Racing Chat - Thursday July 23rd

[BillyHills]

5 meetings

Richest handicap is the 250 at Pontefract

 

1pt  Watchable 17/2 betvictor
1pt  Cobra Eye 17/2 Hills

F/C Combo 1,4,6,7 (12 bets)

 

 

 

[Darran]

We were a bit unlucky with Dutch Canyon who just happened to bump into a horse who clearly enjoyed the step up in trip having spent most of his career running over 2m. He beat the others easily enough as well and you would like to think we will get a chance to get our money back.

 

Onto Uttoxeter and I am really looking forward to seeing Monsieur Gibraltar back in action and going into handicap company at 3.10. He has been dominant in points and hunter chases since going to Rose Loxton and has put in some really impressive performances. A glance at his odds would suggest that he should be winning those races easily, but the way he has thrashed his rivals is really something. Also there are a couple of performances we can look at which suggests he can win a race off 138 especially at this time of year. At Kempton last year he ended up being sent off at 1/16 and beat Witness In Court by 16L, but was value for way more. Witness In Court won a hunter chase next time out and then won a handicap off 112 two start after that. That would strictly speaking put Monsieur Gibraltar at 128, but he was value for at least 10L more than that winning margin. The biggest pointer though was when he beat Risk A Fine at Wincanton. Just to remind you I was a huge fan of Risk A Fine last season and he was one of the horses of the last hunter chase season in my opinion. For Monsieur Gibraltar to brush him aside with ease was really impressive. Risk A Fine ended off his season by winning the handicap hunter chase at Stratford off 137 by 17L and is now rated 146. Granted that Stratford race was pretty weak, but it was a dominant performance as were his other two wins after the Wincanton 2nd. He had 1 start this year when bolting up in a point at 1/5 and then strangely had a wind op a few days later. He always wears a tongue-tie, but you would hardly say he ran like he needed a wind op. He was entered in the big race at Market Rasen a couple of weeks ago and I think he would have had a real chance in that so dropping to this sort of level he looks to have an excellent chance.

The favourite Mercian Prince has been out of form over fences, but did win a novice hurdle at Bangor 11 days ago. The main advantage he has is that he has had a run otherwise I think Monsieur Gibraltar has the beating of him. If there is a danger then it could be Lovato who won over course and distance last September. He beat Asockastar that day who you may remember won us plenty of money last year. As much as he is a very likeable horse, he was running off 137 that day and if he was only getting a pound from Monsieur Gibraltar I wouldn't have him getting anywhere near him. 

For some reason Maxwell isn't riding tomorrow even though he was jocked up at the 6 day stage so Harry Cobden takes the ride and as much as I am no Maxwell basher that is clearly a massive plus especially as Maxwell won't have ridden since March.

The other pick runs an hour later and although it is impossible to be anywhere near as confident as I am about Monsieur Gibraltar, I have to have a bit on Cinevator at 33/1. Now he has got more P's in his recent form than numbers and that explains the price. Look he could easily have another P in his form after this race, but on his best pointing form he is thrown in off a mark of 73. He had two wins in 2018 and then last April he was only beaten a head in a reasonable enough Ladies Open. Granted he then pulled up on his next start, but if he puts in an effort like any of the 3 runs I have mentioned then he is no 33/1 shot. He clearly isn't one to go mad about and like I say he could pull up, but I am willing to throw a few quid in his direction at the odds.

Monsieur Gibraltar @ 4/1 with Bet365

Cinevator e/w @ 33/1 with Bet365

Just came to mind that I think amateur jockey's still aren't allowed to ride which would obviously rule Maxwell out.