Calgary Bay warmed the cockles of this perennial old man’s heart on Saturday, and bagged The Yorkshireman another 12/1 winner for his loyal followers. There are three National Hunt fixtures on Wednesday (1st Feb) and I have spotted something worth backing at all three venues.
Firstly going to Newcastle and a horse I was clued up about from a very good source: the recent recruit for the Donald McCain yard BOURNE. This fellow formerly raced on the flat for Luca Cumani and has shown great promise over obstacles. He won his maiden hurdle in fine style, keeping on well over 2 miles 3 furlongs in the soft ground at Catterick. He disappointed next time out over two miles on better ground in a Class 3 novices hurdle, when never really travelling. The form of his first win has worked out well, with the second horse Into Wain winning two subsequent hurdle races.
We’ve had plenty success following James and Keith Reveley this season and they have a runner at the meeting too, with DANCING ART looking to go better than last time when perhaps an unlucky runner up after just failing by a short head. James takes the leg up this time instead of Richie McGrath. Running here over two and a half miles, this could bring the best out of him and, off bottom weight in the handicap, should go well.
MOSCOW CHANCER runs for the in form Tom George stable at Leicester. The stable are currently operating at a 27% strike rate since the New Year and are clearly going all guns, with both Baby Mix and Ut De Sivola in the reckoning for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Moscow Chancer has gradually improved this season, with his best effort being a creditable third over course and distance 22 days ago. He should come on for the run (he was having his first run for 76 days last time out). The well bred gelding could throw in a good run in a race where he is chucked in on a very workable handicap mark.
Staying at Leicester, BIG EASY hacked up last Saturday, confirming market confidence when beating a good field at Doncaster, including hat-trick seeking Corkage. He runs here with a 7lb penalty but is due to go up 14lb next time. Providing he has eaten up and Saturday’s race has not taken too much out of him, he should be somewhat of a penalty kick under stable deputy Tom O’ Brien.
The final selection runs at Ludlow where our recently tipped up winner for the J P Ferguson yard, MONARCHS WAY, looks to build on a promising hurdling career which has seen him perform with credit in all starts since joining the stable. He won his debut foray into handicaps, getting up late on to win by a neck. Raised 8lb for that, he still ran well next time out, finishing fourth of fifteen runners at Warwick, losing by 3 ½ lengths in what looks on paper like a good race. He is still well handicapped, and jockey Mr J Owen has a good record in these amateur only events.
1.20 Newcastle – Bourne (Nap)
2.50 Newcastle – Dancing Art (Nb)
3.00 Leicester – Moscow Chancer
3.30 Leicester – Big Easy
3.40 Ludlow – Monarchs Way
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner / @JJMSports
Tuesday 31 January 2012
Thursday 26 January 2012
Yorkshire Chase Day at Doncaster and Cheltenham Trials Day 28/1/12
A feast of racing on Saturday showcases Doncaster’s Sky Bet Chase (formerly known as The Great Yorkshire Chase), a highlight of the northern track’s jump racing calendar. Calgary Bay looks to defend his crown in what looks a decent renewal. It is also Trials Day at Cheltenham as preparations for the forthcoming festival move into top gear. Some very good horses on display at the Cotswold track, particular in the Argento Grade 2 Chase.
The Argento Chase is usually a pointer towards the Gold Cup and is run over the same course and distance. Won last year by Neptune Collognes, in a less than vintage renewal, this looks a classier field. Previous Arkle Chase winners Captain Chris and Tidal Bay, previous Hennessy winners Diamond Harry and Carruthers, as well as Cheltenham specialist Midnight Chase are among the likely runners. However another Cheltenham specialist with good claims is TIME FOR RUPERT, who can build on what promised to be such a strong novice career.
A disappointing favourite in last years RSA Chase, the eight year old finished second this term in the Charlie Hall Chase, before a solid fifth in the Betfair Chase. He dropped in grade to win a solid Graduation Chase at Newbury, and that confidence booster can do him the world of good as he returns to his favourite track.
Another Cheltenham specialist is POQUELIN, trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by the Stewart family. The multiple Prestbury Park winner carries top weight in the 2.05 but looks to hold solid claims, despite a disappointing season thus far. He has the class plus the course and distance experience to slam his rivals here, on his way to a likely run in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival.
