mowgli77 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Not sure if you've seen this before: http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/racing/news/2014/07/read-jockey-danny-tudhope-new-regular-news-column-in-the-yorkshire-post-today#.U8mAtrHX81I :ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Another weird old night. We're running late & by the time we get in they're loading up for the opener but neither of us has struck a bet here. Then I run into Frank who's here with a badge for Smarty Socks & he's talking to another chap who's also in the club but is here with the Middleham Park runner in the last, I don't have a badge but the other chap tells me there's a spare going for their's if I want it so off I go for a badge for Lil Rockerfeller posing as somebody else. I'm back in time for a look at New Providence who looks the part & I'm thinking do I top up? I decide not to, Mowgli backs two against him. He wins in some style & I'm kicking myself now, however that's a profit locked in, I've worked the speed figure out & for a class 4 nursery I have this as a very smart 2yo & can see him hiked up in class, he's in the big sales race at York's Ebor meeting & is worth watching out for. Frank offers to buy me a drink in the owners & trainers & I have a free sandwich to come now so off we go & I get no chance to look at the 2yo maidens up next. We emerge in time to watch Hamdan's Lashkaal run 4th at a skinny 5/4 (not me to blame I didn't back her) the winner is Adelasia for Godolphin & she also could be useful. Mowgli's backed two including the winner but has more on the loser. Now we are in the parade ring with Smarty Socks, I don't fancy him & even less so when there's no one there from the stable except the girl leading him round. Danny Tudhope comes out talking his head off as usual & off they go, he's drifted to 7/1 & I have a little win bet just in case, I've decided I'll back Pipers Note with Ryan Moore up & have a bit more on him. The stalls open & eight horses set off but only seven jockey's, Johnny Cavagin has reared up just as the stalls open & then comes out leaving Hanagan clinging to the stalls. They crawl for the first four furlongs & then it turns into a sprint, the doubt about Pipers Note was staying the 7f's & it ought to suit him but he finds nil in the last 2f's. Smarty never gets in it & Danny says he knew they'd have no chance after 100 yards, he needs to come off a fast pace & they went too slow, he may be right but Smarty isn't getting any better at his age & who knows. Mowgli's backed two again & including the winner but got the stakes wrong again. I'm trying to decide if I'm firing up betfair to lay this Osaila or backing something else, when I see the Johnston runner Surewecan I decide on the latter, he looks really well. I take 4/1 & congratulate myself on beating the price when he closes to 3/1 as they go to the start, by the time they start loading he's back out to 9/2 but the SP is 4's. He leads & 2f's sets sail for home & for a few strides it looks good but then Osaila sweeps like he's stood still & careers away to score by 3l's with more than that back to the 3rd & again this is a smart effort. Mowgli's backed Surewecan as well. The 10f handicap up next looks impossible to me but Mowgli backs a couple again. Neither of them trouble the judge & the winner is Gabrial the Hero who's been off for 698 days & early in the race he's out the back under Spencer (nowt new there) & seemingly not really going that well. However this is another race where the pace is not that strong & they're all in a bit of a heap until Spencer arrives late to win going away close home, looks good when it comes off. Now I suppose I could slip by into the parade ring for Lil Rockerfeller with the incognito owners head on but decide not to, I suppose I ought to back him just in case but decide not to. Earlier on I'd toyed with backing Derbyshire who I'd noted as being a good looking sort when highly tried on debut at last years Ebor meeting & who's run well twice this season, however 13/8 was skinny with eight runners. Now though three have defected & he's still 6/4, I decide to play. Mowgli backs Lil Rockerfeller at 7/1 & then is most gloomy as that one drifts to 11/1. Derbyshire stinks the place out in an 11 lengths+ 4th.... Jamie Spencer, the rider of DERBYSHIRE (IRE), placed fourth, reported that the gelding hung left. Hrmm, right. Lil Rockerfeller & Interconnection spend the last couple of furlongs trying to give the race to each other & then on the line Lil Rockerfeller decides he'll have it. Mowgli goes to draw while I slip into the parade ring to congratulate the chap who got me the badge & offer to take some photos when they collect the prize but he hardly seems chuffed & to my surprise only two of the eight or so there go up & not him. I'm strongly suspecting that the rest of them have let him go unbacked because they all look like they've lost a tenner & found a quid. I sidle off to find Mowgli & we head for the car, I'm mentally kicking my backside for backing Derbyshire at that price & I'm sure it won't be long before the rubber bus arrives to cart me off to the funny farm. Mowgli doesn't help by moaning about missing 11/1 while stuffing his winnings in his wallet. Anyway the 20pts staked returned 65pts. Singles etc W/R 22-99 Stakes 1536pts Returns 1468.09pts Profit/Loss -67.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 898.25pts Returns 626.29pts Profit/Loss -271.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1085 I've made my choices for tomorrow but have yet to bet with the threat of rain in some quantity around, if it doesn't lag it down I shall head to Ripon & not Newmarket where Balducci is in the first, more tomorrow. New Providence in the winners Smarty unsaddling after Lil Rockerfeller Rio. 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whoneedsrio Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Not sure if you've seen this before: http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/racing/news/2014/07/read-jockey-danny-tudhope-new-regular-news-column-in-the-yorkshire-post-today#.U8mAtrHX81I :ok I know he does a column but have not seen it. I'm thinking of backing That is the Spirit but am wary of the weather, I know that rain will suit & can take 14's now & if it doesn't arrive he won't run, however if it does bang it down how many will come out & should he win I'll get rule 4'd to death, what to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary It seems that so far any serious wet stuff has missed the various race tracks, not that that can't all change so a day for small stakes spread around this Country & Ireland & a ride off to Ripon. Balducci runs at Newmarket in the 1.50. I was tempted but I've been on the July course a couple of times when its lagged it down & it wasn't pleasant, not that it is anywhere but I can recall the mud trying to suck my shoes off as I walked round the outside of the parade ring & I wouldn't care to get caught in sometime similar to the other week when it looked horrible. It seems that he is in good form but is up in class & to 97 now but he was in the 100's at one time & we don't want it to chuck it down please. He'll probably try to front run again but Danny's gone to Newbury, not that I've anything against David Nolan but there aren't many who can ride a race better from the front than Tudhope at the moment. A small each way seems the order of the day. At Ripon I have Tagtale just top in the 2yo seller from Shamrock Sheila & it ought to be between these two, no bet as yet. The second race is a 2yo maiden where Zuzinia is nicely clear on my numbers but already has had half a dozen goes, however the quarter length 2nd to New Providence two runs back now looks better after that ones run at Donny on Thursday & the top rating came from a run on good to soft at Sandown so rain might help. Khawaater is next best & has run ok without looking a world beater. The interesting one here is the debut making Handsome Dude who has a few fancy entries in a couple of the big sales races & the Gimcrack, he wouldn't have to be anything special to go close & is better drawn than the other two & again a look is in order first. Shouranour drops back to a mile after some reasonable runs at 10f's including when been run out of it close home here two runs back off a pound higher, Josh Doyle takes off 7lb & seems to be riding with more confidence now he's on the scoreboard & indeed won last evening on Dansili Dutch at Hamilton & no I didn't back her, I said I wouldn't do anymore :eyes Boarder Bandit is in top form but needs a career best under a 6lb pen. Bishop's Castle is in the 4.20 but having been to two stag do's without pulling & then missing the wedding I'm not getting involved. Muffin McLeary runs well here & returned to form with a C&D 2nd LTO, he won this very race two years ago off 2lbs more & must be in the shake up, he's the pick. Maybeme was the one who denied Muffin McLeary last time close home & the extra 2f's shouldn't be a problem, she's won over that trip twice at Beverley which takes some getting up the hill & while she looks a bit of a Beverley specialist she has won twice at Ripon at 10f's. The 3lb rise looks fair enough & while it would need a career best most of these look to be struggling a bit for form apart from Only Orsenfoolsies but it was only a three runner affair he won at Ponty LTO, the close 2nd at York the run before is quite smart but he's 8lb higher here. Traditionelle is not one to have the mortgage on but was a tad unlucky here LTO when finishing well after searching for room & not really getting any, you can quickly go skint following these sorts but one will drop her way at some point & I'm hoping its here. Down at Newbury That is the Spirit can bounce back from his first reverse in the Jersey by landing the Group 3 at 3.15. The drop back to 6f shouldn't be a problem, in fact I think it might suit him better, 5mm's of rain should have taken the sting out of the ground too. Music Master ran well in the Golden Jubilee & down in class is a big danger. Intibaah looks progressive & is worth a go at Group level & Hanagan is on him & not last years winner Heeraat. Rocky Ground won a Listed race & then wasn't beaten far in the Wokingham. A warm race but 12/1 is a fair price for That is the Spirit. Tiggy Wiggy has to give them all weight in the Super Sprint but might just do so, I have her just two points behind Realtra on my numbers with the third rated Midterm Break a bit of a disappointment LTO. Tiggy ran a screamer in the Queen Mary for 2nd but then Realtra also ran a good race at Listed level in Ireland for the same spot, I don't adjust for weight but Realtra is getting 15lbs here & that will take some performance to give that much away & that sways me towards Richard Fahey's filly. More 2yo's at the Curragh at 5.10. I've yet to give Dick Whittington a decent number in four runs & the top two here are Newsletter & Toscanini & they are well clear. Newsletter just gets the nod on her fine 3rd in the Queen Mary. Bets Balducci 5pts ew @ 12/1 Stan James Shouranour 7/1 Muffin McLeary 7/2 Maybeme 4/1 Traditionelle 7/2 1pt lucky 15 Bet365 That is the Spirit 12/1 Realtra 6/1 Newsletter 5/2 1pt trixie + 2 x 2pt singles the first two = 8pts staked Betvictor 2pts @ 3/1 Newsletter Skybet All BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary I have suspected for sometime that it will not be long before the men in white coats arrive to drag me off to a padded cell, yesterday does nothing to quell my fears. I'd hung fire with having a punt thinking that the forecast horrible weather might change matters but having seemingly escaped the possible deluge off I go. I'm just nicely heading up the M1 towards the A1 in nothing more than a few spots of rain when the traffic report on the radio informs me that there's been an accident at junction 48 on the A1 which is causing a tail back to junction 46. 48 is the Ripon turn off & there's a fair stretch of road between there & 46 what to do? I turn off onto the A64 towards York intending to come in from the other side of Ripon on the A roads but seeing as I'm passing near to York racecourse I decide I might as well stop at the fish shop that we use near the track. I peruse the map while having my lunch & the the sun is out now, the best way is the A59 towards Harrogate & pick up the A61, off I go but I'm now struggling for time. I arrive at the point where the A59 crosses the A1 at junction 47 & I can see that not only is it not tailing back there's next to nothing on it! Onto the A1 then & up one junction, I'm going to miss the first race but at least it's not raining. I exit the A1 & run straight into a monsoon. I pull up in the car park & it's lagging it down, well I'm here now & I don my raincoat & go for it. In I go & past the winners enclosure but the first race finishers have already gone, just beyond I see the next lot in the pre parade, I've already decided I'm backing Handsome Dude if he looks ok. A quick look & he does if a bit soggy but then so do them all. I decide to head into the William Hills under the stand to see how Balducci has done at Newmarket, what's won the first & get out of the downpour. The passage way through to the front of the stands is jammed solid but I manage to get into the shop which is also crammed. Shamrock Sheila has won the first, I might have backed her but then again. Balducci is not in the frame & not listed has a non runner, later I find he led, went clear & then tied up to come 7th, Nolan can't front run like Tudhope. Back out & a struggle through to the bookies where Handsome Dude is 11/4 but Zuzinia is a non runner, I strike a bet. I'm thinking I'll get in the stand but there's a fair old crowd here & they've beat me to it, instead I head back down to the parade ring where there are several large trees which may afford some shelter & I can see the big screen. Every bit of cover is jam packed, there's a drainpipe on the back of the stand which clearly has a split in it & it's gushing water in a spectacular fountain. I get under the trees but its not much good, I'm wet now anyway, I step out briefly to take a couple of pictures then return. Handsome Dude is supported into 9/4 behind Hamdan's Khawaater at 2/1f. Off they go & Rocking the Boat leads with Khawaater tracking him, the form says Handsome Dude is in touch but not to me, he's never traveling, never gets in the race & nothing gets past Rock the Boat. I'm still under the trees a few togged up racegoers are scurrying past, absolutely soaked trying to find shelter, the PA tells us that its now Good to Soft having been Good, Good to Firm in places & we've had two races. I get the feeling that I'm just going to get more & more fed up, I know I bang on about global warming & you always see the past through rose tinted specs but I don't remember Summers like this, its less than two weeks ago I was here with Mowgli sitting in the sun on a lovely Summer's evening & about two hours later it's chucking it down. "Sod this " I think & head for the car. Four O'clock & I'm sat with a coffee thinking I'll watch the end of the golf but they've just finished. I look at the results. Shouranour has run a decent race for a half length 2nd & That is the Spirit is 5th beaten about 3l's. Realtra is also 5th in the Super Sprint which is of course won by the deserted Tiggy Wiggy by just the 6l's :eek It would seem her next port of call is the Nunthorpe, shades of Lyric Fantasy. I watch the 4.20 at Ripon & it seems that its brightened up, Muffin McLeay holds every chance but is not good enough. in the 4.55 Maybeme is given a shocking ride, made worse by Captain Creosote aka Simon Mapletoft interviewing jockey Andrew Elliott before & asking him about his two good chances in the last two races. To have a chance a horse has to be put in a race Maybeme wasn't, the stewards though are on the ball... The Stewards held an enquiry to consider why Andrew Elliott, the rider of MAYBEME, had been slow to remove the blindfold resulting in his horse being slow to start. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings of the start they accepted his explanation that he removed the blindfold as the gates had opened in order to drop the mare in behind runners. There's dropping in behind & making no effort at all, this is the latter, turning out of the back he's 5l's detached with only the struggling Crow Down behind & he's making not one jot of effort to get involved, its halfway down the straight before he gets her going & the front two have long gone for home & its a bloody good job I have too because I'm not happy. Newsletter does nothing to improve the mood by running no race over in Ireland. I tune in for Ripon's last where there's a false start & the Traditionelle is withdrawn, at least I get a return, 1pt from the 35pts staked. Singles etc W/R 22-100 Stakes 1546pts Returns 1468.09pts Profit/Loss -77.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 923.25pts Returns 627.29pts Profit/Loss -295.