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240 kemp Cemhaan has a fairly big rating 8.7 for the class .....he has a tricky race to contend with but at 16/1 I'm prepared to go Ew as he looks very overpriced 5pts Ew 16/1 willh 4 places

Sam Brown 3 35 War/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1 - won J J Riley 2 42 Kem/ 1/40th of a pt ew 50/1 - won Volcano 3 00 War/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 Mark of Gold 2 42 Kem/ 1/40th of a pt ew 40/1 P/L + 174.10 pts

As in previous years we will be running a tipsters competition for Cheltenham, Tuesday 12th to Friday 15th March. Rules: 1 selection per race throughout the competition Bets settled to £1 level stakes - WIN Only Bets settled at SP Highest accumulative total over the competition wins £100 cash (via PayPal) Runner Up wins £40 and the third place wins £20, all prizes via your PayPal account There will be a £10 prize each day for the highest profit for that day No edits allowed in selection posts Losses incurred for losers. Replacement selections for NRs can be posted but must be before the first race deadline All Bets must be posted prior to the first race each day (no exceptions) Not compulsory to enter every day or every race (so if you miss the first day or two you can still take part) Leader-board posted each evening A minimum of 14 bets is required to qualify for the total prizes Only bets on that day's thread will be included, bets posted elsewhere will not be included All welcome, good luck A separate thread will be created the evening before each day for selections to be posted in.

255 Newmarket Bopedro. 8.8 10/1 Dutch decoy. 8.8 16/1 Hafeet Alain. 8.5 14/1 Tricky race this one ....I'm not a huge fan of backing older horses and all these are of the older generation but computer is saying to back these even though they haven't got brill form .....gonna be an interesting one ....5pt Ew top 2 .....forecasts all 3

230 ain't Cruz control. 8.9 8/1 Sam brown. 8.7 18/1 Crebilly. 8.3 Erne river. 8.1 5pt Ew top 2

Aintree 1.45 Day two of a rain sodden Aintree Grand National meeting kicks off with the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase run over 3M 1F. Gavin Cromwell’s Inotherwayurthinkin is one of six runners declared and he made an absolute mockery of his handicap mark at the Cheltenham Festival 29 days ago when ridden with upmost confidence by Derek O’Connor in sauntering to a eight length victory in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase and although this is a step up in grade is the highest rated in the field by 4lb. He can take this with both trip and ground conditions to suit from anther Cheltenham Festival winner in the Kim Bailey trained Chianti Classico who took the Ultima Handicap in good style. Both Iroko and Heart Wood have stamina to prove whilst the first time cheek pieced Broadway Boy also has claims. INOTHEWAYUTHINKIN 1 point win @ 11-4 William Hill Aintree 2.20 A maximum sized field of twenty two face the starter for this William Hill sponsored Premier Handicap Hurdle run over a trip of 2M 4F. It has a wide open look about with Dan Skelton throwing five into the race so with stable jockey Harry Skelton apparently choosing Kateira, she should be on anyone’s short list. One who catches my eye is the bottom weight Making Headway, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. A lightly raced 3M Irish point to point winner he should relish stepping up to 2M 4F for the first time and with his two victories at Carlisle and Newbury both coming in heavy ground today’s boggy terrain will be of no concern to his connections. His fourth to Go Dante at Sandown in a similar handicap last time was decent form especially as he was staying on up the run in looking to all that a step up in trip will suit. He sports first time cheek pieces as well and looks a good each way bet. MAKING HEADWAY 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 Aintree 2.55 A field of eight line up for this Grade 1 Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle run over 2M 103 yards. A strong fancy is the Willie Mullins trained, J P McManus owned Mystical Power who had both Firefox and stable mate Mistergif 3 1/2L and 6L respectively behind in the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham and there seems no real reason why either should turn the tables on the pick. I worry about the very testing ground for Fergal O’Brien’s smart mare Dysart Enos, who missed Cheltenham through injury and a bigger danger may well be Jeremy Scott’s mare Golden Ace who took the mares novice hurdle at Cheltenham four weeks ago. This looks one for Mullins and J P McManus though with Mystical Power. MYSTICAL POWER 2 points win @ 2/1 William Hill Aintree 3.30 A small but select field of seven go to post for the 2M 4F My Pension Expert Melling Chase. The highest rated is the Nicky Henderson trained Jonbon who will be the pick but only if there are signs on day one that all is well with his stable following his nightmare Cheltenham. Henderson has run nothing of real note since and with Jonbon missing Cheltenham will hopefully come here a fresh horse. He’s stepping up to 2M 4F for the first time but was a 15L Irish point to point winner over 3M so I don’t really see that as being an excuse. He will also have to jump better than he did when last seen at Cheltenham but he is a class performer who’s won 12 of his 15 starts having been runner up in his three defeats. Ryanair one - two Protektorat and Envoi Allen will have their supporters along with last years winner Pic D’Orhy but a fit and healthy Jonbon can score and put a smile back on the master of Seven Barrows. JONBON 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365 Aintree 4.05 The day’s race over the Grand National fences is the 2M 5F Topham Handicap Chase in which we have a strong field of twenty five lining up. Last year’s winner Bill Baxter, from the in form (a double on Tuesday) stable of Warren Greatrex can run well although he’s shown very little this season, including last time when well backed on his favoured ground and is scant value at around the 9-2 mark. Harry Redknapp’s Shakem Up’arry won the Plate at Cheltenham and even with a 6lb rise can also be competitive for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones. Buckinghamshire trainer Stuart Edmunds has had his string in excellent form for a while now and his runner here Arizona Cardinal is an interesting runner. An easy winner at Leicester and Ludlow on soft ground this year (rising 14lb) this race was mooted after the victory at the latter track by his owners and he could be some each way value in a wide open contest. ARIZONA CARDINAL 1 point each way @ 12-1 William Hill 1/5th 123456 Aintree 4.40 Nine staying novice hurdlers face the judge for this Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. The best form is brought to the table by Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Man who ran a stormer in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham when runner up, having been run down on the run in, by the 33/1 outsider Stellar Story. He had the Willie Mullins pair Dancing City 7L behind in third and the favourite Reading Tommy Wrong (pulled up) behind that day and can confirm that form under Kielan Woods. The interesting runner, especially if Nicky Henderson’s runners have run well coming into the race, is the Mrs J Donnelly owned Shanagh Bob who we haven’t seen since he won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham over today’s distance back in December. He missed, like all of Henderson’s stars, the Cheltenham Festival and will come here a fresh unbeaten stayer who’s won twice on soft ground. He’s worth a saver. THE JUKEBOX MAN 1 point win @ 7/2 Betfred SHANAGH BOB 1 point win @ 9/2 Betfred Aintree 5.15 Day two of the Grand National concludes with a nineteen runner 2M 103 yard conditional jockeys’ and amateur riders’ handicap hurdle. Plenty can be given a chance including Olly Murphy’s Go Dante who will love the heavy ground although he will have to overcome a career high handicap mark of 134. The horse which attracts me is the Ben Pauling trained Densworth who appeared to show much improved form for a wind operation when running away with a handicap hurdle on heavy ground at Doncaster on his re-appearance. It was a race where only four hurdles were actually jumped but you couldn’t be anything but impressed by his 16L victory especially as the horse back in second, his stable mate Getaway Drumlee, ran out a easy 17L winner himself later in the month at Fontwell. Densworth ran in this race last year as a 20-1 chance when pulling up, coming back with a dirty trachea wash according to his handler in a recent Aintree preview. A 10lb rise may not be enough to stop him from running well each way in a highly competitive handicap especially as his jockey Beau Morgan takes off 5lb thus halving the additional weight. Charlie Byrnes is a trainer to be feared and his runner here Maidenstreetprince was alongside, although not going as well, as Sir Gerhard when falling two out at Cork 12 days ago and when you consider that one is rated 155 it is possible that he could be very well treated off of just 128 today. He is worth saving on. DENSWORTH 1 point each way @ 10-1 bet365 1/5th 12345 MAIDENSTREETPRINCE 1/2 point each way @ 6-1 William HIll 1/5th 12345

I had an extra fiver Ew after a read a great write up this morning .....I was hoping for the place but 25/1 is good enough .....get in you beauty 🤩

Forest Of Dean 3 20 Stwl/ 1/40th of a pt ew 33/1 Alaphilippe 3 08Chp/ 1/40th of a pt ew 20/1 Howth 4 30 Sth/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1 First Emperor 5 05 Sth/ 1/40th of a pt ew 28/1 - 3rd

445 Newmarket Bolsena... has shown enough to suggest he could take a weakish looking race like this ....interesting that Ryan Moore takes the ride ....I'll try 5pts Ew 5/1 b365 (generally 7/2)

Wow ....photo between hafeet Alain and Dutch decoy ...gutted I didn't get the winner but forecast and Ew ....I'm actually shocked how the computer found that .....forecast has paid 182.88 ....plus around 20 from Dutch that's 202.88 ....making a total of +437.00 on last three weeks ...jeez

