Conflict Cup

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1st @ 13\8 yesterday

Zealot 15.10 Newcastle 1 Pt Win @ 11\8 (bog)

Four wins from 7 runs last year. 3/1, career best when winning 7-runner handicap at this C&D 36 days ago, staying on well. Has to be taken seriously. 

Atlantian 16.55 Clonmel 1 Pt Win @ 13\8 (bog)

40/1 and tongue strap on for 1st time, good second of 25 in handicap hurdle at Navan (22.4f, good to soft) 18 days ago, running on. Player despite 3 lb rise. 

 

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Win Win Power 17.45 Newcastle 1 Pt Win @ 9\4 (bog)

Made it 3-4 in 2023 for his current yard when landing 11-runner handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 14 days ago. Up 3 lb but weighted to go close again. 

Havana Notion 20.30 Dundalk 1 Pt Win @ 15\8 (bog)

Lightly-raced maiden. Very good third of 10 in handicap (5/4) at this course (6f) 14 days ago, never nearer. One to consider. 

1st @ 7\4 & 2nd yesterday

Edited March 3 by Xtc12

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4th & 5th today

Coopers Cross 15.15 Doncaster 1 Pt Win @ 15\8 (bog)

Progressing well and made a winning return from 6 months off at Carlisle (2½m) in October. At least as good when placed at Aintree/Musselburgh before taking things up a notch when landing Sky Bet Chase here (3m) in first-time headgear. Extra 2f unlikely to be a problem and big shout up 5 lb.

Jimmy Chou Pecos AA 15.45 Navan 1 Pt Win @ Evs (bog)

Shaped with promise in his only bumper and did the same sent hurdling when second of 16 in maiden at Down Royal (20.2f, soft, 11/1) 68 days ago. Open to improvement and form choice.

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6th & 2nd today

South of the Border 17.40 Ffos Las 1 Pt Win @ 6/5 (bog)

€13,000 3-y-o, £145,000 4-y-o, Leading Light gelding. Closely related to modest hurdler Shean Glory, stays 21f. Dam, winning pointer. Point winner who makes obvious appeal on debut for top yard. 

Jivin Jerry 15.25 Wexford 1 Pt Win @ 4\1 (bog)

Creditable fifth of 14 in handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse (20.1f, good to soft, 14/1) 8 days ago, unable to sustain effort. Couldn't rule out. 

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1st @ 11\8 & Faller

Riskintheground 14.10 Fontwell 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Bit disappointing over hurdles so far given his form in bumpers, only sixth when well backed on handicap bow at Ludlow 2 weeks ago, but big shout on his best. Worth another chance. 

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1st @ 7\4 today

Go West 17.00 Wincanton 1 Pt Win @ 6\5 (bog)

Runner-up sole start in points and filled same spot in bumpers at Chepstow/Doncaster. Sets a clear standard so taken to go one better. 

The Gunner Yeats 15.05 Thurles 1 Pt Win @ 11\10 (bog)

Hooded and in need of the experience when third of 13 in bumper at Navan (16f, good to soft, 15/8) on NH debut 25 days ago. Makes hurdles debut and this winning pointer merits serious consideration. 

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1st @ 13\8 & NR today

McClean House 18.30 Kempton 1 Pt Win @ 5\4 (bog)

Dream Ahead colt. Promising individual. Won 11-runner maiden (2/1) at this C&D 23 days ago, despite again edging left. May well do better and high on the shortlist. 

San Andreas 19.15 Dundalk 1 Pt Win @ 6\5 (bog)

Smart gelding. 4-time course winner. Respectable second of 6 in minor event at this course (10.7f, 7/1) 14 days ago. Back down in trip. Has good claims on form. 

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Double Up yesterday ... a pair of 5\4's  , San Andreas winning guarantees a profit in Ireland for the first time since Year 1 

Spirit D'aunou  13.15 Sandown 1 Pt Win @ 11\10 (bog)

Promise when runner-up on debut and justified cramped odds at Huntingdon (15.8f) in December. Improved further and looked more polished as he defied a penalty at Ludlow in January and he's just the type to improve further now handicapping for his good yard. 

Cayd Boy 15.45 Gowran Park 1 Pt Win @ 11\4 (bog)

85/40, bit below form fifth of 11 in handicap chase at Fairyhouse (17f, heavy) 56 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time, cheekpieces on 1st time. Capable of bouncing straight back. 

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Year 6 - 1 week to go

Overall

Nothing to say really about GB this year it turned out a terrible year. In contrast since the 25th February I have had a 66% Strike Rate in GB, sums the year up.

Meanwhile in Ireland first profitable year since Year 1. San Andreas turned out to be my 500th winner in Ireland in the 6 years 

 

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1st @ 11\10 & PU today ...... 5 in a row in GB

Halondo 15.15 Market Rasen 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Fair in bumpers and going the right way over hurdles, sticking to his task when runner-up at Ayr the last twice. Has more potential now handicapping, and looks the one to beat. 

Irish Blaze 16.00 Limerick 1 Pt Win @ 13\8 (bog)

Fairly useful chaser. 2/1, ran well when second of 6 in novice at Leopardstown (17f, good) 7 days ago, rallying run-in having been left second at the last. Can go one better this time around.

