richard-westwood

335 newc 
Aberama gold 9.0. 12/1 
Fivethousandtione. 8.8 10/1 
Albasheer.  8.8 
Cover up. 8.5 
Hard race to rate ....cover up has a huge weight rise ....albasheer is on a career high 110 .....so the top two then start to look good value Ew so I'll play those 5pt Ew top 2 

225 newc 
Sommelier. 9.0. 3.95 
Blue prince 8.7 7.0 
10pt win top rated ...5pt win blue 
 

5.00 ling 
Pandora's gift. 8.5 5/2 
Ballon dor. 8.3 12/1 
Tiorvar   8.0 
World of Darcy. 7.8 
10pt win Pandora's ...2pt Ew ballon
 

425 ling 
Incrimination. 8.4 10/1 
Epsom faithful. 8.3 10/1 
Open race but these two look value bets ....2pt Ew both 

240 ling
Baldermero 8.8 16/1 
Cephalus  8.6 5/2 
Darwell lion. 8.6 12/1 
Borgi.   8.4 8/1 
Cephalus sets the standard here and is the one they all have to beat but at 5/2 and up 5lb and wide draw there's absolutely no value in that so I'll go 2pt Ew baldermero and darwell lion as I'm much happier with those two as value bets 

Lingfield 1.30 The first of eleven races covered by ITV cameras today on All-Weather Finals day is this sixteen runner BetUK All-Weather Vase Apprentice Handicap, a class 4 event run over 1M 4F. Many have chances but its the Brandon Wilkie ridden Siempre Arturo that catches my eye. Trained by one of my favourite training duos in Daniel & Claire Kubler, this lightly raced four year old has only had had four racecourse starts, winning two of them including last time out at Wolverhampton when defeating Sense Of Worth by a length. The 3rd and 4th from that race have both won since to frank the form and with just a 4lb rise to contend with and the extra 2 1/2F likely to be in his favour looks the value play in this tight knit handicap.   SIEMPRE ARTURO 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5 12345   Newcastle 1.53 Thirteen go to post for the 2M 56 yard class 2 BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap. The Ralph J Smith trained Palace Boy looks a value play here. He started out for Smith at Wolverhampton following a 288 break in which he ran over hurdles for Fergal O’Brien when he actually ran in the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The seven year old ran out a very easy 6L winner off of what was obviously a very lenient handicap mark of just 68 and following another success at the midlands track and a good second to the re-opposing Spartan Army finds himself on a mark 18lb higher. Spartan Army looks a threat here but on 7lb better terms for a 1 1/4L defeat Palace Boy can turn the form around and run a big race under George Rooke, who’s been in the plate on all three starts so far for Smith.   PALACE BOY 1 point each way @ 11/2 bet365 1/5 1234   Lingfield 2.05 A maximum field of fourteen go to post for this class 3 BetUK All-Weather Vase Middle Distance Handicap run over 1M 2F. Another open looking handicap although Karl Burke’s Bystander had Inspiritus a length and a half behind over course and distance last time and although 4lb worse off won a tad cosily that day despite drifting out to his right on the run to the line. Brandon Wilkie was on board that day and is again in the saddle and could provide the promising young jockey with a Lingfield brace with his mount Siempre Arturo holding a good chance in the opener. The Daniel & Claire Kubler trained Al Rufaa is well berthed in stall 5 and may prove to be the danger in this open handicap.   BYSTANDER 1 point each way @ 7/1 BetVictor 1/5 1234   Newcastle 2.25 The class 2 6F BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap has attracted just eleven runners and like many of the races today has an open look about it. Bar a disappointing run at Lingfield on his penultimate run, Andrew Balding’s Fire Demon would be an even shorter price than he already is. A well related Juddmonte entire, he bounced back to form last time at Kempton when beating the re-opposing Media shooter by 1 1/4L and a 5lb rise may not be enough to stop him from following up here for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. That form has already taken a boost by the runner up and sixth winning since and he should be thereabouts.   FIRE DEMON 1 point win @ 7/1 bet365   Lingfield 2.40 A maximum field of twelve race for the class 3 BetMGM All-Weather Vase Mile Handicap. Dingle ran third in this last year and off of the same handicap mark can be competitive although the one to be with surely is the Gary Moore trained, Tom Queally ridden Cephalus. He comes here chasing a four timer having won under Queally at Kempton, Wolverhampton and Southwell. He was as impressive last time as in any of those victories and although he has to shoulder a 5lb penalty actually goes up 7lb in future handicaps so is effectively 2lb well in today. A draw of ten is not ideal but he may still be ahead of the handicap and is the bet here.   