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Horse Racing Punter Of The Year @richard-westwood Poker Player Of The Year @LIKE2FISH @ian309 Other Sports Punter Of The Year -@MinellaWorksop Tennis Punter Of The Year @four-leaf Football Punter Of The Year @yossa6133 Punters Lounge Avatar Of The Year @MinellaWorksop System Of The Year @ralphie7 Newcomer Of The Year @CakeCakeCake Mentor Of The Year @Zilzalian Punters Lounge Most Valuable Member @richard-westwood Congratulations to all. Please PM me your jumper size and male/female required. Thank you to everybody who nominated members and all those who voted. Much appreciated.

Hello Punters Lounge members, We wanted to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! As 2024 draws to a close, it gives us a chance to reflect on what has been a very positive year for the Punters Lounge Forum. This year, several changes have been implemented to the forum. The restructuring of the forum itself was the biggest noticeable alteration with a more streamlined layout of the topic areas improving the navigation experience for you all. Adding @Torque as a moderator has boosted our efforts to improve engagement across the forum. Alongside @harry_rag, the two veteran members have created, encouraged, and moderated content across many areas which has benefited the site as a whole. A Responsible Gambling forum has been added as we have looked to offer a safe space for people who feel they want to talk about any gambling-related issues they may have. It has already played a role in allowing that to happen. New members can now take advantage of a more helpful 'Introduce Yourself' section that includes an FAQ section and Forum Guidelines. If you aren’t sure where to start with Punters Lounge then head on over to that area. The forum has celebrated the return of the PL Oscars. Congratulations to the legendary @richard-westwood for being voted the Forum MVP! A special shout-out to all those who won their respective categories and were also nominated. We want to give a big thank you to everyone who played their part and voted. This calendar year also saw many winners earn fantastic prizes across our different forum competitions including Football Tipster, Last Man Standing, Fantasy Football League, and NAP of the Day. Finally, we would like to thank every one of you for your continued involvement in making this forum the best online betting community in the world. This site is nothing without you all and we hope that over the next 12 months, we can continue to work hard to provide you with a brilliant place where you can come to post your bets, share your tips, and make friends. Bring on 2025! Season’s greetings from all of us at Punters Lounge!

Wow ....I'm flattered and humbled.....I bet most weeks for fun so sharing ratings and discussing races is easy and most enjoyable ,....being on the forum gives me the opportunity to test myself and sets me the challenge of growing and improving and I've definitely grown and the ratings have got stronger since I first joined in 2017 ????.... lol .....there are many worthy punters on here and I really enjoy reading everyone's opinions and there are some very skillful people on here which makes getting this award all🎁🎁🎁 the more flattering so thankyou 😁😁 I'll try and post a pic in my forum jumper at the next family get together or outing over Xmas haha 😂

Sorry for the absence ...had a lot to deal with so needed a break while I dealt with things and had to focus elsewhere ,.....but all sorted now so I can focus my attention back on my beloved racing game specially with the Cheltenham festival on the horizon I'm more hungry than ever to get stuck in Anyway ....I've rated the big race 335 newb Fiercely proud. 1135 class 275 Lump sum. 1132 class 280 Secret squirrel. 1125 class 270 Secret squirrel could be anything ....looks the type to possibly improve and may well turn up and annilhate these but at 7/2 in such a competitive race he is absolutely crap value so not for me .....top 2 are priced 30/1 and 16/1 ....so instantly qualify as value bets and are easy selections Ew ....5pts Ew both paddyp 6 places Edit ...I'll try small forecast too ..all 3

As in previous years we will be running a tipsters competition for Cheltenham, Tuesday 11th to Friday 14th 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) + 3 Grand National Tickets 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.

No comp this week, I'm aiming to start season 3 next weekend after season 2 results all sorted.

A great days action ahead of us with Haydock passing it's early morning inspection. My nap of the day is ROYAL PAIGALLE (230 Haydock) who has won 5 of his 6 starts at the track and despite the steadier of 12 stone will plough through the mud and take the beating. Ascot is about the three skinny ones for me and I'll be having a treble on LUAMBA (12.30) who I'm led to believe has been working well with Jonbon at home. The Gary Moore runner was smart on the flat in France and should be a real test today mind. KARGESE (1.40) should be too classy for her rivals and I'm with JONBON (3.32) in the big one although obviously Energumene is likely to push him all the way. At current odds of 4/5, 1/2 & 8/13 with William Hill the treble pays just over 10/3. I also like MARTATOR (2.15 Ascot) who is two from three here and should appreciate stepping up in trip and BO ZENITH (2.50 Ascot) who was a major eye catcher last time. I wouldn't fancy being a bookie at Ascot today! I can also pass on a tip for DAVIDOC (2.40 Taunton) who's beginning to blue up. Good luck everyone.

