Gary66

Had my first glance last night and Lattams profile looks good and thunder ball has some good form and could possibly be unexposed on soft , fantastic for me to get back to flat . Very interesting race as always best of luck

Some of you with good memories may well remember that I was involved in a twitter tipster competition called Dandinaps in which I reached the final of the Cup only to finish runner up in a straight shoot out with @TrainerGeezer last October   The competition was the brainchild of Graham Dand, a brave man who chronicled his last year in detail via twitter (as it was then) as he sadly succumbed to his battle with cancer leaving behind a wife and three children. Graham was an avid form student who went into some amazing detail in his analysis which certainly gave him some bright moments in those torturous final months.   The competition, run in his memory has been a great success over its two running's during the last two flat seasons in which competitors have to select two picks from the big heritage handicaps win or each way. Many of racing twitter got behind the competition with the likes of Tony Calvin, Paul Kealy, Simon Nott and two of Punters Lounge’s finest in our hunter chase expert  @Darran and @Tumbleweed King both entering.   The competition came to a conclusion on Ascot’s Champions Day last October with @TrainerGeezer winning both the league and Cup securing a combined pot of £17,000. A fantastic feat with several big priced picks along the way.   Sadly none of the prize winners have been paid. It’s transpired that one of the three organisers who was in charge of holding the funds (which was a dreadful mistake to be the only person that could handle the money) is now saying that the bank with the funds, Barclays have frozen the account. He has given us no clear evidence that he has been in any type of conversation with Barclays and when challenged has gone to ground. The only reason for this surely is foul play.   The dozen owed money have been very patient until now but expect to see a backlash, as from Monday when all will be revealed on X and hopefully at some stage by the racing media whom we are looking to get behind us.   A dreadful situation with the competition,run in memory of Graham a fun and innovative contest in which 760 odd punters paid £46 each to enter. We’ll see how it all pans out over the next few weeks/months and although I am owed £2,000 for my part it’s the double winner @TrainerGeezer who I’m really sad for. I know he was at Ascot for that last day when it was finalised that he couldn’t be caught with the £17,000 winnings going towards a deposit on a house for him and his girlfriend.   I find it shocking that in this world we live in there can be people who can be so greedy and evil that they think they can get away with this type of fraud.   I would ask you all if you have a ‘X’ account to look out for the @Handicapcomp tweet and add your disgust at the situation. It may just help in us all getting our hard fought winnings.

I'm afraid money does bad things to people.
I hope you have success in retrieving the money and doing justice to the memory of Graham.

2-05 cur real force 12/1 coral

2-05 cur real force 12/1 coral

2-05 cur real force 12/1 coral

B/fwd L15's -49.16, RC -61.24 (inc L15's)
Had 2 L15's and Accas today = 5 pts
4.30 Sou Jubilee Gold 2.50 pts win at 6 = 9.80 profit if win.  Savers = Hostile Hotelier 1.50 at 3.45 = 0.17 p, if win and Pozo Emery 1 pt win at 7.6 for a 2.55 p if win = 5 points.  Knowing my luck Peter Bowen will make a flying fortune on the race.  Should be an exciting watch though
= 10 points staked today.
Kicking myself for not including @Gary66selection in the Curragh's 2.05 .  Showed real force with that one.  Well done to him
 
 
 