Aintree 1.45 Five line up for this Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase run over 2M 4F with the first and second from the Turners Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham back to renew rivalry. Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning out stayed Paul Nicholls’s Ginny’s Destiny to the tune of 2L at the line and can confirm that form although it may be close between the pair. Willie Mullins saddles his Arkle third Il Etait Temps who is stepping up in trip today. It’s hard to fancy either Blow Your Wad and Colonel Harry who are safely held by Ginny’s Destiny so the selection here is Skelton’s exciting grey Grey Dawning who can confirm Cheltenham form and start the meeting off well for the Skelton camp who are keen to keep ahead of his old boss Paul NIcholls and Willie Mullins in the jumps trainers championship. GREY DAWNING 2 points win @ Evens bet365 Aintree 2.20 Just six have declared for the Grade 1 2M 1F Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle including Nicky Henderson’s highly promising Sir Gino. Obviously we don’t know for certain what sort of form the stable are in as they’ve only had a handful of runners since Cheltenham and none of them where of much interest. If the stable was in top form Sir Gino would be a very strong fancy and he’s still has to be the pick here although it would of been nice to know for sure what form the Seven Barrows team are in. Willie Mullins saddles Kargese who was runner up in the Triumph Hurdle whilst Paul Nicholls runs his exciting unbeaten ex French gelding Kalif Du Berlais. He looks a proper horse having impressed twice at Kempton and may be the one to chase Sir Gino home. SIR GINO 2 points win @ 10/11 Coral Aintree 2.55 The 3m 1F Grade 1 Aintree Bowl Chase has attracted a field of seven. Cheltenham Gold Cup runner up Gerri Colombe is the form horse as he had Bravemansgame (5th) and Gentlemansgame (pulled up) behind that day and looks sure to run well at a track that he won at last season as a novice and may have most to fear from Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin. A good run from Sir Gino in the previous race would obviously be a major boost for him and likewise a poor run would see Shishkin’s odds lengthen. He won this last year from the re-appearing Ahoy Senor, who doesn’t look the same horse this year, and on his best form he’s a big player here. Corbetts Cross impressed at Cheltenham but this will be much tougher and the selection is Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe who brings the best recent form to the table. GERRI COLOMBE 1 point win @ 13/8 William Hill Aintree 3.30 The Grade 1 2M 4F William Hill Aintree Hurdle sees eight runners line up with the top two rated both coming from Ireland. Henry De Bromhead’s Bob Olinger who’s looked back to his best this season, winning Grade 2 contests over 2M 4F at Navan and Cheltenham prior to a creditable 5 1/2L second in the Irish Champion Hurdle to State Man. He looks sure to run well but may struggle to fight off the Willie Mullins trained Impaire Et Passe who like Bob Olinger missed Cheltenham. A smart novice last season winning the Ballymore at Cheltenham and has placed behind Teahupoo and State Man this season. Today’s trip and ground look ideal and he can out stay Bob Olinger. Champion Hurdle third Luccia may have been flattered last time whilst Coral Cup winner Langer Dan has plenty more on his plate here. IMPAIRE ET PASSE 1 point win @ 15/8 bet365 Aintree 4.05 A bumper field of twenty two will line up for the first race of the meeting over the Grand National fences the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase over 2M 5F. Cheltenham Foxhunters runner up Its On The Line will love the testing ground but didn’t really travel that well at Cheltenham and they may go a bit faster here so I’ll pass over him. Ante post gamble Spyglass Hill looks too short now despite winning one of the bigger hunter chases of the early part of the season at Haydock in the Walrus Hunters Chase. Hannah Roach’s Time Leader ran a blinder at 50-1 at Cheltenham finishing 5 1/2L behind Its On The Line and is also a player with the drop in trip a positive but the value may well be last years runner up Bennys King who’s looked in great form this season including when bolting up at Leicester last time when making all under today’s jockey Sean O’Connor for trainer Dan Skelton on ground that he’ll love. BENNYS KING 1 point each way @ 17/2 William Hill 1/5th 12345 Aintree 4.40 Fifteen face the starter for the 2M Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase and has a very competitive look about it. The Grand Annual winner from Cheltenham, Unexpected Party, trained by Dan Skelton re-appears off of a 8lb higher mark with the third Path D’Oroux, sixth Saint Roi and eighth Triple Trade all taking him on again. One horse who catches my eye towards the bottom of the field is the Paul Nicholls trained Sans Bruit, an ex French performer who has plenty of smart form on heavy ground so should love the conditions. He’s had just the three runs for Nicholls, twice down the field in competitive handicap hurdles and a fine 3/4L second at Chepstow to an improver in Prince Quali. He’s 2lb out of the handicap here but as he actually goes up 3lb for that latest run in future handicaps is a pound well in here and has the assistance of Bryony Frost (presuming that Harry Cobden can’t do the weight of 10-2). In a wide open race the six year old mudlark could be the value play each way with additional places. SANS BRUIT 1 point each way @ 12/1 1/5th 1234 Coral Aintree 5.15 The final race on day one of the Grand National meeting is the 2M 1F Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race with several promising mares here. Willie Mullins saddles Baby Kate who’s not been seen since November when winning a listed bumper at Cheltenham and has to be on the short list. Dan Skelton will be desperate to secure more prize money at the meeting as he attempts to keep clear of the chasing Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins and saddles Honky Tonk Highway who’s unbeaten in a 3M maiden point to point and a listed bumper at Sandown when making his rules debut which takes some doing. There are many other potentially nice mares in the race but it’s the Skelton’s Honky Tonk Highway the one for me. HONKY TONK HIGHWAY 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234

As in previous years we will be running a tipsters competition for Aintree Thursday 11th to Saturday 13th April. Rules: 1 selection per race throughout the competition Bets settled to £1 level stakes - WIN Only Bets settled at SP Highest accumulative total over the competition wins £100 cash (via PayPal) Runner Up wins £40 and the third place wins £20, all prizes via your PayPal account There will be a £10 prize each day for the highest profit for that day No edits allowed in selection posts Losses incurred for losers. Replacement selections for NRs can be posted but must be before the first race deadline All Bets must be posted prior to the first race each day (no exceptions) Not compulsory to enter every day or every race (so if you miss the first day or two you can still take part) Leader-board posted each evening A minimum of 14 bets is required to qualify for the total prizes Only bets on that day's thread will be included, bets posted elsewhere will not be included All welcome, good luck A separate thread will be created the evening before each day for selections to be posted in.

Well exactly one year to the day after joining the Punters Lounge forum I finally win a Nap of the day monthly competition - not for lots of trying! Many thanks to @MCLARKE for running the comp and also thanks to all the other moderators/admins for their no doubt daily effort as well 👍 Also, many thanks to all involved at TAG Media for all of this. Here's looking forward to the next 12 months.

Kempton 1.15 ITV’s eight race coverage starts with a competitive fifteen runner 2M 5F class 3 handicap hurdle. It has an open look about it and it may pay to be with last year’s winner Mark Of Gold. Gary Moore’s seven year old ran out a comfortable 14L winner from a mark 7lb lower than he races off of today. That victory was gained on good ground but he does also have winning form on soft so the underfoot conditions shouldn’t hinder him. He fell in the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle prior to last year’s win and the same fate befell him last month in prep for this contest. At a decent price he’s worth an each way play with additional places in a a wide open handicap under Caoilin Quinn who continues to impress and can still claim 3lb.Bottom weight Sea Invasion is the one I fear most against the selection. MARK OF GOLD 1 point each way @ 16/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Kempton 1.50 The first Grade race of the day is the Grade 2 Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle run over 2M with six juvenile hurdlers facing the judge. The race is likely to be run at a blistering pace wit impressive front running last time out winners Captain Marvellous and Givemefive sure to set searching fractions. Both may be playing for place money mind as the Paul Nicholls trained Kalif Du Berlais is a confident selection. He has to shoulder a 5lb penalty here for his victory at Compiegne in France last October, which seems harsh considering that was a newcomers race. He made a scintillating British debut when running away with a class 2 juvenile hurdle over course and distance last month. The 3rd and 5th have won since to give the form a solid look and although chasing will no doubt be his game as his part owner John Hales is in print stating that he was bought to win a Gold Cup he can retain his unbeaten record today. KALIF DU BERLAIS 2 points win @ 10/11 bet365 Newcastle 2.08 A stamina sapping contest is in store here with the 4M 1F 56 yard Betting.Bet Eider Handicap Chase run on heavy ground which has attracted a field of thirteen. We’re going to need a thorough stayer here and with the likes of improvers Anglers Crag and Fenland Tiger yet to race beyond 3M 2F it may be worth taking a chance on Sandy Thomson’s grey mare Flower Of Scotland. Shes proved her ability to stay and handle very testing ground when winning the Borders National at Kelso back in December 2022 in easy style off of a handicap mark 6lb lower than today’s. Lightly raced since and with the trainer in excellent form, winning with four of his last 13 runners, at time of writing, she could represent each way value with Sean Quinlan taking over for the first time. FLOWER OF SCOTLAND 1 point each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 Kempton 2.27 A small but select field of six novice chasers line up for this Grade 2 Coral Pendil Novices’ Chase run over 2M 4F 110 yards.Bar outsider Soul Icon there’s only 4lb between the remaining quintet and it may pay to be with the five year old mare Arclight who receives a earthy 11lb allowance for age and sex. She’s unbeaten in three starts over fences here, Exeter and Wincanton. It’s the victory at the latter that gives her a big chance here. She beat Thursday’s Irish listed winner Marsh Wren by a coupe of lengths that day and with plenty in her favour can beat the likes of Tahmuras, who looks the biggest danger as his trainer Paul Nicholls has an excellent record in the race. ARCLIGHT 1 point win @ 5/1 bet365 Southwell 2.45 A field of eleven turn up for this 5F listed BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes. There is a stand out bet in the race in the shape of the Robert Cowell trained Clarendon House who is officially 7lb and upwards the best here. He seems to have stepped his game up since being gelded last August, winning at Wolverhampton and over course and distance when he broke the 5F track record. Not disgraced in fourth in a Group 2 in Dubai last month he stands out here with his main danger Diligent Harry possibly better at 6F. CLARENDON COURT 2 points win @ 11/10 bet365 Kempton 3.00 We have eight novice hurdles lining up here for the Grade 2 Coral Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, run over 2M. Sam Thomas’s Lump Sun came from some way back to push the favourite Jeriko Du Reponet in the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster last month with one of today’s rivals Fiercely Proud just 3/4L behind at the line when finishing runner up and giving a real scare to favourite backers. Dai Walters’s six year old had previously won in maiden/novice company at Ffos Las and Wincanton and looks the one they all have to beat today under Sam Twiston-Davies. LUMP SUN 1 point win @ 15/8 William Hill Southwell 3.20 The track host their first running of the BetUK Winter Derby having been transferred from Lingfield. The race features six runners for this £56,710 first prize and is run over 1M 3F which is a a furlong further than last year. That extra furlong may well be against last years one - two Lord North and Tyrrhenian Sea and with the former being aimed at a remarkable fourth win of the Dubai Turf next month may have to play second fiddle to Charlie Appleby’s Military Order who was only just denied in the Winter Derby trial here 30 days ago over course and distance. Appleby is running at 50% wins to runs at present and he can out stay his rivals here under Danny Tudhope who was on board last time when going down by a neck to Enemy. MILITARY ORDER 1 point win @ 9/4 Betfred Kempton 3.37 The feature handicap on the Kempton card is the 3M Coral Trophy Handicap Chase which has a field of twelve. The race has an open look about it with last year’s runner up Flegmatik likely to be high on anyones list. Dan Skelton’s chestnut only went down by neck to Our Power last year and although he is 5lb higher today comes into the race on the back of a cosy 2L win over course and distance last month from Cheltenham hopeful Chianti Classico bringing his course record to three wins from 6 runs. Another horse who appears to like this track is the Nicky Henderson trained Tweed Skirt who is two from three here and can also run well although very soft ground may be a bit of an issue. FLEGMATIK 1 point each way @ 5/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234