CEPHALUS 1 point win @ 5/2 bet365   Newcastle 3.00 Just nine have declared for the £150,000 guaranteed BetMGM Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Handicap, a class 2 event run over 7F and 14 yards. Top weight Nine Tenths is a consistent four year old filly trained at Newmarket by William Haggas who appears to be the one they all have to beat here. Surprisingly left on the same handicap mark for a second and win on her last two starts in listed company she drops back into handicap company with the stable’s 7lb claiming apprentice Jack Enright taking over from William Buick. Enright has ridden five winners from 97 runners in Ireland and Britain over the past three seasons and was on board when Nine Tenths won at Wolverhampton back in December so knows the horse well enough. She may just be too classy for her eight rivals today.   NINE TENTHS 2 points win @ 5/2 bet365   Lingfield 3.15 A stamina test awaits the maximum fourteen runners here in the class 3 2M BetUK All-Weather Vase Marathon Handicap. The race has a very open look about it and this is maybe a contest that can go to Ireland with the Denis Gerard Hogan trained Riyami. A Dundalk winner over 2M last month he went off a well backed 11/8 favourite at the same venue when, in a amateur riders handicap, was one of many jockeys that let the eventual winner get the best part of a furlong ahead before running on late to take second place some 15L behind. His jockey, along with eleven others was suspended for five days and that run can easily be forgotten. J M Sheridan is over to ride today and is maybe a bit of each way value.   RIYAMI 1/2 point each way @ 10/1 Coral 1/5 1234   Newcastle 3.35 Next up is the 6F BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap in which we have a maximum field of fourteen. Cover Up impressed me immensely last time and the step up to 6F may not hinder the Gosden runner although he has to deal with a very hefty 13lb rise in the weights and it may be worth looking elsewhere for the winner. One horse who does appear to be on a decent enough mark is Harry Charlton’s Batal Dubai. Owned by Middleham Park Racing he’s been placed in three decent class 2 6F handicaps this year and appeared not to really handle the track when third, coming wide around the bend, to the re-appearing Chipstead last time at Lingfield. 2lb better off now and with the long straight of Newcastle much more to his liking he can run a big race under Clifford Lee for a trainer who’s been amongst the winners recently.   BATAL DUBAI 1 point each way @ 5/1 1/5 1234   Lingfield 3.50 A maximum field of twelve declared for this class 3 6F BetUK All-weather Vase Sprint Handicap. This is a very open contest in which any of the participants could win. 5lb apprentice Brandon Wilkie could be in for a golden day and rides Hugo Palmer’s, Middleham Park Racing owned five year old How Impressive who has as good a chance as any. Nicely berthed in stall 5 he’s won three of his last four starts rising 13lb in the process and may appreciate dropping back to 6F having raced last time over 7F at Southwell.   HOW IMPRESSIVE 1/2 point each way @ 11/2 bet365 1/5 1234   Newcastle 4.10 Another maximum field go to post for this 1M 2F 42 yard BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Handicap, a class 2 race that has a purse of £200,000 plus. Irish raider and top weight Elegant Man is interesting with some future group entries and he may be the one to be with here despite carrying a big weight. It’s quite possible that he is the proverbial group horse in a handicap. Mick Appleby’s prolific winner Penzance and Simon & Ed Crisford’s four timer seeking Oh So Grand both have decent claims with slight preference for the latter who has the assistance once again of Jack Mitchell, who’s been on top for his last three wins. He’s risen 18lb for those success’s which has included a victory here as well as a brace at Lingfield. Four from five on the all-weather he can give the selection Elegant Man the most to do.   ELEGANT MAN 1 point each way @ 7/1 Coral 1/5 1234   Newcastle 4.40 The final race on the card is the 1M 5 yard BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap, a class 2 event in which we have another maximum field of fourteen. Charlie Johnstone’s progressive Middleham Park owned top weight Dear My Friend has been a revelation this all-weather season and can complete a four timer here following success’s over course and distance and a brace of wins, including in listed company at Lingfield. He’s risen 16lb in the handicap for those wins and with Joe Fanning back in the saddle looks sure to be thereabouts.   DEAR MY FRIEND 1 point win @ 10/3 bet365    

