Category: Horse Racing

Punchestown Festival – Thursday Preview

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Willie Mullins has dominated the Grade 1 races at the Punchestown Festival this week and he will be hoping to continue the trend on Thursday.

He has three runners in the World Series Hurdle at 5.30 led by former Champion hurdler Hurricane Fly. The gelding has been a phenomenon over two miles and has won 26 of his 40 races. At the age of eleven, he battled on to finish third to his stable companion Faugheen at Cheltenham and his appetite for racing seems as strong as ever.

It is a bold move by Mullins to try the eleven-year-old at this three-mile trip for the first time. He has won over two and a half miles but that was way back in 2010 so this really is a step into the unknown.

Last year’s Champion hurdler Jezki relinquished his crown this season but bounced back to win at Aintree. That was over two and a half miles, although he may well have finished second but for the last flight tumble of Arctic Fire. Mark Walsh takes over in the saddle to replace the retired Tony McCoy and the gelding has not always been the easiest horse to settle.

With the market leaders not guaranteed to stay, the value bet could be Tony Martin’s Dedigout. He has won his last three races at Gowran Park, Navan and Fairyhouse and will not be found wanting for stamina. He would certainly appreciate a shower of rain but is worth supporting at the early 7-1 on offer with Paddy Power.

The star of the show on Thursday is undoubtedly Un De Sceaux who was a most impressive winner of the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham. He would still be unbeaten but for a fall at Thurles and he has hardly put a foot wrong since. He had six lengths to spare over God’s Own at Prestbury Park and is already a hot favourite for next season’s Champion Chase.

Official ratings give him upwards of 18lbs in hand of his rivals on Thursday and, given a clear round, he should chalk up another Grade 1 success. The best bet on the card at Redcar has to be Godolphin’s Bow And Arrow who won by a staggering 13 lengths at Thirsk last week. He turns out quickly under a 6lbs penalty and is certain to go up considerably more once he has been re-assessed.

Dedigout 5.30 Punchestown @7-1 Paddy Power

Bow And Arrow 3.25 Redcar @4-5 Betfair

Punchestown Festival – Wednesday Preview

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The National Hunt festival at Punchestown continues on Wednesday with three Grade 1 events on another top quality card.

The 4.55 race is a novice hurdle over three miles with the Willie Mullins-trained Shaneshill stepping up in trip from two and a half. He had enough speed to chase home the impressive Douvan in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival and that horse underlined the form with a dominant display here on Tuesday.

Shaneshill was barely out of a hack canter to win at Fairyhouse last time out and he races as though the trip will suit him. The Albert Bartlett looked like a real slog at Prestbury Park and third home No More Heroes represents the form here. I just wonder if that hard race may have taken its toll while Mullins also saddles festival winner Killultagh Vic under Paul Townend. Thistlecrack is over from the UK after winning gamely at Aintree but Shaneshill may have too much class for him.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup form comes under scrutiny in the Punchestown equivalent at 5.30. I tipped Djakadam at 16-1 for Cheltenham and he ran a mighty race in second, not quite having enough to peg back all-the-way winner Coneygree. He had previously sluiced through the mud to win at Gowran Park and any further rain will help his prospects here.

Road To Riches was not far behind him at Cheltenham and is entitled to respect, as is easy Liverpool winner Don Cossack. He won by an impressive 26 lengths at Aintree but the race was marred by the fatal fall of Balder Succes. Ballynagour stuck to his guns when closing to within a head of Silviniaco Conti at Aintree but this is a more testing track and his best form is at two and a half miles.

The third and final Grade 1 of the day is the Champion Bumper at 6.05. Several of these ran in the Cheltenham bumper with Modus faring best in second. That was a tremendous run but I am convinced that Supasundae will be better if he can be restrained in the early stages. He eventually finished sixth after being up with the pace for a long way and could be a decent bet in a tricky contest. As usual, Willie Mullins is mob-handed with five runners with Bellshill probably his best chance.

Shaneshill 4.55 @@7-4 William Hill

Djakadam 5.30 @11-4 William Hill

Supasundae 6.05 @12-1 Ladbrokes

Ascot Wednesday Preview

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There is an excellent card at Ascot on Wednesday with two Group 3 races and a Listed race.

