Good evening/morning everyone, I hope we have fully recovered from the festive period now and are ready to kick 2015 off with a bang. We did that last week with two winners in the shape of Fairy Rath and Mr Mole who started off the year well for us, it looks harder this week but we shall give it a go as always.
@OnTheOtherHoof have a video preview prepared for you guys as we look ahead to the Channel 4 action from Kempton and Warwick. Joining me on the panel this week are the usual suspects of @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell who both give their best bets of the day. Hope you can join us via the link below, enjoy!
Lanzarote Hurdle and Classic Chase Day
Now onto the all important selections!
2:40 Kempton - Dell Arca
We start off with one of the day's feature races in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton, which was won last year by the progressive Saphir Du Rheu. Dell Arca may not fall into the progressive category after failing to sparkle over fences, but he showed that the ability is still there in a Grade One at Ascot last time out.
I have to admit, Dell Arca has never really been a horse that I have warmed to despite featuring heavily in many top handicap hurdles. Those include a second to Splash Of Ginge in last year's Betfair Hurdle before a good fifth in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. He failed to win in two attempts over fences and despite pushing the Grade One winning Coneygree to a length and a half he reverted to hurdles last time out. That came in the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle which also included his first attempt at a trip in excess of two miles and five furlongs. He quite clearly didn't stay that day and probably lacked a bit of class against Reve De Sivola and Zarkandar, but ran with great promise. Turning for home he was sat in a share of fourth and began to make his move while still travelling strongly, but his stamina gave out before the second last. Tom Scudamore was sensible on him after that and just nursed him home under a hands and heels ride, but he entered the notebook and the handicapper has left him on a mark of 145. That mark is four pounds higher than his effort when fifth in the Coral Cup and the softer ground should be no bother to him whatsoever. Dell Arca to add a Lanzarote Hurdle to his already impressive portfolio. (10/1)
3:15 Kempton - Via Sundown
You will remember Via Sundown featuring as part of the horses to follow list at the start of the season, but it hasn't exactly gone to plan so far. He landed a small novice hurdle at Exeter to start his year off but then put in a disappointing performance in the Hennessy when never really looking like landing a blow. The handicapper relented four pounds for that effort and he ran a far better race at Ascot last time out despite only finishing sixth.
He showed up well for a long way at Ascot and like Dell Arca was still travelling well when turning for home upsides with The Young Master. He benefited from first time cheek pieces that day and they remain on again today which should help him no end. Despite running well at Ascot he faded into sixth late in the race but as a result the handicapper has given him a chance and he finds himself four pounds lower in the handicap. Josh Moore has partnered him to all of his victories so far and he takes the ride once more this afternoon, he will need to brush up his jumping but can land his first race over fences this season. (10/1)
3:35 Warwick - West End Rocker
It has been four years since a 9 year old West End Rocker was victorious in this race and returns as an in form 13 year old. He faces a stiff task against his younger rivals but is also met with the burden of a mark of 139 which is two pounds higher than his highest winning mark. Tom Bellamy takes the ride once again which means he gets a valuable five pounds taken off his back and the two seemed to gel nicely at Lingfield last time out.
That was the perfect race for him to refind his form in as there were only three rivals for him to beat in a Veterans Chase, albeit against some classy horses though. He never really looked in trouble that day and jumped for fun, which is a crucial quality to have round Warwick as the fences come up thick and fast. The ground will also pose no issues for him whatsoever as he has three wins to his name on heavy ground including this race and the Becher Chase. With Tom Bellamy's claim taken into account he is only a pound higher than he was when victorious here in 2013 and he looks better than ever lately. West End Rocker to regain his Classic Chase crown. (14/1)
3:45 Kempton - War Singer
We end today with War Singer who's run last time out at Sandown is being boosted by the form book with a couple of winners coming out from behind him. Ruacana has since won the feature race at Musselburgh on New Years Day and Sleepy Haven who reopposes here has also bolted up at Haydock. The only one that has let the form down is Amore Alato who was a selection on the blog last week, but he can be forgiven as he hated the ground.
War Singer travelled excellently that day and he jumped to the front at the second last but was passed by Snake Eyes and Amore Alato up the Sandown hill. The easier track at Kempton will suit him and he has won on softer ground in the past so it will suit him more than some of his rivals. Despite shaping up into a National Hunt horse now he has been in winning action over the Autumn when landing events at Sandown and Goodwood. He could still be on a lenient mark over hurdles and is well worth giving another chance to with Nick Scholfield in the saddle. (8/1)
NAP - War Singer
Nb - Dell Arca
Have a good day everyone and as always, happy punting!
