Tumbleweed King

Quilixios has always been held in high regard. He was good enough to win on his French debut for Francois Nicolle at Compeigne when he had a dozen lengths to spare over Yes Indeed. He subsequently was purchased by Cheveley Park Stud and shipped over to Ireland where he also made an instant impact. Two quick victories in the space of two weeks followed at Punchestown and Down Royal where he won by a combined thirty-three lengths. He was upped in class to contest the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival where he won in fine style again. He is certainly well worth his place in this line-up and with Rachael Blackmore on board must be feared.
Fifty Ball was a winner of two staying races on the flat in his native France and seems to have taken to life well under Gary Moore. Following a near three month break he ran in the biggest race of his career when he finished runner up to Soaring Glory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury a few weeks ago. He runs in the same colours as Goshen and no surprise if compensation should await the connections following their rotten luck in the Triumph last year. His chances are hard to ignore.
Streets Of Doyen has been in fantastic form this season and landed the biggest win if his career over the course and distance back in October when ridden by Richard Johnson. He was completing a four-timer for the yard having also won at Roscommon, Gowran Park and Cork in the space of six weeks. His experience around here will prove invaluable and in a race that can throw up the occasional shock, he makes each way appeal should John McConnell bring him over from County Meath.
A Plus Tard could well be that horse. He improved from his seasonal reappearance when runner-up to Castlegrace Paddy at Navan in a Grade Two race to rally gamely to thwart Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown just after Christmas. The form of the race has been boosted as Kemboy has come out and won another Grade One race subsequently suggesting that there could be more to come from the Cheveley Park owned and Henry De Bromhead trained runner. Whilst he is unproven at this trip, he looks as though he will get it and he does have winning Cheltenham form having won the Close Brothers Handicap Chase here a couple of seasons ago. Rachael Blackmore is on board  the seven-year-old and the pair are certainly worthy of their place in the line-up.
Billaway is taken to improve again having won the key trials at Down Royal and Naas in the run up to this. He has vital proven experience in the race and looks the perfect age to perhaps build a high profile for himself in this sphere. It is hard to dismiss the chances of Hazel Hill too has been a credit to his connections. It would be fantastic if he could roll back the years to grab at least a place in what is ultimately the twilight of his career.
Shattered Love has her work cut out to reverse her February form with Elimay but they have an extra half mile to play with here and connections will strongly fancy their chances of doing so. Shattered Love is a previous winner here at Cheltenham having won the JLT Here three years ago. She is also proven on a quicker surface, so drying ground ought to suit. Elimay has no prior experience at Cheltenham and that might just count against her.
Galopin Des Champs steps up to two and a half miles for the first time here this afternoon and he wasn’t beaten all that far in a Grade One race won by Appreciate It during the Dublin Racing Festival. A repeat of that effort would certainly see him right in the mix, particularly as he was doing all of his best work in the closing stages
 

Quilixios has always been held in high regard. He was good enough to win on his French debut for Francois Nicolle at Compeigne when he had a dozen lengths to spare over Yes Indeed. He subsequently was purchased by Cheveley Park Stud and shipped over to Ireland where he also made an instant impact. Two quick victories in the space of two weeks followed at Punchestown and Down Royal where he won by a combined thirty-three lengths. He was upped in class to contest the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival where he won in fine style again. He is certainly well worth his place in this line-up and with Rachael Blackmore on board must be feared.
Fifty Ball was a winner of two staying races on the flat in his native France and seems to have taken to life well under Gary Moore. Following a near three month break he ran in the biggest race of his career when he finished runner up to Soaring Glory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury a few weeks ago. He runs in the same colours as Goshen and no surprise if compensation should await the connections following their rotten luck in the Triumph last year. His chances are hard to ignore.
Streets Of Doyen has been in fantastic form this season and landed the biggest win if his career over the course and distance back in October when ridden by Richard Johnson. He was completing a four-timer for the yard having also won at Roscommon, Gowran Park and Cork in the space of six weeks. His experience around here will prove invaluable and in a race that can throw up the occasional shock, he makes each way appeal should John McConnell bring him over from County Meath.
A Plus Tard could well be that horse. He improved from his seasonal reappearance when runner-up to Castlegrace Paddy at Navan in a Grade Two race to rally gamely to thwart Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown just after Christmas. The form of the race has been boosted as Kemboy has come out and won another Grade One race subsequently suggesting that there could be more to come from the Cheveley Park owned and Henry De Bromhead trained runner. Whilst he is unproven at this trip, he looks as though he will get it and he does have winning Cheltenham form having won the Close Brothers Handicap Chase here a couple of seasons ago. Rachael Blackmore is on board  the seven-year-old and the pair are certainly worthy of their place in the line-up.
Billaway is taken to improve again having won the key trials at Down Royal and Naas in the run up to this. He has vital proven experience in the race and looks the perfect age to perhaps build a high profile for himself in this sphere. It is hard to dismiss the chances of Hazel Hill too has been a credit to his connections. It would be fantastic if he could roll back the years to grab at least a place in what is ultimately the twilight of his career.
Shattered Love has her work cut out to reverse her February form with Elimay but they have an extra half mile to play with here and connections will strongly fancy their chances of doing so. Shattered Love is a previous winner here at Cheltenham having won the JLT Here three years ago. She is also proven on a quicker surface, so drying ground ought to suit. Elimay has no prior experience at Cheltenham and that might just count against her.
Galopin Des Champs steps up to two and a half miles for the first time here this afternoon and he wasn’t beaten all that far in a Grade One race won by Appreciate It during the Dublin Racing Festival. A repeat of that effort would certainly see him right in the mix, particularly as he was doing all of his best work in the closing stages
 