The action starts at 2.25 with a two-year-old Conditions Stakes featuring three first-time-out winners. The one to be on here looks to be Gifted Master for the in-form Hugo Palmer stable. He was an impressive winner on his debut at Newmarket where he had the Brocklesby Stakes winner behind in fourth. He won’t have everything his own way with Mark Johnston’s Buratino and Windsor winner Handytalk in opposition but another win here could book his Royal Ascot ticket.

Montalcino is strongly fancied to win the Retraining Of Racehorses Stakes at 3.00 for Brian Meehan, another stable which has started the season impressively. Level stakes followers of the yard are already fifty points up this season and Montalcino holds an ambitious entry in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot. If she is that good, the others won’t see which way she went but I’m going to take a chance on Pulcinella. The Godolphin filly was second off a modest mark in a Newmarket handicap on her last outing but she is by that good mare Petrushka and can only improve.

The Sagaro Stakes at 3.30 looks a real puzzle, particularly if the ground remains on the fast side. Tac de Boistron is known to prefer softer ground and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him taken out if the rain fails to arrive. Forever Now was very disappointing at Nottingham behind stable companion Deuce Again last time and is surely better than he showed that day. Pallasator should go close here for Sir Mark Prescott but there are a number of improving horses here that are taking a step up from handicap company.

Stomachion and Wakea will both win races but I am siding with Luca Cumani’s Mizzou. He did nothing but improve last year and was only beaten inches on his last start here. Normally I would not back Cumani until later in the summer but he’s already sent out a couple of winners and his horses seem quite well forward. Whatever he does here, he should develop into a decent stayer this season.

The horse which may steal the headlines is Henry Candy’s unbeaten Limato. He oozed class when winning the valuable Redcar Two-year-old Trophy under a confident ride from Graham Lee and could develop into a Group 1 sprinter this season. There are plenty of speedy sorts in opposition in the Pavilion Stakes at 4.05 but I expect Limato to continue where he left off last season and make it five in a row.

Mondialiste ran a cracker in the Lincoln and did not enjoy the smoothest of runs at Newmarket last time. He looks the form choice in the Listed race at 4.35 for David O’Meara.

Gifted Master 2.25 @6-4 Stan James

Pulcinella 3.00 @7-2 Betfair

Mizzou 3.30 @9-1 Boylesports

Limato 4.05 @13-8 Paddy Power

Mondialiste 4.35 @2-1 Bet365

Punchestown Festival – Tuesday Preview

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The Punchestown festival gets under way on Tuesday with a number of Cheltenham winners in action on the opening day.

Douvan got Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh off to a flyer at Cheltenham when living up to expectations in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He reappears in the Champion Novice Hurdle at 4.20 and is impossible to oppose. Sizing John was seven lengths adrift at the festival and looks clear second-best here.

Punters are unlikely to get rich by supporting RSA Chase winner Don Poli at 6.40 either. He was one of the most impressive winners of the meeting in the RSA Chase and is now one of the market leaders for next season’s Gold Cup. It remains to be seen just how good a race it was this year but there will be some long faces in the unsaddling enclosure if he fails to win on Tuesday.

Just as in Douvan’s race, the biggest threat looks likely to come from a horse that was behind at Cheltenham. Wounded Warrior was an honourable third, eight lengths behind Don Poli.

If those two races look like a cakewalk for Mullins, the same cannot be said for the Champion Chase at 5.30. He runs three here, led by Champagne Fever. The grey came within inches of completing a third successive victory at the festival when beaten on the nod in the Arkle Chase last season. His chasing career has spluttered along since, seemingly with no clear indication of what his best trip is. Mullins seemed convinced that it was two and a half miles after he failed to stay in the King George but is now reverting to two miles. My guess is that Ruby Walsh will try to reproduce the front running display that so nearly won the Arkle.

He is joined in the field by Felix Yonger and Twinlight. I much prefer Felix Yonger of the pair, a winner over Argocat at Navan last month. John Hanlon is trying blinkers on Hidden Cyclone for the first time after a disappointing run behind Uxizandre at the festival. He has some top class form in the past and will be an obvious threat if the blinds have the desired effect.

