of those successes reading particularly well. Those wins came over two and a half miles but the step back up to three miles and beyond ought to suit her.
The other mare in the line-up Posh Bird ran a good race, retried in cheekpieces, at Catterick last time, though typically she was doing her best work at the finish, hitting full stride just too late, as so often with her. Dusky Bob travelled more sweetly than usual in cheekpieces first time when running well over hurdles at Sedgefield earlier in the month. Whether the headgear would work so well a second time remains to be seen. Mister Philson is the relatively unknown quantity in the field, being a prolific winner of points in Ireland, though he's on no more than averagely treated on his form in hunter chases, yet to get off the mark in that sphere.
The field is completed by two Carlisle regulars, Vamizi and Markadam. Vamizi won over three miles on this card a year ago and is now just 2 lb higher, the drop back in the weights the result of his indifferent form in two starts since his reappearance; Markadam ran poorly in a better race here last time, but has won twice over hurdles and once over fences from three earlier starts at the track. Tipsy Dara and Markadam make some appeal at the morning prices. As for the rest of the card, it looks ideal for backers of short-priced favourites.
Recommended Bets:
Back Tipsy Dara and Markadam @ 8.415/2 and 12.5n/a respectively in the 16.00 at Carlisle
Look out for Brand new features with Timeform Race Passes - In-Play Hints, Running Notes & Warning Horses. Find out more at timeform.com.
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Monday, February 4, 2013
Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Brick Red a solid bet
Brick Red has definitely got more to give, such was the ease of his successes, and less testing conditions this afternoon could even play further to his strengths...
David Cleary has looked through Musselburgh's card and found two bets for you...
There's a cracking afternoon in store at Musselburgh with trials for all sorts of races at the Cheltenham Festival on an eight-race card. Overturn may well be the star attraction in the opening Arkle trial at 13.00, but Tap Night could enhance his claims for the Golden Miller in the other novice chase on the card, while promising juveniles Kashmir Peak and Sametegal clash again in the Triumph trial at 14.30. Even the handicaps on the card have a Cheltenham angle, with replicas of the Grand Annual, the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe. Those races look to offer the best betting options of the afternoon.
The Scottish County Hurdle at 15.30 has attracted a useful field, including a couple of in-form Musselburgh specialists in Ingleby Spirit and Dontpaytheferryman. They were both in the frame in the race last year, the latter for the second time, and they finished second and third respectively in a similar event here last month. Both are likely to run well but they have no secrets from the handicapper, whereas he's still a bit in the dark about how good a hurdler Brick Red is, despite wins on that one's part at Ludlow and Wincanton on his last two starts. Those successes on similar sharp, right-handed tracks to Musselburgh weren't unexpected, as Brick Red had been promising a lot better to come previously, just faced with too much of a test of stamina. Although he's up plenty in the weights, Brick Red has definitely got more to give, such was the ease of his successes, and less testing conditions this afternoon could even play further to his strengths.
Topweight Salubrious brings solid form to the table in the conditional jockeys hurdle, the Pipe-lookalike handicap, which closes the card at 16.30. He's likely to run well, but he has to give a lot of weight to the fairly useful Flat performer Lexington Bay who is making his handicap debut. Lexington Bay has been learning the ropes so far over hurdles, gradually improving and better than the result at Wetherby last time, where a bad mistake three out cost him plenty. Today's longer trip shouldn't be a problem, judged on Flat form, and it's surely significant he's now fitted with cheekpieces, having worn them only once previously, when winning at York on the Flat in October.
Recommended Bets:
Back Brick Red @ 3.55/2 in the 15.30 at Musselburgh
Back Lexington Bay @ 5.04/1 in the 16.30 at Musselburgh
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Monday, January 28, 2013
Timeform Racing Radio Tips: Thank You for the Days
July Days hasn’t been seen since running poorly over C&D in September, but she put up a career-best effort to score here almost a year ago when returning from a similar lay-off, and looks set to be handed an easy lead in a race full of hold-up runners...
Rory Delargy has selected a bet from each of today's meetings at Kempton and Wolverhampton...