No one can argue with @richard-westwood winning punter of the year so well done to the chef and all the other winners. Thank you to all those winners and all those that voted. winning a PL jumper beats getting a pair of socks for Xmas by the proverbial country mile. Honoured is me. 😊☺️

I haven't smashed a bet like this in ages .....I was saying to my friends last night I couldn't believe the price hadn't been smashed .....even after they paid the 120000 euros to enter her ....surely that meant they expected to be in first 3 ..... I've had 10 PTS at 12/1 ...10 PTS at 13.5 and 10pts at 14.0 so it's a 400 PT payout .....I think aventure and Los Angeles have finished close too so the ratings were about right ......over the moon

That is amazing 😊 thanks to anyone that voted for me and well done to all the winners and all the admin for keeping the site running so smoothly and all their excellent contributions

Well done @Saddlesore for winning, that win on day 1, as mentioned on the day, pretty much sealed the deal. Also well done to all others in the money and daily prize winners, but i must single out @MCLARKE who came 2nd with his "work in progress speed figures", came 2nd twice in the daily and did all that while running the comp as well as the nap comp & ko cup, entered the Fun Lucky 15 comp and not that i've checked, but probably did a £20 daily challenge and his ongoing "pretend i'm a mug punter" bets with Bet MGM. (which i believe is still over £1k) As i've mentioned before when he won the Most Winners comp last month, (as well as other members) it's hard to pat yourself on the back and write how well you've done when it's about yourself, so hopefully this makes up for the single line he gave himself for the GREAT JOB he does on here, not only running the comps, but also doing so well in them.So thanks again and well done Michael.

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

Another profitable day for @Bronxie ensures he wins the comp with plent to spare. Congratulations. Well done to the runner up @Offramp and third placed @Donkey Shot 6 joint daily winners on the last day, all selecting 28/1 Wonderwall. Well done @silver fox, @paulat, @Cash Out Kev, @RunKJC, @Bill11, @Tethera

The day's nap has to be the Paul Nicholls trained PIC D'ORHY (3.37 Ascot) who will love the drying ground (it's likely to ride on the good side there) with the trip ideal. His two main rivals, L'Homme Presse and Corbetts Cross are being aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup and need further than this and softer ground. Pic D'Orhy has a great track record with four wins from 7 starts including in this race last year when he comfortably beat L'Homme Presse by making all. Expect Harry Cobden to adopt the same tactics and should be very hard to beat. The big novice chase at 1.50 looks a shoot out between Nicky Henderson's Jingko Blue and Philip Hobbs & Johnson White's Lowry's Bar who met at Windsor 27 days ago with the former finishing 2 1/4L in front. That doesn't tell the full story though as LOWRY'S BAR made a jolting mistake three from home and but for that could of won that day. He's 5lb better off today and looks the pick. The 2.25 is a competitive handicap hurdle but I can't resist a small each way bet on Evan Williams's PATRIOTIK. His recent form stacks up well and his trainer is in good form with a double at Hereford on Wednesday. I'm a big BURDETT ROAD fan and fully expect him to make all and best his main danger Golden Ace in the 1.35 Wincanton The big race at Haydock is the Grand National Trial (only in name mind) at 3.15 and the horse I like here is the Jamie Snowden trained GIT MAKER. He was amongst my horses to follow this season as I think on his second to Inotherwayuthinkin in the Kim Muir and third in the Scottish National last Spring remains a well handicapped horse. He's only been seen once this season when obviously not ready in finishing down the field over hurdles at Windsor and despite being five pounds out of the handicap looks great each way value. Pic D'Orhy (337 Ascot) 4 points win @ 15/8 William Hills Lowrys Bar (1.50 Ascot) 2 points win @ 2/1 Bet365 Patriotik (2.25 Ascot) 1 point each way @15/2 William Hills 1/5th 1234 Burdett Road (1.36 Wincanton) 3 points win @ 8/11 William Hills Git Maker (3.15 Haydock) 2 points each way @ 11/2 Bet365 1/5 123

