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  • Newcastle tips : Time to be Bold

    Newcastle tips : Time to be Bold

    A bumper nine-race card on Newcastle’s Tapeta all-weather surface takes place on Tuesday, Oct 17th, between 16.20 – 20.30.

    Hollie Doyle and Oisin Murphy are among the big names chasing wins in front of the Sky TV cameras. Should be a cracking early evening of sporting entertainment.

    18.30 – Bold Territories @ 10/3

    A one-mile, Class 6 handicap, with a dozen slated to face the starter.

    We’re paying 4 places each-way, so bear that in mind if you’re playing. My selection is Bold Territories, a 5-yr-old gelding in fine form at present without quite managing to get his head in front. Goes well here, and for today’s regular pilot Connor Beasley.

    Hollie Doyle no less took the mount here last time, and after an untidy start the horse ran on resolutely at the finish, beaten just a couple of lengths. He’s down a pound in the ratings for this, same trip, and in my book has a fantastic chance. Trainer Michael Dods is exceptionally shrewd, and his charge looks to me to be on an eminently winnable mark in an eminently winnable race.

    19.00 – Southwold @ 13/2

    My selection Southwold is a 4-yr-old gelding trained by the Kublers, and ridden by last year’s Arc hero Luke Morris. Another in very decent nick, and certainly wouldn’t be winning out of turn. This present mark of 71 is proving troublesome, but he’s been finishing with purpose in his last outings at around this trip, and recording useful Racing Post ratings to boot.

    Last time at Wolverhampton he was denied by just three-quarters-of-a-length, and hit the line well. Luke Morris has few peers when it comes to adding power and purpose to his mount’s finishing effort, and I’m hoping this is an inspired booking in that regard.

    I can readily see a huge run coming, and I’m expecting Southwold to go very, very close.

  • Chepstow Tips: 7/1 shot tops Saturday’s selections

    Chepstow Tips: 7/1 shot tops Saturday’s selections

    The Jumps Season Opener at Chepstow concludes on Saturday with a seven-race card featuring the ultra-competitive Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle.

    But I’m looking to a seasoned chaser in the second, which is one of Betfred‘s Extra Place Races, plus one in the penultimate contest.

    Chepstow Tips

    • 14:30 – Stolen Silver e/w @ 7/1
    • 16:50 – Shared @ 6/1

    14:30 – Stolen Silver e/w @ 7/1

    First of all, it’s lovely to see a race named after the Native River – my favourite racehorse of all time. The brave, the generous…

    Anyway, my selection for the Native River Handicap Chase over just shy of three miles is Sam Thomas’ Stolen Silver each-way, with Betfred paying 4 places at 1/5 the odds.

    The eight-year-old is an experienced chaser who on his day is a Graded animal. Not the most consistent, it’s fair to say, but high-class when he puts it all together.

    I’ve confidence he can do that here, as his record when fresh is pretty good and he’s been dropped back down to a mark of 150 after two forgivable efforts towards the end of last season. The last time he competed off this rating, he finished second in the New Year’s Day Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

    He’s massively overpriced on that form, so if he’s anywhere near back to his best, which recent reports from his owners suggests, he’s a smashing bet to kick us off.

    16:50 – Shared @ 6/1

    I was keen on Afadil for this four-year-old handicap hurdle, but he’s unfortunately a non-runner. In his absence, I’m suggesting Harry Derham’s Shared.

    He was generally progressive last season and could have a lot more to offer this time round for a shrewd operation.

    I think Zestful has a lot to do off a mark of 132, which has gone up 12lbs for two defeats. Admittedly, they were narrow defeats in much better races than this, but defeats nonetheless. New Year Honours is unreliable too.

    Chaos Control is feared, as is one or two others, but Derham’s had two winners from three runners in the last 14 days, one having his first run of the campaign, so I’m hopeful this one will be fit and raring to go.

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  • Ayr Tips: Tim time …

    Ayr Tips: Tim time …

    Seven flat races take place at Ayr on Thursday, Oct 12th, between 14.10 – 17.40.