It was Ray Davies who wrote those lyrics, but hopefully there will be no Kinks on show when July Days jumps out of the stalls for the 15:40 at Wolverhampton this afternoon. Brian Baugh's mare hasn't been seen since running poorly over C&D in September, but she put up a career-best effort to score here almost a year ago when returning from a similar lay-off, and looks set to be handed an easy lead in a race full of hold-up runners. She took another C&D handicap on her penultimate start, and is clearly ideally suited by conditions. The Baugh yard is in fair form for a relatively small operation, with 4 of 9 runners in the last fortnight either winning or making the frame. It's hard to be adamant that she's strictly ahead of her mark, but she should be competitive, and the combination of a proven ability to run to form after a break and a race which will suit tactically makes her an appealing bet at double-figure odds.
In the final race at Kempton (16:50), it's worth sticking with recent course winner Compton Rainbow, who belied a reputation as a weak finisher when storming clear under Ryan Tate over 1m here last time. He made all there in a good time, and while the luxury of an easy lead will be denied him due to the presence of Demoiselle Bond, that mare comes here under a cloud and with stamina to prove, so Tate should be able to track the early pace before taking over in the straight. Main danger Fairyinthewind travels well held up, but has has been outbattled more than once after trading short, and Compton Rainbow can get the better of her as long as he's not forced into going too fast in the early stages.
Recommended Bets:
Back July Days in the 15:40 Wolverhampton @ 12.5n/a (NAP)
Back Compton Rainbow in the 16:50 Kempton @ 5.24/1 (NB)
Look out for Brand new features with Timeform Race Passes - In-Play Hints, Running Notes & Warning Horses. Find out more at timeform.com.
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Thursday, September 13, 2012
Racing Post Greyhound TV Tips: Bets for three top nights
At Henlow, Ballymac Jones (19:25) takes a drop in class and can be rewarded with victory, providing he copes with the track for the first time.
Eyes down for another three nights of top-class greyhound racing on RPGTV (Sky Channel 212) tonight, with Hove and Henlow kicking off proceedings with a bunch of open races - and The Lord is back with a host of good things.
Starting at Hove with the start of the Courage Olympic and six quality heats. The star turn, of course, is the superstar greyhound that is Ballymac Eske (21.06), fresh from his sensational 29.30 trial over C&D, surely the fastest ever trial run there has ever been at Hove.
Barrie Draper's dog, winner of the Puppy Classic at Nottingham, is not a betting proposition, certainly to punt. However, the layers will no doubt take him on, knowing that his one weakness if from the traps, and something like Go Go Sonic night get away. But he wins easily in a clean-run race.
The first heat at 19.46 sees Sawpit Sensation bid to follow up a weekend Irish victory and this strength can come through, while other heats can go to the speedy Bridge Honcho (20:02), Mutual Consent (20:18), unlucky Romford elimination Westmead Maldini (20.34) and well-drawn Rockburst Lenny (8:50).
However, one of the best bets on the card might prove to be Big Local (21:40) who showed great pace when crowded at Doncaster last time and might take advantage of the draw, with Mullingar Mer set to make the market here after last week's victory.
At Henlow, Ballymac Jones (19:25) takes a drop in class and can be rewarded with victory, providing he copes with Henlow first time. He can quickly grab the rails where he's most comfortable, and deny impressive last week scorer Tolerton Dasher.
Flaming Honey (19:39) is another likely short-shot to oblige. Stephen Fletcher's popular bitch produced the goods when we least expected her to last week, especially after failing to lead. But she was game off the back, but can dictate terms tonight for the spoils.
Henlow, who only returned to the screens last week after a summer break, is counting down to the Primus Telecom Derby and another clutch of trial stakes take place tonight, with Any Dak (20:58) taken to bounce back after defeat at Yarmouth.
Hazel Kemp's dog has previously shone over this C&D and has the draw to lead out wide, while another dog to blaze a trail looks set to be the classy Freedom Chief when he goes at 21:15.
Katie O'Flaherty's dog has searing early pace, runs Henlow well and would be an early contender for the event proper when it starts. Making the market tonight will be Bush Bandit, who impressed on debut and will be fancied by many to follow up. But two can get first run.
