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Darran
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Darran got a reaction from Horseoats in Racing Chat - Monday Sept 16th
As I mentioned in my preview for Beni Light last week I expected the idea was to win at Uttoxeter and then turn up in this weaker race under a penalty and my god is it a desperate race. The longer trip isn't a concern and if he is in the same form as last week it is hard to see a 7lb penalty stopping him in this grade. Master Sunrise is opposing him, but I can't back him without Richard Johnson on. That is no slight on Richard Patrick who is a good jockey, but as we know this horse is a very hard ride and he was quite well beaten in the end at Stratford despite coming 2nd. Phoenix Rock has been running well without winning and has gone up 6lbs for finishing 2nd last time which seems harsh. Sometimes you do get something coming from nowhere to win a race like this, but its hard to make much of a case for anything else being able to beat Beni Light here.
That is in the opener at 1.50 and I think there is one having an interest in in the closing race at 4.20. In my view Mr Muldoon is the best horse in the race. It looks a really weak maiden hurdle and his point form is impressive including just losing to Buck Dancing in the last of them back in March. He looks a really progressive horse who should be capable of winning races under rules. The problem is will he be looking to win this one? That is hard to tell as 2m wouldn't look the obvious starting place for him. I think the market will tell us plenty and although there is a risk this is being used as a starting point, he is a big enough price to have a small e/w bet on. Like I say this is a weak race though and there is every chance on ability alone he will hit the frame. Whatever happens tomorrow though he is one to keep a very close eye on in the future.
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Darran reacted to Noodle bowl in Racing Chat - Monday Sept 16th
Cheers darran once again many thanks
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Darran got a reaction from Kingdom for in Racing Chat - Monday Sept 16th
As I mentioned in my preview for Beni Light last week I expected the idea was to win at Uttoxeter and then turn up in this weaker race under a penalty and my god is it a desperate race. The longer trip isn't a concern and if he is in the same form as last week it is hard to see a 7lb penalty stopping him in this grade. Master Sunrise is opposing him, but I can't back him without Richard Johnson on. That is no slight on Richard Patrick who is a good jockey, but as we know this horse is a very hard ride and he was quite well beaten in the end at Stratford despite coming 2nd. Phoenix Rock has been running well without winning and has gone up 6lbs for finishing 2nd last time which seems harsh. Sometimes you do get something coming from nowhere to win a race like this, but its hard to make much of a case for anything else being able to beat Beni Light here.
That is in the opener at 1.50 and I think there is one having an interest in in the closing race at 4.20. In my view Mr Muldoon is the best horse in the race. It looks a really weak maiden hurdle and his point form is impressive including just losing to Buck Dancing in the last of them back in March. He looks a really progressive horse who should be capable of winning races under rules. The problem is will he be looking to win this one? That is hard to tell as 2m wouldn't look the obvious starting place for him. I think the market will tell us plenty and although there is a risk this is being used as a starting point, he is a big enough price to have a small e/w bet on. Like I say this is a weak race though and there is every chance on ability alone he will hit the frame. Whatever happens tomorrow though he is one to keep a very close eye on in the future.
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Darran got a reaction from Sparky Bear in Racing Chat - Monday Sept 16th
As I mentioned in my preview for Beni Light last week I expected the idea was to win at Uttoxeter and then turn up in this weaker race under a penalty and my god is it a desperate race. The longer trip isn't a concern and if he is in the same form as last week it is hard to see a 7lb penalty stopping him in this grade. Master Sunrise is opposing him, but I can't back him without Richard Johnson on. That is no slight on Richard Patrick who is a good jockey, but as we know this horse is a very hard ride and he was quite well beaten in the end at Stratford despite coming 2nd. Phoenix Rock has been running well without winning and has gone up 6lbs for finishing 2nd last time which seems harsh. Sometimes you do get something coming from nowhere to win a race like this, but its hard to make much of a case for anything else being able to beat Beni Light here.
That is in the opener at 1.50 and I think there is one having an interest in in the closing race at 4.20. In my view Mr Muldoon is the best horse in the race. It looks a really weak maiden hurdle and his point form is impressive including just losing to Buck Dancing in the last of them back in March. He looks a really progressive horse who should be capable of winning races under rules. The problem is will he be looking to win this one? That is hard to tell as 2m wouldn't look the obvious starting place for him. I think the market will tell us plenty and although there is a risk this is being used as a starting point, he is a big enough price to have a small e/w bet on. Like I say this is a weak race though and there is every chance on ability alone he will hit the frame. Whatever happens tomorrow though he is one to keep a very close eye on in the future.
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Darran got a reaction from yossa6133 in Racing Chat - Monday Sept 16th
As I mentioned in my preview for Beni Light last week I expected the idea was to win at Uttoxeter and then turn up in this weaker race under a penalty and my god is it a desperate race. The longer trip isn't a concern and if he is in the same form as last week it is hard to see a 7lb penalty stopping him in this grade. Master Sunrise is opposing him, but I can't back him without Richard Johnson on. That is no slight on Richard Patrick who is a good jockey, but as we know this horse is a very hard ride and he was quite well beaten in the end at Stratford despite coming 2nd. Phoenix Rock has been running well without winning and has gone up 6lbs for finishing 2nd last time which seems harsh. Sometimes you do get something coming from nowhere to win a race like this, but its hard to make much of a case for anything else being able to beat Beni Light here.
