CUP TO KONG

The globe's richest horse race takes place today as the Dubai World Cup takes place in Meydan. This is just one of many high class races, some of which I will look at now.


The Dubai World Cup itself, in my opinion, is not a true international Group 1. If it was ran in Britain, it would be a Group 2, given the quality of the runners. Epsom Derby winnerRuler Of The World, who recently had a share in him purchased by Al Shaqab Racing, was the long time favourite, but I'm not sure if he's good enough to win given its his first time on a synthetic surface and he has an absence to overcome. He won an average Derby under a brilliant ride by Ryan Moore; this makes me think he is not up to winning today. First time on a surface of this sort for Mukhadram and Hillstar is a negative, Ron The Greek's draw isn't ideal and Prince Bishop may be a little too old for this. All of these factors mean that I think the cup will be going to Hong Kong, courtesy of either MILITARY ATTACK or AKEED MOFEED. Both have okay draws and both have had recent runs. They've both won some decent races back in their homeland and both should go close.

Military Attack

Akeed Mofeed

Other Dubai Races

Golden Shaheen- Quite simply, REYNALDOTHEWIZARD won for me last year, the field today look no better than what he beat 12 months ago. Only worry was that he was in better form last year, hopefully he is peaking at the right time.

Duty Free- the best race of the night for me, many have a chance. The Fugue is a high class mare but has never won outside of Great Britain and Ireland, which makes me think that she may find one too once again. The Japanese runner Just A Way beat his own sort very easily last time out although this is very different. Dank has only really faced her own sex and has never faced any horse as good as she does today. Mshawish is a nice sort but may not be quite good enough. I am a stickler for an unbeaten record so VERCINGETORIX is the one for me. By far his toughest race, but he is rather unexposed and could have plenty more to offer. Could be anything.

Sheema Classic- I'm astounded that CIRRUS DES AIGLES is the price he is. There is no denying that he is getting older and his draw is rather poor but he has had an amazing career and won the race two years ago when beating the late St Nicholas Abbey. The unusual Arabic rain they had in the week will favour him too and should definitely outrun his odds. Magician was brillaint at the Breeders Cup last year although this will all be new to him and it will be tough. The two Japanese females have a chance, although on collateral form, Gentildonna has a little to find with St Nicholas Abbey considering Cirrus Des Aigles beat St Nicholas Abbey in this race in 2012 with the Ballydoyle legend beating Gentildonna twelve months ago. Denim and Ruby is not a horse I know a lot about, might not be good enough.

Happy Dubai Punting!

TULLI-US ABOUT IT

So the flat is back and we start with the annual curtain raiser with Lincoln Day at Doncaster. Lots to go through so here we go...

The main race, as I've already alluded to, is the William Hill Lincoln. The last four winners have all placed or won at Doncaster, so that is something to bear in mind. Horses will also have to act on the ground as well. A horse who comes under both of those categories is TULLIUS. He has some very decent form behind him and three pound claimer on board Oisin Murphy can only enhance his chances, given his 50% strike rate at the course.

Tullius in action.

Other horses who should go well considering their course form are ONE WORD MORE and runaway Lady Wulfruna winner CHOOKIE ROYALE, who has won 2 from 2 at the course.

In the Spring Mile, GWORN looks to have a great chance. He has the form on the ground and 4 year olds have won 4 of the last 5 runnings of the race. Could be a class above these.

Kempton's Magnolia Stakes is a fairly wide open affair. If retaining his ability, Trumpet Major should go close. Modernstone has been running very solidly on the all-weather this Winter but may want two furlongs more. Contributer has a chance on his 4 length second behind future Breeders Cup Turf winner Magician but one at a price who I think might go well is SQUIRE OSBALDESTON. He won nicely last time out after changing stable and although he is behind on ratings, he could improve on that.

In the Roseberry Handicap at Kempton, BISHOP'S CASTLE could run well off of a low weight. He has form on the all-weather and if he gets over his absence, he could make a mockery of his mark.

Dubai Blog to come soon

Enjoy your weekend and the sun if you have it

Happy Punting!