The Final Day of this year’s Festival to be run on the New course and unless the Clerk of the course decides to throw some water on the track (I wouldn’t be surprised!) then we should be looking at racing on genuinely good ground.   1.20 Gone are the days of the 30 runner Triumph Hurdles with the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle taking away a lot of the ‘lesser’ candidates but despite only 8 runners we do have a potential cracker on our hands here. Current favourite Zanahiyr has been very impressive in winning all 3 of his starts in Ireland on soft ground, with a particularly fast time at Leopardstown over Christmas (form already been franked this week) and could be very good. Two negatives against him though are possibly the drying ground and the fact that he wears a first time tongue tie. Former stable mate Quilixios has also impressed in winning all 4 of his starts although he too is yet to prove he’s as good on good ground as he is on soft. Alan King is a past master at training these juveniles and can take this with his unbeaten Tritonic. A smart flat performer who was good enough to finish runner up at Royal Ascot, he stepped up from a rather un-impressive hurdles debut at Ascot to show a sparkling turn of foot over the last at Kempton when running away with the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle. Conditions may well favour him ahead of massive danger Zanahiyr and he’s the selection.   TRITONIC 2 points win @ 7/2 Bet365   1.55 As always the County Hurdle is very competitive although between them Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins have won the last 6 renewals. Skelton relies upon novice Third Time Lucki and he should run a good race. Mullins is mob handed with 5 entries the best of which may well be the novice Ganapathi who though has only raced on very soft ground. The fancy here though (as always with the firms paying extra places) is Sneezy Foster’s Eclair De Beaufeu. He ran a stormer to finish runner up in last year’s Grand Annual over fences and dropping back to timber here can race off of a 14lb lower mark with Jack Kennedy taking over from claiming jockeys.   ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU 1 point EW @ 9/1 Bet365 1/4 odds 123456   2.30 A good turnout for this year’s Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (or the potato race as some call it!). The drying ground is going to be a major factor here as plenty of the leading contenders have been racing on the deep ground all winter. One exception is the Irish trained Streets Of Doyen, trained by John C McConnell at Stamullen, County Meath. He ran up a good ground four timer in the Autumn, culminating in a course and distance win in October. Given a mid season break presumably to miss the bad ground he was back for his prep race on unsuitable soft ground and over a mile too short in February. That will have teed him up nicely for this and he looks terrific each way value.   STREETS OF DOYEN 1 point EW @ 10/1 Bet365 1/5 1234   3.05 The Gold Cup features dual winner Al Boum Photo who surely is the one to beat although on official ratings he’s not that far clear of his rivals and at the prices I’ll take him on.  Henry De Bromhead has two big chances with A Plus Tard and Minella Indo. I did originally favour the latter but he’s been ridden throughout his career, including an Albert Bartlett win and RSA 2nd to Champ, by Rachael Blackmore who’s jumped ship to ride A Plus Tard and he has to be the selection here. He does have to prove his stamina over the last two furlongs but he looked good when beating Kemboy and others in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas over 3 miles and I’ll take him to top an excellent week for De Bromhead and Blackmore.   A PLUS TARD 2 points win @ 10/3 Boylesports   3.40 This year’s Foxhunters Chase (I’m still calling it that anyway!) will be different to previous renewals with professional jockeys riding due to the ban on amateurs. The last two winners in Hazel Hill and It Came To Pass along with last years runner up Billaway make a formidable Irish challenge but this may go the Paul Nicholls trained Bob And Co who was impressive under today’s jockey Sean Bowen when blitzing his field at Haydock 27 days ago. The one unknown with him however is the ground as all his form has been on deep ground. I’ll take a chance he handles the livelier conditions and with Bowen saying in the week that he felt he needed the Haydock run and has improved since he’s the bet here. Just a word of warning though he was a bit hairy at a couple of the Haydock fences so expect the odd errant jump! His class may get him through mind.   BOB AND CO 1 point EW @ 6/1 Boylesports 1/5 1234   4.15 A new addition to the Festival is another Ireland/Willie Mullins benefit race in the Mares Chase! Ireland have 7 of the 11 runners with the 4 British runners priced  at 33/1, 33/1,33/1 & 20/1! Elimay is a confident selection to win this for Mullins and Mark Walsh. She’s won 3 of her 4 starts over fences with her only defeat coming against the smart Allaho at Thurles. She was impressive last time when comfortably beating Shattered Love who looks held now and her biggest danger is stable companion Colreevy who has to prove her effectiveness on the drying ground. Mullins has farmed the two mares hurdles races at the Festival over the past decade and I expect the same scenario with this new race.   ELIMAY 3 points win @ 5/6 William Hills   4.50 A fiendishly hard Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle to complete the end of a memorable Festival where we’ve seem some very smart performances. Trainer David Pipe would love to win this race named after his father and he saddles three runners, the best of which maybe Martinhal who’s making his handicap debut and is lightly raced. The pick though is the Willie Mullins trained, Sean O’Keefe ridden 5 year old novice Galopin Des Champs who if we can believe his 9 1/4L 6th to Appreciate It and Ballyadam at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival could be well treated off of 140 on his handicap debut. An outsider that could outrun his big odds is the Nicky Henderson trained Mill Green who ran well to finish 6th last year when the standing start didn’t suit him. He’s worth a small ew saver at a big price.   GALOPIN DES CHAMPS 1 point EW @ 7/1 1/5 12345 MILL GREEN 1/2 point EW @ 33/1 Paddy Power 1/5 12345    

Day 3 and the ground appears to be drying with today’s action being run on the ew course.   1.20 A race to sit back and enjoy with no financial interest (unless you’re already on at fancy prices obviously). Envoi Allen (pictured below) is unbeaten in 11 starts - that’s a point to point, 4 bumpers (including Cheltenham Champion Bumper), 4 novice hurdles (including last years Ballymore) and 3 novice chases. He’s actually only beaten 11 horses over fences in those 3 small field races but to my eyes he just oozes class and I’ll be very surprised were he not to beat these in good style. Fusil Raffles maybe the best of the rest.   1.55 A competitive renewal of the Pertemps Network Final with likely favourite Imperial Alcazar holding a definite chance to give local handler Fergal O’Brien his first ever Festival winner. He looks sure to run a big race but I like the horse that ran him to 5L at Warwick in the qualifier and is now 8lb better off - Tom George’s Come On Teddy. He had previously won over the course and distance beating the useful yardstick On The Blind Side and he looks poised to run a big race.   COME ON TEDDY 1 point EW @ 10/1 1/5th 123456   2.30 A well contested and competitive Ryanair Chase where officially there is only 11lb between the whole field. A case can be made for many including last years one - two, Min and Saint Calvados. Fakir D’oudairies has been on my radar for a while for this race as I feel this intermediate trip is just ideal for Joseph O’Brien’s charge. The only time he’s actually run at 2m 4f he blitzed the useful Ronald Pump by 22L at Fairyhouse in a grade 1. He was certainly not disgraced when running Chacun Pour Soi to 8L last time and represents a bit of value here.   FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES 1 point EW @  Bet365 8/1 1/5th 1234   3.05 The Stayers Hurdle and Paisley Park brings the best overall form to the race although I still can’t get out of my mind his flop in this race last year at odds of 4/6. He may well win but I’m happy to take him on and find some each way value. I’ll take him on with Flooring Porter, who may prefer softer ground although he has abundant stamina and will see this trip out well. He appears to have improved this season winning a handicap hurdle at Navan in December and the grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle, keeping on strongly to beat The Storyteller and Sire Du Berlais who re-oppose today. Jonathan Moore is his regular pilot and keeps the ride here today.   FLOORING PORTER 1 point EW @ 11/1 Paddy Power 1/5th 12345   3.40 A typically tricky renewal with many having claims. Mister Whitaker is an interesting runner who’s Cheltenham Festival form figures are 1P3 with the pulled up coming over 3 miles which he just doesn’t stay. He was 3rd in this race last year and can race off of a mark 2lb lower so is no doubt well handicapped. He looks value at a big price with the firms paying the all important extra places. Farclas is one of the market leaders who could also run well as may last years runner up Happy Diva.   MISTER WHITAKER 1 point EW @ 14/1 Paddy Power 1/5th 123456   4.15 Willie Mullins has farmed this race since its inception, winning all 5 renewals. He runs three here and the best of them may well be Hook Up. She ran well behind Tuesday’s impressive winner Appreciate It when 4th at The Dublin Racing Festival and in a tricky enough race looks each way value, once again with firms pays those extra places.   HOOK UP 1 point EW @ 15/2 Paddy Power 1/5th 1234   4.50 Novice Mount Ida looks worth an each way bet in quite an uninspiring Kim Muir which obviously won’t be run with amateurs this season following their COVID ban. She ran Mares Chase fancy Coolreevy to 12L at Thurles last time out and could be well handicapped on her first handicap start. Kilfilum Cross has finished runner up in this the last two years off of 139 and 138 and can race off of 135 here. He’s not shown much this season but maybe he’s been trained with this race in mind. He’s worth a small ew saver also.   MOUNT IDA 1 point EW 8/1 Bet365 1/4 12345 KILFILUM CROSS 1/2 point EW 12/1 Bet365 1/4 12345    