The James and Keith Reveley team usually do well at Doncaster and the father and son combo have three strong each way chances at Doncaster. The mare CUE TO CUE was the nap in midweek, but has been saved for this race (the 2.20), and she has solid claims. There are some tough rivals in Alasi and Lifestyle, but both have flaws, with Alasi unseating last time out and the Nicky Henderson trained Lifestyle running over a shorter trip.
The other Reveley eye-catchers are CORKAGE and KINGS GREY who seeks to bounce back after consecutive seconds, often in unfortunate circumstances. His last run at Catterick was a muddling affair, and he came up short, when given a poor ride, seemingly with bundles in hand, going down by a short head. The race at Doncaster looks tough, but could cut up and, with jumping doubts about leading fancies. Corkage was successfully napped last Wednesday, and won at a canter, suggesting he still has plenty left in the tank, and should be able to defy his new mark, despite hurdling instead of chasing on this occasion.
The Skybet Chase looks a terrific race in prospect and CALGARY BAY could take all the beating for the in-form Henrietta Knight stable. The versatile nine year old looked back to his best when winning a competitive three mile handicap on New Years Day at Cheltenham, showing the class that he has always promised. He is 2lb well in as a result of that and, given his performance in winning this last year, he should go close.
His main threat will come from the recent course and distance winner QIANSHAN LEADER, who won a tricky handicap here in the mud, back in December. The Emma Lavelle horse thrived in the tougher conditions, and if the heavens open, it could further improve his chances seeking the hatrick under stable jockey Jack Doyle. It’s worth backing both in this open-looking contest.
2.05 Cheltenham - Poquelin
2.35 Cheltenham - Time for Rupert (Nap)
1.15 Doncaster – Cue to Cue (Ew)
2.20 Doncaster – Corkage (Nb)
2.50 Doncaster – Calgary Bay (Ew) & Qianshan Leader (Ew)
3.55 Doncaster – Kings Grey
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner @JJMSports
The Argento Chase is usually a pointer towards the Gold Cup and is run over the same course and distance. Won last year by Neptune Collognes, in a less than vintage renewal, this looks a classier field. Previous Arkle Chase winners Captain Chris and Tidal Bay, previous Hennessy winners Diamond Harry and Carruthers, as well as Cheltenham specialist Midnight Chase are among the likely runners. However another Cheltenham specialist with good claims is TIME FOR RUPERT, who can build on what promised to be such a strong novice career.
A disappointing favourite in last years RSA Chase, the eight year old finished second this term in the Charlie Hall Chase, before a solid fifth in the Betfair Chase. He dropped in grade to win a solid Graduation Chase at Newbury, and that confidence booster can do him the world of good as he returns to his favourite track.
Another Cheltenham specialist is POQUELIN, trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by the Stewart family. The multiple Prestbury Park winner carries top weight in the 2.05 but looks to hold solid claims, despite a disappointing season thus far. He has the class plus the course and distance experience to slam his rivals here, on his way to a likely run in the Ryanair Chase at the Festival.
The James and Keith Reveley team usually do well at Doncaster and the father and son combo have three strong each way chances at Doncaster. The mare CUE TO CUE was the nap in midweek, but has been saved for this race (the 2.20), and she has solid claims. There are some tough rivals in Alasi and Lifestyle, but both have flaws, with Alasi unseating last time out and the Nicky Henderson trained Lifestyle running over a shorter trip.
The other Reveley eye-catchers are CORKAGE and KINGS GREY who seeks to bounce back after consecutive seconds, often in unfortunate circumstances. His last run at Catterick was a muddling affair, and he came up short, when given a poor ride, seemingly with bundles in hand, going down by a short head. The race at Doncaster looks tough, but could cut up and, with jumping doubts about leading fancies. Corkage was successfully napped last Wednesday, and won at a canter, suggesting he still has plenty left in the tank, and should be able to defy his new mark, despite hurdling instead of chasing on this occasion.
The Skybet Chase looks a terrific race in prospect and CALGARY BAY could take all the beating for the in-form Henrietta Knight stable. The versatile nine year old looked back to his best when winning a competitive three mile handicap on New Years Day at Cheltenham, showing the class that he has always promised. He is 2lb well in as a result of that and, given his performance in winning this last year, he should go close.
