Category: Horse Racing Tips

This category is all about horse racing tips.

Sire de Grugy even money for Game Spirit

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Sire de Grugy began last season as a 25-1 outsider for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. The betting for the race was turned upside down when Sprinter Sacre was pulled up in the Desert Orchid Chase and Gary Moore’s chestnut went on to win both races.

The much-awaited clash between the two could take place at the festival in March following Sprinter Sacre’s return at Ascot last month. If Sprinter Sacre was in a different league to his rivals in 2013, Sire de Grugy was a pretty good substitute. He was unbeaten in his last five races, winning the Clarence House Chase and the Celebration Chase without being seriously tested. All ground seems to come alike to the nine-year-old but he has also had his training problems.

A minor injury has kept him off the track since April and there is bound to be some anxiety as he steps out for his prep race in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on Saturday. Moore has issued an up-beat bulletin and expects him to run well on Saturday, although he admits that he has left something to work on. He has 11lbs and upwards in hand of his rivals on official ratings and Betfair have installed him as the even money favourite.

I opposed Sprinter Sacre on his comeback with Dodging Bullets and fitness proved decisive for the Paul Nicholls-trained runner. The Ditcheat trainer has Mr Mole and Vibrato Valtat entered on Saturday but I’d be very surprised if the latter took his place in the field. He is also entered in the Kingmaker Chase at Warwick and I believe that Nicholls would rather keep him in novice company on his way to the Arkle Chase at the festival.

Mr Mole has improved this season and won a handicap at Sandown off a mark of 147, beating subsequent winner Brick Red by two and a quarter lengths. The handicapper now rates Mr Mole at 155, some 17lbs below Sire de Grugy.

Uxizandre would look the most likely threat on his Cheltenham form in November when beating Simply Ned by a length and a quarter. Dodging Bullets was a head away in third but it was a combination of fitness and the Cheltenham hill that found him out that day. Uxizandre blotted his copybook when jumping out to his left on several occasions last time out. Upsilon Bleu is on a hat-trick for Pauline Robson but is only rated 150 while Karinga Dancer looks outclassed.

Sire de Grugy 3.00 Newbury Saturday @Evens Betfair

UAE 1000 Guineas Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The cold snap has limited the racing action in the UK largely to the all-weather so far this week. Hopefully temperatures will climb sufficiently by the weekend for a cracking Newbury card featuring the Betfair Hurdle and the return of Sire de Grugy in the Game Spirit Chase.

The 1000 Guineas may seem a long way away but Godolphin are already preparing their team and the UAE 1000 Guineas takes place at Meydan on Thursday. Last year we were keen on the chances of Ihtimal for the Newmarket classic after she stormed to success in Dubai. She ran a cracker to finish third and went on to finish fifth in the Oaks, although she may have done better at Epsom with a more judicious ride. Sadly, Ihtimal had to be put down last month after sustaining an injury in Dubai.

The famous blue silks could be carried to victory again this year by the improving Local Time. She won the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket last season and won the UAE 1000 Guineas trial recently. She looked to have too much to do with a furlong to travel but clawed her way to the front to beat Ad Idem by a short head. She meets that four-year-old on identical terms but has an extra furlong to travel. She does not have the turn of foot of Ihtimal but she has the heart of a lion and can come out on top.

I will also be keeping an eye on Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten filly Yodelling who is unbeaten after two starts. She is out of that good mare Echoes of Eternity and will probably be better suited by middle distances later in the year.

Racing fans will also be looking forward to seeing 2014 Dubai World Cup winner African Story returning to action after almost a year. He lines up in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge at 5.40 for his first start since providing Saeed bin Suroor with his sixth winner of the big race.

African Story broke the track record when beating Mukhadram but that was a massive step up on his previous form. I would be surprised if he is at his peak after such a long lay-off. Prince Bishop won the September Stakes at Kempton and has a history of winning after a break while there are several recent winners including Le Bernardin and Cooptado. I was more impressed with the former and he could cause an upset if striking for home early in the straight.

The closing race is the Cepsa Mile, a handicap for four-year-olds and upwards over a mile. Magic City got no run at all when running at Lingfield recently and it will be interesting to see how he goes after flitting over to Dubai for Richard Hannon. I have him down as a seven-furlong specialist but he was a close third in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood and the Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot. Richard Hughes takes over from Sean Levey and let’s hope he can weave a way through this large field.

