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I think they should have called that last race at Cheltenham the Dodgepot Handicap. It seemed as if Altior’s half brother was only one particularly bothered about winning. Unfortunately, I was put off by the jock who was dire on one of Henderson’s chasers at Sandown earlier in the season. I strongly suspect Solatentif keeps more than a little to himself. No doubt he will pop up when you least expect it.
Sad to see Village Vic. He didn’t have a cut at his fences and it looks as if he has had more than enough for the time being. From a distance he doesn’t look the most robust of horses and it is going to be difficult to find him a confidence booster. Had he not gone to Aintree I think Foxtail Hill would have deprived Henryville of his annual day in the sun.
Just sticking with Benbatl today. I liked his debut, he has a great pedigree but at this stage you cannot say more than that. Fingers crossed, any position is possible.
Glad for the competition this week as I probably wouldn’t have paid much attention. The problem with selecting one or two to follow from the meeting would be the guesswork required in determining whether a horse was just no good or being saved for another day.
I see your pin is working a good deal better than mine! Good luck today.
Very happy with Midnight Tour, and the booking of Russell was a real clue. Don’t always play at those odds, but got 4’s earlier in the morning, so very happy.
Yeah, not a race full of promise, though I suppose Silverhow could land some nice prizes in the next couple of seasons.
Just horrible to see the run of Village Vic, I’m a massive fan of him, and he’s won me plenty over the last couple of years, but I’m dubious as to whether he’ll come back now. I’m still getting my head round some of the questions he’s been asked this season, and he don’t need it. As for Foxtail Hill, I couldn’t agree more. This is another horse I like, and I can see NTD targetting him for some of the top end handicaps over the next couple of years, and he’s a very early fancy of mine for The BetVictor Gold Cup.
No luck with Benbatl today, but I don’t have to tell you how you just don’t know what you’re going to get at this meeting. Hopefully he’ll be one of those who’ll have other days.
Yeah, the pin is working well. 3 winners on Wednesday, but no bets on them unfortunately, and it was just nice to be at the top of the table in a competition where I’m certainly out of my comfort zone. I took my money and ran after that 12’s on El Astronaute lol.
I’ll definitely be betting at Ayr today, and I’ll probably play every race. Was supposed to be going to Ayr today, but couldn’t get the day off work, and I can’t really use my phone at work just now, so it’ll be a few bets, and then a rush home after midnight to watch the replays.
I like going to the Friday Fixture of this meeting, so much more relaxed (understatement of the year) than Scottish National Day.
I was thinking of waiting until Punchestown but decided to throw a few darts.
I think with Ayr that you ideally want a horse who is relatively fresh, handles quick ground and has a little bit of speed.
Almost tempted by Flying Angel but although I think these conditions are right up his street this might be one race too many. That said he would still be my choice, but no bet. Clan Des Obeaux is too soft for my liking.
At this stage my bets are Mohaayed, Mixboy and Kalondra. I am pretty sure Mohaayed was inconvenienced by the runaway leader in the County and although he still ran well this test should suit him better. Mixboy remains a promising horse and the drop back in trip should be a plus. He was a bit too big at double figures. Kalondra is the weakest of three and if I had known about non-runners (Rule 4 and worse place terms) I probably wouldn’t have placed the bet.
I will probably back Premier Bond in the National. Sounds strange but I am wondering whether he is going to be quick enough.
Two Flat bets, the double z’s, Zainhom and Zhui Feng. Zainhom is noticeably weak (Stoute?) but I liked him last year and I think this is the right trip. The favourite is ridiculously short, another Frankel so cue yet another outbreak of Forum hysteria if he wins. I can’t believe I am standing for Zhui Feng again. Hopefully, he will finish a race once in his career. At least I have six places. Banksea was a horse I followed over the cliff last season so fingers crossed he doesn’t pop up.
Good luck with yours.
Probably the most frustrating betting day of the year so far.
It is always difficult to know when to restart after a break. Today wasn’t that day.
Flying Angel was never really travelling but Fehily cemented his fate. That stride was never on but of course nobody criticises the jock. Having been on Cloudy Dream at Aintree it wasn’t the greatest result.
Mohaayed ran respectably but didn’t find anything like the change of gear that Skelton seemed to expect. At least it was nice to see the clip of Sea Pigeon beating Night Nurse. Those were the days.
Zainhom’s run seemed to mirror the market drift. He travelled well enough but just didn’t pick up. If you could actually believe that he gave his running then the Greenham might have been a better race than the Craven.
In a day of low points Mixboy was the absolute rock bottom. That was probably the worst piece of riding I have seen all season. The horse could have ended up badly injured. Why would you even try to go for a big one at that stage of the race? Virtually every race at Ayr unravels over the final two obstacles. Hopefully, he hasn’t damaged a promising horse. Clearly they need a new jockey.