1-20 Envoi Allen looks an absolute star in the making and seems to have scared away most of the opposition. His recent move to Henry De Bromhead is unlikely to prove too much of a detriment and he can enhance his already unblemished record. Shan Blue looks to be best of the remainder and can chase him home.
1-55 Come On Teddy looks sure to run a big race for Tom George. The seven-year-old comes here with winning track form and receives lumps of weight from most of his rivals. He has the beating of a couple of these on form lines through On The Bright Side and he can run a big race. It is worth bearing in mind that the Irish have won the last five renewals of this race and The Bosses Oscar looks sure to turn in another solid run.
2-30 This looks to be as competitive as ever but the one I keep getting drawn to is Imperial Aura. He was unlucky with his fall at Kempton last time and is far better than that. His record around here reads well and with question marks hanging over the likes of Min and Melon and their underperforming last time, he has to be seriously considered. Allaho is talented but he folded too quickly for my liking in the RSA last year. Mister Fisher looks the type to put in another solid performance and Dashel Drasher has been in fantastic form all year.
3-05 Sire Du Berlais could well prove to be a thorn in the side of Paisley Park. He just comes into his own at the Festival and there is no reason to think this year will be any different. With nothing separating the front two in the betting, he looks a very viable each way option. Flooring Porter has improved out of all recognition this season and could prove the chief danger.
3-40 This is a wide open renewal of a competitive handicap and Farclas may well be good enough to win it. His yard won this back in 2018 with The Storyteller and this former winner of the Triumph Hurdle looks to have had this on his agenda all year. The popular grey always tends to run his race and he can go well in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud. Paddy’s Poem is in good heart and cannot be entirely dismissed whilst Mister Whitaker also loves it around here and could sneak a place.
4-15 Roseys Hollow was an impressive winner of the Solerina Hurdle last time out and it would be of little surprise if she were to continue on an upward curve by taking this. Willie Mullins has maintained a tight grip on this race since its inception, but this is the most open renewal that I can remember. None of his representatives this time around particularly stand out. Glens Of Antrim would be the one who could possibly offer the biggest resistance to the selection.
4-50 Shantou Flyer may be advancing in years but connections clearly feel that he is up to being competitive at this level. He knows every blade of grass around this track and has to be high on any shortlist for that reason. Bob Mahler was an excellent third in this race last year and actually is five pounds lower this time around. He showed signs of encouragement last day to suggest he was on his way back and no surprise if he delivers a massive run.

1-20 Envoi Allen looks an absolute star in the making and seems to have scared away most of the opposition. His recent move to Henry De Bromhead is unlikely to prove too much of a detriment and he can enhance his already unblemished record. Shan Blue looks to be best of the remainder and can chase him home.
1-55 Come On Teddy looks sure to run a big race for Tom George. The seven-year-old comes here with winning track form and receives lumps of weight from most of his rivals. He has the beating of a couple of these on form lines through On The Bright Side and he can run a big race. It is worth bearing in mind that the Irish have won the last five renewals of this race and The Bosses Oscar looks sure to turn in another solid run.
2-30 This looks to be as competitive as ever but the one I keep getting drawn to is Imperial Aura. He was unlucky with his fall at Kempton last time and is far better than that. His record around here reads well and with question marks hanging over the likes of Min and Melon and their underperforming last time, he has to be seriously considered. Allaho is talented but he folded too quickly for my liking in the RSA last year. Mister Fisher looks the type to put in another solid performance and Dashel Drasher has been in fantastic form all year.
3-05 Sire Du Berlais could well prove to be a thorn in the side of Paisley Park. He just comes into his own at the Festival and there is no reason to think this year will be any different. With nothing separating the front two in the betting, he looks a very viable each way option. Flooring Porter has improved out of all recognition this season and could prove the chief danger.
3-40 This is a wide open renewal of a competitive handicap and Farclas may well be good enough to win it. His yard won this back in 2018 with The Storyteller and this former winner of the Triumph Hurdle looks to have had this on his agenda all year. The popular grey always tends to run his race and he can go well in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud. Paddy’s Poem is in good heart and cannot be entirely dismissed whilst Mister Whitaker also loves it around here and could sneak a place.
4-15 Roseys Hollow was an impressive winner of the Solerina Hurdle last time out and it would be of little surprise if she were to continue on an upward curve by taking this. Willie Mullins has maintained a tight grip on this race since its inception, but this is the most open renewal that I can remember. None of his representatives this time around particularly stand out. Glens Of Antrim would be the one who could possibly offer the biggest resistance to the selection.
4-50 Shantou Flyer may be advancing in years but connections clearly feel that he is up to being competitive at this level. He knows every blade of grass around this track and has to be high on any shortlist for that reason. Bob Mahler was an excellent third in this race last year and actually is five pounds lower this time around. He showed signs of encouragement last day to suggest he was on his way back and no surprise if he delivers a massive run.

1-20 Envoi Allen looks an absolute star in the making and seems to have scared away most of the opposition. His recent move to Henry De Bromhead is unlikely to prove too much of a detriment and he can enhance his already unblemished record. Shan Blue looks to be best of the remainder and can chase him home.
1-55 Come On Teddy looks sure to run a big race for Tom George. The seven-year-old comes here with winning track form and receives lumps of weight from most of his rivals. He has the beating of a couple of these on form lines through On The Bright Side and he can run a big race. It is worth bearing in mind that the Irish have won the last five renewals of this race and The Bosses Oscar looks sure to turn in another solid run.
2-30 This looks to be as competitive as ever but the one I keep getting drawn to is Imperial Aura. He was unlucky with his fall at Kempton last time and is far better than that. His record around here reads well and with question marks hanging over the likes of Min and Melon and their underperforming last time, he has to be seriously considered. Allaho is talented but he folded too quickly for my liking in the RSA last year. Mister Fisher looks the type to put in another solid performance and Dashel Drasher has been in fantastic form all year.
3-05 Sire Du Berlais could well prove to be a thorn in the side of Paisley Park. He just comes into his own at the Festival and there is no reason to think this year will be any different. With nothing separating the front two in the betting, he looks a very viable each way option. Flooring Porter has improved out of all recognition this season and could prove the chief danger.
3-40 This is a wide open renewal of a competitive handicap and Farclas may well be good enough to win it. His yard won this back in 2018 with The Storyteller and this former winner of the Triumph Hurdle looks to have had this on his agenda all year. The popular grey always tends to run his race and he can go well in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud. Paddy’s Poem is in good heart and cannot be entirely dismissed whilst Mister Whitaker also loves it around here and could sneak a place.
4-15 Roseys Hollow was an impressive winner of the Solerina Hurdle last time out and it would be of little surprise if she were to continue on an upward curve by taking this. Willie Mullins has maintained a tight grip on this race since its inception, but this is the most open renewal that I can remember. None of his representatives this time around particularly stand out. Glens Of Antrim would be the one who could possibly offer the biggest resistance to the selection.
4-50 Shantou Flyer may be advancing in years but connections clearly feel that he is up to being competitive at this level. He knows every blade of grass around this track and has to be high on any shortlist for that reason. Bob Mahler was an excellent third in this race last year and actually is five pounds lower this time around. He showed signs of encouragement last day to suggest he was on his way back and no surprise if he delivers a massive run.