Local Time 3.55 Meydan @5-2 Betfair

Le Bernardin 5.40 Meydan @12-1 Bet365

Magic City 6.15 Meydan @10-1 Bet365

Sha Tin Racing Sunday 1st February Tips

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

HONG KONG RACING SUNDAY 1 February

SHA TIN

Hong Kong Wrap Up

As expected it was a great day’s racing at Sha Tin last Sunday and we hit all four on top selections in the last four races which provided some great entertainment even though the value was not always there. Peniaphobia got home in the 1000m sprint which was a fantastic effort and then Able Friend did it in style over the Sha Tin Mile in the Cup Race. He certainly looks a very impressive type and Joao Moreira never even moved on him. In a race which was void of pace he came from 2nd last and absolutely swamped them careering away to win with ease and in actual fact Joao just patted him on the neck over the last 100m and he won in a canter against a field of class milers. The real question is where does he go next? May be the Doncaster in Sydney or is it off to Dubai. The owners are a bit up in the air at the moment and he may very well stay in Hong Kong but he looks far too good to not have a go on the World Stage. Back at Sha Tin today and all racing is on the turf and once again it looks to be a very entertaining day especially over the last four races where there are some very nice up and coming race horses who will certainly rev up this day at Sha Tin which always provides great racing and great entertainment. Enjoy the form guide and get amongst the winners.

 

Track and Conditions: Turf – C Course. Track will be rated Good.

Expected Weather: Mainly cloudy with a top temperature of 17 degrees. Wind will be from the east to northeast gusting up to 30 to 40 Km/h so it will create a head wind down the straight which will favour on paced runners however closers will get their chance as well if making ground down the back straight. 

Best Bet: Race 8 No 1 Tonyboy

Best Value: Race 9 No 3 Travel First

Exotic Races: Race No’s 7-8-9-10

Quaddie:-

Race 7: 6-1-4 Race 8: 1-4   Race 9: 13-3-5-6 Race 10: 5-6-11-10-13

 

Race 1: — Time: 5.00am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 5

Top Pick: No 1 Best Jade Triumph

Value Selection: No 11 Jun Hao

Exotic Inclusions: No 9 Optimization Star and No 4 Costa Del Son / No 5 Intellectual Glide

Race Overview

Best Jade Triumph heads back to class five today after putting together a few runs at class four and performed ok on those occasions but does look much better suited today. The last time he raced at this class he had two starts and recorded a win and a 2nd with a similar weight to what he has today and they were both over this distance at Sha Tin. Should be in the finish here at some point with Brett Prebble in the saddle. Jun Hao Has been going along well this season all be it at class five. His last two races in particular have been very good and finished a close up 2nd on both occasions. Carries the same weight as last start today and only has to maintain recent form to be a good chance once again with Douglas Whyte back in the saddle.

 

Race 2: — Time: 5.30am GMT—Distance: 1000m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 8 Massive Move

Selection: No 2 Art Of Success

Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Diamond Master and No 4 Elite Spirit

Race Overview

Difficult race to assess here as better chance runners have not drawn well and the better gates have gone to runners with not so good form however you may get each way odds about Massive Move who has drawn not too bad in gate 9. He has only had the one run in Hong Kong and that was over this distance when he ran a good race from a similar gate. Actually drops one Lb on that effort and his track work has been good and I really do expect he will go well today.  Art Of Success drops back to this class today for the first time and has to be a consideration as he hung in there at class three last start with Joao Moreira in the saddle and interesting enough he has stuck with him with the class drop today. Has to be a good pointer. Drawn a bit wide but he does possess good gate speed and with a bit of luck can be well positioned in the running.

 

Race 3: — Time: 6.00am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 3 Sugar City

Value Selection: No 6 Amazing Always

Exotic Inclusions: No 13 Motif and No 5 Unbeatable Guts / No 2 Wah May Baby

Race Overview

Sugar City does look to be knocking on the door for a win as all his runs this season have been at this class and never far away. Drawn well in gate 6 and should get a nice trail in the running. It appears they are certainly trying to get him a win as they have Joao Moreira in the saddle today and he does look well placed in this field just the same. Amazing Always is a consistent type at this class and is never far away. Recent form has been good and recorded a nice win last start from a very wide gate. Comes up with the rails today draw which will most likely mean a change in tactics and will most likely be ridden closer to the pace today. May need a bit of luck on the bend but he does have Brett Prebble who is the master of the weave on his back today for the first time.

