Taquin Double on New Years Day

Happy New Year to you all!! I shall keep today's intro very short as I am in need of some food and then to see in 2014 in style. Good luck to you all and more importantly please stay safe whatever you are doing tonight.

Happy New Year!

1:15 Fairyhouse - Folsom Blue

Folsom Blue was one of my ante post selections for Cheltenham a few years ago over hurdles before he got injured just weeks before the race. He was rated 142 over the smaller obstacles and gets the soft ground that he relishes after a more than promising chase debut at Navan behind Sizing Gold. In the capable hands of Davy Russell he could do no better than fourth, beaten 30 and a half lengths behind the winner which usually wouldn't be much to write home about. That run was off the back of almost a year out of action and naturally he will strip much fitter today so should be able to make his presence felt in a weaker contest. (No Price Yet)

1:20 Cheltenham - Taquin Du Seuil

A poor turn out for this years Dipper with just the four turning up which is disappointing but it isn't short on class. I will say the same thing I have said all season that Oscar Whisky is not a chaser and in my eyes never will be but did beat Wonderful Charm last time in receipt of weight. The top two in the market have already clashed once over fences in which the selection came out on top, but that was over 2 miles and a farce of a race. However I do fully expect Taquin Du Seuil to confirm that form today over the longer trip of 2 miles and 5 furlongs after being outpaced at Sandown last time. To me Oscar Whisky looks a false favourite and Taquin Du Seuil is an absolute gift of a price. (6/4)

2:30 Cheltenham - Double Ross

It was a few weeks ago when Double Ross was a winning NAP on this blog but unfortunately we wont be getting anywhere near 11/1 today. To me he was very impressive last time out with a brilliant turn of foot on the home turn to take the lead two out to score by 2 lengths to Cantlow back in 2nd. To my mind he was much better value than two lengths after idling in front and it would be no surprise to see Sam Twiston-Davies be a bit more patient today. That was a very competitive and very strong Cheltenham handicap last time and this once again looks much weaker but he has a 7 pound rise to deal with. One thing I will say it that any rain that falls is in his favour after last time the ground was possibly on the fast side for him. Double Ross to land a Cheltenham Double. (2/1)

3:40 Cheltenham - Coyaba

Annacotty won on the blog for the same connections last week in the Feltham at Kempton and Coyaba can add to that today. He was mightily impressive on debut at Ffos Las in testing ground when quickening off a slow pace to score decisively by 7 lengths and easily so. Next up was Towcester when he was arguably even more impressive under a penalty in the usual testing ground, winning by 4 and a half lengths. From that run we can take that the Cheltenham hill will pose no problems and if successful today the Festival will be the next port of call. Coyaba to make it a perfect 3 from 3 and good luck to all involved with the horse (Apologies there were no jokes this week Hannah!). (7/2)

NAP - Double Ross

Nb - Taquin Du Seuil

Moore At The Double

Good Morning racing fans, I hope your waistline is at least two sizes bigger after Christmas and the New Year's resolution of 'Go to the Gym more' is being prepared. Boxing Day was a good one for us after nailing the 20/1 winner of the Feltham in Annacotty, judging by Twitter a few of you backed it which is great. Big congratulations have to go to Martin Keighley, Ian Popham and owner Liz Prowting who all saddled their first Grade One winner in the process. Also a big well done should go to the Managing Director for Mrs Prowting,  Hannah Bishop for originally buying the horse. She also read this blog last week and informed me she will definitely come back again, so 'HI HANNAH!!'. One final thing, good luck to the same connections with Faultless Feelings today at Newbury, now enough of the sucking up and onto the racing today.

They go to post this afternoon at Newbury as they hold the Challow Hurdle won last year by Taquin Du Seuil who went on to run in the Neptune. Also racing today is Chepstow as 20 horses step up to the challenge in the Welsh National which was won by the exciting Monbeg Dude last year. The only other English National Hunt meeting is at Catterick but they race on the polytrack at Lingfield as well. Perhaps the pick of all the meetings today is at Leopardstown which last season provided one of the races of the year in the Lexus. Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth takes the trip over and looks to put behind a recent flop at Haydock behind him. Limerick also hold a jumps card.

As always we have prepared a video for you previewing the Channel 4 races. Joining me this week we have Adam Webb (@Adamwebb121), Calum Madell (@Calummadell) and jockey George Gorman (@GeorgeFGorman) who rode his first winner under rules on boxing day. Watch the video by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p04mZGgIKNM

Now onto the action today!

