4.00 Lingfield
AMANTO @ 33/1 Ladbrokes
Only his third run on the flat, would have a chance here on his 3/4L third at the track over 2m, wasn't beaten far on his subsequent run. Rated 124 over hurdles and this is his third run for the stable since being sold out of the Nicholls yard, his first run on boxing day was encouraging behind Divine Spear but slight concern is the reported breathing problems on his next outing. 33/1 shots are always going to have risks attached and now the race has broken up every chance he go well at a big price.
Well as if by magic, we will make that happen for you on PL. All finished with implementing the new design now, so it's full steam ahead with pulling data out of it as you suggested above.
Anything else you or anyone reading this wants, we'll try and implement everything you ask for.
The Life is now useless as it stands.
Supposed to be adding Stats, ABC Guide, Video form later but really it should not have been dished out like it is.
I would like a page on the results section that has all of them on one page in brief, (just 123, prices, NR's etc..) The RP used to have this but now its three times the size and very hard to look at.
Timeform do a decent job here:
https://www.timeform.com/horse-racing/results/yesterday
Strange thing luck, really starting to think it might just be my Old Pal Cue Cards Gold Cup for the taking
Fell last year and gets beat in the King Geordie but Mr Tizzard reporting he returned home with a big fat leg
Could he ? Can he ? should he ? might he be ?
Lots to sit down and think about
I'll be there
Cheers G'
Had me eye on one or two bumper runners but just not been declared yet by trainers, don't want a wasted write up in the Wednesday Cheltenham section.
Always liked jockey Stephen Clements as he reminds me a little of Paul Carberry, he shows up for just the one ride at Thurles for the bumper, he rides a 5yr old mare trained by Alan Fleming ''also his only runner'' she ran an ok race on her debut at Leopardstown on 28th Dec and is worth another chance.
A few of the usual suspects show up and it's not a race to go mad on but this mare is sure to know a bit more now after a break and Mr Fleming is one of those trainers that shows up when he feels he has an honest chance of running well.
17:20 Thurles - Marta Mes. Play safe E/w
MY ANTE-POST DIARY - 2016/2017
PART 13
With three weeks to go before the start of the Festival, it seemed like a good time to take stock of my selections to date and see where they stand with the Festival in mind.
My first selection was Jezki in the Stayers’ Hurdle who had been off the track for a year but Jessica Harrington’s nine-year-old has now had two runs in preparation for the Festival. He was beaten at the weekend over two miles but the heavy ground is something that he has struggled on in the past, so I am not too concerned about him getting beaten. According to connections, the Champion Hurdle is still a possible for him but he is a general 8/1 shot for the longer race and with better ground likely to suit, I still think he has a strong chance.
Kim Bailey’s Charbel hasn’t been seen since chasing home Altior before Christmas and has reported to have coughed in the meantime. However, his trainer reported him to be back in work in the last couple of weeks and he is likely to contest either the Arkle or the JLT at the Festival. His Uttoxeter form has been franked with Top Notch and Le Prezien both winning since and he is now a general 14/1 shot for the JLT, a good deal shorter than the 33/1 we took. Like many horses running at Cheltenham, his target is undecided but I suspect that given how he was beaten by Altior at Sandown, connections won’t be keen to take him on again.
One of the less likely to run is Cilaos Emery who we tipped for the Supreme earlier in the season. He was beaten at Punchestown by Mick Jazz last time, which with the best will in the world is some way short of Supreme form. Having won his bumper on a sounder surface, it is possible that he could improve for better ground at Cheltenham but at this stage, he would have to be considered an unlikely runner given the strength of the Mullins stable. Should he not run however, the NRNB concession will come into play.
Native River has shortened up since being advised at 9/1 for the Gold Cup following his Welsh National success. His most recent victory at Newbury was arguably his most impressive and following the news that Thistlecrack will miss the race he is now a general 3/1 favourite.
Another who is a good deal shorter for his race is Wholestone who is around 6/1 for the Albert Bartlett. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding seems to have improved all year and turned in his best effort to date when winning on Trials Day at Cheltenham at the end of last month. We backed him at e/w 16/1 and at this stage, he looks a live contender.
The debate about Moon Racer’s Festival target continues to rumble but is interesting to note that he has attracted support for the Champion Hurdle in recent days. Having tipped him up at 20/1 NRNB a few weeks ago, he is now 14/1 with the same firm, despite his trainer suggesting the Supreme is the main target. As I have said in recent weeks, I would be surprised if he didn’t run in the Champion Hurdle given his injury record and the open nature of this year’s renewal, but we are in the hands of his connections at present.