With the 1st hunter chases of the season coming yesterday at Fairyhouse I thought it was time to start this thread again. Having done this for the 1st time last season and it proving popular I will once again be updating those horses that are being aimed at the Foxhunter in March. It is one race that gets over looked when looking at Cheltenham and I always get asked questions about what horses are and aren't qualified for the race. So this is where I can keep everyone updated as to what is going on and my thoughts on the runners. Obviously any bets during the upcoming months will go here as well.
Given we have had just 3 points in the UK and the Irish season is in its early stages as well we have already seen plenty of horses hoping to line up at Cheltenham in March. Let's start with the Fairyhouse race from yesterday which featured It Came To Pass and Billaway, the first two home from last season. The former's trainer went on RacingTV before the race and said that the horse would improve a stone for the run, the ground was against him and that he is a better horse in the spring. It was no surprise he drifted in the betting and given all that I thought he ran really well as he got himself into contention before fading in the straight. As far as I am aware only William Hill have the race priced up and It Came To Pass is currently 12/1 2nd fav which seems a fair enough price to me as his run was full of promise. Billaway is currently the 8/1 market leader to reverse the form from last season. He travelled well up until just before they turned for home where he looked like he would drop out of contention, but he came back on the bridle and looked the winner until he made a right mess of the last. I'm not certain he would have won though as when he got to the winner on the run in he didn't get any closer and I think the winner had more in the tank. At this stage he is probably still the horse I would make favourite for the race as it was a promising return to action and he should still be progressive. Stand Up And Fight looked like he would be a possible winner of the Foxhunter a couple of years ago when he finished 6th in the race. Last season didn't go to plan though as he only managed to win a point over a banks course. It seems cross-country racing was going to be his thing this season, but after this win yesterday the trainer said he will stick to hunter chases now. First time blinkers might have done the trick and you would want to see them work again, but it was a personal best performance for me and if he builds on it then he will be a player come March. The 14/1 available is a fair price, but I would want to see a repeat performance before considering getting involved.
Staying in Ireland I have to mention a horse who was declared to run at Fairyhouse, but didn't turn up. Aloneamongmillions ended up running at Dromahane instead where he beat last year's 4th Staker Wallace by a very comfortable 3L. That performance clearly puts him in the Foxhunter picture and despite having only 7 runs he is already qualified. Interestingly the only time he hasn't won was when he made his debut and that came in the UK when he fell in a maiden that Road To Rome went on to win. Given what that one went on to do it would have been a fascinating contest if Aloneamongmillions had of stood up. In Ireland broke his maiden tag last month and then won 3 points last season, before winning a hunter chase at Gowran Park in pleasing style. After that race his trainer said he would be aimed at Cheltenham and clearly he has backed that up with his win on Sunday. He's 16/1 at the moment and is a fascinating contender at this stage. Staker Wallace himself is also 16/1 and having fancied him last season I wouldn't want to write him off just yet.
Onto what has been happening this side of the Irish sea. Because the pointing season was stopped last term when lockdown happened the current season started in October which given pointing has had to stop again because of lockdown was a very good move. We have also already seen 4 horses who could have serious Cheltenham claims. First to run was Maxwell's Foxhunter horse this season Jatiluwih at Bishops Court. The horse was very good over hurdles and he not surprisingly made a winning pointing debut under Will Biddick as his owner is currently injured. He clearly is a very good horse, but I wasn't impressed with his jumping and that will need to improve a lot before I even consider backing him for Cheltenham. Obviously there is scope for improvement on that front, but 14/1 wouldn't appeal on the basis of that run.
Maxwell has 3 other horses priced up. Shantou Flyer has surely had his best chance of winning the race so he looks short at 16s. I haven't seen anything about Cat Tiger going hunter chasing and he is at 20/1. Bob And Co is also 20/1 but however much the Racing Post's Tom Collins thinks he is a Cheltenham Foxhunter contender I would be amazed if he turned up at Cheltenham and Aintree will be is race. We also know that Maxwell will only run one in the race based on what he said before this year's renewal so something would need to happen to Jatiluwih for any other these to run.
In the Ladies Open on the Bishops Court card I was much more impressed with Red Indian who beat a solid yardstick in Master Baker by 50L. He looks a readymade replacement for the yards Top Wood and he looks set to be an exciting horse this season. He isn't priced up by William Hill at the moment, but he should be. Like Jatiluwih it was a good move to get him out early to get the 1st qualifying run out of the way.
At Maisemore Wishing And Hoping ran out a comfortable winner of the Mixed Open for the Hazel Hill team. Some thought he should have been aimed at Cheltenham last season, but I though the Rowley's were right to take things more slowly with him as he looked like he needed a bit more experience. It was a solid win and he jumped well in making all. You would think he will be Cheltenham bound this season.
The last meeting before lockdown number 2 was at Kimble and the Mens Open there saw another very impressive performance from a horse making their pointing debut. Porlock Bay has come over from France and was backed in the market beforehand so was fancied to win and he ended up bolting up by 20L. The race was over 2m4f and he is unproven over further so we don't yet know if he will stay the Cheltenham trip. The plan seems to be to try him over 3m next time and we will know more then, but he looks a classy horse based on this performance. Hills have him priced up at 25/1.
Pointing in the UK is set to start again once we come out of lockdown and pointing in Ireland continues. I don't have the UK hunter chase dates yet, but usually Taunton in January is the first race of the season.
NB - In his Racing Post stable tour on 16/11 Paul Nicholls has stated that Bob And Co has had a wind op and Cat Tiger will be going hunter chasing.

Newbury 1.50( money back 2nd or 3rd)
Tea Clipper 16.78
Amour De Nuit 15.12
the latter offers the best value and is overpriced. 
Amour De Nuit 15/2
Newbury 2.25
Botox Has 20.9
Thyme White 18
the bookies have both of these bang on regarding prices.  Might play Thyme White ew if he drifts out a bit more. 
Botox Has 5/1
Newbury 3.00
Copperhead ew 10/1
Had La Bague Au Roi and Beware The Bear rated just behind but just playing Copperhead as it’s ultra competitive. 

1-43 DONCASTER CONSTANCIO
Donald McCain has his string in good form and this seven-year-old has maintained his consistency all season. He bumped into an a very unexposed Wild Max at Huntingdon last time and the pair pulled some half a dozen lengths clear of the third placed Rowland Ward. Tom Bellamy takes over in the saddle from Brian Hughes (who rides at Newcastle instead) and has ridden a few winners around here in the past. Constancio is the only course and distance winner in the line-up and he can make the most of that experience.
2-53 DONCASTER BYRON FLYER
Byron Flyer won this race as a five-year-old back in 2016 and returns to attempt to regain his crown. He is certainly well handicapped on the best of his old form now that he is five pounds below his last winning mark. This is a significant drop in grade for the now nine-year-old and a return to genuine good ground will also be in his favour. He ran well in a listed handicap hurdle last time out so is certainly more than capable of making his presence felt here. Ian Williams has his string in decent form and it would come as no surprise if Byron Flyer bounced right back to his best here.
3-00 NEWBURY - LA BAGUE AU ROI
Warren Greatrex’s mare could well be the forgotten horse here. It wasn’t too long ago that she was winning Grade One Novice Chases for fun. She will most definitely have needed her first run of the season where she finished fourth to Amalfi Doug at Perth back in September. She subsequently had wind surgery and was then raised in grade again to contest the Charlie Hall at Wetherby last month. She ran a fair enough race to finish fifth behind the re-opposing Vinndication and Aye Right. She is undefeated in three previous runs at Newbury, so her running style clearly lends itself well to this track and a return here could well rejuvenate her. Richard Johnson has ridden her to numerous wins in the past and it good to see him back on board this afternoon. As a mare she receives plenty of weight from some of her male counterparts, but definitely looks overpriced on the best of her old form. 

1-43 DONCASTER CONSTANCIO
Donald McCain has his string in good form and this seven-year-old has maintained his consistency all season. He bumped into an a very unexposed Wild Max at Huntingdon last time and the pair pulled some half a dozen lengths clear of the third placed Rowland Ward. Tom Bellamy takes over in the saddle from Brian Hughes (who rides at Newcastle instead) and has ridden a few winners around here in the past. Constancio is the only course and distance winner in the line-up and he can make the most of that experience.
2-53 DONCASTER BYRON FLYER
Byron Flyer won this race as a five-year-old back in 2016 and returns to attempt to regain his crown. He is certainly well handicapped on the best of his old form now that he is five pounds below his last winning mark. This is a significant drop in grade for the now nine-year-old and a return to genuine good ground will also be in his favour. He ran well in a listed handicap hurdle last time out so is certainly more than capable of making his presence felt here. Ian Williams has his string in decent form and it would come as no surprise if Byron Flyer bounced right back to his best here.
3-00 NEWBURY - LA BAGUE AU ROI
Warren Greatrex’s mare could well be the forgotten horse here. It wasn’t too long ago that she was winning Grade One Novice Chases for fun. She will most definitely have needed her first run of the season where she finished fourth to Amalfi Doug at Perth back in September. She subsequently had wind surgery and was then raised in grade again to contest the Charlie Hall at Wetherby last month. She ran a fair enough race to finish fifth behind the re-opposing Vinndication and Aye Right. She is undefeated in three previous runs at Newbury, so her running style clearly lends itself well to this track and a return here could well rejuvenate her. Richard Johnson has ridden her to numerous wins in the past and it good to see him back on board this afternoon. As a mare she receives plenty of weight from some of her male counterparts, but definitely looks overpriced on the best of her old form. 