That is in the opener at 1.50 and I think there is one having an interest in in the closing race at 4.20. In my view Mr Muldoon is the best horse in the race. It looks a really weak maiden hurdle and his point form is impressive including just losing to Buck Dancing in the last of them back in March. He looks a really progressive horse who should be capable of winning races under rules. The problem is will he be looking to win this one? That is hard to tell as 2m wouldn't look the obvious starting place for him. I think the market will tell us plenty and although there is a risk this is being used as a starting point, he is a big enough price to have a small e/w bet on. Like I say this is a weak race though and there is every chance on ability alone he will hit the frame. Whatever happens tomorrow though he is one to keep a very close eye on in the future.
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Darran got a reaction from bmc in Racing Chat - Wednesday 9/11
I thought for a while about putting Beni Light up for the 4.20 at Uttoxeter, but have come down on the side of wanting to back him. Now granted he beat very little in his two point wins in May, but he did win them both by a long way. One of the reasons I think he is worth backing is he put up a decent time in the 2nd of those wins and clocked a faster time than Midnight Folie did on the card. Another reason is the fact connections have entered him in a couple of races at Worcester next week one a Class 5 chase and the other a Class 3 hurdle. Obviously he wouldn't get a penalty if he ran in the hurdle, but I just wonder if they are thinking win this and then go for the chase which looks weaker like it will be a fair bit weaker than this. They could also have gone straight to Worcester, but as Class 4's go this doesn't look the strongest heat in the world and Ben Jones taking 7 off means he can basically run off his true handicap mark.
Greybougg is coming down the handicap, but he still needs a tongue-tie after having a wind op which always concerns me because connections clearly are still concerned about his wind. I think the biggest danger comes Midnight Maestro who is down in grade and was 4th in the race Meldrum Lad was 3rd in at Stratford. I think that is a good race and the winner went in again at Stratford on Saturday. He has to give over 2st though to the selection and that might be too much.
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Darran got a reaction from Horseoats in Racing Chat - Wednesday 9/11
I thought for a while about putting Beni Light up for the 4.20 at Uttoxeter, but have come down on the side of wanting to back him. Now granted he beat very little in his two point wins in May, but he did win them both by a long way. One of the reasons I think he is worth backing is he put up a decent time in the 2nd of those wins and clocked a faster time than Midnight Folie did on the card. Another reason is the fact connections have entered him in a couple of races at Worcester next week one a Class 5 chase and the other a Class 3 hurdle. Obviously he wouldn't get a penalty if he ran in the hurdle, but I just wonder if they are thinking win this and then go for the chase which looks weaker like it will be a fair bit weaker than this. They could also have gone straight to Worcester, but as Class 4's go this doesn't look the strongest heat in the world and Ben Jones taking 7 off means he can basically run off his true handicap mark.
Greybougg is coming down the handicap, but he still needs a tongue-tie after having a wind op which always concerns me because connections clearly are still concerned about his wind. I think the biggest danger comes Midnight Maestro who is down in grade and was 4th in the race Meldrum Lad was 3rd in at Stratford. I think that is a good race and the winner went in again at Stratford on Saturday. He has to give over 2st though to the selection and that might be too much.
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Darran got a reaction from Kingdom for in Racing Chat - Wednesday 9/11
I thought for a while about putting Beni Light up for the 4.20 at Uttoxeter, but have come down on the side of wanting to back him. Now granted he beat very little in his two point wins in May, but he did win them both by a long way. One of the reasons I think he is worth backing is he put up a decent time in the 2nd of those wins and clocked a faster time than Midnight Folie did on the card. Another reason is the fact connections have entered him in a couple of races at Worcester next week one a Class 5 chase and the other a Class 3 hurdle. Obviously he wouldn't get a penalty if he ran in the hurdle, but I just wonder if they are thinking win this and then go for the chase which looks weaker like it will be a fair bit weaker than this. They could also have gone straight to Worcester, but as Class 4's go this doesn't look the strongest heat in the world and Ben Jones taking 7 off means he can basically run off his true handicap mark.
Greybougg is coming down the handicap, but he still needs a tongue-tie after having a wind op which always concerns me because connections clearly are still concerned about his wind. I think the biggest danger comes Midnight Maestro who is down in grade and was 4th in the race Meldrum Lad was 3rd in at Stratford. I think that is a good race and the winner went in again at Stratford on Saturday. He has to give over 2st though to the selection and that might be too much.
