Betfair Hurdle Day

Morning Racing fans, A huge day of racing ahead of us with the betfair hurdle being the highlight. Leopardstown also host a top class card with Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs clashing horns once again. Stamina doubts surround Peter Casey's gelding whereas the latter must jump better to win. There is also a Gold Cup trial at Newbury with Silviniaco Conti a hot favourite for the Denman Chase. One thing is for certain, after today a few Cheltenham Festival credentials will be tarnished and some boosted. Firstly a review of last week.

It wasnt the best of blogs last week, however it would have been a completely different story if Third Intention hadn't idled to be caught in the final strides. We stilled managed to get the reverse forecast with Captain Conan which paid just over 5/1 though. Third Intention remains a good hope for the Jewson in March, you would think he would have some kind of headgear on at Cheltenham which would help no end. That was all there was to write home about last week.

Onto some more exciting news, I have recently conducted an interview with an jockey to put on here for you guys. It should be up next week and hopefully it will be the first in a series.

On Monday the racing world was put in shock when a routine prep for the Champion hurdle resulted in Darlan losing his life. A last hurdle fall upsides Rock on Ruby when coming to win ended in tragedy as he and McCoy hit the deck. Heart breakingly only one returned to their feet, the champ was fine but stood himself down for the day. The only other thing I have to say on the matter is shame on anyone who blamed Tony McCoy for the accident. It was in no way his fault and im afraid they are just talking through their pockets. Things like this really separate the Gamblers from the real racing people in life.

But on that sad note we must continue with this weeks racing.

12:55 Warwick - Open Day

McCoy only has two rides at Warwick before getting in his helicopter and flying off to Newbury. Open Day is the first of these two, he went off the boil since winning a novice hurdle in 2010 at Sandown but has recently found form again. He recorded his first win since then at Leicester back in November when beating some useful types. Last time out however he was put well in his place by Dark Lover who is highly thought of by Paul Nicholls. He himself runs in the Betfair hurdle later on and the Nicholls yard was firing at the time. Open Day was comfortably ahead of Dan Breen and this looks a weaker race. (9/2) an each way selection for the race is the useful Red Inca for Brian Ellison's yard (11/1) and we will take the reverse forecast once again.

1:30 Warwick - Ma Filleule

The Champ's second mount at Warwick comes in the shape of Nicky Henderson's Ma Filleule, who is improving with every run. She has only had 3 runs in England winning one and finishing second in the other two, she also has two wins to her name in France. One of the big advantages in this race however is that she receives 5 pounds from most of her main rivals today. With the Henderson team in great form we will take Ma Filleule to complete the double for Tony McCoy. (7/2)

1:40 Uttoxeter - Stow

When I first saw this race my jaw dropped to see Stow running in a selling race. It is one of the better sellers you will see but with Patrick Corbett's claim Stow gets 12 pounds from his two main rivals. He has been running against much better opposition over the past few years and dips his toe in this class for the first time. He simply cant be ignored and looks a really good bet today considering the circumstances. (No Price yet)

1:50 Newbury - Captain Sunshine

I think im the only person in the country who has kept faith with Captain Sunshine this year. But last time he was staying on very strongly when coming down at the last in the Lanzarote. He was certainly booked for a place that day and its not out of the equation that he would have won the race. He 'refused' to race at Exeter which I blamed the starter for that as he didnt show any reluctance. However last time he looked to have his quirks at the start with a handler down with him. He is well worth a chance on his step up to 3 miles today as realistically it was always going to be his trip. (9/1)

2:25 Newbury - Mail De Bievre

Tom George hasnt been discreet with what he thinks about Mail De Bievre outlining him as a Gold Cup contender. Back in 2008/09 he was with Alan King winning a hurdle race at Exeter, in France it is Chasing in which he has earned his reputation. Along with that he earned a rating of 160 and with the weight received from Silviniaco Conti he is 2 pounds behind him. If fully wound up for this race which I suspect he will be as he was entered for a couple of other races. He is too good of a price to ignore with others having chinks in their armour, a solid each way bet. (8/1)