One of National Hunt’s best Saturday’s is nearly upon us with the Newbury Ladbroke Trophy meeting at Newbury where with no rain forecast the ground is likely to ride unseasonably good for the time of year. 
We start the card with the 12.10 and a decent Mares listed hurdle where the most likely winner is Mrs Hyde who took the scalp of Verdana Blue at Wetherby and certainly won’t mind conditions. I’m not entirely convinced Verdana Blue is as good as she once was and with Mrs Hyde carrying a penalty I’ll be looking for some each way value elsewhere. Down at the bottom of the card is the Irish challenger POLITESSE, trained by Mrs Lorna Fowler and ridden by Robbie Power she’s smart having won a bumper, novice hurdle and running a highly promising 5th in a Grade 3 hurdle on her re-appearance where but for a bad blunder would have been placed. She’ll do for me each way against the likely favourite.
 
POLITESSE 1 point each way @ 4/1betvictor
 
Kalooki and Next Destination look the pair to concentrate in the 12.40 and with Kalooki having had the experience of winning at the track three weeks ago (2nd won since) I just favour over Next Destination who makes his fencing debut here but has some excellent hurdle form to his name. Hold That Note wouldn’t be far behind the big two and cant be easily dismissed. 
KALOOKI 1 point win @ 11/4 betvictor
 
The 1.15 looks wide open with many having claims. JP McManus runs four here with perhaps Kapcorse being the most interesting having won this event by 10 lengths two years ago off of a 10lb lower mark but he has a 644 day absence to overcome. Court Master appeals each way – he ran credibly in a decent novice handicap chase at the course three weeks ago and is at the right end of the handicap. Plenty of others can be given a chance but I’ll stick with Michael Scudamore’s 7 year old. 
COURT MASTER ½ point each way @ 9/1 betfred
 
One horse stands out in the next race – the 2m4f118yds handicap hurdle- Tom Lacey’s improver Tea Clipper who won cosily at Chepstow 7 weeks ago and despite a 7lb rise bounces off of good ground and will be hard to beat. Runner up to him at Chepstow that day was the Skelton’s Flash the Steel who re-opposes on 4lb better terms for a 2 1/4l beating so can make the frame. Nicky Henderson runs three with Champagne Platinum the most interesting. He blatantly failed to stay when last seen and he didn’t really convince last season as a chaser so back over the smaller obstacles here could be in his favour. On The Wild Side is a novice in his first handicap for Dr Newland and is also espected but for me it’s all about Tea Clipper on his favoured ground. 
TEA CLIPPER 2 points win @ 11/4 bet365
 
The 2.25 will always be known as the Gerry Feilden despite been re-named by sponsors Ladbrokes. Nicky Henderson ran Epatante in this last year when she blew the opposition away and ended up winning the Xmas Hurdle & Champion Hurdle so his representative Maries Rock has something to live up to here. She is unbeaten in a bumper and two novice hurdles impressing each time and was touted as a genuine Mares hurdle contender before her setback, this is what her trainer had to say about her in recent Racing Post Trainer file “She missed her big day in the mares' novice at Cheltenham after a stress fracture, which wasn't serious. She's summered well, has an enormous engine and is exciting. We've tinkered with her soft palate and hopefully she's top class”. No wonder why she’s been backed from as big as 4/1 at the 5 day declaration stage to her current odds of 6/4. She’ll be hard to beat off of 141 which incidentally is 3lb higher than Epatante ran off in this race last year. There’s some lovely animals in opposition mind including Botox Has a winner at Cheltenham already this season, Sebastopol who’s held in high regard by his trainer Tom Lacey, Milkwood who’s 4th in the Welsh Champion Hurdle looks a very good piece of form and Thyme White who’s been put up 11lb for his Chepstow romp. An outsider who looks overpriced is Seamus Mullins’ The Pink’n. She was 4l 2nd to Botox Has at Cheltenham and is now 4lb better off and then 3l behind Thyme White at Chepstow and now 5lb better off. Both Botox Has and Thyme White are priced around the 6/1 mark whilst The Pink’n is over three times the price a around the 20/1 mark. I’ll play Maries Rock to win and The Pink’n small ew. 
MARIES ROCK (below) 2 points win @ 7/4 betvictor
THE PINK’N ½ point each way @ 22/1 betvictor
 
I’ve dealt with the Ladbrokes Trophy earlier in the week and with the ground as predicted I’m happy enough to be on Secret Investor at 16/1 and The Black Op at 8/1. If you like Secret Investor mind you have to have an interest in Alan King’s Potterman who chased Secret Investor home at Chepstow and was just touched off in the Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton since. It’s a cracking race and lets just hope all 18 come back safely. One thing I would add is to shop around for the best place terms as most firms will be paying enhanced place terms. 
SECRET INVESTOR 1point e/w @ 16/1 (advised on Monday)
BLACK OP 1point ew @ 8/1 (advised on Monday)
POTTERMAN ½ point each way @ 20/1 betvictor
 
The finale is the 3.35, a handicap chase for The Jim Joel Memorial Chase Trophy. Top weight Moonlighter ran a stormer on his re-appearance when running Graneteen a close 2nd in the Haldon Gold Cup. The winner is set to take on the best 2 milers in the land next weekend at Sandown and despite a 5lb weight rise he should run well. Western Miller was a long way back in 2nd behind the rejuvenated Rouge Vif at Cheltenham last time whilst Ibleo ran a close 2nd at Ascot first time out but all his form is on very soft ground so it’s anyone’s guess how he’ll handle livelier conditions here. A bit of value for me can be had with the Philip Hobb’s trained Zanza who ran here three times as a hurdler winning twice and finishing a close up 6th in last season’s Betfair Hurdle. He’s only had the two runs this season over fences but both times behind some decent types (2nd to Allmankind at Warwick last time) and should be ready too strike now with the Hobbs team in better form than earlier in the season. 
ZANZA 1 point each way @ 7/1 bet365
 
 

1-43 DONCASTER CONSTANCIO
Donald McCain has his string in good form and this seven-year-old has maintained his consistency all season. He bumped into an a very unexposed Wild Max at Huntingdon last time and the pair pulled some half a dozen lengths clear of the third placed Rowland Ward. Tom Bellamy takes over in the saddle from Brian Hughes (who rides at Newcastle instead) and has ridden a few winners around here in the past. Constancio is the only course and distance winner in the line-up and he can make the most of that experience.
2-53 DONCASTER BYRON FLYER
Byron Flyer won this race as a five-year-old back in 2016 and returns to attempt to regain his crown. He is certainly well handicapped on the best of his old form now that he is five pounds below his last winning mark. This is a significant drop in grade for the now nine-year-old and a return to genuine good ground will also be in his favour. He ran well in a listed handicap hurdle last time out so is certainly more than capable of making his presence felt here. Ian Williams has his string in decent form and it would come as no surprise if Byron Flyer bounced right back to his best here.
3-00 NEWBURY - LA BAGUE AU ROI
Warren Greatrex’s mare could well be the forgotten horse here. It wasn’t too long ago that she was winning Grade One Novice Chases for fun. She will most definitely have needed her first run of the season where she finished fourth to Amalfi Doug at Perth back in September. She subsequently had wind surgery and was then raised in grade again to contest the Charlie Hall at Wetherby last month. She ran a fair enough race to finish fifth behind the re-opposing Vinndication and Aye Right. She is undefeated in three previous runs at Newbury, so her running style clearly lends itself well to this track and a return here could well rejuvenate her. Richard Johnson has ridden her to numerous wins in the past and it good to see him back on board this afternoon. As a mare she receives plenty of weight from some of her male counterparts, but definitely looks overpriced on the best of her old form. 