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

Its the first day of flat turf racing of the season at the Curragh and it is a decent card to kickstart proceedings. Hopefully some good horses can be uncovered that will make an impact deeper on into the season.

The 3:40 is a fillies' Group 3 and VOTE OFTEN seems to have a lot going for her. She is bred to love the ground and won on a soft surface when breaking her maiden tag at the second time of asking. The step up to a mile looks sure to suit; she will probably improve over further. She gets weight allowances being a 3 year old, I cannot believe she was the price she was. Big chance.

The Irish Lincolnshire is a fairly wide open affair. Many have lost their form in their last runs and have had quite lengthy breaks. It may be important to side with a horse who has had a race recently and STUCCODOR may be the one. He has been running over hurdles against decent types like Western Boy and Quickpick Vic, not being disgraced in the process. Form on the ground also enhances his chances. Afonso De Sousa would be a danger although the ground seems to have gone against him.

Jockey Pat Smullen and trainer Dermot Weld have good chances together.

Final selection is in the last and ANSWERED could be the one to side with. Bred to stay further, hopefully being by Authorized means he will go on the softer ground. Runs for powerful connections, big chance. The O'Brien pair seems a little vulnerable in my opinion.

Enjoy your Sunday

Happy Punting!

GO FAR-GES WITH ROALCO

Plenty of horses today, little shorter than usual though because I've been pretty busy this morning. So without further ado...

Newbury 3:30- ROALCO DE FARGES. Quality horse in his pomp, second to Tidal Bay in 2012's Bet365 Chase, he was pulled up on his first run after a long break but ran better at Ludlow last time out. Seems to have things in his favour this afternoon and should go close.

Roalco De Farges (red) competing with the top quality Tidal Bay.

Newbury 2:20- GRANDADS HORSE has decent form this season, ran at Cheltenham last time out (can be forgiven as trainer doesn't have great record at track) and 8/1 could be nice price.

Newbury 2:55- LILY WAUGH is nicely weighted and hopefully improving whilst THE PIRATE'S QUEEN will appreciate the better ground.

Newbury 4:05- Always respect Henderson horses in bumper's so GAITWAY should run well. Don't ignore SPRINGBOKS, who runs for the in form Alan King.

Lingfield's Winter Derby seems to be dominated by Grandeur, but course specialist and last year's winner FARRAAJ should run a good race after a break whilst WINDHOEK should also go well following his recent success in Dubai. Make note of his trainer's strike rate at Lingfield as well (33%)

Finally, the Spring Cup. Ertijaal may well be top class but is way too short for me. BRAZOS is the pick of Ryan Moore which may be significant whilst SIR ROBERT CHEVAL should run well for the top class Marco Botti.

Have a good weekend

Happy Punting!

MAKE GAINS WITH GOULANES

What a few days it has been. Chookie Royale's runaway victory in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton and Baltimore Rock's victory in the Imperial Cup at Sandown led us nicely into the cauldron that is the Cheltenham Festival. I couldn't do the sensational 4 days of actions justice in a brief paragraph, so I'm going to do that at a later date. Now, I'm going to focus on today's racing at Uttoxeter and Kempton or as I like to call it, the "Calm After The Storm Raceday".

The main race today is the Midlands Grand National, where GOULANES must go close. Racing off a nice weight, due to Harry Topper having to live with the burden of carrying a monster weight of 11-12, he would have a great chance if re-capturing the form he showed on his first few runs in Britain last year. His trainer has won the last three renewals of the race so that bodes well for him, he surely has a big chance if he stays.

Goulanes- Richard Johnson has hopefully picked up a nice spare today.

Another who I think should go well today is the currently jockey-less ARE YA RIGHT CHIEF. It seems interesting that Willie Mullins is running him in a race such as this and is another who benefits from Harry Topper running in that he carries a very low weight. Has been running fairly well of late, another solid run is expected.

Single figure aged horses have won lots of renewals of this and lightly raced horses also do well (the last four winners of the race have all had less than 16 runs, which is not many in the grand scheme of things.) Both my selections fit that bill.