Westmead Melanie (22:03) doesn't win many these days but it was a better effort last time when just denied by Brave The Times, and she can continue the better run but outgunning her rivals over 550m.
On to tomorrow and Romford, continues its open-race frenzy with another 13-race bonanza just two days after a Sky Sports spectacular for the Champion Stakes final and two days before the start of the prestigious Puppy Cup.
The best bet might prove to be Uh Oh Chongo (22:26) who is fancied to make the most of his red-box berth to get first run on his rivals over 400m.
The final on the card is a maiden over 400m in which Alis Avenger (21:24) looks the dog with the most scope on his heat performance, with Dave Mullins's greyhound also coming up trumps with the inside draw.
Other bets which catch the eye are Knights Pride (19.30pm) in the opening two-bend dash after some solid runs in better class, while strong-running Mays Millhouse (22.40pm) can also take advantage of a slight drop in class and a plum draw in the closer.
Thursday
Sawpit Sensation (Hove 19.46)
Bridge Honcho (Hove 20.02)
Mutual Consent (Hove 20.18)
Westmead Maldini (Hove 20.34)
Rockburst Lenny (Hove 20.50)
Big Local (Hove 21.40)
Ballymac Jones (Henlow 19.25)
Flaming Honey (Henlow 19.39)
Any Dak (Henlow 20.58)
Freedom Chief (Henlow 21.15)
Westmead Melanie (Henlow 22.03)
Friday
Uh Oh Chongo (Romford 22.26pm)
Alis Avenger (Romford 21.24pm)
Mays Millhouse (Romford 22.40pm)
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Two to follow at Wolverhampton
"Jawaab stayed on well over 1m6f last time, and looks worth a try at this trip now."
Back Jawaab in the 17:00 Wolverhampton @ 9.617/2 (NB)
Rory Delargy assesses the best bets at Wolverhampton ahead of his stint in the Timeform Radio pundit's chair
With Hamilton off and Ffos Las still something of a mystery, the key meeting today takes place on the polytrack at Wolverhampton, and the best bet comes in what looks an excellent maiden at 15:00.
Top on Timeform ratings is the Richard Hannon-trained Woodlandsway, and the Oasis Dream filly has improved with each start, showing bright speed over 6f at Goodwood last time. If anything, she gives the impression that she will do better at the minimum trip, and I prefer the claims of Royal Steps in this contest.
James Tate's filly was runner-up in a nursery over 7f here last time, and while that four-runner affair may appear uncompetitive in terms of numbers, it's worth noting that the third, Wellingrove, went very close in a similar event at Epsom a week ago, and that Effie B, who was last of four has gone on to win a nursery at Sandown on Friday. Royal Steps shaped like the best horse in the race there, not really settling in the small field, but getting the better of a protracted battle with the third before being mugged on the line by Pippy. The drop back to 6f in what is likely to be a strongly-run affair will suit, and she should get a lead from her main market rival before swooping late to conquer.
Jawaab lines up for the 18:00 contest off a mark of 60, some 20lbs lower than when he landed a 1m4f handicap at the course last spring. He's been below form for the most part since, but did win a charity race at York in June which doesn't appear in the formbook, and he shaped as if returning to form when a creditable third at Newcastle last time.
In both those races he went without his customary eye-shields, and the removal of the headgear seems to have coincided with an upturn in his fortunes. He stayed on well over 1m6f last time, and looks worth a try at this trip now.
Top weight Green To Gold will be popular, but has taken a hike in the weights since landing a gamble on turf at Folkestone in July (also won over fences last time), and while many will view the booking of Jamie Spencer as a big positive, the pair have actually finished last on both previous occasions when they've teamed up. Looks Like Rain was given a poor ride by Richard Hughes last time at Goodwood, but that was noted by many, and he's also likely to be overbet, as everyone loves an unlucky loser.
A bigger threat may come from the bottom horse Scripturist, who showed his first form to win easily at Yarmouth under the much-improved Noel Garbutt, and may not be stopped by a penalty if he can show that effort wasn't a flash in the pan.