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Darran got a reaction from Gidds in Racing Chat - Mon Sept 2nd
Been a bit frustrating in August with a few 2nd places from the handful of horses I put up, but the one winner I did put up was Teeton Power and I think she can land the 2nd race at Hexham. It was a superb bit of placing by connections to get her first win under rules and given that came over hurdles her mark is unchanged going back over fences. She drops down in trip even further, but a stiff 2m at Hexham should suit and we all know she is going to front run and play catch me if you can. She is used to carrying big weights in points so carrying 12-3 shouldn't be an issue and she looks to have a superb chance. Of the others Gentleman James won 2 weeks ago, but that was a bad race at Market Rasen and although getting 2st from Teeton Power I think he will find this much harder. Ringagingarosie looks a bigger danger as she is a course and distance winner and ran well at Sedgefield last week when 2nd suggesting this mark isn't beyond her. Wisecracker keeps running OK without winning and Hurricane Rita has gone up a lot in the handicap for winning a couple of bad races in June. It's hard to make much of a case for the others and although she has already been backed the 9/2 is still well worth taking. I put up Damiens Dilemma last time at Cartmel despite the fact I was worried about the soft ground and it is a bet I regret a little as he hated the soft ground. He never really travelled and jumped terribly. He was entered their last week, but with the ground riding on the soft side connections decided to wait for this instead (7.10) and given he is a course and distance winner it is easy to understand why. This trip is more suitable than when he was 2nd at Cartmel in June and based on that he is handicapped to win a race. His pointing form this year was solid enough as well. As for dangers Classical Milano has only ever won here so is has a chance and Apache Pilot has won here 4 times so again has to be considered. King Golan won down in grade last time but could be vulnerable back up in grade. The other one is Gold Patrol who was pointing last year. His only win was when beating According To Trev though and although he won easy it hardly suggests a mark of 109 is kind. He ran OK back under rules last season and his best run was on his seasonal debut and that run gives him a chance here, but Damiens Dilemma looks well worth a bet with everything in his favour. -
Darran got a reaction from yossa6133 in Racing Chat - Mon Sept 2nd
Let me start with the Liz and Elizabeth question first. It is the same person it is just a quirk of the Racing Post site that when a horse runs for the same trainer in points and then under rules that sometimes it comes up under a different version of the name. I suspect those changes were when the horse was entered under rules and then didn't run and ran in a point on its next start so went back to being Elizabeth from Liz. She can run a horse in a hunter chase but as you say she doesn't have a full licence so she can't train it in any other race under rules.
As for the handicap mark the horse is able to run in a class 5 0-100 because they now allow horses rated up to 2lbs above the max mark in a race and she is rated 102. I don't think a big yard would treat the horse any differently. I think they know they have a handicap mark they can exploit so seems pointless wasting runs trying to get it lower. She ran in 3 hunter chases prior to the two handicap chase starts this summer. Uttoxeter she just didn't see the trip out and then at Market Rasen she blew the start and also didn't stay. The handicapper has moved her mark for either of those two runs. She could still run in a novice chase if they wanted but chances are she would be running against much higher rated horses so better off in a handicap. The fact she can run in a class 5 is huge and more important than carrying the big weight. She has proven she can carry big weights so better to do that against lesser horses in my view whilst you still can.
Hope that answers your questions but feel free to ask any more always happy to answer them.
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Darran got a reaction from Mindfulness in Racing Chat - Mon Sept 2nd
Been a bit frustrating in August with a few 2nd places from the handful of horses I put up, but the one winner I did put up was Teeton Power and I think she can land the 2nd race at Hexham. It was a superb bit of placing by connections to get her first win under rules and given that came over hurdles her mark is unchanged going back over fences. She drops down in trip even further, but a stiff 2m at Hexham should suit and we all know she is going to front run and play catch me if you can. She is used to carrying big weights in points so carrying 12-3 shouldn't be an issue and she looks to have a superb chance. Of the others Gentleman James won 2 weeks ago, but that was a bad race at Market Rasen and although getting 2st from Teeton Power I think he will find this much harder. Ringagingarosie looks a bigger danger as she is a course and distance winner and ran well at Sedgefield last week when 2nd suggesting this mark isn't beyond her. Wisecracker keeps running OK without winning and Hurricane Rita has gone up a lot in the handicap for winning a couple of bad races in June. It's hard to make much of a case for the others and although she has already been backed the 9/2 is still well worth taking. I put up Damiens Dilemma last time at Cartmel despite the fact I was worried about the soft ground and it is a bet I regret a little as he hated the soft ground. He never really travelled and jumped terribly. He was entered their last week, but with the ground riding on the soft side connections decided to wait for this instead (7.10) and given he is a course and distance winner it is easy to understand why. This trip is more suitable than when he was 2nd at Cartmel in June and based on that he is handicapped to win a race. His pointing form this year was solid enough as well. As for dangers Classical Milano has only ever won here so is has a chance and Apache Pilot has won here 4 times so again has to be considered. King Golan won down in grade last time but could be vulnerable back up in grade. The other one is Gold Patrol who was pointing last year. His only win was when beating According To Trev though and although he won easy it hardly suggests a mark of 109 is kind. He ran OK back under rules last season and his best run was on his seasonal debut and that run gives him a chance here, but Damiens Dilemma looks well worth a bet with everything in his favour. -