    Promising apprentices rub shoulders with some of the north’s finest jocks in what’s sure to be an enjoyable and interesting afternoon. Very respectable field sizes, too.

    15.20 – Darbucks @ 7/4

    A 7f basement handicap in predicted heavy ground. No place for the faint of heart then.

    Second in a similar contest to this here 9 days ago, I’m encouraged by the swift reappearance of Darbucks, and the 4-yr-old gelding certainly goes well on soft ground. His sire Profitable excelled on it, as when winning the King’s Stand at Ascot, and though few horses relish extremes of going he’ll handle the cut surely as well as most, and better than many.

    Races off a mark of 56 on Thursday and won off 58 in June of last year. The excellent Connor Beasley is in the plate, and he’s gone mighty close to winning on the horse previously, over this very course-and-distance. Terrific shout for me.

    16.30 – Obee Jo @ 10/1

    Another who won’t mind the prevailing stamina-sapping conditions, this 7-yr-old Tim Easterby-inmate is a standing dish at Catterick but has run well here before, too. In good nick at present, Obee Jo was narrowly pipped at the north Yorkshire venue last time in a Class 6, and steps up a notch in grade here.

    My thoughts regarding the elevation are that his ability to handle the ground, coupled with the fact that he’s in very decent order, outweighs any negatives. Nineteen days since that last highly-effective run, so again connections are taking a punt while the proverbial iron remains at least on the warm side.

    Tim is deadly in contests such as these, especially around the northern tracks, and he’s enjoying a very successful campaign. Let’s hope this could be another bit of good news for the Great Habton handler.

  • Punchestown Tips: We’re taking the coastal path

    Punchestown Tips: We’re taking the coastal path

    Punchestown stages a jumps card over in Ireland on Tuesday – seven races, 13.50 – 17.20.

    Unsurprisingly some of the sport’s most notable Irish exponents are in action – several bearing the magical Mullins surname, along with G Elliott, Rachael Blackmore, Jessie Harrington, and Paul Townend, among others.

    It should be a cracking afternoon, and for the most part there are very decent fields.

    Punchestown selections

    • 15.35 – Antrim Coast @ 3/1
    • 16.10 – Atlantic Wonder @ 6/1

    15.35 – Antrim Coast @ 3/1

    Trappy but intriguing 2m 4f maiden hurdle. Some top yards are represented, among them that of our selection – namely Gavin Cromwell. Keith Donoghue is in the plate.

    Antrim Coast has run twice – respectably on debut at Galway (bumper), but altogether more potent last time at Navan, finishing 2nd in a big field of maidens (hurdle). This gelded son of Presenting earned a much-improved Racing Post rating too, confirming the great strides made from that initial racecourse experience.

    Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins field two that are likely to shade mine in the market, but I wouldn’t swop Antrim Coast for anything else in the contest.

    16.10 – Atlantic Wonder @ 6/1

    Another 2m 4f hurdle, but a handicap this time. My selection is trained by the legendary Tony Martin, and Adrian Heskin takes the ride.

    Yet to win a race, nevertheless this 6-yr-old is a pretty consistent performer who’s gone close in the past, including last time at Navan. He was running on at the finish there and so tries this longer trip – and I think it could work the proverbial oracle.

    That last piece of form, second of 18, entitles him to a real crack at this and expect Adrian to smuggle him into the race late perhaps and gain a long overdue success for his ultra-shrewd handler and owner Mr Commins.

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  • US Horse Racing Tips: Monday’s Each-Way Picks

    US Horse Racing Tips: Monday’s Each-Way Picks

    Last week was outstanding for us here at the US Extra Place Race column. Two outright wins and four places from just 11 horses who ran, all tips went up at 6/1 or longer. I’d take that every week of the year.

