Tag: Newmarket

Newmarket July Meeting Thursday 11th July

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After Royal Ascot, the Newmarket July course offers a far more relaxed day at the races. There is almost a carnival atmosphere for the three-day meeting but there is still plenty of top class racing to enjoy.

Several horses that narrowly missed out on Ascot glory turn out on day one. The opening Bahrain Trophy has been won for the past two seasons by John Gosden and he is represented by Feel Like Dancing, second in the Queen’s Vase. He looked like winning before Leading Light pulled out extra in the closing stages.

Dare To Achieve has been chalked up as favourite after winning an egg and spoon race at Pontefract so I’m tempted to take the 100-30 about Feel Like Dancing. He should hold Boite and Ray Ward on Ascot running and will almost certainly be held up for a little longer here.

Aidan O’Brien’s Sir John Hawkins will surely go off a warm favourite for the Coventry Stakes after finishing third to stable companion War Command. Even I (a confirmed sceptic about quotes for the classics on two-year-old races) was tempted to dip into the ante-post market for some 10-1 War Command after that so I’m hoping SJH will complement the form.

The Princess of Wales’s Stakes has got me scratching my head to find inspiration. Only seven runners but plenty of pros and cons. I had nearly convinced myself that old Wigmore Hall could have too much pace for these but I’ve since read that his trainer doubts he will be fit enough! Grandeur would be interesting with a race under his belt too whilst Danadana has a new partner in Ryan Moore.

Danadana won at Chester after trailing the field early on and then turned in a poor effort at Sandown. His style of racing should suit Ryan Moore so I’ll risk him at 9-2.

The race of the day is the handicap at 3.15. Plenty will regard Matrooh as a good thing after finishing third to Remote and Baltic Knight but he is stepping up in trip. I cannot leave out my old friend Space Ship who ran a stormer at Ascot to finish second. He’s on virtually the same mark as at Epsom previously and he could win this.

I also have a feeling that Goodwood Mirage is a lot better than he has so far revealed. Dettori hasn’t really got after him in his races yet and this could be the acid test. I’ll take Goodwood Mirage and Space Ship against the field.

Montiridge has to be the selection in the 4.25. This race had a lot of quality entries but has cut up badly and anything close to evens will do me for a horse that got within a head of winning the Jersey Stakes.

Feel Like Dancing 100-30 Skybet
Sir John Hawkins 9-4 Coral
Danadana 9-2 Skybet
Space Ship 9-1 Stan James
Goodwood Mirage 10-1 Ladbrokes
Montiridge 5-6 Skybet

Newmarket July Cup Preview

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Things didn’t quite work out for us last week even though we got great value with our ante-post prices. Albasharah (tipped at 6-1) was backed to 5-4 favourite but could do no better than third. Mars (20-1) finished fourth whilst I feared the chances of Wentworth when he was drawn in the car park. In the circumstances he didn’t run badly at all and surely has a decent race in him.

The show moves on to the carnival atmosphere of the July course at Newmarket with the July Cup on Saturday. This has all the makings of a championship race with three Royal Ascot winners set to clash.

Sole Power was overlooked at Ascot after his sub-standard run in Haydock’s Temple Stakes. There was a general opinion that he had gone off the boil from the dazzling form that he showed at Newmarket and perhaps his spring campaign in Dubai had taken its toll. Not a bit of it. He was brilliantly produced by Johnny Murtagh to cut down Shea Shea late on and reverse placings with those that had beaten him soundly at Haydock.

Among them was Reckless Abandon, third at Haydock but only fifth at Ascot. I was surprised that connections opted for the King’s Stand Stakes rather than the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Clive Cox also saddles Lethal Force who showed that his York run behind Society Rock was no fluke when winning at Ascot. The runner-up had to take an unusual route to throw down his challenge but appeared to be well held at the line.

Gale Force Ten is an intriguing runner having won the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes. He looked to be in trouble when Montiridge loomed up alongside but pulled out more in the closing stages. There has been plenty of money for him from 10-1 down to 7-1 but I’m just a little concerned that he will be tapped for toe early on.

