MCLARKE

5yo selections, final day
Lucky 15 in bold
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Newbury 12.10 Heure De Gloire 10/1 Punchestown 12.15 From The Ashes 50/1 Punchestown 12.47 Stumptown 4/1 Lingfield 2.05 Tyger Bay 11/2 Uttoxeter 2.18 Saint Bibiana 18/1

5yo selections, final day
Lucky 15 in bold
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Newbury 12.10 Heure De Gloire 10/1 Punchestown 12.15 From The Ashes 50/1 Punchestown 12.47 Stumptown 4/1 Lingfield 2.05 Tyger Bay 11/2 Uttoxeter 2.18 Saint Bibiana 18/1

Last day before the system expires! May as well go with it.
 
Category 1:
 
Today 1.08 Shot Boii (IRE) Uttoxeter (LH) 14 Gillard, Fergus (3) 11/2 Pipe, D E Today 1.35 Farmers Gamble Warwick (LH) 13 Durrell, Mr T (5) 8/1 Skelton, Daniel Today 1.35 Last Quarter (IRE) Warwick (LH) 13 Armson, Philip (3) 10/1 Pipe, D E Today 2.18 Tipperary Star Uttoxeter (LH) 13 Kitts, Dylan (10) 7/1 Greatrex, W J
 
Category 2:
Today 12.10 Petticoat Lucy (IRE) Newbury (LH) 9 Skelton, Harry 6/1 Scott, J Today 12.10 Lady Gwen Newbury (LH) 9 Moore, Jamie 12/1 Williams, Mrs Jane Today 12.25 Lagonda Warwick (LH) 10 Quinlan, S M (3) 14/1 Williams, Miss Venetia Today 1.00 Horizon Dainay (FR) Warwick (LH) 13 Durrell, Mr T (5) 10/1 Skelton, Daniel Today 1.08 Harrys Hottie (IRE) Uttoxeter (LH) 14 Jacob, Daryl 17/2 Whittington, H Today 1.15 Gallic Geordie Newbury (LH) 10 Dunne, R T 3/1 Drinkwater, S W Today 1.35 One Fer Mamma (IRE) Warwick (LH) 13 Fox, Ned (7) 4/1F Sheppard, M Today 1.43 Hermes Boy (FR) Uttoxeter (LH) 12 Noonan, David G 5/1 Williams, Mrs Jane Today 2.53 Helios Allen (FR) Uttoxeter (LH) 15 Noonan, David G 16/1 Williams, Mrs Jane Today 2.53 Walk In Clover (IRE) Uttoxeter (LH) 15 England, David 18/1 Skelton, Daniel

Pulled Up yesterday - what odds for picking the loser in two two horse races  
Jet Powered 12.40 Newbury 7 Pts Win @ 4\11 (bog)
Bought for 350,000 gns after winning sole start in Irish points and impressed on Rules debut when landing a 12-runner C&D novice last month. Exciting prospect for top connections and very much the one to beat. 