Showing posts with label Tom Scudamore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tom Scudamore. Show all posts
Friday, 9 January 2015
Friday, 16 November 2012
Cheltenham Open Meeting Day Two
Well yesterday was about as bad as it gets, the closest we had was Duke of Navan who just failed to place. I must confess something though, i switched from Coffee to Buck Magic in the conditional jockeys hurdle. Apologies for the change of heart.
Today promises to be a great day of racing with a top class renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, featuring the likes of, Hunt Ball, Walkon and of course Grand Crus. Lets crack on.
12:45 Cheltenham - Far West
Mcvicar was a high class flat recruit to the Alan King yard and is two from two over timber. Today however he must give 4 pounds to leading triumph hurdle hope Far West. The selection was a very easy winner at Chepstow on his first run in this country, in the process beating another useful Alan King horse in Handazan. He has since won at Aintree in a race which the form is working out very nicely (3rd and 4th have been first and second). In the past two years Paul Nicholls has won this with the high class Sam Winner in 2010 and last year with Hinterland, Far West looks set to follow in their shoes today. 7/4 is on offer at the moment and that could prove a good price. One to watch out for at a price is Mick Channon's, Foster's Road after getting his head in front over hurdles at Fakenham, and then on the flat at Wolverhampton the last twice.
1:20 Cheltenham - Our Father
He was a huge gamble when winning a handicap hurdle at Ascot last year in taking style, it appeared after then that the world was at his feet before disappointing at Cheltenham and Aintree. In truth however it has always looked as if he was a ready made chaser, and its eye catching that David Pipe introduces him here at such a high level first time. The two main rivals in the betting should be hard to beat, but both under penalties and giving Our Father weight he should be tough to beat. A big shout to the double David Pipe had yesterday which could mean a return to form for the yard.
1:55 Cheltenham - Poker De Sivola
He won the Bet 365 Gold Cup at Sandown off todays mark and Ferdy Murphy always has been a little... Let's say shrewd. But onto the form side, he turned in a disappointing effort at Newcastle first time out, he was hampered that day though and was looked after. Robert Thornton gets the leg up which is a fairly unusual jockey booking by Murphy as he is rarely used, but Poker De Sivola seems to get on with any jockey aboard him. You may remember his supreme staying performance to win the National Hunt Chase here at the festival a couple of years back. Other wins at Sandown and Hexham show his liking for undulating courses, he gets a tentative each way vote today at 25/1
Unfortuanately he is a non runner, replace him with David Pipe's Ashkazar
2:35 Cheltenham - Triolo D'alene
The Nicky Henderson representative looked an exciting French import after beating Ackertac first time at Ascot before disappointing at Cheltenham. His jumping never stood him in good health that day, but a promising reappearance at Market Rasen reinstalls confidence. The form from that race is working out quite nicely with winners and placed horses in behind next time out. He looked as if he needed that opener badly when tiring two from home and proving no match for Zitenka. Possibly the biggest eye catcher is that Barry Geraghty has starved himself down to 10-1 to take the ride today, he had the choice of good handicapper Tanks For That (non runner) but kept the faith with Triolo D'alene.
I have heard glowing reports from Tom Cooper's yard about 2009 Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer who hasnt won since his festival success. He has however been very consistent without getting his day in the sun, if anywhere back to his best he will be a serious threat to all rivals. Paddy Brennan takes the ride.
One more to keep an eye out for is Ex festival winner Finger onthe Pulse who ran brilliantly here last time (behind Nadiya De La Vega) to come third, 40/1 looks too big. Positive that top Amateur Maurice Linehan gets on very well with him.
3:05 Cheltenham - Abnaki
Jonjo's representative made a pleasing reappearance at Aintree behind fast improving Ely Brown, that was his first run since winning here at glamourous odds. If that run has had the desired affect and blown away the cobwebs, he could well upset a few major players today off a fly weight with Maurice Linehan taking off 7 pounds. One worry is that the stable are a bit hit and miss right now, but a positive is that Coffee ran a good race yesterday in a messy conditional jockeys hurdle. Not one to put your mortgage on but should go well.
Market support for ex top novice Bouggler would be interesting on his return from injury, he could potentially make his mark look silly.
3:40 Cheltenham - Tanerko Emery
He is a typical David Pipe improver whom i have been watching from the start of his career. Before his Stratford victory he had been behind some big names from leading stables, firstly at Hereford he fell behind Tour D'argent, then at Newbury he was behind Montbazon, Vulcanite and All the Aces. He is open to more improvement and past performances would suggest he isn't a 112 rated performer and shouldn't be for much longer. Today could be a great day for the Pipe Yard.
Definitely wouldnt put you off of a David Pipe lucky 31 today, some real solid chances across the card.
