Category: Horse Racing

Haydock Swinton Hurdle Preview

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The new National Hunt season is under way and adjusting to life after Tony McCoy. Haydock stages a mixed card of flat and jump races on Saturday but the feature event is the two-mile Swinton Handicap Hurdle.

The bookmakers have chalked up Handiwork as the early favourite on the strength of his fourth behind Cheltenian at Ayr in the Scottish Champion Hurdle. That title is a little misleading as it is now a handicap and Handiwork is just 2lbs better off with the winner. The Steve Gollings-trained gelding stormed through in the closing stages and he has the assistance of Nico de Boinville in the saddle.

Cheltenian is now nine years of age but has always been a classy performer, winning the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham back in 2011. He was a game second to Violet Dancer at Newbury in the Betfair Hurdle and thoroughly deserved his victory at Ayr.

Tony Martin was narrowly denied in the Chester Cup when Quick Jack was just beaten by Trip To Paris on Wednesday. He is targeting another big handicap here with The Plan Man, a five-year-old son of Jeremy.

He was fourth to Some Article at Fairyhouse in April and got no further than the fourth flight before unseating his rider last time. Evan Williams saddles Court Minstrel and last year’s winner Ballyglasheen and neither has particularly inspiring form figures. The former has been cutting little ice against the top two-mile chasers recently while Ballyglasheen was never a factor at Cheltenham or Aintree.

Brian Ellison is represented by Vodka Wells, a two and a quarter length winner from Harvey’s Hope at Hexham last time. That was his first victory since joining the trainer from France and he could still be improving.

Barizan is another previous winner of this race having won in 2013 but he too has been struggling to show his form of late. Oliver Sherwood saddles Rayvin Black who tried to set the pace at Sandown recently but could not sustain the effort and faded into seventh. He was a very game second to Ebony Express in the Imperial Cup but that was a real slog and it may have taken its toll.

David Pipe’s Rathealy has won modest contests at Plumpton and Warwick, both in very testing ground. He is up 7lbs for his latest win but the one that really catches the eye is Harry Whittington’s Arzal. He ran no sort of race in the Imperial Cup but something was clearly amiss that day and he bolted up at Chepstow last time in a novices’ hurdle.

Handiwork @9-1 Paddy Power

Arzal @9-1 Ladbrokes

Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4

Ascot Victoria Cup Preview

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The big betting race of the weekend is the Victoria Cup over seven furlongs at 3.45. As usual, it has attracted a huge field with 29 runners spread across the track.

The bookmakers are currently offering 12-1 the field and beating five places each-way, which tells you all that you need to know about the competitive nature of the race. Ed Dunlop has already scooped one major handicap this week with the Chester Cup and saddles Zarwaan here.

The four-year-old was our selection for the Lincoln at Doncaster and he ran a creditable race to finish sixth, unable to quicken in the closing stages behind Gabrial. He had chased home Chatez on soft ground at Haydock last year and was also a close fifth in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot. He may just have needed the race at Doncaster and this drop back to seven furlongs could also see him in a better light.

Richard Hannon saddles Emell, a five-year-old by Medicean and an emphatic winner at Haydock in April. He wore blinkers for the first time when producing a fine turn of foot to beat Professor by three and a quarter lengths. The handicapper put him up 8lbs for that run and he looked unlucky not to follow up at Goodwood. He seemed to be travelling extremely well under Kieran O’Neill but could not find a gap. He eventually flashed home in fifth and races off the same mark here.

Speculative Bid is on a hat-trick for David Elsworth after winning twice at Kempton this spring. He was a very impressive winner over Brave Echo off a mark of 82 before defying a 9lbs rise in April. He beat Outback Traveller by a head and that horse is only 1lb better off on Saturday. That was a fine seasonal debut for Jeremy Noseda’s son of Bushranger and he won by seven lengths here in October. He is now a stone higher in the handicap but has to be a contender.

Russian Realm is an interesting runner here for David O’Meara having previously been trained by Sir Michael Stoute. He won well in soft ground at Goodwood last May but never really went on from there. The change of scenery may bring about some improvement and Richard Hughes is an eye-catching jockey booking.

William Haggas is always to be feared in these big handicaps and he saddles the lightly raced Dream Spirit. He beat Maverick Wave at Newmarket last August but was beaten at the same track next time and was third to Mooharib at Pontefract.

