Conflict Cup

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Brought Down & 5th today

Well thats the end of Year 4 unfortunately couldn't finish with a winner in GB or Ireland

Update :

Year 4 

Strike Rate in GB for the year was an excellent (if I do say so myself) 40.89%, which gave me a profit of 25.83 for ROI of 9.6%.

On the other hand Ireland another loss for the year, an unwanted three in a row, nothing much else to say.

Overall for the year for both GB and Ireland ends with a profit of 14.17 and a SR of 37.58%.

Overall

Overall after 4 years have to be happy, unfortunately Ireland has been at a loss the last three years after an excellent ROI of 14.1% after year 1.

And just in case you are following the Doubles 

Just hung in there for a profit for the year and we still have a P on I of 5.08%

Year 5

Fame and Concrete 17.22 Warwick 1 Pt Win @ 6\4 (bog)

Well-bred 5yo who forged clear in impressive fashion when landing a bumper at Southwell and should take all the beating under a penalty. 

Lady Breffni 14.15 Limerick 1 Pt WIn @ 5\2 (bog)

Fairly useful hurdler. Good fourth of 20 in handicap hurdle (7/1) at Leopardstown (18f, soft) 35 days ago, running on. Back up in trip. Yard in good form. Sure to go well. 

[MCLARKE]

Good long term return for the GB selections.

Confirms my view that the over-round in Ireland is higher than GB.

Keep up the good work, it's added to my profit in March.

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7th & 4th today

Golden Tobouggan 15.03 Stratford 1 Pt WIn @ 11\8 (bog)

Good strike rate in points (7-16 in that sphere) and positive start under Rules when second in a 9-runner hunter chase at Wincanton (20.2f, good to soft) 12 days ago. Leading contender.

Midnight It Is 16.30 Punchestown 1 Pt WIn @ 6\4 (bog)

£60,000 4-y-o, Midnight Legend gelding. Dam (h121), 2m-2¾m hurdle winner, closely related to fair hurdler/fairly useful chaser Goldgig. Leading when fell 2 out on point debut. Strong claims.

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Two 2nd's today 

Sabbathical 14.20 Sedgefield 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Benefited from a first-time visor when readily defying his lower hurdles mark under this jockey at Carlisle 5 days ago. Looks the one to beat if the race doesn't come too soon. 

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3rd today

Ridgeway Avenue 17.45 Kempton 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Twice-raced colt. 16/5, second of 8 in minor event at Yarmouth (7f, good to soft) in August, losing little caste in defeat behind a useful-looking sort. Solid claims on return to action. 

Tout Est Permis 15.20 Down Royal 1 Pt WIn @ 5\4 (bog)

Fourteen runs since last win in 2019 but he fared better than of late when fourth of 5 to Acapella Bourgeois in Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse (25.5f) 18 days ago. Tongue strap back on. Hard to beat.

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6th & a Faller today

Don Herbager 13.10 Hexham 1 Pt Win @ 6\4 (bog)

Has upped his game since switched to chasing, winning at Exeter (3m) and Leicester (23f) this year. Increased test of stamina now should suit and can make light of a further 7 lb rise. 

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5th today

Ballyellis 13.10 Fakenham 1 Pt WIn @ 2\1 (bog)

Thrived in plating hurdling company in autumn 2019, racking up 4 wins. Big player if hitting the ground running after 13 months away. 

Estepona Sun 17.30 Dundalk 1 Pt Win @ 4\1 (bog)

Fairly useful gelding. Course winner. 25/1, first run since leaving Noel C. Kelly when fourth of 16 in juvenile hurdle at Gowran 17 days ago. Tongue strap back on and interesting back in this sphere.

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1st @ 7\2 & a Non Runner yesterday

Futuristic 18.00 Wolverhampton 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Career best when winning 8-runner handicap (13/8) at this C&D 26 days ago, always holding on. Has to be taken seriously. 

Unexpected Depth 14.50 Thurles 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Smart hurdler. 1 win from 3 runs this season. Good second of 22 in handicap hurdle (10/1) at Leopardstown (24f, soft) 41 days ago. Likely to continue in form and he's a big player.

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6th & 4th today

The Mighty Arc 13.50 Carlisle 1 Pt WIn @ 5\4 (bog)

Placed on second start in Irish points. From a good NH family and showed aptitude for hurdling 12 weeks on from finishing down the field in a bumper when third of 11 in a decent race at Chepstow.

Horoscope 15.35 Curragh 1 Pt WIn @ 11\10 (bog)

Promising second of 6 in maiden (8/13) at Leopardstown (7f, soft) in October. Tongue strap on 1st time. Remains open to improvement, and sure to go well. 

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2nd & 1st @ 9\4 today

Storm Nelson 14.10 Kelso 1 Pt Win @ 13\8 (bog)

Made light of a year off when easily making a winning start for the Sandy Thomson team at Ayr (20.5f) 3 weeks ago. Raised 11 lb but highly likely he has more to offer for this yard. Has won over 3m. 

Bold Getaway 16.00 Navan 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Promising sort. Fourth of 20 in novice hurdle (40/1) at Leopardstown (20f, soft) on NH debut 84 days ago. Should improve and looks the one to beat. 