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1100 Mowgli has sent me a text asking about Beverley tomorrow evening, it seems he fancies a bite to eat in the pub in the last village before the track. As its his turn to drive I may stay in the boozer & get slaughtered while he goes on to the track because at first look it is none too wonderful fare. Ripon's Saturday card was the start of the much trumpeted Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival, I believe I commented last year that it takes more than eight cards worth of tripe to call it a festival. However being the demented soul that I am I'm looking at not only wading through tomorrows dross but attending Catterick on Wednesday where the racing club look like having two runners including the recent purchase the 3yo Scrutiny who was bought out of William Haggas' at the sales last week. On his second start last season at Newbury he won a class 4 maiden beating none other than G Force into 2nd :eek In the other four races he's had he's been last, last ,last &.....................last, beaten a total of just the 100l's, lets hope David O'Meara hasn't misplaced the magic wand :hope Which he may also care to use on the other entry the 2yo Regal Accolade who's dropped to a seller having beaten one rival in two runs & finished 36l's behind in total. Rock the Boat Handsome Dude more tomorrow Napoleon Bonaparte III (Hee hee oh oh ha ha) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary This evening fare is three class 6's, a pair of class 5's & the feature is a class 4 handicap worth just under £6.5K for the winner. The opener is a 2yo claimer & normally I'd like a look but all bar the debut making Aneto Peak have run at least twice & that ones stable are not renowned for 2yo winners never mind those FTO. The form pick is Elizabeth Flynn & I have her well clear on my speed numbers, not from the win at Wolverhampton but the decent 5th after that in the Lily Agnes at Chester which is by far the best bit of form on offer. The run after that at Newbury wasn't too bad but you have to forgive the last of nine in a Ponty nursery LTO which when you consider it was lagging it down & pretty horrible that's not hard to do. On official ratings Danot is a pound higher but on these terms is giving Elizabeth Flynn 10lbs plus the 7lb claim of the more than useful Rob Fitzpatrick, Danot was just held in a claimer at Catterick two starts back but then didn't follow that up in a slightly better maiden race at Hamilton. Fairweather Trader won a similar race here on good to soft in June but that was a slow time & hasn't improved in two runs since. Studio Star was a not too close 3rd here on debut but then well stuffed in that valuable York seller. Poolstock is gradually getting better but still well below what's needed here & Secret House has shown nothing in three runs. On these terms if running anywhere near her best Elizabeth Flynn ought to win this pulling a bus, I've had half a bet & will top up at 2/1+ if I can on track. The rest of the card apart from the 7.15 which is a dreadful affair is covered by a lucky 15. The 6.45 looks to concern Noodles Blue Boy, Mister Manannan, Cadeaux Pearl & Mey Blossom. The first two are well in on old form & have won here. Mister Manannan is 17lbs below his last win over C&D in April last year & while he's probably not as good as he was he was a fair 3rd at Doncaster off today's mark LTO, good draw in 4 but hasn't been getting away well the last few times. Noodles Blue Boy has won here three times & has run quite well the last three starts including from a not too good draw here LTO, also won off higher but again looks on the decline at 8yo's. The other two returned to form here LTO. Cadeaux Pearl did well to win from stall 12 a couple of weeks ago, got the plum box of 1 this time & 4lb looks fair & is another to have won off higher in the past. Mey Blossom carries a 6lb pen for a C&d win last week, stall 2 is good but she is a 9yo now. I'll take the 6yo Cadeaux Pearl here. I was thinking I might back Mr McLaren in a single & I still might but last night he was under 2/1 & today he's on the slide. The maiden win at Hamilton from the consistent Margrets Gift was quite useful form & the 2nd to Top of the Glas at Newcastle LTo not bad either. Moonlight Venture seems to be the one for the money but after winning a Southwell maiden in March the nearly 7l's 3rd at Doncaster when last seen in April is nothing to shout about. Jacbequick won a couple here earlier in the season but has been held off this sort of mark the last twice. Tamayuz Magic got off the mark in a four runner, heavy ground class 5 at Ripon LTO but this is a good deal different & harder. Heroique is interesting, looked quite nice as a 2yo but took an age to win, been running quite well at shorter & worth a go at 7f+. The 8.15 is another weak class 6. Kirkman has run 2nd the last twice, the latest when just the 18l's behind Dino Mite at Southwell three weeks ago when I was there. Little Bruv was a reasonable just over 6l's 8th here at 12f's two runs back but didn't improve on that upped to 14f's at Nottingham LTO, hopes pinned on 2m's helping here. Telegraphy is similar but was 5l's in front of Little Bruv in that 12f race here, again didn't seem to improve for an extra furlong at Lingfield but looks the most likely to me of a poor bunch. Rainbow Rock is only a 3yo so there could be more to come but the first time visor from his last run is discarded now with hopes looking pinned on the step up to 10f's. New Colours is consistent but has only won a weak maiden at Kempton & looks to lack any finishing kick. Checkpoint is similar & needs it to fall his way. Without a doubt the best handicapped horse here is Warlu Way. He's won & run well off marks in the mid 80's including when winning at the very similar Carlisle in June last year off 85, all his running except for his first two starts have been at a much higher level than this class 5 & he ran quite well at York LTO. I don't see what he's doing at this level on a Monday night if he's not trying so he's the pick. Bets Elizabeth Flynn 10pts @ 9/4 Betvictor BOG Cadeaux Pearl 8/1 Mister McLaren 5/2 Telegraphy 4/1 Warlu Way 4/1 1pt lucky 15 Hills BOG Regal Accolade & Scrutiny have both been declared for Catterick on Wednesday & I have asked for a badge. Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary A truly dreadful evening at Beverley, not the weather which was glorious, not the racing which was not good as stated but not dreadful but no they've changed the ice cream vendor :eek Not that I wanted one anyway having had enough to eat in the pub in the village before the track but we were walking past the van & Mowgli's thinking he's having something. There's a bloke getting served & he turns away with the smallest 99 I've ever seen, a tiny cone with a small blob of the Mr Whippy type ice cream & not the proper scoop stuff that used to be served here & the flake looks like one cut in half. Mowgli buys a Magnum & then tells me the chap has just paid £3 for the 99, I suppose if you asked you'd get the "Not us mate, the racecourse make us charge that" excuse but it really is beyond a joke now, I don't know how people afford to eat, drink & buy the kids an ice cream these days when you stick it on top of the entry fee although children get in free but even then there are certain meetings they don't. It seems to me that they are trying to price themselves out of the entertainment market & yet there's a fair crowd for an ordinary Monday evening, maybe its just me. Fairweather Trader has come out of the first giving Elizabeth Flynn less to beat, she's now 7/4 & I top up before she hardens to 5/4. Mowgli says its between her & Danot & then backs something else. Away they go & Elizabeth Flynn sets off to make all, Mowgli's is never in it & at the furlong pole she's clear, then she comes off the rail & starts to paddle with Danot closing, she goes even further off the rail with the jockey with his whip in the wrong hand & gets caught & beat a neck. I'm doing my nut because they've come off the far rail which you don't do here but events later show things in a different light. Mowgli backs Noodles Blue Boy who never gets into it in the sprint, Cadeaux Pearl is about a length & a half 4th & runs quite well however what's interesting me is they all seem to be trying to come up the middle. I'm staying out of the next race but Mowgli decides to have a bit ew on Strictly Glitz at 28/1. We go in the stand about 50 yards before the winning line & as they come past Strictly Glitz is finishing well up the stands side & indeed seems to hit the front as they pass us. However I'm watching Heska who's finishing well on the other side but still not on the rail. Mowgli can't see the finish but I can he's 2nd & indeed when they give the result out I'm right but at least he's drawing a return. I'm now thinking that they're avoiding the far rail, it used to be that you scraped the paint off the rail as you rode Beverley's golden highway but for a while now I have thought that what was the biggest draw bias in the Country aside from Chester is not what it was, I'm totally convinced that they are watering a strip down the far rail in an effort to level out the bias & I've never seen them coming down the middle as much as they seem to do now. I have a bit on Mister McLaren in the next, Mowgli backs Moonlight Venture & mine runs better than his in 3rd which which is not saying much because Moonlight Venture is shocking. Mowgli's thinking of backing Little Bruv in the 2 miler but changes his mind when this one's price collapses so he joins me on Telegraphy. The best that can be said about this one is that the lass who was leading her round was most decorative because the horse never looked like getting involved. Having said that nothing got involved apart from the winner Kirkman who took over when the leader tried to run out at the bend where the 10f start is & the path back to the stables. Kirkman never saw another horse & stormed clear up the straight to win by 6l's pulling up. This one was 18l's 2nd to Dino Mite at Southwell LTO & either that one's an absolute world beater or Kirkman's beat a load of trees here, I suspect its the latter. Warlu Way is stuck out the back in the last, tries to weave his way through the field up the straight but can't get a proper run & probably isn't good enough anyway, he'd need to sprout wings to catch Rainbow Rock who doesn't win by as far as Kirkman the race before but is a sight more impressive in doing so to me. Mowgli's had a punt at King of the Celts at 12/1 seconds before Kevin Darley tips it up, he's been doing the charity bets all evening & couldn't tip muck out of a wheelbarrow, indeed when I backed Mister McLaren earlier the bookie actually said "You do know Darley's just tipped that & put another stone on it" King of the Celts is nibbled into 9/1 & beats one home. I'd a pretty good idea what sort of an evening it would be & I'm not too miffed although I still think Elizabeth Flynn should have won. Mowgli's having a real chunter about s%^t class 6 racing, well you wanted to come old lad :p We both head for the car park a bit down down but in my case I'm more upset about the ice cream :( Not a sausage from the posted bets Singles etc W/R 22-101 Stakes 1556pts Returns 1468.09pts Profit/Loss -87.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 938.25pts Returns 627.29pts Profit/Loss -310.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1110 Now having wittered on about this so called Festival & the large quantity of tripe being served up I find myself heading off to Catterick today for a further helping. This is because I have the owners head on for two runners but the first three races are for 2yo's which gives me a chance to see how my speed numbers will do. The first race is a 6f maiden where I have Summer Times top rated on his 2nd on debut over C&D three weeks ago when just held after finishing well. The only other one with a decent number is Siren's Cove from her last run at Yarmouth but I think this one might need a longer trip. Unless the debut making Kayo Koko anything Summer Times ought to win but is not a bet at around 4/7. Our first runner is Regal Accolade in the seller up next, he's shown next to nothing & was especially disappointing at Beverley on his second start & they were thinking of sticking blinkers on him but have decided instead to drop to this very low class & see what happens, he should get a handicap mark after this & depending on what that is then it may be the time for blinkers (or not) I have another one way clear on my ratings in Stardrifter from the second of two runs at Haydock & this is a drop in class. I was thinking that the danger may be Monsieur Rouge who's was going to be very lowly tried on debut but having struck my bet I see he's now come out. On what they've done so far I don't see any of these beating Stardrifter here. The third 2yo event is a 7f nursery where I have another one well clear in Midlander, the second top was Lady Moscou but she was out last night along with Miss Van Gogh The good number for Midlander comes from his second run when runner up at Yarmouth, the 5th there ran quite well for 3rd in a big field at Newmarket after & is the only one to run from that race apart from Midlander himself who was a tad disappointing at Chester but I'd forgive anything a run there & the drop back to 5f's seemed not to suit & he still wan't beaten all that far. The step up to 7f here should suit & the draw in 3 is ok. Our other runner is Scrutiny in the claimer at 3.50. As I've said in an earlier post he's got the one bit of stand out form when winning his maiden last season & beating G Force into 2nd doing so. The other four runs he's been last each time including all three this term & starts out here for David O'Meara in a claimer. Reading the thoughts on the website then he's no chance, this is a "Get a run into him & see what we've got" mission & they seem to think he's one for later on softer ground. They also run Patrona Ciana & the way they're talking he's the one with Danny Tudhope up & Sam James on Scrutiny. Unless we're being put away & on one or two happenings in the past I do wonder it seem the one to back is Patrona Ciana & its just a case of turn up & see what Scrutiny looks like. On the terms & form it would look to be between our two & Cape of Hope who's run quite well of late albeit at shorter, with Patrona Ciana having the best of the draw then a small bet in a multiple would seem the way to go. Bets Stardrifter 20pts @ 2/1 Midlander 20pts @ 11/8 10pt double as above Stardrifter 2/1 Midlander 11/8 Patrona Ciana 13/8 2pt trixie all Skybet BOG Elizabeth Flynn Best turned out by a mile & I don't mean the horse Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Well that could have turned out better but then again I suppose it could have been worse. Now the good thing is while I do get involved with short ones that I probably shouldn't they're never ones like Summer Times who went off at 2/5 in the first & could only manage 3rd place & made hard work to get that. I'd love to know how many of Mark Johnston's get turned over at skinny odds, I used to have Raceform Interactive & that would have told me, a quick count up of the runners in the last 14 days that went off at an SP of under 6/4 there were five that won & five that didn't. If anybody has the facility to put up the numbers for the last two or three seasons I'd be most interested. Anyway having watched that we're in the parade ring next for Regal Accolade with the hope that he's going to show a bit more than he has in two runs so far. David O'Meara thinks he might do better in time & over much longer trips but he'll need to because he does nothing here to give much hope. He's slow coming out Sam James is pushing & shoving straight away & he never gets involved, in the end he beats two home coming 7th & is the best part of 15l's behind the winner Stardrifter. This is the good news because this is the one I've backed & he never looks in danger & bolts up by 8l's, the bad news is two non runners mean I'm getting rule 4'd for 30p, still its a win. Now I need Mr Johnston's Midlander to do the business in the nursery, he's the only one backed & goes off at even money. He gets out well & is up there until they enter the short straight where it looks like somebody puts just him into rewind on the DVD player. He beats just the tailed off Blazing Rose home & is over 15l's behind the winner Kylach Me if U Can. I looked at the BHA site last night & the stewards decided to have a word with the trainer.... The Stewards considered the running of MIDLANDER (IRE), ridden by Joe Fanning and trained by Mark Johnston, which finished unplaced. They noted the trainer’s representative could offer no explanation for the colt’s performance. They ordered MIDLANDER (IRE) to be routine tested. The man himself was there because he went past us in the parade ring to saddle Midlander while we were talking to Sam James about Regal Accolade after the seller, reading that you'd think somebody else went in. Back to the parade ring for Scrutiny who we're not really expecting today but they will be disappointed if Patrona Ciana gets beat. Disappointed is what they are, Mysterial goes off like a scalded cat & falls in a heap a furlong out along with those that have chased the pace, Danny Tudhope looks to have timed it right on Patrona Ciana having held her up & hits the front in the final furlong but Cape of Hope has also come from the back & nabs her close home. Scrutiny was also held up but doesn't get in it, Sam says he hated the ground & kept changing his legs & now we know he needs soft ground & will have a bit of time off probably & wait for the rains. Having seen a tail back on the A1 heading South on my way up & with no financial interest in the rest of the card I decide to bail out & I'm pleased to say the hold up had cleared anyway. The single on Stardrifter paid 48pts back after the rule 4, Midlander's flop meant nothing from the other single, the double or the trixie. Singles etc W/R 23-103 Stakes 1596pts Returns 1516.09pts Profit/Loss -79.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 956.25pts Returns 627.29pts Profit/Loss -328.