Dr Karanga 1 30 Hyd/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1 Larry 3 00 Asc/ 1/40th of a pt ew 20/1 Goshen 2 25Asc/ 1/40th of a pt ew 40/1 Teddy Blue 3 35 Asc 1/40th of a pt ew 28/1 happy christmas to all forum members 🐎 🍻 and all your wives and lovers { may they never meet 😃😁} P/L +173.70

Madam Ambassador 1 30 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 33/1 - Won Ropey Guest 3 35 Asc/ 1/40th of a pt ew 44/1 Designer 1 50 Asc/ 1/40th of a pt ew 12/1 Happy Romance 3 00 Asc/ 1/40th of a pt ew 16/1 Commander Crouch 2 05 Asc/ 1/40th of a pt ew 36/1 - 2nd Love Billy Boy 2 45 Red/ 1/40th of a pt ew 36/1 Vultan 2 20 Cra/ 1/40th of a pt ew 38/1 Bosh 7 30 Wol/ 1/40th of a pt win 12/1 P/L + 171.95 pts

Oh wow .....I wished and it came true !!.....well done all those who backed him above too .....I'm amazed ...thought he had no chance from draw and 36.0!!... that's +330.00 ....unicorn win...I'm blown away

Ascot and York are the day’s feature meetings with the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes run at 15.40 the day’s feature race, and what a cracker we have this year. A real race to savour. The ground is soft at both tracks so we’ll be looking for horses that love to get their hooves into the turf. Here’s my thoughts on the day’s seven races with selections to help beat the bookies. Ascot 13:50 We start the days terrestrial coverage off with an eleven runner 6F Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes for two year old fillies only. There’s very little soft ground form here with the Amo Racing owned Komat the only horse to comprehensively prove his effectiveness on soft ground having won at Redcar in April on soft. I’m not quite sure she’ll be good enough to win this mind. George Boughey’s Soprano is the current favourite but he ran to at Sandown on Thursday so has to be deemed doubtful one would think. Clive Cox saddles an interesting runner here in the once raced Symbology who beat the more experienced Nighteyes 3/4L at York on her debut a fortnight ago on good ground looking a nice prospect in the process and can run well along with Charlie Johnston’s Sacred Angel who impressed when winning at Newmarket a fortnight ago on fast ground. The Godolphin runner Dazzling Star doesn’t look anything too special having won a modest (by Newmarket standards) 6F maiden a month ago which hasn’t worked out that well. There’s no stand out filly here especially with question marks over the ground for most but I’ll take a chance on the Cox runner Symbology each way to small stakes who, although winning on good ground, may appreciate some cut in the ground like his sire and dam who both won on soft ground. SYMBOLOGY 1 point win @ 7/2 bet365 York 14:05 York’s ITV coverage kicks off with a nineteen runner class 4 5F ‘Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe’ Handicap, a unique race where national hunt jockeys get the chance to ride the sprint track on the Knavesmire. It has a very open look about it with local sprint specialist Paul Midgley saddling six runners, the best of whom may well be the Sam Twiston Davies ridden Glory Fighter. 2021 winner Soul Seeker, trained by David O’Meara has plummeted in the handicap since and races here off of a handicap mark some 17lb lower than that victory. He has little form on a soft surface however so is overlooked for that reason alone. In a race where stakes are most definitely kept small the pick may well be the David O’Meara trained Speedacus who is ridden by the current leader of the national hunt jockeys championship Sean Bowen, who actually won on the flat at Pontefract for his father Peter last week with Supposedtobe. Relatively lightly raced for his age, this Slade Power chestnut gelding proved his liking for soft ground when winning at Doncaster a week ago for which he’s been raised 4lb for. In an open contest he’s worth a small each way bet. SPEEDACUS 1/2 point each way @ 9/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 Ascot 14:25 Ten fillies or mares line up for this 1M Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes. The Irish challenger Cadeau Belle, trained by Johnny Murtagh, is unbeaten in two starts having won a Gowran Park maiden on soft ground and a listed race at Navan. This is a further step up in class but shes done nothing wrong and could play a hand in the finish with Jamie Spencer in the saddle. Also over from the Emerald Isle is the Joseph O’Brien trained Thornbrook, a listed winner in France last time out who is could also be in the mix here. Roger Varian saddles an interesting runner in the four year old Ameynah who we haven’t seen since finishing 6th in last season’s 1000 Guineas and is also untested on easy ground so is overlooked for those reasons alone. Six of the 10 runners are three year olds including Cadeau Belle with the Andrew Balding trained Vetiver stepping up in grade but only 10lb behind the top rated and has won three times on soft ground so has her under foot conditions here. The one I feel they all have to beat though is the Ed Walker trained, Saffie Osborne ridden Random Harvest. The five year old mare has won twice on soft ground and was probably out of her depth last time out when 6th of 8 in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket. She had previously gone down by short margins in group 3 and 2 company at Epsom and Ascot and as the highest rated of the ten looks the bet here. RANDOM HARVEST 1 point win @ 10/3 bet365 York 14:40 A competitive fifteen runner 6F class 2 handicap is up next and has a typical York sprint look about it. Karl Burke’s Lethal Levi heads the weights here and ran well on the all-weather at Newcastle last time when 3rd to Batal Dubai. He has claims along with a whole host of others including the only three year old in the field in the shape of Richard Fahey’s Barefoot Angel who makes her first start in a handicap having had her wind operated on since last seen when down the field in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn at Newmarket in April. This represents a drop in grade for the Dark Angel filly and she can run well. Kevin Ryan’s Hambleton Racing owned seven year old Magical Spirit is an interesting runner who won in the mud at Doncaster in April prior to an excellent third of 21 over course and distance 18 days later to Bielsa. His latest run on the all-weather can be forgiven and with conditions to suit looks the pick here to small stakes and an additional place. MAGICAL SPIRIT 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Ascot 15:00 A wide open renewal with 27 spread across the 7F straight track. Biggles comes here in fine form, likes soft ground and has to make the short list with Ryan Moore on board. Last year’s winner Fresh is another who can be competitive as long as the ground doesn’t get too testing whilst that wont worry Baradar who can’t have it soft enough. One of only two three year olds in the race, the Richard Fahey trained Ramazan can also be competitive from what may turn out to be a favourable high draw. At a monster price don’t be surprised if Fools Rush In outruns his odds and could hit the frame at a very big price. A wide open race with Biggles the most likely winner with just a 3lb penalty for his cosy Bunbury Cup victory and with Ryan Moore on top. The only negative is his stall 6 which in the past has been a negative so for that reason the vote goes to the mud lark Baradar berthed in stall 24 and the three year old Ramazan in stall 21. BARADAR 1 point each way @ 7/1 BetVictor 1/5th 12345 RAMAZAN 1 point each way @ 14/1 Boyles 1/5th 12345 FOOLS RUSH IN 1/2 point each way 66/1 Coral 1/5th 12345 York 15:15 Just the five go to post for this 1M 2F 56 yards Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes. The warm favourite and easily the most likely winner is the William Haggas trained My Prospero who is taking a drop in grade here having run in Group 1 company on his last three starts. His best effort to date was at last season’s Champions Day in the Qipco Champions Stakes when finishing third (beaten 1/2L) by Bay Bridge and Adayar with the great Baaeed behind in fourth. He found the mile of the Lockinge at Newbury on his re-appearance too short for him in May and was not disgraced when fourth of 6 in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting at Ascot in June (beaten 6 1/2L). A reproduction of any of those three runs should see him take this contest on ground that he’s proven on. Roger Varian’s Royal Champion took the Wolverton at Royal Ascot but this is a step up in class for him whilst Owen Burrow’s Alflaila has a 294 day layoff to overcome as well as question marks over his ability to handle soft ground. Johnny Murtagh sends over Mashoor from his County Kildare base in Ireland and is chasing a four timer with his best effort coming at Curragh last time out in the Group 3 International Stakes when running out an impressive 4 3/4L winner from Al Riffa. He looks the danger to the favourite if coping with the soft ground on the Knavesmire. MY PROSPERO 2 points win @ 5/4 William Hill Ascot 15:40 The feature race of the day is the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, a Group One race run over 1M 4F and has attracted an excellent field of eleven this year and looks like being one of the best renewals for many a year. The two three year olds taking on the nine elders are Aiden O’Brien’s Epsom and Irish Derby winner Auguste Rodin and the Roger Varian trained Derby runner up and Royal Ascot winner King Of Steel. There was only 1 1/2L between them at Epsom and as that was the latter’s first run of the season I would expect there to be little between them here despite Auguste Rodin’s trainer expressing concerns about very soft ground lets not forget he ran out a comfortable winner of the Vertem Futurity on heavy ground as a juvenile. The soft ground has come in favour of the Owen Burrows runner Hukum whose form figures on ground with the description soft in reads 1131. Last seen beating Desert Crown at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes in May he looks a major player now stepping back up in trip. Last year’s winner Pyledriver is back to defend his title having prepped with a victory in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot but this year’s renewal looks a lot classier than last years. The Gosden’s Emily Upjohn was a major disappointment in this race last year when pulling too hard but has bounced back to form this season with two solid efforts although soft ground may be her downfall. An interesting outsider is one of the Aiden O’Brien quartet in Point Lonsdale who’s unbeaten in five starts on soft ground and could hit the frame at a monster price. A race to savour but with plenty in his favour its Hukum for me. HUKUM 1 point win @ 9/2 William Hill POINT LONSDALE 1/4 point each way @ 80/1 bet365 1/5th 1234

RESULTS UPDATE At long last I am in a YTD profit. One of my L15's and accas won with three winning selections and a non-runner. This produced a profit of 189.53 points + a small return on an ew bet meant a profit for the day of 190.23. After deducting my YTD loss of -133.92 I am now in YTD profit of 56.31

Congratulations to @the finster whose 4 winners on the final day wins him the daily prize and the overall prize Well done to runner up @waggy and third placed @Timusher