    For Monday, we’ve put up three horses all priced up outside the top-three according to the odds on the Morning Line, as we look to find value in the market…

    US Horse Racing Tips – Monday 2 October, 2023

    • Back Agnello’s Dream e/w in the 18:50 at Thistledown @ SP
    • Back City Tripper e/w in the 21:21 at Presque Isle Downs @ SP
    • Back Unstable Prince e/w in the 22:15 at Presque Isle Downs @ SP

    *Betfred will price up US Races closer to Post time.

    Our week will start in Ohio, with the third race on the card at Thistledown (18:50), where a 6/1 shot according to the Morning Line tickles our fancy.

    I’m going for Agnello’s Dream, who’ll break from the outside post in this six-furlong race. His recent form here has been excellent, winning once and placing on four other occasions from six starts at the track.

    The only time he failed to get in the top three was in the Grade III Ohio Derby, which was quite the step-up in class, considering there were Kentucky Derby entries in the field.

    This evening it is back to regular Thistledown horses, rather than seeing top-quality three-year-olds ship in from all over the country. When you consider his recent record, you have to like him to place considering he’s hit the board every time at this track, apart from that one high-quality race.

    A back-to-back-to-back winner at Presque Isle Downs (21:21) is next for us, who surprisingly has been priced-up as the fourth-choice on the Morning Line despite his performances in recent weeks at this very track.

    City Tripper has been relatively heavily-raced so far this year, having stepped foot on to the track nine times since mid-May. On the first six occasions, all this three-year-old could muster up were two top three finishes. In his past three runs, however, it has been win, win, win.

    All three victories have recorded Equibase Speed Figures in the 70s, these are the first time we’ve seen that as his previous highest was 67. Clearly he’s taken a step forward in recent weeks and no reason to think he’ll fall away tonight, as he goes six-furlongs, a distance he won at last time out and has placed three-times on the spin.

    Later on the card in Pennsylvania, we have a one-mile race on the dirt in the 22:15, where Unstable Prince is a big-price and has a real shot of hitting the board.

    This four-year-old spent his 2022 season at Oaklawn Park in some really quality fields and really didn’t do anything noteworthy whatsoever. He failed to finish in the top three in any of his six starts.

    In July of this year we saw this William Martin-trained horse take to the track at Prairie Meadows, a significant step down in class and he placed in just his second race at the track, before breaking his maiden last time out with a decent enough looking win.

    Look, he’s nothing special but getting him into fields where he’s competitive could really give his career a bit of momentum.

    Presque Isle Downs is on a similar level to Prairie Meadows and he hit 80 for an Equibase Speed Figure for the first time in his previous outing. I’m not expecting a win but if we get near the 10/1 the market is expected to open at, I like his each-way chances.

  • Ryder Cup Day 3 Betting Tips: Jamie’s treble for Sunday

    Ryder Cup Day 3 Betting Tips: Jamie’s treble for Sunday

    After a sensational opening day in the 2023 Ryder Cup, Europe started Saturday with an emphatic 6 ½ – 1 ½ lead over their USA counterparts.

    On a feisty day that began with Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg destroying world #1 Scottie Scheffler and five-time major winner Brooks Koepka 9&7 in the foursomes, and ended with a heated exchange in the carpark between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay’s caddy Joe LaCava, that five-point gap remains, with Europe taking a 10 ½ – 5 ½ lead into the Sunday singles.

    The Europeans produced another outstanding display in the Saturday foursomes, with Rory McIlroy/Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton also winning their matches to give Europe a 9 ½ – 2 ½ lead heading into the final fourballs session.

    Team USA fought back strongly, as Collin Morikawa/Sam Burns saw off the star duo of Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg, whilst an inspired Max Homa made six birdies and an eagle to help himself and partner, Brian Harman to a win over Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard.

    Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre won the third match over Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth but it was the final match where the biggest drama ensued.

    Patrick Cantlay birdied the final three holes to flip the match against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick and hand the final point of the day to Team USA. Rory and other members of the Europeans were angry at Cantlay’s caddy, LaCava, spending too long on the 18th green after Cantlay birdied it, whilst McIlroy and Fitzpatrick were getting ready for their own birdie putts which would’ve halved the match; there were confrontations straight after which continued off the course.

