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Well done to regular contributor @LEE-GRAYS who only selected 200/1 winner Milldean Felix in yesterday naps table - superb stuff 👏👏

Just a quick message on this for 2022/23 season. I intended to get going for Prem league start this week but haven't had chance to get it sorted so rather than rush and potentially catch people out we'll look to start weekend of 13th. This also coincides with the Spanish La Liga restart so we should have the full complement of matches for then. I'm intending to hold just 3 seasons this time so we can do the full 10 week run with a week off in between. We'll also need to take a break mid-season when the World Cup break starts. Everyone who completed season 4 last year will be allocated a place and new players are also invited to join in. I will put up a new thread as soon as possible with confirmation of the Divisions and for new players to show their interest. In the meantime, study the form!

As in previous years the Naps competition will be taking a break in line with that taken by the BHA. There is no UK or Irish racing on Thursday, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy new year.

As a mark of respect there will be no Naps competition on Friday.

A decent day with winners at 14/1, 10/3 and 13/8 plus places at 12/1 and 7/1 all for a profit today of 24.14 points. Tomorrows thoughts are already uploaded.

Get in. Won very easily Beer o'clock Keeps the stout drinkers in the snug happy!

Filled my Fookin boots only Zilzalian gives you monster 216/1 forecasts

Sandown 1.40 The day’s ITV racing starts with a three year old only 9F handicap which has attracted ten runners. It looks a wide open affair so stakes should be kept small. In fact I would go as far to say as all bar rank outsider Youthful King (watch him bolt up now!)have a fair chance of sorts. The only runner in the field that has yet to run in handicaps and may be better than his allotted mark is the Ralph Beckett trained Vee Sight. He’s was down to run at Pontefract in a weaker race than this only 5 days ago but was pulled out on the morning of the race with a vets certificate. He was heavily backed that day so although this is a stronger contest you get the impression that connections feel he may be better than his initial mark now stepping up a couple of furlongs. I’ll take a chance on him but have every respect for the Godolphin pair of Maplewood and Night Of Luxury. VEE SIGHT 1 point each way @ 6/1 Paddy Power 1/5th 123 York 2.00 The 1m 4F Queens Mother’s Cup is a handicap run annually for female amateur jockeys where the winning jockey not only wins her cut of the prize money but also her weight in champagne. Topanticipation is chasing a hat trick following wins at Leicester and over course and distance this season rising 11lb in the handicap. He should be competitive under the useful Becky Smith. I’m going to play two here against the field each way in top weight Throne Hall who was a smart handicapper when trained by Kevin Ryan last season and is now in the care of Archie Watson. He’s shown little in three starts for Watson but has dropped 10lb for those efforts and has the assistance of the experienced Brodie Hampson. Now 6lb lower than when an excellent neck second to Sam Cooke in a better handicap than this at last years Ebor meeting he can be competitive here if re finding his form in this lower grade today. The other horse I like is the Martin Todhunter trained Arctic Fox who won this in 2019 for Carol Bartley and was runner up last season for Becky Smith. Fergal O’Brien’s daughter Fern is on board this time around and has fallen down to a winning mark. THRONE HALL 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 ARCTIC FOX 1 point each way @ 15/2 William Hill 1/5th 1234 Sandown 2.15 Ten go to post for this class 2 one mile handicap. Top weight Ouzo bounced back to form here last time when just touched off in a similar contest but has been raised 4lb for that. James Fanshawe saddles Encouraged who’s chasing a hat trick following a brace of wins on the all weather but he too has been shunted up 5lb. I’ll take the pair of them on with the only three year old in the field in the Eve Johnson Houghton trained Iffraaj colt Sheer Rocks. Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile at Chepstow and Bath he started the season in the Epsom Blue Riband Derby trial where he raced too keenly and finished last of eight that day. With that run under his belt and receiving weight from his elders he’s worth taking a punt on here with David Egan doing the steering. SHEER ROCKS 1 point each way @ 8/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 York 2.35 A disappointing turnout of nine assemble for this 7F class 2 handicap where the likely favourite Boardman looks the one to beat. He’s chasing a hat trick following wins at Thirsk and Chester this season and despite a 4lb rise for his latest victory I thought he won quite cosily and should go close today. He’s the selection although I do feel course and distance winner Maywake can run him close along with Challet who has a good course record with 2 wins from 4 rides. BOARDMAN 2 points win @ 5/2 bet365 Sandown 2.50 A disappointing turnout of just six for the listed Coral Scurry Stakes run over 5F 10 yards. The warm favourite Caturra has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for his group 2 Flying Childers Stakes victory at Doncaster last September but still comes out as the best horse in the race and this represents a drop in class for him having finishing a credible 5th beaten 3L by El Caballo last time out in the group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. Clive Cox’s Mehmas gelding is basically a group horse in a listed contest and he’s the one to be with here. Adam West’s Live In The Dream has already shown his liking for this track with an easy handicap victory back in April but this represents a step up in class for him whilst the Roger Varian trained Mitbaahy looks the biggest threat to the selection having won at Hamilton last time out. CATURRA 2 points win @ 11/10 bet365 York 3.05 Only six go to post for this 14F listed contest where the winner gets a free entry into the sponsor Skybet’s Ebor Handicap back here in August. The best in at the weights here are Euchen Glen who’s shown little in two starts this season and Kemari who we haven’t seen since he ran at Meydan in January and would hold a chance if fancied for the boys in blue. Bar outsider Onesmoothoperator there’s actually only four pounds officially between these and the likeliest winner to my eyes is the Brain Meehan trained Mandoob who’s lightly raced and showed plenty on his re-appearance when a two length second to Al Aasy in a 12F listed race at Ascot with subsequent easy Goodwood listed winner Third Realm 2 1/4L back in third. The extra quarter of a mile will no doubt suit the Farhh gelding and he can take this with Sean Levey doing the steering. MANDOOB 2 points win @ 5/2 William Hill Chester 3.20 The day’s best bet runs here in this 7F 127 yards class 2 handicap. Top weight Outgate has shown smart form on his three starts this season including when winning at the May meeting over todays distance. He wasn’t disgraced despite a slow start when third in the Haydock Silver Bowl behind two potential group horses (the runner up Mighty Ulysses runs in the St James Palace Stakes next week) and with a nice draw in two and last week’s winning Derby rider Richard Kingscote in the saddle Daniel and Clare Kubler’s three year old will be hard to keep out of the money. William Haggas saddles the danger in the well drawn front running Thunder Legend whilst local trainer Hugo Palmer has Roman Dragon here. Irish trainer Jessie Harrington sends over Cowboy Justice but hasn’t fared well in the draw and has to break from stall 10. OUTGATE 3 points each way @ 7/1 Paddy Power 1/5th 1234 York 3.40 The feature handicap of the day is the 6F Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap which has attracted a field of 19. Mick Channon saddles the favourite in Ingra Tor who won a similar handicap well at Newmarket 6 weeks ago and appears to have been put aside for this valuable prize. He looks sure to go well despite a 9lb rise. Showtime Mahomes won a lesser handicap over course and distance three weeks ago and has been raised only 5lb for that win which may turn out to be on the lenient side as the runner up, 3rd, 5th, 9th and 13th have all won since. At a better price than Ingra Tor Grant Tuer’s improving gelding is the selection although I can’t resist a small each way saver on Keith Dagleish’s Edward Cornelius who looks on a good mark having run in non handicap company on his last two outings and may outrun his odds today. SHOWTIMES MAHOMES 1 point each way @ 17/2 William Hill 1/5th 12345 EDWARD CORNELIUS 1/2 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 12345

As in previous years we will be running a tipsters competition for ROYAL ASCOT, Tuesday 14th June to Saturday 18th June. 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 £60 cash (via PayPal) Runner Up wins £25 and the third place wins £15, all prizes via your PayPal account In addition 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 everyday 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 any prizes All welcome, good luck.

No prizes for this but out of interest a summary of 2021. Some stellar performers, especially @mick33who produced a fantastic 247 points profit with only 2 months showing a loss. 6 players produced profits of over 100 points. Over a third of players made a profit.

A bumper eleven races being covered on Saturday afternoon by ITV coming from Ascot, Haydock and Newmarket and here's my thoughts on all eleven - Ascot 1.35 ITV’s Shergar Cup coverage starts with the second on the card at Ascot - the 7F classified stakes where on official ratings there’s only 4lb between the field. Orbaan was impressive in winning the Golden Mile at Goodwood last week but was well drawn and this will be a totally different test with just eight runner under a 7lb penalty. At the likely odds I’ll take him on. One horse who I feel is overpriced is Katie Scott’s Gweedore. The five year old gelding actually beat Orbaan at Ayr only a month ago by a cosy 2 1/4L receiving 4lb and actually receives 5lb from David O’Meara’s charge today. He’s currently five times the price and hopefully if all eight stand their ground will be worth backing each way. Crack Canadian jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson who’s won the Golden Saddle here before takes the ride which is no negative at all. GWEEDORE 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 123 Ascot 2.10 The Shergar Cup Dash is up next, a 5F handicap. A case can be made for plenty with my main fancy being Robert Cowell’s Arecibo who will be ridden today by Danny Tudhope who has actually ridden the seven year old gelding fourteen times in his career. The last time he was seen in a handicap was eleven runs ago back in May 2021 when winning at Newmarket off of a mark of 99, 4lb lower than today’s mark. He’s kept very good company since running in group races this season. He’s still got plenty of zip and looks the one to beat. Mick Appleby’s King Of Stars arrives in good form having run well here last month and has claims along with the only three year old in the field Manaccan who may have more improvement to come. He looks the danger to Arecibo. ARECIBO 2 points win @ 4/1 William Hill Haydock 2.25 A small field of only seven assemble for this class 2 one mile handicap. Saeed Bin Suroor’s Electrical Storm is the favourite and holds a good chance on the back of a York victory and 3rd in a decent Sandown handicap where the horse just behind him Protaganist has won since. Off of the same mark he should go close. Top weight Young Fire is 3 from 6 at the track and is another with claims whilst the Charlie and Mark Johnstone trained Dutch Decoy may be the best current value having won at Newmarket on the July course last month prior to a credible 2L 4th in a decent Goodwood handicap last week over a furlong further. Back to a mile should suit and he’s my selection. Skybet, William Hill and Betfred are paying three places in this even runner contest and that looks the way to go. DUTCH DECOY 1 point each way @ 13/2 William Hill 1/5th 123 Ascot 2.45 The Shergar Cup Stayers is a handicap run over two miles and looks destined to go to Goodwood runner up Super Superjack trained by Milton Harris. He was unlucky not to have won that day as he didn’t get the breaks when he needed them and the drop back half a mile today will hopefully suit him. Nicola Currie who was in top form with a treble a Carlisle earlier in the week has been drawn to ride him. Ralph Beckett’s top weight Rock Eagle went down by half a length to Reshoun at Newbury last month and looks the biggest danger to the selection. SUPER SUPERJACK 2 points win @ 9/4 William Hill Haydock 3.00 William Haggas’s Grocer Jack was highly impressive on his British/stable debut and will be hard to beat in this group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes run over 1m 2F 100yds for three year olds and upwards. He’s a skinny enough price mind for one that who’s win can be crabbed as I’m not sure what he beat that day. I can remember saying at the time what a weak listed contest it was. At the likely prices I’m against him. Saeed Bin Suroor’s Passion And Glory is interesting having won a listed contest at Sandown last time whilst the most interesting form line may well turn out to be the first and third from the John Smiths Cup at York a month ago. Owen Burrows’ Anmaat won that on his seasonal re-appearance with Intellogent 3/4L back in third at the line having come from some way back. On 2lb better terms I’ll take Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Intellogent to turn the tables especially as he is proven with cut in the ground unlike Anmaat. INTELLOGENT 1 point each way @ 11/2 bet365 1/5th 123 Ascot 3.20 The Shergar Cup Challenge is a handicap run over a mile and a half for four year olds and upwards. Newmarket trainer William Haggas has some interesting entries today none more so than his lightly raced four year old gelded son of Pivotal, Pride Of Priory. He’s chasing a hat trick of victories having won all weather handicaps at around this trip at Kempton and Newcastle this summer. He’s risen 10lb for those two success’s but may still be ahead of his mark especially now getting back on turf which he won twice on last Autumn. Kieran Shoemark has been drawn to ride and that’s certainly not a negative. The Whipmaster comes here in good shape having won four of his last five starts but I would be very worried of the form of his trainer Gary Moore who has gone 15 days and 19 runners since his last winner. Southern Voyage is another interesting runner from the Archie Watson stable who was well backed last time when apparently breaking a blood vessel. PRIDE OF PRIORY 2 points win @ 7/2 Paddy Power Newmarket 3.40 Nine two year old fillies go to post for the group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes run over 7F of the July course. Likely favourite is the Charlie and Mark Johnstone trained Lakota Sioux who was last seen seven weeks ago when third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. That form hasn’t worked out that well and I think he’s worth taking on today. Richard Spencer’s Ivory Madonna failed to win his maiden last time and is another I can be against. I’m keen on the once raced Karl Burke trained Novakai, a daughter of Lope De Vega who bolted up on her debut at Doncaster at 12/1 and could be useful and the similarly once raced Ismail Mohammed trained Alseyoob who won a Newmarket maiden on her debut in a race where the third won at the weekend. I’ll dutch the pair. ALSEYOOB 1 point win @ 6/1 bet365 NOVAKAI point win @ 4/1 bet365 Ascot 3.55 The Shergar Cup Mile is a handicap that is open to four year olds and upwards and features, to my eyes, the best bet on the card. William Haggas trains the lightly raced four year old chestnut son of Exceed And Excel Montassib who’s won three of his five career starts and hasn’t been been beaten far in two big field handicaps on his last two starts. Off of the same handicap mark and with Danny Tudhope in the plate he looks a worthy favourite and can take this. Isla Kai has been a bit disappointing so far this season but his time is near and he should be thereabouts whilst David O’Meara’s ex Irish import Bopedro who ran well on his English debut when fourth of ten here can also be thereabouts but for me this is all about Montassib who’s stepping up to a mile today for the first time. MONTASSIB 3 points win @ 5/2 bet365 Curragh 4.15 A small but select field of six go to post for this years renewal of the group one Phoenix Stakes run over 6F. Aidan O’Brien saddles a brace of decent two year olds in Blackbeard and Little Big Bear. Ryan Moore appears to have chosen the latter and following a demolition job in a group 3 here last time should be thereabouts but may not be good enough to beat the English raider Bradsell who could be very good. A visually impressive winner at York on his debut in May he followed up a month later when a cosy winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot from subsequent group winners Persian Force, Royal Scotsman and Blackbeard. Trainer Archie Watson was stating earlier in the week that he hasn’t got anything fast enough at home to lead him on the gallops including group one winner Glen Shiel. Hollie Doyle’s over to ride and although this is a step up from Ascot he could be very good and worth a good bet. BRADSELL 3 points win @ 7/4 bet365 Ascot 4.30 1m 4f is the distance of the Shergar Cup Classic a handicap for three year olds only. William Haggas is maybe in for a good day and his Hamaki is my fancy here. He’s been raised 5lb for his victory at Haydock last time out on soft ground but has done enough on faster ground previously to suggest that he handles any types of ground. Jamie Spencer rides and although not my favourite jockey can certainly get the job done when needed. Andrew Balding’s Berkshire Breeze is still maiden after six starts but has been knocking on the door on his last two starts and his time is near. The Gosden’s Franz Strauss got turned over in a three runner handicap last time and may have little in hand of his mark. HAMAKI 2 points each way @ 5/1 Paddy Power 1/5th 1234 Ascot 5.05 The Shergar Cup concludes with the Sprint, a handicap run over 6F for three year olds only. That man William Haggas has another fancied runner here in the shape of the Jose-Luis Martinez ridden Razeyna, a winner at Carlisle last time which is already starting to work out. He should run well but I want to with the Richard Fahey trained Admiral D who’s run well in defeat in two of the best three year old sprint handicaps of the season so far. Runner up to Lethal Levi (winner since) at Newmarket last time he will ridden by the capable Joanna Mason and should be bang there at the finish. Reserve Conflict is making his handicap debut for Andrew Balding and would be a player if getting a run. ADMIRAL D 2 points win @ 7/2 Coral On a footnote Unibet are currently promoting a great offer of their 15 to Go Offer on all of the ITV races (in Sunday as well) where if you place a bet with them in the 15 minutes before the scheduled start time and back the winner they will match your stake with a free bet up to £20. That’s a great offer I think and if you want to get involved click on this link Unibet 15 to Go Offer