12:45 Newbury - De Blacksmith

In our video George put this one up as his NAP of the day which I seriously considered doing, but we will let him have his moment of glory. He ended last season by hitting the deck twice over hurdles but has since got back on track this season now that he is over fences. His chasing career got off to a good start when runner up behind the exciting Uxizandre at Plumpton but has since disappointed on testing ground at Lingfield. It is best putting a line through that run as he was beaten way too far out and some problems came to light which will have been corrected. De Blacksmith to carry on the good form of Gary Moore. (9/1)

1:30 Chepstow - Lamps

I like this one for a few reasons and one of them is because I am a big Chelsea fan (here comes the hate on Twitter) but there are stronger reasons. We will start with his love of the soft ground that he will encounter today, on soft ground or worse he has won twice and placed a further 6 times so he has earned the title 'Mudlark'. The equally important factor today is that he goes well fresh winning twice first time out in his still short career but there is plenty more improvement to come this season, after all he is only a 6 year old. Any money for him will be a big positive as well, Lamps to find the back of the net... Please forgive me for that one!! (12/1)

2:00 Chepstow - Violet Dancer

This is the second selection of the day from Gary Moore's yard and also the NAP of the day for me. He left a huge impression on me at Sandown when winning last time and remaining unbeaten over hurdles. On his hurdles bow he handed out a 10 pound beating to the well regarded Aldopicgros on very soft ground before winning a very strong race at Sandown as previously mentioned. He wasn't the best over the 2nd last that time but picked himself up to jump the last really well and ended it all by going away from Sleepy Haven up the hill. He is a very strong bet and looks destined for great things down the line. (4/1)

2:20 Leopardstown - Djakadam 

This is one horse I am genuinely excited about seeing this afternoon and have been excited about all season after a few eye catching efforts last year. He gets a lot of weight from the older horses today as for the next few days he is still a four year old, 11 pounds is a lot of weight to get though. On his last run last season he was just over 11 lengths behind Diakali who has since won a big Grade One hurdle in France, but anything he did over hurdles was just a bonus. Once you see him you will realise just why I fancy him to make a top chaser and from the Willie Mullins yard he could be absolutely anything. Djakadam to land his first chase at the first time of asking. (2/1)

2:35 Chepstow - Merry King

Last weekend Houblon Des Obeaux was put up as a selection on this blog after staying on very takingly in the Hennessy late on to grab 6th. Merry King was staying on with him and finished just ahead of him in 5th and was flying late in the race which would signify the step up in trip will be no problem. He has always been a horse that needs a trip and this will be the furthest he has run over so far in his career and the ground should pose no problems at all. Thanks to Tidal Bay keeping the majority of the other horses out of the handicap, Merry King is allowed to run off a very low weight of 10-3 which is very appealing in this race for sure. Merry King to land the Welsh National of 2013. (10/1)

NAP - Violet Dancer
Nb - Djakadam

As always Happy Punting guys!

Al Ferof To Be Kempton King

Merry Christmas to you all, I hope everyone had a wonderful day yesterday and ate enough Turkey to last a lifetime, but we are back to normality today. There is a total of 11 meetings today and that is with Huntingdon and Ffos Las already abandoning their cards due to waterlogging. The main meeting of course is from Kempton as they stage two Grade One's in the King George and the Christmas Hurdle that involves My Tent Or Yours and The New One.

We shall keep the intro fairly short today as we have plenty of racing to get stuck into, but before that I have to plug our video for today. We went through the Kempton card as well as covering the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby providing analysis of the races and giving our tips, as well as having a laugh along the way of course. Joining me this week were Adam Webb (@Adamwebb121), Calum Madell (@Calummadell) and Michael Andrew (@Mytentoryours). You can also follow me on Twitter at @Lukeelder13, watch the video by clicking the link below, enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjHsPkxso-4

Now lets get down to business.

12:50 Kempton - Vaniteux

Nicky Henderson's Gelding made a lasting impression first time out in England when winning a hot Novice Hurdle at Sandown, beating Vibrato Valtat and Champagne At Tara in the process. It looked to be a tight run thing coming to the last but found an extra gear on the run in to win cosily and in very good style. There isn't much else to add on that front but one of the main dangers could be Fascino Rustico who may have needed that last run when well beat at Newbury. Vaniteux is taken to make it two from two here however. (7/2)