Unfortunately we won't be seeing Sir Gino tomorrow as he has picked up an injury - let's hope it's not too bad and we get to see him at the Festival. In his absence the front running MATATA (3.00 Newbury) looks the most likely winner against just four rivals, three of whom have to carry penalties. The big betting race is the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (former Schweppes, Tote Gold Trophy, Betfair Gold Cup) at Newbury at 3.35 and the pick for me is NAVAJO INDY. He has a great record at the track which reads 121 with the defeat coming at the hands of the smart Be Aware. He ran a strange race last time out at Windsor when getting behind early having not jumped the first well and looked at one point like he was going to be pulled up. He ran on well and was the fastest finisher ending up just 3L behind the eventual winner and favourite for this race Secret Squirrel. With that one shouldering a 5lb penalty I'm confident he can get closer and I presume the first time cheek pieces are on to help him travel better early on the contest. Tom Symonds's six-year-old has been well supported throughout the week but is beginning to ease out a bit so I suggest a good each way bet at the current best odds of 6-1 with at least 5 places. L'EAU DU SUD (2.05) and GALA MARCEAU (2.40) look bankers at Warwick and are hard to oppose all be it at cramped odds but just the one bet on the day for me in Navajo Indy EW.

ITV are showing 9 races including the Irish Gold Cup which to my eyes looks a cakewalk for the favourite Galopin Des Champs who holds the majority of the field on his impressive course and distance Savills Chase win over Christmas. He's scant value but he surely wins this. At Sandown the bets I like are SOLE SELECTION (1.25) who looked good last time out at Hereford having previously chased home the smart Sixmilebridge. I'm sure the ground will be pretty testing there on Saturday and that will suit Venetia Williams's handicap debutant. I'm a big fan of Nicky Henderson's JANGO BAIE (2.35) and he'll be hard to beat in the Scilly Isles Novices Chase. I took 5/2 in the week (the Irish runners were never going to come over) so am in a good position there and hope he can get the job done today against two decent rivals in Handstands (who beat the pick over hurdles) and Kalif Du Berlais. HENRI THE SECOND (3.07) is my fancy in the big 2M 7F handicap hurdle although I am a bit disappointed with the price. His latest victory over course and distance on similar ground has been boosted since by victories for the runner up and third (twice) and a 8lb rise look lenient. I do fear Red Dirt Road who's stepping up in distance but has won an Irish point-to-point (beating the useful Corbetts Cross over 3M) and will have a small saver on him. At Musselburgh and I fancy AFADIL to score back to back victories in the 2.17, the Scottish County handicap Hurdle even though his latest run was a poor one. He's won at this meeting for the last two season's and is 4lb lower than when taking this a year ago. Freddie Gingell rode him that day and keeps the ride. Good luck everyone whatever you're backing this weekend.

(SOMERSET NATIONAL) Collectors Item beats Katate Dori, what a result ! 20/1 advised winner with the reverse forecast to boot ! Time to buy that lottery ticket I think. Anybody who followed me, ENJOY THOSE WINNINGS !!

This Sunday’s Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham is always a race worth following and this year’s renewal, run over 2M 1/2F of the old course has attracted twenty at the six day declaration stage this lunchtime and is no exception. One horse who has been on my radar for the race for a while is James Owen’s Burdett Road who looks worth a decent each way bet. This will be his handicap debut over hurdles following two victories at Huntingdon and over course and distance at this meeting a year ago with a ten length second to the top class Sir Gino last January another top effort on his third and final start asa three-year-old hurdler. He has some excellent flat form when in the care of Michael Bell which including winning the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot on fast ground in June of 2023. The four-year-old appears to have taken his form to another level since joining Owen making all to win the listed 1M 4F Al Basti Equiworld , Dubai Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket in the mud by 8 1/2L from the progressive Military Academy who’s won a handicap since. His only outing since has come in the Group 2 Qipco Long Distnace Cup at Ascot on Champions Day when he was slowly away and could never get to the front trailing in sixth of the 9 runners beaten only 7 3/4L by champion stayer Kyprios. Despite the race not falling right for him that was a fair effort and he has an official handicap mark of 109 which in comparison to his rating over hurdles means he could be very well treated back over hurdles. I would love to see him get out in front in the manner he did at Newmarket when so impressive and with the drying ground unlikely to worry him looks excellent each way value. Current favourite Dysart Enos is unbeaten under rules in six races and looks the biggest danger although a close eye should be kept on the Emmet Mullins duo of Jacovec Cavern (last seen running ninth when favourite in the Cesarewitch) and Toll Stone. Mullins won this race in 2020 with The Shunter. Burdett Road has a lenient looking initial handicap mark and he looks worth a good each way bet. BURDETT ROAD 2 points each way @ 5/1 (general, 1/4 1234)

I am off to foreign shores for the next week so there may be some delays in updating the naps table, depending on internet / VPN reliability (as well as how much beer I've had!)