What better way to celebrate the New Year than with racing from the home of National Hunt racing Cheltenham. ITV have four races from the Cotswolds course including the highly competitive 1.55 which features seventeen runners. Musselburgh are also in on the action with a brace of class 2 handicaps. Here’s my thoughts on the six races.   Cheltenham 1.20 Six go to post for the Dipper Novices’ Chase run over 2m 4 1/2F of the new course. The best in at the weights here is Olly Murphy’s Thunder Rock who comes here chasing a hat trick of wins over fences having previously scored in handicaps at Uttoxeter and Ascot under A P Heskin and he should be competitive although I just prefer Paul Nicholls’ Monmiral in a race that may well turn into a match between that pair. Monmiral is a smart hurdler rated just 2lb inferior to Thunder Rock who bumped into one on his chase debut when 7L second to the smart and subsequent winner Jonbon. Sure to be better for that spin over the big obstacles he can take this with Harry Cobden doing the steering.   MONMIRAL 2 points win @ 5/4 bet365   Musselburgh 1.35 An open looking 2m 4 1/2F class 2 handicap chase is the first of two races at the Scottish course shown by the ITV cameras today. A case can be made for most of these with top weight Minella Drama trained by Donald McCain worth a small stakes investment. A smart novice last season winning twice including in grade two company at Haydock the seven year old has keep good company on both starts this season in non handicap company at Carlisle and Haydock. The last time we saw him in handicap company was on his fencing debut in October 2021 when an easy 8 1/2L winner at Uttoxeter and is only a couple of pounds higher here. Pay The Piper had Dubai Days (2 1/2L) and Cedar Hill (5 1/4L) behind him last time at Kelso and can confirm that form for the shrewd Ann Hamilton operation based in Northumberland. Down at the bottom of the handicap and a pound wrong is Iain Jardine’s Half Shot who’s chasing a three timer having won at Sedgefield in October and back over hurdles here a month later. He’s not without a chance as is Stuart Coltherd’s eight year old Coopers Cross who was third in a better handicap than this at Aintree last time. A tough race but it’s just Minella Drama for me.   MINELLA DRAMA 1 point each way @ 4/1 William Hill 1/5th 123     Cheltenham 1.55 A maximum bumper field of seventeen will go to post for this premier handicap, the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase run over 2m 4F 127 yards of the new course. The race looks open with several holding good chances and you really will need some luck in running. The Paddy Power Gold Cup run over this trip but on the old course back in November featured several of these with the Skelton’s Midnight River finishing third, Il Ridoto 4th, Deyrann De Carjac 5th, Nassalam 6th, Simply The Bets 7th and Stolen Silver unseating his rider three out. The best of that group may well be Midnight River who appears to have as good a chance as any here. I’m prepared to take that form line on mind with my pair against the field Kim Bailey’s Happygolucky and Nicky Henderson’s mare Fantastic Lady. The former ran a cracking race on his seasonal re-appearance up at Newcastle when third in the Rehearsal Chase to L’Homme Presse and Into Overdrive. That form has been boosted since and although he’s dropping in trip today can run a big race. Henderson’s Fantastic Lady comprehensively beat Zambella (won twice since) last time in a mares only listed chase and like Happygolucky shouldn’t mind dropping half a mile in trip. With enhanced places I’ll play the pair.   HAPPYGOLUCKY 1 point each way @ 9/1 William Hill 1/5th 123456 FANTASTIC LADY 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 /5th 12345   Cheltenham 2.30 The [email protected] Relkeel Hurdle is a grade two contest run over 2m 4 1/2F of the new course and we have a nice sized field of nine going to post for this prestigious contest. The two best treated at today’s weights are Olly Murphy’s Brewin’upastorm and Jeremy Scott’s Dashel Drasher. They are the only two in the race not penalised and as both are the joint oldest in the field are worth taking on. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ I Like To Move It is three from five at Cheltenham and having spread eagled his field in the Greatwood Hurdle here back in November off of top weight is the the one to beat. Nicky Henderson’s First Street also won a good handicap off of a big weight last time and comes into the reckoning whilst Paul Nicholls’s Knappers Hill is a rapidly improving hurdler who’s chasing a five timer today. Henderson also runs his smart mare Marie’s Rock but she’s coming back from a 246 day absence. They all have claims but I’ll go with I Like To Move It with trainer’s son Sam Twiston Davies in the saddle.   I LIKE TO MOVE IT 2 points win @ 4/1 BetVictor   Musselburgh 2.45 Eleven have declared for the 1m 7 1/2F class 2 handicap hurdle. Musselburgh is a sharp flat track that suits the speedy flat types and Archie Watson’s Al Zaraqaan certainly falls into that bracket. Rated 102 on the all weather on the level he’s shown a real liking for timber winning four on the bounce (including one in Sweden!). He was very impressive when winning over course and distance at the beginning of last month and despite a 9lb rise is likely to be very competitive again under Sean Quinlan who takes over from regular rider Gavin Sheehan who’s required at Catterick today. The Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero trained Homme Public is maybe his biggest danger. His third behind Love Envoi last time at Sandown was boosted when the runner up that day Playful Saint bolted up in the week and off of the same mark and in first time cheek pieces should run well. Donald McCain’s Nayati was behind that day and looks held. Socialist Agenda was third to AL Zaraqaan last time beaten only three lengths and on 9lb better terms is another who can go close but the winner won easily that day and he’s the selection today.   AL ZARAQAAN 2 points win @ 7/2 bet365   Cheltenham 3.05 Next up is a class 2 handicap hurdle run over just short of three miles with a field of eleven declared. Plenty are in with a chance including Nicky Henderson’s Call Me Lord who’s young jockey mistook the winning post at Sandown last time when going down by a nose to the re-appearing Dolphin Square. James Bowen takes over from the 7lb claiming Ben Bromley but I still favour the amateur ridden Dolphin Square to confirm the form. A consistent nine year old ridden and owned by David Maxwell was a credible runner up in this last year from a 4lb lower mark. Maxwell is not everyone’s cup of tea but he’s a trier and has won many races in his career. Back in third that day only a short hard behind the aforementioned pair was the Skelton’s Wilde About Oscar who also has claims. Warren Greatrex’s Abuffalosoldier has had his Newbury win boosted by the subsequent victory of the runner up Steal A March on Boxing Day at Wincanton whilst the Paul Nicholls trained Jet Of Magic may have more to offer. Another tough race but I’ll play Dolphin Square each way.   DOLPHIN SQUARE 1 point each way @ 7/1 Betfred 1/5th 1234   Happy New Year everyone - here's to a healthy 2023 and lot of winners for us all !!  