Other Uttoxeter Races-

2:40- Quite a tricky race this, lots of horses with good chances. I've opted for the very consistent KRIS CROSS, who has been recording plenty of decent placed efforts recently. 7 year-olds have won the last 3 running's of this race which is also in his favour. Main dangers are Dare To Endeavour and Lamb or Cod.

3:15- If IRISH BUCCANEER can overcome his lengthy absence, he should be too good for these. He has form on the ground plus his head second to Ascot Listed Handicap Hurdle winner Pine Creek in a Leicester novices' hurdle suggest he is very well handicapped off a mark of 122. The only worry is the absence.

5:35- Rebecca Curtis's strike rate at Uttoxeter is something to be admired (9-29, 31%) and she runs RELENTLESS DREAMER in the concluding race, the bumper. 5 year old Irish bred's have won the last 4 renewals of the race and useful claimer Paul O'Brien takes a valuable 7 pounds off. Could run well at a price, Fletchers Flyer, Relic Rock and Some Plan all need to be respected as well.

Kempton hold a clever race meeting today as it gives horses who didn't quite make Cheltenham for whatever reason a chance to shine. Plenty of entries at the 5-day stage in the main two races have been whittled down to today's fields and its the two main races which will be previewed.

2:55- A horse who I've always liked after I backed her when she won the Mares' Bumper at the Grand National meeting at Aintree, LEGACY GOLD has done very well since transferring to David Pipe's yard, unbeaten in 3 starts over hurdles, Tom Scudamore has opted to ride her over stablemate Prideofthecastle. Portway Flyer rates the main danger in my opinion, but my selection has a big chance.

Legacy Gold (dark blue) in her Stuart Crawford days winning at Aintree.

3:30- THE ROMFORD PELE is a horse who has run in some very decent Novice Chase's this season, being far from disgraced behind the likes of Taquin de Seuil, Oscar Whisky, Wonderful Charm and Balder Succes. He could have had more of a challenger by running in a race at Cheltenham, but instead goes for this far easier affair. Another big chance.

The Six Nations concludes today and its seems as though the trophy is destined for Dublin or Paris, unless England completely destroy Italy.

Six Nations Selections- England, Wales, Ireland.

Cheltenham review to come soon.

Have a good weekend.

Happy Punting!

FEVER TO FIZZ UP FESTIVAL

Second part of my blog for Tuesday's racing. Lots of selections, so going to do them as succinctly as possibly. Here goes...

1:30 Supreme Novices' Hurdle- Some interesting (yet probably pointless stats)
                                   
LAST THREE WINNERS ALL RAN IN CHAMPION BUMPER AT FESTIVAL PREVIOUS.
LAST FOUR WINNERS ALL HAD EXACTLY 4 STARTS OVER HURDLES IN UK.
LAST FIVE ALL HAVE HAD 5 OR MORE STARTS OVER RULES IN UK.

Therefore, my selections are- THE LIQUIDATOR (Champion Bumper 4th last year)
                                             GARDE LA VICTOIRE ( 4 runs over hurdles)

2:05- Arkle Novices' Chase

CHAMPAGNE FEVER- Twice festival winner so loves Cheltenham, hoping for another Ruby masterclass.

This is one of my favourite horse racing photo's, can Champagne Fever record a third Festival triumph in a row.

2:40- Baylis & Harding Affordable Luxury Handicap Chase

VINTAGE STAR- solid efforts this season, Davy Russell interesting jockey booking.

KING MASSINI- course form, nicely weighted.

4:00- OLBG Mares' Hurdle- QUEVEGA (no bet)  Please make it 6, please.

4:40- Terry Biddlecombe National Hunt Chase

SHOTGUN PADDY- highest rated in this race has won it past three renewals, Shotgun Paddy is highest rated (OR-151). Good amateur jockey booked too in Derek O'Connor.

5:15- Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase

ART OF LOGISTICS- not disgraced in better races than this this season, first time visor worthy of note.

BABY MIX- Davy Russell rides, Cheltenham form, will love drier ground.

KING VUVUZELA- Running off very low weight, another who will appreciate better going, hold up master Paul Carberry rides.

Hope everybody has a prosperous and enjoyable Cheltenham.