One of our selections who won’t be going to Cheltenham is Kotkikova who was ruled out of the Festival by her trainer Nicky Henderson last week. Henderson told the Racing Post: “She’s done a splint and we have to leave her alone for a bit. I’m not sure how long she’ll be off but we have to deal with it and it’s come at the wrong time.” This is obviously disappointing news and is our first loss of the meeting.
However, Sub Lieutenant remains on course for the Ryanair Chase according to owner Michael O’Leary. He is likely to be joined in the race for Empire Of Dirt but as I mentioned when we tipped him, I think the sounder surface at the Festival is likely to play to his strengths. He wasn’t beaten far by Sizing John last time and is now 10/1 with bet365 for the race.
Barney Dwan also looks set for the Festival having qualified for the Pertemps Final at Exeter a couple of weeks ago. Fergal O’Brien has earmarked this race as the target for his seven-year-old and having run well for a long way behind antepost favourite Tobefair at Warwick, I think he can have a big say in the Final.
Brian Ellison has confirmed that our selection Forest Bihan is on course for a crack at the Arkle which in turn has shortened his price to 20/1 with bet365. It will be interesting to see how many runners there are on the day but he must have a chance of making the frame, for all Altior looks hard to beat.
Champers On Ice may wear cheekpieces for his next assignment which is likely to be in the National Hunt Chase according to his trainer David Pipe. He will also have entries in the handicaps but the 4m race is the preferred option at this stage for which he is still around 14/1.
Messire Des Obeaux will keep his entry in the Supreme but would only take that engagement up if the ground was soft. His main target remains the Neptuneand despite his defeat at Huntingdon a couple of weeks ago, I still think he can have a big say at the Festival.
Unfortunately my RSA pick Disko looks more likely to go for the JLT at the Festival following his Grade 1 success at Leopardstown. Noel Meade’s bold jumper must have a chance in either race but although all hope isn’t lost, it appears he will head to the JLT.
My selection in the Triumph is Dinaria Des Obeaux who may have been beaten at Leopardstown but her trainer believes the stronger pace and better ground at Cheltenham will bring about improvement in his filly. She stayed on well following a bad mistake to finish third and if she can sharpen up her jumping, I still think she can run well in the Triumph.
Our final two selections to date Southfield Royale and Cloudy Dream are also still very much on track for the Festival although the entries for their respective races haven’t yet been confirmed.
Champion Hurdle
Yanworth booked his place in the race with a hard-fought success in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday. Much like his victory at Kempton over Christmas, Barry Geraghty had to get pretty serious with the seven-year-old but he saw the race out strongly to get the better of Ch’Tibello. There is no doubt that the Cheltenham track will suit him better than Kempton or Wincanton but personally I doubt whether he can win the Champion Hurdle.
One JP McManus horse who won’t be running in the Champion Hurdle is Sutton Place who continued his winning run in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday. The six-year-old has now won his five starts under rules but his trainer Gordon Elliott ruled out supplementing him for any of the Festival races, he will instead wait for Fairyhouse.
Dan Skelton confirmed on Monday that his main hope Superb Story would miss Cheltenham having suffered a tendon injury, with connections hoping he will be back in December. Ch’tibello who chased home Yanworth on Saturday was also described as 50-50 for Cheltenham having had his palate cauterised. The Skelton team felt he didn’t see his race out as well as they hoped and if he does miss the Festival, he will wait for Punchestown.
If there is a Champion Hurdle horse in the north of England then it could be Cyrus Darius who was an impressive winner at Kelso last week. That was the eight-year-old’s second start of the season and he travelled much better on this occasion. He was helped by the fact that Born Survivor fell at the second last but he won with plenty in hand. He has the option of running in the Champion but the County Hurdle is also a possibility.
Champion Chase
There were only 20 acceptors for the Champion Chase following the latest forfeit stage and Douvan remains the long odds-on favourite at around 1/3.
Those of you who read my diary last year will be aware that I tipped Traffic Fluide for last year’s race so I have been a keen observer of his two runs so far this term. I was surprised he was turned out so quickly at Ascot last weekend but much like at Newbury the week before, he made a sweeping move a long way from home before weakening in the closing stages and ultimately finishing well beaten. In his novice days I felt that 2m5f was too far for him as he is such an exuberant traveller but to be honest it has been hard to gauge just how much ability he retains.
Stayers Hurdle
Unowhatimeanharry shortened up for this race following Jezki’s reverse at Gowran on Saturday. Harry Fry’s gelding is as short as Evens with some firms with Vroum Vroum Mag the general second favourite at around the 6/1 mark (NRNB).