Goodwood 1.50 Day two of the Goodwood Festival kicks off with a class 2 12F three year old handicap. I don’t like tipping favourites but sometimes they just stand out and although only one favourite has obliged in the last ten years in this race I can’t get away from Charlie Appleby’s top weight Secret State. A winner of his last three starts having started his career with a second spot in the Wood Ditton behind the smart Francesco Clemente with his latest victory coming in the King George V Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot from the subsequent group 3 winner Deauville Legend. 2 1/2L back in 6th that day was Andrew Balding’s Teumessias Fox whilst George Baker’s Surrey Mist was just behind and the Haggas runner Mandobi was a further 5 1/2L further back. That trio re-oppose on 4lb, 7lb and 8lb better terms respectively but I fully expect William Buick’s mount to confirm the form and enhance his St Leger claims for which he’s currently only a 14/1 chance. Surrey Mist may actually come out the best of the three behind him that day and chase him home. SECRET STATE 3 points win @ 9/4 bet365 Goodwood 2.25 A bumper field of seventeen assemble for the group 3 Oak Tree Stakes and it does have an open look about it this year. Pushing for favouritism currently is the Saeed Bin Suroor trained Soft Whisper who had four of these in Bounce The Blues, Improvised, She Do and Internationalagent behind when winning at Chelmsford last time. She should confirm the form with that quartet but I don’t like his wide draw in 16 of 17 and I can pass her over. The other top rated on official ratings here is the Richard Hannon trained Heredia, a good winner of the Sandringham at Royal Ascot but a bit disappointing when very well supported in a Sandown listed contest last time. She drops a furlong today and has claims but I like Oscula who actually finished a length ahead of Heredia at Sandown and is 3lb better off at the weights today. I’m surprised she’s twice the price of the Hannon filly especially after a good effort at Ascot last Saturday behind Jumbly. The other runner I like is Ed Walker’s Primo Bacio who has ideal conditions today and wasn’t disgraced in a group one last time. I’ll dutch the pair of Oscula and Primo Bacio here who both have favourable low draws and just hope they don’t find too much trouble in running. OSCULA 1 point win @ 11/1 William Hill PRIMO BACIO 1 point win @ 17/2 William Hill Goodwood 3.00 Eight go to post for the group 3 Molecomb Stakes and I really can’t see past the favourite Rocket Rodney who will be very hard to beat. George Scott’s flag bearer has the best form and has shown his liking for this switchback course having won a novices stakes race over course and distance here in April prior to an excellent neck runner up in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot to Little Big Bear (impressive winner since) with Eddies Boy (winner of valuable sales race since) back in third. He stands out here and is the days best bet. David Loughnane’s Walbank looks his chief danger having finished runner up in the group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot to The Ridler. Eddies Boy is held on Ascot form by the selection and this should be a point and shoot job for Daniel Muscott. ROCKET RODNEY 4 points win @ 5/4 William Hill Goodwood 3.35 Only seven go to post for the group one Sussex Stakes following the eleventh hour defection of 2000 Guineas winner Coroebus and it looks a penalty kick for the smart Baaeed. William Haggas’s Shadwell Stud owned four year old is now unbeaten in eight starts and as he already holds most of these on earlier form should be winning. Last years winner Alcohol Free comes here on the back of a July Cup victory over 6F but is held by the favourite on earlier form. He’s at prohibitive odds but should be a banker for any acca bet. Goodwood 4.10 A class 2 nine runner fillies handicap run over just short of ten furlongs is up next. William Haggas’s Sea Speedwell is making her handicap debut and under Tom Marquand appears to hold claims. Also on the short list has to be the John and Thady Gosden trained Natasha who wasn’t disgraced in a similar contest at Newmarket twelve days ago. Hughie Morrison’s Lyrical Lady ran a smashing race in listed company last time when only 6L behind the useful Grande Dame. She has paid the penalty for that mind with a rise of 11lb. A tough race but in the hope that the Gosden runner has come forward for her recent re-appearance I’m with Natasha. NATASHA 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 Goodwood 4.45 The ITV terrestrial coverage finishes with a ten runner two year old fillies’ conditions stakes. A warm favourite here is the Richard Fahey trained The Platinum Queen who on official ratings has plenty in hand here. A winner at Ripon on her debut in June she may have found the Queen Mary all too much a fortnight later when finishing down the field as a 66/1 shot. She bounced back however three weeks later when dominating from the gate to take a nine runner field apart at York from odds on favourite Yahsat. Oisin Orr has ridden the Cotai Glory juvenile in all three of her racecourse starts and keeps the partnership intact today and will be hard to beat. All The Time was ultra impressive on her debut when an impressive 5L winner at Nottingham but blew out in the Queen Mary (some 7L behind The Platinum Queen) finishing plum last. She’s no doubt better than that but has questions to answer now and this can go to the The Platinum Queen THE PLATINUM QUEEN 3 points win 11/8 William Hill THE PLATINUM QUEEN / ROCKET RODNEY 2 point win double. 11/8 & 5/4 William Hill

well well still life in the old dog yet { that goes for the trainer as well as the horse } tudor city wins the prize

Newbury 1.50 Just five declared for this 10F listed Steventon Stakes. It’s certainly not the strongest of listed contests with just two pounds covering the quintet of runners on official ratings. Favourite Cadillac was sold on the eve of Royal Ascot for a cool half a million pounds and rewarded new connections with second place in the listed Wolferton Stakes. That form however hasn’t worked out that well with seven individual runners from the race beaten since. At odds of around 6/4 I’m more than happy to take him on. Desert Encounter has a 259 day absence to overcome whilst Finest Sound ran a shocker on his re-appearance (reportedly didn’t like the track). Grocer Jack is interesting, a German import that’s shown some promise in two starts abroad for top trainer William Haggas and has claims but the one I want to be with to small stakes is the Mark Todd trained Tasman Bay. He was some 12l behind Cadillac at Ascot but that was his re-appearance and is reflected in his price. He ran placed behind some smart sorts last season in Hurricane Lane, Alenquer and Baaeed and surely he’s better than his Ascot run. At the prices I’ll pay to find out with David Probert back on board (was ridden by Jack Mitchell at Ascot). TASMAN BAY 1 point win @ 10/1 bet365 Market Rasen 2.06 Seven runners here for this class 2 2m 7F handicap hurdle. There’s shouldn’t be much between Galileo Silver and Jersey Wonder. There was a length between them in favour of the former and on 2lb worse terms may just confirm the form. Jonjo O’Neill has his team of jumpers in fine shape and Apache Creek bounced back to form at 14/1 at Warwick last time and despite a 4lb rise can too be competitive. David Pipe is having an excellent summer and his Roman De Senam reverts to hurdles from a 7lb lower mark and shouldn’t be dismissed. Top weight Ask Paddington is chasing a four timer having risen 17lb for those victories but is unproven at three miles. A tough handicap with no stand out bet but maybe a small wager on Sam Thomas’s improver Galileo Silver in a first time visor to confirm recent placings with Jersey Wonder. GALILEO SILVER 1 point win @ 11/4 William Hill Newbury 2.21 Just eight go to post for the two mile class 2 handicap. There’s certainly no stand out bet here as claims can reasonably be made for all. Three of these ran in the 2m 5F handicap at Royal Ascot with Going Gone coming out a length too good from Reshoun with Rock Eagle three and a half lengths further behind. Going Gone is a couple of pounds better off today but wouldn’t be certain to confirm the form with Ian William’s Reshoun. Others with chances include Tom Ward’s Diamond Bay, a runner up at Salisbury last time out and bottom weight Auriferous. I’ll take a chance though on the nine year old and top weight here Withhold trained by Harry and Roger Charlton and owned by shrewd gambler Tony Bloom. His best days are no doubt behind him (he won the 2017 Cesarewitch at Newmarket and 2018 Northumberland Plate at Newcastle) but showed enough following a 245 day absence when 6th of 7 at Chester behind subsequent winner Soapy Stevens to suggest there’s another payday in him and in a race where nothing stands out can be competitive. He’s won this actual event before and was a good third in it last year and as always expect him to be ridden prominently from the front which as there appears to be no other pacesetter may allow him to get an easy lead. WITHHOLD 1 point each way @ 15/2 888sport 1/5th 123 Market Rasen 2.41 A fair turnout considering the likely lightning fast conditions with eleven going to post for this class 2 handicap hurdle over the minimum trip of two miles. The two improvers are at the head of the market in the shape of Dr Newland’s Galata Bridge and Gerald Stephen Quinn’s Cirque Royal. The former comes here on the back of a very impressive win at Huntingdon back in May for which he’s been pushed up 12lb whilst Cirque Royal is making his handicap debut having won novice hurdles at Perth and Kelso in May. He easily dismissed Ted Hastings on the latter course and that one has easily won at Cartmel giving the form a boost. He’ll do for me. Bottom weight Caramelised also comes into the reckoning for Alan King but it’s Cirque Royal for me who started his career with the Godolphin operation at Charlie Appleby’s and looks one of the day’s better bets. CIRQUE ROYAL 3 points win @ 4/1 bet365 Newbury 2.56 A competitive contest next up for the group 3 Hackwood Stakes run over 6F with a decent field of fourteen going to post. Last years winner Happy Romance looks likely to run well having kept group one company on both his starts this season. The best in at the weights today is David Evans’ Wokingham winner Rohaan who’s yet another with claims. Man Of Promise should appreciate stepping up in trip and although he carries a 3lb penalty is another who can be competitive. Owen Burrows won one of the feature races last Saturday and his Minzaal looks likely to be thereabouts and is the tentative selection in a race that look open enough. MINZAAL 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Market Rasen 3.14 The Summer Plate Handicap Chase is run over 2m 5F 89yds and this year has attracted a competitive field of fourteen chasers. Fergal O’Brian’s Mortlach is unbeaten in three starts over fences and has obvious claims whilst last year’s easy winner Francis Du Berlais is only 2lb higher this time around and should be thereabouts. It’s a wide open contest mind and I’ll play a couple of recent winners small each way against the field. Texard jumped well when bolting up at Uttoxeter in the week coasting home by some 28L and if in the same form can go well under Philip Armson for David Pipe. He’ll be my main play here whilst I’ll also have a small each way wager on bottom weight Rostello trained by Dr Richard Newland at Claines in Worcestershire. He too was an easy wide margin week earlier in the week and like Texard has to carry a 5lb penalty but such was the ease of the success that he (like Texard) will be going up more than that when re-assessed next week. TEXARD 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 ROSTELLO 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 Ladbrokes 1/5th 1234 Newbury 3.30 The usual 5F cavalry charge for the two year old’s is up next with twenty one juveniles spread across the course for the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes with £200k guaranteed in prize money that goes right down to tenth place. 7lb clear on official ratings is the David O’Meara trained Maria Bramwell who brings easily the best form to the table and represents the best bet of the day. She followed up wins at Thirsk and Sandown (listed National Stakes) with an excellent third in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot behind the smart Dramatised. As a 22,000 guineas purchase as a yearling she gets a reasonable weight here and with a fair draw in stall 11 will be hard to beat. On the subject of the draw it pays to be in the higher numbers with the last ten winners all berthed in double figure stalls. Rogue Spirit looks speedy and from stall 18 can give Tom Clover and Jack Mitchell a good spin. Richard Hannon has an excellent record in this race and saddles five runners today. The best of which may well be Miami Girl who’s berthed in stall 16 but is actually held by the selection on Royal Ascot running. With luck in running ( I was very keen on Chipotle in this race last year but his chance was undone by a poor ride) I fully expect Maria Bramwell to go very close and she’s the bet. MARIA BRAMWELL 3 points win @ 11/4 bet365 Curragh 3.45 Eight go to post for the Irish Oaks run over a mile and a half and we have a warm favourite here in the John and Thady Gosden trained Emily Upjohn. She was arguably unlucky when fluffing the start in the Epsom version but finished well to go down by the shortest of short heads to Tuesday. That form is far superior to any of her rivals, the best of whom may well be the Ribblesdale winner Magical Lagoon trained by Jessie Harrington. Aiden O’Brien saddles three here with the best being Toy who is the pick of Ryan Moore. She would need to significantly step up on what she’s shown this season mind and this first prize should be making its way to Clarehaven Stables at Newmarket. She’s at prohibitive odds mind so there’s no betting angle for me. Late news - Emily Upjohn misses the race due to travel complications