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.

Ahead of next week's festivities at Cheltenham we have some competitive racing with ITV showing 7 races (just like the good old days with the ITV7 !). Here's my thoughts and bets on the septet. There's one race coming at you from Hereford, the 2.05 which has only attracted five runners. I've no strong thoughts on the race though the favourite Western General can be taken on now that he's up 10lb for his latest win on today's drying ground. We have Four from Sandown with the opener a cracking renewal of the EBF Novices Handicap Hurdle at 1.50. A case can be made for plenty but I am quite keen on the Paul Nicholls runner BELLIANO. He looks well treated on his second to the New Lion at Chepstow in October and has done little wrong since in winning at Ascot and Market Rasen. Nicholls has previous in the race winning it twice including with McFabulous who was well backed. He should be backed each way with five places a must. The 2.25 is the day's feature race in the Imperial Cup but it looks a wide open contest to me. No bets but I do think the top weight Lump Sun should run well. The 3.00 is the listed mares bumper and for me gives us the nap bet with the Alan King trained CHARISMA CAT who was a tad unlucky last time out at Huntingdon when she flew on the run in to only go down by a neck. 2 3/4L back in third was the re-opposing Dream Shadow who looks held. According to King in his 'Weekender' preview the mare will appreciate the drying ground. The 3.35 looks a tough enough handicap chase so no bets there. Onto Wolverhampton and I fancy one in the opener at 2.45, the Lincoln Trial. Richard Hughes's WHIP CRACKER is nicely berthed in stall 2. One from one on a synthetic surface, he's lightly raced and has kept good company in his short seven race career and he's worth backing each way especially with four places. The other race at the Midlands track is the listed 7F Lady Wulfrana Stakes in which the Roger Varian trained Jabaara could be the one to beat but again is a no bet race for me. BELLIANO 1 point each way 9/2 William Hill 1/5th 12345 WHIP CRACKER 1 point each way 7/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 1/2 point each way double CHARISMA CAT 2 points win 9/4 William Hill

Evening all. Going to put these two up now for tomorrow as happy enough with the prices and may even top up on either/both if they go bigger again: (Imperial Cup) Sandown 2.25 AFADIL @ 12/1 (bet365) Sandown 2.25 WE'RE RED AND BLUE e/w @ 20/1 (hills/betfair/pp) 5 places Probably post one or two more tomorrow as well. CAN'T WAIT FOR TUESDAY !

A very good morning all. A couple of placed efforts yesterday at 18/1 but sadly no winners to start the big month in the jumps calendar, so we are obviously straight into a bit of loss to start the month. The drying weather at today's venues has done me no favours in trying to put up a selection today but I just simply must have a go at the big race in Ireland, the Dublin National. This is mine for today: Leopardstown 4.37 BRANDT e/w @ 13/2 (hills/888) 4 places (rev. f/cst with One Horse Army / optional small single cover) STAMINA and GROUND both question marks for this one but providing it can maybe overcome those negatives then get's a small weight pull with One Horse Army on their recent duel. Will take a chance with this one for today. Best of luck with your bets today all. * Apologies, forgot to mention there are also some French jumps picks up for anyone who is interested.

A good morning to all. To say getting some decent jumps action is a relief would be too big an understatement so the joy is palpable being that is the case today. After a slow start February again was a good month ending in +23 points profit so in the end that was also very pleasing. Of the main TV action today it is mainly the three big jumping handicaps that interest me at respectively Kelso, Newbury and Doncaster. On the lead up to the Cheltenham Festival I will be trying something new with my betting which will be a risk to profit/loss levels, but will be interesting to see if it is worth pursuing for when the big one arrives on March 11th. As most of you know by now what I term as OTB betting is basically not strong horses who though possibly well handicapped NEED GENERALLY TO RETURN TO FORM. It is necessary sometimes to take a chance in this way as obviously you will generally get better odds for a horse that appears out of form than one with good or winning recent form. So, at the possible risk of losing some points on my staking before the festival don't be surprised to see slightly more (otb) in my selections until the festival but be WEARY of the above possible pitfalls I have already mentioned. These will be mine for today: Navan 2.10 CHOSEN DIAMOND e/w @ 18/1 (hills) 4 places Doncaster 3.15 The Kniphand / Hymac (in a reverse small forecast / optional single wins on both but neither a main selection). Kelso 3.30 SLUGGER e/w @ 18/1 (hills/pp) 5 places (rev. f/cst with WILFUL and would also play WILFUL in reverse forecast with ALNILAM / small optional single cover if wished) Newbury 3.45 LE MILOS e/w @ 11/1 (hills/pp) 4 places (rev. f/cst with Beau Balko / small optional cover) ** Already advised (see ANTE POST SELECTIONS) (Saturday 1 March) (Morebattle Hurdle) WILFUL (otb) @ 18/1 (ladbrokes boosted price) Interesting day for anyone who took my early advice on Wilful who appears to have been heavily backed. Best of luck with your betting today all.