Zhui Feng was my most ridiculous bet of the year. It isn’t as if I didn’t know what was coming. The difference was that this time he didn’t get anywhere near the front before fading away tamely. Given the market support there are a lot of fellow mugs out there. To cap it all Banksea won a shade cosily. The difference being that Spencer settled him a lot better than Atzeni. Spencer is what I call a media jock. Loads of junk and the occasional flagship ride. I think he was tailed off on everything I picked at Newmarket.
Sadly, I was right about Premier Bond but I didn’t think he was going to be quite that bad. Looked as if he hated every yard.
To cap everything Kalondra was run out of the places having looked only a few seconds earlier to be travelling like a winner.
Although Dabyah is one of three ante-post bets for the 1,000 Guineas my guess is she will not run. She wasn’t nearly as impressive as her stablemate in the Nell Gwyn.
At least all the Frankel’s got turned over!
Roll on Punchestown.
Yeah, yesterday was a tough day. I was really chuffed with Mohaayed, he got me my money with the 20’s EW, but I expected a bit more from Winter Escape. Both remain on the radar though, and I agreed with your comments on him in The County. He’s already firmly on my radar for it next year. Winter Escape I’ll no doubt continue to follow too.
I’ll be ditching a few horses I follow after this season, and Fine Rightly will be one of them. He just looks average, and though he hasn’t cost me much money, I’ve never had any big bets on him, but I have bet him several times before, and he hasn’t came close to delivering. He wasn’t given any chance yesterday, it’s as if connections had never seen a Scottish National before, and that’ll do for me. On the flip side, I put Chesterfield up a few months ago as a horse to definitely keep an eye on, and that’s him won at a nice price at 2 big meetings in a row, and both times at a fair price. Was I on? No. I am not happy with myself at all.
I was glad to have mainly left it alone yesterday, I would have bet Tantamount, but that would have been swallowed up by losers. Friday was only small bets to be fair, mainly a few perms, but I had a normal bet on 2 of them (especially Important Moment), and when you have 8 horses bet, and only 1 of them even manages to place, then it ain’t great. I’ve a decent record in The Scottish National, but the rest of the meeting, I’ve always found hard to read, and I’ll leave it alone from now on.
Didn’t catch any of the other racing yesterday, and looking at results, I don’t see many I would have bet either………except of course for Banksea. I probably felt the same as you with him winning.
We’ve discussed Zhui Feng so often, but unlike you, I’ll probably follow him over the proverbial.
Really looking forward to Punchestown, and Sandown, and then I’ll wrap things up. Need a few weeks away from it, and as per, May will be the perfect month to take a break.
Opening card not the easiest from a betting point of view.
Probably just have the two bets, Fox Norton and Acapella Bourgeois. It isn’t easy even finding the best prices with Oddschecker appearing to up the shoot. If they can’t sort themselves out punters will soon be looking for a new site.
I couldn’t quite understand the plaudits for Un De Sceaux at the Festival. The race fell apart and even the second was almost ridden to finish second. If Fox Norton remains in good form I expect him to provide far sterner opposition.
The novice chase is also about taking on a short priced favourite as I am not sure this is Disko’s ideal trip. Acapella Bourgeois was clearly flattered in that farcical Navan race but this is much easier than the RSA.
Impossible to bet in the novice hurdle with so much depending on whether or not Labaik jumps off. He beat Melon comfortably at the Festival.
Two interesting bumpers (probably better pedigrees on show in the last than the far more richly endowed Goffs race) but without inside knowledge they are guessing games.
Yeah, nice easy introduction to Day 1 for me, and most importantly for me, not too many races where I could lose a right few quid. I’ll leave that for the rest of the week lol.
Not many singles or forecasts today, and I’ll have a Mug 63 for interest.
In the first, as I seem to be every year, I’m going for Enniskillen. Never far away in these races, though he’s normally a proper price. He’s favourite this year, and whether or not that’s down to Jamie Codd being booked up, or the opposition is a bit sub standard, I’m not sure. He has the knack of finding 1 or 2, too good, but I’ll be with him again anyway.
Agree in The Novice Hurdle, hard to have a bet, but I’ll stick with Labaik. I still can’t believe Labaik was allowed to be 40’s in the morning of Day 1, as with the various NR Concessions, it was the bet of the season. Who knows whether or not he’ll jump off, but if he does, he’s the best horse in the race (not crabbing Melon at all), therefore you could argue he’s big at 3’s. I’ll never have a Supreme Winner at 40-1 ever again, so this boy owes me nothing. I think Pingshou is overpriced at 9’s, and he looks worth a saver.