    That moment lit a fuse in an event that had largely been lacking such drama due to the dominance of Europe and though it will take a record-breaking performance for the Americans to overturn the deficit on Sunday, it at least adds some spice to that final day and gives them the chance to produce their own historic moment.

    Match #1: Jon Rahm (EUR) vs Scottie Scheffler (USA)

    The opening match of Sunday is a mouthwatering one, as world #3 Jon Rahm collides with #1 Scottie Scheffler. A repeat of their singles match in the 2021 Ryder Cup.

    Scheffler won that contest at Whistling Straits 4&3 over Rahm but their fortunes this week have been much different, with Rahm undefeated so far and taking 2 ½ points from his three matches; Scheffler has just half a point from three matches and was visibly upset at the conclusion of his foursomes hammering on Saturday.

    However, Scheffler has proven himself to be as good a one-on-one match player as anyone over recent years, winning and finishing second in two of the last three WGC – Match Play events and is bound to respond on Sunday.

    Verdict: The Americans will obviously be feeling buoyed by the finish on Saturday and Scheffler will personally be itching to get a win on the board after his luckless event so far. Having said that, Rahm has statistically been the best golfer in the event over the first two days and would’ve been a hard man to oppose against anyone. I fancy he’ll get Europe off to a strong start in the singles.

    Match #2: Viktor Hovland (EUR) vs Collin Morikawa (USA)

    In another repeat of a match from the 2021 singles, college rivals, Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa will once again square off, on Sunday in Rome. Their 2021 match ended all-square.

    Hovland has been one of the best performers in this year’s event and indeed the golfing world over recent months, taking two wins and a half from his four matches. Though he did suffer a first defeat of the event in the Saturday fourballs, to Sam Burns and indeed the man he faces here.

    That was the first point picked up by Morikawa after he lost his opening two matches of the competition on Friday.

    Verdict: Hovland would’ve been an easy choice before that fourballs defeat but that match changes the complexion a little, with the quality of golf Morikawa produced there as good, if not better than anything Hovland has produced so far in any of his matches. That is just one match though, whereas Hovland has performed well for most of the week and I’m expecting him to bounce back in this match, for all I think it will be a close one.

    Match #3: Justin Rose (EUR) vs Patrick Cantlay (USA)

    We narrowly miss out on what might’ve been an explosive contest between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, as the American will take on the elder statesmen of the European side and indeed the whole event, Justin Rose.

    That last match on Saturday was the first point picked up by Cantlay in the event, whilst Justin Rose has picked up one win and a half from his two fourballs matches alongside Robert MacIntyre.

    Rose has a decent record in the singles, with two wins, a half and two defeats in his five matches, though Cantlay is 100% in such matches, winning in the singles on his Ryder Cup debut in 2021 and in both previous Presidents Cups.

    Verdict: Patrick Cantlay (or his lack of a hat, more specifically) has been a part of one of the stranger stories of this Ryder Cup, though that seemed to inspire him to an excellent performance in that final fourballs match. Whilst Rose has performed admirably in his guiding of young Scot, Robert MacIntyre, the quality of golf Cantlay produced in that win exceeds any of Rose’s golf this week and I expect him to keep that 100% singles record in tact in our third match of the day.

    Match #4: Rory McIlroy (EUR) vs Sam Burns (USA)

    An expectedly fired-up Rory McIlroy will take on rookie, Sam Burns in the fourth match of the day, looking to bounce back after his 100% record in this year’s event ended in the Saturday fourballs.

    Prior to that, Rory had won every match and though losing there, he still played well. In contrast, Burns picked up his first point in that session, after losing in the opening foursomes match of the event when paired with Scottie Scheffler on Friday.

    Rory has a great singles record, with three wins and a half in six matches. Though Burns is no mug in this format, having won the WGC – Match Play this year; an event McIlroy also won in 2015.