Good evening everyone!
As most of you will know, it's been a challenging few months for everyone connected with the site and forum after the tragic losses of both Paul "Sir Puntalot" Ross and Graham "BillyHills" Sarson. There is no denying that things will never be the same around here without them.
The process to find someone to help carry on the fine work that both Paul and Graham had done over the past 20 plus years was going to be a near impossible task but a task we were faced with taking on. I am pleased to announce that we have made the decision to appoint three new individuals to the Punters Lounge staff team to cover horse racing.
Steve Simmons aka @The Brigadier will take the lead role of Horse Racing Content Manager covering the horse racing content on the forum and site. He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm of the horse racing industry that will no doubt shine through in his content. You can check out his racing tips right here!
Karl Hedley aka @Tumbleweed King has been appointed in the role of Accumulator and Festivals Tipster. You may well be familiar with his work with the Irish Post and Racing Post. He certainly knows his stuff and will be a superb addition to the horse racing team.
Michael Clarke aka @MCLARKE is going to be our new Results and Competitions Manager. He's already been posting around the site and his involvement in the forum will keep things running smoothly and efficiently.
If you haven't already interacted with them across the forum then feel free to say a hello below! It's been a desperately sad time here over the past few months so this is some much-needed positive news to welcome these three on board.
Cheers!
Punters Lounge Staff Team

1255 donc 
Tomfre   312 
Kynren   310
These 2 are a bit clear .....kynren has been quiet for a while but conditions suit today and he usually picks up a race like this .....
Tomfre won a,shade cosily last time so could be more left in tank 
Tomfre 10pt win 5/1 sky 
Kynren 10pt win 9/1 b365 

1-20 Ascot TRINCOMALEE
Trincomalee is a progressive seven-year-old who warmed up for this just a few weeks ago when making his seasonal reappearance at Warwick. He was held up at the back and could never truly find a rhythm to get himself involved. This step back up in trip will bring his stamina into play and that may well bring about some further improvement. Bryony Frost retains the ride having partnered him at Warwick last time and with the ground very much in their favour, a big run cannot be ruled out. Lucy Wadham has her yard in decent form and has sent out two winners from her last five runners and there should be more to come given that the combination are set to receive weight from market rivals including Dr Sanderson, Falco Blitz and Smarty Wild.
 
3-05 Ascot SEBASTOPOL
Sebastopol is remarkably consistent and from just six starts for Tom Lacey, he has won three of them. The biggest win of his career to date came when he was last seen winning the Scottish County Hurdle at Musselburgh back in February. He likes to attack from off a strong pace and that should be guaranteed given the presence of both Byron Flyer and Caius Marcius. Sebastopol may have to overcome a lengthy absence, but he has done that before given that he won on his first outing at Wincanton last year. Richard Johnson will be keen to get cover for his mount and the combination will likely work their way into contention as the race progresses. This trip looks an absolute minimum for the improving six-year-old and there ought to be more to come on ground that looks ideal.
 
3-40 Ascot VALTOR
Valtor has won at the first time of asking for the last couple of seasons so Nicky Henderson is likely to have him primed and ready to go yet again this afternoon. Despite being an eleven-year-old he is clearly showing all the right signs at home to prove he can be competitive at this level and he is running a couple of pounds from below his last winning mark. Any further rain that falls would certainly be in his favour and the booking of Aidan Coleman certainly catches the eye. Valtor has run at Ascot three times in the past and has as yet to finish outside of the first two placings and he looks a more likely to run his true race that his stablemate Might Bite. The yard won this with Roberto Goldback in 2012 and like the selection, he was a veteran when he won this. Running in the familiar all green colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede this former French chaser can make his presence felt.

3-15 Cheltenham TOBEFAIR
Debra Hamer and Tom Bellamy combined to win this with Tobefair last season. The then nine-year- old defied top-weight to see off the likes of Sunset Showdown and Sykes. Despite his advancing age, he was only seen on the racecourse four times last season. He is far from over-raced. He has won twice at this track in the past and ground conditions are completely in his favour today. Jack Tudor’s five pound claim will be a valuable asset and he has been riding plenty of winners for the likes of Christian Williams and Suzi Best amongst others. Despite carrying the burden of top-weight yet again, he is the only course and distance winner in the field. Whilst potentially vulnerable to an improving type, he has proven he can go well fresh in the past. He is the highest rated horse in this field by some margin and it will be of little surprise to see his class shine through.
3-50 Cheltenham FRODON
The charismatic eight-year-old is a model of consistency and he has built up a fantastic relationship with Brony Frost who is on board yet again this afternoon. He is back down to a wining mark and being a multiple course and distance winner will do his chances no harm either. He prefers good ground and that appears to be on offer here this afternoon. He knows every blade of grass around Prestbury Park and is another that has gone well fresh in the past. Despite not running since March, Paul Nicholls has made a blistering start to the campaign and Frodon is more than capable of making his presence felt. A big run is likely
5-00 Cheltenham BALLYMALIN
Ballymalin hasn’t been seen since chasing home Bafana Blue at Carlisle almost a year ago. He was giving half a stone away to his younger rival that day and ultimately paid the price going down by three lengths in the end over a trip, which in truth, probably stretches his stamina as far as it can go these days. A return to an extended three miles will be more to his liking and his young jockey is no stranger to big race successes having won the Welsh Grand National on board The New One and the Betfair Chase on Benbens for the same yard. Ballymalin wouldn’t mind a drop of rain so if any falls, his chances would certainly increase. He has won after lengthy lay-offs in the past so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Ballymalin remains well handicapped on the best of his old form and he can go close here.

3-15 Cheltenham TOBEFAIR
Debra Hamer and Tom Bellamy combined to win this with Tobefair last season. The then nine-year- old defied top-weight to see off the likes of Sunset Showdown and Sykes. Despite his advancing age, he was only seen on the racecourse four times last season. He is far from over-raced. He has won twice at this track in the past and ground conditions are completely in his favour today. Jack Tudor’s five pound claim will be a valuable asset and he has been riding plenty of winners for the likes of Christian Williams and Suzi Best amongst others. Despite carrying the burden of top-weight yet again, he is the only course and distance winner in the field. Whilst potentially vulnerable to an improving type, he has proven he can go well fresh in the past. He is the highest rated horse in this field by some margin and it will be of little surprise to see his class shine through.
3-50 Cheltenham FRODON
The charismatic eight-year-old is a model of consistency and he has built up a fantastic relationship with Brony Frost who is on board yet again this afternoon. He is back down to a wining mark and being a multiple course and distance winner will do his chances no harm either. He prefers good ground and that appears to be on offer here this afternoon. He knows every blade of grass around Prestbury Park and is another that has gone well fresh in the past. Despite not running since March, Paul Nicholls has made a blistering start to the campaign and Frodon is more than capable of making his presence felt. A big run is likely
5-00 Cheltenham BALLYMALIN
Ballymalin hasn’t been seen since chasing home Bafana Blue at Carlisle almost a year ago. He was giving half a stone away to his younger rival that day and ultimately paid the price going down by three lengths in the end over a trip, which in truth, probably stretches his stamina as far as it can go these days. A return to an extended three miles will be more to his liking and his young jockey is no stranger to big race successes having won the Welsh Grand National on board The New One and the Betfair Chase on Benbens for the same yard. Ballymalin wouldn’t mind a drop of rain so if any falls, his chances would certainly increase. He has won after lengthy lay-offs in the past so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Ballymalin remains well handicapped on the best of his old form and he can go close here.