Newbury 1.20 The first of nine races covered by ITV today is the 3M 2F veterans handicap chase with nine horses going to post. The race has an open look about it and it maybe worth chancing last year’s winner Cyclop from the David Dennis stable. He’s two from three here and although he’s hard to fancy on his last three starts when he’s been well beaten he has dropped 9lb in the weights for that run of bad runs. He’s now 7lb lower than his win last year so is without doubt well handicapped and in the hope the track may spark him back to form is worth a speculative each way bet.   CYCLOP 1 point each way @ 20/1 bet365 1/5 123   Kelso 1.42 A competitive class 2 handicap hurdle is next run over 2M 4F and 189 yards with nine horses lining up. Many can be given chances with the one that stands out to me being the Nicky Richards trained The Kalooki Kid in his first handicap. A winner of novice hurdles at Musselburgh and Newcastle this season he certainly wasn’t disgraced when fourth of five in the Grade 2 Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster in January won by Nicky Henderson’s Jeriko Du Reponet. The second and third, Lump Sum and Fiercely Proud have since finished first and second in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton to frank that form. The Kalooki Kid has been allotted 124 for this handicap which may be lenient and is worth backing here.   THE KALOOKI KID 1 point each way @ 11/2 bet365 1/5th 123   Newbury 1.55 Just nine go to post for the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase run over 2M 3F and 187 yards. Paul Nicholls has an excellent record in the race over the years and his representative Kandoo Kid, who may not have stayed 3M last time, has to be respected. I’ll take him on mind with Ryan Potter’s top weight Jetoile who brings some good pieces of form to the table. A good winner of the Old Roan Handicap Chase at Aintree on his re-appearance he wasn’t totally disgraced when fourth of 13 in a Premier Handicap won by GA Law at Cheltenham in January. Dropped a pound for that run he can give weight all round with the booking of one of the best conditional jockeys around Dylan Johnston a positive one with his 5lb claim a bonus.   JETOILE 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 123   Kelso 2.17 The Grade 2 bet365 Premier Novices’ Hurdle has attracted a dozen promising hurdlers with Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie bringing the best form to the table with his Grade 1 victory at Aintree on Boxing Day. He does have to shoulder a 5lb penalty mind and a horse who was very impressive here last time out over a two furlong shorter trip is Anthony Charlton’s Alnilam. He coasted through the race and won easily by 13L. This is obviously tougher but his connections were taking him up afterwards and he can step forward again and take this with Bradley Harris despite the fact he can’t claim his 3lb here.   ALNILAM 1 point each way @ 13/2 William Hill 1/5th 1234   Doncaster 2.35 Seven chasers go to post for this 2M 78 yard class 2 handicap chase which has an open look to it. Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero’s seven year old Homme Public appears to have as good a chance as any having won his first two starts over fences at Wetherby and Cheltenham last autumn. He’s not been seen since running a respectable 3 1/4L second to Persian Time at Ascot just before Christmas and remains with plenty of scope for the chasing game. Regular rider Henry Brooke rides and he looks sure to be thereabouts.   HOMME PUBLIC 1 point win @ 3/1 William Hill   Kelso 2.50 The day’s big betting handicap is the bet365 Moorebattle Handicap Hurdle run over the minimum trip of two miles. A maximum field of eighteen have declared for tis valuable £120,000 prize with southern raider Under Control the standout horse. Trained at Seven Barrows by Nicky Henderson she comes here having split two useful Willie Mullins mares in a Grade 2 mares hurdle at Doncaster in the shape of Ashroe Diamond and Gala Marceau. The handicapper could easily have reacted by raising her 7lb or more but only put her up one pound. She’s the favourite here and bids to win this before going to Cheltenham where she has three entries, the County Hurdle, Mares Hurdle and Champion Hurdle. She is the one horse in the race who is maybe capable of taking the field apart and is a strong fancy despite the numbers even if the Henderson stable could be in better form.   UNDER CONTROL 1 point win @ 7/2 William Hill   Doncaster 3.10 The 3M 84 yard listed mares novices’ hurdle is up next and has attracted a field of eleven. The best in at the weights is James Moffatt’s Lunar Discovery and it would be great to see him and his jockey Charlotte Jones take a race of this nature. They should run well but preference is for Tom Symonds’s Gaye Legacy who’s a consistent staying hurdler who’s stepping out of handicap company here. She’s hit the frame on all five of her starts this season with her latest effort coming at Newbury when winning a sixteen runner 3M handicap hurdle. Ben Poste is her regular rider and is on board the bay mare today.   GAYE LEGACY 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 123   Kelso 3.25 Just seven go to post for the 2M 7F 96 yard bet365 Premier Chase with Jonjo O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius teeing up for the Grand National for which he is one of the market leaders. Last seen when third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury back in December he looks sure to run well even if he does come third on official ratings behind Minella Drama who’s not firing at the moment and Aye Right who looks a big danger to the pick. Jonjo O’Neill Junior takes the ride.   MONBEG GENIUS 1 point win @ 7/4 bet365   Doncaster 3.40 A good sized field of thirteen face the judge for the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase run over 3M 2F and 1 yard. Richard Hobson’s Some Scope looks the one to beat but he won’t enjoy slowish ground and is worth taking on for that reason alone. One horse who has a good record here which reads 1U2 is Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Undersupervision who was just touched off in this very race a year ago by Moroder. He’s now 2lb higher and we also have to take a chance that he’s in the same form as last year as he’s pulled up on three of his four starts since although he did show up well when third in a amateur jockeys handicap chase at Cheltenham in November. He’s not the most genuine of horses but has ability and is worth chancing each way.   UNDERSUPERVISION 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 123    