Grade B Handicp Hurdle at Punchestown at 2.32. I like the look of Captain Conby here for at least a place. The race he was third in last time was a slightly stronger race than this being a Pertemps Qualifier, he did well to finish 3rd over a distance that seemed to stretch him, the winner came out to win a Grade 3 Hurdle next time out. The cut back to 20 furlongs should see Captain Conby in a better like against this company. He was second to Captain Bloodaxe the time before over this distance and that one was placed behind Maxuum a couple of days ago. Currently 7.2 on the Exchanges and 2.54 to place. Win and place bet...................................................Placed at 2.54
 
Good luck everyone. 

I don't know how these will really go once they are thrown into the great cement mixer which is an Irish handicap, which holds more mysteries than a James Joyce novel and more red herrings than an Agatha Christie book.
Punchestown 2.32
GREAT GATSBY 
Each way 
CAPTAIN CONBY
Win 
These two are at the head of the weights and have met  before.
Captain conby's place behind shewearsitwell has been franked by that one winning again and both runners have run into horses who are now racing off higher marks. There are a mass of conundrums to add to this race with non triers in abundance, but the two course and distance wins from CC in maiden and novice runs prove he at least gets the trip and is highly progressive and runs off a rating yet to be reassessed.
Lingfield 2.05
Wide open for a Saturday where the standard goes up hugely.
TADREEB
Win 
Both course and distance wins have come in class 2.
SHALLOW HAL 
Each way
class 2 winner just two runs ago 
A big price 
Emporer spirit 
Looks set to run a big race too under Hollie Doyle but like all of the Saturday fair wide open, but at least everyone will be putting it in.
 
Emporer spirit 
Shallow Hal 
Tadreeb 
Combination forecast 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Most winners
An intriguing last day.
@Quartu SEis now probably favourite, just above @Alastairalthough any of the top 7 could still win.

 
 

5yo selections, final day
Lucky 15 in bold
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Newbury 12.10 Heure De Gloire 10/1 Punchestown 12.15 From The Ashes 50/1 Punchestown 12.47 Stumptown 4/1 Lingfield 2.05 Tyger Bay 11/2 Uttoxeter 2.18 Saint Bibiana 18/1

5yo selections, final day
Lucky 15 in bold
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Newbury 12.10 Heure De Gloire 10/1 Punchestown 12.15 From The Ashes 50/1 Punchestown 12.47 Stumptown 4/1 Lingfield 2.05 Tyger Bay 11/2 Uttoxeter 2.18 Saint Bibiana 18/1

Most winners
An intriguing last day.
@Quartu SEis now probably favourite, just above @Alastairalthough any of the top 7 could still win.

 
 

@justanotherpunterholds a 10 point lead going into the last day so a good prized winner will be needed to beat him.

I suppose they are a business at the end of the day.

@justanotherpunterholds a 10 point lead going into the last day so a good prized winner will be needed to beat him.

5yo selections, final day
Lucky 15 in bold
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Newbury 12.10 Heure De Gloire 10/1 Punchestown 12.15 From The Ashes 50/1 Punchestown 12.47 Stumptown 4/1 Lingfield 2.05 Tyger Bay 11/2 Uttoxeter 2.18 Saint Bibiana 18/1

Blooming spell checker
Percy jones

3.00 Haydock: All About Joe @ 20/1 (BetVictor)

1.00 Warwick- TEMPLIER 15/2 4places
1.50 NB-NINA THE TERRIER 9/1 4places
2.10 Warwick-GWENCILY BERBAS 6/1 3 places
2.25 NM-UNDRSUPERVISION 15/2 5places
0.15 PTS E/W L15  Bet 365   4.5pts invested
Running Total  Profit + 43.30