Hi all, its TK here deputising for The Brigadier who is off on hols this week. Hopefully a few winners coming our way as the week progresses. Tuesday's selections below ahead of posting onsite later. 2-30 Brighton (NAP) Silver Bubble recorded a first ever career success last time out and more importantly it came over this course and distance. The four-year-old son of Mayson ran out a comfortable victor here when scoring under Saffie Osborne just three weeks ago. Gay Kelleway has her team in great shape and actually has a fifty percent record with her runners at this track (winning 3 from 6). Saffie is back in the saddle this afternoon and ought to know a little more about her partner today. The front two pulled some ten lengths clear in that previous race and if similar tactics are deployed today, they have to have every chance of following up. 3-00 Brighton Treble (TREBLE) Shut Up And Dance comes here in search of a hat-trick for team Osborne. He has improved markedly since being upped to this middle distance trip and has scored readily on recent starts at Windsor and Chepstow. Turned out quickly for a potential third win in seven days, he is clearly taking his racing well and now Saffie Osborne comes into ride him for the first time. The good to firm ground shall certainly be of benefit to him and with all other rivals seemingly struggling for form, he has to be high on any shortlist. 5-25 Chepstow (TREBLE) Crosstitch is improving with each run and he went closest when beaten just over a length at Lingfield last time. This will be his fourth career start and Michael Bell now applies a visor for the first time. Running in the colours of Her Majesty the Queen, the three-year-old son of Recorder is reunited with David Egan. The pair combined when finishing third to Blatant at Leicester last month and the young jockey should know a bit more about his mount this afternoon as a consequence. Dresden Green looks the biggest threat for a very much in-form William Haggas team. 7-00 Chepstow (TREBLE) Infiniti has showed that he has improved beyond all recognition this season following two wins having reverted back to the flat. He moved yards at the end of last year and embarked on a hurdling campaign for Kevin Frost. He won at the fourth attempt over two-and-a-half miles at Market Rasen and then disappointed when attempting to follow up at Worcester on his next start. Frost made an inspired decision to take advantage of his relatively low handicap mark on the flat and it has reaped dividends. Aiden Brooks is a talented seven-pound claimer and he has a 100% record when riding the nine-year-old. No surprise to see the pair go close again back over two miles. 2-15 Hamilton Frisky remains lightly raced but has improved with each start so far this season. The three-year-old daughter of Bated Breath was not beaten far when third at Bath on her most recent appearance. She brings the most experience to the table here and now has the added assistance of Will Buick in the saddle for the first time. The combination command respect in a race where she will be fully race fit and the jockey is riding with utmost confidence. 2-45 Hamilton Ghaly has been off the track for well over eighteen months, but Saeed Bin Suroor has obviously deemed the fires to still be burning brightly. To send him on a 700-mile round trip just for the sake of it seems pretty ludicrous and this looks a sensible starting point for the son of Dubawi. He is well bred to get this one-mile trip and the last time that he encountered ground as decent as this was when he won on his local track at Newmarket back in 2020. He is extremely lightly raced compared to quite a few of these and there may well be more to come from him. Kevin Stott has won on Godolphin horses in the past and he looks to be a sensible jockey booking. 3-50 Hamilton Judy’s Park makes only her third appearance on the turf here this afternoon and from her two previous tries on it, she seems to handle it rather well. She is vastly experienced from running on the all-weather and even picked up a win at Newcastle over this trip back in March. George Boughey has a perfect 100% strike rate at Hamilton this season will all three of his previous runners having won on their visits. Will Buick rides Judy’s Spark for the second time today and he too has a 25% strike rate when teaming up with the trainer. A lot in their favour off bottom weight and warrants closer consideration than most. 6-50 Stratford Texard makes a quick reappearance having just won a little over 48 hours ago. He was a three-time winner in his native France and now encounters identical conditions to those he faced on Sunday at Uttoxeter. Tom Scudamore is back on board and the Pipe team are clearly hoping to strike again whilst the iron is hot despite a seven-pound penalty. Being the youngest in the line-up and possibly the least exposed means there is certainly further room for improvement. He showed a gutsy and determined attitude in that last race and will be a force to be reckoned with if in the same mood here. 7-20 Stratford Mr Yeats was on the scoresheet at Ludlow back in May before finishing a good second in an extended three-mile handicap hurdle at Huntingdon 25 days ago. He was only just edged out after mistakes at last two flights cost him dear. This drop back to two-and-three-quarter miles will be very much in his favour as will the re-association with jockey Mitchell Bastyan. Bastyan has won twice before on this gelded son of Yeats and he also has a 50% strike rate when riding at Stratford this season. There should still be plenty more to come from this five-year-old and he if ironing out that odd error, he is likely to go extremely close here. 8-20 Stratford The Plumber made a reasonable enough debut over hurdles at Southwell just a little over three weeks ago. He is expected to come on in leaps and bounds for the experience. Whilst no match at all for the winner on that occasion, he shaped with a degree of promise and Amy Murphy is likely to find suitable alternatives for him. Jack Quinlan has partnered this five-year-old son of Shirocco three times in the past (including in bumpers) and if progressing, he is worthy of a second look here.

Here we are with the final tables. Not too many winners this week but nonetheless some movement at the top of the Divisions partly also due to bet sizing. Bet of the week goes to @avongirl (yay!) with a 9.5/1 double, followed by @Astleavista with a 5/1 double. Our overall leader for the last few weeks @Hotspur88 holds on to the top spot with yet another winner, making it 6 successful weeks out of 9. Second place @Bagzi climbed the table with a half bank winner, both the top 2 achieving over £400 bank and both being from the same Division. Overall our lower Divisions have done very well although there will be a few players from Div 1 keeping their place in the top echelon next season. Not too many drop outs this time, thank you to all who have played and completed the season. We do have a few spots vacated for new or returning players to join - see the separate thread to apply. I am intending to start Season 3 immediately this week. Winners, I will tag you all later with instructions for claiming your prizes.

The 2022 World Cup starts on November 20th and concludes with the Final on the 18th December The Punters Lounge will award cash prizes totalling £200 via Paypal. First £80 Second £60 Third £40 Fourth £20 * Deadline for any entries therefore is 4pm on November 20th * ** If any multiple registrations are found to try and manipulate the competition, they will not receive any prizes ** Format 1) Entrants will be required to predict the Correct Score of the 48 group matches 2) Players will also nominate four teams from the competition in order of their main fancy being the No 1 choice Scoring In the group matches, by predicting a correct score you are in effect forecasting 3 main outcomes : : - the actual result, whether or not both teams will score and if the game has under or over 2.5 goals Points will be awarded as follows for all the 48 group matches : 3pts for the correct result of the game (1, X, 2) 1pt for correctly predicting if both teams score (or not) 1pt for correctly predicting under or over 2.5 goals 1pt BONUS for every correct score predicted E.G, Prediction 2-1 - actual result 3-0 = score 4pts (3pts for home win, 1pt for over 2.5) Prediction 0-0 - actual result 0-1 = score 2pts (1pt for under 2.5, 1pt for both teams to score? No!) Prediction 3-1 - actual result 4-2 = score 5pts (3pts for home win, 1pt over 2.5, 1pt both teams to score? Yes!) Prediction 1-3 - actual result 1-3 = score 6pts (3pts for away win, 1pt over 2.5. 1pts both teams to score? Yes!, 1pt correct score) Knock Out Phase 5pts if any of your nominated teams win their group 5pts if any of your nominated teams win a Last 16 match 5pts if any of your nominated teams win a Last 8 match 5pts if any of your nominated teams win a Semi Final match 5pts if any of your nominated teams wins the World Cup BONUS 5pts if your number 1 team nominated team wins the World Cup Any ties will be decided by how many correct scores predicted, then how many top 4 teams nominated correctly Rules Please post the matches in the order given in the selection thread, easy just to copy and paste. If games are out of order they may be miscalculated. Please use the format given All predictions must be in the same post (before deadline) Only 1 entry accepted per member, any duplicate entries will not count towards prizes. No editing of posts, once you have posted your predictions they will be transferred to the master sheet so I will NOT see any edits. Any mistakes contact me by PM or post on the forum (i.e, if you have missed a game out) Latest table will be published on a regular basis through the tournament ENTER HERE -

An excellent day with 5 winners from 8 races at odds of 4/1 (25p R4), 10/1, 4/1, 2/1 and 8/1 with also a couple of places. A profit of 28.4 points on the day. Tomorrows thoughts/selections were uploaded as per usual just before 9 AM this morning.

Newmarket 1.50 The days racing at Newmarket kicks of with the Group 3 10F Zetalnd Stakes for two year olds. My initial thoughts were that I wanted to take on the short favourite Flying Honours trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick but the more I delved into the race nothing really appealed against him. The favourite should relish the step up from a mile to ten furlongs and looked a top performer when an easy winner at Sandown and Salisbury (from subsequent winner Stormbuster) in the Summer. He went off a well backed 2/7 shot in the Royal Lodge last time when flopping in coming home only 3rd of the 4 runners beaten half a length. But for that defeat he would be an odds on chance here so if we can forgive him that effort then anything above evens is probably worth taking. The closest to the favourite on ratings is the Charlie and Mark Johnstone trained Dear My Friend who ran his best race to date last time when third in a listed contest in France. Maiden winners Galactic Jack, Tenerife Sunshine (also trained by the Johnstones) and Blanchland will all need to step up so let’s go with the favourite but to smallish stakes as he did bomb out last time. FLYING HONOURS 2 points win @ 5/4 BetVictor York 2.05 Nine assemble for the listed Rockingham Stakes run over 6F of the Knavesmire. William Haggas’s Alpha Capture appeared to improve for cheek pieces when just touched off on the line by Cold Case in a in sales race at Doncaster 30 days ago and with Tom Marquand riding looks likely to go close. Cold Case has gone on to win the big Redcar sales contest from Holguin who was back in third in the Doncaster race and the 4th that day Galeron has gone over to The Curragh and plundered the Goffs Million so the form has a very solid look about it and he’ll be hard to beat. His main danger appears to Roger Varian’s Bolt Action who followed up a credible runner up spot in a listed contest at Ayr to beat the well thought of Wallop at Salisbury a fortnight later. He’s officially rated the same as Alpha Capture and can make him fight all the way. Richard Fahey saddles Rousing Encore who was runner up to the useful Sakheer last time but there was only one winner that day and if there is a horse who could step forward massively for his debut run then surely it’s Johnny Murtagh’s Bay Of Plenty who was very green when winning on his debut at Naas 23 days ago and it must be significant that Murtagh brings him over from his County Kildare base. ALPHA CAPTURE 2 points win @ 15/8 Coral BAY OF PLENTY 1/2 point each way @ 14/1 1/5th 123 Newmarket 2.25 Another two year old contest, this time the Group 3 Autumn Stakes run over a mile. Charlie Appleby’s Silver Knott let us down last time and has to shoulder a 3lb penalty here. The excuse for the lack lustre effort was the soft ground so he can be given another chance but I prefer Karl Burke’s Holloway Boy who can give Dewhurst favourite Nostrum a boost ahead of his race later on the card. He went down by a length and a quarter to Sir Michael Stoute’s smart juvenile over seven furlongs here a fortnight ago with the strongly fancied Victory Dance 3L away in third. That was a strong piece of form and the extra furlong should suit him. Epictetus is a very interesting runner who seemingly won unfancied in a maiden at the July course on his debut 92 days ago. That form has worked out well with four winners coming out of the race and he could easily be a player here but I’m sticking with the best form line of Holloway Boy. HOLLOWAY BAY 2 points win @ 16/5 Paddy Power York 2.40 A disappointing turnout for the time of the year for this 1m 2 1/2F class 2 handicap with just six entered including one (What’s The Story ) who also has an entry on Friday. Stay Well looks held by rival Marching Army and top weight Algiers has plenty on here on the back of a long absence for The Crisford’s. Saga has become a disappointing horse though does try a new trip today and this may be fought out by Saeed Bin Suroor’s Marching Army who’s chasing a hat trick of wins and William Haggas’s Protagonist who was badly drawn last time out in the Cambridgeshire. It’s hard to split the pair with slight preference for the latter who ended up finishing second of eight on his far side group last time and on his previous two victories at Doncaster and Sandown looks sure to be thereabouts. PROTAGONIST 1 point win @ 11/4 Betfred Newmarket 3.00 Next up is the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes for two year olds run over 7F of the Rowley mile. Unfortunately Sakheer who was supplemented on Monday was taken out of the race at the eleventh hour with a dirty scope which must have been infuriating for his connections. The warm favourite here is Sir Michael Stoute’s Nostrum who looked so good when winning over course and distance 16 days ago from Holloway Boy who runs in the previous race and could well give him a late form boost. As smart as he looked that day he represents scant value to my eyes at around the 6/4 mark and it’s the owners other runner trained by Andrew Balding Chaldean who I want to be with. He’s beaten the same horse (Indestructible) on his last two outings and there will no doubt be people asking what he’s actually beaten but his trainer was very complimentary after his latest win saying he’s a ‘high class horse in the making’ and with some firms paying three places here in this seven runner contest can be played each way. Charlie Appleby saddles his Naval Power who’s stepping up in grade having won two listed contests but didn’t blow me away with his performance last time and looks short enough in the market at around 10/3. I wouldn’t discount Brian Meehan’s Isaac Shelby who’s had a break since winning the Group 2 Superlative Stakes back in July. He looks over priced at double figure odds. CHALDEAN 1 1/2 points each way @ 4/1 bet365 1/5 123 York 3.15 A widely competitive twenty two runner 6F class 2 sprint completes the televised York coverage. Interestingly 8 of the last 10 winners of this race were drawn in a single figure stall so it may pay to concentrate on those drawn low. That would rule our Gulliver who’s won two of the last three renewals of this event off of higher handicap marks (drawn in 22) and last year’s runner up Laugh A Minute from stall 21. Course specialist (5 wins from 11 starts) Dakota Gold looks interesting from stall 2 and likewise from box 1 Roger Varian’s Dusky Lord who took his field apart in the Ayr Silver Cup last time for which he’s been given a 9lb rise in the weights. I’ll take him to back that win up although I wouldn’t discount last year’s winner Volatile Analyst at big price to bounce back to form. DUSKY LORD 1 point each way @ 8/1 William Hill 1/5th 123456 Newmarket 3.40 For the first time this century we have less than thirty runners contesting this years renewal of the Cesarewitch Handicap with a mere 23 runners going to post for the 2m 2F contest. Following the sad news of the Pipe’s Adagio dropping down dead following a a heart attack on the gallops on Friday morning ( who incidentally would of been a very strong fancy of mine) the market is now headed by two NH trainers in Nicky Henderson’s Ahorsewithnoname and Charles Byrne’s Run For Oscar. Both have solid chances with my slight preference for the former who’s been trained for this just like last years winner Buzz by the Seven Barrows maestro. She won two two mile handicaps in the Spring in facile fashion and despite a 10lb rise for her latest win at York could still be ahead of her mark. Ryan Moore has been booked and she’s the main bet in the race. Others that can run well include Frankie Dettori’s mount Zoffee who didn’t get the clearest of runs when last seen at York in August whilst Gibraltar is one of three left in by Irish trainer Willie Mullins who has a good record in the race having won three of the lat four renewals. His other two runners are Scaramanga (first run for the Closutton trainer) and Baby Zeus (now the mount of William Buick) and have to be given respect. She may not be much of a price for such a big field handicap but Ahorsewithnoname can take this for Henderson who’s won this race three times before. AHORSEWITHNONAME 2 points each way @ 4/1 William Hill 1/5th 123456