Hopefully it will be Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick in Sydney on Saturday although the area is having a crazy amount of rain so it could be called off. What is certain is that the ground will be very testing and that is going to be a big factor in how things play out. I have taken a look at 3 races on the card. Race 2 This is a Group 2 over 2600m and the main bet is the ex-Stoute trained Circle Of Fire. He was 3rd in the Lingfield Derby Trial last year and then 4th in the Queens Vase at the Royal meeting. Since going to Oz he has had 2 4ths over 1600m and 1900m showing promise both times. As his form in the UK suggests he should relish stepping up to this sort of trip. He has yet to run on a testing surface so that is an unknown, but otherwise he has a leading chance. At a bigger price Hopeful looks to have a fair chance. Well beaten 1st up, but he needs further than the 2000m that day. What really interests me though are his ground stats. He has no platings in 7 starts on good ground, on soft ground he has been in the 1st 3 10 times in 14 starts and in 3 starts on heavy ground 2 have seen him in the platings. There should be big improvement from him up in trip on a testing surface. Circle of Fire @ 4/1 with most bookies Hopeful e/w @ 16/1 with most bookies Race 7 The big sprint on the card is the T J Smith. I’m not sure Imperatriz is in as good form as she was in her last prep and I’m happy enough to look elsewhere. I Wish I Win is 1st up here, but he does have a solid 1st up record and I think he can go close to winning this for the 2nd year running. That came on a Heavy 9 and his last start saw him finish a slightly unlucky 2nd in the The Everest when he didn’t get a clear run until the final 200m. The other one I like is Bella Nipotina. She is a solid mare who has been running well so far this prep. She loves a heavy track and that could easily see her improve enough to hit the frame at least here. I Wish I Win @ 14/5 with Bet365 Bella Nipotina e/w @ 9/1 with most bookies Race 8 The Doncaster Mile is a big field handicap and Another Wil was a short price favourite for this, but he then drew stall 21 which is going to be a worry. He is a horse on the upgrade though and he was impressive last Saturday at Rosehill. I do like the horse, but this is the hardest race he has been in, he has a shocking draw and I’m not sure about the 7 day back up for him either. He’s around the 11/4 mark and it is hard to say that is value. With that said I am look to take 3 at double figure odds and then another couple at huge odds to small stakes. Plenty of UK bookies are going 4 places as well (on Aussie rules it is only 3 places despite the field size). All these have wet track form and look to be coming here in solid form. Detonator Jack, Southport Tycoon and Zougotcha are those at shorter double figure odds and the 2 at massive odds are Pericles and Semana. I should just say Berkshire Shadow runs in this on his 2nd start in Oz and he his a huge price if he can run to the form he showed in the Lockinge or the Queen Anne. He was average in that 1st run at Flemington though. Detonator Jack e/w @ 11/1 with Coral and Ladbrokes Southport Tycoon e/w @ 16/1 with William Hill (N/R) Zougotcha e/w @ 16/1 with William Hill (N/R) Pericles e/w @ 50/1 with William Hill Semana e/w @ 33/1 with William Hill (N/R)

Plumpton 2.25 The ITV cameras shown just the one race from Plumpton, the 2M 3F 164 yard class 2 handicap chase. As long as the ground doesn’t dry out too much the favourite I’d Like To Know should be hard to beat. He’s looked a promising chaser in just two starts over fences in going down by a short head to Issar d’Airy on his fencing debut at Newbury prior to running out a cosy 5 1/2L winner back at the Berkshire course last month. Both those runs were on soft/heavy ground but he has hurdle form on good ground so hopefully he’ll go on todays good to soft ground. 8lb higher than last time he is still on the upgrade and will be hard to beat for local trainer Chris Gordon and jockey Rex Dingle. I’D LIKE TO KNOW 1 point win @ 2/1 bet365 Kempton 2.55 A progressive sort trained at Newmarket by father and son combo of John & Thady Gosden who was been trained for the Winter Derby until standing on a nail a few days before and makes his seasonal re-appearance here under Kieran Shoemark in this listed 1M 1F 219 yard Magnolia Stakes. A half brother to Ascot Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami he appears to have most to fear from the William Haggas trained Dubai Honour, a dual winner in Australia last year. LIONS PRIDE 1 point win @ 11/4 bet365 Kempton 3.30 Ten runners go to post for this 1M 2F 219 yard class 4 handicap. Jamie Osborne saddles the likely favourite in Isle Of Sark who has been placed on all three starts last month and deserves to get his head in front here under Saffie Osborne. Andrew Balding’s Cello would have needed his latest run and may turn out to be the biggest danger to the selection but this should really be going to Isle Of Sark. ISLE OF SARK 1 point win @ 9/4 bet365 Kempton 4.05 A dozen sprinters have declared for this 6F class four handicap. Al Barez was an eye-catcher last time out at Wolverhampton and Tom Clover’s charge should be in the shake up whilst the in form Richard Hughes’s trained The Thames Boatman arrives in good form but is drawn in the car park in stall 12 of 12. James Fanshawe’s five year old Al Ameen could be a value each way play in this competitive handicap. He won over course and distance in October on his first run for Fanshawe having joined from George Boughey whilst his second to Cover Up at Lingfield the following month also looks a good piece of form. The 114 day absence shouldn’t be an issue and he can reward an each way wager. AL AMEEN 1 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Kempton 4.40 Ten go to post for this 1M class 3 handicap in which Clive Cox’s Vultar and Farasi Lane bring the same form line to the race with the former beating his rival by a short head over course and distance last month. On one pound better terms there shouldn’t be much between the pair although the most interesting runner is the Roger Varian runner Dragon Icon. Thought good enough to contest the German 2000 Guineas last May, he showed on his penultimate outing over course and distance that he had a race of this calibre in him with his latest effort easily forgotten as he had the worst of the draw. James Doyle can start his association with Varian in great style by taking the first prize. DRAGON ICON 2 points win @ 4/1 William Hill Fairyhouse 5.00 A bumper field, as always, for this year’s Irish Grand National run over a stamina sapping 3M 5F on gluey heavy ground. Willie Mullins saddles three in the contest including the favourite Nick Rockett under Paul Townend, a novice having only his fourth start over fences and his first beyond three miles. He has a solid chance but has been well found in the market and at bigger odds it may pay to play the Thomas Gibney trained, Simon Munir & Isaac Souede owned Intense Raffles who appears to have been laid out for this by a trainer who was successful in this race back in 2012 with Lion Na Bearnai. The former French gelding has won both his starts for Gibney, novice chases here over 2M 6F and 3M 1 1/2F and he could be well treated in his first handicap and with J J Slevin replacing the injured Daryl Jacob. INTENSE RAFFLES 1 point each way @ 8/1 Ladbrokes/Coral 1/5th 12345

Good day for the Horse Racing Daily Tips @TheBrigadier8 winners from 9 selections! £339 profit on day (£20 stake) Micks Jet 145 Musselburgh 6/5Whosmydaddy 215 Musselburgh 4/1Noche Negra 225 Southwell 5/4Bashful 450 Musselburgh 9/4Dubawi Time 830 Kempton 2/1 Daily acca ( @Tumbleweed King) 7/1Senior Chief 205 Punchestown 2/5Buachaillbocht 410 Punchestown 11/4Sounds Victorious 440 Punchestown 4/7

Cheltenham 1.30 The JCB Triumph Hurdle may not be the numerical race of old but is still a good test of a four year old and this 2m 1F Grade 1 contest has attracted a field of fourteen. Nicky Henderson has had a wretched week, with several of his stars scratched as well as those that have run running shockers. His Sir Gino is the latest scratching from Seven Barrows which means this is a wide open contest. The Willie Mullins stable is running seven with five of them all running close to each other in the Spring juvenile hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and it must be significant that stable jockey is on Storm Heart. It may be worth chancing Gary Moore’s Salver for whom the ground can not be soft enough. He’s unbeaten in four races and although he’ll need to step up again is worth a small each way interest with conditions to suit in what appears to be a wide open renewal. SALVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 Coral 1/5th 1234 Cheltenham 2.10 The traditional cavalry charge that is the BetMGM County Handicap Hurdle is run over 2M 1F and has attracted a near maximum field of twenty three. One piece of form that is pivotal to the outcome of this race is the Grade 1 Leopardstown novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. That race was won by Ballyburn who beat Slade Steel by 7L which is obviously top grade form now with the pair winning well this week in the Supreme and Gallagher Novice Hurdles. 7L further back in third was Gordon Elliott’s Gigginstown owned King Of Kingsfield with Willie Mullins’s Absurde just 3 1/4L behind in fourth. The latter is now 4lb better off and has claims of turning the tables but seems a better horse on better ground. Plenty of others can be given chances including the Dan Skelton pair Faivoir, who won this last year and arrives following an unlucky silver medal at Sandown last weekend and Betfair Hurdle runner up L’Eau Du Sud. Last year’s runner up Pied Piper heads the weights today but is only 2lb higher than that run when, but for hitting the last (not Davy Russell’s finest ride) would have won. He’s part of the staking plan but the main bet has to be King Of Kingsfield who’s form has been so well advertised this week. KING OF KINGSFIELD 1 point each way @ 5/1 William Hill 1/5th 123456 PIED PIPER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 1/5th 123456 Cheltenham 2.50 Fifteen staying novice hurdlers face the judge for the 3M Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. Willie Mullins saddles a third of the field in with his best arrow probably Reading Tommy Wrong who is the pick of stable jockey Paul Townend (even if it is for Messrs Souede & Munir) although he does have stamina to prove here stepping up half a mile. Harry Fry has always rated his Gidleigh Park highly and this unbeaten six year old, ridden today by J J Burke could be the value pick for the home team. Unbeaten in a bumper and three novice hurdles, including a Grade 2 here in January where he was made to work hard to beat Nicky Henderson’s Lucky Place (ran well in Coral Cup earlier this week) by half a length showing a great battling attitude. He too is now stepping up to three miles for the first time and can take an open looking Albert Bartlett. GIDLEIGH PARK 1 point each way @ 7/1 Coral 1/5th 1234 Cheltenham 3.30 The blue riband of of chasing is here with the Gold Cup run over a trip of 3M 2F and 70 yards with a final field of a dozen of the best staying chasers around. We have a a warm favourite in the shape of the Willie Mullins trained Galopin Des Champs who’s back to defend his title having led over the last and putting 7L between himself and the re-opposing Bravemansgame who must have place credentials once more. He’s done little wrong this season, probably needing his seasonal re-appearance before easy victories at Leopardstown over Christmas and at the Dublin Racing Festival. He looks the best horse in the race and can give Willie Mullins and Paul Townend yet another winner at the meeting. Martin Brassil’s Fastorslow chased home the pick last time and having had a wind operation since may be the one again to follow him home with the afore mentioned Bravemansgame a possible for the frame. GALOPINS DES CHAMPS 2 points win @ 11/10 bet365 Cheltenham 4.10 A surprisingly small field for the St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase with last year’s one two Premier Magic and It’s On The Line back to renew rivalry. The former came out 1 3/4L to the good last year but It’s On The Line who was only a six year old then and can turn the tables on his rival today. Brought by J P McManus since winning at Naas in a remarkable race where the old timer Billaway came from the clouds to nearly run down the favourite on the run in, going down by just a head. Emmet Mullins will have the seven year old at his peak and can grab his second winner of the week following Tuesday’s success with Corbetts Cross for the same jockey, the excellent Derek O’Connor. Fellow Irish seven year old Ferns Lock may be his biggest danger having finished just half a length behind him in a Hunter chase at Down Royal on Boxing Day. Best of the outsiders may be Fiona Needham’s grey mare Sine Nomine who can out run her odds. ITS ON THE LINE 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365 Cheltenham 4.50 Willie Mullins is having a predictable phenomenal week and can take the 2M 4 1/2F Mares Chase with his seven year old Dinoblue. She’s won four of her last five starts following a decent runner up spot in last year’s Grand Annual Handicap Chase won by Maskada with her defeat coming when a highly creditable 8 1/2L second to El Fabiolo in the Grade 1 Dublin Chase at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival in February. The one negative is the fact that the only time she tackled today’s trip she finished fourth of 15 back in April 2022. She’s been kept to the minimum trip since but the way the Mullins battalion have gone this week its quite possible she’ll just win. Last years runner up Allegorie De Vassy, also in the care of Mullins, can chase her home and finish in silver position once again. DINOBLUE 1 point win @ 11/10 BetVictor Cheltenham 5.30 The final race, of twenty seven, at this year’s meeting is the 2M 4 1/2F Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle for which we have a near maximum field of twenty three. Seven of the last ten winners have been novices and the front two in the market are in that bracket, Willie Mullins’s Quai De Bourbon and Henry De Bromhead’s Waterford Whispers. They take a big chunk of the betting market here and are worth taking on. Willie Mullins may end the meeting with how he started mind with his Munir & Souede owned Oscar Des Mottes. He made his British/Mullins debut when a well backed 7/2 favourite in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury when finishing eighth. He was there with a chance at the last however until weakening with maybe the 238 day absence counting against him. He was also re-shod before the race which is maybe another excuse. Kieran Callaghan takes the ride with his season tally being eleven winners from 88 rides. A tough handicap to conclude what has been a memorable four days of top class National Hunt racing. OCASTLE DES MOTTES 1 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 12345