225 newc 
Sommelier. 9.0. 3.95 
Blue prince 8.7 7.0 
10pt win top rated ...5pt win blue 
 

5.00 ling 
Pandora's gift. 8.5 5/2 
Ballon dor. 8.3 12/1 
Tiorvar   8.0 
World of Darcy. 7.8 
10pt win Pandora's ...2pt Ew ballon
 

425 ling 
Incrimination. 8.4 10/1 
Epsom faithful. 8.3 10/1 
Open race but these two look value bets ....2pt Ew both 

240 ling
Baldermero 8.8 16/1 
Cephalus  8.6 5/2 
Darwell lion. 8.6 12/1 
Borgi.   8.4 8/1 
Cephalus sets the standard here and is the one they all have to beat but at 5/2 and up 5lb and wide draw there's absolutely no value in that so I'll go 2pt Ew baldermero and darwell lion as I'm much happier with those two as value bets 

240 ling
Baldermero 8.8 16/1 
Cephalus  8.6 5/2 
Darwell lion. 8.6 12/1 
Borgi.   8.4 8/1 
Cephalus sets the standard here and is the one they all have to beat but at 5/2 and up 5lb and wide draw there's absolutely no value in that so I'll go 2pt Ew baldermero and darwell lion as I'm much happier with those two as value bets 

425 ling 
Incrimination. 8.4 10/1 
Epsom faithful. 8.3 10/1 
Open race but these two look value bets ....2pt Ew both 

5.00 ling 
Pandora's gift. 8.5 5/2 
Ballon dor. 8.3 12/1 
Tiorvar   8.0 
World of Darcy. 7.8 
10pt win Pandora's ...2pt Ew ballon
 

225 newc 
Sommelier. 9.0. 3.95 
Blue prince 8.7 7.0 
10pt win top rated ...5pt win blue 
 

Not had a bet but probably will do on the day , the 2 that interest me are both 7 year olds as are the last 2 winners & both open to improvement
HARTUR DARC 9/1 PP ( 5 places )
YEAH MAN 10/1 PP ( 5 places ) the more rain the better for this one backing up the Haydock run .

Rated 
Frontal assault  9.0 33/1 
Minella cocooner 8.8 25/1 
Mac's charm .8.3. 25/1 
Was looking for some value and ratings didn't disappoint .....I'm liking frontal assault as his fourth in the portestown reads well now dropped 4lbs ....5 PT Ew all three ....any thoughts on race ??

Rated 
Frontal assault  9.0 33/1 
Minella cocooner 8.8 25/1 
Mac's charm .8.3. 25/1 
Was looking for some value and ratings didn't disappoint .....I'm liking frontal assault as his fourth in the portestown reads well now dropped 4lbs ....5 PT Ew all three ....any thoughts on race ??

Rated 
Frontal assault  9.0 33/1 
Minella cocooner 8.8 25/1 
Mac's charm .8.3. 25/1 
Was looking for some value and ratings didn't disappoint .....I'm liking frontal assault as his fourth in the portestown reads well now dropped 4lbs ....5 PT Ew all three ....any thoughts on race ??