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1125 Donny this evening with Mowgli but I have struck a bet at Sandown in the 2yo Listed fillies race at 3.05. I have Bonnie Grey top rated on her debut win at Warwick but she hasn't matched that in two runs since. Second top is Pack Together who posted a useful number on debut over 6f's on fast ground at Lingfield & the extra furlong here should suit. The jolly is Alonsoa who was visually impressive when also scoring on debut at Newbury at this trip but the time wasn't that good & in fact I have only Teosroyal with a lower number. I've backed Pack Together but Sleepy Dust has come out now so there's going to be a rule 4 again should she win. Doncaster kicks off with a 3yo+ maiden. Bold Spirit has already had a few goes & looks one of the Hannon teams lesser lights. Country Drive was not beaten far by the quality filly Lightning Thunder on her sole run so far but where's she been for the best part of a year? Inflection should come on for a tender introduction at Kempton in May. Synergise cost 100,000gns & debuts here. The rest haven't shown much from those that have run, I'll have a look at them before any bet though. A 2yo maiden at 6.15 where of those that have run I've got Biting Bullets top from the 2nd at Bath LTO having been slung in the deep end in the Windsor Castle on debut. Not far behind is Basateen who was a fair 3rd on debut at Newmarket & should know more this time. The rest that have run have posted nothing to note but there are five having their first start & a look first is needed. The 6f handicap at 6.45 had 18 runners but is now down to 12, I stuck Monsieur Royale in a lucky 15 when there were five taken out but another one has defected since. Layla's Hero won at Ayr on Monday & carries a 6lb pen which puts him off 70 here, he's won off higher in the past but not for three years & all his recent form is on easier ground, he looks one to take on. Monsieur Royale would seem to be better on the aw but has not been disgraced on fast turf & the last run at Hamilton was his best grass run yet, that wasn't the greatest race but then neither is this & his turf mark is lower than the aw one. Jack Garrity takes off another 5lb & he's only a 4yo so there might be a bit more to come. Syrian Pearl has won her last three, two on Lingfield's aw & a fast ground handicap at Leicester LTO, up in the weights again but also up a class here to 4 from class 5's. Khatiba was just held by a half length on fast ground at Nottingham LTO & is up 2lb, that was at this class though. Maraayill won at Newbury on fast ground LTO & is up 4lb, up a class but drops back in trip having done all his racing over further. I'm with Khatiba here. In the 8.30 Tower Power looked progressive & got off the mark at Ripon in June but then chucked in a shocker at Ponty when last seen with the "Never traveling, routine test ordered" excuse, might bounce back, might just as easily disappear again. Kantara Castle ran well on the aw in the Winter but the turf form is nothing including the last twice on this track. The rest have either questions to answer or big improvement to find which includes Artistic Muse but she wasn't beaten that far on the middle of her three runs at Goodwood & she might improve for the step up to 10f's on her handicap debut. In the closer Hurry Home Poppa won a weak race at just shorter than this LTO, only up 2lb but this is harder. Snowy Dawn is consistent but a plodder & this might concern the old boy Nanton & Deepsand. Nanton likes the track & ran his best race for a while when 4th here LTO where the first five home finished in a heap. Deepsand was a neck behind there & is a pound better off, he's been running well over 12f's lately & is worth a go at this 14f+, he's won over hurdles & he ought to stay & is a fair price in a race with little depth. Bets Pack Together 20pts @ 7/2 Skybet BOG Monsieur Royale 10/1 Khatiba 3/1 Artistic Muse 9/2 Deepsand 7/1 1pt lucky 15 Stan James BOG Regal Accolade Stardrifter Scrutiny Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary A fair old dollop of placeyitus yesterday which is frustrating but better than the no show type of runs. It started at Sandown with Pack Together a three parts of a length 2nd to Alonsoa who if she didn't produce a good time on debut certainly did here, the first two are clearly smart & should win more races. A glorious evening & after a look at them for the 3yo+ maiden both Mowgli & myself plumped for Synergise at 5/1 & we were both most pleased when he scored by two & a half lengths after looking a bit green. I almost went for Country Drive but fortunately didn't because she was not very good at all & I suspect she's had some sort of problem seeing as she's been off for nearly a year. Next up was the 2yo maiden which contained nine colts, a gelding & two fillies. Straight away in the pre parade at least five of the colts were having a competition so see which of them had the biggest equipment & the fillies hadn't even arrived yet. One of them was the favourite Basareen who was also getting a bit sweaty, one who looked quite laid back was Biting Bullets & I decided on a bit each way on him. Mowgli also backed him & Digital Rebellion both to win & despite the latter being one of those acting coltish. It also seemed a good idea to fire up betfair & have a small lay of the jolly at a nadge over evens. This turned out to be a bad idea as Basateen careered away from them in fine style to score by 8l's & post a decent time in doing so. Biting Bullets was being shoved at early & came a distant 8th which was a place better than Digital Rebellion. The one from the posted bets that never really got involved was Monsieur Royale who was in touch but found next to nothing when asked around 2f's out, I can't remember what Mowgli backed but it wasn't the 25/1 winner Ace Master who was part of a one two for Roy Bowring. It looked around the furlong pole that Layla's Hero might defy the penalty & land a few bets having been supported into 2/1 but he curled up in the last 100 yards to please the bookies. Mowgli again joined me in backing Khatiba & it looked good when he seemed to be getting on top of Elusive George a furlong out but then he wandered about looking less than resolute & handed the lead back, Syrian Pearl had drifted like the Kon Tiki but flew up in between them & nearly nutted Elusive George but he held on by a nose with Khatiba a neck 3rd. I wasn't playing in the four runner feature race but Mowgli went with Dusky Queen who'd never shown at York LTO. Etaab went off at 8/13 & was not only lumbered with the charity selection of Kevin Darley who still hadn't troubled the judge but the the cherry on top was she got the best turned out! I actually thought that Tight Fit might have won that & this one made the running & they crawled for the first 4f's. James Doyle then started to slowly wind it up on Tight Fit & heading into the last furlong he looked like he'd nicked it from the front but then Etaab who'd had Hanagan rowing away for a while finally grabbed the bit & went past Tight Fit, Dusky Queen was a never involved 3rd. Once again in the next Mowgli ended up on the same one as me in Artistic Muse. This was the race that contained the progressive looking Tower Power until that last run where he'd walked home a 126l's last at Ponty when 7/2f with no explanation forthcoming. Tower Power was backed into 7/4f here having been 3/1 at one point & made most of the running to score by just over a length from Artistic Muse who came with a decent looking run but threw any chance away by hanging badly left & in behind the winner, she has ability but might need some blinkers or something to help her. Now we think we know why Tower Power chucked in the shocker at Ponty but really the stewards here ought to have been asking why the sudden improvement from the last run but no not a bloody peep, I didn't back him at Ponty but plenty will have & will be throwing the teddy having seen him win last night. That was the day at Ponty where the heaven's opened & the going went from good, good to firm in places at the start of the card to soft after the second race which was the one that Tower Power blobbed in, the race was 8.86s behind the standard & quite clearly Tower Power floundered on the ground, its not rocket science but just a few words from the G&T brigade would have smoothed ruffled feathers. Now I did say the last looked to be between the old boy Nanton & Deepsand, yet again Mowgli went for the same as me in Deepsand which is most unusual. Both are held up, Deepsand makes progress down the straight & hits the front at the furlong pole with the pair of us shouting him home, hang on though what's this coming late? Why its Nanton of course & he wins rather cleverly actually. We head off to the car & I know we're both thinking we should have had a return there somehow. But we didn't, nothing from the 35pts posted, good job we got a bit from Synergise. Singles etc W/R 23-104 Stakes 1616pts Returns 1516.09pts Profit/Loss -99.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 971.25pts Returns 627.29pts Profit/Loss -343.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1135 York this evening. At the moment I have just a trixie plus singles bet with a bit more on the singles than usual. I think the opening Apprentice race might be between Joys of Spring who's still a maiden but running well & Top of the Glas who won on his first run for Brian Ellison four weeks ago, I'm not sure which way to go here & I'll wait until I see them before deciding. The 6.30 might go to Arctic Feeling who's slipped to a good mark now & ran a fair race at Newmarket LTO, Sammy Bell takes off 5lb & she's won on him before, the slight doubt is he might find the ground a bit lively but he's a reasonable price in a wide open sprint. 2yo's at 7.00 where Kifaaya is way clear on the numbers of those that have run from a soft ground debut at Haydock where he took an age for the penny to drop. Ought to have learned plenty from that but totally different conditions here & I'm now beginning to seriously dislike this yard. Intiwin has placed on all three runs but looks exposed & none of the times are owt. It wouldn't surprise me if a newcomer won this, it wouldn't surprise me if it was Swift Approval from Kevin Ryan's, would anybody be surprised by me wanting a look at them first? The Listed race would look to concern Tasaday & Regardez. Tasaday had some smart form for Andre Fabre in France where as you'd expect most of that was with juice in the ground & the pick of that would be the nose 2nd to Dalkala in the Prix de l'Opera last October. Moved to bin Suroor after that & ran three times at Meydan early in the year winning a Listed race on the middle run & then was well beaten in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free. Regardez was a good 3rd in the Musidora here in May & then down the field in the Oaks. Last time she hosed up in a Listed race at Newcastle on fast ground but there was nothing in that race at the level of Tasaday. Really Tasaday ought to win this but I'm wary of backing one that short on this ground & will pass. O'Meara has three stabs at the 8.00 & I'm thinking that it might be Josh Doyle on Bartack that lands it. The pair were a good 2nd off a pound less in a C&D class 2 LTO & a similar run should see him go close here. Anderigo won this off 6lb less two years ago & is well handicapped but he has been for a while now & seems to have his own ideas about the game these days. Most of these look exposed & with the Irish raider Miller Beach a non runner I'll take Bartack. I think O'Meara can take the last too with Innocently the key to him being fast ground. He got that at Catterick & has it here, he front runs which suits here & while he has a 6lb pen he won well last week & he's only due to go up another pound from tomorrow so it's not really a case of get a run in before the lead lumps on. I think the danger could be Lexington Abbey who won at Nottinham LTO & the 5lb rise is cancelled by the jockey's claim. Bets Arctic Feeling 8/1 Bartack 9/2 Innocently 4/1 1pt trixie + 2 x 5pt singles first two Skybet BOG Innocently 5pts @ 9/2 Stan James BOG Synergise Basateen Etaab Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary York again today & a bit strapped for time so a big round up later. I've had a play in six of the York races with two trixie plus bets & a couple of singles at Ascot. York 1.50 Maybeme runs in the opener, if she wins this after been given a poor ride in a lower class at Ripon LTO then I'm not going to be happy. It should involve the 3yo's against what's an exposed bunch, Maracuja was allowed a soft lead to get off the mark on the 8th try LTO & this is harder off 6lb more. Carnevale won a Newbury maiden in good style & was then 2nd off today's mark on handicap bow at Leicester, not much pace on there either & should do better here. Kleo was just held by a nose upped to this trip at Windsor two runs back & got off the mark on the Lingfield aw in fair style LTO, opening mark seems fair & Danny Tudhope is an eye catching booking, she's the pick. Ascot 2.05 Muraaqaba was visually impressive when winning on debut at Newmarket a month ago, the time was nothing much but that doesn't mean she can't do better. However Osaila posted a smart number at Doncaster just over a week ago & while that bare form is also nothing special she was impressive & the 5th in the Albany before that was decent too, she's the pick here. York 2.20 I'm going to desert my old sparing partner Dutch Rose who will like the drop back to 7f's & loves it here but the handicapper will anchor her in the end & it might just be here. Alejandro won over C&D two starts back but was allowed to dominate & may not get that chance today, 3rd off 7lb more after but the ground was a bit too soft. I'm with Short Squeeze who was progressive last season & got chucked in the deep end on return in the Royal Hunt Cup, not a bad run in a Listed race at Windsor LTO on good to soft & the return to faster here with a drop in class should see a big run. York 2.55 Not the strongest Group 2 here. Danadana has looked to have not quite gone on this season but the 3rd to Noble Mission & Telescope at Chester LTO looks a bit better with that pairs efforts since, still has a bit to prove for me though. Windhoek won a Listed race LTO but looks a bit of a grinder with not much finishing kick. Secret Gesture takes on the boys having made hard work of landing the Warwickshire Oaks on ground that was probably too fast for her & she faces the same conditions here. I'm taking a punt that Long John sees out the trip, smart form in Aus & the UAE 2000 Guineas & ran well at Ascot LTO. York 3.30 The pin lands on Zalty who's a bit better off at the weights for a half length behind Line of Reason at the Curragh LTO & he's unexposed at sprint trips. Ascot 3.50 The best King George for sometime. I still remain unconvinced by Telescope & feel ho could still throw in a shocker when least expected. Taghrooda has plenty in her favour but Epsom form often gets clobbered on less quirky tracks. Eagle Top seems to have arrived from nowhere & could just as easily go back there. Mukhadram is tough & Trading Leather ran well in the Eclipse but in the hope that its dried out & Ascot usually does I'll go with Magician who will like the step back up in trip & he ran well here LTO. York 4.40 Grandorio doesn't look an obvious stayer upped to 2m's but has been running in better races & this race has no depth to it for me. York 5.15 Cloud's Rest has the best number from earlier in the season but hasn't gone on the last twice albeit in better company. Not far behind id Pillar Box who ran a fair 7th in the Super Sprint & he can give the weight away here. Bets Osaila 20pts @ 9/4 Coral Magician 20pts @ 5/1 Skybet Kleo 5/2 Short Squeeze 6/1 Zalty 8/1 1pt trixie + 3 x 2pt singles Bet365 Long John 11/2 Grandorio 5/1 Pillar Box 7/1 1pt trixie + 3 x 2pt singles Betvictor all BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Two days at York then. Friday. We're just getting something to eat before crossing the track when Mowgli cheers me up no end by informing me that Mister McLaren who I'd backed at Beverley only on Monday evening & who'd rather disappointed in 3rd has landed the 4.15 at Thirsk at a most reasonable 100/30, I'd seen he was running so I could have backed him but decided not to, yet another one that lets me down & then goes & wins NTO. Still its a glorious evening, maybe lady luck will smile on me tonight :hope I have the first between Top of the Glas & Joys of Spring & I'm now leaning towards the latter, we head off to the betting ring where the pair are both 5/2. Top of the Glas goes 9/4 with Joys of Spring 11/4 & I decide to play at that. A couple of minutes later & they've flipped the other way & Mowgli backs Top of the Glas. We watch from there & Gianluca Sanna gives Joys of Spring a peach of a ride, he sits behind the lead & then early in the straight he eases her to the front & at two out asks her to go & win the race, she picks up nicely & goes clear & despite a bit of a drift left wins with a good bit in hand from Top of the Glas. That'll do for a start & I dive in to collect & scoot off for a picture. We're back down by the bookies again for the next & Sammy Bell Sweeps down the nearside on Arctic Feeling to land the first leg of the trixie plus bet with the added bonus of an extra point on the SP, another dash off for a picture but its filling up now & not so easy to get back & forth & the best I get is several shots of the back of the official photographer's head! 2yo maiden's next. Johnston's Kifaaya is walking round with a rug on, only one of those light one's but its heading for 7pm & its still cracking the flags & he's looking a bit warm. Round comes one that really takes my eye, a nice big strong looking sort & a look at the card tells me he's Celestial Path from Sir Mark Prescott's. Now you never know with the Baronet, plenty of his run three times at around tonight's 7f's, do bugger all & then bolt up as a 3yo stuck up to a mile & half or more, this lad though stands out. I decide I'm having a poke at him each way, Mowgli's backing two, that one & Water Thief & we head off for the betting ring. There's a bookie there who's the one that