Sovereign Debt is another curious participant having been racing over a mile. He was an 80-1 shot when second to Farhh in the Lockinge but ran well below that at Ascot. He ought to have been closer to the runner-up Aljamaaheer even if we allow for Declaration Of War’s improvement.

The bookies have made Shea Shea favourite after his run behind Sole Power and have no doubt that he will reverse the form. Sole Power is as big as 14-1 due to the fact that he has never won over six furlongs. The South African won his race on the far side fair and square but cannot even have seen the Irish horse arriving on the opposite side of the course.

Sole Power’s stable companion Slade Power missed the break in the Jubilee and did well to finish as close as he did. He then won well over five furlongs at the Curragh and could run into a place here. It is difficult to make a case for any of the others.

The draw may come into play again here but Shea Shea is just about the form pick and 9-2 still represents a little bit of value.

Shea Shea 9-2 Paddy Power

Newmarket Preview Saturday 29th June

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Having previewed the Irish Derby earlier in the week I am happy to stick with my opinion that Ruler Of The World should follow up his Epsom Derby victory. I would expect Libertarian and Galileo Rock to follow him home and we should at least have a clearer indication of the likely St Leger winner by tomorrow evening.

The Northumberland Plate has turned into the ante-post punters nightmare. Several key non-runners including Tiger Claw because of the likelihood of fast ground (now good to soft). I suppose there was an element of poetic justice in the fact that the connections “stand-in” Lieutenant Miller failed to make the cut by one. The leading fancies have been drawn in the car park so most punters have switched their allegiance to some well-drawn hurdling types instead.

Whatever the fate of my Pitmen’s Derby selections, there are plenty of other good races to look at on Saturday. My first selection is for Godolphin’s Lost In The Moment in the Fred Archer Stakes. I’ve followed this nag from his handicapping days and even put some hard earned cash on him at huge odds for the Melbourne Cup in 2011. Rather like Godolphin, I am yet to enjoy success in that particular race but he did his best in finishing sixth.

I could probably write a small book about the fun I’ve had following Lost In The Moment. I tipped him strongly for the Goodwood Cup when he flew home and just failed to catch Opinion Poll. I fancied him for the Ebor but he suffered a lousy draw and could only stay on through beaten horses. All water under the bridge! Tomorrow he’s back in a five-runner listed race over a mile and a half and if he’s fit enough he can gain his first victory since 2011.

Another old friend is my selection in the Criterion Stakes, Jim Goldie’s Hawkeyethenoo. He has done nothing wrong this season in top quality sprint races. Either Graham Lee has been giving him too much to do or (giving Lee the benefit of the doubt) he needs to step up to seven furlongs. I can’t remember the last time I backed a winner ridden by Jamie Spencer but he has a chance to make amends tomorrow.

My third tip for the meeting is Nabucco in the 4.05. I followed several of Gosden’s horses at Royal Ascot and they all ran well. This fellow came up against a good sort in Niceofyoutotellme last time and Ryan Moore has been booked tomorrow. He holds a Magnet Cup entry so JG clearly thinks he has a big handicap in him this season.

Lost In The Moment 11-2 Totesport
Hawkeyethenoo 4-1 Paddy Power
Nabucco 4-1 Paddy Power

Newmarket Preview Friday 28th June

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The dust has well and truly settled on Royal Ascot and it’s time to try to shrug off the spell of seconditis that has plagued our recent selections! Many of them were backed each-way at reasonable odds so it hasn’t been all doom and gloom.

The racing has been understandably modest this week and my attempts to unravel the Northumberland Plate have been dealt a blow with a non-runner and a wide draw. Many punters will have fared even worse with the poor handling of the entry for Tiger Cliff.

Reports at the start of the week suggested that he would be running before a quick U-turn was announced. The official reason was the likelihood of fast ground. They must have more faith in the weather forecasts than I do.

In my part of Scotland, just across the border, it has been chucking it down all day today and Newcastle’s going is reportedly good. Some jockeys felt that much more rain would turn it on the soft side. Apparently the same owners were happy to run Lieutenant Miller because he loves fast ground. To add to the confusion he had to be drawn first reserve didn’t he!

I haven’t ruled out the possibility of Ingleby Spirit winning from stall 18 but I’m going to have a saver on Mubaraza who is well drawn and ran a solid race at Ascot. Hopefully Paul Hanagan will be fit to ride him and can enjoy a change of luck after Ektihaam.