Darran got a reaction from blueboy199 in Racing Chat - Mon Sept 2nd
Been a bit frustrating in August with a few 2nd places from the handful of horses I put up, but the one winner I did put up was Teeton Power and I think she can land the 2nd race at Hexham. It was a superb bit of placing by connections to get her first win under rules and given that came over hurdles her mark is unchanged going back over fences. She drops down in trip even further, but a stiff 2m at Hexham should suit and we all know she is going to front run and play catch me if you can. She is used to carrying big weights in points so carrying 12-3 shouldn't be an issue and she looks to have a superb chance. Of the others Gentleman James won 2 weeks ago, but that was a bad race at Market Rasen and although getting 2st from Teeton Power I think he will find this much harder. Ringagingarosie looks a bigger danger as she is a course and distance winner and ran well at Sedgefield last week when 2nd suggesting this mark isn't beyond her. Wisecracker keeps running OK without winning and Hurricane Rita has gone up a lot in the handicap for winning a couple of bad races in June. It's hard to make much of a case for the others and although she has already been backed the 9/2 is still well worth taking. I put up Damiens Dilemma last time at Cartmel despite the fact I was worried about the soft ground and it is a bet I regret a little as he hated the soft ground. He never really travelled and jumped terribly. He was entered their last week, but with the ground riding on the soft side connections decided to wait for this instead (7.10) and given he is a course and distance winner it is easy to understand why. This trip is more suitable than when he was 2nd at Cartmel in June and based on that he is handicapped to win a race. His pointing form this year was solid enough as well. As for dangers Classical Milano has only ever won here so is has a chance and Apache Pilot has won here 4 times so again has to be considered. King Golan won down in grade last time but could be vulnerable back up in grade. The other one is Gold Patrol who was pointing last year. His only win was when beating According To Trev though and although he won easy it hardly suggests a mark of 109 is kind. He ran OK back under rules last season and his best run was on his seasonal debut and that run gives him a chance here, but Damiens Dilemma looks well worth a bet with everything in his favour. -
Darran got a reaction from Mindfulness in Racing Chat - Friday Aug 30th
I think Bletchley Castle is worth backing again on Friday in Bangor's 3.30. His last two races have been slightly odd. I have no idea why connections took him to Galway to run in a race he had no chance in and then they tried him over 3m again at Market Rasen where he didn't stay. I must admit I was worried though as he did look the winner for a long way, but then his stamina ebbed away and he was 7th of 8 in the end. I know he won over 3m at Southwell, but that was a bad race and he got away with it whereas up in grade over hurdles he didn't. Back down in trip, back over fences and he looks to have a solid chance. The 2nd to Pink Eyed Pedro reads well and he still looks up to winning off this sort of mark.
Prettylittlething and Zolfo have obvious chances and look the main dangers, although I wouldn't rule out Play The Ace. He continues to come down the handicap and he gets what I think are his ideal conditions here so it wouldn't surprise me if he went well, but I'm not sure he can beat Bletchley Castle.
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Darran got a reaction from blueboy199 in Racing Chat - Friday Aug 30th
I think Bletchley Castle is worth backing again on Friday in Bangor's 3.30. His last two races have been slightly odd. I have no idea why connections took him to Galway to run in a race he had no chance in and then they tried him over 3m again at Market Rasen where he didn't stay. I must admit I was worried though as he did look the winner for a long way, but then his stamina ebbed away and he was 7th of 8 in the end. I know he won over 3m at Southwell, but that was a bad race and he got away with it whereas up in grade over hurdles he didn't. Back down in trip, back over fences and he looks to have a solid chance. The 2nd to Pink Eyed Pedro reads well and he still looks up to winning off this sort of mark.
Prettylittlething and Zolfo have obvious chances and look the main dangers, although I wouldn't rule out Play The Ace. He continues to come down the handicap and he gets what I think are his ideal conditions here so it wouldn't surprise me if he went well, but I'm not sure he can beat Bletchley Castle.
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Darran got a reaction from Gidds in Racing Chat - Thursday Aug 29th
The 5.05 at Fontwell is a weak contest and at a double figure price it is worth taking another chance on Ballina Lady. Those with good memories will remember I put her up at Stratford back in June when I wrote this
A brief message for a couple worth backing tomorrow. Ballina Lady runs in the 2nd and although it was only a weak maiden she won last month they never saw which way she went. That was over 3m, but the pace she has and based on her previous pointing runs the drop down to 2m should not be an issue. The soft ground is a slight concern, but clearly connections aren't worried and even allowing for the fact she is out of the weights in this she still looks well handicapped. That win last time was the first time Lilly had ridden her and she is back on here and hopefully she can make all.
I was right to be worried about the soft ground that day as she ended up dropping out tamely. She then ran well until not staying 3m at Southwell the week after. This is a 0-100 but in practice it is a 0-89 as that is what the top weight's rating is (although the 4yo Lord De La Mine is rated 95). That means she gets to run off 69 and then Lilly takes off another 7 so is basically running off 62. Quick ground round here could be ideal for her and as I say at the price in a race this bad it is well worth taking a chance e/w with her.