That's a nice surprise ....returns 205.00

210 chelt Judicial law 8.3 40/1 Monmiral. 8.2 33/1 Chantry house. 8.2 20/1 I'll try 5pt Ew all 3 at big prices ....and forecasts

The Cox Plate is the biggest WFA race in Australia and it looks set to be a cracking race and with it being 7/2 the field it is a competitive one as well. Here is my spin through the runners. Romantic Warrior - Superb form over in Hong Kong and was a warm order for the Turnbull on his first start in Australia, but my initial thinking was that he was a little disappointing in being beaten around 4L by Gold Trip into 4th place. It has to be said though that the form worked out well in the Caulfield Cup last week so given it was his first run since May perhaps it wasn't quite as bad as I initially thought. I think the natural reaction when a short price fav is out of the frame that it wasn't a great run, but it is clearly important to put the run into context. James McDonald is confident that the horse has come on a lot since the Flemington run and if he has then he could easily turn the form around with Gold Trip and go very close to winning. Zakki - Ex Sir Micheal Stoute horse who has done very well for his new connections in Australia. He's 9 now, but he's run two very good races over 1400m and 1600m this prep at Randwick and the first of them he was just beaten by Fangirl. I'd be surprised if he was good enough especially as he's drawn in 12, but he can run another solid race. Mr Brightside - Has already bagged a couple of G1's this prep winning the Memsie over 1400m at Caulfield and then the Makybe Diva at Flemington over 1600m beating Alligator Blood. He was odds on to win the King Charles III at Randwick a couple of weeks ago, but was more than put in his place by Fangirl. It's been suggested the ground was too firm for him that day, but it was a Good 3 when he won the time before. The problem for me though is the trip as he was only 7th in this last year and I think he needs 1600m to be at his best. Alligator Blood - Looked a non-stayer in this last year when only 5th, but that did come on softer ground and he certainly stayed 2000m well when winning the G1 Caulfield Stakes a couple of weeks ago. That came on the back of winning the G1 Underwood the start before. As impressive as he was though at Caulfield I'm not sure it was that strong a race as the favourite was a huge disappointment and he ended up only beating former Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare who is clearly better over further. I wouldn't be shocked if he won, but this will be a tougher test over the trip than his win last time. Gold Trip - What a year he has had. He ran in the Caulfield Cup last year finishing 2nd, he was then 9th in this before winning the Melbourne Cup. His Autumn prep wasn't great, but he is back in great form this prep having won the Turnbull in fantastic fashion and then a really good 3rd last week in the Caulfield Cup given he didn't get a lot of luck in running at all. Clearly he is flying and he didn't get much luck in running in this last year either so the fact he was only 9th can be overlooked a bit. He showed last year that he keeps his form and if he gets better luck in running then he is more than capable of winning this. My Oberon - 3rd in the King Charles III last time which was a solid run, but suggests he shouldn't be good enough. Pinstriped - Won a G2 here over a mile last month and ran OK a couple of weeks ago in the Toorak which is a G1 handicap over a mile. I'd be surprised if he was good enough. Fangirl - Trainer clearly knows how to win this race with a mare and she has been in flying form this prep winning the G1 Winx Stakes and the King Charles III last time out. I was really impressed last time and whilst she is untested over this far, she wasn't stopping last time and she has a potent turn of foot. If she stays I think she will go close. Duais - 3rd to Alligator Blood in the Caulfield Stakes and the Underwood and she was 7th behind Fangirl in the Winx Stakes which all suggests to me she wont be winning this. Victoria Road - The one European runner in the race and will be leaving Aiden O'Brien and staying in Australia. He took 5 runs to win finally landing a Gowran Park maiden last August. He then followed that up with 3 more wins which included a Listed Race and a G3 both in France, before landing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf by a nose. The 2nd was Silver Knott who has done little for the form this season, but then again Charlie Appleby's horses haven't always been in great form. He missed his intended seasonal return at Longchamp after getting injured and wasn't seen again until August when he was 7th behind Ace Impact at Deauville. He was then 2nd in the Park Stakes at Leopardstown last month. It was a much better run and you would imagine Aiden has been aiming him at this, but Buckaroo was 2nd in that race and he was a never involved 7th behind Fangirl in the King Charles III Stakes. Clearly anything the yard sends to Australia has to be respected and if he wins then so be it, but I am just not sure he is good enough on bare form. Militarize - Won the G1 Golden Rose at Rosehill last month and then didn't get a race run to suit when favourite in the Caulfield Guineas a couple of weeks ago finishing 5th. Landed a couple of G1's last prep so clearly a top class horse, but he's never run over this trip. Does get plenty of weight as a 3yo though. King Colorado - Won a G1 in Queensland in June on his 3rd start, but was only 9th in the Winx Stakes and 7th in the Golden Rose. Was 4th in the Caulfield Guineas last time so did reverse form with Militarize, but I'd be a little surprised if he did finish in front of that one again here. Verdict - A fascinating renewal of the Cox Plate. I must admit my initial thinking was to take on Romantic Warrior, but on looking back at the Turnbull run and the fact the race looks red hot form wise I think he is the most likely winner. He will surely come on plenty for his first run since May and his Hong Kong form does look the best in the race. I will also be having a couple of small savours in the race. Gold Trip has to be one of them given he won the Turnbull and was huge off top weight in the Caulfield Cup last week. We know he can handle the quick back up and granted luck in running he will surely improve massively on his 9th in this last year. I was also hugely impressed by Fangirl at Randwick and if she stays I think she goes close as she looks in career best form. Romantic Warrior @ 7/2 with William Hill Gold Trip @ 7/1 with William Hill and Bet365 Fangirl @ 6/1 with William Hill and Bet365 NB if having an e/w bet William Hill are going 4 places

Rest week for us this week. I've 'liked' all the winners from last week but will be after the weekend before I get the table up.

I'll just echo what all before have said. Huge pat on the back to @Craig bluenose with some unbelievable tips and a worthy winner, but also you guys/gals in behind have also had a great month and were just unlucky, but well done if you finished in the money. Also well done to the KO Cup winner. And WOW, what an end to the Most Winners Comp! All very exciting right to the end and congrats to @Johnrobertson who i believe had to act quickly to replace a non runner and do the math at the same time, amazing! Got to feel for @bymatrix though, great tipping all month, i have no words for you mate.... And finally to @MCLARKE for all his hard work running the comp, and doing all that while he's having so much fun in his new love of Lucky 15's, where does he find the time, in between picking all those selections and counting all that money 🤑 🤣 But seriously, thanks again for all your effort. Roll on to June!!!

Well it's been a privilege to take part in the competition this month !!!!!!! John wins the most winners with some inspired late selections , well done John you were tactically astute and fully deserved your win. As for Bluenose what can you say , staggering total with some fearless selections , whilst congratulating Roger & Artie on a great month you can also sympathise with them both as a " normal " month would have seen them fight out the finish. Well done all members in profit , great competition , big thank you for the tireless admin work MC and looking forward to June.

