Nothing Gained 12

[Venture to Cognac]

Two big winners from a couple of years back giving me a bit of hope tomorrow

Very early kick off for me this week, with El Jefe in the opener at Haydock. Had an unreal day from him at 66’s Aintree when he won, and though I haven’t looked at him since, this looks an interesting move for him this race

Faivoir at 50’s in The County was equally enjoyable, and was so happy, as like Mohaayed, banged his drum early doors on here for that race. Very decent return in running too from him when on at 100’s in The Greatwood last month, and safe to say he owes me nothing. Haven’t actually bet him yet for this years County, and if he wins here, that’ll do for now.

That was the good, but my recent O’Toole bet was the bad. Had a bigger bet than I should’ve for Chepstow, but he heads to Tommy Whittle. Long forgotten notebook horse of mine, but was happy with his win at 16’s at Ayr last year (wasn’t on). Give him a good chance here, and though not the size of bet I had for Chepstow, it would be some consolation

Elsewhere, I’m hopeful Beauport can do me proud again in The Long Walk. Nice return at 33’s from him last year, and was small consolation after missing his two big Chase wins in 2024. I’ll get a big win one day from Johnnywho, but it won’t be from this bet tomorrow, while I’ve covered Two For Gold who’s been subject of a couple of losing bets from me recently here

Couple of interest who I’ve not bet. I like Leave of Absence, but hoping he’s one for Swinley Chase or Punchestown, while Doddiethegreat looks overpriced in Long Walk

1145 Haydock – El Jefe 28’s EW
Tommy Whittle – O’Toole 11’s
Rotary Hurdle – Faivoir 33’s EW4pls/30’s

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Leave of Absence came up as a notebook horse and I backed it last night. I think Rex Dingle is a quietly effective and thus, sometimes underrated, jockey. But as you say, is this the right race for LoA?. Agree about Doddiethegreat and El Jefe, too. Let’s hope the latter gets us off to a good start for the races over the break.

[Venture to Cognac]

Really should be backing him, but at the moment, I have to sit him out. I don’t think it’s necessarily the wrong race, but with two already, I hope I’ve called it right for The Swinley or Punchestown

I had to buckle and add Doddie after The Pertemps, while El Jefe would be an ideal start

Off to Football today, so I’ll miss most of it, but hopefully Jefe will send me off in a good mood

Good luck with all your bets today

[Venture to Cognac]

Great start on Saturday with El Jefe, but grim stuff after that

Busy day today, and everything crossed for the big one. Loads of bets kicking about, however Lincolnshire National thread updated………no bet, didn’t get my price on The Big Breac

Rowland Meyrick – Knappers Hill 7’s
Boost Hurdle – Dedicated Hero 20’s EW
King George – Jango Baie 40’s (free race)
Racing Post Chase – Grange Walk 33’s EW6Pls

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Agonising yesterday with Jango. Only silver lining was that it was a free race, and a fair few quid back from Banbridge in running. Nice to get a few quid off it, but can’t lie, I was gutted.

I surely won’t bet Knappers again, while my decision to bet Dedicated Hero git me all I deserved. Grozni was nice a few weeks back, but he’s still a trainer to be wary of these days

Grange Walk one out the places. Never put in the race, and I wonder if he’s heading to the Dan Moore or one of the handicaps at DRF

Big day today, and my big hope for The Kim Muir, Buachaillbocht, conveniently sneaks in to The Paddy Power. I really like this horse, and cat might be out the bag today. Big betting race as usual for me, and I’ve still to cover Pied Piper. Happily laid back Shanbally Kid.

Other bets at Kempton and Leopardstown too (on Big Races), but hopefully get some joy from Welsh National pair, and still to decide whether or not to cover Dom of Mary

Welsh National
Monbeg Genius EW6/50’s EW
O’Connell 14.5’s

Paddy Power Chase
A Wave Of The Sea 66’s EW 6Pls
Buachaillbocht 15-2
Midnight Our Fred EW6/20’s EW5Pls

[Sungold]

That was a tough outcome! That arrow that you sent off last January scored effectively an outer gold, half a length behind the leading three sharing noses. That’s no consolation, but immense kudos, nonetheless.

[Venture to Cognac]

Thanks mate, just about over it now lol

Reasonable day yesterday with Solness coming in, and the EW’s from Boothill and Monbeg Genius, but the Paddy Power was a costly race, and Favori winning was a hard one to take.

Bit calmer today, and just these on the go….

Tim Duggan – Dancing Jeremy 11’s
Savills – Gerri Colombe 20’s
Savills – Stellar Story 40’s EW4/66’s EW

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Nothing doing Sunday, but would bet Stellar Story again

Been a tough few days, but one last go, and slight change of pace.