    Verdict: Burns played well on Saturday but I can’t go against McIlroy in this match. He’s played well throughout the week and will be as fired up as anyone heading into Sunday. I just can’t see Burns having enough to handle what the Northern Irishman will undoubtedly throw at him.

    Match #5: Matt Fitzpatrick (EUR) vs Max Homa (USA)

    Matt Fitzpatrick’s Friday fourballs and Max Homa’s Saturday fourballs are two of the best individual displays we’ve seen this week and the two get the chance to go up against each other in our fifth singles match on Sunday.

    Homa has been the standout player for Team USA with two wins and a half from four matches and only ranks behind Rahm statistically this week. His fourballs performance on Saturday was the best standard of golf anyone has produced all event. Whilst Fitzpatrick was nowhere near as strong on Saturday as he was on Friday.

    Singles records are scarce, with Fitzpatrick having lost 2/2 in the Ryder Cup and Homa with just one match to his name in similar events, though that was a win in last year’s Presidents Cup.

    Verdict: This would be an interesting game if Fitz could recapture his form from Friday, however Homa was outstanding on Saturday and there’s no reason to think he won’t bring that again on Sunday. He gets the nod in this one.

    Match #6: Tyrrell Hatton (EUR) vs Brian Harman (USA)

    Tyrrell Hatton is enjoying the best Ryder Cup of his three so far and is currently unbeaten this week, having won two foursomes matches with Jon Rahm and gained a half in the fourballs on Friday.

    He’s up against rookie and 2023 Open Champion, Brian Harman, who enjoyed an excellent Saturday, winning both foursomes and fourballs matches with Max Homa. While he very much relied on Homa in that fourballs match, he was excellent in the Saturday morning foursomes.

    Hatton is still searching for his first singles win after losing on both of his previous appearances and Harman has no form in similar events, though he did reach the quarter-finals of the 2021 WGC – Match Play.

    Verdict: Excluding Harman’s Friday foursomes performance these two are relatively closely matched this week and it should make for a close contest. Both are strong putters but the higher quality of Hatton’s ball-striking has me thinking he’ll claim a first Ryder Cup singles win on Sunday.

    Match #7: Ludvig Aberg (EUR) vs Brooks Koepka (USA)

    Brooks Koepka will get a chance for revenge after his Saturday foursomes embarrassment in match #7, as he takes on rookie Ludvig Aberg.

    Koepka is still searching for a first win this week after losing one and halving one of his two matches; he has been one of the worst performing players, statistically, this week. This is in contrast to the Swede, who enjoyed a sensational start to his Ryder Cup career with two foursomes wins alongside Viktor Hovland, before they lost in the Saturday fourballs.

    However, whilst we have no past record to go off for Aberg, Koepka is undefeated in Ryder Cup singles, winning two and halving one of his three matches.

    Verdict: Brooks was all over the place on Saturday morning and unless he can suddenly find a level of form that he hasn’t shown for a number of weeks, Aberg can inflict a first Ryder Cup singles defeat on him here.

    Match #8: Sepp Straka (EUR) vs Justin Thomas (USA)

    Rookie, Sepp Straka is up against Justin Thomas in match #8, who failed to capitalise on the promise he showed on Friday, slumping to two Saturday defeats alongside Jordan Spieth and was one of the worst performers on the day.

    Straka got off to a winning Ryder Cup start, taking the foursomes match against Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa alongside Shane Lowry on Friday, though they weren’t able to follow up on Saturday, losing to Max Homa and Brian Harman. However he did play to a similarly solid level as that first match.

    JT does have a 100% Ryder Cup singles record to call on though; beating Rory McIlroy in 2018 and Tyrrell Hatton in 2021. Meanwhile, Straka beat Ewen Ferguson in the singles at the Hero Cup earlier this year.

    Verdict: These matches start to get a little tricky to predict as I think the contest could be over by the time some of these are contested, which may alter the intensity of both players. Nevertheless, the Austrian has been rock-solid this week and as one of the better performing iron players, I think he’ll take down an out-of-sorts JT.