 

Race 4: — Time: 6.30am GMT—Distance: 1800m—Class 5

Top Pick: No 1 Namjong Turbo

Value Selection: No Triumphant Dragon

Exotic Inclusions: No 6 Dragon and No 3 Cool Pal / No 7 Yeung Sing

Race Overview

Very difficult race to assess and not one you want to get too involved in. Gone for a bit of value here. Namjong Turbo either class four or class five he is never far away and has reached top weight for this class but never the less his recent form has been solid and only has to maintain that to give this a shake. Likes this distance and retains his last start hoop so he will get a small claim as well. Triumphant Dragon has been in very solid form this season all be it at class five as he has won two and placed in another two from his four starts. Goes over this distance for the first time today but has been closing off at all his starts well recently which indicates he should get the extra distance today. Always has the best hoops in the saddle and no different today with Brett Prebble as his pilot. Dragon, Cool Pal and Yeung Sing should all get their chances if good enough.

 

Race 5: — Time: 7.00am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 3 Sensation

Value Selection: No 2 Multimax

Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Telecom Boss and No 5 Bear Rapper / No 4 Dashing Fortune

Race Overview

Sensation comes up with a nice draw today in gate two and retains Zac Purton in the saddle and does appeal as a bit of a chance here. Went up in distance to the 1400m last start which and he didn’t really work into it as expected all be it running a decent race. Looks better suited to this distance today and I really do expect he can get into the finish here. Multimax just the two runs in Hong Kong and went to the line well to win over this distance last start at this class. Looks a bit of a chance once again today even though he has gone up in the weights. Retains his last start hoop so he will get a nice claim which still puts him in well today. Should go well judging on his last start performance.

 

Race 6: — Time: 7.35am GMT—Distance: 1000m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 3 Jetwings

Value Selection: No 2 Lovely Delovely

Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Good Luck Boy and No 9 Happy Meteor / No 14 Touch Go

Race Overview

Interesting race with a few runners looking a bit out of their comfort zone but looking at current form then we have to look at Jetwings just the one run in Hong Kong and he blew them away at that start which was over this distance. Did not draw well on that occasion and nothing has changed today with an outside draw which will make it a bit tricky so will need luck but he does look like a very nice type and a certain chance today as he does still look well weighted. Lovely Delovely has to go in with a strong chance once again today as well. Drawn ok in gate nine which is fairly close in and should get him into a good position in the running down this sprint shoot. Scratched last start as was found to be lame in the left fore but has undergone a full vet examination since and track work has been fine. Expect he will go very well today.

 

Race 7: — Time: 8.05am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 1

Top Pick: No 6 Key Witness

Value Selection: No 1 Domineer

Exotic Inclusions: No 4 Super Jockey and No 3 Exciting Dream

Race Overview

Key Witness does look like a very nice type and continues to improve. Won at class 2 last start with 131 Lbs and gets 11 Lbs off his back today with the class rise. Extremely consistent race horse and should go very close here today. Comes up with a very nice draw in gate two and retains Douglas Whyte in the saddle. Domineer is mostly a Happy Valley and AWT runner but has also performed well on this surface previously. Too consistent to leave out of the equation here as his form this season has been very strong and came up with a good win at this class last start. Goes up in the weights as a result of that but when you look at this field he still looks well in it.

 

Race 8: — Time: 8.35am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 1 Tonyboy

Value Selection: No 4 Da Vinci

Exotic Inclusions: No 8 Sight Seeing and No 12 Bossiee / No 5 Cleaver Beaver

Race Overview

Fair few chances here but I am going to go with Tonyboy his first up run this season was nothing short of sensational for this class of runner at Sha Tin and I was surprised to see that they elected to run him at Happy Valley last start as he came up with a wide gate on that occasion and simply could not make up the ground around the tight circuit. Looks much better suited at Sha Tin and will be closing hard. Da Vinci only the two starts in Hong Kong and both have been very good indicating that he will go well at this class. Comes up with another nice draw today in gate four and still looks in nice at the weights. Certain chance here retaining his regular hoop.