Happy Cheltenham Festival Punting!

FLY'S THIRD OR KING CONOR

It hardly feels like 12 months since Alderwood stormed up the hill at the end of last years Festival, but here we find ourselves, after counting the months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds waiting for it to come around again with another mouth-watering four days racing in prospect. This post will focus upon the feature race of Day 1, the Champion Hurdle, whilst the other will focus upon the other races of the first day.

It's been billed as the race of the meeting, the best running of the race in many years. It is the Champion Hurdle. I am going to write about my two selections first, then the rest afterwards. Firstly, it's HURRICANE FLY. One of the best hurdlers to have graced the turf, the very fact that he is chasing his TWENTIETH Group One success is a clear testament to his class. He is chasing his third win in the race and with his jockey, Ruby Walsh, being quoted as saying that he's never ridden him the right way at Cheltenham, this must strike fear into the opposition. Who knows what he could do in that case? Tuesday will be his chance to secure his name in racing folklore forever.

The potential fly in Hurricane's ointment (I'm here all week) could prove to be OUR CONOR. Although he has been beaten by Hurricane Fly twice this season, he has improved with every run and his trainer, Dessie Hughes, will have him primed and ready for the occasion. We know he acts up the hill after his demolition job in last year's Triumph Hurdle. If he wins this, he will surely be National Hunt's newest hero, especially given his tender age of 5.



Hurricane Fly (blue) and Our Conor (yellow). Its between those two in my opinion.



THE NEW ONE-Not sure a horse beaten by At Fishers Cross and Zarkandar as a novice 

                             is quite up to winning a race of this standard. Albeit under different

                             circumstances, Annie Power gave Zarkandar a more impressive beating 

                             than The New One. Although Annie Power does not run in this race, it

                             suggests at least one may be too good.

MY TENT OR YOURS- very classy horse, but the fact he couldn't beat this year's Arkle

                               hopeful Champagne Fever up the hill at the Festival last year

                               implies, to me, that he may fall short of what is needed to win this.

                               Would Champagne Fever win a Champion Hurdle?...

JEZKI- to put it simply, good horse, but looks as though a place is all he can hope for.

MELODIC RENDEZVOUS- wonderfully reliable horse, place claims if ground was softer,

                                   good ground seems to have ruined his chances.

             My Top 3- 1) HURRICANE FLY 2) OUR CONOR 3) THE NEW ONE

             Lets hope for a brilliant race.

VIBRATO VALT IS WHERE IT'S AT

With it being the last weekend before the big one, it may be easy to push today's racing to one side. However, this should definitely not be the case, with decent cards from Sandown Park, where the Imperial Cup takes place, and Wolverhampton, who hold their Lincoln Trial raceday.

In Sandown's feature race, the Imperial Cup, there are a handful of horses who look as though they may be one step ahead of the handicapper. These include Regal Encore, New Year's Eve and VIBRATO VALTAT. The latter of the three I've listed is my main selection for this race. Vibrato Valtat was a horse who looked like the proverbial "crossbar" horse, always getting close but never winning. Respectable 2nds against the likes of L'Unique, Three Kingdoms and Supreme Novice's hopeful Vaniteux were finally joined by a success, when he won a Listed hurdle at Exeter almost a month ago. I'm never usually a fan of horses who can't quite their head in front so it was good that Daryl Jacob's mount recorded his first victory, hopefully it can be backed up with a win today.

Vibrato Valtat looking for his second British victory today

 

Also think BALTIMORE ROCK may run a good race. Another who looks nicely weighted and he has form on softer ground.

 

The 2:05 at Sandown is the same enigma that it is every year, with many of the field having a good chance of winning. I've managed to get it down to 2. HORIZONTAL SPEED is the first, an ultra consistent horse, having only finished outside the top two once, (having fallen on that occasion). The second is CEASAR MILAN, a horse who seems to have come alive since fitted with a tongue tie. Although the days since his last run may be a little off putting, you'd hope it wouldn't be too much of a worry as the race he had last time out wasn't too tough.