Out of the 8 rivals 3 have no obvious chance whatsoever so we basically have a 6 runner race. Mr Sawyer is a pointer/hunter chaser as well and it made little sense to me why he has backed at Stratford last week and he got nowhere near to winning. He has only run well once in 8 hunter chases and that was when he was 2nd at Stratford in 2016. The other 7 were all pretty poor efforts and it's hard to see why first time cheekpieces is suddenly going to spark the improvement needed to look like winning under rules. Lord De La Mine is only 4 so might improve and ran OK up to a point at Bangor last week in a better race than this, but a mark of 95 seems high enough on what he has done so far. His trainer has yet to have a runner here but sends two tonight. Primogeniture has yet to run in a class 5 over fences, but didn't win one over hurdles. He never really got close to winning one although he has place claims in a race like this. Mountain Of Angels is probably the biggest danger for me as on his 2nd at Stratford last year and his win at Southwell this year he can win this. The doubt is he has run two stinkers on his other 2 starts since coming back under rules after a couple of runs pointing. He does like to front run though and he could find it hard keeping tabs on Ballina Lady.
Diligent is a very short priced favourite and looks a terrible price. He could win and did run well enough in a weak class 4 here last week and he was backed into favouritism as well, but he hardly looks a horse you would want to back at 11/10 given his profile.
So all in all Ballina Lady looks well worth a punt at 14/1 e/w in a bad race where they all have doubts over them.
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Darran got a reaction from EviL ZippY in Racing Chat - Thursday Aug 29th
The 5.05 at Fontwell is a weak contest and at a double figure price it is worth taking another chance on Ballina Lady. Those with good memories will remember I put her up at Stratford back in June when I wrote this
A brief message for a couple worth backing tomorrow. Ballina Lady runs in the 2nd and although it was only a weak maiden she won last month they never saw which way she went. That was over 3m, but the pace she has and based on her previous pointing runs the drop down to 2m should not be an issue. The soft ground is a slight concern, but clearly connections aren't worried and even allowing for the fact she is out of the weights in this she still looks well handicapped. That win last time was the first time Lilly had ridden her and she is back on here and hopefully she can make all.
I was right to be worried about the soft ground that day as she ended up dropping out tamely. She then ran well until not staying 3m at Southwell the week after. This is a 0-100 but in practice it is a 0-89 as that is what the top weight's rating is (although the 4yo Lord De La Mine is rated 95). That means she gets to run off 69 and then Lilly takes off another 7 so is basically running off 62. Quick ground round here could be ideal for her and as I say at the price in a race this bad it is well worth taking a chance e/w with her.
Out of the 8 rivals 3 have no obvious chance whatsoever so we basically have a 6 runner race. Mr Sawyer is a pointer/hunter chaser as well and it made little sense to me why he has backed at Stratford last week and he got nowhere near to winning. He has only run well once in 8 hunter chases and that was when he was 2nd at Stratford in 2016. The other 7 were all pretty poor efforts and it's hard to see why first time cheekpieces is suddenly going to spark the improvement needed to look like winning under rules. Lord De La Mine is only 4 so might improve and ran OK up to a point at Bangor last week in a better race than this, but a mark of 95 seems high enough on what he has done so far. His trainer has yet to have a runner here but sends two tonight. Primogeniture has yet to run in a class 5 over fences, but didn't win one over hurdles. He never really got close to winning one although he has place claims in a race like this. Mountain Of Angels is probably the biggest danger for me as on his 2nd at Stratford last year and his win at Southwell this year he can win this. The doubt is he has run two stinkers on his other 2 starts since coming back under rules after a couple of runs pointing. He does like to front run though and he could find it hard keeping tabs on Ballina Lady.
Diligent is a very short priced favourite and looks a terrible price. He could win and did run well enough in a weak class 4 here last week and he was backed into favouritism as well, but he hardly looks a horse you would want to back at 11/10 given his profile.
So all in all Ballina Lady looks well worth a punt at 14/1 e/w in a bad race where they all have doubts over them.
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Darran got a reaction from Mindfulness in Racing Chat - Thursday Aug 29th
The 5.05 at Fontwell is a weak contest and at a double figure price it is worth taking another chance on Ballina Lady. Those with good memories will remember I put her up at Stratford back in June when I wrote this
A brief message for a couple worth backing tomorrow. Ballina Lady runs in the 2nd and although it was only a weak maiden she won last month they never saw which way she went. That was over 3m, but the pace she has and based on her previous pointing runs the drop down to 2m should not be an issue. The soft ground is a slight concern, but clearly connections aren't worried and even allowing for the fact she is out of the weights in this she still looks well handicapped. That win last time was the first time Lilly had ridden her and she is back on here and hopefully she can make all.
I was right to be worried about the soft ground that day as she ended up dropping out tamely. She then ran well until not staying 3m at Southwell the week after. This is a 0-100 but in practice it is a 0-89 as that is what the top weight's rating is (although the 4yo Lord De La Mine is rated 95). That means she gets to run off 69 and then Lilly takes off another 7 so is basically running off 62. Quick ground round here could be ideal for her and as I say at the price in a race this bad it is well worth taking a chance e/w with her.