Mowgli backed Strictly Glitz each way with at Beverley the other night, there he was wearing one of those sheepskin hats with the flaps down over his ears & it was only around 26 or 27 degrees, tonight feels even hotter & he's wearing a woolly hat, not one of those thin ones either, a great big cable knit thing with a bobble on top, judging from the straggly beard he's a ginger nut & needs to keep the sun off but the brain cell must be bubbling under that thing. He's going 20/1 & I have a bit each way, Mowgli also takes the 20's & backs the other one as well. Celestial Path rather misses the break but is soon in touch, down the straight he starts to make headway & at the furlong pole hits the front, we're shouting him home along with several Geordie lads in "Book him Danno" shirts & straw hats & we're all quite loud. First & second in the queue to collect & off for a picture. This has a slightly surreal feel to it, I've had three on the bounce & that hasn't happened for a while. Next up is the Listed race, Mowgli's been studying the Racing Post & Tom Dascombe is sounding quite bullish about Wall of Sound who I saw nearly beat Secret Gesture at Nottingham LTO & he's thinking about backing her & Regardez against Tasaday. I'm seriously thinking of backing Tasaday but I'm worried about the fast ground, at 7/4 I'm very tempted but she hardens a litlle to 6/4, I'm in front & decide to sit it out. Wall of Sound makes the running but is joined at the three pole & can't find any more, Regardez hits the front but Raskova is just getting her measure when Tasaday arrives & nuts the pair of them close home. I'm not bothered really that could quite easily have gone the wrong way & I'd have given a good bit back from the two earlier winners. Besides I've two live ones still to run. Bartack is well backed but doesn't break well, I'd expected him to lead but now he can't, he's bang there though at the furlong pole but can't quicken & comes 5th. Just to get me back to reality the well handicapped Anderiego is the winner which pleases Mowgli because he's backed him. He's also with Innocently in the last, we watch this from down by the bookies but he's a bit disappointing really, we both didn't like Dutch Breeze who's over rated for me & for a moment it looks like he might make mugs of us but doesn't go though with his challenge, the winner is Meadway & I wouldn't have had that with half a dozen picks but Mowgli's having a chunter on the way out because Mulrennan was on top & he seems to do really well on sprinters. Still not a bad night at all & we sit outside the pub for a bit & listen to the Beach Boys in the distance. Saturday Bloody hot again & a big crowd to boot. Kleo gets me off to a flyer by landing the first in some style & I'm wishing now I'd had a proper bet on her & not just put her in the trixie's. Straight down to Ascot where Osaila has taken over as favourite from Muraaqaba, she's held up in last & seems to be making hard work of things but she hits the front at the furlong pole & then despite hanging quite badly asserts herself & wins by 2l's. A profit locked in from the posted bets then & plenty of ammo still to fire. Short Squeeze is there heading to one out but hangs under pressure, Dutch Rose is well backed but loses her fine York unbeaten record at 7f's in 6th & the handicapper seems to have grabbed her now. Alejandro wins it for O'Meara though, Mowgli backs Mezzotint with Mulrennan up at a big price & he never shows, 7f's is not a sprint :p We wander round to the pre parade before the Group 2, Windhoek is walking round looking like he's eating one of those spray cans that the refs were using to mark out ten yards at the World Cup & a bit warm as well. Danadana is also getting sweaty but then it is really hot. Long John though looks cool enough, if he stays he must go close. We head off to brave the jam packed betting ring, Mowgli backs Secret Gesture & Long John, I have a bit on the latter. Down the straight they come & Long John isn't winning, Graham Lee's shoving away pretty early & there's a bit more than non stayer here. Secret Gesture's running a blinder though but it now looks like Windhoek is going to win despite the face full of foam. Secret Gesture fights back but then Sheikhzayedroad arrives late in the piece & does them both. The big sprint handicap next. Mowgli backs a couple including Rene Mathis who runs a good race & finishes well for 3rd, a place in front of Zalty who also runs well. Muthmir is impressive in winning though & might be a bit more than a handicapper. The 2yo maiden's are parading & I'm quite taken with William Haggas' Valley of Fire, however the King George is up next on the big screen. Mowgli's backed Eagle Top & I'm on Magician but neither get involved although Eagle Top was given a lot to do. Taghrooda sweeps past them all in the last half furlng to win by three going away & this is the real deal. It seems that the likely route to the Arc is a run in the Yorkshire Oaks & I look forward to seeing her there. I turn round to say "That was impressive" to Mowgli but he's vanished & I'm thinking he's legged it down to the bookies, if I'm backing Valley of Fire then I'd better follow. The board near the parade ring was showing Approximate odds of 7/2 so I'm a bit surprised to see Mowgli's bookie Paul Johnson is going 5's, that'll do & a bet is struck, looking round I can't see Mowgli but he could be ten feet away & I wouldn't see him in this crush. Valley of Fire rather misses the break but down the straight he's picked up well & is making headway but a furlong out the gap closes & Atzeni has to switch left, he's flying but the line comes & I don't think he's got there in a three way go. The bloody annoying spinning lollipop for a photo finish is on the screen & I hang about just in case but he hasn't got up, then the result.. "First number ten Valley of Fire" Corn in Egypt a photo's gone my way, in the queue & paid out & back for a photo. Mowgli's on the terrace by the parade ring, it seems he'd gone down the step to watch the King George & when he came back I'd gone, I tell him I've just relieved his bookie of a few quid, he's backed Valley of Fire on the Tote of all things & has a result there because its paid £6 & the SP was 9/2. He goes off to collect & to back Grandorio who he seems to be following off a cliff. When he returns we watch from the rail behind the parade ring & they have to pass us twice, the first time they're walking, the time is 11.03 above standard on really quick ground. When they come down the straight again they are spread right across the track with Grandorio pretty much on his own up the stands rail, it looks like he's just doing enough to win but when they hit the line he's clearly not in front this time, he's a short head & a neck 3rd behind Itlaaq & is looking very hard to win with & he's not going to drop anything for that run, he'll probably get stuck up another couple of pounds if anything. We brave the trek to the betting ring for the last. Mowgli's going to back Pillar Box but I'm not having any more on, he gets 9/2 & we watch has the price tumbles, the SP is 11/4 but there are several boards showing 5/2 & one gong 9/4. He leads at the three pole but a furlong out is clearly not winning. Time to head for the hills, a swift one in the pub again but this time we can't hear Wet Wet Wet, I'm not bothered. The 19pts staked on Friday returned 50pts from Arctic Feeling. The 40pts on singles returned 65pts from Osaila & the 20pts returned 7pts from the multiples. Singles etc W/R 24-106 Stakes 1656pts Returns 1581.09pts Profit/Loss -74.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1010.25pts Returns 684.29pts Profit/Loss -325.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1150 Having raced Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday I have decided not to bother with the pretty ordinary card at Pontefract today, in fact I suspect that the next venture out will be next Saturday, an early look at Beverley on Tuesday doesn't seem promising but there is something going on at Goodwood all week which may be interesting. Joys of Spring Celestial Path Tasaday Kleo Valley of Fire Andrea Atzeni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 2, 2014 Author Share Posted August 2, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Having spent an age on a post I click the wrong button & the lot disappears into the ether, I have no intention of starting again even if I had the time therefore..... Bets Narniyn 25pts @ 7/2 Betvictor BOG Wakea 2/1 Spirit of the Law 5/1 Annunciation 4/1 Classic Pursuit 5/1 1pt lucky 15 Paddy Power BOG Muthmir 5/1 Stec 13/2 New Providence 11/1 1pts trixie + 3 x 2pts singles = 10ptas staked Stan James BOG. Muthmir 20pts @ 2.74 betfair place market, matched at 2.66 after a non runner. Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 4, 2014 Author Share Posted August 4, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Seeing as Saturday's pre racing post was short & not too sweet the post race write up is the same. Several off the crossbar, two stinkers & I'm still trying to work out how Muthmir, backed into 5/2 couldn't manage to get in the first four! Just to twist the knife he's actually 5th beaten a neck, the only possible explanation is the low draw because apart from the 4th home Ruwaiyan who came from stall 8 & Muthmir in 2 nine of the first 11 home had a double figure draw. Not a happy bunny then. Singles etc W/R 24-108 Stakes 1701pts Returns 1581.09pts Profit/Loss -119.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1035.25pts Returns 684.29pts Profit/Loss -350.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1160 I'm going to Ripon today , I fancy three & Frank who's the chap I know who has an interest in Lieutenant Kaffee has a proper, albeit tiny share in one in the first. That one is Little Miss Katie who made her debut a couple of months ago at Carlisle, she left Frank with a rather long face & it seems her trainer Mr K Burke somewhat puzzled by finishing stone last of nine runners & with the form line of.... Dwelt, outpaced and behind, never on terms She was beaten just over 12l's going off at 25's & clearly wasn't fancied, she's generally 33/1 but Bet365 are going 50's & I've had a tiny ew bet at the price. Faraajh would have just about the best form but doesn't set the bar very high although I also have her top rated on her first start & the draw from 4 is not ideal. Shortmile Lady is second best also on her first of two starts & this one may be better in a nursery. I'll have a look at these & see if anything takes the eye from those debuting or from one run, at least Little Lady Katie has a decent draw in 12. I'm now kicking myself for not backing Muffin McLeay in a single, having stuck him in a trixie plus this morning he's shortened up loads, he ran a stormer here two runs back & loves the place usually, LTO here the ground went against him after the downpour & it ought to be perfect for him today. I don't think Woodacre is up to this level & needs a career best having won a class 5 off 5lb lower at Ponty LTO. The unknown quantity is Miguel Grau who's nine starts have all been on the aw with wins at Wolves & Kempton at a lower level than this, the close 2nd two runs back at Lingfield was at this class though & off this mark but LTO at Kempton he was out with the washing in late February & it seems a bit strange that they've waited until now to have a try on turf. In the 3.30 Pipers Note should go well & is a dual C&D winner which is always good here, however Out Do has been running well in better races than this including a good 5th in the Skybet Dash at York LTO, he must go well off the same mark here. I'm not a fan of Dutch Breeze who I think is overated on what he's done so far although he did come out best of the trio of him, Lexington Abbey & the disappointing Innocently at York LTO & Dutch Breeze is a course winner at 6f's but that was a penalty kick of a maiden. I think Lexington Abbey may do best of the three here but I'm siding with Pushkin Museum who won at Newcastle at this trip two starts back & then didn't quite see out 6f's at Chester in this class next time, George Chaloner takes off a useful 3lb. Bets Little Miss Katie 1pt ew @ 50/1 Bet365 BOG Muffin McLeay 3/1 Out Do 3/1 Pushkin Museum 5/1 1pt trixie + 3 x 2pt singles = 10pts staked Betvictor BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary When I was last at Ripon just over two weeks ago I walked off the track after the second race totally fed up & soaked. Yesterday I backed a winner at 50/1 & still walked off the track in glorious sunshine feeling less than happy with things. Met up with Frank before the first race along with another chap who I know & who knows whats going to happen? Off they go to the parade ring, Little Miss Katie looks alright but not a standout but we'll see. The stalls open & out they come & Katie is rather taken off her feet as they're not hanging about up front & at halfway its not looking good but then heading down to the last furlong both her & the also outpaced Stocking are now getting into top gear. As they hit the final furlong Stocking edges into a slender lead but Katie is fighting back & when they hit the line I think she's got there but I've been wrong before at this track. Still she's run a screamer & I'm off back to the winners & I'm about halfway there when the result comes through & yes she has got up! Connections are all smiles & photos taken, Frank spots me & insists I join them for a glass of the fizzy stuff, why not. We get to see the race again & the front two have stayed on well from the back while the leaders have cut each others throats up front. Frank & the other bloke trot off to see the chappie on the William Hill joint on the rails, they've both had a tenner each way & are due £620 each, while he's there the other bloke has a score on White Flag at 7's for the seller up next for which they are already at the start. That one wins & he draws another £160 & the Hills lad pays out with a smile apparently. Then it starts to go Pete Tong. Muffin McLeay drifts to the 3/1 I had for the trixie & I have the bet I was wishing I'd had earlier, when he beats one home I'm wishing I hadn't bothered. Later it transpires that the vet has reported to the stewards that he'd finished lame & one hopes its not too serious. I had the next between Out Do & Pipers Note & I'm not surprised when the latter wins having backed the former. Now I'm getting annoyed & even more so when Innocently who let both Mowgli & myself down at York 10 days ago takes the 4.00 in some style at a not too shabby 7/1. Now I know they're not machines but at the same trip he was two & a quarter lengths behind Lexington Abbey at York & here on the same terms he's beaten that one a length & a half. Innocently was three & a quarter lengths behind Dutch Breeze in the York race, here he's beaten that one two lengths & is only 2lb better off. If anything the slightly faster ground should have suited Innocently more at York, he ran prominently in both races, I can't see anything in the draw, the gap between the Catterick race & the York run was nine days & here it was ten. As I say they are not machines but something here just doesn't sit right with me, having said that I hadn't backed any of that three anyway & Pushkin Museum who I was on was 3rd. Frank gets away now & I'm looking at the field for the 3yo+ maiden in the parade ring. I decide the pick is Spiritoftheunion & head off to see what the price is, walking under the stand I see he's 13/8 & one board is showing 7/4 & I decide I'll play. Before I get there that changes to 6/4 & most are showing 11/8, I'll still play & ask for a bet at the 6/4. The chap taking the money calls the bet & the other one on the computer screams almost hysterically "Its 5/4 now" Now I'm not what I'd call a big hitter, I will & do back my judgement with a reasonable bet at times but since I've started going racing on a regular basis I've had to change how I bet, most of what I would call my proper bets are on the better class of racing & not on the sort of fare served up at a Monday afternoon meeting at Ripon. Really I'm having a day out & just playing at the game but for a long time now the fun has gone out of the it in the betting ring, long gone are the days where I would circle the ring hunting down a price, now the so called bookies play the exchanges, a glance to either side shows that all the boards are going 5/4 simply because the exchanges have shortened. From the look on the computer mans face you'd think that J P McManus had just appeared in front of him & opened his wallet, I know what I'd like to say but instead I just retrieve my few quid with "I'll not bother then" I don't know how the boards get their internet feed but its got to be a different way to how I get mine on my mobile, at most of the North Yorkshire tracks the signal is woeful, if I could get a good connection I'd just use the exchange myself & avoid the spineless !"£$%*'s masquerading as bookmakers. The race is a mile & a half, Mulrennan bounces Spiritoftheunion out in front & never sees another horse to win by 7l's. I head for the exit in not too fine a mood. I love racing, I love going racing, especially flat racing & I've really enjoyed the last two or three years in terms of getting better at looking at them in the parade ring, I'm no expert but I do enjoy that side of it now. However I'm getting more & more brassed off with the betting side of things, in terms of the quality side of it I have York, the odd Doncaster meeting & that's it, the rest of the good stuff is down South, the jumps is even worse for the North/South bias. When I get to the end of this flat season I need to sit down & have a good hard look at where I need to go. Little Miss Katie returned me 62pts, the trixie nothing. Singles etc W/R 25-109 Stakes 1703pts Returns 1643.09pts Profit/Loss -59.