1:25 Kempton - Urbain De Sivola

Urbain De Sivola is making his chase debut today after running a blinder at Sandown when backed off the boards last time out. That was over 2 miles which looked a bit on the sharp side but he did look as if a switch to fences would be a benefit with the way he jumped. One of the interesting things about Urbain De Sivola is that he had a breathing operation before this season which looks to have bought around some improvement. Urbain De Sivola to make a winning chasing debut. (7/2)

2:00 Kempton - Annacotty

A few of you may scoff at this selection as he is the rank outsider of the field and his overall form so far isn't up to this standard, but he is better than that for sure. Connections try blinkers for the first time which looks an interesting move after a couple of below par efforts but he bounced right back at Chepstow last time. There is no way around it, this year's Feltham is a poor one by its usual standards and Just A Par is a worthy favourite, but I have serious doubts about him acting round Kempton. The selection is a course and distance winner however and is the only front runner in the field which is a huge positive as he is a 10 pound better horse when leading. Annacotty to run his rivals into the ground. (20/1)

3:10 Kempton - Al Ferof

In our jumps preview video I put up Al Ferof as the best bet of the season in this race so I'm happy he is here for starters. This race looks tailor made for Al Ferof and the only negative I can find is that he hasn't ran over 3 miles yet so is an unconfirmed stayer. I would have no doubts on that front and he will be racefit after an easy match at Ascot where he justified very short odds. There is no lack of pace here with horses such as Champion Court and Cue Card in the field so he will have a strong pace to aim at for sure. Al Ferof to take this race and continue is progression through the ranks and land the King George. (antepost 16/1)

NAP - Urbain De Sivola
Nb - Vaniteux

Good luck and as always, happy punting

Newland Know's the Score at Haydock

Good Morning/Evening Racing fans, I hope you are well rested for a hectic weekend of racing and of course an even more hectic Christmas period coming up. We wont worry you about that just yet however as we focus on today and hopefully try and find some winners! They go to post in the feature meeting today at Ascot as they hold the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle and the Grade Three Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle. Supporting them is Haydock and Newcastle who hold jumps cards and the only flat meeting of the day is at Lingfield as they race on the polytrack, racing in Ireland is from Navan.

Before we get into things, a quick review of last week as we had a couple of winners at nice prices as well. First up Sam Winner jumped his rivals into submission and held off Le Bec in game fashion up the Cheltenham hill, he looks an ideal type for the 4 miler at the Festival. Our NAP also went in at 11/1 through Double Ross who left a disappointing run behind him at Ascot to land the December Gold Cup. More of the same this week please!!!

As always we have prepared a video for you covering the racing today with all of our fancies. Joining me this week is Adam Webb (@Adamwebb121) and Calum Madell (@Calummadell), hopefully we can find you a few winners. Watch the video by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvTA5gXJuKc

Now let's get down to business!

12:30 Haydock - Ahyaknowyerself

Dr Richard Newland could have a useful horse on his hands here after a good performance on chasing debut at Bangor behind the capable Open Hearted. Over hurdles he was even better and managed a rating of 147 but fell in the Greatwood when still going well but admittedly at an early stage. He jumped well first time over fences and was probably given a bit too much to do as well as giving first run to the eventual winner. At the finish he was only 2 and a half lengths behind Open Hearted but had put 20 lengths between himself and Lord Of House back in third. It was a debut full of promise and if he can build on that with the weight he receives added in then he'll be the one to beat. (9/4)

12:45 Ascot - Sybarite

After a press day at Nigel Twiston-Davies' yard there was one horse everyone wanted to take out of the day, that horse was Sybarite. He had lost his was badly in early 2012 but resorted to pointing and found that much easier notching up a few wins along the way. On his return to racing under rules he gave a somewhat laboured effort and steps up in trip today which will suit him down to the ground, as will a return to handicaps. As you will remember if you read this blog last week I made the point that Double Ross ran in a dry spell for the yard, Sybarite ran on that exact same day so I have no qualms about forgetting that run. The yard are back in great form again and Sybarite can refind his old form once again. (10/1)

3:00 Ascot - Houblon Des Obeaux 

Venetia Williams drops her representative in trip today after running on in taking style for a good sixth in the Hennessy behind the reopposing Triolo D'Alene. For his efforts that day the handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds down to a workable mark of 152 in ground he will absolutely adore. It will be interesting to see how they use him today, by that I mean what style of running will they adopt for the day. A strong pace will be a huge positive and it would be no surprise to see him go on and make the running to draw out doubts in other opponents stamina. Houblon Des Obeaux to run his rivals into the ground. (7/2)

3:40 Lingfield - Modem

Our last selection today comes on the polytrack at Lingfield which will make a change from the jumping action in testing ground. He was possibly a tad unlucky last time but will have learned a lot from his first try at the trip on only his fourth career run and on top of that he wore blinkers for the first time. He is up a pound for finishing 2nd to a more experienced and older rival last time but drops into a handicap for three year olds. That is a huge positive and in the capable hands of Andrea Atzeni can take all the beating today. (5/2)

NAP - Sybarite
Nb - Ahyaknowyerself 

I hope you all have a great Christmas and thank you for reading my blog this year, I appreciate every single one of you :) We shall return on Boxing Day!