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Two Non Runners today

Hillcrest 16.55 Wetherby 1 Pt Win @ 6\4 (bog)

Cost €190,000 as a 3yo and demonstrated a good deal of ability when runner-up at Doncaster first time out. That race has already thrown up a few winners, so he's up to going one better.

Clarabello 15.00 Clonmel 1 Pt WIn @ 11\4 (bog)

Lightly-raced maiden under NH rules. Creditable fourth of 12 in maiden hurdle at Wexford (16f, heavy, 16/1) 13 days ago. Shortlist material. 

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1st @ 6\4 & 6th

Wise Glory 15.20 Hereford 1 Pt Win @ 15\8 (bog)

Useful Flat winner for Simon & Ed Crisford. Tongue tied, failed to see race out on Musselburgh hurdle debut in February but could fare a lot better in these calmer waters. 

Casey West 15.40 Tipperary 1 Pt WIn @ 6\4 (bog)

Slipped up sole start in points and ran to a fairly useful level when second of 20 in maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Rules debut, making ground from rear. Open to improvement switched to a bumper. 

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5th & 2nd today

Whoshotthesheriff 14.52 Sedgefield 1 Pt WIn @ Evens (bog)

Useful hurdler who confirmed chase debut promise when landing 2m graduation event at Carlisle in November. Resumed winning ways over this trip at Catterick 3 starts later and sure to go well again. 

Polla Milano 17.35 Cork 1 Pt WIn @ 11\8 (bog)

Milan mare who got off the mark at the third attempt in points in December and displayed fair form when a keeping on third in Thurles bumper last month. Big player on that evidence.

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NR & 1st @ 9\4 

True Hero 20.15 Newcastle 1 Pt Win @ 5\4 (bog)

Had a good spell of late, easily landing a second Southwell win of the year 10 days ago. 5 penalty may not stop him if showing up in similar form. 

Betrayed  20.00 Dundalk 1 Pt WIn @ 2\1 (bog)

Built on good reappearance second when winning 7-runner C&D handicap 35 days ago. Much respected up 5 lb. 

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Double Up 1st @ 5\4 & 1st @ 11\4  

Blazing Port 12.30 Kelso 1 Pt Win @ 11\8 (bog)

Bumper winner for Tristan Davidson who made a promising start to hurdling career when runner-up at Hexham in October. Bit disappointing there next time, but can do better now handicapping up in trip. 

Provocateuse 13.50 Navan 1 Pt WIn @ 13\8 (bog)

Thrice-raced filly. Third of 14 in maiden (9/2) at Dundalk (6f). Off 138 days. Obvious claims.

 

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PU & 5th yesterday

Guru 13.55 Doncaster 1 Pt WIn @ 6\5 (bog)

Looked useful when scoring on 7f Newbury debut last July. Turned over at short odds at Kempton the following month but likely better judged on that opening win and remains a very useful prospect. 

Star of Cashel 17.10 Naas 1 Pt WIn @ 9\4 (bog)

C&D winner. Three wins from 5 runs last year. 33/1, good fourth of 24 in handicap at the Curragh (8f, soft) 7 days ago. Merits consideration. 

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5th & 3rd today

Furlough Me 17.10 Fontwell 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

From a good NH family and shaped with promise on debut in Wincanton bumper earlier this month, looking far from the finished article. More to come and this looks a good opening.

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1st @ Evens today

Peltwell 13.30 Newcastle 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Has looked a different proposition equipped with cheekpieces back at 2m the last twice, bagging handicaps at Wincanton and Wetherby. Escapes a penalty for the latter and she's the one to beat.

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1st @ 6\4 yesterday

Dazzling Glory 17.20 Hexham 1 Pt WIn @ Evens (bog)

Winning pointer who found only one too good at Hereford on Rules debut, then acquitted herself well when fifth in listed race at Sandown. Well capable of opening her account back down in grade. 

Alice Milligan 20.00 Dundalk 1 Pt Win @ 4\1 (bog)

Remains a maiden after 18 Flat runs. 13/2, respectable fourth of 14 in handicap at this course (6f) 42 days ago. Return to this trip should suit, so worth chancing off a lenient mark. 

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1st @ 11\10 & 11th yesterday

Road Senam 15.30 Ffos Las 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Useful chaser in France who turned in his best effort of the season when fifth of 15 in EBF Final at Sandown (19.8f) 19 days ago. Obvious claims back in maiden company in first-time cheekpieces.

Shantreusse 19.05 Clonmel 1 Pt Win @ 15\8 (bog)

€50,000 half-brother to fair hurdler/fairly useful chaser Henry's Joy. Promising sort. 4/1, second of 10 in bumper at Navan (15.8f, heavy) on debut 39 days ago. Open to improvement. 

 

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3rd & 1st @ 7\4 today

Global Warning 14.50 Newcastle 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Improved performer of late since dropped in trip, gaining second C&D win 45 days ago when also showing a good attitude. Another bold showing is on the cards nudged up just 1 lb. 