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1045.25pts Returns 684.29pts Profit/Loss -360.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1170 Little Miss Katie in the pre parade ring Little Miss Katie & Joey Haynes returning to the winners Katie in the winners, Captain Creosote interviews trainer Karl Burke Sheikh Frank al Hibberdi collects the cheque for £10k Innocently Rio (personal photographer to his Highness Sheikh Frank al Hibberdi) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Having decided on a quiet week where even Saturdays low key fare didn't appeal especially with the threat of heavy rain its back off again with a run out to Thirsk. Not that its a great card, its simply that Sheriff of Nawton returns to the track after the thick end of three months off. I have asked for a badge but have yet to hear from them, however I shall go anyway & if necessary use my Go Racing in Yorkshire & just be one of the riff raff. Probably famous last words but at least being a Monday evening it shouldn't be full of the usual crowd who seem to be intent on drinking themselves into a stupor, we shall see. If he wasn't running I wouldn't be going because its pretty dreadful stuff, I've found a couple that may have a chance & the Sheriff ought to be thereabouts if he's anything like after his break. 5.25 An Amateur riders handicap would not be my usual sort of race especially as its for novice riders but I quite like the look of Short Takes here. The ground is soft which he will handle & the Perth run a month ago wasn't too bad & will have blown off the cobwebs after a break, the chap on him seems to know what he's doing having had a win, a 2nd & two 3rds from his four flat rides & three wins & a couple of 2nds from just nine jump rides. There's not a deal of depth to this race, Anne's Valentino won a pair of small races in May & was a fair but pretty distant 3rd at Doncaster in a similar event under the same rider at Donny LTO off 2lb less & Beat the Shower's got some soft ground form but hasn't won for three years. Captain Sharpe might go better back on slow ground but Short takes will do for me. 6.00 A couple of non runners in the first of two 2yo maidens including the one I had top rated Bright Flash, this means Denton Carnival & Only Joking are joint top now, the former on good to soft on debut at Redcar & the latter on her second start on the aw at Kempton. Both though have been off a while & a newcomer taking this would not be a surprise, a look is needed first. 6.30 In contrast the other maiden looks between Aussie Ruler & Johnny B Goode. Aussie Ruler's best rating was on the first of three runs & he's not looking progressive to me despite the form figures, the middle run was on good to soft though. Johnny B Goode though has posted a better number on each of his four starts & the 2l's 2nd here in a nursery LTO was in a decent time & has him top rated, the problem is the ground, he hasn't raced on slower than good & the last start was on good to firm. Crosse Fire's first of two runs was reasonable on soft & he might go ok but the rest have a good bit to find, I'm thinking I might back Johnny B Goode on track. 7.00 Innocently runs here under a 6lb pen although Sam James knocks off 3lb, I think he needs it quick & I'm against him here. Meadway beat Innocently 4l's at York & is only 2lb worse off here, bits of soft ground form but again he might like it fast. Kommander Kirkup's got soft ground form & finally got off the mark in an egg & spoon race over C&D LTO, looked a dodge pot before that to me. One Boy was a good 2nd at Beverley a month ago, seems to handle soft ground & Connor Beasley takes off a useful 3lb, he's the pick. 8.00 Sheriff of Nawton was a slight disappointment LTO but had had several quick races & may have needed the break he's had, that last run was on fast ground too & I suspect he may prefer a bit of juice, if he's ready he must go close. Arrowzone doesn't run & Eddiemaurice looks to need faster ground, Uplifted has soft ground form but looks nothing special. The danger could be Strictly Glitz who did well to get 2nd from a wide draw & slow start at Beverley LTO but I'd be disappointed if we can't beat her on the balance of her form. Bets Short Takes 4/1 One Boy 9/2 Sheriff of Nawton 7/4 1pt trixie + 2 x 2pts win the first two & 20pts on Sheriff = 28pts staked Betvictor BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary I have to say that in terms of disappointments last evening was about as bad as it gets, Sheriff of Nawton didn't just run badly he was dreadful & worryingly so. I was a bit concerned that he might not be ready after the break but he looked a picture before the race & appeared to be plenty fit enough. The idea was to sit behind the pace which was likely to be set by Uplifted & this all went to plan until turning into the straight where he went from cruising to absolutely nothing in a few strides & he was allowed to coast home a 27 length last. On the way to see what Sam James thought I heard the vet say "Grab that one for a test" Indeed the BHA site reveals the stewards had ordered it straight away.... Sam James, the rider of SHERIFF OF NAWTON (IRE), unplaced, reported that the gelding ran flat. The Stewards ordered SHERIFF OF NAWTON (IRE) to be routine tested. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of SHERIFF OF NAWTON (IRE) failed to reveal any abnormalities. Sam said the thought he would win turning in & then found nil, possibly the ground was tacky? I don't know but I don't think it was the ground, a few of the others thought we'd been "Put away" but seeing as there was no info on the the website before hand how had we been put away & anyway why? There's a few funny things going on again at the moment & I think that a few were reading a bit more into it, there's zero on the site again this morning but the lad that normally runs it had put up that he was on a weeks holiday, however that was ten days ago! I'm not sure what to think, I'll just have to wait & see. The evening hardly got off to a flyer with the well supported Short Takes also throwing in a shocker having gone off at 3/1jtf & trailing in a 32 length 9th of 12. The stewards decided not to bother asking about this one & instead were more interested in the winner.... The Stewards considered the apparent improvement in form of the winner, DAN EMMETT (USA), ridden by Mr K Wood and trained by John Wainwright, compared with its previous run at Catterick on 16 July 2014 where the gelding finished thirteenth of fourteen, beaten 45 lengths. They noted the trainer’s explanation that DAN EMMETT (USA) had benefited from the first time application of cheekpieces. They ordered DAN EMMETT (USA) to be routine tested. Having had a look at the runners for the 7f 2yo maiden I decided to have a bit ew on Dynamite Inventor from Kevin Ryan's at 16/1. I'd two top rated on my numbers & one of them Denton Carnival was taken out after playing up at the start & getting loose. The other one Only Joking then proceeded to hose up by just the eight lengths while Dynamite Inventor was slowly away, always at the back & managed to beat one home in getting stuffed by 17l's+ The good news was that I stuck to the plan that if Johnny B Goode had the required amount of legs & the head was on the right end I'd back him. He tracked the leader Crosse Fire to the last furlong where he took it up to score by 2l's & at least the track bets were in profit. Aussie Ruler was only 3rd at evens beaten over 5l's & just isn't going on from a promising start & looks one to avoid at skinny prices. With things looking up I needed a good run from One Boy & got one but Skye's the Limit was a couple of lengths too good for him in the end. Having at least swerved the seller up next then came the disappointing Sheriff, in fact it was bad I didn't realize until a while after that the winner was the one I'd been afraid of Strictly Glitz & quite tidily she did it too. No return from the posted bets but Johnny B Goode rather rescued the evening. Singles etc W/R 25-110 Stakes 1721pts Returns 1643.09pts Profit/Loss -77.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1055.25pts Returns 684.29pts Profit/Loss -370.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1180 I forgot to mention that Scrutiny ran in a claimer at Redcar on Saturday where he was a poor 5th of seven, he's been declared for another claimer at Beverley tomorrow but he's already looking like one that the O'Meara magic isn't going to work on. With the rest of the card not up to much I'm not going to bother, they race there again on Thursday & will make my mind up after a look at the final decs. There's a Catterick evening meeting on Friday which at this stage looks so awful that a visit to the dentists would make more appeal, however the so far hopeless looking Regal Accolade is in the 2yo seller but more interestingly Puppet Theatre is in the last race but she was balloted out of a race at Southwell last week & also needs plenty to come out to get in Friday night. If she was to sneak in then I might just make the effort because she can win a race & probably at a price. Dynamite Inventor & yes it was windy Johnny B Goode in the winners Sam James & Sheriff of Nawton ready to go to post Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven6177 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Great read,love the blog:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 14, 2014 Author Share Posted August 14, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Great read' date='love the blog:)[/quote'] Thanks, much appreciated. As I said in my last post Scrutiny ran at Beverley yesterday but nothing much was put up before the race other than Julie Burke had said he needed further after the Redcar run but because they'd already entered him for this 7.5f race they'd let him take his chance & see. Today they're delighted with him, now they think he does need 10f's & the softer the better & there's a race back at Beverley on the 24th which might suit. I've watched the race & he does stay on a bit in the last furlong having looked to be going nowhere off the bottom bend at around three furlongs out, all I'll say is if they're delighted then they must be easily pleased. Puppet Theatre failed to get in at Catterick on Friday which doesn't surprise me because she is only rated 43, she's in at Wolves on Monday but again she'd need a stack of those in front of her to drop out to get a run, however I'll keep an eye on that because I think she can win a race as I've said. Regal Accolade has got in the 2yo seller at Catterick but I'm not going to bother, the nursery is not a bad race but the rest of the card is shocking, an Amateur riders which I've had enough of this week:eyes That seller, a 3yo+ maiden & two class 6 handicaps to close the card out, er no thanks. Beverley today is not a great deal better with another seller to open & an Amateur riders closing the card & a fair old load of tripe in between, that's a swerve too. I shall probably be racing with Mowgli Saturday but then again... He is favouring Doncaster where James Blunt is due to warble after racing, there is however the Great St Wilfrid card at Ripon & I shall fetch up at whatever I consider to be the better racing, we shall see.... Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 16, 2014 Author Share Posted August 16, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary The decision lands in favour of Doncaster although I have had a multiple punt both there & Ripon, there are a couple of maidens at Donny which may yield a bet & should more of the wet stuff arrive then there is far more cover there than at Ripon. The Doncaster 2.30 has a few in that have been in fair form & have therefore risen in the weights &/or class so I'm going to go with Tiger Jim who's yet to win but was a close up 4th on handicap debut at Newcastle off the same mark on only his second run for Jim Goldie nine days ago & having only had four starts there ought to be more to come. I can see there being a decent pace on here which should suit & if it is a bit softer than the advertised good then that won't be a problem either. Down at Newbury there's a 1m 5f+ Group 3 at 2.40 which if anywhere near his best form Red Cadeaux would win. It's December 2012 since he last won but that was a Group 1 in Hong Kong & he's run some cracking races in far better class than this since & all over the World & usually on ground which he'd find a bit quick. No problems on that score today & while he was only 2nd in this last season he was lugging a Group 1 penalty which he isn't today. Pether's Moon won a Goodwood Group 3 LTO after a few near misses but they've still reached for the blinkers & he does look to have his own ideas of the game at times. Seal of Approval looked progressive last season & ran quite well in the Yorkshire Cup on her return but bombed in the Lancashire Oaks LTO when conditions should have suited, might bounce back but when a filly loses her form it sometimes never returns. Willing Foe 's been off since May last year but can go fresh, has a bit to find on balance of form for me though. Somewhat has run well the last twice having been allowed to front run & I wouldn't want this one getting a soft lead but the pick of his form is on faster. The rest don't look good enough & Red Cadaeux is worth a single to return to winning ways before setting off globe trotting again. At Ripon Polski Max has slipped down to a good mark & is drawn close enough to the near rail to make it count in the 2.50, he's still just a 4yo so ought to have enough to be competitive still. I'll have another go with Out Do in the Great St Wilfrid, he's been running well in this sort of race this season & is tried in a first time visor here, he's drawn towards the far rail which is ok especially if there is a bit of juice in the ground. Bartack gets another chance in the 4.00 with Danny Tudhope taking over from Josh Doyle who's been on the last three times, if it is a bit easy underfoot that will help as well. I'll need to have a look at them before the 2yo maiden at Donny, I have Titled Lady top rated from a Newmarket maiden LTO & there are three others taking her on again from that, it wasn't the greatest time though for that track. Ya Latif is next best from a Newbury maiden debut & the form is working out but there are a few from good yards making their bows here & even if there's no bet it ought to be worth a look at least. In the 3yo maiden Munjally has had plenty of chances & has left Hannon's. Unless Crazy Chic from Marco Botti's is anything this ought to concern Tap Your Toes & Anna's Vision & I'd probably just favour the latter but again I'll have a look. In the 4.15 Secretinthepark has been running quite well in some decent races at 6f's this season & the step back up to 7f's here could see him back in the winners. The one I'd be wary of is Askaud who I know has not been quite right lately but if back to her best could take a bit of pegging back if allowed to bowl along, I'm hoping to see Graham who's involved with her before the race but a little saver each way may be in order. I must avoid the 5f handicap, I must avoid the 5f handicap, I must avoid the 5f handicap :spank I'm not keen on once raced maiden winners going into a handicap but then the 3yo+ horses don't have a great deal of choice. Ribblehead just landed a Redcar maiden from one that went back there & won NTO & Redcar form is usually not much to write home about. This ought be be between Tower Power who let me down when chucking in a shocker at Ponty between winning twice & Pleasant Valley who I did back when winning a C&D maiden LTO. At the prices I've taken Tower Power but get the feeling that I may be regretting this later, ever more so should Derbyshire win after the dreadful run here LTO. I'll swerve the last for now but it seems we are staying to listen to Mr Blunt! I have threatened Mowgli that I may sing along which should be enough to cause a riot & get us chucked out!! Bets Tiger Jim 4/1 Secretinthepark 15/2 Tower Power 10/3 1pt trixie + 3 x 2pt singles Paddy Power Polski Max 16/1 Out Do 11/1 Bartack 13/2 1pt trixie + 3 x 2pt singles Coral Red Cadaeux 20pts @ 6/1 Betvictor. all BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 17, 2014 Author Share Posted August 17, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary The pattern lately seems to be one where my posted bets do little or nothing & I rescue things with the on course bets, yesterday was the total opposite. Things started in good style with the well backed Tiger Jim coming through to land Doncaster's opener & get me straight onto the front foot & it's quickly off to find a telly for Newbury's Geoffrey Freer where at least Red Cadaeux gave me something to shout for all the way up the long straight without him every really looking like he was going to get his head in front. Might as well stay here & watch the Ripon 2.50 where Polski Max ran a screamer for 4th only beaten two shortheads & a half, back out to look at the 2yo's. Mowgli had already a a bit on Montalcino the evening before with the jockey we call the "Sprint King" Paul Mulrennan on top, this was slightly odd because the race was over a mile but ay oh. Watching them go round the parade ring we both took a fancy to the Appleby trained Legerity who cost 300,00gns & looked the part. We both had a bit ew with the same bookie at 18/1 or thought we did, I usually check my slip before moving away but this time didn't, Mowgli asked me if I'd got the 18's because he'd only got 17/1 & thought they'd changed the price because I'd bet but no I'd only got 17's too which was showing on the board now. Just to rub salt in the wound they then changed it back to 18/1, I had a barney with a bookie a few weeks ago when given a slip with shorter odds than I'd asked for but this