Paul Nicholls is likely to saddle at least one runner in the race as owner Andy Stewart confirmed that Old Guard is set to take his chance in the race. He feels that the gelding is probably too high in the weights to be competitive in the Coral Cup and has therefore decided to pitch him into Grade 1 company.
He could be joined by stablemate Zarkandar who got back to winning ways in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday. The ten-year-old travelled sweetly for Harry Cobden before quickening clear in the closing stages and he has been trimmed to around 20/1. However, his trainer has said that he would prefer to wait for Aintree with him as he believes he prefers a flat track.
Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Festival lost another big player today as Thistlecrack was ruled out for the rest of the season with a tendon injury. He didn’t seem himself on Monday and a scan revealed that he had suffered a slight tendon tear. Following the news, Native River is now the general 5/2 favourite with Cue Card at 7/2 and Djakadam next best at 11/2.
In fact, Cue Card booked his ticket for the Gold Cup with a wide-margin success in the Ascot Chase on Saturday. Although the opposition wasn’t up to much, the eleven-year-old was always in control and had no trouble drawing away from his rivals on the turn for home. Now that the race is without Thistlecrack, he looks to have a solid chance of making amends for his fall in last year’s Gold Cup.
Following the fallout surrounding the Grand National weights, it looks as though Gigginstown will be doubly represented in the Gold Cup by Don Poli and Outlander. In the revised market they are 16/1 and 8/1 respectively.
Bristol De Mai was disappointing at Newbury a couple of weeks ago but a cut suffered during the race has been given as the reason for his below-par performance. With that in mind, his connections are still keen to have a go at the Gold Cup as they believe that he didn’t give his true running at Haydock.
Ryanair
Another potential Grand National runner who has been ruled out of the race is Empire Of Dirt with his owners instead rerouting him to the Ryanair. Last year’s winner of the Plate has improved again this season, winning a valuable handicap in Ireland before finishing a close second to Sizing John in the Irish Gold Cup last time. He travels strongly in his races so should have no trouble dropping back in trip and he has been cut to around 5/1 with most firms.
He is likely to face Josses Hill in the Ryanair, who Nicky Henderson has said will head straight to the Festival having missed the Ascot Chase because of the ground. His trainer reported that he had been 100% since his run in the King George and that he worked well at the weekend. He is generally available at 10/1 with most firms.
Novice Hurdlers
Supreme
The victory of Beyond Conceit at Ascot on Saturday may have screamed Neptune to some observers but his trainer Nicky Henderson believes the Supreme may be more suitable for him. The race was quite steadily run on Saturday and Henderson believes that the stronger pace in a Supreme should suit him as he will settle better and he can stay on strongly up the Cheltenham hill. He did say that connections will consider their options before making a final decision but the Supreme definitely looks to be the preferred option at this stage.
In betting news, it has been noticeable in recent days that the price of Betfair Hurdle winner Ballyandy continues to shorten for the Festival opener. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ gelding is now a general 8/1 for the Supreme so it seems this is the route that he will take at the Festival.
The Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday could offer someone the opportunity to throw their hat into the ring. There are some promising performers amongst the twelve entries including Capitaine, Elgin, Peter The Mayo Man, River Wylde and Captain Forez. In truth, one of these would have to win pretty well for them to be considered a leading contender for the Supreme but it will still give us an idea about the pecking order in the novice hurdling division.
Albert Bartlett
Tom George’s The Worlds End booked his place in the Albert Bartlett as the six-year-old justified strong market support to win the Prestige Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock on Saturday. He has now won his last three starts and was trying 3m for the first time but he stayed on strongly to get the better of No Hassle Hoff. His trainer is keen for him to take his chance in the 3m Albert Bartlett, for which his prices range from 10/1 to as big as 16/1.
Triumph
Paul Nicholls revealed that Cliffs Of Dover will miss the rest of the season following a setback. The four-year-old suffered a knock on his leg in a schooling session and whilst his trainer had hoped the injury wasn’t too bad, the issue was more serious than it first appeared. His trainer plans to give him a long break now before bringing him back at around Christmas time.
Don Bersy has been a fine servant to the Tom Symonds stable having landed his third success of the season at Haydock on Saturday. The four-year-old defied a penalty to get the better of Zalvados but he won’t head to Cheltenham instead possibly waiting for Aintree. His trainer believes he has a bright future and was pleased to see him handle this sounder surface but Cheltenham is definitely off the agenda for this year at least.
Over in Ireland, Dandy Mag earned quotes as short as 20/1 for the Triumph following his debut success at Gowran Park. The gelding is a half-brother to the same stable’s Vroum Vroum Mag and he won with plenty in hand here. The Triumph will probably come soon enough for him but he could be one to keep an eye on going forward.