A bumper afternoon’s racing on Sunday with ten races on ITV’s schedule. The ground in Ireland at The Curragh will be soft and pretty testing whilst in Yorkshire the ground will be on the slow side with the current going description reading good to soft (soft in places) which with showers forecast can only worsen. Good luck everyone finding a winner or two and here’s my thoughts - Doncaster 1.35 Only eight go to post for the Flying Childers, a group 2 contest for two year olds run over 5F. The front two in the market have the best form although neither have raced on softish ground. The Platinum Queen looked all speed with victories at York and Goodwood prior to an even better effort when runner up in the Nunthorpe at York behind sprinting sensation Highfield Princess. All three of those runs though were on rattling fast ground and how she will cope with easy ground no one knows. The same applies to Richard Hannon’s Trillium who took the group 3 Molecomb Stakes at their big meeting in good style from Rocket Rodney (beaten since). The former has the better form credentials but I am worried of the ground for her. I’ll take a chance with Jessie Harrington’s Funny Money Honey who will need to improve to take this but won’t mind the soft ground and looked all about speed last week at Salisbury where he led the field for 5F before weakening quickly. Hollie Doyle retains the ride and she’s worth a small each way bet. FUNNY MONEY HONEY 1/2 point each way @ 22/1 William Hill 1/5 123 Curragh 1.50 The Group 2 Blandford Stakes will be run over 10F and is for three year old and older fillies and mares. Paddy Twomey’s La Petite Coco is the highest rated of the thirteen strong field and will be hard to beat on ground that should be in her favour. Penalised 3lb for her Group one victory in the Pretty Polly over course and distance in June, her first since winning this very race a year ago by a short head from Love she will be ridden, as per normal, by Billy Lee. Nine three year olds take her on here with the best of them the Ryan Moore ridden Above The Curve who we haven’t seen since May when winning the Group one Prix Saint Alary at Longchamp. Joseph O’Brien’s filly has to shoulder, like La Petite Coco, a 3lb penalty but looks the biggest threat to the selection. LA PETITE COCO 3 points win @ 15/8 William Hill Doncaster 2.10 A maximum field of twenty two go to post for this year’s renewal of the 5F 143 yards Portland Handicap. Favourite Whenthedealisdone won with his head in his chest a week ago at Ascot and although a 10lb rise was high enough he should run well on ground that should suit Roger Teal’s four year old. Teal also saddles Chipstead but he may not be as well suited by soft ground as his stable mate. Tim Easterby’s bottom weight Count D’Orsay was third in this last year and off of a handicap mark 8lb lower can run well along with Karl Burke’s Significantly who’s effort last time at York can be forgotten as he was given a nasty bump a couple of furlongs out which put paid to any chance he had at the time. The handicapper kindly dropped him 4lb to 96 which is the same mark as he last won off of (Ascot last Summer) and as a Royal Ascot winner last year on heavy ground won’t mind the softening conditions. At a big price he’s worth backing each way along with Count D’Orsay. SIGNIFICANTLY 1 point each way @ 33/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 COUNT D’ORSAY 1 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 Curragh 2.25 Highfield Princess did us a nice turn when winning the Nunthorpe at York 23 days ago and looks the one they all have to beat in the Group one Flying Five Stakes for the Yorkshire stable of John Quinn who does well with his forays over the Irish Channel. She appears to handle any ground and must go well although at round the 7/4 mark has been well found in the market. She is worth a small stakes saver against Adrian McGuinness’s A Case Of You who is officially rated only 3lb behind the favourite but can be backed at around the 9/1 mark currently. She was a 33/1 chance when runner up in the contest a year ago when going down by a half a length to the re-appearing Romantic Proposal and followed that excellent effort up by winning the Prix de L’Abbaye on Arc day on bottomless ground. Following a successful stint at the Meydan Dubai Carnival where he won the group one Al Quoz Sprint he’s yet to hit top form but the drop to the minimum trip and soft ground should bring about the requisite improvement needed and he can be played each way. A CASE OF YOU 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 HIGHFIELD PRINCESS 1 point win @ 7/4 bet365 Doncaster 2.45 It’s hard to oppose favourite Trueshan in this 2m 2F Doncaster Cup where the more rain that falls the better for Alan King’s mudlark. He’s head and shoulders above his opponents here and with his likely optimum conditions impossible to oppose. Andrew Balding’s Coltrane maybe the one to chase him home but I fully expect Trueshan to win comfortably. At the odds I don’t see a bet unless you want to play the winning distance markets. Curragh 3.00 The 7F Moyglare Stakes is a group one contest for two year old fillies and features the smart Aidan O’Brien trained Mediate who’s bidding to keep her unbeaten run in tact having won all four of her starts including Group 3’s at Naas and Royal Ascot and a Group 2 over course and distance in August. She looks smart and will be hard to beat but if there is one horse who might be top class then surely it’s Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra. She looked useful when winning on her debut in a 7F Galway maiden when pushed out to put 5 1/2L between herself and the subsequent winner Dower House on rain softened ground. She’s owned by the Aga Khan and is a half sister to the great Tarnawa, one of my all time faves (though don’t talk to me about last year’s Arc!). Mediate will probably win but I can’t resist a small each way play on Tahiyra to prove she’s useful. TAHIYRA 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Doncaster 3.20 Nine go to post for the 7F Group 2 Park Stakes for three year olds and older. Kinross will appreciate the rain softened ground having won a similar contest at York last time although does have to shoulder a 3lb penalty today. These are his optimum conditions mind so he looks sure to run a big race. The soft ground appears to have gone against the likes of Sacred, Double Or Bubble and Jumby and the best each way value against the favourite who looks skinny enough at around 7/4 may well be Charlie Hills’ Garrus. This will be only his second attempt at 7F but was staying on again when an excellent third in the 6 1/F Group one Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time behind two subsequent Group one winners in Highfield Princess and Minzaal. A reproduction of that effort would put him right in the mix so let’s go each way with him in the hope the extra half a furlong brings out more improvement. GARRUS 1 point each way @ 11/2 Betfred 1/5th 123 Curragh 3.35 A small but select field of six go to post for the Group one National Stakes run over 7F for two year olds. The Futurity Stakes run over course and distance three weeks ago is the go to form line with Aidan O’Brien’s Aesop’s Fables coming home 2 1/4L ahead of stable companion Hans Anderson and there appears no reason why the latter should turn the form around. Just behind in third that day was Joseph O’Brien’s Proud And Regal and once again will need to improve to turn the form around. English challenger Marbaan was last seen winning a weak Group 2 at Goodwood and will likely have to step up again on ground he’s never run on as yet. I wouldn’t be shocked if Johnny Murtagh’s Shartash out runs his odds now he’s stepping up a furlong on ground he’s proven on and is worth a small saver. AESOPS FABLES 3 points win @ 5/6 William Hill SHARTASH 1 point win @ 14/1 BetVictor Doncaster 3.55 This year’s St Leger has a bit of a sub standard look to it with just the nine going to post. A warm favourite is the Charlie Appleby trained New London who steps up to 1m 6F for the first time but won’t get beat through lack of stamina having finished strongly when winning the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time. That form had worked out remarkably well with the runner up Deauville Legend winning the Group 3 Great Voltigeur since, the 3rd and re-opposing here Hoo Ya Mal landing the odds at Goodwood in a Group 3, the 4th Jack Darcy finishing runner up in a Deauville listed contest, the 5th Cresta winning a listed race at Windsor by 6 1/2L and the 6th West Wind Blows winning a Group 3 at Longchamp. Red hot form and New London will be hard to beat. Current second favourite is Roger Varian’s Eldar Eldarov who won the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot but flopped in France last time. The supplemented Haskoy looks a a smart filly but lacks experience having won a Wolverhampton novice stakes and a listed contest at York, this represents a big step up in class. I think New London will probably win but would prefer an each way bet on Hoo Ya Mal who was runner up in the Derby this year and although has 2L to make up with New London on Goodwood form did push him all the way and his new owner (soon to be trainer) Gai Waterhouse was very bullish about his chances on a recent Nick Luck podcast stating she expects him to win ! He’s off to Australia after this race to be trained for the Melbourne Cup and looks an each way bet to nothing to my eyes though whether he can topple the favourite is another matter. HOO YA MAL 1 point each way 7/1 BetVictor 1/5th 123 Curragh 4.10 Kyprios is a warm order for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore to take the Irish St Leger run over 1m 6F for three year olds and upwards. He’s unbeaten this season in four starts at Navan (listed), Leopardstown (group 3), Ascot (Gold Cup) and Goodwood (Goodwood Cup) with all four of those success’s coming on good fast ground. His three worst RPR’s in his career have come on soft ground although he did win a weak maiden on his debut at Galway on heavy and it might just be that he’s a better horse on decent ground. Certainly at around the 4/7 mark I don’t want to pay to find out and I’m happy to take him on each way with the English raider Hamish. Trained at Newmarket by master handler William Haggas he has undoubted talent especially when the mud is flying with his form figures on ground with the word soft in the title reading 112441. He’s seemingly quite a hard horse to train as we don’t see much of him nowadays but you can be sure Haggas has him ready for this and he can overcome a 129 day absence and run a big race under Richard Kingscote. Search For A Song has to be mentioned also as she won the 2019 and 2020 runnings of this and her stable is in buoyant form. HAMISH 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 123

Beverley 1.30 A 7F 96 yard class 4 handicap starts proceedings for the ITV cameras today with the ground riding just on the slow side. The track is a turning one with those drawn low having an advantage. The most unexposed is the top weight Majestic who makes his handicap debut here for Mick Channon who has booked Ben Curtis for the ride. He’s drawn nicely in four and is the one I like. From stall two Mark Walford’s It Just Takes Time may be the biggest danger. He won a brace of handicap this summer at Thirsk and York and wasn’t disgraced at Doncaster last time when runner up to Giogiobbo. He does take a bit of a hold and it maybe best to let him roll along the fence making his own fractions. Gemma Tutty’s Tangled is on a winning mark but I don’t like his wide draw. Outrun The Storm is another with a chance at the head of the market for owners Middleham Park and trainer Richard Fahey. He’s in good form and should be thereabouts. Not a very inspiring handicap but in the hope that Majestic is better than his initial mark of 82 I’ll take him to lead home It Just Takes Time. MAJESTIC 2 points win @ 9/2 William Hill Goodwood 1.50 Nine go to post for this 7F group 3 Prestige fillies stakes for two year olds. With the ground riding on the slow side the only horse in the field who has actually raced on soft ground is Richard Hannon’s June course winner Bet Here. He subsequently finished 6 1/4L behind the re-opposing Godolphin filly Fairy Cross in listed company at Sandown so is hard to fancy too much unless she’s a filly that is ground dependent. The aforementioned Fairy Cross probably bumped into a smart one at Sandown when runner up to the Johnstone’s Dance In The Grass (pair pulled clear) and if handling conditions today has to be a major player. Karl Burke has some nice two year olds this season and his Bright Diamond was very impressive when putting 9L between herself and her rivals in a 6 runner Newmarket maiden on her debut three weeks ago. Visually she looked smart that day and like Fairy Cross if she handles conditions should be thereabouts. David Loughnane’s, Amo Racing owned Queen Olly is the other filly at the head of the market. She’s shown decent form at Royal Ascot and Newmarket’s July meeting in group races and also holds claims. It’s a tough call as none of the principals have encountered slow ground so I’ll keep stakes small and back the impressive debut winner Bright Diamond. BRIGHT DIAMOND 1 point win @ 9/2 bet365 Beverley 2.05 The day’s nap runs here in this 1m 2F class 2 handicap. Roger Varian saddles his King Power owned three year old gelding by Holy Roman Emperor who has won two of his five starts this season. His best effort however came last time out when chasing home Ajero in a decent Goodwood handicap where he came from the back finding plenty of trouble. He can be marked up from that effort and with Kevin Stott replacing Ray Dawson can take the spoils today. The James Tate trained Wait To Excel is chasing a hat trick having won his maiden at Hamilton and a class 4 handicap at Ripon. The form of his handicap win has however not really worked out and I’m happy to oppose him. William Haggas saddles Post Impressionist who looked a horse to follow earlier in the season when he chased home the current St Leger second favourite Eldar Eldarov on the all weather at Newcastle. He’s flopped in his two subsequent starts though and with the handicapper only dropping him a pound and wearing a first time tongue tie has questions to answer. For me Kitsune Power should be favourite and he’s worth a bet. KITSUNE POWER 3 points win @ 7/2 bet365 Goodwood 2.25 Eleven go to post for this 7F class 2 handicap where like the Golden Mile at the Festival here it pays to be drawn low on the fence as they’re always on the turn till turning into the home straight. Likely favourite Orbaan arrives in excellent form having won the aforementioned Golden Mile Handicap and followed up over today’s trip at Ascot before finishing 4th in the Clipper Logistics Handicap at York where he got no sort of run and that 4th can be marked up. He’s in stall one and should be thereabouts for trainer David O’Meara and jockey Jason Watson. O’Meara also runs Rhoscolyn and he has track form and is drawn alongside his stablemate today. He has finished behind Orbaan in his last two starts mind and it maybe the same scenario here. Richard Hannon’s Tacarib Bay is one of just two three years old in the race and will love the soggy underfoot conditions. I’m put off him mind by his stall of 11. The best outsider for me is the John Quinn trained veteran Safe Voyage who adores cut in the ground, is well berthed in four for one that likes to go forward and is below his last winning mark. I’ll play Orbaan here but can’t resist a small stakes saver on the nine year old Safe Voyage. ORBAAN 2 points win @ 4/1 William Hill SAFE VOYAGE 1/2 point win each way @ 20/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Beverley 2.40 The feature race at the day at the Yorkshire track is the 5F Beverley Bullet where a low draw on the far side against the rail has always been seen as an advantage. The best in at the weights today is the Clive Cox trained Tis Marvellous who’s only two starts at this track have come in the last two runnings of this race when an unlucky 5th in 2020 and when winning well in this last year, taking it up with a furlong to go and pushed out to win by 3 3/4L. He started from stall 6 last season and has drawn stall 7 this time around. You always need luck on the sharp 5F here but if he gets the breaks he looks sure to be thereabouts. 5lb behind on ratings is Ainsdale who’s drawn on the rail, Existent drawn alongside with this being a drop in class and three year old Korker. They all have claims but for me this all about last year’s winner Tis Marvellous under Paul Hanagan and with many bookmakers paying 4 places is worth backing each way. TIS MARVELLOUS 2 points each way @ 7/2 Betfred 1/5th 1234 Goodwood 3.00 A very disappointing turnout of just four here for the group 3 1m 6F March Stakes. George Boughey’s smart three year old Hoo Ya Mal is officially 18lb, 32lb and 52lb better than his three rivals and it will be a major surprise were he not to win this with his head in his chest. Runner up in this year’s Epsom Derby when in the care of Andrew Balding at 150/1 he’s since joined Boughey en route to a career in Australia and ran well when third to St Leger favourite New London in Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes. There’s no real punting angle here although William Haggas’s Perfect Alibi looks sure to finish runner up. Newmarket 3.15 With 31mm of rain Wednesday night and a further 9mm on Thursday morning the ground is likely to ride on the soft side which has hardly been seen this flat season so it’s worth searching around for the soft ground performers in this 6f listed race. Charlie Fellowes’ Vadream was a group 3 winner at Ascot on soft ground last October as well as a very credible 5th beaten 3L in the group one Champions Sprint there a fortnight later. She’s not fired this season but back on her favoured ground can be competitive. I’m not sure what to make of favourite Great Ambassador, trained by the in form Ed Walker. His wily trainer is in print in this week’s Weekender stating that he wouldn’t run on good to firm but the horse has been withdrawn twice before due to the ground being too soft. Maybe he ideally needs good ground? One things for sure win or lose he’s poor value at around the 7/2 mark to these eyes even though he is the highest rated in the field following an eye catching run last time in the Stewards Cup. Last weekends winner Summerghand won this contest last season by 2 1/2L and has claims now he’s found the winning way again. Simon and Ed Crisford train the promising three year old Daneh but we haven’t seen him since this weekend last year so there has to be a question mark over her. An outside I think can run well and out run his odds is the Adrian Nicholls trained Mo Celita. The mare started out last season by winning three soft ground sprint sellers and progressed through the handicap ranks to win in listed company at Deauville in August as well as finishing 4th in the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc weekend. She’s not shown much in two starts this season but this is her ground (form figures on good to soft or worse 111151437) and the booking of Frankie Dettori very much takes the eye. An open sprint but I’ll chance Mo Celita each way with the enhanced 4th place. MO CELITA 1 point each way @ 20/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Goodwood 3.35 The Celebration Mile is a group 2 event which has attracted just the five runners. Warm favourite is the Charlie Hills trained Mutasaabeq who is the highest rated here. He’s won twice on soft/heavy ground so conditions will hold no fears. He’s run well all four starts this season placing in group company on his last three starts having started his campaign with a win at Thirsk. He’ll be hard to beat. Escobar is 0 from 8 here but has run well in defeat here and is officially just 3lb inferior to Mutasaabeq having run a stormer 9 days ago when beaten a head in a competitive York handicap. Simon and Ed Crisford saddle a brace of runners in Finest Sound and Jadoomi with slight preference for the latter who was last seen winning a listed race at Claiefontaine in France in July. I think the favourite will win but wouldn’t be surprised if Ed Walker’s veteran Stormy Antarctic gives him the most to do. He’s officially only 4lb inferior to the selection with his form figures on soft or heavy reading 4174112811, a decent strike rate of 5 wins from 10 starts. It maybe worth a small straight forecast the favourite to beat him as well as backing Mutasaabeq. MUTASAABEQ 2 points win @ 11/10 bet365 MUTASAABEQ to beat STORMY ANTARCTIC 1 point straight forecast