A Mullins treble on the opening day would not hit the bookmakers too hard at the prohibitive prices on offer but 3-1 looks fair for Champagne Fever.

Douvan 4.20 @1-4 William Hill

Champagne Fever 5.30 @3-1 Paddy Power

Don Poli 6.40 @4-9 Betfred

Sha Tin International Meeting Preview 26th April

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HONG KONG RACING Sunday 26 APRIL 1915

SHA TIN

Hong Kong Wrap Up

Group Racing at Sha Tin today with a great International Group One in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup where we have some International raiders from the UK as well as the very best Hong Kong has to offer. The feature race is over the 2000m which is a standard middle distance race for Group Racing in Hong Kong. This does however look a special race as we have the International Raider’s in Red Cadeaux and Criterion who will have to contend with the local runners who are very good over this distance and also have International Group Races to their name with the likes of Designs On Rome and Military Attack along with Blazing Speed. It all shapes to be a fantastic race. We then move on to The Sprint Cup which proceeds this race and really does look to be a sensational race as well. Peniaphobia, Lucky Nine who I really do fancy at each way odds and then there is Gold-Fun who dropped back to this distance at this level last start and chalked up a great win for his trainer who performed a great tactical adjustment for this runner and may very well produce it once again today. Enjoy the racing today and especially the Group races and above all the best of luck and have a great day.

 

Track and Conditions: Turf A Course and track is rated as Good.

 

Expected Weather: Cloudy with sunny intervals and a top temperature of 27 degrees. The wind will be from the east up to 20 Km/h which is fairly light and should not impact on the running today which should mean a fair playing field.  

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 Best Bet: Race 6 No 3 Packing Pins

Best Value: Race 4 No 10 Diamond Mysterious

Best Exotic Races: 7-8-9-10

Quaddie:- 

Race 7: 3-2-1-4 Race 8: 1-4-2-5-3 Race 9: 4-6 Race 10: 3-12-6-14-10

 

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Race 1: — Time: 5.00am GMT—Distance: 2000m—Class 5

Top Pick: No 8 Dragon Bachelor

Value Selection: No 1 Better Announce

Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Win Chance and No 9 Mobile King

 

Race Overview

 

Open class four to kick of the card today and it may very well be each way the field here. Dragon Bachelor races around this distance most of the time and put in a fairly good effort last start over the 1800m when he closed off extremely well from a fair way back. Did not threaten the winner but it was a nice 2nd just the same. Carries the same weight today and Joao Moreira retains the ride.  Better Announce Drops back in class today for the very first time and it was a reasonable effort at class four last start to finish 5th over this distance. He has to come under consideration today on that effort. Only had a light weight last start and is right up in the weights today with the class drop but if he carries the weight he has to be a very good chance today and Zac Purton is in the saddle for the first time as well.

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Race 2: — Time: 5.30am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 3 G-One Leader

Selection: No 5 Ah Bo 

Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Unique Joyful and No 9 Beauty Ahead / No 7 Run Forrest

 

Race Overview

 

G-One Leader dropped back to this class mid season and has not been very far away since doing so. There was a lot to like about his last start 2nd over this distance and went close with Zac Purton in the saddle. Zac sticks with him today and has been on him on three occasions since dropping back to this class so it would appear they are trying and do expect he will chalk one up soon. Ah Bo has put together two very nice runs at his last two starts and if he stays in that type of form he has to come under strong consideration today. Looks to appreciate this distance and should get a good run in transit.

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Race 3: — Time: 6.00am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 8 Motif

Value Selection: No 10 Royal Elegance

Exotic Inclusions: No 3 Real Generous and No 6 Giggles Forever

 

Race Overview

 

Motif has never been very far away since arriving in Hong Kong and it looks only a matter of time before he breaks through. Went over this distance for the first time last start and seamed to appreciate the extra ground. Went to the line strong on that occasion after a nice on paced race throughout. Comes up with another decent draw today and should repeat those same tactics as he does retain Douglas Whyte in the saddle. Royal Elegance has only had three starts this season and all have been over the 1400m and on each occasion he has been closing off extremely hard and gives you the impression that they have this race in mind as he is up 200m today and it looks perfect looking at the lead up’s to today.