Recommended Bets
Back Royal Steps in the 15:00 Wolverhampton @ 3.55n/a (NAP)
Back Jawaab in the 17:00 Wolverhampton @ 9.617/2 (NB)
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Monday, September 3, 2012
International Racing Festival: Haggas strikes in Turkey
British raiders celebrated further success in Turkey as Master Of Hounds lifted the valuable International Topkapi Trophy at Veliefendi...
Settled in second behind Fast Stars Line, the William Haggas-trained four-year-old stayed-on strongly from the quarter-mile pole in the hands of Christophe Soumillon, with the post coming in time to hold Frankie Dettori on Brian Meehan's Archbishop.
The eyecatcher on his first run for David Simcock was Red Duke, who flew home once switched wide having been dropped in towards the rear early from his wide draw.
On Saturday there were victories at the track for Tom Dascombe with Rhythm Of Light and for Saeed bin Suroor and Dettori through Hunter's Light.
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US Racing Preview: Shanghai Hopeful of success at Saratoga
Shanghai Bobby could show quite a bit of improvement on his 112p rating now that he steps up from a pair of good wins at around five furlongs...
Simon Rowlands looks ahead to Monday's racing in the US...
In much the same way that there is no "I" in "team", but both "I" and "me" in Timeform, there is no "u" (pronounced "you") in Labor Day in the US but there is in Labour Day in Canada. Make of that what you will.
Labor Day, or Labour Day, falls on the first Monday in September and means that punters and punsters alike have plenty of good racing to go at in North America on the first day of the week for a change.
Just about the most prestigious race of all is the G2 Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga (due off at 16:52 local time, 21:52 BST). With $300k in purse money, this seven-furlong race should go some way to clarifying the pecking order among the top juvenile males. The race was won by Currency Swap in 2011, a colt who is not far off the best sprinters/milers 12 months on.
Bern Identity was top Timeform juvenile in North America for a while, but his win in the Sanford Stakes here in July was workmanlike rather than better, and the runner-up that day, Handsome Jack, had been given a slightly bigger beating by Shanghai Bobby previously.
Shanghai Bobby is a son of Harlan's Holiday, who was high-class at nine and ten furlongs, and he could show quite a bit of improvement on his 112p rating now that he steps up from a pair of good wins at around five furlongs.
With a number of unknowns in opposition, not least his stable-companions Lawn Man and Overanalyze, support for Shanghai Bobby cannot be with maximum confidence. But he sets a good standard, with the likelihood of more to come, and looks the one to beat.
Del Mar stages the other G2 on Labor Day, the Yellow Ribbon Handicap for fillies and mares over eight and a half furlongs on turf (post time 18:00 locally, 02:00 on Tuesday BST).
The race is something of a rerun of the G2 John C Mabee Stakes at course and distance in August. City To City got up on the line that day to deny All Star Heart, and the pair oppose on the same terms while dominating the Morning Line along with the lightly-raced Byrony.
However, it would be folly to overlook the Mabee third, Go Forth North, who lines up 3 lb better off for one and a half lengths and has plenty of form in the book which suggests she can go close at a bigger price. She made the running that day but has performed well from off the pace, too.
Go Forth North does not win often, it has to be said, but her consistency could well see her hit the board again and a "show" bet (to finish in first three) on the Tote is recommended.
Parx racetrack near Philadelphia stages some fine racing, not least the $350k G3 Smarty Jones (16:40 local time, 21:40 BST) over an extended mile on dirt. Dwyer Stakes winner Teeth of The Dog deserves to be popular under ideal conditions, despite conceding weight to the majority of his rivals, and the main question is whether he will be a value price. Anything over 3.0 would make appeal.
The Labour Day meet at Woodbine in Canada features a couple of $200k races for two-year-olds, but a better proposition for punters may be the $125k Algoma Stakes (due off at 13:57 locally, 18:57 BST). Awesome Fire is the Morning Line favo(u)rite but drops in distance back on a synthetic surface and looks to have plenty on her hands with Tee Game, Casa Loma and possibly It's Gail.