Looking ahead to this weekend, the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton could off some Triumph clues with the likes to Charli Parcs and Evening Hush both entered. This race has proved a good guide in the past and the entries also include an interesting French recruit in the shape of Ibleo and a hurdling debutant from the Dan Skelton stable in Bedrock.
Fred Winter
Percy Street is also amongst the entries for the Adonis despite being a disappointing second at Sandown last Friday. The four-year-old was reported to have hated the ground but his finishing effort was still a tame one and he has yet to totally convince over obstacles. His current mark of 124 would not be high enough to get him into the Fred Winter but a sounder surface may bring about improvement in him at the weekend.
One Nicky Henderson juvenile who is heading to the Fred Winter is Domperignon Du Lys who has been given a rating of 133. The French import has won two of his three starts for Henderson was last seen winning at Market Rasen a couple of weeks ago.
Novice Chasers
Arkle
The only news of note in terms of the Arkle this week was that Identity Thief who was a general 12/1 third favourite for the race would miss the Festival. He had a little hold up in the last couple of weeks and connections don’t want to take him straight to Cheltenham having been pulled up and fallen on his last two starts. He could be back for the end of the season with Fairyhouse and Punchestown both possible targets but unfortunately the Arkle will come too soon.
JLT
Nicky Henderson already has a major contender for the JLT in the shape of Top Notch but he could be joined in the race by stablemate Whisper. He won on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham and his trainer is currently weighing up whether to run him in the JLT or the RSA. Henderson said: “I want to talk to Davy Russell (retained rider for Walters), he can advise me on what he thinks. If he is nearly favourite for the RSA that tells me something about the race. We have Top Notch in the JLT, but it is not the case that one horse makes a difference. It is a close call.”
RSA
The big mover in the RSA market following the weekend’s action was Acapella Bourgeois who made all to win a Grade 2 chase at Navan on Sunday. The seven-year-old soon had a big lead but showed little sign of stopping in the closing stages and came home to win with thirty two lengths to spare. The jockeys on the horses in behind didn’t cover themselves in too much glory but the form shouldn’t be underestimated, he is still improving and could be a force if getting into a rhythm in the RSA.
National Hunt Chase
Minella Rocco ran in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot before going onto win this race last year and this year’s renewal threw up a thrilling finish as Bigbadjohn got the better of Flintham in the shadow of the post. Both the first and second hold entries in the RSA and the NH Chase but given the way that the race unfolded, I suspect that the four mile race is the most sensible option for both horses.
Back in fourth was Arpege D’Alene who is also likely to target the 4m race on the first day of the Festival. Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old was a little slow at a couple of fences but he continued to stay on for pressure under Sean Bowen and was beaten just over six lengths at the line. The National Hunt Chase has long been his target and having run well at Cheltenham on a number of occasions, it would be no surprise to see the extra emphasis on stamina bring out the best in him.
Another horse who is likely to be at the start for this race is Calett Mad who has been confirmed as on course for the race by Simon Munir’s racing manager Anthony Bromley. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ five-year-old was beaten by Baywing at Wetherby last time but he stuck to his task well and wouldn’t be out of place in the race.
Misc Races
Mares
Ante-post favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle Apple’s Jade is set to return to action at Punchestown today as she lines up in the Listed Quevega Mares Hurdle. She faces five rivals including Limini as both mares try to put the finishing touches to their preparations for the Festival.
They could be joined at the Festival by Colin’s Sister who maintained her unbeaten record over hurdles at Sandown last Friday. That was the mare’s fourth success and connections have a preference for this race as they feel the 2m trip in the novice hurdle is on the sharp side. They have however indicated that she might miss the Festival completely as she is a mare who prefers cut in the ground.
Coral Cup
Gordon Elliott landed the Coral Cup with Diamond King twelve months ago and he could have another live candidate on his hands in the shape of Runfordave who won at Clonmel last week. The five-year-old has only had the five runs over hurdles but he ran out a ready winner on his latest start, justifying short odds of 2/9. Afterwards his trainer said: “He was entitled to win and he’s improving the whole time. I would imagine that he will run in either the Coral Cup or the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, however the same owners have The Storyteller entered in the Martin Pipe. Jack [Kennedy] said that he wants 2m4f plus and that he would actually be better on better ground.”
The Coral Cup could also be the next step for Harry Fry’s Air Horse One who landed the hat-trick when winning at Ascot on Saturday. He has taken a little while to get the hang of hurdling but his recent performances have been encouraging and having gone up just 6lb for that latest success, he is far from handicapped out of it.