Still bet plenty of lower grade Irish runners, but haven’t put anything like Aclass up for a while. Blues Singer really impressed me at mad odds at Kempton in Feb, while after Gerri Colombe I should be avoiding horses off a long layoff, but added Hillview

I’ll bet at Leopardstown, with Winter Fog highly unlikely, and Franciscan Rock of interest off the back of my Stayers bet

1200 Limerick – Aclass
1240 Newbury – Blues Singer 9’s
1445 Doncaster – Hillview 150’s EW

[Lemons68]

Bob, I’m home for Christmas, just catching up, it’s great stuff yet again from you, keep it up

Ten To Follow is a great success again, I just wish that I had listened to you, and taken Wodhooh.

I should be back Feb, so hopefully get some Cheltenham bets up

All the best for 2026 to you and the family

[Venture to Cognac]

Good to see you back mate, even for a fleeting one. Thanks very much, going well, though Christmas Period highly frustrating

Yeah, going well with Wodhooh, but I’ve had enough bad calls, so I’ll leave I there lol

All the best yourself, and hopefully see you back in a few weeks.

Around 5’s, 11-2, going to go with George’s Saint today, but hopefully can beat those odds

1220 Warwick – George’s Saint

[Venture to Cognac]

First bets of the year, and they just about merit making the thread, though main race today was supposed to be The Dan Moore

Ike Sport will either run well or bomb out, while the lack of racing means I can cover Beat the Bat

Sea Invasion will definitely be getting stake laid for a free race

Race threads updated

Pipped Post – Sea Invasion 16’s EW3pls
Lanzarote – Beat The Bat 10’s
Lanzarote – Ike Sport EW6pls 33’sEW 80’s

[Venture to Cognac]

Very happy today with the EW on Ike Sport, until I realised half an hour after the race that Sky had went to five places instead of six.

Thankfully a few quid back courtesy of Sea Invasion

Hopefully change of luck tomorrow with Hardwired, who’s turned out quickly after his run a week and a half ago.

Edit – No option but to top up. Sigh

Amateurs National – Hardwired 66’s EW4Pls

[Sungold]

Well done again! I wondered what had happened when the price fell through the floor, I was certain it was going to be withdrawn. I actually didn’t realize it had been placed until I saw the payout on Skybet. Your instinct was correct. Made up for yesterday, maybe, when the withdrawal stymied your Ike Sport.

[Venture to Cognac]

Thanks mate, well chuffed with that today, and good to get a bit of luck after that Ike bet. I’ll definitely bet Hardwired again

Initially took 20’s on Midnight It Is, but comfortably got 25’s tonight. Surprised at that, and dents confidence a fair bit, but he’s a horse who’ll run at least one huge race this season, so I’ll keep with him

Dan Moore – Midnight It Is 25’s EW4Pls

[Venture to Cognac]

Midnight It Is very poor, but I’ll definitely bet him later in season, assuming yard picks up

Few on the go today

My old pal Jungle Boogie has ran well here before, and just hoping he’s better for his comeback

Hillview was a decent looking bet a few weeks back for me, before tiring. He’s another who I’m hoping is better for the comeback run.

Nearly bet Imperial Saint at 40’s for Peter Marsh, and though initially disappointed at 25’s, chuffed to bits now, as I’ve got a cracking lay in. Stake back, and a wee bit more to cover Royal Pagaille, so two running for me and a (small) profit on the race whatever happens. I’ve edited Peter Marsh thread

Jungle Boogie 20’s EW
Imperial Saint 25’s (Laid 5.6’s)
Royal Pagaille 14’s
Hillview 100’s EW5Pls

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Inspired selection there, on Imperial Saint. When I saw your post the price had long gone and it was 10s on Saturday morning. However, I see in the Racing Post that they are attributing the “huge gamble” to Pricewise, though admitting no-one is sure where it came from. Mean of them not to give you credit there! What was it that caught your attention, or was it just that the combination of form, trainer, race selection, going, etc, etc, which gave you some intuition? I did not back it, but I fell into the Royal Pagaille groove, convinced that Venetia’s form must turn soon…Puts me in mind of Steeplechasing’s post about the somewhat mysterious ups and downs of stables which can be caused by viruses or after effects of vaccinations, but sometimes the known factors are absent and there is an unknown factor putting the hex on the horses. I think Steeplechasing was looking at the need for research into contaminated hay.

[Venture to Cognac]

Thanks mate, delighted with that one.

Had to go with him, as although it was for Old Roan, he was a target horse of mine this year. I knew he was good, and he made the first post of this thread. Always on my radar, and the fact he went here instead of Doncaster, which looked more realistic, was the clincher

At his best, he deserved to be in the line up, and the price was crazy wrong

Interesting shout about the feed too from Joe

Couple of interest today, and hoping Appreciate It runs well

1450 Thurles – Grange Walk 28’s EW4Pls
1535 Windsor – Morfee EW6Pls/80’s

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