Additionally, Awesome Fire's come-from-behind style is helped by a strong pace up front, which is by no means certain to unfold here. She is worth laying if at 4.0 or shorter on Betfair.
Recommendations
1 pt win Shanghai Bobby
1 pt show (Tote) Go Forth North
1 pt win Teeth of The Dog
lay to lose 2 pts Awesome Fire
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Three for the mud at Catterick and Carlisle
"Bryan Smart’s Commanche has form on testing ground and boasts 2-y-o form that makes him look well treated off 66."
Back Commanche @ 6.25/1 in the 15:00 at Carlisle
Timeform's Martin Dixon has waded through the form at these two rain-soaked northern tracks to pick out three recommended bets...
Just as the weather looked to have turned the corner, the rain has come again in bucket loads, in the North at least, and that means we're racing in the mud at Carlisle and Catterick this afternoon.
This could be crucial in the sprints in particular, as at both these tracks the fields tend to come stand-side in the straight on soft/heavy ground, changing the effect of the draw. My advice: opt for higher drawn horses in 5f/6f races, leading us nicely on to a couple of today's bets.
I'm taking a bit of a risk backing Commanche in Carlisle's 15:00, as in three starts so far this year he hasn't fully fired, but I'm hoping that a 51-day break will have had a positive effect, and stall 11 (of 11) could well ensure he gets an optimum position. Bryan Smart's inmate has form on testing ground and boasts 2-y-o form that makes him look well treated off 66.
Ingenti is a filly that's caught my eye recently, looking as if she's working her way back to peak form with placed efforts the last twice, and in Catterick's 17:45 she looks to have been found a weak race to gain a second career win. Most of her form is on quicker ground, but she's shaped with sufficient promise a couple of times on soft to suggest she handles the mud, and it's a plus that her small yard have had a recent winner.
Red Orator is another that I'm backing this afternoon in the 3:30 at Carlisle. Mark Johnston's 3-y-o is hard to assess after just two runs but his pedigree suggests that he should appreciate a thorough test of stamina and be better than a mark in the low 70s (his dam won the Group 1 Prix Royal Oak over 15.5f).
Recommended Bets
Back Commanche @ 6.25/1 in the 15:00 at Carlisle
Back Ingenti @ 9.08/1 in the 17:45 at Catterick
Back Red Orator @ 6.05/1 in the 15:30 at Carlisle
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Turkish Racing Festival: British raiders look to land the spoils
Master of Hounds has joined William Haggas after a fruitful campaign in Dubai over the winter, a win in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta being the highlight...
Entries for the International Racing Festival, taking place at Veliefendi on September 1 and 2, have been made, featuring a number of British raiders...
Six races during the Turkish Racing Festival, a quintet of Group 2 events and one Group 1, look to be of most interest at this stage, with British runners entered in all but two of them.
The Group 2 Anatolia Trophy, staged over ten furlongs and won last year by the Mark Johnston-trained Dordogne, has attracted the attention of a pair of smart performers this year in Master of Hounds and Zazou. The former has joined William Haggas after a fruitful campaign in Dubai over the winter, a win in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta being the highlight, and he looks set to continue his globetrotting career by participating here.
Zazou finished fifth in the Dubai World Cup, three places ahead of Master of Hounds, and last month achieved third place at Munich behind Pastorius, the winner producing the second best performance by a three-year-old seen this year.
Other entries to catch the eye in this contest are the Marco Botti-trained pair, Kingsdesire and Marcret, and the Godolphin trio Hunter's Light, Retrieve and Sandagiyr.
Sandagiyr also holds an entry in the Group 2 Topkapi Trophy, where he could be joined by Godolphin teammates Dysphonia and French Navy. Mark Johnston could well hold a strong hand in this event, potentially being represented by Bannock, Fulbright and Van Ellis, whilst the entry of Archbishop, who dead-heated with Trumpet Major in a Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood, is also of note.