Spring mile 
Titian.  8.7  58 58. 13/2 
Arthur's realm. 8.5 28 30 12/1
Magic memories. 8.5. 41 37 14/1 
These three are clear of rest ....on class ratings you can see Titian is stand out but it's an open race and draw plays a part so I'll try 5pt wins all 3 
 

Il stick with thunder ball backed earlier in the week @25/1 . I could probably select 4 more it’s a tough start as always proper puzzle

Wayfinder               N/R
Lilting Verse                                           3 15 Neb/               1/40th of a pt ew     22/1   - 5th
Expressionless                                      2 25 2 25/                1/40th of a pt ew    18/1
 
 
P/L  + 176.15 pt

👏   👍

I'm just backing Johan and Dutch decoy 10pts Ew both 12/1 and 25/1 ....blues I'm thinking probably wants better ground really hence dropped 

Doncaster 1.20 The 2024 turf flat season kicks off with a seven runner renewal of the listed Doncaster Mile. The ground is likely to be pretty sticky here and that may play into the hands of last year’s winner Astral Beau who although having a few pounds to find with a few of these on official ratings has form figures of 3111 on soft or heavy ground and has won first time out for the last two seasons including a 4L victory in this race a year ago. Pam Sly is a more than capable trainer and may have most to fear here from the Roger Varian trained Charyn who kept better company than this last year and is the highest rated of the seven runners. Knight is another who relishes the mud but its the only mare in the race that can beat the boys here under Shane Kelly under her ideal ground conditions.   ASTRAL BEAU 1 point win @ 5/1 bet365   Bangor 1.30 A rare visit for the ITV cameras to Bangor-On-Dee for this class 2 2M 3 1/2F handicap hurdle which has attracted eight runners. It may chiefly concern Dan Skelton’s veteran West To The Bridge who’s fallen down to a winning mark, Olly Murphy’s hat trick seeking Pickanumber and last year’s winner Jungle Jack. Preference is for Skelton's West To The Bridge who has the assistance of Tristan Durrell here with main stable jockey Harry Skelton required at Newbury.   WEST TO THE BRIDGE  1 point each way  @ 5/1 bet365   Doncaster 1.50 The first two year old turf race of the season is the historic Brocklesby Stakes run over the minimum trip of 5F and has attracted a field of fifteen this year. Obviously the market will tell us the ones that are expected to run well but I can pass on a good mark for the Amo Racing newcomer Mystical Elegance trained in Lambourn by Dominic Ffrench Davis. The owners are already off the mark with the first juvenile race of the Irish flat turf season last Monday and the trainer was on the Nick Luck podcast on Thursday stating that the son of Zoustar will love the prevailing ground and is very forward with a good willing attitude. He was the pick from three entries from the yard and without the benefit of any market clues is worth a speculative interest.   MYSTICAL ELEGANCE 1 point win 5/2 bet365   Newbury 2.10 A field of nine face the judge for this 2M 3F class 3 novices’ handicap hurdle. Phillip Hoobs & Johnson White’s Into The Park and Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Spirits Bay head the weights and the market and come here both chasing hat tricks although both are up in the weights. As a four year old the Dan Skelton trained Kartoon And Co gets a healthy age allowance of 12lb and off of just 10 stone 2lb here, a weight which is jockey Harry Skelton’s bare minimum (he may well have to put up a pound overweight). He ran well at Sandown a fortnight ago when runner up in a handicap hurdle when well backed and with the extra 3F likely to suit looks the pick although I can’t resist a small each way saver on Nicky Henderson’s only runner of the day in handicap debutant Break My Soul, who’s recent second spot at Warwick has been boosted by the winner placing in graded company since and the third winning a handicap. We all know Henderson’s stable has been under a cloud but his only runner since Cheltenham was a winner at Kempton a week ago.   KARTOON AND CO 1 point each way @ 8/1 BetVictor 1/5th 123 BREAK MY SOUL 1/2 point each way @ 16/1 bet365 1/5th 123   Doncaster 2.25 The Lincoln consolation race the Spring Mile Handicap has attracted eighteen runners and is run over the straight mile. Last year’s winner Harswell Duke is back to defend his title with the runner up Titian, third Maysong, seventh Arthur’s Realm and a few others all back as well. Harswell Duke did us a favour that day and can race here off of a 8lb lower mark mainly due to the fact that he lost his form after last year’s win. Although he’s 6lb worse off now I would prefer Julie Camacho’s Titian from last years race to come out best here. The one I want to be with though is the Tony Coyle & Caine Wood trained Thunder Roar with the booking of Jamie Spencer an eye caching one. He obviously adores the mud with form figures on soft or heavy reading 11213 which include a a heavy ground victory of a 7f race here in October. He teed up for this with an eye catching third at Southwell a fortnight ago and even though he has to prove he stays a mile looks the bet as long as stall number 1 is not a negative.   