    Match #9: Nicolai Hojgaard (EUR) vs Xander Schauffele (USA)

    Xander Schauffele remains pointless with three defeats in three matches and will take on Nicolai Hojgaard in match #9 of Sunday. Who himself is searching for his first win of the week.

    Xander actually played quite well in his opening foursomes match on Friday but his form has regressed since and he was sat out of the Saturday fourballs. Hojgaard picked up a half alongside Jon Rahm in the first fourballs session and contributed hugely, though he had a tough time in approach in his second match on Saturday, as he and Tommy Fleetwood lost out to Max Homa and Brian Harman.

    Xander does have a good singles record to call on, winning both of his matches in the Presidents Cup, but he did lose to Rory in the 2021 Ryder Cup; Hojgaard claimed a narrow singles victory against Seamus Power in the Hero Cup this year.

    Verdict: Hojgaard has putted these greens as well as anyone this week and has as much positive experience of the course as anyone. Xander, on the other hand has been one of the worst putters here, which has me favouring the Dane in what is a tough contest to call. 

    Match #10: Shane Lowry (EUR) vs Jordan Spieth (USA)

    Shane Lowry takes on Jordan Spieth in match #10; both of whom have yet to win a Ryder Cup singles match.

    Lowry has played just twice this week, winning one and losing one, whilst Spieth has played three matches and picked up just half a point; comfortably looking the least at ease player at Marco Simone.

    Their singles woes translate to other events, with Spieth possessing only one win in four matches in the Presidents Cup and Lowry lost in the Hero Cup singles this year.

    Verdict: This may be one of the lowest quality matches on paper but my vote has to go to the Irishman. Spieth has hit the ball terribly this week and whilst Lowry hasn’t driven it particularly well himself, he has been strong in approach.

    Match #11: Tommy Fleetwood (EUR) vs Rickie Fowler (USA)

    Rickie Fowler hasn’t featured since himself and Collin Morikawa lost in the foursomes on Friday and will take on Tommy Fleetwood on Sunday, who has been excellent in his two foursomes wins alongside Rory McIlroy.

    Despite losing their match, Fleetwood continued his excellent form into the fourballs on Saturday, ranking as the third best golfer of the session statistically.

    Fowler’s singles record in Ryder/Presidents Cups don’t inspire confidence, with two wins in seven matches, whilst Tommy has a half and a loss in two Ryder Cup matches.

    Verdict: We should be able to mark up another win for Europe here. Fleetwood has been one of the best performing golfers of the week and the fact Fowler has played just one session is sign enough of where his game is at.

    Match #12: Robert MacIntyre (EUR) vs Wyndham Clark (USA)

    The final match is a rookie vs rookie contest, as Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre takes on 2023 US Open champ, Wyndham Clark.

    Both players have taken a point and a half from two fourballs matches and have played their part. Though whilst Clark looked good yesterday in his halved match with MacIntyre and his partner, Justin Rose, he largely relied on Patrick Cantlay for his victory in that last match of Saturday.

    Neither have played this event before, nor has Clark appeared in a Presidents Cup. However, MacIntyre did win well in his singles match in the Hero Cup, winning 5&3 over Alex Noren and memorably beat Cam Champ 6&4 in the 2017 Walker Cup in his amateur years.

    Verdict: This match could mean very little or absolutely everything. Although MacIntyre played better on Saturday and has some good match-play singles performances to his name, the quality of golf that Clark played on Friday was better than anything the Scot has produced this week and with him showing brilliance under pressure in that US Open win this year, you’d have to fancy the American should this match have some meaning on Sunday.

  • Ayr Tips: Ryan juvenile can score

    Ayr Tips: Ryan juvenile can score

    Cracking eight-race card at Ayr on Thursday afternoon, Sept 21st. Action commences at 13.20 and runs through until 17.17.

    Many of the north’s leading jocks and trainers are present and there are very decent fields, numbers-wise. Here’s a couple that have taken our eye.