The aforementioned Dysphonia, a listed winner in Australia who hasn't brought her "A-Game" on her two most recent starts, could alternatively compete in the Group 2 Istanbul Trophy. She may face the likes of Laugh Out Loud, who is best judged on her win in the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham on her penultimate start, and Beatrice Aurore, who had been holding her form well this year prior to getting loose before that start at Ascot last time. Survey, a Group winner in her native Germany, is also worth a second look despite being well below form in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood last time, as she probably did too much too soon there.
The Group 2 Bosphorus Cup, a race dominated by the British last year with Indian Days winning, Campanologist second, Afsare fourth and Halicarnassus fifth, could well play out in similar fashion this time around, with the Brits responsible for seven of the 12 entries. Headlining the act is Dubai Prince, who recently put up a career-best when winning the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York, finally living up to the promise that he had shown earlier in his career in the process.
Retrieve also holds an entry in this event, as do Calvado Blues and Lost In The Moment. Looking to gatecrash the Godolphin party is Sense of Purpose, from the Dermot Weld yard, and Inspector, who is trained in Turkey and has run in this race for the last four years, winning in 2008 before finishing sixth, eighth and eighth.
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Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Little a decent Pick at Epsom
Pick A Little showed a good attitude when getting the better of Opus Dei at Southwell last time (pair clear) and although this will demand more, he is still on a winning mark.
Timeform Radio's Paul Smith has concentrated on the Epsom card for today's selections. Can he pick us a little winner?
The most interesting race of the afternoon looks to be the 6f handicap at Epsom at 14:50 and I think a two-pronged attack could be the way to go.
Pick A Little has won two of his three starts since joining the excellent Brian Ellison and his only disappointing run came when he was held up in a Wolverhampton handicap in which nothing got into the race from behind.
He showed a good attitude when getting the better of Opus Dei at Southwell last time (pair clear) and although this will demand more, he is still on a winning mark.
His new trainer may be able to eke some further improvement out of him and it's hard to fathom why he is trading at 20+ given his profile.
Another at a decent price in the race with a sound chance is Aldermoor. He is on a handy mark at present and he looked as though the return to 6f would suit him at Yarmouth last week. William Carson replaces an apprentice and he looks worth a saver at the current prices.
Novirak (16:30 Epsom) is the other recommendation on a trappy afternoon, with James Fanshawe's lightly raced four-year-old looking ready for this step up in trip.
His latest Doncaster fourth has been advertised since and the way he was seeing out his race there strongly points to middle distances being his forte.
Recommended Bets
Back Pick A Little @ 21.020/1 Epsom 14:50
Back Aldermoor @ 8.415/2 Epsom 14:50
Back Novirak @ 5.49/2 16:30 Epsom
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Thursday, August 23, 2012
Racing Post Greyhound TV Tips: Hometown a sweet bet at Hove
"In the supporting 695m competition Hometown Honey, or Swift Tigress as was, rates the night’s best bet (20:50) with Mark Wallis’ runner having taken well to the step up in trip."
Racing Post Greyhound TV returns with the Brighton Belle semi-finals from Hove live on Thursday plus the usual all Open race card at Romford on Friday. Darrell Williams marks your card.
Seamus Cahill's Droopys Danneel clocked the fastest time in last week's heats and is worth staying with in what appears the weaker of the three semi-finals (20:02). The well bred youngster - she doesn't turn two until October - overcame high class Scramble last week and can continue her rapid progress at the expense of strong running Ayamzabeauty, who should also qualify.
A big run from the selection would obviously pay a huge compliment to Dean Childs runner in the second semi-final (20:18) and with unexposed Ballymac Sicily drawn out in trap four, Scramble rates the call. Her early speed has proved a major asset here in the past with victories in three of her seven starts over the 515m. Seven Of Spades can follow her home.
The third semi-final is harder to call with Fortunata again likely to prove popular, but in a race jammed with early pace performers it might be worth siding with Starmount Swift, back in trap one, whose defeat of Matt Dartnall's bitch last week hardly came unexpectedly judged on her starting price.
In the supporting 695m competition Hometown Honey, or Swift Tigress as was, rates the night's best bet (20:50) with Mark Wallis' runner having taken well to the step up in trip. Her run behind high class Ballymac Pet last week makes her the one to beat. Finding the winner of the other heat (21:06) is tricky and a lay of Droopys Minnie, out of the same race, might be the logical play. She ran well last week but does struggle to get her head in front.