No change to the top 4 on the last day. Congratulation to the winner @Gary66 Well done to the 2nd @BBBC, 3rd @kenisbusyand 4th @Johnrobertson

Thanks very much for running these comps Mclarke great job👍 Well done the winner.

Goodwood 1.50 The 2022 Glorious Goodwood meeting kicks off with a highly competitive 10F class 2 handicap which has attracted a maximum field of 18. There’s sure to be hard luck stories here in such a size field but let’s try and find the most likely winner and hope it’s not us finding the trouble! A key piece of form is the John Smiths Cup run at York 17 days ago won by Anmaat. That form was doubly franked at the weekend by success’s for the runner up Achelois and 4th Spirit Dancer so the 5th and 6th from that race Brilliant Light and Just Fine have to be given maximum respect. Saeed Bun Suroor’s Brilliant Light finished a length ahead of Sir Michael Stoute’s Just Fine but is 2lb worse off. There shouldn’t be much between them and both hold major each way claims. Roger Varain’s Legend Of Dubai was backed down to 7/2 favouritism at Royal Ascot but ran a stinker and although he’ll appreciate this longer trip has questions to answer now and represents scant value at his current odds. I do like the look of the William Knight trained, Harry Redknapp owned Moktasaab who won at Newbury and here over course and distance (from Caradoc who re-opposes on 7lb better terms for 1 1/4L and should run well though is hard to win with) earlier in the season before not handling Epsom and then failing to see out the 1m 4F trip at Ascot. He looks each way value and I’ll be backing him each way as well as Brilliant Light who I just favour over Just Fine. MOKTASAAB 1 point each way @ 12/1 Coral 12/1 1/5th 12345 BRILLIANT LIGHT 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Goodwood 2.25 A field of nine assemble for the group 2 Vintage Stakes with the warm favourite Karl Burke’s Holloway Boy who made a winning racecourse debut in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Not many horses have made a winning racecourse debut in the juvenile races there over the years and he’s a worthy favourite. The only issue I have is that the form hasn’t really worked out. Six horses have run from that race since all have been turned over. Maybe he just won a bad renewal of the Chesham? At around 2/1 I don’t want to pay to find out and I’m happy enough to take him on. I have respect for Charlie Hills’ Galeron who’s course win last time out was boosted by the runner up winning well at Newbury last week. Charlie and Mark Johnstone’s Dear My Friend is stepping up in grade following victories at Carlisle and Beverley and with the stable winning this with Dark Vision in 2018 is another interesting runner. I’m going to stick with the boys in blue though with the Charlie Appleby trained Mysterious Night who followed up his Newbury win in June with a high,y credible 3 1/4L 3rd in the group 2 July Stakes behind smart sorts Persian Force and Show Respect. That form may be good enough for him to take this. MYSTERIOUS KNIGHT 2 points win @ 4/1 William Hill Goodwood 3.00 The 7F Lennox Stakes is up next with a decent enough field of eleven heading to post. The favourite is the William Haggas trained filly Sacred who will take plenty of beating. She ran a stormer in the group one 6F Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot to finish a length 5th behind Naval Crown having not had the clearest of passages close home. She’s two from two over this trip and should be hard to beat on her favoured fast terrain. I can’t have last year’s winner Kinross as he prefers to get his toe into the ground whilst Pogo, who comes here chasing a hat trick, is nought from three here in the past. Lusail brings some good classic form to the table for the Richard Hannon stable and should be thereabouts but I can’t resist a tiny each way saver on outsider Sir Dancealot. When trained by David Elsworth he won this very contest in 2018 and 2019 and although he’s now in the care of the more than capable John Butler at Newmarket showed last time out in a handicap off of a mark of 103 that he retains plenty of ability. This really though is Sacred’s to lose with Tom Marquand doing the steering. SACRED 3 points win 2/1 William Hill SIR DANCEALOT 1/2 point each way @ 50/1 bet365 1/5th 123 Goodwood 3.35 A quality turnout of nine stayers assemble for this year’s renewal of the Goodwood Cup run over two miles. Last year’s winner Trueshan has been declared but surely won’t run unless there’s rain. If the heavens did open he would be a strong fancy and a clear favourite but that’s highly unlikely and it’s odds on that he’s pulled out on the morning of the race unfortunately. The story of the race (meeting?) is the John and Thady Gosden trained Stradivarius who’s won four Goodwood Cups (he was pulled out last year due to the wet ground). This will be his final run and it would be great to see him go out on a winning note with or without Frankie Dettori who’s been jocked off the grand eight year old by his owner Bjorn Neilsen following a couple of poor rides in the last two Ascot Gold Cups. He does have a major chance today but just may struggle to beat the four year younger Aiden O’Brien trained Kyprios who is a progressive lightly raced stayer who looks all set to win plenty more staying races. He won the Ascot Gold Cup last time and the drop back half a mile shouldn’t worry him too much as he does have plenty of speed as well as stamina. The others all have plenty to find with the big three (two if Trueshan comes out) although Coltrane seems to be rapidly improving for some reason at five years of age and shouldn’t be totally dismissed. KYPRIOS 3 points win @ 13/8 William Hill Goodwood 4.10 Fifteen speedsters go to post for this class 2 5F handicap. Celsius has won at this specialist track and although up 5lb for a recent win at Newmarket (Dusky Lord 1 1/2L back in 4th and now 5lb better off and Night On Earth a further place and 3/4L back and now 7lb better off) can run well here as I thought he did it quite cosily that day and conditions will be ideal. He should run well (as should the pair that were just behind him that day) but I’ve a fancy for John Quinn’s seven year old Lord Riddiford who’s the each way bet here. He was a comfortable winner of this race last year on soft ground, coming home two lengths to the good from stable mate El Astronaute off of a pound higher mark. He lost his way a bit since but showed some promise last time at Doncaster to suggest his time is near. I am a bit concerned by the fast terrain as it was soft last year but he does have winning form on good to firm and at a double figure price he’s worth a go. LORD RIDDIFORD point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Goodwood 4.45 ITV surprisingly include this fifteen runner two year old maiden in their coverage. Charlie Appleby has a decent bunch of juveniles including another smart looking pair winning at Ascot and Newmarket last weekend and saddles Mischief Magic here. He has course experience having run over course and distance on his debut in May when third beaten 6 1/4L to the smart Royal Scotsman who’s run third in the Coventry since. The runner up that day has also won since as has the 4th Show Respect who’s also run a fine second in the group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket. Even the 5th Galeron and 7th Alif Power have won making the form of that race very strong. With William Buick on board he looks the one they all have to beat. There are dangers mind you with the William Knight runner Chartwell House just touched off at Windsor last time the pick of them. With the Appleby two years old in such fine form though and his form working out so well it’s hard to look past their runner here. MISCHIEF MAGIC 2 points win @ 10/3 bet365

As in previous years we will be running a tipsters competition for GLORIOUS GOODWOOD, Tuesday 26th July to Saturday 30th July. 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 £60 cash (via PayPal) Runner Up wins £25 and the third place wins £15, all prizes via your PayPal account In addition 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 everyday 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 any prizes All welcome, good luck.

Fantastic run ...and the essence of value betting ....def need more of the that ...keep the ratings up all ....🤩....think that's around +65.00

I think point is you will have losing days ....sometimes I get my ass kicked its part of the game but if your making sensible selections you'll gain some further down the line and slowly it comes back .....most important thing is to have a betting bank so you can ride the waves ....I can't overstate that ..... If you like to bet say 4 or 5 pts each weekend then your bank shoukd be around 80 pts which gives you 4 monthes uninterrupted betting and takes the pressure off .....if you lose .....just come back next week but I say don't be tempted to chase losses that can be a bank buster you have to be strong and disciplined .... Then at the at the end of each month I'll put in my betting "pocket money " this strengthens the bank and if you have the odd winner here and there you'll soon see your bank growing ..before long you can withstand 6 monthes ..8 monthes .... and it makes the whole thing just much more enjoyable ....more like a savings account rather than a betting account ...... You shrug off the bad times ...oh well ....and come back and try next week .....then when the good times come you watch it grow again .....its really important to have that in place though Me personally .....I have a main bank and an emergency bank in case I ever got wiped out but I've never had to access that in all the time I've been betting ....so I put my 30 40 50 whatever you can afford each month .....then let's say you win 200 over 2 to 3 monthes....your 1000 pt bank can now stand at 1600 ...in that situation.....I'll strengthen both banks by 50pts so the 1000pt becomes 1050pt etc ....then take the extra 500 and go put a deposit on a holiday 🤣.... that way racing never seems upsetting ....I never get hassle from the missus because I just hand her money every so often and say let's go on a hol ....and the whole thing just goes round and round ....all it takes is a bit of discipline

Inver Park does the business ....+82.00

Ascot 2.30 We start Royal Ascot with the group one Queen Anne Stakes where William Haggas’s superstar Baaeed has an easy task to take his unbeaten run to eight from eight. He really does look the real deal and I can see him going off a 1/6 chance or even shorter. His recent win at Newbury in the Lockinge has him way ahead of Real World (beaten 3 1/4L), Chindit (5L) and Sir Busker (6 1/4L) and he should have a comfortable victory here under regular rider Jim Crowley. Sit back and enjoy. Ascot 3.05 Seventeen colts go to post for this year’s renewal of the group 2 Coventry Stakes and with the 11th hour defection of Noble Style has the Adrian O’Brien unbeaten Blackbeard and Richard Hannon’s similarly unbeaten Persian Force battling it out for favouritism. Preference of the pair is the latter who has looked a smart prospect winning the Brocklesby at Doncaster and a small field at Newbury. His trainer Richard Hannon has gone in print saying he is comparable to the smart Canford Cliffs whom he trained. He’s the main bet here although one horse who impressed me immensely on his racecourse debut was the Archie Watson trained Bradsell who bolted up at Yorkmon his debut under PJ McDonald who’s replaced today by Hollie Doyle. He is by all accounts held in very high esteem by his trainer and I’ll be backing him each way along with Persian Force. PERSIAN FORCE 2 points win 3/1 William Hill BRADSELL 1 point each way 8/1 bet365 1/5th 12345 Ascot 3.40 A decent sized field of 18 go to post for the group 1 Kings Stand Stakes which has a very international look about it this year with Australian, American, Irish and even a Czech runner alongside the usual British contingent. The top rated here is Australian superstar Nature Strip who has plenty of experience as a seven year old in his native country having won eight group ones. This will be his first run outside of Australia although his work according to his trainer Chris Waller has all gone well having been housed at Charlie Hills’ stable in Lambourn. Drawn 10 gives him options and is a fascinating runner. The market suggests that the American trained Golden Pal will be a big threat. A very fast horse who his trainer Wesley Ward has been talking up in the last week has actually been beaten twice in his ventures to this country and I would favour Aussie Nature Strip who is the main bet. Obviously with the travel involved there is the possibility that both the front two could bomb out and at around 8/11 the pair I will all also be playing one of the others small each way. Tim Easterby’s Winter Power totally blew out on his re-appearance at Haydock behind two of today’s rivals in Kings Lynn and Twilight Calls. He was very easy to back that day and let’s not forget he was a group one winner last season and has to be better than that last run so looks each way value with the extra place. NATURE STRIP 2 points win 5/2 bet365 WINTER POWER 1/2 point each way 20/1 Coral/Ladbroke 1/5th 1234 Ascot 4.20 The group 1 St James Palace Stakes is next up. Run over a mile it’s for three year old colts and has attracted a field of 13. Warm favourite is the Charlie Appleby trained Coroebus who had plenty of these behind him when winning the 2000 Guineas. He’s yet to race around a bend although his trainer feels that may actually suit him and he’s fared well with the draw in stall 2. He’s hard to oppose with William Buick in the saddle. William Haggas saddles a brace in his German 2000 Guineas winner Maljoom and Heron Stakes winner My Prospero with preference for the latter. It will be a shock to me if Coroebus can’t win again. Ascot 5.00 A true stamina test with the 2m 4F Ascot Stakes Handicap featuring twenty potential stayers. The two favourites are trained by trainers more associated with Cheltenham than Royal Ascot with Willie Mullin’s Bring On The Night and Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper. Preference is for the latter who has turned into a smart hurdler since joint Elliott from John Gosden. He’s rated 145 over sticks but only 96 today so may have a bit in hand although like Bring On The Night has to truly prove he stays this stamina sapping trip and with the pair around the 7/4 mark coupled it’s maybe worth looking elsewhere for some each way value especially with the extra places. Another hurdler at a much bigger price who looks well handicapped is Paul Nicholls’ Scaramanga the mount of Hollie Doyle. He has claims but it’s yet another hurdler that catches my eye in the John Queally trained eight year old gelding Arcadian Sunrise. He will stay this trip and there were excuses for his latest credible 4th in the Chester Cup (took a keen hold on his first start for 187 days and may not have been at home on the tight track). At the prices I’ll play him each way with the icing on the cake being the booking of useful 5lb claimer Harry Davies. ARCADIAN SUNRISE 1 point each way 17/2 William Hill 1/5th 12345 Ascot 5.35 A competitive renewal of the listed Wolverton Stakes run over 10F for four year olds and upwards. Last years winner Juan Elcano is back to defend his crown and has definite claims. Bar outsiders Moving Time and Palavechino there is actually only four pound between the other fourteen runners. Plenty hold chances but the one I like is the Andrew Balding trained Foxes Tales although I must admit the widest draw in 16 is a bit of a concern. A Group 3 winner last season at Haydock he misses a penalty for this contest by a couple of week. He’s run well on both outings this season in group 3 company including last time out when 4th to Ilaraab at Newbury with the horse that finished just ahead of him Without A Fight winning well at the weekend. It’s a tough race with bets best kept to a minimum. FOXES TALES 1 point each way 11/1 BetVictor 1/5th 1234 Ascot 6.10 A maximum field of sixteen go to post for this 1m 6F Copper Horse Handicap, a class 2 handicap for four year olds and upwards. Red hot favourite and sure to be thereabouts at the finish is the Aiden O’Brien trained Cleveland who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He came from the back to take the half mile further Chester Cup last time and has been raised 5lb for that victory. He’s yet to encounter ground this fast but is the one to beat. The ground may well ride too fast for the likes of Not So Sleepy and Get Shirty. The Gosden’s run an interesting runner here in Stowell who is making his handicap debut under Frankie Dettori and can be competitive. Charlie Appleby saddles Bandinelli in first time blinkers but he ran so bad last time it’s hard to be too confident about him. A tough handicap but they all have to beat Cleveland who has a touch of class about him and a 5lb rise may not be enough to stop him winning again despite his cramped odds. CLEVELAND 2 points win 3/1 bet365