Out of the 8 rivals 3 have no obvious chance whatsoever so we basically have a 6 runner race. Mr Sawyer is a pointer/hunter chaser as well and it made little sense to me why he has backed at Stratford last week and he got nowhere near to winning. He has only run well once in 8 hunter chases and that was when he was 2nd at Stratford in 2016. The other 7 were all pretty poor efforts and it's hard to see why first time cheekpieces is suddenly going to spark the improvement needed to look like winning under rules. Lord De La Mine is only 4 so might improve and ran OK up to a point at Bangor last week in a better race than this, but a mark of 95 seems high enough on what he has done so far. His trainer has yet to have a runner here but sends two tonight. Primogeniture has yet to run in a class 5 over fences, but didn't win one over hurdles. He never really got close to winning one although he has place claims in a race like this. Mountain Of Angels is probably the biggest danger for me as on his 2nd at Stratford last year and his win at Southwell this year he can win this. The doubt is he has run two stinkers on his other 2 starts since coming back under rules after a couple of runs pointing. He does like to front run though and he could find it hard keeping tabs on Ballina Lady.
Diligent is a very short priced favourite and looks a terrible price. He could win and did run well enough in a weak class 4 here last week and he was backed into favouritism as well, but he hardly looks a horse you would want to back at 11/10 given his profile.
So all in all Ballina Lady looks well worth a punt at 14/1 e/w in a bad race where they all have doubts over them.
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Darran got a reaction from Gidds in Racing Chat - Thursday Aug 22nd
I couldn't believe Skinflint got beat again and the winner won so easy as well. Possibly the 2nd and 3rd set it up for a closer, but I think he was probably just unfortunate again. I don't think there is anything wrong with his attitude he just keeps bumping into one. I'm sure connections must be pulling their hair out. At least Teeton Power landed the spoils and Adam gave her the perfect ride, they even gifted her a few lengths lead at the start to help. It was a good bit of placing from connections as well as this was a very weak contest. I'm sure she will be back over fences and 2m4/2m6f at somewhere like Stratford should be ideal for her. Speaking of Stratford there are 3 worth backing there on Wednesday. The 2.40 sees Meldrum Lad return to handicapping and he looks well worth a bet. He was one of those I put up on Hunter Chase night and he was impressive under a cracking ride from Becky to come through late on to score. Usually those sort of tactics don't work so well round here, but there looks like there should be a decent pace on and it could well set things up for a closer. Becky is a really good jockey and her taking 3lbs off certainly doesn't do any harm. His beating of Buck Dancing at Hornby Castle has obviously worked out as great form itself and I think the form of the course and distance win is rock solid as well. Off 127 I would hardly say he is chucked in, but then this doesn't look a strong race for the grade and the 7/1 looks a good price to me. Pink Eyed Pedro could well be the main danger. Up in grade, but I do think he is in the form of his life and will enjoy this return to fences. Again he probably wouldn't want to be any higher in the handicap, but we know he's in good form and it isn't hard to see him hitting the frame again. In the 3.50 the front 3 in the betting at the time of writing are all horses who have been pointing or hunter chasing this year and there is no doubt that High Hatton is easily the best handicapped of the 3. Not only does he have the highest pointing rating of the 3, but he gets plenty of weight from them as well. He is a bet although not as strong as one as that makes him sound. The problem is he only beat 3 horses in his two wins in May so that form isn't anything special and he has always been prone to throwing a complete stinker in. Even so a mark of 85 is one that he could easily exploit and his trainer has done well with his recruits. Master Sunrise was a winner for us at Worcester last month although the form of that race has taken some massive knocks. We know he is a hard ride though and Richard Johnson is the perfect jockey for him. Given how well he ran in the 4m race at Cheltenham until he didn't stay this trip shouldn't be an issue for him, it is mainly a case of if he wants to know or not, but there is every chance he could and he might and I will be having a saver on him. Velvet Cognac ran well to finish 2nd at Fontwell and can be given a chance on that although he isn't exactly the most consistent either. Outside of that the only other one for me you can give a chance to is Scottshill who won well at Warwick in May, but around that his form has been awful so hard to know what he is going to do either. At Fontwell I am going to have a small bet on Desert Roe in the opener. Granted he hasn't had to beat many horses in his points, but it is enough to suggest he is in the best form of his life and he might be capable of winning a race like this off 95 especially as we know he handles quick ground. It could be that Black Anthem will be too hard to beat though. He beat Skinflint easily last week and gets to run off the same mark as that was over fences and this is over hurdles. Quick ground is an unknown though and he was beaten in-between his two wins so he's not bombproof as much as he's the most likely winner. Brown Bear has run OK the last twice round here, but he hardly looks well handicapped and the other 3 don't appear to have much of a chance. Bets Meldrum Lad 2.40 Stratford High Hatton 3.50 Stratford with saver on Master Sunrise Desert Roe 4.40 Fontwell -
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Darran got a reaction from Horseoats in Racing Chat - Thursday Aug 22nd