Not many runners in this and no extra places so I will stick to trying to find the winner
Horses that failed to complete last time have a record of 0 from 11. This removes 4 horses.
Horses that came 1st last time have 1 win from 21 with a loss of 12 points. This removes 1 more.
The remainder have a record of 7 from 52 with 16 points.
No horse has won after a lay off of more than 70 days ago or less than 8 days ago. This removes 2 more.
Claiming jockeys have a record of 0 from 9.
This finally leaves BILL BAXTER, available at 13/2 with WH.

Again to be run on heavy ....all the top races in past 4or 5 weeks have been run on bottomless ground ....I think all the firmlines going into Cheltenham are very suspect if the ground comes up good sft at chelt as none of the prep runs have been on any sort of ground ..  that's why results have been a bit meh and why there have been so many none runners of late ...
Saturdays race rating 
Grandeur dame. 9.0 4/1
Bill Baxter. 8.7 10/1
These two are clear of rest ....

Age – 8 of the last 10 winners were aged between 6 and 8
Price – 3 of the last 10 winners were favourites/joint favourites, 5/10 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 1 of the last 10 winners won on their last run before the Greatwood Gold Cup , 8/10 winners ran within the last 42 days
Previous Course Form – 7/10 winners had at least 1 previous run at Newbury, 2/10 winners had at least 1 previous win at Newbury
Previous Distance Form – 10/10 winners had at least 5 previous runs over 19-21 furlongs, 10/10 had at least 1 previous win over 19-21 furlongs
Previous Chase Form – 8/10 winners had at least 8 previous chase runs, 10/10 winners had at least 1 previous chase win, 8/10 winners had at least 2 previous chase wins
Rating – 8/10 winners were rated 135 or higher
Graded Wins – 2/10 winners had at least 1 previous win in a grade 1-3 race
Season Form – 9/10 winners had at least 3 runs that season, 5/10 winners had at least 1 win that season

Givemefive 1:50 Kempton (4/1 Bet365 boost). I'll probably regret taking on The Brigadier's 2pt selection 😁 but this one was hugely impressive at Warwick and I was expecting it to be long odds on next time out. The form hasn't really worked out with the 2nd and 3rd running only ok next time but for me he was even more visually impressive than the fav.
Gets a handy 5lb from the fav here, clearly loves the soft, was slick over the hurdles and just looked pretty relentless. 
 
1pt win Bet365 (4/1 on boost).
 
No complaints, just not as good as the winner.
 
P/L: +0.1pt

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

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

Yes please 

17-07 wolves stroxx 66/1 betfair ew

Norman Fletcher 25/1 bet 365
15:15 Newbury- 6 places
I'm A Lumberjack 11/1 bet 365
16:25 Newbury  - 3 places 
2 x singles- each way double 

Picanha                                                           1 30 Neb/                     1/40th of a pt ew    25/1    -      4th
Clap Of Thunder                                            4 25 Neb/                     1/40th of a pt ew   20/1
Verbal Sparing                                               3 05 Nass/                    1/40th of a pt ew   14/1      -    2nd
Lexington Knight                                           8 00 Wol/                      1/40th of a pt ew   36/1      -    3rd
 