There will be no Naps competition on Monday to Wednesday 23rd to 25th December It will return on Boxing Day May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy christmas and prosperous (hopefully!) new year

Thanks to everyone that nominated and voted for me! Congratulations to all of the nominees and the winners. It’s great to see such a wide range of nominees and winners! I’ve been a visitor of the Punters Longue forums for many years and only just recently registered and started to contribute. And I’m totally humbled and chuffed to have been nominated and voted for. I’ve visited many sports and betting forums over the last 20 years and I have found that Punters Longue stands out above the rest as a true community. The mods and admin are absolutely the best, the contributors are amazing and it’s great to see a true community spirit within the forums. Quite often on other forums, I’ve seen upmanship, trolling, over zealous mods, accounts that are set up to shill their own services and many more which take away from building a community. Thanks to everyone who adds or has ever added a little something to this site - wheather it’s comments, picks, strategy, moderating, admin or upvoting!

I can only echo what others have said on here, in that many thanks to all who nominated and voted for me. A humbling and pleasant surprise indeed. There are so many wise posters, friendly folk and excellent banter on here that it is always a pleasure to visit these pages. Big shout out as well to all the mods and admins who make Punters Lounge the excellent place it is.

Ascot 1.20 The opener on Champions Day which will be run on testing ground is the 1M 7 1/2F Qipco Long Distance Cup in which we have the day’s shortest priced favourite in the shape of Aidan O’Brien’s Kyprios. He’s unbeaten in six starts this season including the Ascot and Goodwood Gold Cups along with the Irish St Leger and Prix du Cadran. He handles bad ground and should be winning this as long as this race doesn’t come too soon after his exertions in Paris only a fortnight ago. I would be against most of the favourites today but I do think that Kyprios is a class apart and can’t look beyond him. Those who are looking for some each way value I would look no further than his stablemate The Euphrates who is only rated 6lb behind him on official ratings following his improved effort when winning the Irish Cesarewitch when upped in trip last time out. He is too big a price in the market and is worth a small stakes each way saver. KYPRIOS 2 points win @ 4/5 Betfred THE EUPRATES 1/2 point each way @ 33/1 bet365 1/5 123 Ascot 1.55 The 6F Group 1 Qipco Sprint has attracted a maximum field of twenty and with a history of big priced winners it’s worth looking for some value. Karl Burke saddles three runners here and its his four-year-old Swingalong who is on my short list. A credible fourth last year he found himself isolated last time out at Haydock on the near side rail and I expect a big showing from him today. Kinross won this two years ago and was runner up last year but if you fancy him then surely its worth taking a chance on the French raider Beauvatier who was given far too much to do last time out in the Prix Forest over 7F coming home 3/4L behind Kinross and is a much bigger price. Only out of the frame once in his eleven race career when beating one home in the French 2000 Guineas he is the main value pick in an open looking sprint where a case can be made for many. BEAUVATIER 1 point each way @ 16/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 SWINGALONG 1 