Makanah 2 25 york 1/5 pt win 22/1 2ND Dakoda gold 2 25 york 1/5 pt win 25/1 WON Highfield princess 3 00 york 1/4 pt win 16/1 WON P/L + 123.25 pts

Sandown 1.50 Sandown brings down the curtain to the 2021/22 NH season with the meeting kicking off with a competitive two mile novices’ handicap hurdle. Knappers Hill bounced back to form in a weak Newton Abbot novice hurdle last week after getting bogged down in the mud at the last Sandown meeting but looks skinny enough under top weight at around the 3/1 mark. Jonjo O’Neill’s Head Law is very progressive and is chasing a four timer today. He’s been shunted up 10lb mind for his latest easy victory in a much lesser contest at Southwell. He has to be on the short list mind. Dr Richard Newland is a particular favourite trainer of mine and he saddles Whizz Kid under Sam Twiston-Davies. He made his handicap debut in a highly competitive handicap hurdle at the National meeting at Aintree and ran with credit when 4th beaten under 3L to Hacker Des Places. He made plenty of the running that day and having won his two previous starts from the front expect Twiston-Davies to ride him positively again today. He’s my idea of the winner. WHIZZ KID 2 points each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5 1234 Haydock 2.05 A dozen handicappers go to battle here for this class 2 7F handicap. Alrehb has yet to race on the turf but is a useful all weather performer who’s won three of his six starts in that discipline. John Butler has his small string in excellent shape currently and has taken over the training of today’s top weight Sir Dancealot. He’ll probably need this, his first run for 634 days but is worth keeping an eye on (especially if backed). Andrew Balding saddles Oo De Lally who won has won when fresh and has been gelded since last seen. He has claims along with Boardman, who is the main play here. He’s fallen down to his last winning handicap mark of 90 and showed up really well on his re-appearance in a Redcar handicap that has already thrown up a winner. He could ideally do with a shower or two although genuine good ground shouldn’t be an Issue and this Tim Easterby trained six year old should be competitive. An outsider I can’t resist a small ew saver on is the veteran Oh This Is Us who is tumbling down the handicap and can actually race today off of his lowest ever handicap mark. Rated as high as 113 in his pomp he now races off of 93 and showed enough in a better contest than this last time to suggest there may still be another race in the nine year old. BOARDMAN 1 point each way @ 4/1 William Hill 1/5 1234 OH THIS IS US 1/4 point each way @ 20/1 bet365 1/5 1234 Sandown 2.25 Only four go to post for the 2m 6F 164yds Grade 2 bet365 Oaksey Chase. The best in on official ratings at these weights is the Paul Nicholls runner Saint Calvados who is a smart chaser who’s yet to really show it for Nicholls in his three starts for the Ditcheat trainer since joining from Harry Whittington at the start of the season. I feel this trip will be ideal for him and he is my idea of the most likely winner. 6lb behind on official ratings is the Henderson runner Mister Fisher who was runner up in this contest last year. He’s more than capable as he shows when winning a four runner Grade 2 contest at Kempton in January but has been well beaten twice since and is extremely inconsistent. Scottish raider Nuts Well will be ridden by champion jockey elect Brian Hughes and is not out of it whilst Erne River was very disappointing at Aintree and has the best part of a stone to find with Saint Calvados on official ratings. SAINT CALVADOS 2 points win @ 9/4 bet365 Leicester 2.45 A disappointing turnout of only three (Edraak was pulled out on Thursday afternoon)go to post for this 7F listed EBF Stallions King Richard lll Stakes. With the Charlie Appleby Godolphin operation in full swing it’s hard not to like their Path Of Thunder who is back from Dubai having run with credit on all three starts over there. Andrew Balding’s Happy Power is officially rated a pound better horse but he’s hard to win with although did run well in a listed contest on the all weather behind Tinker Toy last time out last month. The third member of the field is Clive Cox’s Aratus who was a progressive animal last season winning all three of his starts culminating in a valuable Goodwood handicap in August. He’s been gelded since last seen and looks the biggest threat to Path Of Thunder. PATH OF THUNDER 2 points win @ 5/4 bet365 Sandown 3.00 Five have declared for the 1m 7F 119yds Grade 1 bet365 Celebration Chase and it’s hard to split Greaneteen and Nube Negra at the top of the market. There’s only 2lb between them on official ratings in favour of the latter who’s trained by Dan Skelton. He’s had a 140 day break since finishing 12L behind Greaneteen in the Tingle Creek here in December and will come here a fresh horse. Having won the Tingle Creek Paul Nicholl’s Greaneteen chased home Shishkin at Kempton over Christmas before bombing out at Leopardstown over Christmas. There were excuses for him that day (he came back with a grazed stifle and Bryony Frost raced on what appeared to be the worst of the ground). He beat Altior in this race last year (Sceau Royal well beaten in third) and looks the one to beat today. It’d hard to give the two outsiders Sky Pirate (17lb to find) and Rouge Vif (14lb) chances but Alan King’s Sceau Royal has claims on ground that will suit and only 5lb to find with top rated Nube Negra. Greaneteen comprehensively beat Nube Negra in the Tingle Creek, won this last year in good fashion and must have a winning chance. GREANETEEN 3 points win @ 13/8 William Hill Sandown 3.32 This years bet365 Gold Cup (the Whitbread for us oldies!) is run over 3m 4F 166yds and has attracted a decent sized field of fifteen. Last years race looks the key piece of collateral form with the first three plus the fifth all re-opposing on similar terms. Paul Nicholl’s Enrilo was first past the post that day but was thrown out and the race awarded to Alan King’s Potterman whom he crossed on the run in. Enrilo is a pound better off now and although he appears to have been trained for this race seems short enough in the market at around 7/2. On the other hand Potterman looks overpriced when you consider the conditions will suit and he comes here on the back of a Kelso win. He too has been trained for this and at three times the price of Enrilo is the main selection here. Staying handicap maestro Christian Williams saddles three including last years 3rd and 5th Kitty’s Light and Cap Du Nord and Scottish National winner Win My Wings. The latter was ultra impressive last time but it’s hard to do the double and he’s been raised a stone for that victory. There’s a stamina doubt about Dan Skelton’s Flegmatik who arrives chasing a hat trick whilst the best handicapped horse in the field is probably Philip Hobb’s Musical Slave who has no penalty to carry for his Haydock win so is 7lb well in here. The problem with him is the drying ground and he’s unproven at the longer trip. The best outsider may well be the John Joseph Hanlon raider Hewick. He sounded quite bullish on RacingTV in the week when discussing his chances stating that the faster the ground the better (forget his last run in the Midlands National where he didn’t go a tap on soft ground). From a point of value it’s Potterman for me with a small each way saver on Hewick. POTTERMAN 1 point each way 12/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 HEWICK 1/4 point each way @ 25/1 bet365 1/5 1234

Sandown 1.20 Ten runners go to post for this class 2 5F handicap for three year olds. A close eye on the market is recommended with seven of the ten making their seasonal re-appearances. Top weight Korker has been gelded since we last saw him when runner up in a soft ground York nursery in October. Martyn Meade’s Auditor is making his handicap debut having bolted up in a Windsor maiden last July. Off since, he’s a player if straight enough today. Shanko is making his turf debut but arrives in good form having finished a close second at Kempton in February. This is wide open and slight preference is for the Stuart Williams trained Shanko who has fitness on his side. SHANKO 1 point each way @ 9/2 William Hill 1/5th 1234 Sandown 1.50 The Esher Cup, a handicap run over a mile, has thrown up some smart winners over the years and has attracted ten runners this season. The way the Charlie Appleby Godolphin three year olds have been performing this season you have to have a very close look at their representative Blue Trail here. A Dante entry he’s making his handicap debut here although he was disappointing last time out when only 4th at Chelmsford with one of todays rivals, the John and Thady Gosden trained Find 4 1/4L ahead of him and only a pound better off now. Top weight is the Richard Hughes trained Ring Of Beara who’s also making his handicap debut having last been seen running 5th of 6 in a Group 3 last Autumn. Wanees is another making his handicap debut having won at Ascot and Salisbury last September over 7F. He’s an interesting runner for the in form Charlie Hills team. With half of the field making their seasonal re-appearance a close eye on the market exchanges is recommended and in a tight contest the selection is the all conquering Appleby runner Blue Trail. BLUE TRAIL 2 points win @ 7/2 Coral Perth 2.05 Only 5 go to post (possibly 4 if Malangen who ran at Perth on Thursday doesn’t go) for this class 3 two mile handicap hurdle where the hot favourite Platinumcard looks a solid bet especially at evens or bigger. A smart flat horse for Keith Dagleish who won four times last season and is currently rated 99 was subsequently sold to Gordon Elliott who exploited his low handicap mark over hurdles when winning cosily at Ayr in April when Elliott’s horses were out of form. He’s been raised 7lb for that victory to 111 but if he’s to mirror his flat ratings he could be miles ahead still of the handicapper and is the days best bet with Sean Bowen, who rode a double for Elliott on day one of the Perth Festival on board. Elliott also saddles top weight Eclair De Beaufeu who although keeping good company hasn’t shown anything of note since last August. Parisencore is in good form and can chase the selection home but this is all about Platinumcard and he’s a strong fancy. PLATINUMCARD 4 points win @ 10/11 Coral Sandown 2.25 A disappointing turnout for the bet365 group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes with last October’s Group 3 Darley Stakes winner Mostahdaf the one to beat. He has won five of his six career starts including first time out for the past two seasons so fitness shouldn’t really be an issue here. It has to be said though that the Gosden bandwagon is not in full swing as yet but they have been having winners and he’ll be hard to beat although has been priced accordingly. On official ratings mind there’s only a pound between the three runners with Kevin Ryan’s Juan Elcano the highest rated at today’s weights. He has a head second in a Group 2 to his name at York last July and like his two rivals has an absence to overcome. The third member of the field is Andrew Balding’s Foxes Tales who was a Group 3 winner last August missing out on a penalty here by a few weeks. It may not be the cakewalk that the market suggests but I do expect Mostahdaf to oblige with Jim Crowley riding for the Shadwell Stud. Perth 2.40 The William Hill Highland National Handicap Chase is run over 3m 6 1/2F with stamina obviously at the premium. Many hold chances in this fifteen strong field. Top weight Poppa Poutine is the youngest in the field at six and Nigel Twiston-Davies’s geldings form ties in closely with Tom George’s Oscar Robertson and Seamus Mullins’s I See You Will. Ireland send over a trio of challengers with the most interesting being the Paul Stafford trained eleven year old Dubai Devils who will have no problem with today’s trip having won at Hexham last time out over four miles from a subsequent winner. The one that takes my eye though is the Tjade Collier trained Ladronne who is trying this long trip for the first time. He certainly wasn’t stopping when a comfortable winner at Newcastle over three miles last time and has had a his wind tinkered with since and wears a first time tongue tie today. Sean Quinlan rides again and in a race that looks wide open he’s worth a small each way interest. LADRONNE 1 point each way @ 9/1 William Hill 1/5th 12345 Sandown 3.00 The one mile bet365 Mile is a Group 2 contest and features a short priced favourite in the Andrew Balding filly Alcohol Free who is making her seasonal re-appearance here. She has won first time out the last two seasons so hopefully fitness won’t be an excuse and as a dual Group 1 winner last Summer is officially 12lb and upwards ahead of her rivals today. As her Group success’s were earlier in last season’s campaign she escapes any penalty here and it’s hard to look beyond her here if she’s straight enough. Lincoln winner Johan and recent Thirsk winner Mutasaabeq (Rhoscolyn held) have fitness on their side but hardly look good enough whilst the Gosden runner Sunray Major is taking a hike up in class to tackle these today. She’s no sort of price but I fully expect Alcohol Free to win and from a punting view is worth doubling up with Platinumcard in the 2.05 Perth contest. ALCOHOL FREE & PLATINUMCARD 2 points win double 5/6 & 4/5 William Hill Sandown 3.35 Six go to post for this year’s renewal of the bet365 Classic Trial, a Group 3 contest run over 10F and a race which can thrown up a classic winner. Warm favourite, not surprisingly, is the Charlie Appleby trained Goldpur who is the form horse here on his third in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last October on very soft ground. Conditions will be very different today but with Appleby winning all the 3 year old trials so far ( bar the Greenham) must go well although he is priced accordingly. John and Thady Gosden saddle an interesting pair in Crackman’s full brother Frantaatic, a winner of a Newcastle novice stakes contest last October that hasn’t worked out and Franz Strauss, owned by Godolphin and winner of a similar contest which has worked out much better than his stablemate and was run in a faster time. Preference of the pair is for the latter. David Simcock’s Cash looked a decent prospect when winning a Newmarket maiden last October and is another with a chance. The most interesting runner however is maybe the Aidan O’Brien runner River Thames, a winner of a Punchestown maiden last September and who was spoken highly of in a recent Racing Post trainer file. He missed the Ballysax with a bruised foot and should be competitive here today. A tough race where the market will be very informative. I want to take on the favourite and with Betfred and Skybet paying three places will go with Franz Strauss each way. FRANZ STRAUSS 1 point each way @ 11/1 Betfred 1/5th 123