 

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Race 4: — Time: 6.30am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 3 Sensation

Value Selection: No 10 Diamond Mysterious

Exotic Inclusions: No 6 Unbeatable Guts and No 11 Top Bonus

 

Race Overview

 

Sensation his form is better than it looks on paper and even though he finished 8th last start he was only 2 /1/2 lengths away in the wash up. Not drawn great but Zac Purton is back in the saddle and he has won on him previously and have to slot him in with a bit of an each way chance here. Diamond Mysterious is an improving three year old and looks a bit of a chance here after running 2nd at his last two starts. Should get a good run in transit from gate two and gets into this still well weighted. Unbeatable Guts has been right on the pace this season and looks to be close to a win. Went close last start over the 1400m but has been freshened up since then and has the ability to go well fresh over this distance. Retains his usual hoop and will get a 2 Lb claim in doing so :).

 

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Race 5: — Time: 7.00am GMT—Distance: 1800m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 8 Sergeant Titanium

Value Selection: No 9 Supreme Profit

Exotic Inclusions: No 13 Monsieur Mogok and No 1 Jolly Gene 

 

Sergeant Titanium has hit a very good patch of form and looks to have improved out of sight since Joao Moreira jumped on board. Went up to class three last start with Joao on board and ran a very good race despite finishing 3rd. Up a touch in the weights as a result of that effort but still looks in well just the same looking at this field and can certainly get in the finish once again. Supreme Profit yet another Zac Purton mount and he does look like a bit of a chance here. He has been very consistent this season and certainly deserves another go at this class. He went very close last start at his first go at class three and that was a very good indication of just how much he has improved. Certainly has to be a chance today even though up slightly in the weights. review

 

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Race 6: — Time: 7.30am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 3 Packing Pins

Value Selection: No 5 Too Fast

Exotic Inclusions: No 14 Ultimate Glory and No 12 Soul Achiever / No 4 Flying Mooch

 

                                                        Race Overview

 

Good quality class three here but there is only one runner that you want to be on after his last start win and that is Packing Pins. Up in the weights but he certainly does look like an improving type who really should go beyond this class. Drawn wide today but should be able to be well positioned in the running just the same and he does retain Joao Moreira in the saddle. Too Fast looks a touch over the odds here but his last three runs indicate that he just may be a bit of a chance here. Nice draw and Tommy Berry in the saddle and all points for a good chance.

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Race 7: — Time: 8.00am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Hong Kong Group 2

Top Pick: No 3 Peniaphobia

Value Selection: No 2 Lucky Nine

Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Gold-Fun and No 4 Charles The Great

 

Race Overview

 

Peniaphobia up and coming four year old who looks like taking over the sprinting crown in Hong Kong the way he has been going. He has a very honest strike rate and has the ability to add to that today. May cross from gate 9 to  either lead or close to it today and if not pressured too much should go close if he holds on over the concluding stages but he will have a few breathing down his neck especially in Lucky Nine who ran a very good race last start and you get the feeling you have not seen the last of this great sprinter going on that run. Gold -Fun just scraped in last start over this sprint distance which was at a distance that was at the trainer’s digression and is holding that opinion today. Not sure if he can do it twice in a row but he will certainly give it a shake. Charles The Great looks to have been set for this and has also came up with a nice draw in gate 2. Golden Harvest and Teofilo Calvo look the next best in line.

 

 

Race 8: — Time: 8.35am GMT—Distance: 2000m—Group One

Top Pick: No 1 Designs On Rome

Value Selection: No 4 Criterion

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Military Attack and No 5 Red Cadeaux / No 3 Blazing Speed

 

Race Overview

 

Very nice race here with some international runners joining in as well. However I do like Designs On Rome as he has really performed exceptional this season and only has to retain that type of form to give a very strong sight once again today and looks a great chance at set weights. Cirterion went around in the Hong Kong Cup over this distance last season and ran a very good on paced race to run third on that occasion behind Designs On Rome and Military Attack and has to be in the finish here once again you would expect. Military Attack is a never say die type of horse and never gives up. Gutsy type who always puts in 100% and has the ability to get right into the finish once again today. However there is concern out of his camp that he is slightly lame with an injury and may not be ready for race time but will have to wait and see on that but he certainly will not run if not 100% fit. Blazing Speed has been up to this class on a few occasions this season and cannot be left out together with Red Cadeaux,  Helene Super Star and Helene Happy Star how will also have their chances. Great race.