2-30 Ascot WONDERFUL TONIGHT
This three-year-old daughter of Le Havre is extremely lightly raced. She has talent in abundance though and a fortnight ago, she made just about all to win the Qatar Prix De Royallieu at Paris Longchamp in testing conditions. She looks all set to encounter similar ground here this afternoon and with trainer David Menusier in excellent form she commands utmost respect. Will Buick takes over in the saddle and given that she has won over longer trips, he will likely make the most of her proven stamina. Wonderful Tonight is set to receive seven pounds from her male counterparts including Antonio De Vega and and Dame Mallot. Every single pound will count on ground this soft and if finding for pressure, she may well be able to grind them into submission. Many of her own sex who line up here are woefully out of form. She still has further improvement to come and she has to be high on any shortlist.
 
3-40 Ascot ADDEYBB
A globetrotting winning machine is the best way to describe the William Haggas trained six-year-old. This ten furlong trip certainly brings out the best in him and with three wins from four starts under his belt this year, he is remarkably consistent. Two of those victories came out in Australia in the spring where he picked up wins in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill before also scoring at Randwick in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He returned to the UK in time for Royal Ascot and following his exertions abroad, he found only one too strong in Lord North. Given that he probably needed to reacclimatise, that effort had to be marked up. That proved to be the case when on his subsequent start he lined up for the Doonside Cup at Ayr. Despite coming under strong pressure a couple of furlongs out, he fought back bravely and got the better of Lord Glitters by just under a length. The form of that race has already been well advertised at the fourth placed Euchen Glen has come out to win subsequently. Tom Marquand has built up an excellent relationship with this son of Pivotal and they have to rate as massive dangers to all. He has been given a two month break to prepare for this and his trainer can reap the rewards.
4-15 Ascot KEATS
Last seen out just over a fortnight ago, Keats was given a positive ride by Seamie Heffernan in a listed race at Cork. He came under a drive a couple of furlongs from home but the son of Galileo found plenty for pressure. He readily swept to the front to beat Free Solo by a little over a length. He looks to be another that is improving just at the right time and may be able to take full advantage of many rivals who have just not shown their true form this season. With the ground likely to be just as he likes it and now with Ryan Moore on board, the pair can end the season on a high for all at Ballydoyle.

2-30 Ascot WONDERFUL TONIGHT
This three-year-old daughter of Le Havre is extremely lightly raced. She has talent in abundance though and a fortnight ago, she made just about all to win the Qatar Prix De Royallieu at Paris Longchamp in testing conditions. She looks all set to encounter similar ground here this afternoon and with trainer David Menusier in excellent form she commands utmost respect. Will Buick takes over in the saddle and given that she has won over longer trips, he will likely make the most of her proven stamina. Wonderful Tonight is set to receive seven pounds from her male counterparts including Antonio De Vega and and Dame Mallot. Every single pound will count on ground this soft and if finding for pressure, she may well be able to grind them into submission. Many of her own sex who line up here are woefully out of form. She still has further improvement to come and she has to be high on any shortlist.
 
3-40 Ascot ADDEYBB
A globetrotting winning machine is the best way to describe the William Haggas trained six-year-old. This ten furlong trip certainly brings out the best in him and with three wins from four starts under his belt this year, he is remarkably consistent. Two of those victories came out in Australia in the spring where he picked up wins in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill before also scoring at Randwick in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He returned to the UK in time for Royal Ascot and following his exertions abroad, he found only one too strong in Lord North. Given that he probably needed to reacclimatise, that effort had to be marked up. That proved to be the case when on his subsequent start he lined up for the Doonside Cup at Ayr. Despite coming under strong pressure a couple of furlongs out, he fought back bravely and got the better of Lord Glitters by just under a length. The form of that race has already been well advertised at the fourth placed Euchen Glen has come out to win subsequently. Tom Marquand has built up an excellent relationship with this son of Pivotal and they have to rate as massive dangers to all. He has been given a two month break to prepare for this and his trainer can reap the rewards.
4-15 Ascot KEATS
Last seen out just over a fortnight ago, Keats was given a positive ride by Seamie Heffernan in a listed race at Cork. He came under a drive a couple of furlongs from home but the son of Galileo found plenty for pressure. He readily swept to the front to beat Free Solo by a little over a length. He looks to be another that is improving just at the right time and may be able to take full advantage of many rivals who have just not shown their true form this season. With the ground likely to be just as he likes it and now with Ryan Moore on board, the pair can end the season on a high for all at Ballydoyle.

I have 4 more bets across the cards at Caulfield and Randwick
Caulfield R7 (5.45am)
Hard not to be impressed with Alfa Oro of late and his record is now 6/8. I put him up last time despite the fact he was dropping down to 955m at The Valley last time and he bolted up in a BM84. He steps up into G2 company for the first time, but he looks more than up to it based on times and the visual performances. He is the improver against a more exposed field and is drawn in 2 so should be able to get a handy position.
Alfa Oro @ 11/10 with William Hill
Caulfield R10 (7.45am)
Pretty Brazen for me in this G2 that ends the card. She has been running well so fair this prep. She won a G2 at Flemington last month beating Arcadia Queen and then finished 3rd in a G1 over course and distance a week later with the winner being Behemoth. So the form of both races is strong. She got no luck at all last time at Flemington and she would have finished close with a clear run. She will need luck in running again, but it is a small field so it should be easier for her jockey here.
Pretty Brazen @ 18/5 with Bet365
Randwick R5 (4.50am)
The Koscuiszko is a great idea that I think would work well over here and I am going with the favourite It's Me who has looked a superstar in waiting. She has a blistering turn of foot and although she has never been 1200m in her 3 starts to date it doesn't look like it will be an issue for her. It isn't hard to think that further down the line she could be an Everest horse.
It's Me @ 5/4 with Bet365
Randwick R6 (5.25am)
This is basically the race for horses that didn't get a run in The Everest and Deprive looks the best of them. He landed this race last year and his return in the G2 Premiere when 3rd to Libertini is obviously a strong piece of form and it should put him spot on to land this prize for the 2nd year running.
Deprive @ 15/8 with Betfair

Ascot finish their 2020  flat season with the 10th Champions Day which will be run on testing soft ground with the likes of Stradivarius, Magical and Palace Pier looking to end their term with victories.
 
Hollie Doyle has had a sensational season breaking her own yearly winner total earlier in the week with 117 winners so far. She has a big chance of securing her first Group 1 success with DAME MALLIOT (2.30 Ascot). Hollie won on her at Newmarket in the Group 2 Princess Of Wales Stakes back in July and was a highly credible 3rd in the Prix Vermeille on Arc trials day. Behind her that day were rivals Wonderful Tonight, Laburnam and Even So and she can confirm the form. It will be an emotional win not only for Hollie but as trainer Ed Vaughan is leaving the training ranks for financial reasons and ironically the first prize here of just short of £200k would be his biggest win.
 
Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara has an excellent record in the Balmoral handicap (4.15) having won it twice and had two placed in the eight runners he’s saddled in the prestigious handicap’s 6 year history so his two runners are of significance this year. The one I’m most interested in is ORBAAN who will be ridden by stable jockey Daniel Tudhope and is only 3lb higher than his York win in July. An ex Andre Fabre inmate he’ll have no problem with the soft ground and looks the best value in a race full of dangers headed by the pair of improving 3 year olds Raaeq and Tempus who head the market. Last year’s winner O’Meara’s Escobar was drawn 20 (although they did race on the inside track then) so I’m hopeful that Orbaan’s stall number 20 will be ideal.
 