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Ascot 2.35 A maximum field of fourteen run in the Group 1 Qipco Fillies & Mares Stakes. I have to be against the favourite Kalpana here as she has yet to encounter ground conditions as wet as she will this afternoon and has to be taken on. Two mud larks who look good each way value are Jessie Harrington’s Village Voice and the German raider Quantanamera. The latter looks excellent each way value on ground she obviously relishes. She impressed when a 4L winner from the useful mudlark Arrest in a Group 2 at Deauville in August and has been trained for this race since. Only 3lb behind the top rated Content in the race I’m expecting a big run from her. QUANTANAMERA 1 point each way @ 11/1 BetVictor 1/5th 1234 Ascot 3.15 The Group 1 1M Queen Elizabeth II Stakes has attracted a classy field of thirteen with the favourite and most likely winner being this year’s best older miler trained at Newmarket by Roger Varian, Charyn. He will be hard one to beat but has been priced accordingly and I’ll be looking for some each way value against him. Facteur Cheval is one of two French trained runners in the field and having finished a credible runner up to the impressive Big Rock in this last year appeals on his favoured ground as the best value bet. Trained by J Reynier he’s not had his favoured soft ground since this race last year but has run well in defeat in top company winning the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March and possibly finding the fast ground against him since. FACTEUR CHEVAL 1 point each way @ 9/1 888sport 1/5th 123 Ascot 3.55 There’s £1,300,000 on the table for the finishing places in the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes run over 1M 2F and features arguably two of the four best middle distance horses in Europe in the Irish Champion Stakes victor Economics and Juddmonte International Stakes at York runner up Calandagon. Preference is for the latter who we know will handle conditions well having won twice in the spring on heavy ground in France whilst Economics has yet to be tested on very soft ground. Calandagan went down by a length to City Of Troy last time out and is rated 2lb superior to Economics. The betting suggests it’s a two runner race with the third in being the Arc de Triomphe third Los Angeles who may not appreciate dropping back to 10F. A race to savour but it must be Calandagon for me. CALANDAGAN 1 point win @ 13/8 BetVictor Ascot 4.35 A maximum field of twenty spread across the starlight course run in the class 2 Balmoral Handicap which as usual looks wide open and with the last two winners being priced at 80/1 and 25/1 this looks a race to find a lively outsider. Step forward this year’s Lincoln winner Mr Professor who loves the mud and is now 5lb higher than that victory here. His two moderate runs since can be put down to the ground conditions as both of those efforts were run on fast ground. He’s left Dominic Ffrench-Davis and joined Raphael Freire and appeals at a big price each way with additional places. The other horse I like is at the head of the market in the shape of the Irish challenger State Actor who is already a winner on heavy ground in his six race career and went down by a head in the Irish Cambridgeshire last time out when well backed. Chris Hayes takes the ride and like the each way pick Mr Professor is drawn on the far side which seemed to be an advantage in the race last year on similarly soft ground. MR PROFESSOR 1 point each way @ 25/1bet365 1/5th 12345 STATE ACTOR 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 12345

