York, Haydock and Newmarket

For today’s blog I look to the stars! I blooming well need to with my recent suggestions. Last week was another blank show with not even a place; I can only apolgise if you were foolish enough to side with my thoughts! The stars may give a change of fortune today….so he says! The photo above is of the horses head Nebula…apt indeed! Read on and you will see why! Good luck with whatever your selections are today, I hope you fare better than me against the old foe!

 

ASTROPHYSICS 1455 YORK (nap) (Unplaced = -£5.00)

I really like the chances of this horse in his handicap debut today. He won over 6f at Newmarket last year, the form of that race was franked with the 2nd,4th and 5th winning shortly after. He then showed he has speed over 5f with a cracking effort in the Flying Childers, going down by a head to BEACON. If he reproduces that he must have a sniff. He’s got a mark of OR104 for this but is weighted nicely at 9st 1lb and he could run a big race at a big price!

 

MEHDI 1630 NEWMARKET (nb) (Unplaced = -£5.00)

I really fancied the chances of this one last time at York and he ran well behind ALGAR LAD – he just got going to late. He’s on the same mark again today andI’m hoping the quicker ground will push him on as he comes out of the dip.

 

DUSKY QUEEN 1345 YORK (treble) (3rd – 7-1 = £4.37)

It pays at times to side with a mare in form and this girl is certainly that. She rana cracker here last time beating Royal Seal in the same race she won last year. She was impressive too. She’s been raised 7lbs for that but it may need a little more to stop her. HIGHLAND COLORI ran much better last time at Goodwood and is the danger, knowing my luck he’ll win as I’ve left him alone for the first time this year!

 

EMERAHLDZ 1530 YORK (Unplaced = -£5.00)

This filly is another decent horse and she needs genuine good ground. She’s been dropped back to a mark of OR86 today, just a pound above her mark when second here in October in a Class 2 handicap. She’s in a Class 3 today with a little more weight but she’s been crying out for a run with a few prior engagements scratched due to the ground. I’m hopeful of a good run.

 

My Dad’s selections are:

ALFRED HUTCHINSON 1345 YORK (2nd – 8-1 = £5.00)

WAKEA 1420 YORK (unplaced = -£5.00)

MONSIEUR JOE 1455 YORK (WON 9-1 = £28.12)

OUT DO 1510 HAYDOCK (2nd – 3-1 = £1.87)

 

Standings

Father 3-1 Son

Profit

Father £54.01

Son – £46.88

 

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Temple Stakes – Haydock and others

 

Photo by Julian Herbert/Action Images

 

So I return to the blog after a week off. Last week I ventured to Donny races for their evening meet followed by The Human League in concert afterwards. It was a great day all round with three winners and a good time had by all! Sunday was a different matter however! I had the worst hangover I have had in a long time! On to the horses, my dad has got off to a flying start and he had four very profitable selections a few weeks ago, as for me, enough said at the minute! I struggled to pick my nose last time! As always I'm realistic, sometimes you win, alot of the time you lose!! I'm always prepared to celebrate the successes and lick my wounds in defeat! Hopefully I will have a change of luck today. Good luck to you all whatever you're on!

 

HOT STREAK 1545 HAYDOCK (nap) (Unplaced = -£5.00)

Won this last year off a 4lb higher mark. The surface is key for him and with a bit of cut in the ground he will be hard to peg back. His win as a three year old in this last year shouldn't be underestimated and with a solid return last time he is set up ready to roll. I expect a huge run today, lump on! My old mate KINGSGATE NATIVE ran a cracker last time behind his stablemate and he will be thereabouts again. He's worth a saver!

 

POOLE HARBOUR 1500 CATTERICK (nb) (unplaced = -£5.00)

Had a nightmare season last year with Dandy Nicholls, and he comes with risks attached. He really interests me on his first run for Karl Burke on ground he will love. He is running off a mark of OR80, which he has won off before, and was running off a mark of OR95 last year, so he has an attractive mark for me. He's drawn near some pace and is a big price for this class of handicap. I just hope he returns to his old form, if he does he could walk this.

 

MY DREAM BOAT 1455 GOODWOOD (treble) (unplaced = -£5.00)

I picked this horse last week at Donny. He's well bred for better ground and he absolutely hosed up. There was definitely more in the tank and despite a 8lb rise in his mark to OR84 he looked very good last week and there should be more improvement. My only reservation as my good friend @Pirate_B pointed out is that the jockey has yet to win for this trainer! I'm optimistic though and hope that what I saw last week was a decent horse on the upgrade.

 

GO DAN GO 1435 HAYDOCK (unplaced = -£5.00)

This guy is really progressing quickly and I know he has to step up again but he is capable of it I think, especially on this softer surface. He has been running well all year and his success at Beverley was franked yesterday will the second going in. It's a big step up but his trainer is getting more talented and becoming very shrewd at placing his horses! A definite big each way shout.