 

Race 9: — Time: 9.10pm GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 13 Sky Hero

Value Selection: No 3 Travel First

Exotic Inclusions: No 5 Too Cheeky and No 6 Brilliant Dream

Race Overview

Sky Hero does look a nice type, is up in class here all be it he is jumping from restricted class 4 mostly and has the ability to get into the finish here and he does look very well suited at this distance. Gets a small weight reduction of 4 Lbs but most important he retains his regular hoop in Douglas Whyte. Should get a very nice run in transit and certainly has appeal today. Travel First just the two starts in Hong Kong and both have been at Sha Tin. Comes up with a nice draw today in gate 2 and should get a nice trial in the running and be suited by the pace today after running an nice on paced race over the 1600m last start. Former UK runner how should not take too long before breaking through in Hong Kong. 

 

 

Race 10: — Time: 9.45pm GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 2

Top Pick: No 5 Contentment

Value Selection: No 6 Club Life

Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Redkirk Warrior and No 10 Celestial Smile / NO 13 Renaissance Art

                                                         Race Overview         

Contentment just cannot come up with a good draw and is out in the sticks once again today in gate 12 but he has won all three starts from wide gates since arriving in Hong Hong and his last being at class three when he bounced and lead all the way over the 1400m. That was an extremely good effort and even though he is up in class today he has to be a very strong consideration on that effort. Gets into this with a nice weight and retains his regular hoop. Club Life has really improved this season and recorded a very nice win last start over this distance from a wide gate and in fact all his last three starts have been from wide gates over this distance and has performed well on all occasions. Comes up with a very nice draw today in gate 3 and still looks ok at the weights despite the class rise as this field is not an overly strong class two. Should be closer to the pace today and has to go in as another good chance here at value odds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Racing Preview 31st January

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

What a fabulous weekend of sport! As well as the Australian Open tennis finals, we have the final of the Asian Cup, the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup, the Premiership clash between Chelsea and Man City and the Superbowl! Somewhere in between all of that we have to fit in some top quality Horse Racing action from Sandown and Ffos Las.

The Sandown card gets under way at 12.40 and I hope to see Pain Du Chocolat book his Triumph Hurdle ticket. The unknown quantity is The Saint James, now racing in the colours of JP McManus and ridden by AP McCoy. The champion jockey did us proud in last week’s Sky Bet Chase but I’m hoping he will settle for second here.

There could be another Triumph re-shuffle after the second race where impressive Chepstow winner Bristol De Mai takes on a couple of smarter older horses. I generally don’t like backing four-year-olds against their elders but the French imports are a different matter altogether. If this one hacks up, the owners could face a quandary with ante-post favourite Peace And Co also in their colours.

I’ll side with Ballygarry to confirm Ascot form with Ulck Du Lin in the 1.50, although I am slightly worried about the bounce factor. Ballygarry overcame a year’s absence to win last time but Philip Hobbs is a master of his trade. Irish Saint faces four useful opponents in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at 2.25. He was very impressive at Ascot and I think he will have too much toe for Champagne West over this distance. I’m more worried about Splash Of Ginge who won a competitive handicap on New Year’s Day but he ought to be held on hurdles form.

We picked Polamco earlier in the week for the Heroes Hurdle and I see no reason to desert him but the staying chase that ends the C4 coverage looks tricky. Ardkilly Witness and Theatrical Star were second and third last year and this could be a case of horses for courses. I respect There’s No Panic, winner of the London National here, but think he probably needs further.

The highlight of the Ffos Las card is the 2.05 which goes under the grand name of Welsh Champion Hurdle. Of course it is now a handicap so is anything but a Champion Hurdle but it has produced the last two Coral Cup winners. Rebecca Curtis would love to win this for Wales and has booked Paul Townend for the novice Foryourinformation. He had a bit more in hand than it appeared last time here and may have most to fear from Doll In Milan.

I expect the well-bred Souriyan to win the opener for Jamie Snowden and I’m going to side with Global Power in the West Wales National. It would be great if he could provide Oliver Sherwood with his 1,000 winner as a trainer.

