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Diary: January 28 2012

Cheltenham

12.55 Hollow Tree has done nothing wrong over hurdles and has winning from on varying types of ground. He stays well having won over 1.75 miles on the flat and at the current odds looks a value bet.

1.30 The in form pair of Charminster and Mister Hyde are my two against the field.

2.05 Paul Nicholls has 3 runners in this race and Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride Aerial which is a tip in itself. Aerial was 4^th in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham and has since won at Ascot in a race where the runner up has since franked the form. Aerial will do for me.

2.35 Diamond Harry is a rather fragile sort but there is no doubt that he goes well fresh and he is certainly one for the short list. Time for Rupert has a very good record at Cheltenham and comes here on the back of a confidence boosting win. Captain Chris is rather a short price given doubts about his stamina and I prefer the other two. Time for Rupert is the selection with Diamond Harry next best.

3.10 Knight Pass won a decent handicap at Kempton on Boxing Day and this lightly taced hurdler may be up to this step up in class.

4.15 The lightly raced Hinterland looks interesting on his first run in a handicap and at a bigger price I also like the look of Dare Me who has top class bumper form and ended last season with a couple of wins over hurdles at Exeter.

Doncaster

1.50 Only 3 runners but a case could be made for each of them. Kid Cassidy has bags of talent and I am inclined to take a chance with him.

2.20 Things have not gone according to plan over fences for Jetnova but he could be interesting here back over hurdles.

2.50 Fruity O’Rooney hasn’t gone up in the weights too much after his win at Kempton over Christmas and is of interest as are Wayward Prince who put in an encouraging effort last time out and the Paul Nicholls representative Aiteen Thirtythree. With his trainer in good form at present Wayward Prince just gets the nod.

3.25 Former point to point winner Rocky Creek could be the answer here. Second on his hurdles bow at Exeter this step up in trip should suit.

Uttoxeter

2.10 Molly Round is a big price and has winning form on heavy ground.

Leopardstown selections;

1.10 Darroun; 2.15 Hidden Cyclone; 2.45 Staying Article; 3.20 Stephanie Kate; 3.50 Far Away So Close.

Turf Trivia

Birmingham racecourse closed in 1965. Lester Piggott rode a double on the last day of racing but the very last race was won by Welshman ridden by the late Greville Starkey.

Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

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Diary: January 27 2012

Fontwell Park

3.30 Mirific has claims running for the first time in a handicap.

Huntingdon

2.10 Turbo du Ranch was second at Plumpton last month and gave the impression that this longer trip could bring out further improvement.

3.10 Benny be Good has run well without winning on his last 3 starts. Oscargo is highly rated but unseated when hot favourite at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Rose of the Moon is one to consider at a bigger price. There is not a lot to choose between this trio and there is the temptation to go for the bigger price of Rose of the Moon who sports first time blinkers. I like Benny be Good though who has a taking attitude and he gets the selection.

3.40 It is hard to fancy Somewhatinevitable based purely on form but his trainer thinks a lot of him and he may well be better than his form figures suggest.

Turf Trivia

St Athan’s Lad won 14 races during his career in the 1990s. The first 13 of these came at Fontwell but just to vary things a bit he then won at Newton Abbot!

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

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Diary: January 26 2012

Newcastle

1.45 Vosges

Warwick

1.25 Fire Fighter

2.25 Godsmejudge

2.55 Pacha du Polder

Gowran Park

3.05 The Thyestes Chase is the big race of the day. Start Me Up is one I am quite keen on. He goes on any type of ground and was a good third at Limerick last time over an inadequate trip. Western Charmer has some good form including a second at Punchestown in a Grade 1 in May. He might just be a bit high in the weights though. Rivage D’Or was formerly a consistent hurdler and won over fences at Thurles in October. This looks an open race but I will take a chance on Start Me Up.

From the archives

In recent times the Thyestes Chase has been won by two Grand National winners, Hedgehunter (2004) and Numbersixvalverde (2005).

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Diary: January 25 2012

Hereford

2.00 Destroyer Deployed

2.30 Get it on

Musselburgh

1.40 Mae’s Choice

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Diary: January 24 2012

Just the one selection tomorrow.  Tarn Hows in the Leicester 1.35.

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Diary: January 23 2012

Wetherby

1.15 Gottany O’s and Wayward Glance look the pair to concentrate on in the opener at Wetherby, a 2m 110y juvenile maiden hurdle.

2.45 There is not much to choose between Cucumber Run and Mac Aeda but the latter gets the nod as he is a course and distance winner.