2 .40 Newbury Zulu Chief 150/1 bet365 EW

DECLARATION OF RESULT OF VOTE I, Michael Clarke, being the Returning Officer at the above election, do hereby give notice that the number of votes recorded for each option at the said vote is as follows : Option 1 - 22 Option 2 - 5 Option 3 - 8 Option 4 - 6 There were no rejected votes And I do hereby declare that option 1 is chosen - THE CURRENT RULES WILL BE MAINTAINED

Lingfield 1.30 The first of eleven races covered by ITV cameras today on All-Weather Finals day is this sixteen runner BetUK All-Weather Vase Apprentice Handicap, a class 4 event run over 1M 4F. Many have chances but its the Brandon Wilkie ridden Siempre Arturo that catches my eye. Trained by one of my favourite training duos in Daniel & Claire Kubler, this lightly raced four year old has only had had four racecourse starts, winning two of them including last time out at Wolverhampton when defeating Sense Of Worth by a length. The 3rd and 4th from that race have both won since to frank the form and with just a 4lb rise to contend with and the extra 2 1/2F likely to be in his favour looks the value play in this tight knit handicap. SIEMPRE ARTURO 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5 12345 Newcastle 1.53 Thirteen go to post for the 2M 56 yard class 2 BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap. The Ralph J Smith trained Palace Boy looks a value play here. He started out for Smith at Wolverhampton following a 288 break in which he ran over hurdles for Fergal O’Brien when he actually ran in the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The seven year old ran out a very easy 6L winner off of what was obviously a very lenient handicap mark of just 68 and following another success at the midlands track and a good second to the re-opposing Spartan Army finds himself on a mark 18lb higher. Spartan Army looks a threat here but on 7lb better terms for a 1 1/4L defeat Palace Boy can turn the form around and run a big race under George Rooke, who’s been in the plate on all three starts so far for Smith. PALACE BOY 1 point each way @ 11/2 bet365 1/5 1234 Lingfield 2.05 A maximum field of fourteen go to post for this class 3 BetUK All-Weather Vase Middle Distance Handicap run over 1M 2F. Another open looking handicap although Karl Burke’s Bystander had Inspiritus a length and a half behind over course and distance last time and although 4lb worse off won a tad cosily that day despite drifting out to his right on the run to the line. Brandon Wilkie was on board that day and is again in the saddle and could provide the promising young jockey with a Lingfield brace with his mount Siempre Arturo holding a good chance in the opener. The Daniel & Claire Kubler trained Al Rufaa is well berthed in stall 5 and may prove to be the danger in this open handicap. BYSTANDER 1 point each way @ 7/1 BetVictor 1/5 1234 Newcastle 2.25 The class 2 6F BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap has attracted just eleven runners and like many of the races today has an open look about it. Bar a disappointing run at Lingfield on his penultimate run, Andrew Balding’s Fire Demon would be an even shorter price than he already is. A well related Juddmonte entire, he bounced back to form last time at Kempton when beating the re-opposing Media shooter by 1 1/4L and a 5lb rise may not be enough to stop him from following up here for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. That form has already taken a boost by the runner up and sixth winning since and he should be thereabouts. FIRE DEMON 1 point win @ 7/1 bet365 Lingfield 2.40 A maximum field of twelve race for the class 3 BetMGM All-Weather Vase Mile Handicap. Dingle ran third in this last year and off of the same handicap mark can be competitive although the one to be with surely is the Gary Moore trained, Tom Queally ridden Cephalus. He comes here chasing a four timer having won under Queally at Kempton, Wolverhampton and Southwell. He was as impressive last time as in any of those victories and although he has to shoulder a 5lb penalty actually goes up 7lb in future handicaps so is effectively 2lb well in today. A draw of ten is not ideal but he may still be ahead of the handicap and is the bet here. CEPHALUS 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365 Newcastle 3.00 Just nine have declared for the £150,000 guaranteed BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap, a class 2 event run over 7F and 14 yards. Top weight Nine Tenths is a consistent four year old filly trained at Newmarket by William Haggas who appears to be the one they all have to beat here. Surprisingly left on the same handicap mark for a second and win on her last two starts in listed company she drops back into handicap company with the stable’s 7lb claiming apprentice Jack Enright taking over from William Buick. Enright has ridden five winners from 97 runners in Ireland and Britain over the past three seasons and was on board when Nine Tenths won at Wolverhampton back in December so knows the horse well enough. She may just be too classy for her eight rivals today. NINE TENTHS 2 points win @ 5/2 bet365 Lingfield 3.15 A stamina test awaits the maximum fourteen runners here in the class 3 2M BetUK All-Weather Vase Marathon Handicap. The race has a very open look about it and this is maybe a contest that can go to Ireland with the Denis Gerard Hogan trained Riyami. A Dundalk winner over 2M last month he went off a well backed 11/8 favourite at the same venue when, in a amateur riders handicap, was one of many jockeys that let the eventual winner get the best part of a furlong ahead before running on late to take second place some 15L behind. His jockey, along with eleven others was suspended for five days and that run can easily be forgotten. J M Sheridan is over to ride today and is maybe a bit of each way value. RIYAMI 1/2 point each way @ 10/1 Coral 1/5 1234 Newcastle 3.35 Next up is the 6F BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap in which we have a maximum field of fourteen. Cover Up impressed me immensely last time and the step up to 6F may not hinder the Gosden runner although he has to deal with a very hefty 13lb rise in the weights and it may be worth looking elsewhere for the winner. One horse who does appear to be on a decent enough mark is Harry Charlton’s Batal Dubai. Owned by Middleham Park Racing he’s been placed in three decent class 2 6F handicaps this year and appeared not to really handle the track when third, coming wide around the bend, to the re-appearing Chipstead last time at Lingfield. 2lb better off now and with the long straight of Newcastle much more to his liking he can run a big race under Clifford Lee for a trainer who’s been amongst the winners recently. BATAL DUBAI 1 point each way @ 5/1 1/5 1234 Lingfield 3.50 A maximum field of twelve declared for this class 3 6F BetUK All-weather Vase Sprint Handicap. This is a very open contest in which any of the participants could win. 5lb apprentice Brandon Wilkie could be in for a golden day and rides Hugo Palmer’s, Middleham Park Racing owned five year old How Impressive who has as good a chance as any. Nicely berthed in stall 5 he’s won three of his last four starts rising 13lb in the process and may appreciate dropping back to 6F having raced last time over 7F at Southwell. HOW IMPRESSIVE 1/2 point each way @ 11/2 bet365 1/5 1234 Newcastle 4.10 Another maximum field go to post for this 1M 2F 42 yard BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap, a class 2 race that has a purse of £200,000 plus. Irish raider and top weight Elegant Man is interesting with some future group entries and he may be the one to be with here despite carrying a big weight. It’s quite possible that he is the proverbial group horse in a handicap. Mick Appleby’s prolific winner Penzance and Simon & Ed Crisford’s four timer seeking Oh So Grand both have decent claims with slight preference for the latter who has the assistance once again of Jack Mitchell, who’s been on top for his last three wins. He’s risen 18lb for those success’s which has included a victory here as well as a brace at Lingfield. Four from five on the all-weather he can give the selection Elegant Man the most to do. ELEGANT MAN 1 point each way @ 7/1 Coral 1/5 1234 Newcastle 4.40 The final race on the card is the 1M 5 yard BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap, a class 2 event in which we have another maximum field of fourteen. Charlie Johnstone’s progressive Middleham Park owned top weight Dear My Friend has been a revelation this all-weather season and can complete a four timer here following success’s over course and distance and a brace of wins, including in listed company at Lingfield. He’s risen 16lb in the handicap for those wins and with Joe Fanning back in the saddle looks sure to be thereabouts. DEAR MY FRIEND 1 point win @ 10/3 bet365

Lots of fantastic AW racing today, the wife's away for a few days so it'll just me and the dog watching it on TV Newcastle 2.25 SOMMELIER

Bazball 2 25 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 20/1 Cloud Sover 3 00 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 12/1 - Won Talis Evolvery 4 40 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 - Won Furzig 1 30 Lin/ 1/40th of a pt ew 25/1 Lexington Knight 1 30 Lin/ 1/40th of a pt ew 33/1 - 3rd Macanudo 5 00 Lin/ 1/40th of a pt ew 18/1 Howth 1 53 New/ 1/40th of a pt ew 44/1 - 4th

Coral trophy Flegmatik. 8.9 7/1 4 places Tweed skirt 8.7 15/2 5 places These two are a little clear of rest so I'll try 5 PT Ew both 😁

Merry Christmas everyone - thanks you for reading my pieces this year and I hope somewhere along the journey I've helped you find a winner or two. Kempton 12.45 We start the day’s ITV coverage with a eight runner novices’ handicap chase run over 2M 4 1/2F. The race has a very open look about it and it maybe worth chancing Alan King’s representative Es Perfecto who made a promising chasing debut in a similar contest as this when chasing home the ten length winner Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham 39 days ago. The form has been boosted by the subsequent success of the winner in grade 2 company since. Surprisingly the handicapper has dropped him a pound for that effort and with improvement to come looks likely to be thereabouts with the likes of Blow Your Wad and Russian Ruler dangers. ES PERFECTO 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5 123 Aintree 1.05 Registered as the Tolworth Hurdle the newly named Formby Novices’ Hurdle is run here for the first time having previously been raced at Sandown and has attracted a good sized field of ten. With challengers from Ireland and French this race will take some winning and the pick is the Nicky Henderson trained Jango Baie who made a winning debut under rules when getting the better of the re-appearing Tellherthename at Ascot 52 days ago. That form has worked out well and with a stronger pace here likely to suit can continue the good form of the Henderson stable who had an across the card four timer on Saturday. JANGO BAIE 1 point win @ 10/3 William Hill Kempton 1.20 A small but select field of just six line up for this years renewal of the 3M Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. French challenger Il Est Francais is obviously very smart but has no experience of British fences or drying ground and the one to beat may well be the Paul Nicholls trained Hermes Allen. He steps up to three miles for the first time here under rules but as a 3M Irish point winner and the tightness of this flat track it really shouldn’t be an issue for this exciting novice. His trainer was at pains to say he would need the run before he made a winning chasing debut at Newbury 25 days ago and with likely improvement to come can give his trainer a winner in a race he won two years ago with Bravemansgame. HERMES ALLEN 1 point win @ 15/8 bet365 Wetherby 1.35 Only six line up for the 3M Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase with each of the sextet having a chance of sorts. Mark Walford’s Into Overdrive won this last year off of a handicap mark 3lb lower ver than today’s and can score again despite a 287 day absence. He won first time out last season so can run well fresh and with a record at the Yorkshire track of two wins from four starts looks the one to be with. Another horse back from a layoff is Kim Bailey’s top weight Does He Know and he too has a good record fresh and looks a threat. INTO OVERDRIVE 1 point win @ 7/2 BetVictor Kempton 1.55 Just six go to post for the Ladbrokes Christmas hurdle run over two miles in which see’s the re-appearance of the reigning Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill who remains unbeaten under rules having won all seven of his starts including at the last two Cheltenham Festivals and this very race last year. The fact he has won first time out for the last two years by 12 and 14 lengths suggests he will be ready here and with 26lb and upwards in hand of his rivals it will be a major shock were he to get beaten. Rubaud looks the one for the forecast. Kempton 2.30 The day’s feature race is the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase run over three miles. We only have a field of six but they’re all quality chasers with Willie Mullins’s Allaho heading the market. He must go well but preference is for Paul Nicholl’s Bravemansgame. He is two from two at the track having won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase and this race here over the last two years. The track and ground conditions look ideal for him and although he may not have been at his best for his two starts this season he’s hardly been beaten that far so he can take this famous race for the second time under his usual partner Harry Cobden. BRAVEMANSGAME 1 point win @ 9/4 BetUK

As is often the way in the final week we finish the season with our lowest number of weekly wins, only 13, and biggest overall loss, as the gamblers go big and the risk averse go small odds. But this doesn't detract from what has been a record breaking season! Every Division bar one made a substantial profit overall and the losing Division only made a small loss. And it wasn't just thanks to one or two big individual winners, a fabulous 43 players finished in profit or breakeven and 96 of 108 finishers had at least one winning bet. At the top of the overall league is first season player @HERE who has been magnificent with 8 wins and has staked big but wisely with their bank never being in danger of going bust. Level with 8 wins, and ahead for much of the way, is @corky. These 2 will share the new prize for most number of wins over the season. A long way behind our winner, but with totals over £600 which would have won in some previous seasons, are @ivailobg, @Cuko and @Data with less than £20 between them, followed by @thebestthere also finishing over £500. Our winner for the highest odds win is @Cuko with the 38.628 treble (5.5*2.62*2.75) in week 9. Everyone who completed will be allocated a new Division based on finishing order, for the season to start after the International Break and I'll invite those who busted 'all in' back into Division 6 along with any new or rejoining players. Overall table here and Division winners below. Full details of how to claim your prize shortly...