    13.20 Volterra @ 11/8

    Yorkshire trainer Kevin Ryan has few peers when it comes to handling 2-yr-olds. He’s so often seen to the fore, and to great advantage, at York and similarly prominent venues. He sends his Farhh colt Volterra up to Ayr for this novice stakes contest after having one previous outing during the Ebor Festival, in the Convivial.

    He was a close-up 4th on the Knavesmire, running on nicely. This is over the same trip, 7f, and there’s every chance that Volterra will step up for that previous experience. He has, for me, two serious rivals in Colarada Dancer and Individualism, for Richard Fahey and Charlie Johnston respectively.

    They are very nice colts, but haven’t in my book achieved what Ryan’s charge managed at York in one of the season’s warmest maidens.

    A lovely race to inform us greatly about plenty of northern-based juveniles, and I’m hopeful Volterra can put his hand up and excite his connections as to what’s in front of him going forward.

    15.35 Golden Melody @ 3/1

    From a promising youngster to a battle-hardened, vastly-experienced 5-yr-old campaigner. A great credit to trainer Tim Easterby, and in grand form without quite managing to get her head in front where it counts for a while now.

    She goes with cut in the ground, which is what she should encounter on Thursday, and operates at around 1m/1m 2f. This is a ten-furlong test, but she’s been finishing her recent races at 1m well and might appreciate trying this extended trip again, especially on essentially a flat track.

    This a rattling-good Class 4 handicap for fillies/mares, and I’m hoping one of the senior ladies on view can gain a richly-deserved success.

     

  • Brighton Tips: Billy has the Power

    Brighton Tips: Billy has the Power

    Brighton stages a competitive-looking seven-race card on Monday, Sept 18th. A gorgeous course that invariably produces great finishes and high drama.

    Let’s have a closer look at a couple of contests – I’ve already previewed and plumped for one in the 13.55 in a companion piece, so let’s turn our attention to the rest of the action.

    16.45 – Evasive Power @ 4/1

    Young Billy Loughnane has been one of the very best ‘finds’ in racing in recent years. Natural ability off the scale, winners flow, plaudits arrive deservedly. He’s got another bright chance on Monday in my book aboard Evasive Power.

    Robyn Brisland trains, and interestingly Billy was on top last time out at Chepstow when a running-on second in this grade over a furlong shorter. Billy retains the partnership and gets an extra furlong in which to work his magic.

    Evasive Power returned from a little spring break seemingly energised, and as he’s won over a mile this trip of 7f at this stage of his career might be just the ticket, bearing in mind how the cards were played at Chepstow.

    He’s a pound lower, on 56, than his last winning mark, and has known during his career a time when he was in the mid-80’s! A sprinkle of young Mr Loughnane’s special talent and we might just be cheering this one home.

    17.20 – Areille @ 3/1

    Anyone who has seen the Nap of the Day piece will know I admire jockey David Probert. He takes the ride on Jack Jones’ Areille here over an extended 5f+, and once again we’re in the value brand section of Class 6 handicappers.

    The 4-yr-old returned from a high summer break of some 51 days with a fine 4th beaten just 2l, at Redcar. That was over 6f, so back in trip a hundred yards or so, which I don’t think will be an issue.

    She began her racing life in Ireland and actually won at this trip in Sligo 3 years ago. She won at Fairyhouse off 70 ridden by Billy Lee just over a year ago, and if getting remotely adjacent to reproducing any of that old sparkle we’re got a wonderful chance.

    Her last 3 runs have all been very consistent and she deserves to get her head in front again. The booking of Probert is a massive plus.

  • Kempton Park Tips: Fire Demon looks red-hot

    Kempton Park Tips: Fire Demon looks red-hot

    All-weather action on Kempton’s Polytrack surface – Friday Sept 8th, 7 races, between 5.55pm and 9pm.

    Rossa Ryan and Tom Marquand are among the top jocks present.