Saturday already!
11.50 I've taken 4.9 and 1.9 about the hat trick seeking Starshiba. The gelding carries another 3lb penalty taking his rating to 75, still seems lenient for a horse that has won off 82 in the past. I do realise that Gidwa beat Starshiba and is  2lb better off but that was before the selection hit form. He only ever wins on the all weather and could go in again tomorrow.................................................................................given a lot to do, got the place at 1.87? 
12.10 Grivetana is down in class after finishing runner up in a Class 1 (Gerry Fielden)  last time out, the third placed has franked the form and 2.3 is a fair price.................................................................................................................................................................got that one all wrong ?
12.25 Kateira looked a really useful prospect winning on hurdling debut winning quite easily and obviously there is more to come, trading around the 2.9 mark on the exchanges, may have a saver on Vic Peak depending how the prices go nearer the off. - Sat morning, Kateira a non runner si I've gone in for Victorias Peak at 4.2 and 2.1 2Tbp...........................................................................................................................2nd place at 2.1, better than nowt as they say..?
1.00 Its a race where School for Scandal can race from his proper mark having been out of the handicap last time out but still managing to finish second, just held, the front two were 19 lengths in front of the third and he must have a chance at a price tomorrow, currently 9/1 best with the books or 11 on the exchanges, win and place bet.........................Sat morning, School for Scandal has halved in price (even after the non runner) I've an average of 10 and have traded out for an average of 5 for an average profit of .98 of a point regardless of the result, common sense to me, always look after your stake.?
1.08 Still just a 5 year old so hopefully more to come from Secret Trix, won last time out after being upped in distance to 3 miles for the first time, tomorrows race is deeper but he's only ben raised 3lbs so at around the 5 mark could be a good win and place offering......................................................................................................................................................................................hit 1.15 in running (lay off price reached) but had to settle for a place once again, place price I got was 1.95?
1.30 Another upped just three pounds for a first win over a new distance is Vision of Hope, won over 12 furlongs last time out, tomorrows race is no harder so a good showing is hoped for, win and place. Uther Pendragon is looking for a 4 timer so it wont be easy. On the exchanges at around 5.5........................................................................................................................................... finally a winner WON returned at a Bfsp of 5.12, 5.5 was better, placed at 2.13?
2.10 Raised 3lbs for falling last time is Smugglers Blues, he was in with a fir chance when falling three out at Wincanton, tomorrows race is no more difficult so is worth chancing at around the 11/2 mark and drifting and around 7.6 on the exchanges, win and place................got that one totally wrong ?
2.40 Never out of the first three on the all weather Morgan Fairy has a real chance in this Class 3 at Lingfield, 3.7 on the exchanges but will probably have a saver on Sunset Bay at around the 13 mark, down in Class for the first time since finishing 2nd in a Class 3 HCap off a higher mark 16 months ago.................                                                                                                                ................lots of late money for this one, nice to get the early 3.7 WON......?
3.00 A Grade 1 Novice Hurdle, Hermes Allen looked one to follow after winning a Grade 2 race unchallenged, beating a 129 rated Elliott horse so a rating of 142 looks very fair, he has of course got to give 7lb to some of his rivals tomorrow but he really did look one to follow, trading around the 2.58 mark..............................................................................................................................WON very easily, looks a nice prospect and nice to get the early 2.52.?
3.15 I'm hoping that Levi Williams has learnt his lesson, he should have won on Nubough at Lingfield last time out, gave the horse far too much to do, had him far too wide and only just failed, he's been raised 2 lbs for that but this race is no harder. Trading at 4.8 or 7/2 with the books.
 
As always I'll have lay off prices in running.
 
Good luck tomorrow everyone. 

Closed down by another bookie.
Opened 8 weeks ago, made £120 from them.
I've now used 37 bookies and been closed down by 30 of them.
Thank goodness for the exchanges.
I've had a look at the New Betting Sites on PL and the 1st name on there is BETITON. They have a welcome offer of "Bet £15 get a free bet". Odds need to be above evens.
I have put a bet on tonight's West Ham v Brentford match, both teams to score = No.
I will use the free bet on tomorrows racing.
They don't seem to have many other offers so I suspect they will be my only bets with this bookmaker.
 

5yo selections
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Wolverhampton 4.00 Wrens Rose 4/1 Wolverhampton 5.30 Visibility 22/1 Wolverhampton 6.00 Viola 9/1 Wolverhampton 6.30 Tawtheef 14/1 Wolverhampton 7.30 Love Destiny 40/1

I did the system an injustice yesdterday as there 2 winners not one and the resuts should have been 9 points outlayed and 13.2 points returned for aprofit of 4.2 points, less 2% commission of course!

5yo selections
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Wolverhampton 4.00 Wrens Rose 4/1 Wolverhampton 5.30 Visibility 22/1 Wolverhampton 6.00 Viola 9/1 Wolverhampton 6.30 Tawtheef 14/1 Wolverhampton 7.30 Love Destiny 40/1

5yo selections
COURSE TIME  SELECTION ODDS  Wolverhampton 4.00 Wrens Rose 4/1 Wolverhampton 5.30 Visibility 22/1 Wolverhampton 6.00 Viola 9/1 Wolverhampton 6.30 Tawtheef 14/1 Wolverhampton 7.30 Love Destiny 40/1

Same as last year, I suppose it's a bit of a mish-mash of racing, a few good races and a bit of mediocre stuff.
Cheltenham tends to attract a lot more.