York 1.50 The first of seven races covered by the ITV cameras today is the 1M 1F Sky Bet Strensall Stakes, a Group 3 contest which has attracted a field of nine. The pick and form choice is the Andrew Balding trained See The Fire, the only filly in the race. Having finished a creditable fourth in the Eclipse (beaten only 7 1/2L) by City Of Troy she stepped forward again to run the Aidan O’Brien filly Opera Singer to a neck in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. She’s the highest rated in the race and will take some beating if running up to those last two runs. Owen Burrows’s Alyanaabi ran a bit flat last time but may not have truly stayed 10F that day and the drop back a furlong looks a good move - he rates the biggest danger to the pick. SEE THE FIRE 1 point win @ 11/4 William Hill Goodwood 2.05 The Group 3 7F William Hill Prestige Fillies’ Stakes for two year old fillies is up next in which we have a field of ten following the defection of favourite Formal due to the ground. She would have been a strong fancy but we’re wait for another day for her on better ground. The obvious one in Formal’s absence is the once raced Ralph Beckett trained Tabiti, a Kingman filly who did it well on her debut at Newmarket in a maiden on fast ground. Shes unproven on soft mind with her twice raced dam only racing on fast ground (her sire won twice at the highest level on soft so some hope there). I’ll take a chance though with John & Sean Quinn’s Royalty Bay who’s already shown her liking for easy ground winning at Ripon and York on soft ground and only went down by a short neck in a Group 3 fillies contest at Deauville when last seen. Quinn has been amongst the winners this week at York with Jm Jungle and the filly will be ridden by Jason Hart. ROYALTY BAY 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 123 York 2.25 A field of sixteen assemble for the class 2 1M 6F Sky Bet Melrose Handicap for three-year-olds. The race looks wide open with the likes of Sir Michael Stoute’s easy Wolverhampton winner Reaching High and Andrew Balding’s battling 2M Ascot winner Tactician among the principals. I’ll take a flyer on an outsider each way with additional places in the shape of Tom Clover’s Tabletalk who’s stepping up to 1M 6F for the first time. The lightly raced Camelot colt is only having his fifth career start having broken his maiden at Chelmsford in May prior to running tenth in the Epsom Derby (beaten 19L). Following a 55 day break he ran a good third at Ascot in a 1M 4F handicap with the runner up Insanity franking the form since by winning at the Shergar Cup meeting back at the same track . Rossa Ryan rides from a favourable draw in 4 and looks a value each way play. TABLETALK 1 point each way @ 20/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Goodwood 2.40 A disappointing turnout of just five here for the Group 2 William Hill Celebration Mile. With a band of rain coming across and the ground certain to ease (it’s already good to soft (good in places), as I write this on Friday afternoon, there has to be a likelihood that the current favourite Lead Artist will be pulled out. Simon & Ed Crisford’s Poker Face ran a shocker last time but this is his ground so has an obvious chance if you’re willing to forgive him that poor run last time. The bet however is the Karl Burke trained Ice Max. He looked smart when winning handicaps at Bath and Musselburgh in April on a soft surface and hasn’t been disgraced twice since in pattern company. This looks a good opportunity for him in what may turn out to be a very winnable contest. ICE MAX 1 point win 9/1 bet365 York 3.00 Just eight have declared for the Group 2 7F Sky Bet City Of York Stakes. Ralph Beckett’s Kinross has won the event the last two years under Frankie Dettori but is getting no younger now as a seven year old and he can help make the market for the confident pick in the shape of the John & Thady Gosden trained Audience who was a 3/4L second to Kinross in this last year although it’s fair to say he’s taken his form to another level since whilst Kinross may not be firing on all cylinders. Audience started this campaign with an emphatic Group 1 Lockinge victory at Newbury when making all over a mile from Charyn. He was subsequently rather disappointing at Royal Ascot behind the same horse but bounced back to form at today’s trip when an easy 4L winner at Goodwood with Kinross (and Art Power) behind. He’s 5lb better off today with that pair and with the likelihood of regular rider Rab Havlin forcing the pace looks one to get stuck into today. AUDIENCE 2 points win @ 7/4 bet365 York 3.35 The day’s big handicap is the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap run over 1M 6F with a guaranteed purse of £500,000. A maximum field of twenty two have declared including Aidan O’Brien’s Queenstown who’s bumped into top stayer and stable companion Kyprios on his last two starts and looks a player although is drawn very wide in 22 (although the last two winners were drawn out there in stalls 20 and 24 all be it under Frankie Dettori masterclass rides) and Willie Mullins’s unexposed Hipop De Loire who was last seen finishing runner up to his stable mate Jackfinbar in a Galway maiden hurdle. In a wide open contest the one that I like is the Henry De Bromhead trained six year old Magical Zoe who’s been on my radar for this race for a while now. A smart hurdler who is currently rated 143 finishing fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The mare has qualified for a mark on the level winning a Down Royal maiden and finishing third in a Group 3 at Fairyhouse over today’s trip. Billy Lee has the ride from stall 1. MAGICAL ZOE 1 point each way @ 9/1 Unibet 1/5h 123456 York 4.10 A big field class 2 6F handicap is up next with nineteen sprinters spread across the course. Low numbers have seemed to have the call in sprints this week and it’s three year old Elmonjed from stall 2 who catches the eye here. William Haggas’s Shadwell owned son of Blue Point stepped forward to win the valuable Fitzdares Sprint Final at Windsor twelve days ago in first time blinkers, holding on well and with just a 2lb rise to contend with can be competitive under Tom Marquand. Last year’s dead heaters Albasheer and Summerghand (also won this in 2022) are others to consider in an open handicap. ELMONJED 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5 12345