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1st @ 11\4 (6 in a row) & 4th today

Bolsover Bill 14.25 Plumpton 1 Pt Win @ 15\8 (bog)

Has been in fine form since the tongue tie has gone back on this season, completing a hat-trick at Ffos Las (2m) in January. Good second at Fontwell (21.2f) last time, so he's a player eased 1 lb. 

Happy Victory 13.55 Thurles 1 Pt Win @ 6\5 (bog)

Mixed bag over hurdles but comes here having tasted success on each of his 2 starts between the Flags, latterly at Punchestown in February. Leading claims for Gordon Elliott stable. 

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1st @ 15/8 & PU today. ..... 7 in a row in GB

Breguet Boy 17.00 Newcastle 1 pt win @ 13/8 (bog)

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A new record for me in GB .... 8 consecutive winners.

Land Legend 17.05 Newcastle 1 pt win @ 11/8 (bog)

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9 in a row

Zealot 19.00 Chelmsford 1 pt win @ 9/4 (bog)

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Knockmore Prince 19.50 Dundalk 1 pt win @ 2/1 (bog)

 

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10 in a row   last day of Year 6

Elisheva  19.15 Newcastle 1 Pt Win @ 15\8 (bog)

Modest mare. Winner at Kempton in March. Good second of 11 in handicap at this course (7.1f, 11/2) 8 days ago, clear of rest. Leading claims. 

Stuzzikini 13.50 Down Royal 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Lightly-raced maiden under NH rules. Bit below form second of 16 in novice hurdle (5/2) at Fairyhouse (16f, good to soft) 37 days ago. Sets a solid standard on Punchestown effort prior to that. 

 

 

 

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5th & PU today .... all good things come to an end !

Delighted with the way I finished Year 6 in GB, unfortunately I still failed to make a profit.

Year 6

In GB a strike rate of 37.22% was not good enough, even with a 73% Strike rate since 25th February, to produce a profit. Year 3 was the only other season that I failed to make a profit. One thing I did note was that 25% of the selections came 2nd, the highest since I started.

Meanwhile over in Ireland a 32.2% Strike Rate made a profit for only the 2nd time in 6 years. At one stage during the year I was considering not to continue next year with the Irish Selections, but a profit however small means I will continue.

Overall

GB still showing a profit of 36.63 Pts but Ireland still in the negative, with an overall ROI of 0.44%

Will come back later with the stats for the double.

Born to Please 16.45 Uttoxeter 1 Pt Win @ 7\2 (bog)

After a couple of poor efforts on the Flat, ran well back over hurdles when second in mares' handicap at Leicester in December. Below-par next time, but soon back on track when again runner-up at Leicester in February. Major player. 

Pont Aval 13.55 Thurles 1 Pt Win @ 7\4 (bog)

Fairly useful hurdler. Fairly useful winner at 20f over hurdles. 5/2, creditable second of 8 in novice chase at Clonmel (20f, soft) 16 days ago. Should continue to give a good account. 

 

Edited Saturday at 09:56 AM by Xtc12

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Pair of 4th's yesterday

Imperial Alex 15.00 Carlisle 1 Pt Win @ 13\8 (bog)

9/4, much improved when winning 12-runner handicap hurdle at Warwick (21f, good to soft) 36 days ago. Up 5 lb but has more to offer and another bold show is on the cards. 

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2nd today

White Rhino 15.35 Southwell 1 Pt Win @ 6\4 (bog)

Didn't show much in maiden/novice company but left that form miles behind upped in trip for his handicap bow when scoring in decisive fashion over C&D last month. Followed up under a penalty in equally good style at Wetherby and very much of interest, despite a significant rise in the weights. 

Thecompanysergeant 13.50 Navan 1 Pt Win @ 2\1 (bog)

Promising individual. 2 wins from 5 runs this season. 9/2, second of 21 in novice hurdle at Naas (15.5f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 22 days ago, sticking to task. Open to progress and this dual-bumper winner has plenty more to offer. 

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Double Up 1st @ 6\4 & 1st @ 2\1

Lilith  15.15 Market Rasen 1 Pt Win @ Evens (bog)

Won 3 of her last 5 starts, latest a 4-runner mares' handicap chase at Carlisle (20.9f, good to soft) 43 days ago, responding well. 3 lb rise fair and looks sure to go well again. 

Shean Glory 15.40 Clonmel 1 Pt Win @ 3\1 (bog)

C&D winner last month and backed that up with creditable second of 16 here (16f, soft, 7/2) 19 days ago. 2 lb rise fair and another bold bid anticipated. 

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3rd & 11th today

Your Own Story 16.10 Haydock 1 Pt Win @ 11\4 (bog)

Suited by an increased test of stamina when getting off the mark over fences in 31f Wetherby handicap 16 days ago. Has the potential for better still and 7 lb rise may not stop him with stable continuing in good form. 

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2nd today

Espoir De Teillee 17.50 Ludlow 1 Pt Win @ 11\10 (bog)

Smart handicap chaser on his day and best effort for a while when readily making all at Leicester last month. Obvious claims in this company. 

Calico 14.05 Cork 1 Pt Win @ 11\8 (bog)

Now 0-10 over hurdles but she has shown decent form in defeat, notably when second in a listed contest at Aintree in December. Mid-field in another listed event at Doncaster in January and she won't get many better opportunities to open her account.