Ross To Find Cheltenham Gold

Good Morning/Evening racing fans, I trust we all had a good week and are fully rested up for a good weekend of racing. Last week didn't exactly go to plan with our selections with no winners and 3 places, but that is nothing to brag about and certainly nothing to 'Boom' about like many 'tipsters' on Twitter do. Tokyo Brown remains a frustrating one from last week and just came up short after getting second run on the winner. He will be winning next time out but I fear he wont be a huge price, but onto this week's racing.

They go to post today in the feature meeting at Cheltenham as they stage the International Hurdle which will see the exiting, The New One bid to boost his Champion Hurdle Credentials. Also staging National Hunt fixtures today are Doncaster, Lingfield and over in Ireland at Fairyhouse, they race on the Polytrack at Southwell and in the evening Wolverhampton.

As always we have prepared a video for you covering all of the Channel 4 racing tomorrow and some more. joining me this week is @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell. Go and give them a follow on twitter and you can also follow me if you don't already on @Lukeelder13, you can watch the video by clicking the link below, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W1rYWkOd7I

12:40 Cheltenham - Sam Winner

The first three in the market today re-oppose after filling the first three placings here last month when Le Bec came out victorious. Sam Winner was back in third that day and is the one to take from the race after falling in his only two other starts over fences. On paper them falls look worse than they were as on the whole he jumped well both times but made two mistakes that cost him when looking like winning both times. He is 6 years old now and finally mature enough to make a name for himself over fences this season starting here. Paul Nicholls was in rude form last Saturday when notching up a treble at Sandown and this week should be like no other for the former Champion Trainer. Sam Winner to get his career back on track today. (4/1)

1:15 Cheltenham - Parsnip Pete

Most of these look handicapped to the hilt but Parsnip Pete could still have a little bit to come after bumping into one last time out at Newbury when beating Greywell Boy. The stable had two runners yesterday and both were in the first two with one winner ridden by Paddy Brennan at Bangor. It was a competitive race at Newbury last time out and in all honesty probably a more competitive one albeit off a 5 pound higher mark. Parsnip Pete to make amends for last time out and get a win to his name. (10/1)

2:25 Cheltenham - Double Ross

The main race of the day here and an interesting runner for Nigel Twiston-Davies after taking to fences pretty well this season. He started off when winning at Perth with Attaglance behind him and went on to chase home Balder Succes and The Romford Pele at Chepstow. The run that really caught my eye was last time out at Ascot when second to Niceonefrankie when conceding 4 pounds to him. In all honesty he wouldn't have beaten him off level weights as the winner was a full 13 lengths ahead of the selection. The reason it caught my eye was down to the fact that the Twiston-Davies yard were in a slump at that point and couldn't train a winner for love nor money. Double Ross put in a fantastic performance with all things taken into account and can go one better today. All rain is a big bonus. (11/1)

2:50 Fairyhouse - Rogue Angel

Mouse Morris has a consistent horse in Rogue Angel and he has held fairly high company since going chasing this season. First time out he should have beaten Bonisland but 'fell' when in truth he was all but taken out by the wayward jumping favourite. Next up he was 3rd in a Grade 1 over two and a half miles behind the exciting Sizing Rio but proved no match for him on the day. His most promising run however came last time out which was also his worst placed finish when completing over fences. He was the only one in the field that day who attempted to go with Champagne Fever and matched him for a long way before a mistake set him back. From that point he faced an uphill task and he probably lost a bit of confidence but still managed to beat home the useful Our Vinnie. He will be very dangerous today if he gets his own way, however he will need to brush up on his jumping. Rogue Angel to lose his maiden tag over fences. (No Price Yet)

NAP - Double Ross
Nb - Rogue Angel

Good Luck today guys and as always happy punting!!