    18.30 Fire Demon @ 13/8 

    Nicely-bred 2-yr-old by Dark Angel, owned by Juddmonte Farms, trained by Andrew Balding, and ridden by the excellent David Probert.

    Two runs so far – a quiet introduction at Ascot and then a very pleasing placed effort at Newbury over this 7f trip 20 days ago. The bend here will make the 7f a good deal less taxing than the straight run at Newbury, and further improvement is highly likely in any event.

    No fancy entries, and he’s got a sizeable field to put away, hailing from some prestigious addresses – but his chance is surely undeniable. Since tipping him up the price has collapsed in to around 13/8 – always a good sign that he’s strongly fancied.

    19.30 Becarra Rose @ 10/3

    Decent-level Class 3 handicap for 3-yr-old fillies, and my selection represents the Charlie Fellowes yard and is ridden by Harry Davies.

    Ran well here in June over this trip in a slightly lower grade, running on well at the death. Then tried ten furlongs at Sandown on good-to-soft, and only gave best close home. This drop in trip and sounder surface can work the oracle, allowing the filly to continue on her upward curve with a deserved success.

    Encouragingly, when I thought about this one as the likely winner she was an each-way price. She’s been backed, and we’ll go straight win now!

  • Carlisle Tips: Attention! Sergeant on parade

    Carlisle Tips: Attention! Sergeant on parade

    Seven races from Carlisle on Thursday, from 16:35pm to 19:35pm.

    Five handicaps, of which one is a nursery, and a couple of novice stakes races. A reasonable spread of entries and cracking, competitive racing seems assured.

    Ben Curtis, Franny Norton, Joe Fanning and the evergreen Graham Lee are among the jocks in action. Notable trainers chasing pots include Charlie Johnston, Roger Varian, Kevin Ryan, Richard Fahey and Karl Burke.

    17:05 – Sergeant Mayer @ 5/2

    A nursery handicap over a demanding 5f, for 2-yr-olds. Carlisle is a tough finishing test up that steep hill, so resolution and determination are absolute prerequisites.

    In a similar contest off the same mark of 59 at Musselburgh Sergeant Mayer was beaten just 3/4 of a length, and suffered a somewhat troubled passage. It represented a career-best effort, and at this lowly level there might hopefully still be a little improvement to come.

    He’s tried further than this (admittedly with little joy) so those punishing last yards might not seem quite as taxing as for some. Rowan Scott rides for Nigel Tinkler, and was on board for that cracking effort last time in Scotland.

    18:05 – Apiarist @ 2/1

    A fascinating little novice stakes where Richard Fahey’s Silent Move must shoulder 9st 11lb, given his win last time at Thirsk. Can he give 7lb to his four rivals? That’s the million-dollar question ..

    I believe he’ll struggle to concede it to Kevin Ryan’s Apiarist at the very least, for this one ran a cracking 2nd in another division, same day, of essentially the same race!

    That was over 7f, and we step up to a mile here. Silent Move is by sprinter Ardad, but did at least get the 7f very well. It was an easy win but the 2nd and 3rd placed horses haven’t subsequently advertised the form.

    Apiarist is by miler Night Of Thunder, who won a Lockinge back in the day. Ran well on debut at York and the winner of that contest performed with credit in the Acomb a couple of weeks ago. This looks like a gilt-edged opportunity to me for Tom Eaves on the youngster, who’s been aboard also for those two career runs to date.

    19:05 – Imperial Quarter @ 8/13

    Roger Varian’s sole Carlisle raider. One racecourse appearance so far – a fillies stakes race at HQ, going down by just over 2l. The excellent Ben Curtis has been booked to do the steering.

    Appleby, Haggas and Hannon horses finished ahead of her at Newmarket, and there should be plenty of scope for improvement here. The handy 5lb allowance against the colts will be a godsend too.

    Has a fabulous, celebrated sire in Dubawi, and there’s Derby winner Authorized influencing the dam’s side. Two unraced Johnston colts make matters extra-interesting, but I’m very hopeful about this one. Bit skinny perhaps, but ideal acca material.