 

 

Final Sandown selection, in the Mares' Listed NH Flat Race, it is SIDE STEP. Won at Doncaster nicely, that victory was on soft ground and her master trainer will have her ready for this. Prices around her look value.

 

 

I'm going for my pre-Cheltenham Dunstall Park pilgrimage for racing at Wolverhampton today, tips will be put on Twitter before race time.

 

 

Rugby tips- IRELAND, FRANCE, ENGLAND

 

 

Have a good weekend

 

Happy Punting!

MY FAVOURITE CHELTENHAM MEMORIES

As Cheltenham is on the horizon, I thought I'd take the opportunity to write about my 5 best Cheltenham memories. There are many great events to choose from; I've chosen the moments that are closest to me.

Some of my favourite Cheltenham memories in picture form.





5. CUE CARD- Ryanair Chase 2013

First up is Cue Card's demolition job in 2013's Ryanair Chase. In what was a decent renewal, he hardly put a foot wrong, jumping his rivals into submission. Always in the front rank, he never really looked like being headed, romping home to a 9 length victory over First Lieutenant. It is a massive shame he will be absent not only from the Festival this year but from the whole of the season.

4. FIRST LIEUTENANT- Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle 2011

In what was one of the best races I've ever seen, First Lieutenant beat future Champion Hurdle winner Rock on Ruby by the smallest of margins. Not forgetting the other competitors, which included So Young, Oscars Well and Minella Class, this race was packed full of quality. The race itself was pulsating. The amount of horses with a chance going into the straight, the final flight blunder from Oscars Well and the photo finish all made for an enthralling yet intriguing race.

3. SOLWHIT- World Hurdle 2013

Although the race had a little bit of its gloss taken off due to the absence of four time winner of the race Big Buck's, there still needed to be a winner. Solwhit was the horse to do this. Under a beautifully judged ride by Paul Carberry, Solwhit won fairly comfortably, although he was possibly aided by a final flight error from Celestial Halo. Nevertheless, Solwhit was a worthy winner and he is another horse who will be sorely missed at the Festival this year.

2. CHAMPAGNE FEVER- Supreme Novices' Hurdle 2013

It's always nice to kick start the week with a winner and Champagne Fever supplied this at last year's festival. The race synonymous with the Cheltenham roar, the winner was given a roaring ride by Ruby Walsh. He led from the front all the way and used the horse's battling qualities to beat the hotly fancied My Tent or Yours in a battle up the hill. A brilliant ride in what was a scintillating race.

1. SIZING AUSTRALIA- Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase 2011

In what may seem an odd choice, Sizing Australia's win in this race will always hold a place close to my heart. He provided me with my first ever Cheltenham Festival winner, so to those who do not deem this a proper race, I simply have to disagree with. Memories of me screaming him home over the unique fences, urging him over the leafy final flight, fending off the challenge from his competitors in the last few yards will live long in my memory. A great race, won by a horse who became one of my favourite's in training.


Hoping that 2014 supplies some more great memories to not just me but to everybody out there, maybe even if you don't usually watch horse racing; give Cheltenham a viewing and you will not regret it. You too might obtain some wonderful memories...

ULCK DU WIN-NERS FOR NICHOLLS

It seems that the weather has been very kind to us this weekend, (finally) with 2 of the 3 British courses getting the good ground they have undoubtedly been craving all winter. Unfortunately, Newbury have seemingly endured the rain again and as a result will be racing on heavier ground. But without further a do...

As the title of today's post suggests, I think Paul Nicholls has chances with many if his battalion tomorrow, who run all over the country and over both codes. Lets start with ULCK DU LIN, who runs in Newbury's Group 3 Greatwood Handicap Chase. This horse is famous for making his British debut in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival, given the regard that his trainer held him in. He was quietly fancied that day, but he didn't cut much ice, finishing a disappointing 12th. In truth, his career has been filled with similar disappointments, as he has never really reached the heights that he was possibly expected to. Today, he is supported by heavy ground, which he has form on, course experience and a considerable drop in the weights. His form has been rather poor as of late admittedly, but hopefully everything can come together today. Add into the equation that the last two renewals of the race have been won by 6 year old, Paul Nicholls trained, French breds and he would apparently have a massive chance. The Venetia Williams trained Shangani rates the main danger.