Pertemps Final
The latest qualifier at Haydock on Saturday saw Tim Vaughan’s Dadsintrouble win for the third time over hurdles and for the second time since stepping up to 3m. He was raised 12lb for his win at Haydock in January but had no trouble defying that rise, travelling strongly before pulling nicely clear of his rivals in the closing stages. That should get him into the Final for which he is a general 10/1 second favourite.
Foxhunters
There was something of a turn up in the Hunter Chase at Kelso last week as Premier Portrait got the better of Black Thunder, despite the latter going off at odds of 1/8. The winner is a multiple winner in the pointing field and just seemed to outstay his rival on this occasion. His trainer is hoping that he will get in the Foxhunters at the Festival. As for the runner-up he was just outstayed in the end so perhaps Cheltenham is not the best place to be sending him.
On this side of the Irish Sea, the best chance of dethroning On The Fringe looks to be Wonderful Charm who has barely come off the bridle in two starts in the hunter chase sphere. Paul Nicholls’ nine-year-old was formerly a smart chaser and hurdler but his wind has prevented him from fulfilling his potential. If the ground came up quick at the Festival then he must have a very good and following his Haydock win on Saturday, he is now qualified.
Bets
There will be no bets this week.
Ante-Post Portfolio
JEZKI (Stayers Hurdle) – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (bet365, Betfred)
CHARBEL (JLT Novices’ Chase) – 0.5pt e/w @ 33/1 (Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook)
CILAOS EMERY (Supreme Novices) – 1pt e/w @ 12/1 NRNB (Sky Bet)
NATIVE RIVER (Gold Cup) –1pt e/w @ 9/1 (Betway)
WHOLESTONE (Albert Bartlett) – 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (bet365, SkyBet)
MOON RACER (Champion Hurdle) – 1pt e/w @ 20/1 NRNB (bet365)
KOTKIKOVA (Mares Hurdle) – 0.5pt e/w @ 16/1 (BetVictor, Paddy Power)
SUB LIEUTENANT (Ryanair Chase) – 0.5pt e/w @ 14/1 NRNB (bet365)
BARNEY DWAN (Pertemps Final) – 0.5pt e/w @ 33/1 (bet365, SkyBet) (4 places)
FOREST BIHAN (Arkle) – 0.5pt e/w @ 25/1 NRNB (bet365, SkyBet)
CHAMPERS ON ICE (National Hunt Chase) – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 NRNB (bet365, SkyBet)
MESSIRE DES OBEAUX (Neptune) – 1pt e/w @ 10/1 NRNB (bet365)
DISKO (RSA Chase) – 0.5pt e/w @ 20/1 (Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral)
DINARIA DES OBEAUX (Triumph) – 1pt e/w @ 8/1 NRNB (bet365, SkyBet)
SOUTHFIELD ROYALE (Kim Muir) – 1pt e/w @ 16/1 NRNB (bet365) (4 places)
CLOUDY DREAM (Grand Annual) – 0.5pt e/w @ 20/1 NRNB (SkyBet) (4 places)
16:30 Lingfield Park - Maori Bob. 1pt Win Bet @ 9/2 Bet365
Only runner in field with a Derby entry, something very wrong with racing if this Sole runner trained by Michael Bell cant go close or Win such a tin pot class 6 of this nature
Lulu Stanford takes off a further 5lb so this really should be a penalty kick, even if this 3yr old gelding is 70% fit
16:30 Lingfield Park - Maori Bob. 1pt Win Bet @ 9/2 Bet365
Only runner in field with a Derby entry, something very wrong with racing if this Sole runner trained by Michael Bell cant go close or Win such a tin pot class 6 of this nature
Lulu Stanford takes off a further 5lb so this really should be a penalty kick, even if this 3yr old gelding is 70% fit
Strange thing luck, really starting to think it might just be my Old Pal Cue Cards Gold Cup for the taking
Fell last year and gets beat in the King Geordie but Mr Tizzard reporting he returned home with a big fat leg
Could he ? Can he ? should he ? might he be ?
Lots to sit down and think about
I'll be there
Jimmy2shoes got a reaction from BillyHills in ***** PL Horse Racing Tips - £7000 profit in 7 months! *****
Jimmy2shoes got a reaction from Sir Puntalot in ***** PL Horse Racing Tips - £7000 profit in 7 months! *****
Jimmy2shoes got a reaction from richard-westwood in Cheltenham Friday - 17th March 2017
Jimmy2shoes got a reaction from mr.benn in Monthly Naps - Wednesday Feb 22nd
Jimmy2shoes got a reaction from gbettle in Being AP