 
P/L  + 176  pts

With Warwick now abandoned  we have just the four ITV races on Saturday with the best betting heat easily the Betfair Handicap Hurdle with a maximum field of 24. Here are my thoughts on the day’s action with a further update later with any other races that ITV show.   Newbury 1.30 The days ITV coverage kicks off with a 3M class 3 handicap hurdle which has attracted a dozen runners. The ground will be very testing at the Berkshire track today and that won’t bother Melanie Rowley’s eight year old Kyntara who looked an unlucky loser last time out at Warwick when hitting the last when seemingly having the race won allowing J’Ai Froid to pick him off on the run in. He’s 4lb higher here but with form figures on soft ground or worse of 1122712 he can bounce back to winning ways under Charlie Deutsch. November course and distance 1-2 Young Butler and Emitom look likely threats.   KYNTARA 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Newbury 2.05 The last three favourites of this 2M 7F 86 yard Grade 2 Denman Chase have been beaten and we have a skinny favourite today in the shape of Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin. I’m not sure very soft ground is what the classy ten-year-old wants and with his well documented issues at the start is maybe worth taking on here at around the 4/7 mark. Second best on official ratings (10lb inferior to Shishkin) and the one to be with is the Dan Skelton trained Protektorat who ran well behind L’Homme Presse at Lingfiled last time. He’s a three time winner on soft ground so shouldn’t be inconvenienced by soft ground and may be the value play.   PROTEKTORAT 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365     Newbury 2.40 Six two mile chasers line up for the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase run over 2M 92 yard with only 3lb officially covering the front four in the betting with one of them, Amarillo Sky, coming back from a 378 day absence. The pick is Harry Fry’s Boothill who has to carry a 4lb penalty for his Ascot win last November. He followed up at the same track three weeks later and wasn’t done with in Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Kempton over Christmas when falling five from home. He can take this from Edwardstone who may not have stayed 2M 4F last time out and may not be suited by testing conditions.   BOOTHILL 1 point win @ 9/4 bet365     Newbury 3.15 The feature race of the day and the big betting race is the Betfair Hurdle, a handicap hurdle run over just over 2M and has a maximum field of twenty four facing the judge. Many have chances but the one who may have crept under the radar is the Victor Dartnell runner Aurigny Mill. He’s looked an improving hurdler on his last two starts winning at Wincanton ad Kempton, rising 16lb with his win at the latter track’s time not that far off the time that Constitution Hill clocked the previous day over course and distance. His Devon based trainer has stipulated that he is one of the best he’s ever trained and with winning form already in heavy ground looks a value each way bet in a race where you can get as many as seven places with a couple of bookmakers.   AURIGNY MILL 1 point each way @ 14/1 bet365 1/5th 123456      

My stats based on the last 9 runnings.
1st last time, 0 from 51.
Last ran 17 to 48 days ago, 7 from 85, LSP 188 points. Remainder 2 from 97, LSP -81 points. 
This reduces the field of 25 to 5
LOOKAWAY 11/1
NORMAN FLETCHER 25/1
OUR CHAMP 33/1
YORKSEA 33/1
KAMSINAS 22/1
Forecast odds 16/1 to 33/1, 5 from 180, LSP 172 points.
This removes LOOKAWAY and KAMSINAS.
Age 5 or 6, 7 from 107, LSP 144 points.
This removes KAMSINAS.
Bred in Ireland, 3 from 66, LSP -19 points.
This leaves NORMAN FLETCHER at 25/1 WH 7 places
 
 

I got an EW shot in the 3.15 at Lingers
Molly Valentine currently 33/1 at nearly all firms
Comes here after a break of over 6 months but has a terrific record 'fresh .......... won her maiden after a 5 month break, won her first handicap after a 10 week break and last season finished a close up 3rd in a much better race than this after a two month break
watch out for a non runner though as we have 8 at the moment and might be a less attractive proposition with 7 runners !
 
 

Any selections, news, stories, nostalgia ?
I see dual Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace has died aged 27
and sadly one of Paul Nicholl's staff died after an accident in a point to point race over the weekend ...... RIP Keegan Kirby aged 25. It's a dangerous game