Pain Au Chocolat 12.40 Sandown @7-4 BetVictor

Bristol De Mai 1.15 Sandown @6-4 Bet365

Ballygarvey 1.50 Sandown @9-2 Totesport

Irish Saint 2.25 Sandown @9-4 Bet365

Polamco 3.0 Sandown @4-1 Ladbrokes

Ardkilly Witness 3.35 Sandown @8-1 BetVictor

Souriyan 12.55 Ffos Las @13-8 Paddy Power

Foryourinformation 2.05 Ffos Las @9-2 William Hill

Global Power 2.40 Ffos Las @6-1 Bet365

Lingfield Friday Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The winter weather has returned to the UK this week and Friday’s Chepstow card faces a 7.30am inspection to see if racing can go ahead. There are no problems at the all-weather track at Lingfield So I’ve picked out a couple of horses that could provide us with some stake money for the weekend.

My first selection is Singular Quest in the maiden race at 2.00. The colt is a son of Dalakhani out of a mare by Singspiel so is entitled to be useful. He is trained by Ralph Beckett who certainly knows the time of day at these all-weather meetings and will be ridden by Hayley Turner.

Singular Quest ran green on his debut here over a mile but was noted running on into fifth place behind Awesome Power. He was stepped up to ten furlongs last time and was tucked in on the rail for much of the race. His jockey found himself shuffled back when the leaders quickened approaching the home turn and had to switch to the outside, eventually finishing strongly to take second.

The race was won by Monein who has since gone in again in the blue of Godolphin. The biggest danger may come from Sheikh Mohammed’s outfit again here with Prussian Blue and Sparring in opposition. The latter shaped well at Wolverhampton on his debut while Mark Johnston’s Champagne Ransom could also improve for her debut at the same track.

Following handicap “good things” is often regarded as the quick way to the poor house but it is difficult to argue with the claims of Le Rouquin in the 3.45 race. The gelding was very impressive when beating Courier by six lengths at Kempton last week and turns out again quickly under a 6lbs penalty. Michael Bell will obviously be anticipating a much stiffer penalty once the horse has been reassessed. He had been tried in a visor previously but the headgear was left off last time and he could be named the winner with a quarter of a mile to race.

The big danger is course winner Vejovis, a son of Fastnet Rock trained by Sir Mark Prescott. The cigar-smoking Newmarket handler is a dab hand at running up a sequence with his handicappers and it would be no surprise to see this one improve again. He was less impressive when winning over seven furlongs by two and three-quarter lengths but you never know how much jockey Luke Morris has up his sleeve.

Singular Quest 2.00 Lingfield @6-4 Betfair

Le Rouquin 3.45 Lingfield @2-1 Bet365

Polamco set for hat-trick bid at Sandown

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The big betting race this weekend is the Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle over two and three-quarter miles at Sandown.

Only 12 remain from the original 28 entries and Harry Fry’s Polamco stands out at the weights. The six-year-old gelding is by Old Vic out of Shanesia by Erins Isle and will be having only his eighth race this weekend.

He showed plenty of promise in National Hunt flat races last season, winning at Taunton on his third start. He was placed in novice hurdles at Newton Abbot and Chepstow but has really come into his own over a longer trip. Noel Fehily sent him ahead with two to jump at Wincanton and he beat Muckle Roe by a length and a quarter off a mark of 114.

The handicapper put him up 7lbs next time for a hot race at Newbury. He raced quite keenly in front and was headed at the last by Morito Du Berlais. To his credit, he battled back and regained the advantage close home to win by a neck. The runner-up has run in some top staying handicaps at Cheltenham this season while Saffron Wells finished a couple of lengths away in third.

Saffron Wells was our each-way selection for the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton earlier this month but found Tea For Two much too good at the weights. He stuck on well enough to finish third and renews rivalry here with Polamco on 3lbs better terms. I expect Polamco to confirm the form, providing that he settles better than he did at Newbury.

Junction Fourteen was all the rage for the Lanzarote Hurdle last year but was already beaten when falling at the last. He ran well to finish fourth to Batavir at Wincanton on Boxing Day and could be returning to form. Imperial Leader was second to Irish Saint in heavy ground at Ascot last year and showed that he stays when third to Fingal Bay over a longer trip at Exeter.

Tony McCoy gave us our third big Saturday handicap winner in a row last weekend on If In Doubt and partners the top weight Mijhaar here.  He was very useful on the flat but has not really shone over hurdles so far. He ran well when third to Dawalan at Aintree but could not win in much easier company at Ayr last time. Polamco gets the vote for Harry Fry to give the yard a boost ahead of Activial’s bid for the Betfair Hurdle a week on Saturday.

Polemco 3.0 Sandown Saturday @100-30 William Hill