On Friday I’m going for a cross-double on the last two races at Newmarket. In the 8.40 Paris Rose and Tajheez are two progressive types that should have the race between them. The closing 9.20 should be another win for Frankie Dettori aboard Asian Trader (the horse that gave him his comeback winner). He looked set to win comfortably at Salisbury but was run out of it. His danger is the unlucky Sandown runner-up Rocket Rob. He got into all sorts of trouble last time and flew at the finish. 4 x doubles should see a small but welcome profit.

8.40 Newmarket Paris Rose + Tajheez
9.20 Newmarket Asian Trader + Rocket Rob
4 x Doubles

Northumberland Plate
Mubaraza 7-1 Coral

Horse Racing Preview Saturday 8th June

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Haydock has put together a decent card on Saturday with the feature race being the Timeform Jury Stakes, a Group 3 seven-furlong race better known as The John Of Gaunt Stakes. Previous winners include Decorated Hero and Main Aim and it is ideal for those horses that fall between sprinter and miler.

Darryl Holland rode Pastoral Player to victory here 12 months ago and Graham Lee is in the saddle tomorrow as the six-year-old bids to win it for a second time. Hughie Morrison’s gelding looked a shade unlucky when fourth behind Eton Forever here last month and that form has since been boosted by the Diomed Stakes win of Gregorian. He will need to reverse the placings with both the winner and Red Jazz (3rd) but I think the quicker ground will help.

Ambivalent is likely to be sent off favourite for the Pinnacle Stakes after finishing second to the useful Dalkala at York. She ran quite freely there and I’m not entirely convinced that she will be suited by this step up in trip. I’m prepared to take the 9-2 available about Godolphin’s Prussian. Her latest effort when second in Meydan was possibly flattering but a similar display would see her home in this grade.

Hoyam and Hayley Turner will be a popular choice for the Cecil Frail Stakes after just losing out at Nottingham last time. This looks a difficult little race but I’m going for City Girl to provide Ralph Beckett with another decent prize. She was well beaten by Zanetto at Newbury last time but had a smart performer in Ninjago behind in third and she must rate a fair bet at 8-1.

The Listed Sandy Lane Stakes looks like set to go the way of Richard Hannon’s The Professor. He was an easy winner at Ascot and can follow up here at the expense of Irish raider Clancy Avenue.

Over at Newmarket there is a decent sprint with Sir Michael Stoute’s Enrol and Nocturn set to clash over six furlongs. I have backed Nocturn ante-post for the Wokingham but neither horse looks certain to get a run at this stage. I liked his performance at York and am reluctant to pass him over off only a 3lbs higher mark. However, Enrol also impressed me when winning at Doncaster under hands and heels and looks destined for better things. Backing favourites in sprint handicaps may be the quick way to the poor house but I think 11-4 is a decent bet.

Niceofyoutotellme was widely touted ahead of the big Epsom meeting but was withdrawn from his intended engagement. He did produce a good burst of speed to win last time and I would not be surprised to see him sent off favourite but Ehtedaam strikes me as another horse going the right way. His rider did not need to resort to the whip to see off Nabucco last time and I can’t see the result being any different here.

Newmarket
Ehtedaam 3-1 Ladbrokes
Enrol 11-4 William Hill

Haydock
Prussian 9-2 Bet365
Pastoral Player 3-1 Ladbrokes
City Girl 8-1 Bet365
The Professor 6-4 William Hill

Horse Racing Tips – Winning Bet

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I had a massive winner today with two great runs on good but fast ground. The Betcirca Tipsy Tipser was in form and told me on Skype to get on these horses, so I put them in to a cheeky double and boom it paid off.

I really fancy Roz for a place in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas tomorrow. I watched this lovely lady run in her maiden at Sandown and she romped home to win me well over £1000 as I backed her at 33/1 with a good old £50 note. I would highly recommend her for a place in tomorrows QIPCO 1000 Guineas. May be put Roz in to a cheeky forcast or even tricast with What A Name and Hot Snap.

Roz – Sunday 5th May – 3:50 Newmarket – 33/1 Bet365