 

My Dad's selections are:

Gabrial's King 1400 Haydock (Unplaced = -£5.00)

Mutarakez 1435 Haydock (Won 2-1 = £6.25)

Lastuce 1510 Haydock (unplaced = -£5.00)

Hot Streak 1545 Haydock (unplaced= -£5.00)

 

Standings

Father 2-1 Son

Profit

Father £34.02

Son – £36.25

 

A couple of extras I like today are –

SECRET WITNESS 1640 GOODWOOD

ALBERT BRIDGE 1400 HAYDOCK

 

and @Pirate_B likes the look of RED CHARMER 1700 Beverley!

 

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York Dante Festival Day 1

After another dismal day on the blog on Saturday I'm blooming hoping my luck changes at the Knavesmire this week. It should be a cracking meeting and I've got Doncaster on Saturday to look forward to aswell. Good luck if you're having a flutter.

 

MEHDI 1440 York (nap) (3rd – 10-1)

The drop back to six furlongs will help this fella and he should be fit after his first outing. He's got a featherweight here and Hanagan in the saddle. He was a narrow second to HUNTSMAN'S CLOSE in the Ayr Silver Cup last year and that form is decent with that one getting narrowly defeated at Guineas weekend. He should run a big race.

 

MUTHMIR 1515 York (nb) (unplaced)

He has looked a very smart sprinter last year and must be a Group horse this year! This is a competitve race to begin but one that he should win.

 

VOICE OF A LEADER 1410 York (treble) (4th – 33-1)

Nothing like a big priced runner in a handicap! This guy has ability but only had one run last year and for me the ground was against him. He has a decent handicap mark based on only a few outings and clearly the handicapper is concerned about his potential. I think he could run a big race on better ground.

 

TOGETHER FOREVER 1545 York (2nd – 9-4)

This filly has lots of scope and ended last season on a high. She will definitely stay and I think she will give Star of Seville a close run for her money.

 

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Victoria Cup Ascot

After the first Classics passed us by we had the thrills and spills of Chester and now we look forward to the proper Derby trial – The Dante – at York next week. I've not seen anything so far that jumps out as the Derby winner, but we may see something today at Lingfield and next week at York. I'm looking forward to next Saturday as I'm off to the meeting at Doncaster with my family. Hopefully the weather will improve. The handicaps on offer today are ace and I've picked a few big priced ones as always! Hopefully I'll be lucky! Good luck yourselves whatever you're on!

 

DREAM SPIRIT 1545 ASCOT (nap) (Unplaced = -£5.00)

Make no mistakes this fella has class and decent form and despite being a little inexperienced I think he holds the key to this puzzle. He started well last year beating MAVERICK WAVE at Newmarket. That's decent form based on that horse's success beating CANNOCK CHASE at Chester this week. He was then the beaten favourite twice, firstly behind DARK EMERALD, who has performed admirably at Meydan, and secondly behind MOOHAARIB who went out and won a Listed race here beating other horses with smart form lines. My selection has a good draw, will enjoy the ground and could be a much smarter horse than his mark suggests.

 

ROYAL GUARDSMAN 1525 HAYDOCK (nb) (Unplaced = -£5.00)

This fella is a monster price! For me he has been running well and caught my eye when winning well at Newbury, beating KIAMA BAY. He never really got into his next race behind GASSIN GOLF but he has all the credentials to step up here! He has a very light weight and Sam Twiston on his back too – this will help up the stiff Haydock finish and I think he has a cracking chance.

 

AZAGAL 1510 ASCOT (treble) (Unplaced – = -£5.00)

She won well last time over this distance and has only been raised 2lbs. That takes her back to another winning mark of OR89. She won this time last year off that at Doncaster and she has the scope to step up and go again!

 

MON BRAV 1655 ASCOT (Unplaced = -£5.00)

Won a class 3 on good to firm off a mark of OR78, he's three pounds less in this and I'm really interested in Hughsey taking the ride. He's ridden a couple of winners for the yard recently. This horse can be a monkey but can turn it on when the ground is decent and around the mark he's on today.

 

My Dad's selections are :

OASIS FANTASY 1400 ASCOT (3rd – 11-2 = £3.43)

STORM ROCK 1415 HAYDOCK (3rd – 9-4 = £1.40)

SOLAR MAGIC 1510 ASCOT (2nd – 7-2 = £2.18)

WAR SOUND 1525 HAYDOCK (WON 6-1 = £18.75)

 

STANDINGS

FATHER 1-1 SON

PROFIT

FATHER £42.77

SON -£16.25

 

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QIPCO 1000 Guineas

Photo courtesy of Sporting Life

Didnt have too much to shout about on the blog yesterday but thought KINGSGATE NATIVE ran well in third and that HIGHLAND COLORI ran much better and showed the spark is still there. CELESTIAL PATH ran a cracker in the Guineas from a disadvantaged draw and was really moving in the dip. He’s certainly one to watch at Royal Ascot! On to the ladies today and I had a cracking day this time last year with both the MIGHTY YAR and then GOLDREAM (25-1) winning on the blog. I’m hoping I’ve got a few again here. Good luck with whatever you’ve selected, sit back and enjoy and then we’re off to Chester next week! Love that meeting!