looks like a new scam to watch for, this time I let it slide but in future I will not, these parasites don't deserve the business they get & I will find a way to extract revenge. Away they go & Montalcino is making the running, coming to the final furlong & she must get swallowed up but Mulrennan has ridden a blinder & has bags left, she kicks away at the one pole & dots up by 4l's, nice one Mowgli. However we are both less than happy with Legerity, the form line says simply "Always towards rear" Which is not wrong & fair enough I suppose they can't all be world beaters but the stewards report states.... Ahmed Ajtebi, the rider of LEGERITY (IRE), unplaced, reported that the filly ran green Again I suppose you can't go in front of the beak & say "She was crap" but that's what she was to me but I will be interested to see what she does next time out. A little less than amused it's off to find the telly again for the Great St Wilfrid where Danny Tudhope rides a corker of a race to win on Out Do. Heading to the furlong pole it's clear he's going well but is stuck behind on the far rail, he looks like he's going to sit & hope a gap opens but then switches left round two in front, finds a gap, nips through & wins by a half, result. I thought this one could win a decent race & so it proved, the two trixie bets now have a winner each & are showing a profit with three still to run. Back out for the 3yo maiden in a better frame of mind which doesn't last long. Mowgli's thinking of backing Crazy Chic but doesn't take the 14/1 on offer which disappears, Anna's Vision is 2/1 which I decide to take despite not having looked at them :spank We have a look & I'm not worried, Anna's Vision looks ok, Crazy Chic is alright without taking the eye. Back to the ring where Crazy Chic is now available at 12/1, Mowgli decides not to play. Away they go & Anna's Vision leads but 2f's out it's clear she isn't winning & Tap Your Toes seems to be about to score when Crazy Chic flies past everything down the middle score by just over 2l's. I'm not happy because I think Anna's Vision has run a shocker, Mowgli thinks that I've struck a bad bet on one with a string of places. He's right but I'm tempted to say that at least I had a bet but I don't need to he knows he's missed one with Crazy Chic. The truth is we both ought to be wearing red noses & orange wigs & shoving custard pies in each others faces. Back to the telly again where Danny Tudhope produces his second blinding ride in the space of about half an hour to get Bartack home in front in Ripon's 4.00. There are not many better jockey's about at the moment, the top boys get the plum rides while Danny's booting home plenty on the not so good one's, I'm happier now but can't help but think that had he been on Bartack at York the other week the result would have been different. Flying now & it looks like Secretinthepark is going to get the job done in the next at Donny when he hits the front at the one pole but he just gets done two heads in a three way go on the line, still he's run really well & I'm happy enough. After the next though I'm not & neither is Mowgli. We've both decided that it's between Pleasant Valley & Tower Power & we both go for the latter & manage to nab a bit of 3/1 before he's backed to 9/4f after they flip flop. Off they go & Mowgli's worried when Tower Power leads but I'd rather be there than held up but when they turn into the straight Queally is pushing away & he's beaten a long way out. It's not far off a repeat of the Ponty debacle of two runs back & the damn thing walks the last 2f's & is stone last, Pleasant Valley wins pulling a bus of course & the pair of us are fuming... Now the stewards decided to have a word.... The representative of Ismail Mohammed, the trainer of TOWER POWER, unplaced, reported that the colt was unsuited by the good going. The Stewards ordered TOWER POWER to be routine tested. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the colt failed to reveal any abnormalities I'm not having that, yes I would say that looking at the times it was just on the easy side but if he can't go on that then it's time to pack up. The official going was the same as when he hosed up over C&D LTO with the going stick for yesterday at 8.2 & last time it was 8.4. The times for the previous meeting would indicate that it was probably on the fast side of good that day but not good to firm & I certainly wouldn't have any soft in the description for yesterday. Whatever this was one of those that make me want to tear out what little hair I have left. Mowgli backed one in the last that is still out there somewhere & then we stayed to watch Mr Blunt or most of it, he's not bad actually but even here the well oiled crowd somewhat spoiled the show by yakking away & indulging in a spot of space invading, one girl parked herself right in front of me & was so close I thought my luck was in. Anyway nothing from Red Cadaeux but the two trixies totaled 139pts from 20pts staked, if only Polski Max had won, off that mark he will before long. Singles etc W/R 25-111 Stakes 1741pts Returns 1643.09pts Profit/Loss -97.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1075.25pts Returns 823.29pts Profit/Loss -251.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1180 Puppet Theatre is not running at Wolverhampton on Monday & Thirsk holds no appeal so next up is the Ebor meeting starting on Wednesday. Tiger Jim hits the front Crazy Chic in the winners James Blunt in concert Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary The first of four days at York however first of all & somewhat to my annoyance Puppet Theatre runs in the 6.00 at Southwell this evening. Having said that it's a maiden & not the expected handicap although she was in the 7f handicap at 7.30 & might just have been better off in that because for the track this could be quite a tough race. On the bare form she'd have a bit to find with Both Heho & Nur Jahan, the former has been disappointing but the best bit of form came on good to soft in May & I'm wondering if this surface will suit? Nur Jahan has been off for the best part of a year & the last two runs were not up to much but anything near the Doncaster runner up effort before that would be fair form. The interesting one is Mark Johnston's Copperbelt who cost 150,000gns & wouldn't need to be anything special to take this & the yard has a 24% strike rate here. Puppet Theatre didn't get home at a mile here LTO when clear turning in & the drop back to 7f's should suit, Danny Tudhope takes over too coming here from just the one ride in the first at York but I don't read a lot into that because he has other rides that are clearly better fancied. I expect her to bounce out & try to make all & we know Danny's good at that, she's a best priced 9/1 but there are only seven runners so two places & I'm finding it hard to see her winning & I think I'll leave her alone. I was going to let the York opener an extended 5f sprint handicap pass but actually I quite liked the look of Goldream & had backed that one each way but now I see that Robert Cowell has taken both his out, the BHA site used to tell you why but it's been updated & no doubt they'll tell you improved & I can't see anything on there about non runners now :eyes Basateen runs in the Acomb at 2.30. I have him nicely clear on my speed numbers from the very impressive win at Doncaster four weeks ago where he did it in some style despite being one of several getting a bit worked up by the fillies before hand, no fillies in here today so they ought to be behaving. That was on good ground & a big improvement on the promising debut on good to soft at Newmarket before that, the good, good to firm in places should be right up his street here. Jamaica is joint second best & also improved a ton from debut when taking a Galway maiden LTO, he's clearly well thought of & is entered in everything bar the FA Cup, I just feel he may be better over a bit further & with a bit of cut. Dutch Connection is the other joint second rated from his first start when 3rd at Salisbury, while he's since run 2nd & then won on his last start at Goodwood the numbers haven't improved & the form of the Goodwood maiden win has taken a couple of knocks. Salateen's best number from three starts was on good to soft & while Prince Gagarin won on his second start the number was nothing special & only just improved on his debut run. The one that's hard to get a handle on is Growl who took a five runner Ascot maiden in eye catching style on his sole start but again he'd need to find a stack on the time to get to the level of the others not that he can't of course. I took the 5/2 last night & will be most disappointed should Basateen get beaten, there are two non runners but one was an outsider & the other in the 5p rule 4 bracket. The rest of the card is covered in an each way lucky 15. If he runs up to the Derby form then they won't see which way Kingston Hill goes in the Voltiguer, however he was a shade disappointing in what was a strangely run affair for the Eclipse & the ride wasn't vintage Dettori. The step back up to 1m 4f will help but the drying ground won't & while he ought to win he's not for me at the price. Snow Sky took the Lingfield Derby trial & then ran alright at the Royal meeting, just did enough in a Goodwood Group 3 LTO & doesn't look quite up to this level to me. Postponed won a Listed event at Hamilton in decent style a month ago but this is a fair hike in class here. Hartnell's won his last two, the 2m Queen's Vase & then a Newmarket Group 3 at 1m 5f, clearly stays & likely to be blazing away in front to make this a proper test. The interesting one is Granddukeoftuscany who won a Tipperary maiden on his second start by just the 19l's, that bare form is nothing but he really could be anything (or nothing) this one & I've stuck him in hoping to upset the jolly. Funny goings on in the International, last week it was if Australia runs he'll need a new jockey because Joseph O'Brien can't do the weight, who's on him? Joseph O'Brien. Next up the trainer's says he might not quite have him fit enough after a break with other fish to fry in the Autumn. He really ought to win but this race has seen plenty of upsets probably the biggest the one career defeat of Brigadier Gerard. Should there be a chink in the armour the it's likely to be Telescope or Mukhadram that takes advantage although I'm wondering if Mowgli is going to side with The Grey Gatsby? He won the Dante & then the Prix du Jockey Club & LTO probably got stuck in the mud at Longchamp over 12f's, ought to do better back at 10f's+ but he's not for me. I'm still not convinced by Telescope at the very top level & he'd probably prefer to be going at 12f's. Mukhadram is tough as teak & was only a shorthead behind Telescope in the King George, he is better at this trip & I see Hanagan going for home, hopefully somewhere just before the two pole & playing catch me if you can. Whatever happens it's a good race for a change. In the 4.20 I'll take the lightly raced Lady Kashaan who won at Musselburgh last Spring at 1m 6f's & then was just held in this class at Ripon at 2m's after. Lost her way a bit then but seemed to be coming back to her best when a fair 3rd back at Musselburgh a couple of weeks ago, she'd be fresher than most & is a fair price. In the nursery up last I have Midterm Break just the top on his Beverley win three starts back but he's run below that in better class since & I feel the handicapper may be on top of him. Burnt Sugar improved a stack on his first two starts when winning on the Lingfield aw LTO & he ought to go on the quickish ground here but I don't think that the far side is the place to be & he's in stall 1. I had Izzthatright joint second rated in this & backed him but now I see he's a non runner too & I'm now thinking I'll play wait & see before having a punt. I suspect it is the quickening ground which is causing them to drop out, this should give the berk of the course the slight excuse he needs to turn on the taps & there is significant rain forecast for Friday, what price they're dropping out in droves Friday & Saturday because the grounds gone soft? Bets Basateen 50pts @ 5/2 split between Hills & Betvictor BOG. Granddukeoftuscany 7/1 Mukhadram 6/1 Lady Kashaan 16/1 Izzthatright N/R 0.5pt ew lucky 15 Betvictor BOG. Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary I have to say I was feeling rather flat after yesterday, not only did everything I backed not run very well but the atmosphere just seemed rather muted to me. I'm thinking that spreading the jam a bit thin by moving to four days a few years ago as left quite a few people not that happy at the extra expense. Still I'll take less traffic on the way there, less people round the parade ring & not having to fight to get to the betting ring any day. The board by the parade ring was showing four non runners in the first & the same in the last which meant four places so I decided I'd have a few lines on the placepot, I'm halfway through filling in the ticket when I overhear a member of staff saying to another that there are 15 in the first, sure enough upon checking there are now the obligatory five non runners reducing the places to three! The board never gets updated, indeed the big screen shows that there are 15 to run but only lists four of the non runners, welcome to the 21st Century. Do I carry on? Well it's a certainty that if I don't I'll get it up & just as certain that if I do I won't, I place the bet. I've put two in the first, one doesn't show but Robot Boy looks nailed on to place until the last 50 yards where he gets run out of it close home & comes the now useless 4th :eyes Couldn't see that one coming & I can't help but feel it's going to be that sort of day. Basateen looks a picture, no fifth leg, no sweating up, the aforementioned board shows that he's 2/1jtf with Jamaica & both Mowgli & myself are playing again at that price on track so we head off to the ring where he's 15/8 when we arrive. I'm not playing at under 2/1, Mowgli's doing a fair Mavis Riley impression but then Basateen goes 7/4 & then 6/4, mind made up we wander back down to where hopefully he'll be in a few minutes, the winner's. Away they go & he's pulling Hanagan's arms out, he settles a bit turning in & is in front at two out where when asked he hangs a bit & he isn't winning. It looks like Toocoolforschool as bagged it but Dutch Connection nuts him close home with Basateen a head & one & a quarter lengths 3rd. The initial reaction is one of disappointment, on reflection I suspect he may have been feeling the ground a bit, the time was a new record at the distance for 2yo's. Having done the numbers he actually ran a point better than at Doncaster & the other two improved on their previous so it wasn't a bad effort really. No sooner had the dust settled on that than Kingston Hill is taken out of the Voltigeur :( In the race it's self Granddukeoftuscany is another let down, Joseph is scrubbing away a long way out. Mowgli's backed Postponed who scores quite impressively but he's getting rule 4'd for 40p at least from Kingston Hill's defection, Postponed is the only one of them not in the St Leger & at the interview afterwards Luca Cumani seems to rule out supplementing him. Out come the field for the International, there are some good looking sorts in here but Telescope is sweating for England. Mowgli has backed The Grey Gatsby, I decide that Australia looks fit enough to me & toddle off to do an exacta with him to beat Mukhadram. Mowgli can see me returning along the side of the parade ring when they give out that Telescope has won the best turned out! When I get back he says "Who's picked that"? "Stevie Wonder" I reply. Off they go & Mukhadram is testing Hanagan's arms again behind the pacemaker Kingfisher, at this rate he's going to end the day looking like Mr Tickle. He hits the front at the two but is clearly getting swamped, Telescope plugs on for 3rd while Australia sweeps into the lead with The Grey Gatsby following him through for 2nd. Lady Kashaan never gets involved in the 2 miler. Having stuck the now top rated Burnt Sugar (more non runners leave 14) & my mate Hamdan's Kibaar in the long dead placepot we wander off to the betting ring where I have a small bet on both. Mowgli's already backed Polarisation & now backs Kibaar, Uptight & Roossey in an effort to hit the winner. He & me both nearly succeed when Kibaar runs a blinder but is just held a head by the well backed Felix Leiter. Kibaar is the third Hamdan runner I've backed today, the man himself is here with some seriously heavy looking bodyguards so donning the false beard & dark glasses it's time to quickly make an exit. I can promise him most faithfully that I shall not be backing Taghrooda today so if she gets beat it isn't me honest Guv! Having said that I may have another stab at the placepot & she may go in as a banker, ooh er. Nothing yesterday apart from 1pt from the non runner, I shall post some pictures of the whole four days later. Singles etc W/R 25-112 Stakes 1791pts Returns 1643.09pts Profit/Loss -147.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1090.25pts Returns 824.29pts Profit/Loss -265.