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5th today

Karl Philippe 14.48 Carlisle 1 Pt WIn @ 11\10 (bog)

Unbeaten in bumpers and opened hurdles account at third attempt in good style at Exeter (18.5f) in February. Pulled up in EBF final at Sandown last time, but has to be worth another chance.

Cadamosto 15.10 Cork 1 Pt WIn @ 6\4 (bog)

Foaled March 18. £130,000 yearling, No Nay Never colt. Dam 2-y-o 6f winner out of useful 6f winner Salsa Steps. Highly respected on debut. Wears tongue strap. 

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3rd & NR yesterday

Makalu 13.36 Southwell 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Promising sort. Third of 9 in novice at Doncaster (5f, good) on debut 8 days ago. Likely to improve and very much the one to beat. 

El Barra 13.50 Fairyhouse 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Thurles bumper winner in November. Fairly useful form when reaching frame in maiden hurdles at Naas and Navan on last 2 starts. Open to further progress. Leading claims. 

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5th & 1st @ 5\4 

Ehrmann 16.45 Wolverhampton 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Promising type. Won 5-runner minor event (8/1) at Southwell (5f) 20 days ago, driven clear. Sets a high standard and difficult to oppose. 

Weihnachts 15.00 Cork 1 Pt Win @ 5\4 (bog)

Career best when winning 11-runner handicap chase at Gowran (16f, heavy, 2/1) 34 days ago, comfortably. On the upgrade and good chance in hat-trick bid. 

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2nd & NR today

Art of Approval 14.50 Exeter 1 Pt Win @ 11\10 (bog)

Back-to-back C&D winner last year. 25/1, 2½ lengths ninth of 11 to D'bai in Zabeel Mile at Meydan (1m) 47 days ago. Profile for this yard is a positive one and sound claims back in calmer waters.

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1st @ 7\4 yesterday

Forest Falcon 18.45 Newcastle 1 Pt WIn @ 5\4 (bog)

Promising sort. Very good second of 7 in handicap at Musselburgh (8f, good, 10/3) 4 days ago, clear of rest. Makes tapeta debut. The one to beat if the race doesn't come too soon. 

Chicago Black Hawk 16.00 Gowran Park 1 Pt Win @ 15\8 (bog)

Promising type. Third of 17 in maiden (16/1) at the Curragh (7f, good to soft). Off 6 months. Should be even more to come from him. Leading claims. 

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2nd & 5th today

True Hero 13.00 Southwell 1 Pt WIn @ 11\8 (bog)

C&D winner. 5/4, didn't need to improve to win 8-runner handicap at Newcastle (5f) 13 days ago, sticking to task. Thriving at the moment and looks the one to beat. 

Stratum 18.35 Gowran Park 1 Pt WIn @ 15\8 (bog)

Fifteenth of 22 in handicap hurdle at Leopardstown (16f, soft, 50/1) 61 days ago. Smart on the Flat in this sphere and, as the clear form pick, he's likely to take all the beating. 

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2nd & 1st @ 15\8 today

Law of the Sea 15.55 Leicester 1 Pt WIn @ 5\4 (bog)

7/2, built on debut promise to land 1m4f minor event at Kempton in January, really getting the hang of things late on. Sure to improve again, and big player for yard among the winners. 

Fly Smart 17.25 Wexford 1 Pt Win @ 6\5 (bog)

Promising individual. Tongue strap on, first run since leaving Guillaume Macaire when fifth of 16 in novice hurdle at Leopardstown (20f, good, 7/4) 33 days ago. Capable of better, and a big player.

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1st @ 5\4 & 9th yesterday

My Drogo 14.25 Aintree 1 Pt WIn @ 13\8 (bog)

Good looking son of Milan who is unbeaten over hurdles, conceding weight to all in emphatic fashion in Grade 2 at Kelso (18.1) 35 days ago. Sets the standard and capable of better still.

Pineapple Express 15.25 Dundalk 1 Pt WIn @ 13\8 (bog)

4/1, career best when winning 17-runner handicap at Gowran (9.6f, soft) 3 days ago, well on top finish having suffered poor run. Carries 6 lb penalty but yard in good form and a leading contender.

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1st @ 13\8 & 7th yesterday

Update:

Overall :

Year 4 :

Early days Year 4, don't think I can have as good a year as GB did last year. Hopefully IRE can make a profit this year.

Just a few things on the system. 

GB : Average Win Odds 2.66, Most consecutive winners 6, Most consecutive losers 12

IRE : Average Win Odds 2.96, Most Consecutive winners 5, Most consecutive losers 11

Well Educated 17.11 Kelso 1 Pt Win @ 6\4 (bog)

Getaway gelding who was strong in the betting and showed plenty to work on when fourth at Warwick on debut in November. Similar form when runner-up at Newcastle a month later. Sets the standard. 

Bolshoi Ballet 15.45 Leopardstown 1 Pt Win @ 11\8 (bog)

Promising type. Course winner. One win from 2 runs last year. 2 lengths fifth of 7 to Gear Up in Criterium de Saint-Cloud (49/10) at Saint-Cloud (9.9f, heavy). Off 169 days. Standard bearer.