Sandown Has Soll

Good Morning and welcome to a bit of a recovery mission after last week, but we couldn't have asked for a better weekend of racing to do so. Sandown take the leading role today as they stage the 2013 renewal of the Tingle Creek won last year by Sprinter Sacre. Unfortunately he cant take his chance today but that opens up the door to a new 2 mile chaser to have his day in the sun. There is also action at Aintree over the National fences with the Becher Chase and the Grand Sefton, both of which are highly competitive. They also go to post at Chepstow and Wetherby over jumps and an evening meeting on the polytrack at Wolverhampton, the days meetings are rounded off by Navan in Ireland.

On Thursday evening we did a preview video with Calum Madell (@Calummadell) and live from Hong Kong Andrew Rideout (@ThouroughbredAR). In the video we covered all of the main races this weekend from Sha Tin including analysis of the Home and International raiders. Watch that episode through the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Palbs_EoXJA

Also we have a current video covering all of today's racing on Channel 4, joining me this week are the regulars Calum Madell (@Calummadell), Adam Webb (@Adamwebb121) and Michael Andrews (@Mytentoryours). You can watch this episode through the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxNHmGYfoCM

But now onto this week's selections!!

12:50 Sandown - Tante Sissi

Alan King's representative has been known to need her reappearances but you cant avoid the fact that she was disappointing last time when pulled up. That was over fences however and she is more well known as a hurdler which is what she returns to today after a failed chasing attempt. She will strip much fitter for the recent outing and the ground is well on her side today as she can usually be a touch keen in her races. With a few pace angles in the race and a good gallop on the menu she could return to winning ways at a nice price this afternoon. (10/1)

1:50 Sandown - Grandouet

Grandouet seems to be a talking horse for all the wrong reasons and unfairly so in my books, he has done nothing wrong and remains a promising 6 year old. He was the best of these over hurdles but unseated on chase debut at the last when under pressure from Hinterland who reopposes. On the whole he jumped well down the back straight but people seemed to forget that he always needs a run to start off his year, that was why he was touted at a Champion Hurdle horse when 2nd to Zarkandar in the International Hurdle. Today he will strip much fitter and we will see the real Grandouet and the main positive is that there is a guartanteed strong pace today as opposed to last time. There are a few contenders that can go from the front and I would be shocked if Taquin Du Seuil doesn't want to make this a real stamina test. Grandouet to silence the doubters and land his first chase. (7/2)

2:40 Aintree - Katenko

This is the second appearance in as many weeks on this blog for Katenko after last week when he ran in the Hennessy. Things were looking good that day until he met one on a bad stride and came down which was also his only mistake of the race. He only completed a circuit of the track last week so he didn't have too much of a hard time and he wouldn't be here if he was feeling any effects from the fall. Before that he had a strong portfolio, more recently when pounding a good Handicap field into submission by 12 lengths at Cheltenham. He looks as if there is a lot more to come and on a personal note I backed him last week for the Gold Cup at 50/1 before that price went. Katenko to make amends for last week. (11/4)

3:15 Aintree - Gansey

Gansey typically needs a run to put him straight and he had just that on the Mildmay course in October when 5th over 2 and a half miles. He hasn't won since 2011 at Newcastle but who could forget that gallant display him and the late Little Josh put on when fighting out this race last year. That was off a 3 pound higher mark and he always looked the type to take to the National fences as he proved last year when 2nd in the race. Ryan Mania gets on well with the horse despite never actually winning a race on board but he showed last April how well he rides the National fences. Of course I speak of the Grand National when he teamed up with his boss Sue Smith to ride Aurora's Encore to victory. Gansey to go one better this year. (10/1)

3:35 Sandown - Soll

Soll represents a Breeders Cup winning trainer in Jo Hughes who of course landed the Marathon with London Bridge. However Soll made a bit of a name for himself over fences last year, most notably when finishing seventh in the Grand National. His outing before that is when he caught my eye when galloping his rivals at Sandown into submission with a round of sublime jumping. A return to this course and a stamina sapping trip could see him return to winning ways. (16/1)

9:20 Wolverhampton - Tokyo Brown

You may remember Tokyo Brown as a selection a couple of weeks ago when running a really good race off the back of a long absence. He turned for home in front that day and looked as if he was going on to score comfortably until the lack of racefitness hit and he ended back in 5th. That was a very promising run over course and distance and should build on that today once again in the hands of Luke Morris. One last point is that he is now a 4 year old (almost 5) and sprinters tend to improve with age, so his promise he showed when 2 and 3 is a big positive. Tokyo Brown to finally break his maiden tag and win tomorrow for Heather Main. (5/1)

NAP - Tokyo Brown
NB - Katenko

As always, happy punting guys!