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1190 Onwards..... One of those 2yo sales races to start. My numbers have New Providence & Kasbah joint top. New Providence from Doncaster two starts back where she was quite impressive, she's since run a fair 3rd in a Newmarket nursery. Kasbah is still a maiden & gets the rating from a 5th behind Dick Whittington LTO where I've given that one a number so high that I keep going back & checking it, that was on soft ground & I think Kasbah might be better on easy & I might need a new calculator. Vimy Ridge also has some decent numbers & so does Kool Kompany who sports the best form. Valley of Fear who we backed here on debut when winning also runs. I've had a bet on New Providence, Skybet are offering money back as a free bet if the SP jolly wins & it wouldn't surprise me to see Kool Kompany at least go close especially from the draw in 19. I'm deserting Twiggy Wiggy again in the Lowther & her Ascot conqueror Anthem Alexander with this step up to 6f's. I'm going with another Hamdan runner in Sulaalaat who's only just behind top rated Tiggy on my numbers from a maiden win on fast at Nottingham at today's trip, obviously this is a right hike in class but she's clearly well thought of & as all sorts of fancy entries. Balducci runs in the 3.05 but having already paid for a ticket I decided not to ask for a badge, the word is he's in form, will like the ground, Danny's picked him over Two for Two & we have a good low draw so an each way is in order which is exactly how I have played it. Skybet are going five places so I gone there, anybody care to offer me odds he comes 6th? Camera out for the star filly only, honest Hamdan, honest! My eye is drawn to Starlet in the 4.20, dermot Weld doesn't send them over for a day out & won this race two years ago with a similar type in Pale Mimosa. Ok she's another that's wacked up in class but she's nicely bred & really could be anything in a race where Noble Protector looks the one with the best form but has a Listed penalty & a few dodgy looking ones in Dark Crusader & the disappointing Waila, most of the 3yo's are also trying to step up to or have failed at this level already apart from Arabian Comet who was just ahead of Waila when 2nd in a Goodwood Group 3 over 2f's further LTO & she looks the one to beat. In the last Dutch Rose tries to land this for the third time on the spin but needs another career best off today's mark. Bragging should go well having won a similar fast ground race at Newmarket LTO but is up 10lbs for that. Dermot Weld runs another in this & Sparkle Factor also looks progressive having won a fast ground similar race to this at the Curragh two runs back, she went very well in a mile+ Listed race at Killarney after thatbut didn't seem to quite get home, back to 7f's on fast ground she's the pick here. Bets New Providence 10pts @ 11/1 Skybet, money back if fav wins Sulaalaat 10pts @ 11/1 Paddy Power Balducci 5pts ew @ 20/1 Skybet, 5 places Starlet 20pts @ 4/1 Coral Sparkle Factor 20pts @ 5/1 bet365, all BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Another one of those days that went less than perfectly, on the good news front apart from one short shower early doors it stayed dry but looking at the grim dark clouds above how we managed to avoid a soaking I don't know. I decided to have another stab at the placepot, a major success would be getting past the first leg, Mowgli also decided to have a go. Things actually started off quite well, for a few moments heading to the final furlong it looked like New Providence might be going to win but Hamdan's Mubtaghaa proved stronger in the end but at least New Providence kept me in the placepot. Mowgli also got past that leg with Valley of Fire which he'd backed along with the withdrawn at the start Markaz. On the posted bets front things pretty much went downhill at a rate of knots from here, Sulaalaat was never getting involved in the Lowther & was likely taken off her feet by the pace set by Tiggy Wiggy who pinged the gate & was never headed in breaking the track record at the distance & she posted the best number I've given her in doing so. Apart from the win at Sandown I keep getting her wrong & I keep kicking my backside for doing so, had she lined up in today's Nunthorpe I suspect I would have backed her, it also seems that she is to head towards the Cheveley Park & not the Abbaye where for me she'd take some beating. Mowgli backed Cursory Glance who ran well for 2nd & she heads the ante-post market for next years 1000 Guineas at a general 12/1, she kept him in his placepot while 3rd for Anthem Alexander was good enough to keep mine alive. The high point of the day for me was Balducci who ran a screamer in the mile handicap & halfway down the straight he was looking like he might win. In the end Top Notch Tonto got past him & looked ready to score but then Short Squeeze arrived late on the scene to get up by a head but Balducci was an excellent 3rd to give me the first return of the meeting from what was really a just in case bet. This was where Mowgli's attempt at the placepot bit the dust with the old classic of Gabrial's Kaka coming 5th when the first four was required, somehow I managed to stay in by not only having Balducci but the winner & the 4th, I can't can I? The star turn up next in Taghrooda but it all goes a bit pear shaped, Gosden had followed her out to the edge of the track when they set off to parade where he was nabbed for an interview by Clare Balding, no idea what was said but he looked a bit edgy to me. The filly had looked fine although she did have two handlers & she came back past going to post going easy enough. In the race she cruised into the lead halfway down the straight with Hanagan hardly moving & seemed certain to bound away, however Ryan Moore followed her through & was steadily closing & then took it off her in the last half a furlong with most people looking stunned none more than Hanagan coming back in. She went 1.03 in running on betfair with Tapestry at 230.0 at some point, am I glad I don't get involved in that business. On the way there I'd said that I was torn between putting Taghrooda in as a placepot banker or taking two against her, Mowgli talked me into going down the banker route. Had Hamdan & his heavies seen through the false beard, dark glasses & big floppy hat I would of course have done the decent thing & passed the blame onto Mowgli. On a serious note I wanted her to win & in style but at least I'm still in the placepot! Now we get to the nasty business, the two Dermot Weld runners I'd backed absolutely stunk the place out which is most unusual. Starlet was backed to 5/2f but was beaten early in the straight & trailed home last, the stewards had a word... Pat Smullen, the rider of STARLET (IRE), unplaced, reported that the filly moved poorly throughout. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination during the routine testing of the filly failed to reveal any abnormalities. Mowgli had decided that it was between her & Arabian Comet & backed the latter to win with a saver on Starlet, Arabian Comet was closing hand over fist in the last furlong & failed by a fag paper to get up leaving Mowgli rather dischuffed. While I was not too happy with the run of Starlet at least I'd also had Arabian Comet in my placepot & was now only one leg away from a win. As I've said the second Dermot Weld runner Sparkle Factor also rather failed to live up to her name & beat just the one home, cue the stewards again... Pat Smullen, the rider of SPARKLE FACTOR (IRE), unplaced, reported that the filly weakened quickly in the final three furlongs. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination during the routine testing of the filly failed to reveal any abnormalities. Once more Mowgli had arrived at the same conclusion as me me that it was between Sparkle Factor & Bragging, this time he just backed Sparkle Factor & left the other alone so he was rather miffed when Bragging bounded away from her field in the final furlong to score in some style. He'd also had a small bet on Artistic Charm who was brought down when the Godolphin runner Wedding Ring broke a leg & fell on the top bend. Despite the fact that I'd now landed three placepots this really was a sour note on which to end the day. Balducci gets me 30pts of the 70pts posted back. Singles etc W/R 26-117 Stakes 1861pts Returns 1673.09pts Profit/Loss -187.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1090.25pts Returns 824.29pts Profit/Loss -265.96pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1190 Day 3 I'm looking at possibly having one on course punt in the 2yo maiden after having a look & will also have dart at the placepot again. The rest of the card I've covered four of the races with three picks in one ace & three races with two picks in small stakes lucky 15's, the full perm for this would require 24 lucky 15's but I have six on which means if I were to land the winners of the four races it's 3/1 they line up, if they don't I'll get at least a treble plus doubles, Three winners would give a treble or three doubles & two winners must come together. It's a bit scattergun but at least it gives me some interest right up to the last race. The three pick leg is the first where I have last years winner Chancery who's 3lb higher than when scoring here but has his optimum trip & should go well. Semeen came back to his best when winning at the trip at the Shergar Cup meeting almost two weeks ago & must run well off 4lb higher here. Pearl Castle won the Queen Mother Cup over C&D in June & then ran well also over C&D behind Kings Fete in a similar race to this, Joe Doyle takes off a useful 5lb & he makes up the trio. I'm going to put Cavalryman in as a placepot banker but for having a bet on him something is just nagging at me, I've never been a big fan of the trainer for one. I'm half tempted by Pale Mimosa but after the way the Weld pair ran yesterday........... Will the real Estimate turn up? Times Up looks to be on the downgrade but also usually needs a couple of runs to get there, however he's been off since May. Mowgli's Followed High Jinx off a cliff before, won a Listed race in France LTO but isn't up to this level for me. I'll have another go with That is the Spirit in the 3.05, he was a bit out of his depth in the Jersey which ought to be a Group 2 for me & then wasn't disgraced in another Group 3 at Newbury over 6f's LTO. Back to Listed class he won well over C&D in May & ought to give his running here. Heaven's Guest won the Bunbury Cup in July & then ran a cracking 4th in a big handicap at Ascot, not beaten far at Goodwood when unplaced over a mile in another valuable handicap LTO & the step back to 7f's should help, he's the second pick. Here we go again, now Eddie Lynam is saying that Sole power may not be in the same form as earlier in the season, well don't run him then, it's hard enough trying to find winners without the trainer coming out with these comments, I suppose the enlightened might think he's been honest & maybe he is but if he gets beat it's "I told you" & if he wins it's "Well I got it wrong" Actually I quite fancy Hot Streak back at 5f's & I'm close to backing him anyway & still might do, there's been just over 2mm's of rain over night & if we do get any more then I'd really get sweet on him, the draws good in 15 too. Next door in 14 is the other Qatar runner Pearl Secret who also wouldn't mind some more wet stuff but I'm not ready to give up on this one just yet & 20/1 is a big price for me. Whatever happens they ain't going to be dawdling which really should play into Sole power's hands but luck could play a part here & there have been a few shocks in this lately. If I'd stuck to my numbers yesterday I'd have backed Tiggy Wiggy, if i stick to thenm today then it has to be Acaster Malbis in the maiden at 4.20. The number I have him running to on debut on soft at Newmarket two weeks ago already has him at Listed/Group 3 level. Beach Samba is next best from the same race but was over 4l's behind in 4th & would need the faster ground to help turn that round but Arcano who's Acaster Malbis' sire did his winning on good or faster & there's no reason why it shouldn't suit him just as well. Bright Flash put up a fair number on debut at Goodwood on her debut & should come on but nothing else that has run has posted anywhere near the number of Acaster Malbis including the well backed Dissolution & the form of his 5th in a Newbury maiden on debut has taken a few knocks since. That's not to say he can't improve from the one run & the same goes for Swot who posted the same ordinary number in another Newmarket maiden three weeks ago. Of the newcomer's Foreign Diplomat has come in for support & Haggas knows how to get one ready but providing Acaster Malbis has the required number of legs I shall be having a poke with him. The last race would seem to involve Munaaser, Moohaarib & Extremity. Munaaser is stuck up 12lb for winning a race where again the form has taken a bit of a battering which is enough to sway me to the other two. Moohaarib looks progressive & was given a bit too much to do chasing a hat trick at Ascot LTO. Extremity also is going the right way & has Ryan Moore up for an in form stable who won this last year. Bets 6 x 0.2pt Lucky 15's = 18pts staked. Chancery 8/1 Semeen 10/1 Pearl Castle 12/1 Heaven's Gate 8/1 That is the Spirit 8/1 Hot Streak 15/2 Pearl Secret 20/1 Moohaarib 11/2 Extremity 9/2 Spread between Betvictor, Stan James & the Tote, all BOG. Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary I have to say I'm not enjoying this week & yesterday was especially bad, things started off well enough with the fish & chips from the Blue Fin in top form & the ice cream on track also spot on, this should ensure that the Cholesterol levels from the blood test I'm due to have next week will have the doctor shaking his head. After that it goes rapidly downhill. I did actually manage to sneak through the first leg of the placepot which was one stage further than Mowgli managed when Pearl Castle just got 4th in the opener. The next race though rather set the tone for the day. When the decs came out for the Lonsdale I had my eye on Pale Mimosa, however after the way that the two Weld runners had stunk the place out on Thursday I had abandoned any thought of backing her, what happens? She wins from the fast finishing Estimate having been backed into 2/1f I'd a feeling that Cavalryman wouldn't win but thought he'd at least place, having gone to seven runners I was expecting him to finish 3rd but in scuppering the placepot he couldn't even manage the first three! There was much debate before that City of York stakes that Richard Hughes might get That is the Spirit back to winning ways by employing his favoured waiting tactics, Mowgli decided he'd have a bet on him & I had a bit on with him. Away they go & he's at the front end of it & 3f's out Hughes' is rowing away & going backwards. The other one I have in here Heaven's Guest makes no show at all. Next up is the Nunthorpe, Pearl Secret has defected because of the fast ground & Sole power has his ideal conditions, I've backed him several times but the trainer's put me off with his pre race comments. I have a little bet on Hot Streak despite him been better with a bit of cut. Mowgli backs G Force & Take Cover & we share a small exacta perm on the three hoping our luck is about to change. It doesn't, Hot Streak runs well enough in 5th beaten only a length & a quarter one place in front of G Force who has traffic problems & the other is 8th. Hughes' Produces Sole Power in the last 50 yards to win going away, they're fawning all over the connections in the winner's offering congratulations & oh isn't it wonderful etc, how about sticking the mike under their nose & asking for a comment about putting us all away before hand? Acaster Malbis looks the part in the maiden up next & I strike a bet at 9/2. Dissolution is backed into 15/8f while Foreign Diplomat goes for a right walk in the betting. The latter runs on quite well for 3rd, Dissolution also makes a bit of late progress in a never nearer 5th & looks like he needs a trip, something like eight miles would be perfect. Acaster Malbis tracks the leaders until halfway up the straight & then downs tools in a stride or two & walks home. Mowgli likes to back one that's had a run in these races so here he backs two that haven't one of which is the 25/1 winner White Lake & then rather rubs salt in it by saying he's wishing he'd had a bit more on. He picks up his winnings & then has a bit more on Extremity in the last, it looks like he's about to land a quick double & me a winner when this one hits the front at the one pole & then Master of the World arrives late on & wins rather cleverly actually. I'm seriously brassed off by now, I could have bailed out before that last race & had I not been driving I probably would have, still there's always tomorrow!!! Pearl Secret's non appearance returned 0.6pts from the 18pts staked!! Singles etc W/R 26-117 Stakes 1861pts Returns 1673.09pts Profit/Loss -187.