Speed figures for today 132 muss value theory 7/1 225 newb symphony perfect 16/1 300 newb perfect power 7/4 520 newb Valsad 11/1 last month i highlighted a horse that ran at maydan in a race in which was won by Manobo in an incredible time, the horse in question was 6l back in forth at 66/1 stepped up in trip, after the race i highlighted it on here and recomended it be backed if not at meydan but when it returns to these shores. the horse runs today 314 Musselburgh at a nice price of 10/1 ENEMY wins easily, nothing is better than watching and noting races

Kempton 1.15 Only 8 go to post for this 2m 4 1/2F handicap chase. It has an open feel about it with Dan Skelton’s Flegmatik heading the weights. He’s up 7lb for he is recent win and also dropping half a mile which doesn’t look ideal. Also at the head of the market is the Nicky Henderson trained Patroclus who came good last time on his second start over fences and a 3lb rise looks lenient enough. James Bowen rides with stable jockey Nico De Boinville on Neil The Legend. In an open race it’s the Alan King runner Deyraan De Carjac that appeals the most to me. The drier the ground the better for this nine year old who has dropped the best part of a stone for his last six starts and this represents a drop in class. Tom Cannon is in the saddle. DEYRANN DE CARJAC 1 point win @ 9/2 William Hill Lingfield 1.30 Only six assemble for this 5F listed contest, the Hever Sprint Stakes. Best in at these weights is Exlated Angel by 2lb from Lord Riddiford , Mondammej and Tone The Barone. All four have claims but I’m going to take a chance with a horse that on figures shouldn’t have any chance. Alice Haynes has done amazing work with Strong Power in turning his form right around and winning three handicaps over course and distance in January in the space of 9 days. He actually broke the 5F track record here on the second of those wins and may have more to come. It goes against the grain to be honest to back a horse that has 17lb to find with the highest rated here but with his usual partner Kieran O’Neill in the saddle can prove the weights and measures followers wrong! STRONG POWER 1 point win @ 9/1 Bet365 Kempton 1.50 A decent enough turnout of eleven for this years renewal of the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle with maybe the last chance that someone can throw their hat into the ring for the Triumph Hurdle in three weeks time. Tritonic was impressive in the race last year before going off to the Triumph as the third favourite. Pleasant Man is the one who could cause some ripples in the Triumph betting if taking to the winter game. Owned by Tritonic’s owners, the McNeill family, he’s in the capable hands of Paul Nicholls, who’s had joy in the race before. A 95 rated flat performer when trained by Roger Charlton he was sold at the horses in training sales for 175,000 guineas. Nicholls also saddles another newcomer in Rubaud, an ex French flat performer who will be ridden here by Bryony Frost who rides plenty for his owner Chris Giles. Penalised 5lb for recent wins are Nicky Henderson’s Impulsive One and Milton Harris’s Knight Salute. It’s the latter that make the most appeal here. Unbeaten in four starts over hurdles including two grade two’s his trainer was talking him up in the trade press on Friday and his form looks rock solid having beaten subsequent impressive winner Porticello at Doncaster when last seen in December. Given a small break since and aimed at this contest he should appreciate the drying ground and looks a decent bet. KNIGHT SALUTE 3 points win @ 2/1 Bet365 Lingfield 2.05 Eight go to post for this year’s Winter Derby run over 10F. Lord North is a 123 rated flat horse who we haven’t seen since winning the Dubai Turf at Meydan last March. Without a doubt he’s the class horse and if bringing his A game should win but I’m not prepared to take around Even money about a horse we haven’t seen for a year who’s being prepared for bigger targets later in the year. Second favourite Alenquer is rated only 8lb inferior to Lord North and was last seen when 9th in the Arc De Triomphe in October. A genuine Group one horse he should be thereabouts although there is a nagging doubt that he may well be better over 12F. Fancy Man won the Derby Trial over course and distance earlier in the month from King Of The South (with Al Zaraqaan back in 4th). He should confirm that form with that pair but needs to step up again to worry the front two. With the dead eight currently I’m going to take a chance on the favourites stable mate Forest Of Dean who won this race last year and will be ridden by Kieran O’Neill. The vibes are that the Clarehaven stable expect him to run well and I’ll play him each way and a forecast Lord North to beat his stable mate for a Gosden 1-2. FOREST OF DEAN 1 point each way 12/1 1/5 123 Bet365 LORD NORTH to beat FOREST OF DEAN 1 point straight forecast Kempton 2.25 A small but select field of five go to post for the Pendil Novices’ Chase, a grade two contest run over 2m 4 1/2F. All bar rank outsider Goa Lil have some sort of chance. I’m happy to take on the penalised pair of Minella Drama who’s come down from Donald McCain’s stable having won a grade 2 last time out at Haydock and Paul Nicholl’s Pic D’Orhy who flopped last time out in the Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown (although the trainer’s horses were running well below par at the time). Nicky Henderson saddles Fantastic Lady who as the only mare in the race receives a valuable 7lb sex allowance and although she will need to step up, having only won handicaps on her last two starts, can well here. But the one I like is the Alex Hales trained Millers Bank. A decent hurdler who finished third in a grade one at Aintree last Spring, he’s had the misfortune to unseat his rider Harry Bannister on both of his last two starts. He’s worth another chance with Kieran Woods taking over and is maybe a bit of value in a tricky contest. MILLERS BANK 1 point win @ 9/2 William Hill Kempton 3.00 The dead eight hopefully go to post for the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, a grade 2 contest run over 2 miles. Gary Moore’s Shallwehaveonemore has been well supported throughout the week having being as big as 5/1 at one point. He’s now around the Even money mark and although he’s a progressive type who could easily win this represents scant value at his current odds so with hopefully all 8 running I’ll be looking to take him on with Paul Nicholls’ Iceo. He impressed in a fast time on his British/Nicholls debut over course and distance at Christmas when coasting home to win by 17L but was major disappointment next time out at Cheltenham when racing too freely. Whether that poor run was down to the track or even that the yard were badly out if form I’m not sure but if he came here straight from his British debut win he would near enough be pushing for favouritism. Yes he does have questions to answer now but if Harry Cobden can get him to settle he could be good each way value. ICEO 1 1/2 points each way @ 6/1 1/5 123 888Sport Newcastle 3.15 A bumper turnout of seventeen for this years renewal of the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase which is run over 4M 1 1/2F. With conditions on the easy side this will, as always be a test of stamina. Eclair Surf is top of my short list having bolted up in the Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick last month. The further he went the further he went away and despite a 10lb rise should appreciate the extra half a mile today for the in form Emma Lavelle stable. Irish traveller History Of Fashion has to be taken seriously for trainer Peter Fahy but has yet to race beyond three miles so stamina is not guaranteed. The same can be said about the lightly raced Danilo D’Airy from the Robert Bevis yard. Lake View Lad is on a nice mark and with a decent course record shouldn’t be dismissed over a trip which suits. ECLAIR SURF 1 point each way @ 7/1 1/5th 12345 Bet365 LAKE VIEW LAD 1/2 point each way @ 20/1 1/5 123456 Paddy Power Kempton 3.37 The three mile handicap chase has been run under many different guises over the years but Coral have ploughed money into the race and this years renewal looks a competitive affair. A case can be made for many with Christian Williams throwing three at the race. Cap Du Nord carry’s bottom weight and has tumbled down the handicap to such an extent that the nine year old can race here off of a mark 15lb lower than when 5th last year. Jack Tudor takes a further 3lb off and he’s on my short list. Williams’ other runners aren’t without chances in Five Star Getaway, a course and distance winner here over Christmas under Nick Schofield (who retains the ride today) and Kitty’s Light who’s coming down the handicap also. Current favourite is Annsam who beat the subsequent winner Phoenix Way by 4 1/4L at Ascot when last seen in December and the second re-opposes here on identical terms having won at Ascot himself since. A case can literally be made for all the fourteen runners but I’ll take a chance on Cap Du Nord who looks to be on a winning mark. CAP DU NORD 1 point each way @ 7/1 Betfred 1/5th 12345

Got sucked into this 220 race out of sheer curiosity ...nnooo Farclas 8.8 18/1 Lifetime ambition 8.5 10/1 The big dog 8.3 Coko beach 8.2 Regina draconis 8.0 Given Elliott record in race I'd be crazy not to back top rated at that price ....may be the fav surprises everyone and wins but looks zero value to me ....I'll try 5pt ew top 2 ....and half point forecasts top 4

3/5 today with winners at 9/1 11/1 12/1 150 points profit P/L jump season start date 8th October 2022 + 78.17

Putting this one up early it may well drift but covered by BOG & have 6Places November Handicap 3.13 Doncaster - I really fancy 2020 winner to run a big race in this again ground no issue not been in wonderful form hence the price & is 2 years old now but carrying 7lb less decent jockey on top, Alan Kings horse are in resonable form a big e/w shout to ON TO VICTORY 20/1 Bet365 is my call. Best Of Luck fellow punters.

I am really keen on Rose Of Arcadia in the 2.35 at Chepstow tomorrow. She is a horse the yard have always thought a fair bit off, but she lost her way over fences last year after showing fair ability over hurdles. She went off favourite for the G2 Novices' Mares' Hurdle at Newbury last March, but looked in need of more of a stamina test when finishing 5th, something she will get tomorrow. She made a good return when 3rd in a Class 2 handicap at Wincanton in November, but then went over fences at Cheltenham and Wincanton and she struggled and made mistakes at the former. The Tizzards then sent her pointing for Freddie Gingell to ride and she well and truly got her confidence back. She bolted up by 30L at Badbury Rings in February and then a couple of weeks later beat Silsol by 6L at Charlton Horethorne. Silsol is no slouch and the time was quick as well. Both of those efforts suggest to me that a mark of 113 is lenient and we have Freddie taking 7lbs off as well which is an extra bonus. 3m clearly suits and as long as she is fit and ready then she ought to win this. Mind Sunday has gone to Sam Thomas and he has proven he can improve them even when getting them for Nicky Henderson's yard although she would need to show more than she did for him, but I am wary. Gentle Connections will find this easier than the Persian War last time, but she only won 4 weak races and nothing worries me out of the others. She's only 6/4, but I do think she should be shorter so she rates a confident selection and it wouldn't surprise me if she started odds on. Rose Of Arcadia @ 6/4 with Bet365

The Curragh 1.35 A small but select field of seven go to post for the Group 2 Beresford Stakes to be run over a mile for two year olds. Aidan O’Brien has an exceptional record in the race and saddles Adelaide River and Continuous here. With Ryan Moore at Newmarket Wayne Lordan comes in for the ride on Adelaide River and looks the most likeliest winner. A winner on the all weather at Dundalk on his racecourse debut he stepped up from that effort when runner up at Longchamp a month later. ADELAIDE RIVER 1 point win @ 7/4 bet365 Newmarket 1.50 A small field of only four go to post for the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes run over a mile and it’s impossible to oppose the warm favourite Flying Honours trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick. He should win comfortably and it’s a no bet race for me. Haydock 2.05 A one mile class 2 handicap is next and with the ground appearing to be on the slow side I’ll be looking for horses that enjoy getting their toe in. William Haggas’s Montassib won’t mind any cut in the ground and wasn’t given the best of rides I thought at the Shergar Cup. He’s worth a saver with my main bet being on the Charlie Hills trained, Shadwell Stud owned Wanees. He looked a horse to follow when winning the Esher Cup at Sandown on his re-appearance back in April and wasn’t disgraced when 6th in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot 55 days later. He may not have stayed when upped to 10F at Goodwood when running too bad to be true and now gelded is worth another chance to prove his ability. He won on soft ground as a two year old and looks good each way value. WANEES 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet 365 1/5th 1234 MONTASSIB 1 point win @ 9/2 bet365 Newmarket 2.25 The Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group one contest for two year old fillies and is run over 6F of the Rowley Mile course. Aidan O’Brien brings over Meditate who bumped into a smart one last time out but must have a big chance here. Her main danger is the Richard Hannon trained Flying Childers winner Trillium who’s chasing a four timer. They look the pair to concentrate on with slight preference for the Irish raider who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. MEDITATE 2 points win @ 9/4 BetVictor Haydock 2.40 A sixteen runner 5F sprint class 2 handicap which has as one would expect an open look about it. Equality ran well at Windsor last time when well backed and was possibly a tad unlucky not to win. He’s been raised 4lb for that effort but makes the short list here. Count D’Orsay bounced back to form on soft ground in the Portland Handicap last time when third beaten a length and a half by Chipstead and although he’s been shunted up 3lb for that effort is still on a winnable mark. Those two are my pair against the field and I’ll Dutch the pair just win only. COUNT D’ORSAY 1 point win @ 7/1 bet365 EQUALITY 1 point win @ 5/1 bet365 Newmarket 3.00 Next up is the Middle Park Stakes a Group 1 contest for two year old colts run over 6F. Aidan O’Brien’s Blackbeard sets the standard with an official rating of 115 which is 2lb superior to Karl Burke’s Marshman who was runner up in the Gimcrack to Godolphin’s Noble Style. Godolphin saddle their improving Mischief Magic who’s steadily progressed throughout the season and might be the value bet here under William Buick. MISCHIEF MAGIC 1 point win @ 7/2 bet365 Curragh 3.20 The 7F Goffs Million is a sales race for two year olds with prize money of 1.2 million euros. Ger Lyons’ Hellsing looks the one to beat having already won two of his three starts here over 6F and a listed contest at Tipperary over 7 1/2F in August. He sets the standard with those efforts and it’s interesting that his sharp trainer stated after he won his maiden here in May that ‘he was bought with the Goffs Million in mind’, so has no doubt been trained with this race in mind. The best of the English visitors (there’s ten of them) may well be Edward Bethell’s Oviedo who was third beaten 3 3/4L to Chaldean in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York’s Ebor fixture. HELLSING 2 points win @ 3/1 William Hill Newmarket 3.40 A bumper field of 29 go to post for this year’s renewal of the Cambridgeshire handicap run over 9F of the Rowley Mile course. William Haggas saddles a brace of fancied runners in the favourite Mujtaba who impressed when winning here 17 days ago for which he carries a 4lb penalty but actually goes up 7lb in future handicaps so is 3lb well in. Any rain that falls will suit him. Protagonist is the other Haggas runner who arrives in decent form chasing a hat trick and also has claims. There are many others with chances including Roger Varian’s Kitsune Power who sports first time cheek pieces and Sean Woods’ Savvy Victory and it’s the latter that appeals to me most. His form ties in with Protaganist and with Ryan Moore on board he’s the selection here with a small saver on Kitsune Power. SAVVY VICTORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 KITSUNE POWER 1/2 point each way @ 16/1 BetVictor 1/5th 123456

Good morning, I'm new here. I hope I can contribute to the racing side of the forum. I tend to post selections at the post, ie in the minutes leading up to the off. I don't know how that will sit on here. I regularly post on the racing forum and have done for the last twenty years or so. I like all types of racing, flat all weather and the jumps. Like everyone else I think I've got an angle on racing that is quite unique. I won't set the world on fire but hopefully will put up one or two winners in the weeks to come. I will definitely NOT show a profit anytime soon.