3:00 Newbury - Wishfull Thinking

This years Game Spirit fell apart at the seams when Simonsig was declared as a non runner. But at the same time it gives Wishfull thinking a fantastic chance to land another valuable 2 mile chase. There are many potential improvers, mostly Shooters Wood who is the choice of Ruby Walsh. But Wishfull Thinking looks clear of those and is guaranteed to go on the ground. This could be a big race win for Phillip Hobbs and Richard Johnson. (10/3)

3:15 Warwick - Dream Again Boys

Back to Warwick now for Maurice Linehan's mount Dream Again Boys. Without Linehan's claim he would be top weight, instead he carries 11-7 which makes his task one heck of a lot easier. It also means he isnt giving much weight away all throughout the field. He won at this time of year in 2012, which was also the only time Linehan has ridden him. But he won most recently last time out at Ffos Las under AP very easily, the money was down for him that day and he should carry it forward here. An added bonus is that Linehan rides Warwick particularly well which is a bonus in a race of this type. (6/1)

3:35 Newbury - Punjabi

The 2009 Champion Hurdle winner turns up here after a good comeback run in the Christmas hurdle. His Reappearance was the typical run after a long lay off, travels well for a long way and then faded quickly. Sensibly Barry Geraghty looked after him and let him come home in his own time. He will be much straighter for that run and off a rating of 145 he looks a steal, physically however he runs off of 140 with Jeremiah McGrath's claim. Rewind to 2009 before his injury and he is rated 166 meaning he is thrown in today off an easy rating. On Attheraces Barry Geraghty said 'there was still plenty of spark about him' which is good enough for me and he gets the nod today. (22/1)

4:10 Newbury - Hadrian's Approach

The appeal of this race will be around Unioniste stepping up to 3 miles for the first time, but preference is for Hadrian's Approach. Nicky Henderson's charge was second to Dynaste, but at Kempton in the Feltham. Newbury should be much more to his liking as he is a big lump of a horse that wouldnt have liked the speed of Kempton. The wide Galloping track of Newbury will be much more up his street and his proven stamina could be put into effect. His one visit to Newbury ended in a fall when well in contention and going well. That was one of the strongest Novice chases of this year so the form of it must be taken strongly. It helps that the stable really fancy this one tomorrow also, he takes the choice. (7/2)

4:25 Warwick - Chiberta King

The last choice of the day is also the NAP of the day with Andrew Balding's ex top class flat horse Chiberta King. He goes left handed again after winning nicely at Newbury last time out, there was plenty to like about that victory, especially his improved jumping. His first two starts at Ascot resulted in him jumping severely out to his left and throwing races away. If he had been started out left handed, he could well be unbeaten. Paddy Brennan comes over from Newbury for the one ride and it should be a winning one.

NAP - Chiberta King
NB - Stow

Aaaaaaaaand breathe! Hope you enjoyed todays read, good luck to everyone if you have a bet. Enjoy your weekend guys.

Happy Punting!

Newbury Hennessy Day

Well last week was just one of those days, all each way bets came a place out of where they needed and win bets were a runners up. All we can do is dust ourselves of and soldier on for this week. What a week it is as well with the return of Big Buck's and last years RSA winner Bobs Worth! Lets all pray that Newcastle passes it's 8am inspection.