Well that was a lot easier than I thought it would be - was anyone else trying? 😎😈🤣 I'm looking forward to coming bottom next time for that! ⬆️ Many thanks to @avongirl for the time and effort (especially adding up my scores! 🤣🤣). #beginnersluck

Cheltenham 1.15 The first of four ITV races is this 2M class 2 handicap chase where the front running Haddex Des Obeaux looks the the one they all have to beat but has been priced accordingly and it maybe worth looking for some each way value with the locally trained Before Midnight. The oldest in the field at ten years of age he won this race for Sam Thomas two years ago when making all by 6L and can race today off of a mark a pound lower plus another 7lb off for the conditional jockey Ben Sutton who’s won seven of his 52 rides in his short career so far. He teed up for this with a fourth in a seniors handicap hurdle a fortnight ago and this well handicapped gelding trained by Fergal O’Brien can be competitive here. BEFORE MIDNIGHT 1 point each way @ 8/1 Boylesports 1/5th 1234 Cheltenham 1.50 This class 2 Masterson Holdings hurdle, run over 2M 87 yards looks a good opportunity for the Paul Nicholls trained Blueking D’Ooux who was turned inside out by a wind operation last season winning a valuable handicap hurdle at Ascot at 50/1 (the biggest priced winner ever for Nicholls) and proved that was no fluke by running well at Aintree in a similarly valuable handicap hurdle going down by 3 3/4L to Punctuation. He’s the highest rated horse in the field by 9lb from his main danger in the Gary Moore trained Spirit D’Aunou but Blueking D’Oroux is a confident selection. BLUEKING D’OROUX 3 points win @ 6/4 BetVictor Doncaster 2.10 The feature race of the day on the level is the Kameko Futurity Trophy, the final Group one of the season for the two year olds and this looks a shoot out between the unbeaten Diego Velazquez of Aidan O’Brien’s and the Charlie Appleby trained Ancient Wisdom. Official ratings have the latter a 5lb better horse and as he’s shown he handles soft ground well having impressed when running away with the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago is the pick with William Buick in the saddle. Appleby is having a bit of a purple patch at the moment winning with ten of his last 18 runners at a staggering 56%. ANCIENT WISDOM 2 points win @ 7/4 bet365 Cheltenham 2.25 A decent field of fourteen line up for this class 2 3M 1F handicap chase which has an open look about it. Neil Mulholland’s eight year old Lord Accord took this last season having teed up for the race with a spin over hurdles and his trainer is taking the same route this season having run him at Warwick in a handicap hurdle at Warwick 23 days ago. He should be spot on for this now and off of just a one pound higher handicap mark can confirm that form with the runner up The Wolf who is rather inconsistent for my liking. LORD ACCORD 1 point each way @ 6/1 Unibet 1/5th 1234 Doncaster 2.45 Nine have declared for this 6F listed race for two year olds which may go to the form horse Ballymount Boy. Adrian Paul Keatley’s Wathnan Racing owned Camacho colt is dropping back to 6F which is the trip at which he ran his best race this summer when chasing home the smart Vandeek in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes on very soft ground and a reproduction of that effort should see him home here. He was below par in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp last time although he may have found the ground too fast that day. James Doyle takes over from Jason Hart and on ground he handles looks the pick. BALLYMOUNT BOY 2 points win @ 10/3 888sport Cheltenham 3.00 A bumper maximum field of twenty go to post for this 3M Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle qualifier which as one would expect has a very open look about it. There are four Irish trained challengers including Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott charges but it’s the Noel Meade trained Bugs Moran that catches the eye. He’s been runner up in a listed handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival following a 464 day layoff and filled the same position at Listowel this autumn under Jack Kennedy and should appreciate this step up to 3M from 2M 4F as a previous winner of the 3m EBF novice handicap hurdle at the Fairyhouse festival in 2022. At a big price don’t under estimate Syd Hosie’s handicap debutant Rock My Way who had good early season form here last year and will stay well. He’s worth a small each way saver. BUGS MORAN 1 point each way @ 7/1 1/5th 12345 ROCK MY WAY 1/2point each way @ 33/1 1/5th 12345 Doncaster 3.20 Five of the eleven runners all met at Catterick over the same trip and ground a week ago with Vintage Clarets coming out the best of the quintet and should go close agin although its the runner up that day Glorious Angel, owned by Nick Bradley Racing that maybe able to turn the tables on the winner on one pound better terms. He goes well on testing ground and in a tight knit contest where stakes should be kept to a minimum is worth an each way bet in a race that is the less appealing of all nine covered by the ITV cameras today. GLORIOUS ANGEL 1/2 point each way @ 7/1 BetVictor 1/5th 123

2 out of 3 ....and last one lost in a photo so that's not too shabby ....+27.00

Chepstow 1.35 This 2M 7F 131 yards veterans handicap chase has attracted ten old chasers but I think there’s a good bet here. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his team in terrific form winning with a staggering 13 of his last 29 runners (up to start of play Wednesday) and saddles his ten year old Good Boy Bobby here. He is , like several here, on a winning mark (14lb lower than his last win) and has an excellent record fresh with figures of 1112117 when racing following a break of 100 days or more. Everything looks right for a big run and he holds a good chance under trainer’s son Sam. GOOD BOY BOBBY 2 points win @ 9/2 bet365 Newmarket 1.50 A good sized field of fifteen have declared for this Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes for two year olds. Gina Mangan appeared to go too fast on Heather Main’s Zoulu Chief in the big sales race at Newmarket last weekend clocking a couple of sub standard 11 second furlongs and paid for the fast fractions when weakening quickly close home over 6F. Back at the minimum trip of 5f and with James Doyle taking over in the saddle he’s worth an each way wager here with an additional place for the Oxford based trainer who’s also a fully trained opera singer. ZOULU CHIEF 1 point each way @ 20/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Chepstow 2.10 The Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, run over 2M 3F 100 yards heralds the start of the NH season for some and in Captain Teague we have a warm favourite who will be hard to beat if able to translate his decent bumper form to hurdles on his timber debut today. Already an Irish point winner he made a winning UK debut when winning a bumper at Plumpton last December prior to running a stormer in third as a 40/1 chance in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, the only British based runner in the first eleven home. He’ll be hard to beat. CAPTAIN TEAGUE 2 points win @ 10/11 BetVictor Newmarket 2.25 Ralph Beckett’s two year old filly Skellet was so impressive at Salisbury 36 days ago that Juddmonte Stud stepped in to buy the filly which isn’t something they do that often. That was only a maiden but the form can’t have worked out any better with the runner up and fifth both winning since. Ryan Moore takes the reins and can take this Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes which has attracted a smallish field of seven. She may have most to worry from the Charlie Appleby Newmarket maiden winner Dance Sequence although questions can be asked over what she beat that day as the third has been beaten six times since and is now rated only 68. SKELLET 2 points win @ 9/4 Coral York 2.40 A class 2 1M 6F Heritage Handicap has attracted a decent sized field of fourteen and with the rain forecast at the track may fall to one of the three Charlie Johnston runners in Joe Fanning’s mount Dreams Adozen who appears to relish testing conditions so the more rain that rains the better. She sluiced up in the mud at Chester last time coming home 15L to the good and was only raised 6lb for that romp. In the hope that the track is hit by plenty of rain she’s the selection each way in an open contest. DREAMS ADOZEN 1 point each way @ 12/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 Newmarket 3.00 Only six turn up for the Group 2 Challenge Stakes run over 7F for three year olds and upwards. The best in on official ratings is the John & Thady Gosden trained Audience who arrives in decent form having finished runner up in similar company on his last two starts at York and Doncaster. His main challenger may be the Hannon’s Chindit, who leaves for India to begin his new career at stud after this race. He maybe better at a mile and it’s Rab Havlin’s mount who is the pick here. AUDIENCE 1 point win @ 5/2 William Hill York 3.15 Eighteen go to post for this two year old sales contest for colts and geldings. On ratings there’s not much between the whole field with just 12lb covering the field. The one who is very hard to get a handle on is the Ben Brookhouse trained African Spirit who impressed when winning a eight runner 7F maiden at Newcastle 17 days ago, coming home 5L to the good from the favourite who’s got an official rating of 70. Brookhouse is only in his second season as a trainer for his father and has been amongst the winners recently. If a bigger trainer trained this gelded son of Showcasing he would surely be a shorter price and he’s worth a each way bet with the additional place. AFRICAN SPIRIT 1 point each way @ 7/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 Newmarket 3.35 A dozen three year old handicappers line up for this 1M class 2 Heritage Handicap, The Old Rowley Cup and we have a warm favourite in the shape of the John & Thady Gosden trained Humanity who is officially 8lb well in here and will be hard to beat. Qatar Racing’s Roaring Lion colt carries a 6lb penalty for his very easy victory on the all-weather at Kempton a fortnight ago but goes up 14lb in future handicaps. Oisin Murphy was on board last time and retains the ride here for his employers. He will be hard to beat and I can see him being very well backed. HUMANITY 2 points win @ 3/1 BetVictor York 3.50 A field of thirteen attend this 1M class 2 handicap which has a very open look about it. One horse who could still be well handicapped, especially if he gets his favoured soft ground is David O’Mera’s bottom weight Autumn Festival. He appeared to improve for the fitting of cheek pieces winning at Beverley and going down by a short head at Ayr on soft ground on his last two starts and can actually race off of a handicap mark 2lb lower than that last effort going up 5lb in future races. Harry Davies takes over from Jason Watson and can be competitive in this open looking handicap. AUTUMN FESTIVAL 1 point each way @ 15/2 bet365 1/5th 1234 Newmarket 4.10 The Group One Fillies’ Mile has attracted a field of just eight with the Rockfel Stakes 2nd and 3rd Shuwari and Ylang Ylang renewing their rivalry with the former highly likely to confirm the form having finished 2 1/2L ahead even allowing for a very poor ride that day from Oisin Murphy. Tom Marquand replaces Murphy here and with the extra furlong likely to benefit this daughter of New Bay can give her trainer Ollie Sangster a Group One victory in his first full season. Her biggest threat may come from the Sandown maiden winner Classical Song. SHUWARI 2 points win @ 7/4 William Hill

Kevin Stott has only one ride today at Newmarket 14:05 Newmarket - Flaccianello - 10/1 with Hills & Ladbrokes.