York 1.50 A field of eight go to post for the 1m 177 yards group 3 Strensall Stakes with a split of four three year olds and four older horses. Favourite and for me the most likely winner is the John and Thady Gosden trained Mighty Ulysses who followed up an excellent 5th beaten under a length in the group one St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot by winning a listed contest at Newmarket’s July course from Owen Burrows Alflaila who re-opposes here on identical terms. The latter has come on from that effort to win a listed contest at Pontefract and is maybe the one to chase Frankie Dettori’s mount home. Of the older horses William Haggas’s Bashkirova has to carry a 3lb penalty with Cadillac maybe the best of the older brigade but this is all about the Gosden - Dettori runner Mighty Ulysses. MIGHTY ULYSSES 2 points win @ 6/4 William Hill Sandown 2.05 Eleven go to post for the one mile group 3 Atalanta Stakes for fillies and mares. Three of the twelve are three year olds and that’s where I’m looking for the winner. John and Thady Gosden saddle the likely favourite following the eleventh hour defection of the highly promising Laurel who would of been the selection here. In her absence Grande Dame who looked good winning a listed contest over course and distance 7 weeks ago holds every chance. The best of the older brigade may be Kevin Ryan’s Fonteyn who’s form ties in with Grande Dame. GRANDE DAME 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365 York 2.25 A smaller than usual turnout for the Melrose Handicap run over the Ebor trip of 1m 5F 188 yards for three year olds only. It has a very open looks about it with several holding chances. Charlie Hill’s Inverness and William Haggas’s Soulcombe were third and fourth respectively in a decent 12F handicap at Goodwood last time where a head split the pair. The latter was a real eye catcher and I expect him to turn the tables on Inverness although why there is such a big price discrepancy between the pair is beyond me. Charlie Appleby’s top weight Wild Crusade should be suited by this longer trip and was put up 9lb for his three runner handicap victory at Ascot with the runner up winning a decent race since to boost the form. Appleby also saddles handicap debutant Al Nafir with Frankie Dettori in the saddle stepping up half a mile. Andrew Balding has won this contest the last two years and saddles Soul Stopper who’s chasing a hat trick of victories and despite a 8lb rise for his latest win at Chester is not out of this. A tough race but I’ll go for Wild Crusade each way with the extra places to give Appleby and Buick a welcome winner. WILD CRUSADE 1 point each way 6/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 Sandown 2.40 Only seven have declared for this group 3 Solario Stakes run over 7F for two year olds. All seven have a chance of sorts with Peter Chapple-Hyams’s Defence Of Fort impressing when winning nicely on his debut at Ascot six weeks ago (2nd and 3rd beaten since though 4th won nursery here on Thursday). William Haggas’s Desert Hero also looked smart when winning at Haydock 51 days ago but that was on soft ground so he’ll be facing a totally different terrain today. I was impressed by Andrew Balding’s The Foxes when he won at Goodwood and his trainer spoke highly of him afterwards. He looks a bit overpriced. Alice Haynes’ Lady Bullet hasn’t been seen since finishing 6th in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and is yet another with a chance whilst the Godolphin runner Silver Knott looked good when landing the odds at Kempton earlier this month with his debut 4th to Chaldean when an 11/10 favourite looking even better now following that one’s win in the Acomb earlier this week. He’s the selection in a tough heat. SILVER KNOTT 2 points win @ 7/2 bet365 York 3.00 A field of ten go to post for the group 2 City Of York Stakes run over 7F and this year has a wide open look about it. The key piece of form to look at for this race is the Lennox Stakes from Goodwood 25 days ago, Andrew Balding’s Sandrine came late to beat Kinross a neck on the line with Pogo (disappointed since) a further short head away in third and William Haggas’s Sacred a further one and a half lengths back in fifth. Sandrine is 3lb worse off with the trio that finished close up behind her that day and maybe Kinross will come out best of that group although he’s a horse that has always preferred to get his toe in so could do with some rain. Hugo Palmer’s Brad The Brief is actually the highest rated of the the ten and shouldn’t be discounted whilst it’s the David Evan’s trained Rohaan that I’ll be playing here. He’s been consistent on his last three starts in top class sprints winning the Wokingham at Ascot off of top weight for the second year in a row, a decent 4th (beaten 1 3/4L) to Minzaal in a group 3 at Newbury and an excellent running on 4th (beaten a length) in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. The question with him is whether he will be as effective at 7F as he is at 6F but the latter contest was 6 1/2F and he was finishing strongly so I’ll take a chance that Adam Kirby can time it and he’s the selection. ROHAAN 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 123 York 3.35 A maximum field of twenty two assemble for the meeting’s feature handicap - the Sky Bet Ebor which is worth a guaranteed half a million pounds. Run over just short of 1m 6F you need to be a group horse to win it. My ante post synopsis from when the weights came can be seen here -Both my selections then have made the race but unfortunately both have been given shocking draws - Get Shirty in stall 24 and Okita Soushi in stall 22. I do expect both to run well but you need everything in your favour and that won’t help although Muntahaa did win from stall 21 in 2018 so maybe not all’s lost. As you would expect many have chances and I can’t resist small each way wagers (with enhanced places) on Ian William’s Alfred Boucher who crept into the race having won comfortably here on Wednesday and if none the worse can run well under a 4lb penalty and Earl Of Tyrone for the Irish trainer Paddy Twomey who’s on a four timer and appears to have been laid out for this. Both are drawn next to each other in stalls 8 and 9. There’s plenty of others with decent chances including the William Haggas pair Candleford and Gaasse with Tom Marquand seemingly surprisingly picking the former. Irish trainers have won two of the last three renewals and the most unexposed in the field is Ger Lyons’ Licence who can also run well from a wide draw. Advised ante-post : GET SHIRTY 1 point each way @ 16/1 1/4 1/4 1234 OKITA SOUSHI 1 point each way @ 18/1 1/4 1234 EARL OF TYRONE 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 ALFRED BOUCHER 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 123456 York 4.10 A very competitive maximum field of twenty go to post for this 6F heritage handicap. Plenty of these ran in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood three weeks ago which was won by Michael Dods’ Comanche Falls (up 6lb today) by a short head from Archie Watson’s Tabdeed (up 5lb) with the well backed Edward Bethell trained Regional (up 3lb) 1 1/2L back in third. Swedish raider Good Eye was a neck away in 4th though was beaten here earlier in the week with Tinto 5th, Summerghand (down 3lb) 9th and Mr Magyu (down 2lb) in 10th. I wouldn’t be surprised if Summerghand came out the best of those as he’s had little luck this season including when badly drawn in the Great St Wilfrid since (won his small group of 4 on the far side when all the action was on the near side). A tough handicap where I’ll take Regional and Summerghand against the field to small stakes each way with enhanced places. SUMMERGHAND 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 123456 REGIONAL 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 123456

Results update from system selections above - top two rated in handicaps Ayr 1.48 - Ayr Poet 132 (WON 5/2) City of Life 127 Ayr 2.18 - Water of Leith 140 (WON Evs) Earn Your Stripes 116 Ayr 2.48 - Glasses Up 147, White Willow 142, Whats The Story 142 (WON 11/8) Ayr 3.18 - One Last Hug 134 (2nd), Milliemix 131 Rip 2.25 - Dream Deal 129, Bonita B 127 (WON 3/1) Rip 2.55 - Storm Chaser 145, Lord Caprio 133 (WON 16/1) Rip 3.25 - Joint top - Dakota Gold 165 (2nd), Chairmanoftheboard 165 (3rd) Rip 3.55 - Gainsbourg 158, Cosmos Raj 132 (WON 8/1) Rip 5.00 - Bit of a Quirke 135, Spantik 133 (2nd) Have to say that is a pretty good day !

Knowing how we love to come up with ratings systems I've thought of a new one using the Racing Post It's very simple ...... you add together 2 figures from the race card ....... the RPR and the Trainers RTF RPR is the Post's form figure for the horse ...... RTF is the trainer form figure, ie to what extent are his horses currently running up to their form So the rating is trying to answer the question ...... how good is the horse and how likely is it that he'll run up to his level Of course it takes no account of trip, going, track suitability but if you're concerned about all that you might as well just do your hours of form study ...... the idea here is that it's quick and simple, based on horses class and trainer form and introduces an element of randomness and whatever the opposite of subjectivity is. So hopefully it'll throw up some of those random looking winners that you probably wouldn't pick if you were studying form Trial Run at Chester ..... number of selections based on field size and EW places 1.50 - Pink Stripes 177, Kiss N Cuddle 142 2.20 - Endeared 158, Utilis 157, Zephina 147 2.55 - Princess Shabnam 192, Ventura Diamond166 3.30 - Yanifer 199, Paws for Thought 156, Sweeping 155 4.00 - Rogue Spirit 177, Rock of England 172 4.30 - Mythical 166, Midraar 157, Wynter Wildes 142 5.00 - Cormier 153, Wots The Wifi Code 135, Golden Melody 133 I'll update results later

Well let's have a final good blast win or lose ....rather than rate 3 races I'll just go big on 1 Stewards cup Pop master 9.0 11/1 8 places Regional 8.9 14/1 7places Gulliver 8.7 16/1 8places Great ambassador 8.3 Chil chil 8.3 Inver Park 8.1 Above 8.0 Seems my top 2 are same as brigadier picks and usually when that happens they run really well .....I'll try 10pt ew top 3 and try finish with a bang

2nd .......cracking days racing ....can't complain at all ....had some great runs and near misses .. finished at 65.00 clear profit on the day after replenishing betting bank ...I'll take that any day

Time restricted again today and will be having some sherry later and cooking fillet steak for my wife. It is our 41st Wedding Anniversary 1.35 Worc Pencreek 1 pt win at 5/1 and 0.5 saver bet on Texard at 3/1 Back later, hopefully

I totally agree. I have increased my stake gradually from £2 up to £100 over the last 7 years or so but only increase my stakes when my cumulative profits have increased. Meticulous record keeping is essential. There are bad periods, I made a loss in the 7 months to February. When I have made a certain amount I give 40% of it to my children, 40% to charity and 20% to treat myself. That way I don't feel so guilty about spending so much time on gambling.

Two winners and two places today. The winners at 6/1 (10p R4) and 7/1 (5p R4) - a healthy profit of just over 20 points. Roll on Royal Ascot.

Cheltenham 1.30 One of two races shown by ITV from Cheltenham this afternoon is this 2m 4F 56yds handicap hurdle which has attracted 9 runners. The drying ground is not certain to suit Evan Williams’ Bold Plan who’s chasing a hat trick and he’s opposable. Nicky Henderson’s horse’s remain in excellent form and his contender Captain Morgs is maybe the one to be with here. He’s been given a 100 day break presumably to avoid the boggy winter ground and if able to reproduce his Ascot win from November on good ground off of a 6lb lower mark should go close today. Forget his last run as he was bogged down in the Kempton mud over Christmas. Ben Pauling’s bottom weight Whatsupwithyou had his form boosted at the weekend by the success of Neon Moon whom he beat at Fontwell last time and along with Romeo Brown who also won last time in a similar grade of race on good ground look the dangers in an open looking contest. CAPTAIN MORGS 1 1/2 point each way @ 13/2 Bet365 1/5 123 Newmarket 1.50 Thirteen sprinters go to post for this three year old 6F handicap, a race that is always worth following going forwards. The likely favourite is the easy Pontefract winner from last week Pocket The Profit who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. That was soft ground though and he will have to prove his effectiveness on this sounder surface but he looks a sprinter going places and his trainer George Boughey was talking him up in a Attheraces stable file earlier this week. Six of the thirteen are making their handicap debuts amongst them the Gosden runner Tolstoy and the gelded Dig Two who has been gelded and had a wind operation since we last saw him. Martyn Meade trains Object who was heavily backed when winning at Kempton last November on his handicap debut. He’s been raised 6lb for that win and looks a possible danger to my selection. POCKET THE PROFIT 2 points win @ 7/2 Boylesports Cheltenham 2.05 A 2m 4 1/2F grade 2 handicap chase is next up with eight declared to run. A case can be made for all eight with course specialist (4 wins from 13 starts) Coole Cody arguably the one they all have to beat following on from his victory at the big meeting in the Plate Handicap. He is however 7lb higher here which gives rival Stolen Silver who was beaten 8 1/4L in that race and now 8lb better off a definite chance of exacting revenge. Both have solid chances but the one I like is the Emma Lavelle trained Manofthemoment who relishes a good ground surface as he showed when winning this contest by 4 1/2L a year ago off of a 5lb lower mark. He may have just needed his latest run when well beaten and he can give Lavelle something to smile about after losing Eclair Surf in the Grand National at the weekend. MANOFTHEMOMENT 2 points each way @ 11/2 William Hill 1/5 123 Newmarket 2.25 Thirteen unraced three year olds go to post for this year’s Wood Ditton maiden stakes run over a mile - a race that is worth watching over and over as there will be no doubt be countless winners to come out of this contest. The market will no doubt be very informative with the likes of the well bred Gosden Dubawi colt Francesco Clemente and Charlie Appleby Dubawi colt Secret State (dam was first past the post in the 1000 Guineas) top of the list. Appleby also saddles State Event a well bred Shamardal colt ridden by James Doyle. The vibes seem pretty strong on the Gosden runner and I’ll take him to small stakes to win. FRANCESCO CLEMENTE 1 point win @ 9/2 Bet365 Newmarket 3.00 This year’s 6F Group 3 Abernant Stakes features a smart three year old for a change. Ebro River is the highest rated of the eight runners having won three times as a juvenile including the group 1 Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh in August. He escapes a penalty for this by a few weeks and is without doubt the one to beat for Hugo Palmer and Jamie Spencer. He has been well found in the market however at around the 7/4 mark and if all eight run I’m happy to look elsewhere for some each way value. Garrus will no doubt be straighter for his recent Doncaster spin for the in form Charlie Hills team whilst Jumby is two from three at the track and has the assistance of William Buick. Bellosa is dropping in trip and is another possible but it’s the Chris Wall trained five year old Double Or Bubble that catches my eye. The mare has won first time out the last two seasons including when taking the 7F handicap apart at this very meeting last season. She’s dropping in trip here but showed at Pontefract in a listed contest last August over 6F that she has the pace for this and represents each way value with regular pilot Jack Mitchell doing the steering. DOUBLE OR BUBBLE 1 1/2 points each way @ 7/1 Bet365 1/5 123 Newmarket 3.35 This is all about the re-appearance of champion two year old Native Trail, trained at Moultons Paddocks in Newmarket by Charlie Appleby for their Godolphin operation. Unbeaten as a juvenile in four starts in maiden, group 2 and two group ones - the National Stakes at The Curragh and Dewhurst over 7F of this course. He arrives with no penalties for those wins and the vibes are that he’s trained on well and will be very hard to beat in this the Craven Stakes run over a mile. His six opponents have shown nowhere near his two year old form with the likes of Al Mubhir, Star Of India and Claymore all having won maidens last season on their sole starts. A race to watch and enjoy which should be going to Native Trail.

Winner has been in top 2 rated in every race ....184pts returned ...114pts profit day 1 ....cmon