 

GOTHIC 1350 NEWMARKET (nap)

He has always looked a decent horse to me and despite wins with cut in the ground I think the quicker ground today will really suit him. He ran possibly his best race at Ascot on quick ground off the same mark as today. His run at Pontefract will have sharpened him up a bit and I’m expecting a winning run from him today.

 

RUWAIYAN 1500 NEWMARKET (nb)

I tiiped up GOLDREAM in this last year and I’m hopeful I’ve found another decent priced winner. SECRETINTHEPARK had solid C+D form and has won this and ran well last year. Despite moving to the yard that won this last year and will the beforementioned he’s a pound higher than his 6th last year and I dont think he’ll win. BLAINE found his old form ladt year and he has a sniff but he may be handicapped to his best. My selection isn’t though and I think he can go onto bigger things. He ran really well in the group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last year behind DANZENO and followed thst up with a 2L fourth in the Stewards Cup. That is smart form and this quicker ground and better draw will help today! There is plenty of pace around him and I can see Hughesie striking late on him.

 

RIZEENA 1425 NEWMARKET (treble)

This is a cracking race! FINTRY has decent form but couldn’t beat INTEGRAL here last time, and she folded a bit tamely for me. BELLE D’OR is interesting and she could improve lots this year and the step up should help too. I have to opt for RIZEENA though, she has the group one form to bring and despite a disappointing three year old campaign she still has class and ran well in her last outing. She has a question mark anout the trip but I think she’ll get it.

 

LOCAL TIME 1540 NEWMARKET

With a couple of noteful absentees this race isnt as hot as it should be! Despite the poor ride on TIGGY WIGGY last time I still can’t see her staying a mile. She’s built for speed pure and simple. OSAILA has had a fair few miles on the clock but she has a solid chance today as does JELLICLE BELL who caught the eye last time. I’m opting for LOCAL TIME, while she has to improve for her MEYDAN successes she has the potential and is bang in form. She also beat a few types here in the Oh So Sharp Stakes last season and I think she’ll like this quicker ground. James Doyle has ridden her in her last four wins and I expect a boldshow again today.

 

I also like the chances of SWNYMOR 1445 HAMILTON, WILLIAM OF ORANGE 1405 SALISBURY and NAMHROODAH in the Pretty Polly!

 

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QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS

Photo courstesy of Sporting Life

 

I can't believe how quickly the first classic has come upon us! The flat season really does start proper with the guineas weekend and then Chester and York coming up pretty quickly afterwards!this is why I love the flat at this time of year – its quality racing after quality racing. I'm resetting my competition with my dad today – in the NH season he beat me in terms of winning weeks but I had more profit than him. Honours even? Sit back and enjoy the racing today – I hope I've found a couple of big priced handicappers amongst an old favourite!

 

Here are my selections :

 

KINGSGATE NATIVE 1430 NEWMARKET (nap) (3rd – 8-1 = £5.00)

Old Father time is catching up with this guy but he remains a huge favourite of mine. He always runs a solid race and still has a touch of class. He runs off the same mark of OR107 as his last run and win and he has come second in this race for the last two years behind SOLE POWER. Two years ago off this mark too. There is nothing of SOLE POWER'S ability against him today and my guy will love the fast ground and he has a great record first time out with runs of 1,2,2,2.

DEEDS NOT WORDS 1525 GOODWOOD (nb) (unplacec = -£5.00)

A decent performer at best but he has dropped down to a handy mark and back to his last winning mark of OR88. He will appreciate the ground and the stablehave sent out an odd winner or two. He could surprise a few of these and run a big race at a big price

 

HIGHLAND COLORI 1450 GOODWOOD (treble) (3rd – 14-1 = £8.75)

I put this fella up on the blog a few weeks ago and despite being nicely positioned he faded at the end. He is still on avery appealing mark and the drop back to 7f will suit. I'm going to give him another go today, he has been far better than his mark suggests and I'm hoping for a revival. PASTORAL PLAYER is a horse I jumped off a cliff with but has been on a long losing run and I can't select him today but he is also on a hell of a mark.

 

CELESTIAL PATH 1545 NEWMARKET (unplaced = -£5.00)

I backed this horse when he won first time out at York last year and then he followed it up cosily in a Listed race at Haydock. He really does have a touch of class and will love this quicker ground. He has to improve on his Racing Post Trophy third but he hated the ground thst day and stillfinished third behind ELM PARK. Sir Mark Prescott knows how to get a handicapper ready but he hasn't had a 2000 Guineas runner ever! He wouldn't run himif he didnt think he was good enough thoughand I think he has a brilliant each way chance. I also think IVAWOOD could win this, he was class last season and despite an under par performance last time the run will have done him a world of good. He still has all the ability and will run a big race.

 

My Dad's selections are :

LUSTROUS 1415 GOODWOOD (unplaced = -£5.00)

ONLINE ALEXANDER 1430 NEWMARKET (unplaced = -£5.00)

IVAWOOD 1545 NEWMARKET (3rd 10-1 = £6.25)

RED REFRACTION 1450 GOODWOOD (unplaced = -£5.00)

 

Standings

Father 0-1 Son

Profit

Father -£8.75

Son £3.75

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