 

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Race 9: — Time: 9.15am GMT—Distance: 1400m— Class 2

Top Pick: No 4 Giant Treasure

Value Selection: No 6 Eroico

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Kabayan and No 1 Beauty Only / No 11 Racing Hero

 

Race Overview

 

Giant Treasure has not been very far away since arriving in Hong Kong and gets another chance to break through today. Back in distance but this is a fairly decent class drop than what he has been going around in recently. Retains Douglas Whyte in the saddle who has been on him since day one and they tells you it is only a matter of time before he chalks one up and if he can race handy enough today has to be a good chance. Eroico very nice type and only went up to this class two starts back but has certainly looked well placed with two very nice 2nd placings. Actually drops 5 Lbs in weight on his last start performance but it is a slightly better class race today. All the same he should enjoy a nice run along close to the rails from gate one and retains Joao Moreira in the saddle who has been with him from day one and looks a certain chance today.

 

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Race 10: — Time: 9.50pm GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 3

Top Pick: No: 3 Eye On You

Value Selection: No 12 Thor The Greatest

Exotic Inclusions: No 6 Bossiee and No 14 Blizzard / No 10 Travel Renya

 

                                                         Race Overview          

 

Very nice class three to finish off the card today and I do like a couple of these so it is a bit hard to split them but Eye On You does look a bit of a chance despite coming up with a squeeze draw in gate nine. Only the three starts in Hong Kong so far and has had a few issues but looks to be on track for today’s race as his track work has been good. Thor The Greatest goes around today with just a feather on his back with only 109Lbs after the claim from Jack Wong. Has a great draw in gate three and really should bounce and be the one to run down here. Previous two runs at this class have been very good and looks a strong chance once again today at very nice odds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wetherby stages first ever flat race card

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National Hunt fans can be forgiven to double-check their racecards on Sunday as Wetherby stages its first ever flat card after 123 years. The new initiative is apparently to diversify and attract new customers to the Yorkshire track and jump racing remains its staple diet.

The opening day has attracted 91 runners so no shortage of support from local trainers and also from those further afield. My two best bets on the card are travelling from down south with Barry Hills and Andrew Balding aiming to add Wetherby to their list of winning courses.

Barry Hills is well into the veteran stage and only returned to training following the tragic loss of his son. He will retire for a second time at the end of the season with the yard being transferred to Owen Burrows but he still hopes to make his mark. He can strike on Sunday with the maiden filly Wardat Dubai in the 2.35.

She ran a most encouraging race on her debut when a close fifth behind Aloft at Newmarket over a mile. She then came up against a very smart filly in Luca Cumani’s Pamona at the same track, fading in the closing stages to finish third in soft ground. She is by Mawatheeq out of an Efisio mare and should be up to winning in this grade with any normal improvement from two to three.

The feature race is the five-furlong sprint at 4.40 with Andrew Balding saddling the top weight Secret Hint. She raced five times as a three-year-old, winning at Doncaster and Newmarket. Both races were over six furlongs and she was also tried over seven at Goodwood in July. She was drawn badly that day and failed to last home but showed improved form on her next visit to the Sussex track.

She raced on her own for much of the race but was still only beaten a length and a half by the in-form Inciting Incident. She then won at Newmarket on good ground in September, holding off the persistent challenge of Remember to win by three-quarters of a length. She has only been raised 4lbs for that success and looks to have more scope than her rivals here.

If she continues to progress, Balding will be hoping to secure some black type later in the season with the daughter of Oasis Dream.

Wardat Dubai 2.35 @2-1 Bet365

Secret Hint 4.40 @5-2 Bet365