I’ve bet Adreamstillalive Ante-Post at 14’s, and to be honest, I thought she’d be lower on the day. I love the way she’s went about her business, in her current winning streak, and though any Handicap here will be very tough, it doesn’t look the deepest race to me, and I’m hoping she can keep that run going. I’m a bit concerned about how some of the yards horses have fared over the last month or so, but hoping she can do it at 14’s for me. I’ll be covering Western Boy for sure at the 25’s, he looks a big danger to me, and he’s a horse I like a lot.
I wasn’t too negative about UDS at The Festival, but having spent yet another season trying to explain to people that the introduction of The Ryanair has got nothing to do with the decline of The Champion Chase, and defended The Ryanair continually, what did we get??? The worst Ryanair since it’s introduction lol. So yes, and I am a fan of UDS, his win was very definitely overrated, and the plaudits a bit over the top (myself included on reflection). He looks worth taking on at the price, and I’m already on Sir Valentino 12’s to 16’s Ante-Post, and I’ll have a small interest on Rock The World as well, though you’re probably right in that Fox Norton is the main danger to UDS.
I’m giving A Toi Phil one more chance at this level in the 1840. It’s hard for me to find an excuse for his reverse in a Grade 3, so I won’t bother. Just think there’s a better engine in there than we’ve fully seen so far, and at 20’s, I just have to have a go each way.
As for the bumpers, as he’ll be a system horse, I’ll just stick with Stoical Sam, and though you don’t automatically associate the trainer with bumper winners, he has a decent jock up, and he’s a massive price, and well related. Selecting him saves me a fair few headaches, and if you of all people stilvi are struggling with the bumper, then what chances the rest of us.
If I have any money left from my singles or 63, I will have a second look at Musical Slave, and Jetez, in the last.
Good luck.
I would love to have a shot at those bumpers but even if by some miracle I bag two winners I am still not going to have that much throwaway money.
My policy on bumpers is if you cannot narrow it down to a workable number just take a watching brief. Particularly interested in the last race. If forced to give a selection it would be Curious Times as he is from a family that I have followed but he is a big price for a Crawford runner and there doesn’t seem any market support. Patrick Kelly has two rare bumper runners so they are probably worth looking at with a view to a couple of years time. It always amazes me how Gigginstown shy away from Cheltenham yet they are represented in virtually every bumper race in Ireland, plenty of which are competitive. I suppose it is a similar story with Nicky Henderson.
If today is a small interest for you I am definitely looking forward to tomorrow.
Good luck.
By the way I don’t know about a 40/1 winner of the Supreme I would just settle for a winner. Although I did once back Somersby who was third at about 50/1 it is my worst race of the Festival. It’s a good year for me if I don’t have too many bets in the race.
Cheers Grass, so bloody close, but happy with 14’s and 25’s the pair of them, puts me in a nice position going into tomorrow.
Well done on the winners. It was a very, very poor race but the old boy battled on the well in the opener. Western Boy looked like he had joined in on the home turn and although he didn’t find a change of gear thankfully he did enough on the run in.
Irrespective of my one winner it was an enjoyable watching day.
I think Pingshou softened up Melon. David Mullins inspired rather than inept again. I just wish he would be inspired on a few more the fancied ones! Seems better at riding to beat favourites. I don’t know what happens with Labaik. Irrespective of his ability that sort of thing cannot keep happening.
As I said on the other thread if he had jumped well I think Fox Norton would have won with a degree of ease. On that surface he is just a better horse than Un De Sceaux. Despite all the wins I don’t think Un De Sceaux has really progressed from the days when he was tearaway and looked like a potential Champion Hurdle winner.
I don’t think Disko was at all hard pressed to take the novice chase. Acapella Bourgeois didn’t really have a cut at his fences and ultimately looked a rogue.
The first bumper was spoilt by the dawdle set by the Harrington horse. Winner can probably be marked up a little as he sat further off the pace than the placed horses.
Not surprisingly the second bumper was three seconds quicker. Curious Times showed absolutely nothing but the two Kelly horses were as promising as anything in the race.
Hopefully, will do tomorrow’s racing a bit later, will try and have a look at those races but VTC is very much the handicap man.
At the moment only two bets, Penhill and Fayonagh, although I have already backed Sutton Place for the Stayers on Thursday.
Can’t offer much for the first two races although I have backed Blast Of Koeman on several occasions. There is nearly always money for him and he has consistently been a weak finisher. Perhaps getting his head in front might make a difference?
The clash between Penhill and Presenting Percy is very interesting. Both were very impressive at the Festival. That said I am surprised Penhill is not clear favourite as his rival has little experience of small field condition races.
Sizing John should win again. I do wonder whether we will see Coneygree again after this race.
I am surprised Fayonagh isn’t shorter in the Champion Bumper. Her form is by far the best on offer and she seems extremely versatile as well as talented. Circumstance dictated that she was held up last time but I hope this time Codd keeps it simple on the front end.