I couldn't believe Skinflint got beat again and the winner won so easy as well. Possibly the 2nd and 3rd set it up for a closer, but I think he was probably just unfortunate again. I don't think there is anything wrong with his attitude he just keeps bumping into one. I'm sure connections must be pulling their hair out. At least Teeton Power landed the spoils and Adam gave her the perfect ride, they even gifted her a few lengths lead at the start to help. It was a good bit of placing from connections as well as this was a very weak contest. I'm sure she will be back over fences and 2m4/2m6f at somewhere like Stratford should be ideal for her. Speaking of Stratford there are 3 worth backing there on Wednesday. The 2.40 sees Meldrum Lad return to handicapping and he looks well worth a bet. He was one of those I put up on Hunter Chase night and he was impressive under a cracking ride from Becky to come through late on to score. Usually those sort of tactics don't work so well round here, but there looks like there should be a decent pace on and it could well set things up for a closer. Becky is a really good jockey and her taking 3lbs off certainly doesn't do any harm. His beating of Buck Dancing at Hornby Castle has obviously worked out as great form itself and I think the form of the course and distance win is rock solid as well. Off 127 I would hardly say he is chucked in, but then this doesn't look a strong race for the grade and the 7/1 looks a good price to me. Pink Eyed Pedro could well be the main danger. Up in grade, but I do think he is in the form of his life and will enjoy this return to fences. Again he probably wouldn't want to be any higher in the handicap, but we know he's in good form and it isn't hard to see him hitting the frame again. In the 3.50 the front 3 in the betting at the time of writing are all horses who have been pointing or hunter chasing this year and there is no doubt that High Hatton is easily the best handicapped of the 3. Not only does he have the highest pointing rating of the 3, but he gets plenty of weight from them as well. He is a bet although not as strong as one as that makes him sound. The problem is he only beat 3 horses in his two wins in May so that form isn't anything special and he has always been prone to throwing a complete stinker in. Even so a mark of 85 is one that he could easily exploit and his trainer has done well with his recruits. Master Sunrise was a winner for us at Worcester last month although the form of that race has taken some massive knocks. We know he is a hard ride though and Richard Johnson is the perfect jockey for him. Given how well he ran in the 4m race at Cheltenham until he didn't stay this trip shouldn't be an issue for him, it is mainly a case of if he wants to know or not, but there is every chance he could and he might and I will be having a saver on him. Velvet Cognac ran well to finish 2nd at Fontwell and can be given a chance on that although he isn't exactly the most consistent either. Outside of that the only other one for me you can give a chance to is Scottshill who won well at Warwick in May, but around that his form has been awful so hard to know what he is going to do either. At Fontwell I am going to have a small bet on Desert Roe in the opener. Granted he hasn't had to beat many horses in his points, but it is enough to suggest he is in the best form of his life and he might be capable of winning a race like this off 95 especially as we know he handles quick ground. It could be that Black Anthem will be too hard to beat though. He beat Skinflint easily last week and gets to run off the same mark as that was over fences and this is over hurdles. Quick ground is an unknown though and he was beaten in-between his two wins so he's not bombproof as much as he's the most likely winner. Brown Bear has run OK the last twice round here, but he hardly looks well handicapped and the other 3 don't appear to have much of a chance. Bets Meldrum Lad 2.40 Stratford High Hatton 3.50 Stratford with saver on Master Sunrise Desert Roe 4.40 Fontwell -
Darran got a reaction from blueboy199 in Racing Chat - Thursday Aug 22nd
I couldn't believe Skinflint got beat again and the winner won so easy as well. Possibly the 2nd and 3rd set it up for a closer, but I think he was probably just unfortunate again. I don't think there is anything wrong with his attitude he just keeps bumping into one. I'm sure connections must be pulling their hair out. At least Teeton Power landed the spoils and Adam gave her the perfect ride, they even gifted her a few lengths lead at the start to help. It was a good bit of placing from connections as well as this was a very weak contest. I'm sure she will be back over fences and 2m4/2m6f at somewhere like Stratford should be ideal for her. Speaking of Stratford there are 3 worth backing there on Wednesday. The 2.40 sees Meldrum Lad return to handicapping and he looks well worth a bet. He was one of those I put up on Hunter Chase night and he was impressive under a cracking ride from Becky to come through late on to score. Usually those sort of tactics don't work so well round here, but there looks like there should be a decent pace on and it could well set things up for a closer. Becky is a really good jockey and her taking 3lbs off certainly doesn't do any harm. His beating of Buck Dancing at Hornby Castle has obviously worked out as great form itself and I think the form of the course and distance win is rock solid as well. Off 127 I would hardly say he is chucked in, but then this doesn't look a strong race for the grade and the 7/1 looks a good price to me. Pink Eyed Pedro could well be the main danger. Up in grade, but I do think he is in the form of his life and will enjoy this return to fences. Again he probably wouldn't want to be any higher in the handicap, but we know he's in good form and it isn't hard to see him hitting the frame again. In the 3.50 the front 3 in the betting at the time of writing are all horses who have been pointing or hunter chasing this year and there is no doubt that High Hatton is easily the best handicapped of the 3. Not only does he have the highest pointing rating of the 3, but he gets plenty of weight from them as well. He is a bet although not as strong as one as that makes him sound. The problem is