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Diary: January 22 2012

Selections for Sunday

Fairyhouse

1.50 Noble Prince

2.25 Shot from the Hip

4.00 Champagne Fever

Market Rasen

2.30 Global Power and Hildisvini (each way)

3.35 Seigneur des Bois

Towcester

1.30 Volcan Surprise

3.45 Chartreux

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Diary: January 21 2012

Ascot

1.00 Bunclody is having only his second run over fences having won a 3 runner affair at Haydock last month. Both his wins have come on heavy ground but he may well be even more effective on better ground. Lightly raced and difficult for the handicapper to asses he is an interesting runner.

2.05 Kentford Grey Lady goes for the hat trick after wins at Kempton and Exeter.

2.35 A Bridge Too Far is yet to finish out of the first two in 7 runs and his last effort when only beaten a neck at Doncaster last month after a lay off was encouraging. Royal Charm reverts to hurdles after losing his confidence over fences.

3.10 Finian’s Rainbow just got up to beat Wishfull Thinking at Kempton over Christmas. As that was his first run since April he should stand a good chance of confirming the form. Al Ferof represents the winning trainer of this race for the last 3 season’s Paul Nicholls and is very much respected. Finian’s Rainbow should just have the edge though.

3.45 Sa Suffitt has been running well without winning and has an each way chance at around 12/1.

4.20 Black Noddy, Grove Pride and The Pretender all have claims. Grove Pride is a consistent sort and his tariner4 has been in better from lately. He has a strong each way chance.

Haydock

12.40 Cinders and Ashes sets the standard here.

1.10 Milo Milan was a winner at Bangor in November but disappointed last time at Hereford. He is worth another chance here at a big price.

1.45 Desert Cry might be worth a go here in a small field race that could become a tactical affair.

2.20 Reindeer Dippin has form on heavy ground and has run well on his last two starts.

2.55 Real Milan looked a useful prospect when making a successful hurdles debut at Uttoxeter and can go in again.

3.30 Mount Oscar hasn’t been seen since finishing runner up in the Racing Post Chase nearly a year ago. Oscar Gogo has proven form on heavy ground but his stamina has to be taken on trust. The two I like best though are Take the Breeze and According to Pete. Take the Breeze has won 4 times on heavy ground which is a big plus. He has won off a mark of 148 but gets in here off 142 and has a talented 7 lb claimer on board. According to Pete won at Wetherby on Boxing Day despite being 8 lbs out of the handicap. He is a course winner and handles soft ground.

4.05 Glenwood Knight ran well over hurdles at Newcastle last month which hopefulky will act as a confidence booster for his return to fences. He has won on heavy ground.

Wincanton

1.35 Bathwick Brave could be interesting on his handicap bow.

3.55 Sarika has shown a winning attitude in winning twice at Exeter. Although he is out of the handicap he looks progressive as is just preferred to Gurtacrue.

4.25 Josh’s Dreamway has some good bumper form, should like the ground and has an each way chance at around 12/1.

Naas

Willie Mullins saddles the favourite in the first 3 races and all look likely winners. The 2.15 is an intriguing contest. Dylan Ross has prove4d something of a weak finisher and wears first time blinkers. It might be worth taking him on with Distant Memories, a useful flat horse that made a winning hurdles bow at Limerick.

Turf trivia

The most valuable jumping race ever held at Birmingham racecourse was the Tote Investors Chase on 4 November 1958 worth £2,414 12s 6d to the winner.

Picture courtesy of Sarah Clegg.

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Diary: January 20 2012

Catterick

1.35 Quel Elite has been running consistently without winning and this stiffer test of stamina could suit. Realmont has some useful chase form in France and could be the main threat.

2.10 Freddie Brown has the size and scope to make a chaser.

3.50 Doyly Carte is a half sister to the classy Dandino.

Chepstow

1.45 Basford Bob’s jumping has let him down on occasions but at least he has got round on his last two starts. He has won on heavy ground and is a sporting bet here.

2.20 Jump City is 2 lbs “well in” at the weights and is a contender. Charm School gets in off a feather weight but was not always the most reliable when he ran on the flat. A tricky race to weight up!

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Diary: January 19 2012

Taunton

1.20 Dualla Lord could well take this. He is back over hurdle after falling on his last start over fences. He is bound to be a short price coming from the Paul Nicholls yard though. There may be excuses for some of Theatrical Star’s defeats and he could figure at a bigger price.

3.20 Third Intention and Bally Legend are my two against the field.

3.50 Get It On has been in the first two in all his last 4 completed starts.

Thurles

1.35 Follow the Plan won this last season by a neck from Roberto Goldback. He has since won the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown and is useful on a going day. Apt Approach is a real mudlark and comes here on a hat trick. Roberto Goldback has hinted at a return to form on his last two starts and is narrowly preferred to the other pair.

From the archives

The 1.35 at Thurles gets its name from the first ever winner of the race Kinloch Brae. He was then made favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but was a faller. In recent years Native Upmanship completed a hat trick of wins in the race all at odds on favourite. He also won the 2002 Melling Chase at Aintree.

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