1.5pts e/w 3.00 GW - RHOSCOLYN 18/1 6places not bog 1.5pts e/w 3.00 GW - JOHAN 28/1 6places not bog 1.5pts e/w 1.50 GW - THE GRAND VISIR 5 places not bog (oops 18//1) 9pts invested

Masterful ride by Ryan Moore to take it on the line ....I'll add the 100 to the carryover win last week of 205 and 45 the last couple days that makes 350 and I can get a ps5 which was the target 😀 for 351 from argos with my family's 10% discount ....so that's another prize completed 😀 Start afresh next week

2.30 Valiant Force 3.05 Crackovia 3.40 Maman Joon 4.20 Subjectivist 5.00 Saxon King 5.35 Bolster 6.10 Croupier

The first day of three of York’s Dante meeting starts with Ed and the gang at ITV showing the first five from the Knavesmire where the ground is good, so no real excuses. There’s also a race from down in the West Country over the jumps at Newton Abbot where they race on soft ground. Here are my free horse racing tips for the day’s terrestrial action. York 13:50 A near maximum field of seventeen go to post for this competitive 1M 4F Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap. The most interesting runner to me is the Sir Michael Stoute trained Real Dream who made a winning handicap debut at Kempton a fortnight ago and has only been raised 5lb. Ryan Moore takes over from Richard Kingscote and would have been the pick here were he not drawn out so wide in 17 of 17. Not unsurmountable but the last 9 winners of this race have been drawn 9, 7, 7, 5, 7, 6, 6, 9, 3 & 10 and Moore will have to have a serious plan to overcome racing that deep on the Knavesmire. William Haggas loves a winner here and saddles a brace of runners in Tasman Bay who’s joined Haggas’s from Sir Mark Todd and has some smart form on his CV from a couple of years back and La Yakel who is ridden by Tom Marquand and should be competitive. The Godolphin runner White Wolf looks interesting as he’s lightly raced and in first time cheek pieces is worth a close eye in the market with Oisin Murphy booked who of course rode the 1000 Guineas for the trainer earlier this month. Kevin Ryan is another trainer who loves a winner here and I do fancy his two runners here in Thundering who’s best ever run came over course and distance last year at the Ebor meeting when going down by 3/4L to Farhan and has fallen back down to the same mark today. With a run behind him on possibly unsuitable soft ground he can run well with Tom Eaves in the saddle whilst Ryan’s other runner Forza Orta was runner up in this contest last year to a Haggas improver and like his stablemate has prepped for this with a run at Thirsk last month on ground that may have also been too slow for him. Rowan Scott rides and I think the bet here is to split the stakes on the Kevin Ryan pair. THUNDERING 1 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 FORZA ORTA 1/2 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Newton Abbot 14:05 A class 4 handicap hurdle run over 2m 2 1/2F on soft ground is next up with the race having an open look about it. Nigel Hawke’s Inferno Sacree has been in excellent form recently winning four of his last five starts with his customary front running style. He’s been shunted up 9lb for his latest win at Perth but should still be thereabouts on his favoured soft ground. Harry Fry, fresh from taking the Chester Cup on the flat last week, saddles Monjules who he himself was runner up on the level at Salisbury when last seen and is another with claims with Milton Harris’s Polyphonic’s form tied in to that one’s form. One horse that has plummeted down the handicap is top weight The Pink’n trained by Seamus Mullins and gave signs last time that he may be ready to bounce back to form especially as he’s now 20lb lower than his highest ever career mark. It would be no shock were he to run well but I have to stick with Inferno Sacree who we’re sure to get a decent run from as he’ll be out on front. INFERNO SACREE 1 point each way @ 5/1 William Hill 1/5th 123 York 14:25 A real cavalry charge is up next with a maximum twenty two runners spread across the track for the Churchill Tyres Handicap, a class 2 6F handicap where many hold chances. Last year’s one-two Dakota Gold (5 wins from 11 starts here) and Makanah are back to renew battle with the latter 2lb better off for a head on last year’s showing and both can run well. Kevin Ryan runs four in the apprentice ridden Aleezdancer, Magical Spirit, Bielsa and Gis A Sub and it’s the last two that appeal most to me. Bielsa ran a fine race on his re-appearance when runner up at Redcar in a race that’s worked out well with the winner and fourth winning since. He’s now on a mark 3lb lower than his impressive victory in the Ayr Gold Cup in September 2021 and should be thereabouts whilst his stablemate Gis A Sub showed up well for a long way on his re-appearance at Newmarket when 8th to Probe with four of today’s opponents behind and with a further 2lb drop in the weights looks ready to run well under Shane Gray. He was runner up in the Gimcrack over course and distance in August 2021 and looks well treated on that run alone. William Haggas’s Khanjar is another who should be taken seriously as he’s won fresh before and looks favourably treated. A typically hard York Handicap but I’ll split my stakes between two of the Ryan horses in Gis A Sub and Bielsa. BIELSA 1 point each way @ 12/1 BetVictor 1/5th 12345 GIS A SUB 1 point each way @ 16/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 York 15:00 The Group 2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes is run over 6F and has attracted a field of eleven this year. The likely favourite is the likeable John Quinn six year old mare Highfield Princess who had a terrific season last year winning this race before going on and taking three Group ones and a good fourth in the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint. She has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for her success’s and came into this race last year having already had four runs. She’s been beaten both starts after a break of 100 days plus and may find this tough on her re-appearance. At the prices I’m happy to look elsewhere for some value. Charlie Appleby’s smart Creative Force is, surprisingly, out again quickly having won a four runner contest at Haydock last Saturday. He’s a smart sort who was placed in all the big Group one sprints last Summer and with fitness on his side can take this valuable prize. Annaf and Diligent Harry are easily over looked as they both seem better on synthetic surfaces whilst Emaraaty Ana has a patchy record when fresh. The Australian’s have always done well with their forays over here with their sprinters and send over The Astrologist with Ryan Moore booked. It’s hard to evaluate their form but would be no shock were he to run well. The biggest threat to Creative Force may come from the only three year old in the field in the shape of the Karl Burke trained Marshman who was a smart sprinting juvenile and put up a decent winning re-appearance in France when winning a Group 3 at Chantilly on soft ground over 5 1/2F in April. He handles faster ground well and I expect a big run from him especially as he can claim the 9lb weight for age allowance here. CREATIVE FORCE 2 points win @ 7/2 BetVictor 15:35 A field of eight have declared for the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, a Group 3 contest run over 1M 2 1/2F which is a trial for the Epsom Oaks. Five of the eight hold Oaks entries including the warm favourite here in the Sir Michael Stoute trained Infinite Cosmos who looked a lovely prospect when bolting up in a Newmarket maiden at the Guineas meeting 12 days ago when well backed. This is a step up in grade for her but she should be thereabouts under Ryan Moore. The form horse is arguably the Karl Burke trained Novakai who brings to the table some smart juvenile form including a 1L second in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket last October. A reproduction of that run will put her right in the mix here. Aidan O’Brien sends over his easy Gowran Park maiden winner Lambada and she’s another who’s hard to assess though as we found out at Chester last week with Savethelastdance she shouldn’t be dismissed lightly. Jack Channon introduced his Gather Ye Rosebuds at Newbury 26 days ago when she was ultra impressive in spread eagling a field of well bred fillies but the ground was heavy that day and there has to be a doubt whether she can reproduce that on this better ground. An outsider who shouldn’t be dismissed is the John and Thady Gosden trained Soul Sister. Gosden has won this race four times in the last eight years and although finishing plum last in the Fred Darling at Newbury last month is a lot better than she showed that day with the drying ground much more in her favour. She can be backed small each way (let’s hope all eight run) with the main bet having to be on the Stoute favourite Infinite Cosmos who will be fitter than most and looks the most likeliest winner. INFINITE COSMOS 2 points win @ 13/8 bet365 SOUL SISTER 1/2 point each way @ 16/1 bet365 1/5th 123 York 16:10 An interesting fourteen runner class 3 three year olds only 0-95 handicap completes the day’s terrestrial action. It looks an open race with the weights headed by the Kevin Ryan trained Chuzzlewit who is the only one in the field who holds a future group entry, his being in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Roger Teal’s Caragio is an interesting contender at a price. Making his handicap debut he beat the useful 98 rated Highbank at Leicester last October and was probably undone by the heavy ground in Group company on his only start since in Group 3 company last Autumn. Archie Watson saddles the prominent Onight who’s been hard to pass when winning his last two starts on the all-weather and with Hollie Doyle on top can run well if handling the turf. Charlie Johnstone’s Hey Lyla will be fitter than most having won an Ayr maiden at the beginning of the month whilst Roger Varian’s New Endeavour re-appears having been gelded since last seen. A real minefield of a race where the market will no doubt give us plenty of clues but without them I’ll take a small each way chance with Caragio, a half brother to the connections 2000 Guineas runner up Tip Top Two, who could be well treated on his handicap debut. CARAGIO 1 point each way @ 12/1 BetVictor 12/1 1/5th 1234 All odds are accurate at time of writing.

Off to Lingfield today. See if I can mention Punters Lounge if I get interviewed.😂

Another profitable day but no changes to the top 3 Congratulations to @Craig bluenosewho wins for the 2nd month in a row with a fantastic 83 points Well done to @BBBCwho finished 2nd and 3rd placed @LEE-GRAYS

2.30 Leicester Wintercrack 100/1 Bet365 EW