THUNDER ROAR 1 point each way @ 8/1 bet365 1/5th 12345   Newbury 2.40 Just the seven have declared for this class 2 2M 4F handicap chase where last year’s winner Heltenham heads the market following another win here at the beginning of the month. He’s up 6lb for that win and 13lb in total from last years win. His best form appears to be on testing ground so drying conditions may not suit and I’ll take him on with Kerry Lee’s bottom weight Eaton Collina. He arrives in top form having won two handicaps at Wetherby in February rising 12lb for those success’s under today’s jockey Richard Patrick. He maybe the value bet against the favourite.   EATON COLLINA 1 point each way @ 5/1 William Hill 1/5th 123   Doncaster 3.00 Seven line up for this 6F listed Cammidge Trophy. Bar the rank outsider Glorious Angel a case can be made for all with Karl Burke’s Marshman (first time tongue tie) and William Haggas’s Montassib jointly the best horses in the field although neither would want a real mud bath. The same could be said about Charlie Hills’s Orazio and with Baradar dropping down from a mile to 6F it maybe worth taking a swing with the only three year old in the field Adaay in Devon trained by Rod Millman who has his dual purpose stable in fine form currently winning with three of his last 8 runners at time of writing. She was a big improver through last summer and autumn winning four times, all on soft ground, before ending the season finishing 1 3/4L runner up in the listed Bosra Sham Stakes at Newmarket on heavy ground won by a well touted Godolphin filly. She gets not only a 5lb fillies allowance but also a hefty 13lb age allowance and could be the value play on ground she likes under Silvestre De Sousa. Back her each way with the firms paying three places in the seven runner field.   ADAAY IN DEVON 1 point each way @ 14/1 William Hill 1/5th 123   Newbury 3.15 A wide open renewal of the EBF mares novices handicap hurdle run over 2M 4 1/2F with seventeen runners going to post. The race has a wide open look about it with many of the mares making their handicap debuts here. An interesting runner is the Dan Skelton trained Lindy Reilly who’s got in here off of a nice low mark following there starts and is worth watching closely. Barbury Castle trainer Alan King took his mare Kay Tara Tara up to Kelso to get qualified for this event 15 days ago on ground that was too soft for her but she ran well in defeat finishing 2 1/4L second to the re-opposing El Elefante and it will be no surprise if on 11lb better terms and on significantly better ground she turned that form around and runs a big race.   KAY TARA TARA 1 point each way @ 12/1 888sport 1/5th 12345   Doncaster 3.35 The first big flat turf handicap of the season is the William Hill Lincoln run over the straight mile of Town Moor with a maximum field of twenty two gong to post. The front two in the market Awaal, who ran second in this last year to Migration and Liberty Lane,a course and distance winner at the St Leger meeting both hold decent claims with preference just for the latter who is trained by the in form Karl Burke and could be well drawn in stall 20 if last year’s renewal has anything to do with it especially now he’s been gelded. Both have been well found in the market mind as has last Monday’s Irish Lincoln winner Chazzesmee who if none the worse for that victory can be in the shake up. The most interesting runner to my eyes however is Lattam who’s joined Julie Camacho’s Yorkshire stable having been bought for a cheap looking 50,000 guineas. A winner first time out the last two seasons he loves soft ground and took the Irish equivalent first time out last season when in the care of William Haggas. Ryan Sexton is a good booking and from a draw in the middle means he can go either side if there appears an advantage earlier in the meeting. A tough call and whilst I wouldn’t put anyone off Liberty Lane it’s Lattam that appeals each way with the firms paying extra places.   LATTAM 1 point each way @ 10/1 bet365 1/5th 123456    

Spring mile 
Titian.  8.7  58 58. 13/2 
Arthur's realm. 8.5 28 30 12/1
Magic memories. 8.5. 41 37 14/1 
These three are clear of rest ....on class ratings you can see Titian is stand out but it's an open race and draw plays a part so I'll try 5pt wins all 3