The handicap chase is too difficult for me. Mr Diablo has run a few good races at Punchestown and if recovered from his Aintree exertions he would be a very tentative selection at double figure odds.
The concluding mares bumper doesn’t look that strong. Perhaps the diminutive Jelan might sneak a place back on the level?
Good luck.
Cheers, very very happy with today, and that Handicap Hurdle made all the difference. 1st and 3rd at 25’s, 14’s did the trick, and will pay for tomorrow, which is good, as it could be as busy day. Well done with Fox Norton, you were very keen on him, and it looked justified enthusiasm. I’m firmly in the camp of those who still rue the fact that we didn’t get to see UDS romp The Champion Hurdle, and I am a fan, but he was beaten fair and square today, with no excuses either.
Western Boy was clearly laid out for that hurdle, and was a very easy winner. Adreamstillalive ran very well also, and had she just got second, it would have dealt with the rest of the weeks outgoings and more, so close.
Of the rest, well it was just great to see Enniskillen finally get his moment in the sun. Not the greatest race ever, but was so happy to see him do it. I still remember the day last year when I had him at 100-1, and he was cruising, only for a soft unseat, but even for a much shorter price, I was happy to have him onside.
I won’t grumble about Labaik, as I knew what I was getting into, though some of the gamesmanship at the start was unfortunate, and I’m surprised that not more was made of it. He’s a smashing horse though, and I hope we do actually get to see more of him, though that remains debatable.
I was a little disappointed that Sir Valentino didn’t make the frame, while A Toi Phil looks firmly one for handicaps.
Interesting with Penhill, I thought you would be with Percy, but regardless, both very impressive Cheltenham winners, and both look rock solid. Penhill has always had bags of potential, while Percy is screaming out for a step up in grade.
As it is though, it’s another Cheltenham winner I’m siding with in Champagne Classic. He’s a horse who can only improve, and I like The Martin Pipe as a race for future stars. He won very nicely at Cheltenham, and I don’t think he got the credit he deserved for that performance. I don’t buy that “worst horse I own” patter from O’Leary, and he obviously didn’t really mean it, as he wouldn’t have been there otherwise, and he obviously owns Captain Von Bloody Trappe as well. He’s 18’s, and I think that’s a very fair price, and he should be competitive.
In the big one, although I’m with Champagne West and Outlander, I’d agree with you that Sizing John looks the winner for sure. I’ll be happy if either of mine make the 3. Not out of the question either. I’m hoping Djakadam has an off day, as though he rarely wins, he’s consistent enough, and shouldn’t be far away. Who knows what to make of Coneygree. It’s now 2 years since his Gold Cup Win, and a bloodless win at Sandown since, followed by being comprehensively beaten by a regressing Cue Card is not the ideal prep for this. I’d love to see Champagne West go close, his Thyestes win I still consider the best NH performance of the season, but he has to bounce back from a tame capitulation at Cheltenham.
The opener looks tricky as hell, but I’m siding with Head Turner as my #1. Admittedly only fair over hurdles previously, but fresh from a win on the level, he makes some appeal at around 20’s, and hoping for a run for my money. I’ll have cover in a race like this, and Ben Dundee fit’s the bill with the ground to suit, and for connections who’s runners are always worth a second look at this meeting, and while he’s more of an outlandish selection, I can honestly give Bitview Colin a squeak at around 50’s. He fits the profile of a horse I like for these kind of races, and based on the odd run from him, he’s worth a risk at that price.
The 1620 is the least intriguing race of the day, and at a short price, my old pal Battleford is chosen, but for the perms only at that price. He did me a huge favour on more than one occasion last season, bit this time around he’s been disappointing. I’m not convinced about him, but nothing else appeals in the race either.
Good luck with Fayonagh, she deserves her place at the head of the marker, but I’m tempted by Poli Roi, who was ultra impressive last time, and Paloma Blue, who’s win last time has a nice look to it. I still haven’t decided who I’ll be siding with, but I have had an initial go on Paloma at 20’s.
Which brings me on to the 1840, and my eyes are everywhere. Vintage Vinnie is a definite main bet at 11’s, but I’m all over the place with who to cover with. I like Vinnie, as this is his time of year, he’ll love the ground, and his trainers runners are always worth considering here. Thought he ran ok last time too. It’ll be a late decision for the others, and I still have to whittle down from…….
Polidam
Rightdownthemiddle
Irish Cavalier
Jetstream Jack
Mr Diablo
Devils BrideA real headscratcher this race.
The finale is more straightforward for me, and at 3’s, I can’t desert Minutestomidnight who won very well for me 3 weeks ago, and he’s reunited with Codd, which can only be a bonus.
Really looking forward to the days action, and good luck with your selections.
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