Our Father
Problema Tic (narrowly preferred to Ashkazar, both leading chances)
Grand Crus
Goulanes
Tanerko Emery
As always Happy Punting and here is for a better day than yesterday, it couldnt get much worse!
Today promises to be a great day of racing with a top class renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup, featuring the likes of, Hunt Ball, Walkon and of course Grand Crus. Lets crack on.
12:45 Cheltenham - Far West
Mcvicar was a high class flat recruit to the Alan King yard and is two from two over timber. Today however he must give 4 pounds to leading triumph hurdle hope Far West. The selection was a very easy winner at Chepstow on his first run in this country, in the process beating another useful Alan King horse in Handazan. He has since won at Aintree in a race which the form is working out very nicely (3rd and 4th have been first and second). In the past two years Paul Nicholls has won this with the high class Sam Winner in 2010 and last year with Hinterland, Far West looks set to follow in their shoes today. 7/4 is on offer at the moment and that could prove a good price. One to watch out for at a price is Mick Channon's, Foster's Road after getting his head in front over hurdles at Fakenham, and then on the flat at Wolverhampton the last twice.
1:20 Cheltenham - Our Father
He was a huge gamble when winning a handicap hurdle at Ascot last year in taking style, it appeared after then that the world was at his feet before disappointing at Cheltenham and Aintree. In truth however it has always looked as if he was a ready made chaser, and its eye catching that David Pipe introduces him here at such a high level first time. The two main rivals in the betting should be hard to beat, but both under penalties and giving Our Father weight he should be tough to beat. A big shout to the double David Pipe had yesterday which could mean a return to form for the yard.
1:55 Cheltenham - Poker De Sivola
He won the Bet 365 Gold Cup at Sandown off todays mark and Ferdy Murphy always has been a little... Let's say shrewd. But onto the form side, he turned in a disappointing effort at Newcastle first time out, he was hampered that day though and was looked after. Robert Thornton gets the leg up which is a fairly unusual jockey booking by Murphy as he is rarely used, but Poker De Sivola seems to get on with any jockey aboard him. You may remember his supreme staying performance to win the National Hunt Chase here at the festival a couple of years back. Other wins at Sandown and Hexham show his liking for undulating courses, he gets a tentative each way vote today at 25/1
Unfortuanately he is a non runner, replace him with David Pipe's Ashkazar
2:35 Cheltenham - Triolo D'alene
The Nicky Henderson representative looked an exciting French import after beating Ackertac first time at Ascot before disappointing at Cheltenham. His jumping never stood him in good health that day, but a promising reappearance at Market Rasen reinstalls confidence. The form from that race is working out quite nicely with winners and placed horses in behind next time out. He looked as if he needed that opener badly when tiring two from home and proving no match for Zitenka. Possibly the biggest eye catcher is that Barry Geraghty has starved himself down to 10-1 to take the ride today, he had the choice of good handicapper Tanks For That (non runner) but kept the faith with Triolo D'alene.
I have heard glowing reports from Tom Cooper's yard about 2009 Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer who hasnt won since his festival success. He has however been very consistent without getting his day in the sun, if anywhere back to his best he will be a serious threat to all rivals. Paddy Brennan takes the ride.
One more to keep an eye out for is Ex festival winner Finger onthe Pulse who ran brilliantly here last time (behind Nadiya De La Vega) to come third, 40/1 looks too big. Positive that top Amateur Maurice Linehan gets on very well with him.
3:05 Cheltenham - Abnaki
Jonjo's representative made a pleasing reappearance at Aintree behind fast improving Ely Brown, that was his first run since winning here at glamourous odds. If that run has had the desired affect and blown away the cobwebs, he could well upset a few major players today off a fly weight with Maurice Linehan taking off 7 pounds. One worry is that the stable are a bit hit and miss right now, but a positive is that Coffee ran a good race yesterday in a messy conditional jockeys hurdle. Not one to put your mortgage on but should go well.
Market support for ex top novice Bouggler would be interesting on his return from injury, he could potentially make his mark look silly.
3:40 Cheltenham - Tanerko Emery
He is a typical David Pipe improver whom i have been watching from the start of his career. Before his Stratford victory he had been behind some big names from leading stables, firstly at Hereford he fell behind Tour D'argent, then at Newbury he was behind Montbazon, Vulcanite and All the Aces. He is open to more improvement and past performances would suggest he isn't a 112 rated performer and shouldn't be for much longer. Today could be a great day for the Pipe Yard.
Definitely wouldnt put you off of a David Pipe lucky 31 today, some real solid chances across the card.
Our Father
Problema Tic (narrowly preferred to Ashkazar, both leading chances)
Grand Crus
Goulanes
Tanerko Emery
As always Happy Punting and here is for a better day than yesterday, it couldnt get much worse!
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