Emell @25-1 Ladbrokes

Dream Spirit @14-1 Ladbrokes

¼ odds, 1,2,3,4,5

Sha Tin 9th May Horse Racing Tips!

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HONG KONG RACING SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015

SHA TIN

Hong Kong Wrap Up

I hope you enjoyed the racing at Sha Tin last Sunday as we really did see some special races and none better than Able Friend winning the Champions Mile. He now rates on top as equal rated best runner in the world. Now that is very special for Hong Kong runners and they have proved it time after time with some fantastic runners coming from Australia and New Zealand. Today the feature race is the Queen Mother memorial Cup and it does look to be a very competitive race over the 2400m. A Group race which does have some very good stayers. I do also like No 8 in race 10 Travel first as a very solid chance today and for the value selection I am going for Race Nine No 1 Up And Coming. Good luck if having a go and enjoy the days racing at sha Tin which is always a great meet.

Track and Conditions: Turf B+2 Course with the exception of races 1 and 6 which will be on the All Weather Dirt Track.

 

Expected Weather:  Sunny intervals with a few showers and a top temperature of 30 degrees. Wind will be from the south gusting up to and around the 30 Km/h mark which will create a tail wind down the straight which will assist closers. 

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 Best Bet: Race 10 No 8 Travel First

Best Value: Race 9 No 1 Up And Coming

Best Exotic Races: 7-8-9-10

Quaddie:-

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

 

Race 1: — Time: 5.00am GMT—Distance: 1650m-AWT—Class 5

Top Pick: No 2 Safari Magic

Value Selection: No 1 Cultural City

Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Lucky Bole and No 6 Sure Peace

 

Race Overview

Safari Magic Class four runner dropping back to class five for the first time this season. Had been a bit hot and cold at class four but has also put in some nice performances. Mainly a Happy Valley and AWT runner and does go well on this surface. Comes up with a decent draw in gate 6 and has Brett Prebble in the saddle for the first time. Should be each way odds and a good chance at this class today even with the extra weight. Cultural City The last time he won a race was over this distance on this course and surface at class four earlier this season. Drops back to this class for the first time this season and even though he has top weight he comes up with a nice draw in gate four and you would have to think he should be competitive here.

 

Race 2: — Time: 5.30am GMT—Distance: 2000m—Class 4

 

Top Pick : No 5 Rouge Et Blanc

Selection: No 11 Crouse Control

Exotic Inclusions: No 9 Navel Orange and No Ambassadorship

 

Race Overview

Rouge Et Blanc Has shown a fair bit of improvement at his last two starts winning for Joao Moreira over the 1600m and put in a very nice on paced performance for Zac Purton last start over the 2000m which he goes over today. Drawn in gate seven and should cross ok to be positioned well in the running once again. A repeat of his last start performance sees him right in this. Cruise Control his last two starts have been over this distance and the 2nd last was at Sha Tin over this course when he finished 3rd but was only a short head from the winner. Both those who finished in front of him on that occasion are also engaged in this race and will be looking at a form line from that race today as they all look well suited once again. Cruise Control does retain leading hoop in Joao Moreira in the saddle which will most likely not do his odds much good but he does appear another strong chance here.

 

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

 

Top Pick: No 6 Glacier Blue

Value Selection: No 2 Plenty Of Speed

Exotic Inclusions: No 5 Penny Lane and No 3 Hoxo / No 4 King Of Reason

 

Race Overview

Ordinary class four here and take out the on top selection it quickly gets pretty skinny to find decent form. Not the race you want to get too involved in however Glacier Blue has only came up with one decent gate all season and not much better today in gate nine however his last start performance was very good over this distance and class and only missed by a neck in the wash up. Up 2 lbs as a result of that which is still ok for this runner and he has Douglas Whyte in the saddle for the first time which may do the trick. Plenty Of Speed has raced over this distance all season and after dropping back from class three has not been too far away with the exception of one start when he did not begin well and never really got into the finish at all but having said that he has not been to far off on three other occasions. Drawn a bit wide today but has the pace to cross and may give a cheeky site over the concluding stages. Weight the only query.