Leopardstown 1.10 The 2M 5 1/2F Ladbrokes Novice Chase is a grade 1 contest which has attracted just the five runners, three from Willie Mullins and a brace from Gordon Elliott. Gaelic Warrior has looked smart in winning both of his starts over fences this season and he’ll be hard to beat with so much in his favour. Stable companion Fact To File is also potentially smart and can give him a race for a Willie Mullins 1-2.   GAELIC WARRIOR 1 point win @ 11/10 William Hill   Musselburgh 1.20 The Scottish Triumph Hurdle is a listed juvenile hurdle for four year olds run over just short of two miles and has attracted a decent field of nine. The two to concentrate on are the Jack Jones trained An Bradan Feasa and Paul Nicholls’s Liari and its the latter who maybe able to outclass his opponents despite a 5lb penalty. He comes here unbeaten in two starts at Wincanton and Aintree and with Harry Cobden in the saddle and riding so well looks the one to be with.   LIARI 1 point win @ 15/8 bet365   Leopardstown 1.40 The Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 contest with ten lining up to face the judge. Once again we have a short Willie Mullins trained favourite in Ballyburn who put a respectable defeat by Firefox behind him when bolting up in a maiden hurdle here at big odds on. He beat little that day and this will be more exacting especially dropping back to the minimum trip but he looks smart and is the one they all have to beat. Mullins saddles five in the race but it maybe well be the Gordon Elliot trained Farren Glory that offers the most resistance to the selection.   BALLYBURN 1 point win @ Evens William Hill   Musselburgh 1.50 A field of seven face the starter for this 2M class 3 handicap chase in which all seven have a chance of sorts. Paul Nicholls sends a seven strong challenge to Scotland and looks likely to have a good day which can include his six year old Beau Balko. This will be only his fourth start over fences with his latest second to Chanceaux already boosted by that one winning again since at Doncaster. Off of the same handicap mark and with the added assistance of Harry Cobden on board can go one better here.   BEAU BALKO 1 point win @ 9/4 William Hill   Leopardstown 2.10 Just the five go to post for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase where its very hard to look past he Willie Mullins trained El Fabiolo who’s five from five over fences including the Grade ones over two miles for novices at last year’s meeting and the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals. He teed up for this with an easy win at Cork in December and it will be a major shock were he not to score again. Mullins smart mare Dinoblue can chase him home for a yet another 1-2 for the master of Closutton.   Musselburgh 2.25 An interesting renewal of the bet365 Scottish Supreme Novice’s Hurdle featuring seven promising hurdlers. The best form is probably brought to the table by the Irish trained Hypotenus but I’m happy to take him on with the Fergal O’Brien trained Recoup who made a winning debut over hurdles at Ludlow back in late October when getting the better of the Henderson runner Choccabloc in a ding dong battle on the run in. He’ll need to improve on that but as he’s so lightly raced that’s quite possible and he looks the value play under Paddy Brennan.   RECOUP 1 point win @ 4/1 Betfred   Leopardstown 2.45 Just the five again for the 2M Chantelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle. Willie Mullins saddles three of the quintet including the most likely winner in State Man who has only been beaten the once in eleven starts for Mullins and that was by Constitution Hill in last year’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He has already beaten stablemate Impaire Et Passe this season who can again chase him home again for yet another 1-2 for team Mullins.   Musselburgh 3.00 A good turnout for this class 2 Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle run over 3M with a maximum fifteen declared to run. Despite the numbers it’s not the strongest of races and it may pay to stick with Gordon Elliott’s Irish challenger Absolute Notions. A winner of three of his six career start as he makes his handicap debut here from a mark of 143 and has some good novice hurdle form to his name from last season including when runner up to Good Land in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at this very meeting. He missed two outings in December due to the heavy ground so today’s drier terrain looks sure to suit and can reward an each way wager with additional places.   ABSOLUTE NOTIONS 1 point each way @ 9/2 bet365 1/5th 1234   Leopardstown 3.20 In contrast to the previous races at Leopardstown today we have a highly competitive 25 runner Grade 3 handicap chase where many have chances and will need plenty of luck. Leading owner J P McManus runs four and it maybe the Gavin Cromwell trained Inothewayurthinkin who’s worth an each way wager with additional places. A lightly raced six year old he’s shown some smart form in three novice chases won by the likes of Imagine and Gaelic Warrior and is making his handicap debut here off of what may turn out to be a workable mark.   INOTHERWAYURTHINKIN 1 point each way @ 6/1 bet365 1/5th 123456   Musselburgh 3.35 Nine chasers line up for this 2m 4 1/2F bet365 Scottish Champion Chase. Paul Nicholls can cap a good day at the Scottish track by taking this with his eight year old Outlaw Peter who will be having his fourth start over fences with his best effort coming at Kempton last time out when a 1 1/2L runner up to Blow Your Wad. A reproduction of that effort should see him go close.   OUTLAW PETER 1 point win @ 7/2 Coral  

Had 3 x L15 & accas on the daily = 6 points
2.42 Weth The Four  Sixes 2.20 pts win at 3.9
3.00 Leop Ailie Rose 0.50 ew at 20/1 7p
3.45 San Moroder 0.50 ew at 16/1 4p (there seems to be a lot of interest in this horse)
So tempting to do more singles bets but better not to
= 10.2 pts staked today
Good luck to all
 

@MCLARKE is it r1 of the ko cup today?