I'm also very keen on Forest Dot (21:24) who has become almost 'must-bet' material when drawn in trap one here over 475m and can make it four from five over the CD for Heather Dimmock.
Sorting out the opening sprint winner at Romford on a Friday night can often be fraught with danger with any number of shock results during the summer, but Diesel Sammy has been doing his bit to change that of late and can make it four on the spin over the 225m in the 19:31 opener. A draw inside five seeded rivals can only be seen as a bonus.
Oscars Goodbye has hit form with a vengeance of late and Jim Reynolds youngster is again the one to be within the Puppy race at 21:06, where infrequent winner Get On Buster can help make the market.
Mountjoy Orion has started to win races on a regular basis again and looks the one to be on in the feature Stayers final (21:24). Comfortably the fastest of Monday's heat winners, Mark Wallis' charge can make it four from his last seven over the 575m trip.
Smiler Jack is taken to get his revenge over Express Trend, who got him on the line last week in the finale at 22:40, with the middle draw taken to aid Chris Mosdall's runner in the early speed department.
Selections:
Hometown Honey 20:50 Hove (Thu)
Forest Dot 21:24 Hove (Thu)
Droopys Danneel 20:02 Hove (Thu)
Diesel Sammy 19:31 Rom (Fri)
Oscars Goodbye 21:06 Rom (Fri)
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Put your money on New Rich
Recommended Bets
Back Wild Sauce to win @ 3.814/5 in the 15:10 @ Newcastle
Back Mr Snoozy to win @ 4.3100/30 and Jawaab to win @ 11.010/1 in the 16:10 @ Newcastle
Back New Rich to win @ 25.024/1 and to place @ 4.57/2 in the 15:00 @ Pontefract
Back Sunny Side Up to win @ 3.052/1 in the 16:30 @ Pontefract
Stephen Molyneux is in a generous mood - he's selected four bets for Wednesday afternoon's racing, so make sure you take note...
Wild Sauce is building up a very consistent profile and the 15:10 at Newcastle provides her with the perfect opportunity to turn a recent spate of seconds into a first place. There is nothing wrong with her attitude despite those near misses, beaten only by progressive performers such as Lupin Pooter and Lady Gibralter on two of her last three starts, but I don't see anything of that calibre in this field and with the ground firming up at Newcastle, she should be well drawn in stall four to take advantage of any potential draw bias against the rail.
The 16:10 at the same track looks a weak contest and a couple stand out against some dubious opposition. Mr Snoozy looks a rock solid favourite, mildly progressive and promising more as his stamina is drawn out so this step up in trip and more galloping track looks ideal. He needs to be kept safe but it's also worth taking a chance on Jawaab who will be having his first official start for a small yard that are in fine form at present. I say official start because he won a charity race at York for the Kirby team last month and he has been lined up to run for some time only for softer ground to scupper all plans. He is very well handicapped on old form and I suspect plenty of that ability remains intact.
The 15:00 at Pontefract is a really interesting maiden featuring three or four horses that shaped with plenty of promise on debut. The market has ignored one of them, however, and New Rich is worth a speculative win-and-place bet at a big price. Ratings-wise, he achieved nothing on debut, but that doesn't tell the whole story having tanked through the race for 4f before getting tired on dead ground. I expect him to improve appreciably on that effort and he could have slipped under the radar.
The shopping list is complete with Sunny Side Up in the 16:30 at Pontefract. She is thriving sprinter, winning on her penultimate start before finishing an excellent second last time having shown bags of speed. She is dropping to 5f for the first time which shouldn't be an issue and she should have too much for some thoroughly exposed sprinters.
Recommended Bets
Back Wild Sauce to win @ 3.814/5 in the 15:10 @ Newcastle
Back Mr Snoozy to win @ 4.3100/30 and Jawaab to win @ 11.010/1 in the 16:10 @ Newcastle
Back New Rich to win @ 25.024/1 and to place @ 4.57/2 in the 15:00 @ Pontefract
Back Sunny Side Up to win @ 3.052/1 in the 16:30 @ Pontefract
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Monday, July 16, 2012
Nunthorpe Stakes: Starspangled returning to racing
The seven furlong event could serve as a preparation run for the former top-class performer with the Haydock Sprint and the Nunthrope Stakes potentially on the agenda...