 

Race 4: — Time: 6.30am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 4

 

Top Pick: No 1 All My Gain

Value Selection: No 9 Lean Journey

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Go Go Win and No 12 One More World / No 10 Elegance Klammer

 

Race Overview

All My Gain comes into this today after recording two very good wins both over this distance at this class and both were from wide gates. Not a real lot better today after coming up with a bit of a squeeze draw in gate nine but he has certainly improved since stepping up to this distance and looks another decent chance once again today with Douglas Whyte retaining the ride. Should also stay at current each way odds. Lean Journey was on track for a tilt at this distance as he was closing off well over the 1200m but at his 2nd last start he was galloped on but just the same was disappointing and may have not been suited by being ridden in a forward position as well. Was having his first go last start at this distance when another runner fell in front of him and he also hit the turf as a result of not being able to avoid that incident. Was travelling well in a nice position before that. Has trialled well since and gets another crack at it today and his last start hoop in Zac Purton is back in the saddle. Can turn things around today.

 

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

Top Pick: No 1 Thunder Dash

Value Selection: No 7 Top Bonus

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Fish And Chips and No 3 Yo-Yo Da

 

Race Overview

Thunder Dash does come across as hard to hold out here despite top weight. Drawn well and should get a nice trail in transit. Won well two starts back and went very close again last start under a light weight with young Jack Wong in the saddle but they have gone for a senior hoop today in Neil Callan and looking at this field he should run well once again. Top Bonus went up to this distance two starts back and went close on the first occasion and was expected to be right in the finish once again last start but was disappointing and his hoop claimed that he appeared to have a breathing issue which was abnormal. Track work since has been fine and Joao Moreira has been on him at all Hong Kong starts so you would expect he will break through sooner rather than later. Nice draw and well weighted.

 

Race 6: — Time: 7.35am GMT—Distance: 1650m – AWT—Class 3

Top Pick: No 3 Verdane e/w

Value Selection: No 4 Rumba King

Exotic Inclusions: No 13 Terrific Master and No 9 Buddy Buddies /No 5 Happy Journey

 

Race Overview

This race is very open to say the least and will most likely jump at each way the field. However Verdane always looks a bit of a chance in races of this type and does handle this surface as well. Comes up with a decent draw in gate 4 and will get his chance from that gate with Douglas Whyte back in the saddle.  Rumba King does not win too often but does appreciate this surface and has been close up at his last two starts and may be getting close to another win here. Brett Prebble who is the master of the weave stays on board and just scraps in with the barrier in gate eight and has a similar weight as last start when he put in a nice on paced 3rd.Can certainly go well once again today at nice odds.

 

Race 7: — Time: 8.05am GMT—Distance: 1000m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 14 E-Super

Value Selection: No 2 Country Melody

Exotic Inclusions: No 3 Accepted and No

 

Race Overview

E-Super Only the two starts in Hong Kong and both have been over this distance all be it at Class four. Won first up and just missed by a very short  margin last start. Up in class today but does have a 19 Lb weight drop with the class rise which has to be a bonus after coming up with a nice draw in gate 11. Strong consideration here. Country Melody does like the straight 1000m at Sha Tin and may prove hard to keep out here. Still has not came up with a really good draw since arriving in Hong Kong but not too bad in gate eight today so he should be in the leading pack towards the rails as they go down the grandstand side of the track here. Yet another Joao Moreira ride which does look to have a very good chance.

 

 

Race 8: — Time: 8.35am GMT—Distance: 2400m—Hong Kong Group III

 

Top Pick: No 5 Got Fly

Value Selection: No 4 Thunder Fantasy

Exotic Inclusions: No 7 Helene Happy Star and No 11 Renaissance Art / No 9 Savvy Nature

 

Race Overview

Got Fly does look well placed in a race of this type. Closed off very hard last start over the 2000m at HKG1 and it does look like the extra distance will be right up his ally today as he has been breed for staying over this distance and similar. Thunder Fantasy certainly showed what he is capable of last start when Brett took him out a touch early and caught them off guard. Just love it when he does those type of moves, You just do not know when it is coming but he is a very good hoop and certainly knows how to read things. Up in class here but it does look like the distance will be ideal and don’t be surprised if they go too slow he will be revved up and sent out early once again.