Day 1 of the York festival 150 symphony group Democracy dilemma. 421 11/1 Val 0.59 Pilgrim 410 15/2 Val 0.41. Kylian 408 16/1 Val 0.81 Shagraan. 406 15/2 Val 0.41. Wen moon 398.20/1 Val 0.71. York is a very very hard meeting but I've got an add on for this meeting alone ....I'm hoping it's going to make the diff and find some nice winners Overall value bet Ew seems to be kylian at 16/1 but the top rated has a massive form rating and and is a full 23pts over the 5 th rated ...making it look a fantastic Ew bet ..... I'll try 10pt Ew 11/1 6 places and try and get the festival off with a bang

225 Ayr champion hurdle Favour and fortune. 9.0 11/2 First street. 8.9 12.0 Betfair These two are a bit clear clear of rest ...I'll try 5pt wins both 😁

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

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)

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

Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all members globally 😀🍀 The Dancing Lass 4 05Sth 1/40th of a pt ew 20/1

A very good morning everyone. No joy yesterday but win or lose we just go again with this wonderful punting game. Today's meetings are all the more tricky as more rain is expected at most of the courses even as I write this post, so impossible to ascertain exactly how testing some of the ground will be at the respective courses. That said these are my main selections for today with brief summaries: Newbury 4.45 REALCO e/w @ 9/1 (will hill) 3 places (rev. f/cst with Sober Glory) and both reversed in 2 x tricasts with Precious Metal / small single cover. BOG Uttoxeter 2.48 THE KNIPHAND @ 9/2 (will hill) BOG Naas 3.05 RAGMANS CORNER @ 7/2 (generally) BOG Newbury 1.50 SHUTUPSHIRLEY e/w @ 7/1 (b365 / price boost) 4 places (rev. f/cst with Kruger Park/ very small single cover BOG Summary: 4.45 Best race of the day for me, fascinating bumper where Sober Glory will take some stopping but happy to oppose with selection. Precious Metal is a massive threat to all and the 4 year old may be bang there at the finish. 2.48 Handles testing ground and should give running. 3.05 Hopefully act on ground and will be tough to beat if it does. 1.50 Providing ground does not go worse than soft expect this to have a decent chance with the Nicholls trained Kruger Park an obvious threat. Of the rest of the action I am interested to see how JOYEUSE goes in the Newbury 3,35, had there not been ground reservations then this might have made the main list. Unpredictability of the ground leaves it as a watching brief only for today. Good luck with your bets today everyone.

Morning all. Poor efforts in UK and France yesterday but all part of the game so we just go again, nothing really appeals at a price today but will put up this one with some extra comments: Warwick 2.08 JALISCO STAR e/w @ 11/1 (B365) 4 places Again, there is not a great deal of confidence with this one as though in great heart at the moment both the ground and the trip are BIG question marks. From a stamina point of view it needs to get an extra 123 yards in distance, which does not sound much but ideally you want your horse to be assured to get every yard in a race (you would be surprised what a difference it can make). Secondly, and more important the horse has only once raced on good to soft ground and was well beaten, though it is noted that it then had a breathing op (wind surgery) after that so that may have been a factor in the poor run? It is difficult trying to find horses at prices a lot of the time with the jumps with your options far from plentiful. NOT main selections (for PROFIT/LOSS purposes), but I will also be playing a small trixie on these today: Ayr 1.20 Jet To Vegas @ 15/8 (WH) Ayr 2.20 Hombre De Guerra @ 6/5 (B365) Warwick 3.15 Always Busy @ 2/1 (B365) Best of luck today everyone.

205 ascot form and class combined Master chewy. 631 total 1568 7/2 Malystic. 602 total 1490 33/1 Martator 575 total 1397 5/1 Frere darmes 575 total 1262 9/1 Master chewy is well clear overall and could be tough to beat .... Without doubt the value bet overall is malystic who looks vastly overpriced at 33/1 !!..........10pt win master ...5pt Ew malystic

Continuing the new system ....top 3 rAted backed to BSP ..... 150 good Enfjaar 334 Tony Montana. 328 Take heart. 322 410 good Equilateral 400 Fair wind. 393 Rocking ends. 390 . 520 good Moon spirit. 388 Queens reign. 385 Mercury day. 380 555 good Aramus grey. 377 Katey content 370 Star of lady m. 365 2 pt wins all 3 in each race at BSP And my side bets I'm going to try and get a forecast double ....if I can do that successfully then Ill try a forecast treble next to win huge money .. .... Forecast doubles... 3 each race 150 with 410. 410 with 520 520 with 555 36 bets each set (3x3) . X 5p = 1.80 per set 3sets is 5.40 total

I'd like to see a big revamp of the football sections ........there's far too many subsections I bet on football pretty much every day but I never post on PL ....... it's too fragmented. Also you might be having a yankee on games in 4 different countries or 4 different leagues or even 4 different continents ..... where would you post it ? I'd like to see one football forum akin to the Racing Forum with a daily thread for today's bets and news and other threads as and when somebody wants to post something related to the great game It works fine for racing !

Unfortunately I am likely to be away from home quite a lot over the next few weeks due to family illness without internet access. This may mean that updates may not be every day (I will need to sneak off to the local pub to use their Wi-Fi !). Apologies for the inconvenience.

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

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.

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