Ulck Du Lin- things in his favour.

My second Nicholls selection runs in Lingfield's 4:35. RANJAAN's performances in "jumpers bumpers" this season have shaped with plenty of promise, the best probably being his hugely creditable second to Champion Hurdle hope My Tent or Yours at Kempton. He wasn't beaten a million miles that day and a replication of that should see him go close. Another second to Sgt Reckless, a decent horse of Mick Channon's who beat long time Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite West Wizard over hurdles, on a synthetic surface shows that the surface that should pose no problems. He is another horse whose career hasn't quite panned out as Nicholls may have invisaged, this being far away from some of the decent races/entries he was involved in as a juvenile. But, hopefully, he has enough talent to be competitive with this opposition, the main dangers being Castilo Del Diablo, should he stay and Be Perfect, whose last run puts him right in there with a chance.

The final Nicholls horse I've selected is HARRY THE VIKING in Doncaster's feature, the Grimthorpe Chase. His form has been very average of late, although his last run shaped with promise. However, what he does have in his favour is previous renewals of the race. The last 4 runnings have all be won by horses that have run off a mark of 130 or less and the last three winners have all been aged 9. Harry The Viking fits this bill, hopefully he should go close.


Another horse that looks like an ideal candidate to win the race given previous renewals is REAL MILAN. He is another horse that is a nine year old he runs off 129. Also, his trainer Donald McCain is said to be hopeful of a decent running, saying that the good ground should be in his favour.

Next up, I go back to Lingfield for their 5:10, where BURNING BLAZE looks to have a decent chance, as there is a possibility that moving from Kevin Ryan's yard to Olly Stevens' yard may bring out an improved performance, as a change in surroundings often can. If Unsinkable can overcome his absence then he would rate the main danger.

My final selection is courtesy of Kelso, where they have also been graced with good ground. This should suit Stuart Crawford's representative in the 3:05, the Grade 2 Premier Kelso Novices' Hurdle. This horse is MISTER NIBBLES, a horse who has moderate hurdle's form in Ireland, the best of which probably being a second behind the useful Upazo and a victory over another decent sort in Champagne James. His form may be a long way behind the favourite's Clever Cookie, but he may cause a little shock. I've mentioned previously that I'm a big fan of the Crawford stable and they are not usually the sort to waste entries over in Britain. He really could run a better race than his price suggests.

Away from racing, I'd like to take the opportunity to praise a few of our sportsmen and women. Firstly, all of our medal winners in Sochi. I've already mentioned Jenny Jones and Lizzie Yarnold in the blog, so that just leaves both our men's and women's curling teams, who won sliver and bronze respectively. In some of the last ends of curling match, the tension can seriously ramp up, with Dave Murdoch often delivering the goods for the men. Unfortunately, the final didn't quite go to plan, with most of GB's team not playing their best game against the might of Canada, but the silver was an incredible achievement. Also the women, under skip Eve Muirhead, kept their cool on the ice to capture bronze against the Swiss.

Congratulations to all those involved.

I'd also like to mention a few other competitors. The GB four men bobsleigh team performing amazingly to finish a hugely respectable fifth, beating the mighty bobsledding nation in Germany in the process. And finally, a quick comment on the dreadful luck of short track speed skater Elise Christie. It just wasn't to be her fortnight, being disqualified or penalised in all three races she entered, and was often undeserving of it. What made it worse was that she was surely denied at least one medal, probably more. But I'm sure that Elise will bounce back. Granted I'm not a speed skating expert but somebody of her clear talent will undoubtedly have a brilliant future ahead of her. Just shows that sometimes all you need is a touch of luck, whatever you do.

As the Winter Olympics left us, we look towards the Winter Paralympics. I'm sure that they will astound the people they entertain and no doubt push the boundaries of human capability. I've no doubt we should prepare to be amazed and awestruck.

And finally, well done to England's rugby team for the 13-10 success in a titanic battle versus Ireland. It sure makes for an interesting few weeks of fixtures coming up, it really is wide open.

Have a good weekend everybody...

Happy Punting!