 

 

Race 9: — Time: 9.10am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 1 Up And Coming

Value Selection: No 3 Jaeger Bomb

Exotic Inclusions: No 12 So Caffe and No 7 Razor Sharp

 

Race Overview

Up And Coming is a very nice type and has put together two wins and a very close second since going up to this class and even with top weight today can certainly go on with it. Usually races on the pace and may drop into a cover position today but just the same he does look like he will progress beyond this class at some point and looks a very nice chance here once again today. Jaeger Bomb went very close last start and only has to continue that type of form to give this a serious shake. Up a touch in the weights but still looks ok looking at this field and he does retain Zac Purton in the saddle.

 

Race 10: — Time: 9.45am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 2

Top Pick: No: 8 Travel First

Value Selection: No 11 Universal Union

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Quanternion Eagle and No 3 Glorious Lad / No 6 Marvel Tribe

 

                                                         Race Overview

Travel First Has been extremely consistent since arriving in Hong Kong and really does deserve to break through very soon and it just may be today. Up a touch in the weights after his first up 3rd at class two but still looks well in this just the same. Drawn a touch wide but should be able to settle in well enough in the running to give him another good chance once again today and he does retain his last start hoop. Universal Union has been very good since arriving in Hong Kong which has prompted his trainer to step him up to class two. Looked good on the first occasion but did not perform well last start and I have the feeling it may have been that he was at Happy Valley under lights for the first time. Can certainly turn it around back at Sha Tin today over a distance which he has shown he does like and he does come up with a decent draw today with Zac Purton back in the saddle. Quanternion Eagle has won over this distance on two occasions and it was nice to see that he picked up a win at his first start which was over the 1200m. Should be further improved and better suited today over this distance.        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chester Preview – Friday 8th May

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Betcirca followers were in profit for the second consecutive day at Chester with wins for Collaboration (9-4), Hans Holbein (5-2) and Navigate (10-1).

Aidan O’Brien has mopped up the first two classic trials of the week in the Cheshire Oaks and Chester Vase. He now sets his sights on the Dee Stakes on Friday where he is represented by Smuggler’s Cove. He has much the best two-year-old form having finished third to Belardo in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.

He had previously won at Dundalk by seven lengths to earn his trip to Newmarket. He is by Fastnet Rock out of a Sadler’s Wells mare and has an extra three furlongs to travel here. The race has been hit by non-runners due to the give in the ground and it could develop into a very tactical affair. Ryan Moore rides Smuggler’s Cove with main market rival Disegno to be partnered by Ted Durcan.

Sir Michael Stoute’s colt also had decent form as a juvenile and was a fair third to Golden Horn first time out this season. He looked very short of pace that day and that could count against him on this tight track.

The feature race of the day is the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at 3.10 and conditions have come right for Marco Botti’s Tac de Boistron. The grey has won nine races in his career, all on soft or heavy ground. He has also won after a lengthy lay-off in the past so fitness is unlikely to be an issue. He has a very high cruising speed and is preferred to the consistent Windshear.

The opening seven-furlong handicap looks wide open. One Word More won well for Tim Easterby last time but I’m put off by his draw in stall ten. He usually comes from off the pace and a slow start here would virtually put him out of it.

Alejandro just gets my vote, although the concern with him is the ground. He has not won on soft ground, although he has run some decent races on it. He ran well for a long way at Haydock first time out when fourth to Emell. The winner was very unlucky not to follow up under a penalty next time so Alejandro clearly met a horse in peak form that day.

Alejandro 2.10 @8-1 Betfair

Smuggler’s Cove 2.40 @6-4 Coral

Tac de Boistron 3.10 @2-1 Bet365

Chester Preview – Thursday 7th May

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Rah Rah (2-1) and Not Never (11-1) gave us a profit on the opening day of the Chester May meeting. Quick Jack was just run out of it in the Chester Cup by Trip To Paris, ironically the horse that I had deserted due to the rain softened ground.

Thursday’s card looks equally competitive and the action begins at 2.10 with a mile and a quarter handicap. Andrew Balding’s Collaboration did us a favour when winning the City & Suburban Handicap at Epsom last time and is difficult to oppose, despite a hefty rise in the weights. He was always travelling well that day and was going further clear at the finish.