The National Hunt season is becoming more interesting by the day and the best bet over the sticks is Nigel Twiston Davies’ TEMPLEHILLS (2.53 Stratford) who looks thrown in off of only 120 (113 if taking the more than capable Jack Savage’s claim into account). He was a smart chaser for Twiston Davies two seasons back winning at Warwick off of 137 and at one stage being as highly rated as 144. Having lost his form he was acquired by  Jonjo O’Neil and showed little for him in four runs the following season before re-joining his former trainer off of a very winnable mark. He’s won after a break and should be ready to fire today. This doesn’t look the strongest of handicap chases with Frankly Du Berlais winning over hurdles last time and the biggest threat possibly coming from Keiran Burke’s Everlanes who was progressive last season and his trainer has been amongst the winners recently

2-30 Ascot WONDERFUL TONIGHT
This three-year-old daughter of Le Havre is extremely lightly raced. She has talent in abundance though and a fortnight ago, she made just about all to win the Qatar Prix De Royallieu at Paris Longchamp in testing conditions. She looks all set to encounter similar ground here this afternoon and with trainer David Menusier in excellent form she commands utmost respect. Will Buick takes over in the saddle and given that she has won over longer trips, he will likely make the most of her proven stamina. Wonderful Tonight is set to receive seven pounds from her male counterparts including Antonio De Vega and and Dame Mallot. Every single pound will count on ground this soft and if finding for pressure, she may well be able to grind them into submission. Many of her own sex who line up here are woefully out of form. She still has further improvement to come and she has to be high on any shortlist.
 
3-40 Ascot ADDEYBB
A globetrotting winning machine is the best way to describe the William Haggas trained six-year-old. This ten furlong trip certainly brings out the best in him and with three wins from four starts under his belt this year, he is remarkably consistent. Two of those victories came out in Australia in the spring where he picked up wins in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill before also scoring at Randwick in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He returned to the UK in time for Royal Ascot and following his exertions abroad, he found only one too strong in Lord North. Given that he probably needed to reacclimatise, that effort had to be marked up. That proved to be the case when on his subsequent start he lined up for the Doonside Cup at Ayr. Despite coming under strong pressure a couple of furlongs out, he fought back bravely and got the better of Lord Glitters by just under a length. The form of that race has already been well advertised at the fourth placed Euchen Glen has come out to win subsequently. Tom Marquand has built up an excellent relationship with this son of Pivotal and they have to rate as massive dangers to all. He has been given a two month break to prepare for this and his trainer can reap the rewards.
4-15 Ascot KEATS
Last seen out just over a fortnight ago, Keats was given a positive ride by Seamie Heffernan in a listed race at Cork. He came under a drive a couple of furlongs from home but the son of Galileo found plenty for pressure. He readily swept to the front to beat Free Solo by a little over a length. He looks to be another that is improving just at the right time and may be able to take full advantage of many rivals who have just not shown their true form this season. With the ground likely to be just as he likes it and now with Ryan Moore on board, the pair can end the season on a high for all at Ballydoyle.

2-30 Ascot WONDERFUL TONIGHT
This three-year-old daughter of Le Havre is extremely lightly raced. She has talent in abundance though and a fortnight ago, she made just about all to win the Qatar Prix De Royallieu at Paris Longchamp in testing conditions. She looks all set to encounter similar ground here this afternoon and with trainer David Menusier in excellent form she commands utmost respect. Will Buick takes over in the saddle and given that she has won over longer trips, he will likely make the most of her proven stamina. Wonderful Tonight is set to receive seven pounds from her male counterparts including Antonio De Vega and and Dame Mallot. Every single pound will count on ground this soft and if finding for pressure, she may well be able to grind them into submission. Many of her own sex who line up here are woefully out of form. She still has further improvement to come and she has to be high on any shortlist.
 
3-40 Ascot ADDEYBB
A globetrotting winning machine is the best way to describe the William Haggas trained six-year-old. This ten furlong trip certainly brings out the best in him and with three wins from four starts under his belt this year, he is remarkably consistent. Two of those victories came out in Australia in the spring where he picked up wins in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill before also scoring at Randwick in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He returned to the UK in time for Royal Ascot and following his exertions abroad, he found only one too strong in Lord North. Given that he probably needed to reacclimatise, that effort had to be marked up. That proved to be the case when on his subsequent start he lined up for the Doonside Cup at Ayr. Despite coming under strong pressure a couple of furlongs out, he fought back bravely and got the better of Lord Glitters by just under a length. The form of that race has already been well advertised at the fourth placed Euchen Glen has come out to win subsequently. Tom Marquand has built up an excellent relationship with this son of Pivotal and they have to rate as massive dangers to all. He has been given a two month break to prepare for this and his trainer can reap the rewards.
4-15 Ascot KEATS
Last seen out just over a fortnight ago, Keats was given a positive ride by Seamie Heffernan in a listed race at Cork. He came under a drive a couple of furlongs from home but the son of Galileo found plenty for pressure. He readily swept to the front to beat Free Solo by a little over a length. He looks to be another that is improving just at the right time and may be able to take full advantage of many rivals who have just not shown their true form this season. With the ground likely to be just as he likes it and now with Ryan Moore on board, the pair can end the season on a high for all at Ballydoyle.

2-30 Ascot WONDERFUL TONIGHT
This three-year-old daughter of Le Havre is extremely lightly raced. She has talent in abundance though and a fortnight ago, she made just about all to win the Qatar Prix De Royallieu at Paris Longchamp in testing conditions. She looks all set to encounter similar ground here this afternoon and with trainer David Menusier in excellent form she commands utmost respect. Will Buick takes over in the saddle and given that she has won over longer trips, he will likely make the most of her proven stamina. Wonderful Tonight is set to receive seven pounds from her male counterparts including Antonio De Vega and and Dame Mallot. Every single pound will count on ground this soft and if finding for pressure, she may well be able to grind them into submission. Many of her own sex who line up here are woefully out of form. She still has further improvement to come and she has to be high on any shortlist.
 
3-40 Ascot ADDEYBB
A globetrotting winning machine is the best way to describe the William Haggas trained six-year-old. This ten furlong trip certainly brings out the best in him and with three wins from four starts under his belt this year, he is remarkably consistent. Two of those victories came out in Australia in the spring where he picked up wins in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill before also scoring at Randwick in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He returned to the UK in time for Royal Ascot and following his exertions abroad, he found only one too strong in Lord North. Given that he probably needed to reacclimatise, that effort had to be marked up. That proved to be the case when on his subsequent start he lined up for the Doonside Cup at Ayr. Despite coming under strong pressure a couple of furlongs out, he fought back bravely and got the better of Lord Glitters by just under a length. The form of that race has already been well advertised at the fourth placed Euchen Glen has come out to win subsequently. Tom Marquand has built up an excellent relationship with this son of Pivotal and they have to rate as massive dangers to all. He has been given a two month break to prepare for this and his trainer can reap the rewards.
4-15 Ascot KEATS
Last seen out just over a fortnight ago, Keats was given a positive ride by Seamie Heffernan in a listed race at Cork. He came under a drive a couple of furlongs from home but the son of Galileo found plenty for pressure. He readily swept to the front to beat Free Solo by a little over a length. He looks to be another that is improving just at the right time and may be able to take full advantage of many rivals who have just not shown their true form this season. With the ground likely to be just as he likes it and now with Ryan Moore on board, the pair can end the season on a high for all at Ballydoyle.