12:05 Newcastle - No Planning

Sue Smith won pretty much everything on this card last year, including with race with Lackamon. This year No Planning represents her after being touched off at Sedgefield last time by Buck Mulligan. If he were in the race today he would be a warm order to oblige after the drop in class. The most eye catching piece of form for No Planning is the win at Hexham on Heavy ground. We all know just how heavy Hexham can get on a bad day as well. No Planning is taken to oblige in the first race of the day. (4/1)

12:15 Newbury - Rey Nacarado

Charlie Longsdon's yard have been in fantastic form early on this year, especially in softer ground. Rey Nacarado is one that will relish the more testing ground, as well as being a course and distance winner in good style. He should be able to pick off the leaders in the home straight late on after running well in the Durham National for a long way. One last thing in that a recent third at Wincanton should have set him straight, and is theoretically running 9 pounds lower today. (7/2)

12:35 Newcastle - Twice Lucky

A frantic start to today and we hopefully round off a Sue Smith double with the consistent Twice Lucky. He has been in fantastic form this year so far, and looked like adding another win to his resume last time when coming down in front. The only things to hinder him today are his competitors as the ground and distance will be ideal. He hasn't been given any more weight from the handicapper, and as long as he is none the worse for his fall, should take all the beating here. (9/2)

12:50 Newbury - Call Me A Star

A frantic hour to start the day but we end the hour with my NAP of the day with Call Me A Star. She has already beaten Eleven Fifty Nine twice (lost once) this includes a win over hurdles last time. Their strongest form came in a big Bumper at Sandown when Umadachar separated them. She has already won over hurdles too. The Alan King yard looked as if a return to form was imminent with a couple of good performances yesterday. She is the one all have to beat. (7/4)

2:35 Newbury - Princely Player

Phillip Hobbs had a big winner last week with Captain Chris and could well have another here. Princely Player was ultra consistent last year and picked up where he left off, when just denied by Hawkhill at Kempton. Granted, today is a stronger race than last time out, he wouldn't need to improve a great deal to win this. Last year he claimed the notable scalp of Jump City before being beat two lengths by Black Thunder. Should not be the price that he is and could be some value in the race. (6/1)

3:10 Newbury - Lion Na Bearnai

Everyone seems to be getting excited about this renewal of the Hennessy, when in truth it is a very poor race. You usually get a few gold cup contenders come from it, but the only one that could be considered for that is Bobs Worth. He saves his best for Cheltenham however. For this reason I am willing to take a chance on one of the rank outsiders from Ireland. Lion Na Bearnai is from a stable with only 4 or 5 horses, but that didn't stop him from winning the Irish National last year. He battled in determined fashion to win that day and had previously beat the likes of Four Commanders. The softer ground and distance wont hinder him at all today, and it would be no surprise at all to see him run a big race. One final thing is that a stable this small would not bring him over to England if he wasn't fully wound up. (50/1)

3:40 Newbury - Oh Crick

The last race of the day could round off a nice double for Alan king at Newbury with the ex Festival winner. He ran a blinder first time out, which he usually needs badly. If he can progress for that then he should be a tough nut to crack, after refinding his form by winning at Chepstow last season. He runs off two pounds lower and the useful 7 pound claimer Josh Newman keeps the ride. This should be enough to see him be in the mix right at the end. (12/1)

NAP - Call Me A Star
Nb - Oh Crick

No Planning
Twice Lucky
Call me a Star
Princely Player
Oh Crick

Cinders and Ashes should take all the beating in the Fighting Fifth today, hopefully you were aware and got your bets on before Darlan and Rock on Ruby came out. Odds on now.

These five should give us a bit of fun in a Lucky 31 throughout the afternoon.

Happy Punting, lets hope for a better performance that last weeks dismal display.

Cheltenham Festival Memory Number 3

I hope watching Istabraq and Barizan over the last two days have made you as happy as they made me, another cracker today but over fences this time, Nicknamed 'The Tank' Denman pounded his rivals into submission in two Hennessy's and a Gold cup. Today we honour his 2008 Gold Cup demolition job.

Denman - 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup


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


A race that always gives you chills down your back when you watch it, the most notable thing for me is how the crowd start to roar when Denman jumps 4 from home. An awesome ride from Sam Thomas in one of the best performances in Festival history. Richard Hoiles says is best 'relentless, remorseless have pounded Kauto Star into submission, the answer is DENMAN, Denman won the Gold Cup!'. If you can hear him over the crowd that is. Happy retirement Denman.