The Huxley Stakes at 2.40 looks wide open with some progressive horses entered. Cannock Chase may just have needed his first run of the season at Sandown in the Gordon Richards Stakes. Relatively few of Sir Michael Stoute’s horses have proved fit enough to win first time out. He is just preferred to Air Pilot who went through the handicap last season.

Hans Holbein can add another string to the bow of Aidan O’Brien in the Chester Vase as he plans his raiding party for the Epsom Derby next month. He has already shown that stamina is his strength and the opposition here is pretty weak for a Group 3.

Goring may be worth supporting in the seven furlong handicap after winning cosily last time out. He had previously been disqualified after a banned substance was found in his sample. Stoute’s Pleiades was beaten a long way last time and 6-1 or thereabouts looks good value for Eve Johnson Houghton’s runner.

Raj To Riches has just been caught in his first two races and should be suited by this faster track. He can use his early speed to put his rivals under pressure and get off the mark at the third time of asking. The six-furlong handicap which follows looks particularly tricky and I’m going to give another chance to Navigate. Martyn Meade’s colt showed plenty of early speed at Newmarket last time and this looks an easier contest.

The card closes with another very competitive race and the vote just goes to Empress Ali. She has run three times previously at the Roodeye, returning the form figures 2, 2, 1. Tom Tate may well have targeted this meeting for her seasonal reappearance and she is well drawn in stall 4.

Collaboration 2.10 @9-4 Bet365

Cannock Chase 2.40 @15-8 William Hill

Hans Holbein 3.10 @5-2 Racebets

Goring 3.45 @6-1 Bet365

Raj To Riches 4.20 @5-2 Bet365

Navigate 4.55 @9-1 William Hill

Empress Ali 5.25 @7-1 William Hill

Chester Preview – Wednesday 6th May

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Chester races gets under way on Wednesday with a seven-race card starting at 2.10 with the Lily Agnes Stakes. This race usually sets the tone for the rest of the week with the winner invariably coming from a low draw and I fancy Mark Johnston’s Rah Rah to do exactly that.

She is a speedy daughter of Lonhro and I liked the way she strode clear of Anwar at Kempton on her debut. Silver Wings has the inside berth and is likely to make a race of it while Astley Hall did everything wrong on his debut but still managed to win.

The going has eased with the midweek rain and that could benefit Michael Bell’s filly Banzari in the Cheshire Oaks. She was pulled out of the Pretty Polly Stakes on Sunday due to the fast ground and the move could pay off here. I was impressed with Victoria Pollard’s debut win at Newbury for Andrew Balding but they finished in a bit of a heap so she still has something to prove.

We have previewed the Chester Cup separately and expect a big run from Quick Jack under Richard Hughes. The rain has arrived in time so my biggest concern is whether Hughes will be able to navigate his way through this big field. The horse has run well in a County Hurdle and a Cesarewitch so is battle-hardened and just needs a bit of luck in running.

B Fifty Two will be a popular fancy to make all under Frankie Dettori in the sprint at 3.45. I just felt that he didn’t quite do enough last time out to suggest that he was at his peak and prefer the claims of Blithe Spirit. She is a course winner and ran a fine race against Spinatrix at Nottingham.

Sir Isaac Newton is difficult to oppose in the maiden at 4.20 having been edged out by Derby hope Zawraq on his debut. He is still entered in the Derby and a host of other top races so will need to win this if he is in that class.

Robert Cowell has his usual impressive team of sprinters and he saddles Duke Of Firenze and Normal Equilibrium on the 4.55. The former won the Epsom Dash when trained by Sir Michael Stoute but has been largely frustrating since and I’m siding with the proven recent form of Normal Equilibrium. He’s won around here before and has drawn stall one.

The final race of the card is a fascinating mile and a half handicap for three-year-olds. These races are all about potential at this stage of the season and Not Never has bags of that. He battled on gamely to win his maiden for Hugo Palmer and the stable are in excellent form at present.

Rah Rah 2.10 @4.50 Betfair

Banzari 2.40 @9-1 Boylesports

Quick Jack 3.10 @6-1 Stan James

Blithe Spirit 3.45 @5-1 Paddy Power

Sir Isaac Newton 4.20 @2-5 Betfair

Normal Equilibrium 4.55 @11-4 Betfair

Not Never 5.25 @7-1 Bet365