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1108.25pts Returns 824.89pts Profit/Loss -283.36pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1200 Today. No Mowgli, he's off to watch his Bradford boys take on Fergie jr's Peterborough, this actually ought to be an half decent game, both sides have started well, Bradford are 2nd & Peterborough 5th after three games & they are both averaging three goals a game in those they are involved in. In my current predictive state this should ensure that by about the mid point of the second half it ought to be a seriously dull 0-0 with Mowgli & everybody else inside inside Valley Parade rapidly losing the will to live!!! Having decided to go back to my rule of not backing under 2/1 it's not long before that one's lobbed out of the window, this Farraaj really ought to be winning the first today. He's clearly had a few issues but now looks to be fulfilling his potential, the win in the John Smith's Cup here last Month was quite impressive under a big weight & he looks ready to step back up in class now. Custom Cut & Graphic are also in form but both have to give the rest bar one 4lb for Group 3 wins & I'd still fancy Farraaj to beat them off levels. Elleval doesn't look up this class & Flying the Flag has been off over a year & would need a big improvement anyway. The 3yo filly Lady Lara looks up against it even with the WFA & sex allowance & the danger could be Trade Storm although he is another who might find this level a step too far. The Tote were going 7/4 last night so I've had that. I'll stick with my numbers which have Accepted top for the Gimcrack at 3.15 on his Listed success at Tipperary LTO. Baitha Alga is next best but has a pen for winning the Norfolk. Beacon's run three lesser times since winning his maiden. Fendale is unbeaten in two but is upped in class a fair bit. Muhaarar's best number came on debut at Doncaster on Soft. Jungle Cat has placed Group form but the numbers are not special. Mowgli was muttering about Teruntum Star yesterday, who was taken out of the opening day Nursery (don't know why) & has Atzeni on & is a huge price but I don't see why he'd beat Fendale on worse terms from their last run never mind anything else. If Aussie Ruler wins I shall walk straight off the track, pack the game in that will be the end of it!!!! The other 2yo race, the 5f Listed Roses stakes at 4.25 is as clear as mud with five of them separated by just a few points & is a swerve for me. The rest of the card gets the blunderbuss treatment. The three darts chucked at the Melrose have speared.... Adventure Seeker who was giving Penhill 5lb & beat him just over 2l's here at 1m 4f's in May, off till a fair 6th at Goodwood three weeks ago which should have him spot on. Penhill's off levels with Adventure Seeker today but has improved since May winning his last two & he's the second pick. The third was Battersea but I see he's now defected, again I don't know why the new improved :eyes BHA site no longer tells you, seeing as four of his five starts were on good to firm it can't be the ground can it? Unless the Berk's had the taps on & hasn't told anybody, now that would put the tin hat on it!! Mowgli's also keen on Atzeni & De Rigeur for the Ebor, the jolly Pallasator was giving him 4lb when he was a quarter of a length behind De Rigeur in the Old Newton Cup & today Pallasator gives him 6lb, ok there's an extra 2f's & that was Pallasator's first run of the season but should De Rigeur be two & a half times the price of the favourite. The worry would be that De Rigeur is rather exposed for this race compared to the usual type but he has a fine strike rate & should run his race. The unexposed one I like is Sir Walter Scott who managed two of his three career starts for Aiden O'Brien, winning at Dundalk has a 2yo & then running 2nd in a Curragh Listed race last September. He's now with Cumani which is hardly a step backwards & was an eye catching 6th of ten in a Newbury Listed race at 10f's on his first run for Luca. Upped to 1m 6f's which ought to suit with my man of the moment Danny Tudhope on him he's worth risking here. In the 5.00 Whispering Warrior is a C&D winner & ran a fine 3rd here at 12f's two runs back behind Kings Fete, won back at this trip at Doncaster LTO & ought to give me a run for the money here. The other pick is Llanarmon Lad who's been in good form all season, ran really well at Haydock in a similar event LTO & has Ryan Moore who won on him at Newmarket in June booked. The last is like a case of deja vu with Innocently, Lexington Abbey, Dutch Breeze & Pushkin Museum who I have recent history with all in here all in here. I'll go with a couple I haven't backed before in Online Alexander who seems to be improving & won well at Goodwood LTO, Kevin Stott negates 3lb of the 7lb rise for the win. The other one is the Irish raider Full Steam Ahead who also looks on the up & who won a Cork maiden blasting away in front LTO & that's not a bad tactic here unless you go too fast. Bets Farraj 40pts @ 7/4 Tote Accepted 10pts @ 7/1 Betvictor Penhill 12/1 Adventure Seeker 10/1 Battersea N/R Sir Walter Scott 14/1 De Rigeur 12/1 Llanarmon Lad 8/1 Whispering Warrior 10/1 Online Alexander 7/1 Full Steam Ahead 7/1 6 x 0.2pt luck 15's = 18pts staked Spread between Ladbrokes, Stan James, Betfair Sportsbook & bet 365, all BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary At the end of what used to be my favourite meeting of the year I have to say I'm feeling somewhat flat, since it moved from three days to four & Wednesday to Saturday it's lost a lot of it's appeal to me. It's watered down & it just feels like it's all now geared to how much can we fleece this lot for in entrance money & overpriced food & drink, to be fair the quality of the races actually seemed a little better this year, the International had on paper at least a decent field compared to recent times, the four runner farce that Sea the Stars won in 09 being the low point. I get the feeling though that the racing is secondary, I also get the feeling that it's too easy these days for fancied runners to chuck in a shocker & a shrug of the shoulders seems to be an accepted excuse. Plenty that I backed this week gave me no run for my money, there were plenty of others that I didn't invest on that stunk the place out too & it might be me but it seems to happen more & more these days. The weather didn't help the mood either, most of the time it was dull with dark threatening clouds & none too warm at times, the first three days we did well to stay dry. Just before yesterdays Ebor the sun was out & it was actually quite warm, three quarters of an hour later it was chucking it down with everybody dashing for cover. After the 5.00 I'd had enough, a break in the rain gave me chance to scoot across the track before the last race & I was somewhere on the A64 or the A1 when Online Alexander won the Qipco Future Stars Apprentice handicap & therefore landed me my first & only winner of the week which just about sums it up really. The tone was set for the day by Farraaj managing to struggle home in 4th in the first, ok it says he was beaten only a length & a half but it looked from a long way out that he wasn't getting involved & it looked worse than it actually appears to be in the result to me. Adventure Seeker ran a good race but found Vent de Force three parts of a length too good in the Melrose, Penhill seemed to going well three out & then found nil. Accepted pulled too hard under restraint in the Gimcrack & predictably failed to find much when asked for an effort in the closing stages. just to show I'm not only talking out of my pocket the stewards decided to ask what had happened to the 11/4f Baitha Alga who I no financial interest in & who folded up like a cheap deckchair & was allowed to walk home in his own time in last place.... Frankie Dettori, the rider of BAITHA ALGA (IRE), unplaced, reported that the colt lost his action. The Veterinary Officer reported that an examination during post-race routine testing of the colt failed to reveal any abnormalities. At least it's not the usual "Can offer no explanation" Sir Walter Scott plodded on for 7th in the Ebor. De Rigueur's form line from the race reads.... Never better than midfield Prompting the G&T brigade to have a nosy.... The representative of Marco Botti, the trainer of DE RIGEUR, unplaced, reported that the gelding was unsuited by the going, which was Good, Good to Firm in places. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities. The Stewards ordered DE RIGEUR to be routine tested. This is a horse that won on good to firm at Haydock last year & was 2nd to Tiger cliff on similar ground at Newmarket, perhaps he's gone off running on a faster surface? I had no financial interest in the 4.25, I suspect that a few might have backed the previously unbeaten Showing Character who went off the 100/30 2ndf & beat nothing home.... The Stewards considered the running of SHOWING CHARACTER, ridden by Richard Kingscote and trained by Tom Dascombe, which finished unplaced. They noted the trainer could offer no explanation for the colt’s performance. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the colt failed to reveal any abnormalities. They ordered SHOWING CHARACTER to be routine tested. That's more like the usual load of old cobblers. By now it's lagging it down & it's no fun this. I watch the 5.00 on a telly at the back of the stand, there were 20 declared runners for this but four have defected & it's now showing that another one has been withdrawn, I know not why. That means that there are now just the 15 in this handicap & only the three places, anybody who's got Hit the Jackpot each way or needs that one for the placepot & again it isn't me is going to be not very happy when he finishes the now useless 4th. Of the two I've lumbered Llanarmon Lad does best in a never dangerous 7th. The other one Whispering Warrior is... Awkward start, always towards rear & beats just the one home, the stewards are..... :zzz It's at this point I head for the car & Online Alexander wins the last. He & the non runner return 9.6pts of the 18pts staked on the lucky 15's, nothing from the other 50pts. Singles etc W/R 26-119 Stakes 1911pts Returns 1673.09pts Profit/Loss -237.91pts Multiple bets Stakes 1126.25pts Returns 834.49pts Profit/Loss -291.76pts Lays W/R 1-2 Profit/Loss -2.5pts Scoop 6 -£10 Expenses £1210 Mowgli sent me a text bemoaning the lack of quality in Bradford's 1-0 home defeat to Fergie jr's Posh, well I did say it should be a good game :p He also was inquiring about the possible attendance at Ripon's bank holiday meeting tomorrow, I have yet to summon the will to examine the fare on offer, we shall see. Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 York Ebor Meeting Pictures Blaine & Amy Ryan Basateen Postponed Australia & Joseph Australia on his lap of honour Kool Kompany & New Providence off to the start Tiggy Wiggy doing likewise Balducci & Danny Taghrooda Tapesty heading back to the winners having paraded in front of the stands Chancery Glenard That is the Spirit Absolutely So Sole Power in the new pre parade & saddling box area Custom Cut & Danny Adventure Seeker Vent de Force & Richard Kingscoat Van Percy Louis Steward & the Ebor winner Mutual Regard Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgli77 Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Could see you on Ch4 after the Ebor stood in front of where they bring in the 2nd placed horse and a few times on those white wooden stands for the other races. I don't know if you recorded Ch4 racing and watched it back but before the first race Simon Hoiles mentioned that Faraaj didn't look so fluent going down to post and then obviously ran a stinker. No idea if it was the ground or something wrong with the horse. If you get chance to watch the 2nd race from yesterday look for Our Gabrial, looks likely to grab 3rd but then the jockey stops riding and pulls on the reins to stop the horse and lets him coast home in 8th, stewards took no action but asked Joe Doyle about the obvious saddle slipping and decided to take no action against him. :eyes It wasn't his bloody fault, he nearly got trampled to death, poor lad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Could see you on Ch4 after the Ebor stood in front of where they bring in the 2nd placed horse and a few times on those white wooden stands for the other races. I don't know if you recorded Ch4 racing and watched it back but before the first race Simon Hoiles mentioned that Faraaj didn't look so fluent going down to post and then obviously ran a stinker. No idea if it was the ground or something wrong with the horse. If you get chance to watch the 2nd race from yesterday look for Our Gabrial' date=' looks likely to grab 3rd but then the jockey stops riding and pulls on the reins to stop the horse and lets him coast home in 8th, stewards took no action but asked Joe Doyle about the obvious saddle slipping and decided to take no action against him. :eyes It wasn't his bloody fault, he nearly got trampled to death, poor lad.[/quote'] Didn't record C4 so no idea what was said on there before. Watched the replay & Cattamole says in commentary that Farraaj appeared not to pick up on the ground but Varian was saying on the Racing Post site that he didn't want any rain so they wanted fast ground which he got, in fact when he won the John Smith's the going stick said 7.6 & on Saturday it was 7.2 so there's no way it was the ground too fast. The horse has had problems & perhaps it was a niggle of some kind? The fact that he was beaten only a length & a half makes the run look ok on the bare form but he was way below the last run for me. Looked at Our Gabrial & I don't see how you think he looks likely to get placed because to these eyes & I know they're not the best he looks to be going nowhere at any point up the straight to me. The stewards have to look at the fall & were never going to do anything, it's just how they word it that makes it look that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgli77 Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Didn't record C4 so no idea what was said on there before. Watched the replay & Cattamole says in commentary that Farraaj appeared not to pick up on the ground but Varian was saying on the Racing Post site that he didn't want any rain so they wanted fast ground which he got, in fact when he won the John Smith's the going stick said 7.6 & on Saturday it was 7.2 so there's no way it was the ground too fast. The horse has had problems & perhaps it was a niggle of some kind? The fact that he was beaten only a length & a half makes the run look ok on the bare form but he was way below the last run for me. Looked at Our Gabrial & I don't see how you think he looks likely to get placed because to these eyes & I know they're not the best he looks to be going nowhere at any point up the straight to me. The stewards have to look at the fall & were never going to do anything, it's just how they word it that makes it look that way. Wrong race and wrong Gabrial but looks like there was an explanation. It was Gabrial The Hero from the Glenard race, was coming up the rail with a run but Jamie stopped riding. He said the horse lost its action and the vet found lame to the front left forelock or something. Just watched the Our Gabrial race, would have needed wings. Too many of these bloody Gabrial horses, why can't he call them Bill and Steve or something instead of his kids names. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 Re: Rio's Racing Diary Right dust yourself down & get back on the horse as they say & off to Ripon with Mowgli. I'll swerve the seller that starts & the next four races have two stabs each covered in four lucky 15's so if I can hit the winners it's 3/1 they line up or there would be one or two trebles plus doubles. 3.00 Mowgli's sweet on Lunar Spirit & I can see why but where's she been for three months would be the worry? Mariners Moon hasn't gone on from the win at Beverley in May & the 2nd LTO was beaten 7l's. Moonlight Venture pulls hard & doesn't look obviously ready to step up to this trip. An Chulainn is another that wouldn't seem to want this far & seems a tricky ride. Maggie's Diamond on the other hand should be better upped in distance but unless she's a plot horse the three maiden runs are nowt. Go Sahkee seems to be quite progressive, only 3lb above the win at Windsor at this trip/class & ran well LTO, should go on the ground but any rain wouldn't be a problem. I'll have Go Sahkee & Lunar Spirit here. 3.35 I don't like Kommander Kirkup & I don't think Jamboree girl wants 6f's, Heroique seems best with plenty of juice. Pennine Warrior also would seem better with cut but has been running well in races a bit better than this & he's one pick. The other is Centre Haafhd who would seem to be the other way in wanting it fast. good win at Carlisle off 3lb less two runs back but not so good at Ponty LTO. 4.10 I was going to back Izzthatright in the York nursery on the opening day but he was a non runner so I'll take him as one pick here, up in class a bit but the time of his last win was good & he's come on a ton since moving to Richard Fahey. Dark Reckoning just held Prince Bonnaire over C&D LTO & is actually 2lb better off so ought to beat that one again, should go well but this is a slightly better affair. Adulation looks one of Cheveley Park's lesser lights & I'm not sure a step up to 6f's will suit. Bossy Guest has some fair form but has yet to post a really good time in four starts. Probably the pick of the form is Explosive Lady's 3rd in an Ascot Group 3 LTO & she ought to go well dropped in class a bit & the stable's 2yo's are flying. 4.45 Osteopathic Remedy tries to land this for a fifth time & if it does lag it down he'd have a good chance off the same mark as last year. I'll have to stick with Bartack who's up a fair enough 5lbs for a C&D win nine days ago. The other choice here is Mujazif who ran a good 3rd off this mark in this class at York LTO & should still have a bit more improvement in him. 5.20 Tasmanian is a likely improving sort having run very green at Pony on his sole run. Hanno & Lilly Junior have the best form such as it is but neither of them look very resolute & are passed over. Iftikaar's another that's had plenty of tries both in France & not shown much in two runs since coming here. Crysdal is quite well bred but needs to come on a ton for the debut at Newmarket last month. The interesting one for me is O'Meara's Kiss of Spring who wasn't disgraced on her only run for Charlie Hills at Lingfield in mid February. She's only just landed at the yard & this could be just a "Have a run & see what we've got" mission but at the price & against what looks a modest lot at best she's worth having a little poke at. I would imagine that we will be swerving the delights of the Novice Amateur Riders Handicap that closes out the card. Bets Go Sahkee 4/1 Lunar Spirit 5/2 Pennine Warrior 5/2 Centre Haafhd 5/1 Izzthatright 5/1 Explosive Lady 9/4 Bartack 13/2 Mujazif 11/2 4 x 0.3pt lucky 15's = 18pts staked Split between Stan James, Betvictor & Hills Kiss of Spring 5pts @ 8/1 Skybet, all BOG Rio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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