Starspangledbanner could make his racecourse return this weekend in the Minstrel Stakes after proving infertile at stud in recent months...
The seven furlong event could serve as a preparation run for the former top-class performer with the Haydock Sprint and the Nunthrope Stakes potentially on the agenda later on in the season depending on how Saturday goes.
Starspangledbanner was a Group 1 winner for Ballydoyle in 2010, taking both the Golden Jubilee Stakes and the July Cup before finishing runner-up to surprise winner Sole Power in the Nunthorpe Stakes.
He was rated 128 at his peak by Timeform and there is a chance that he can prove competitive in the top races if he returns in the same form, with no standout performer yet to emerge in the division with the absence of Deacon Blues.
Starspangledbanner is currently 15.514/1 for the Nunthorpe Stakes, whilst Sole Power trades at 6.05/1 favourite. The former Australian trained runner is 10.09/1 for the Haydock Sprint, a race where Bated Breath currently heads the market.
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Racing News: Fahey outlines Mayson campaign
Richard Fahey's four-year-old speedster put in a career best performance when bouncing back to form after two poor efforts to take the Newmarket Group One by five lengths...
Mayson will be considered for all the top European sprints later this year following his astonishing victory in the Darley July Cup...
Richard Fahey's four-year-old speedster put in a career best performance when bouncing back to form after two poor efforts to take the Newmarket Group One by five lengths.
While Fahey named the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in October as Mayson's prime objective, the North Yorkshire trainer will also consider three other contests - the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month, the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville and the Sprint Cup at Haydock in September.
"Everything was right on the day. He travelled strongly, they left him alone and two down I thought he'd pick up and they won't catch him," Fahey told At The Races.
"It was a massive performance. All you can do is beat them and in this case he's beaten them well.
"He's in at York, he's in the Haydock race and he'll be put in the French race.
"They are targets, but we'll definitely go to Longchamp at the end of the season. That's a target we want to go to.
"We'll see how he is. They are the four races and whether he'll run in one or two, or runs in three of them, we'll sit down and speak to the owners.
"We'll see how the horse is first and take it from there."
Mayson is currently trading at 14.513/1 for the Nunthorpe Stakes, a price that could seem very attractive come the day of the race.
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Sunday, April 22, 2012
Racing News: McCoy hurt by Synch death
Jonjo O'Neill's nine-year-old was given a magnificent ride by the 16-time champion jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup...
Tony McCoy admits the death of Synchronised in last week's Grand National at Aintree has been hard to take for everyone connected with the horse...
Jonjo O'Neill's nine-year-old was given a magnificent ride by the 16-time champion jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, a race in which he recorded a Timeform rating of 167, and he was aiming to become the first winner of the blue riband to claim National glory in the same season since Golden Miller in 1934.
But after falling at Becher's Brook, the sixth fence in the world's most famous steeplechase, Synchronised proceeded to jump more obstacles riderless before suffering a broken leg.
"It is no understatement to say that he was one of our favourite horses, and that's not just because he won a Gold Cup," McCoy said in his Telegraph column.
"It has hit the whole team - from J P McManus (owner) and his family, who bred him, to Jonjo O'Neill and the team at Jackdaw's (Castle, O'Neill's yard) as well as me - very hard.
"The loss of any horse is painful, but it makes it all the more painful because he was such a great horse.
"Ironically, I had much heavier falls than he seemed to have and the last I saw of Synchronised was the horse getting up and galloping off into the distance, looking absolutely fine.
"What happened then is still unclear to all of us, but losing any horse remains the toughest, saddest part of the job of being a jockey."
The nine-year-old had been fairly prominent in the market for next year's Gold Cup, a race in which the 164p-rated Jewson Chase winner Sir Des Champs currently trades as (7.06/1) favourite.
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