he only beat 3 horses in his two wins in May so that form isn't anything special and he has always been prone to throwing a complete stinker in. Even so a mark of 85 is one that he could easily exploit and his trainer has done well with his recruits. Master Sunrise was a winner for us at Worcester last month although the form of that race has taken some massive knocks. We know he is a hard ride though and Richard Johnson is the perfect jockey for him. Given how well he ran in the 4m race at Cheltenham until he didn't stay this trip shouldn't be an issue for him, it is mainly a case of if he wants to know or not, but there is every chance he could and he might and I will be having a saver on him. Velvet Cognac ran well to finish 2nd at Fontwell and can be given a chance on that although he isn't exactly the most consistent either. Outside of that the only other one for me you can give a chance to is Scottshill who won well at Warwick in May, but around that his form has been awful so hard to know what he is going to do either. At Fontwell I am going to have a small bet on Desert Roe in the opener. Granted he hasn't had to beat many horses in his points, but it is enough to suggest he is in the best form of his life and he might be capable of winning a race like this off 95 especially as we know he handles quick ground. It could be that Black Anthem will be too hard to beat though. He beat Skinflint easily last week and gets to run off the same mark as that was over fences and this is over hurdles. Quick ground is an unknown though and he was beaten in-between his two wins so he's not bombproof as much as he's the most likely winner. Brown Bear has run OK the last twice round here, but he hardly looks well handicapped and the other 3 don't appear to have much of a chance. Bets Meldrum Lad 2.40 Stratford High Hatton 3.50 Stratford with saver on Master Sunrise Desert Roe 4.40 Fontwell -
Darran got a reaction from vikki37 in Racing Chat - Wed Aug 21st
5.00 Worcester
Skinflint is a horse who I have put up twice following his 2nd to Midnight Folie at Newton Abbot in June. Obviously he bumped into a well handicapped one that day as he did when he was 2nd over hurdles here last month. I thought he had a good chance to go one better on his next start, but he didn't see the trip out and I really think this 2m4f is the trip he wants. I didn't fancy him last week when he ran back at Newton Abbot as his runs on soft ground had been poor and he never travelled or jumped well, yet still managed to finish 2nd to another well handicapped Dr Newland horse. Here for me he gets his ideal conditions. He is over the right trip, on the right ground, in the right grade and there doesn't appear to be one potentially thrown in. He is well handicapped and just has been unlucky since he went back under Rules from his spell pointing and I think he can finally get the victory his performances over the last couple of months deserve.
7.30 Worcester
Must admit wasn't exactly expecting to see a bet in the Mares Maiden Hurdle (7.30) so it wasn't until I was looking at the rest of the card that I spotted that Teeton Power was running in this race. She has never run over hurdles, but these brush hurdles are like mini point fences so there is no reason why she shouldn't be suited by them, indeed she might actually improve for them. I put her up at Cartmel, but she could never get an easy lead and was well beaten in the end. She then landed e/w support at Uttoxeter where she ran really well, but didn't quite see it out albeit the winner was really well handicapped. At Market Rasen earlier in the month she missed the start and obviously couldn't lead after that although she travelled well into the race before not seeing the trip out again. 2m4f round here should be up her street and as long as she doesn't blow the start again she should be able to lead. This looks on paper a really weak contest and if she does translate her pointing and chasing form to hurdles then she ought to go close.
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Darran got a reaction from Horseoats in Racing Chat - Wed Aug 21st
5.00 Worcester
Skinflint is a horse who I have put up twice following his 2nd to Midnight Folie at Newton Abbot in June. Obviously he bumped into a well handicapped one that day as he did when he was 2nd over hurdles here last month. I thought he had a good chance to go one better on his next start, but he didn't see the trip out and I really think this 2m4f is the trip he wants. I didn't fancy him last week when he ran back at Newton Abbot as his runs on soft ground had been poor and he never travelled or jumped well, yet still managed to finish 2nd to another well handicapped Dr Newland horse. Here for me he gets his ideal conditions. He is over the right trip, on the right ground, in the right grade and there doesn't appear to be one potentially thrown in. He is well handicapped and just has been unlucky since he went back under Rules from his spell pointing and I think he can finally get the victory his performances over the last couple of months deserve.
7.30 Worcester
Must admit wasn't exactly expecting to see a bet in the Mares Maiden Hurdle (7.30) so it wasn't until I was looking at the rest of the card that I spotted that Teeton Power was running in this race. She has never run over hurdles, but these brush hurdles are like mini point fences so there is no reason why she shouldn't be suited by them, indeed she might actually improve for them. I put her up at Cartmel, but she could never get an easy lead and was well beaten in the end. She then landed e/w support at Uttoxeter where she ran really well, but didn't quite see it out albeit the winner was really well handicapped. At Market Rasen earlier in the month she missed the start and obviously couldn't lead after that although she travelled well into the race before not seeing the trip out again. 2m4f round here should be up her street and as long as she doesn't blow the start again she should be able to lead. This looks on paper a really weak contest and if she does translate her pointing and chasing form to hurdles then she ought to go close.