His main threat will come from the recent course and distance winner QIANSHAN LEADER, who won a tricky handicap here in the mud, back in December. The Emma Lavelle horse thrived in the tougher conditions, and if the heavens open, it could further improve his chances seeking the hatrick under stable jockey Jack Doyle. It’s worth backing both in this open-looking contest.
2.05 Cheltenham - Poquelin
2.35 Cheltenham - Time for Rupert (Nap)
1.15 Doncaster – Cue to Cue (Ew)
2.20 Doncaster – Corkage (Nb)
2.50 Doncaster – Calgary Bay (Ew) & Qianshan Leader (Ew)
3.55 Doncaster – Kings Grey
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner @JJMSports
Monday 23 January 2012
Midweek Talking Turf - Wednesday January 25th 2012
A mix of racing on Wednesday, with jump racing at Hereford and Musselburgh and, whilst there may be no Cheltenham hopefuls on display, there are still some competitive affairs. The same can be said about Lingfield and Kempton on the all weather.
Musselburgh looks to offer the best chances of profit, with the in form team of Keith and James Reveley providing CUE TO CUE in the 1.40, a mares novices hurdle race. The well bred daughter of King’s Theatre looked to have a bright future when winning a novices hurdle at the first time of asking, winning by 4 lengths. She then turned up in a Class 2 novices hurdle at Newcastle, finishing a respectable third in a competitive field. The form has been franked by South Leinster and Kings Canyon who have won since.
TEARS FROM HEAVEN looks an interesting sort, getting in at the bottom of the weights in the 2.10, a conditional jockeys handicap chase. Henry Brooke, who won this race last year on Aghill, takes the ride. The gelding has improved with each run this season, capitalising on being dropped 8lb by the handicapper, and finished a good second last time out. Although still a maiden, he looks to be lightly treated and could have a good each way chance.
The Henrietta Knight yard have been in better form recently with big race winners Calgary Bay and Somersby and they could have another winner on Wednesday with SILVER ROQUE. Stable jockey Dominic Elsworth is on board the gelding, who has yet to finish outside the first three this season. Dropping back to two miles last time out at Folkestone seemed to be the trick with the gelding as he comfortably beat an odds-on Phillip Hobbs hotpot. He looks to be well treated back in handicaps, and should go close.
Moving across onto the polytack at Lingfield Park, NORTHERN SPY looks to be a very well treated horse in the 2.50. Still a maiden on the all weather, the gelding owned and trained by Simon Dow looks to be an unexposed sort in a race with much tried veterans. With only two runs since returning from a 180 day absence last month, Northern Spy has shown quite a bit of promise. His second to Archie Rice at Wolverhampton looks to be a decent piece of form with Aviso and Archie Rice both winning from that race and the third, fourth and fifth placing in their next start also. He’ll benefit from the not inconsiderable assistance of Hayley Turner.
RAGDA looks like a horse with masses of potential for the shrewd Marco Botti yard, a stable synonymous with horses springing into handicaps with poor maiden form and can repeat that pattern again here. The well bred Invincible Spirit filly looks to have a very fair mark of 52. The race itself looks weak, with the only form horse being recent winner Daniel Thomas who will more than likely give another good account of himself at a short price.
13.40 Cue to Cue (Nap)
14.10 Tales from Heaven (Ew)
14.30 Silver Roque (Nb)
14.50 Northern Spy (Ew)
17.40 Ragda (Ew)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner @JJMSports
Musselburgh looks to offer the best chances of profit, with the in form team of Keith and James Reveley providing CUE TO CUE in the 1.40, a mares novices hurdle race. The well bred daughter of King’s Theatre looked to have a bright future when winning a novices hurdle at the first time of asking, winning by 4 lengths. She then turned up in a Class 2 novices hurdle at Newcastle, finishing a respectable third in a competitive field. The form has been franked by South Leinster and Kings Canyon who have won since.
TEARS FROM HEAVEN looks an interesting sort, getting in at the bottom of the weights in the 2.10, a conditional jockeys handicap chase. Henry Brooke, who won this race last year on Aghill, takes the ride. The gelding has improved with each run this season, capitalising on being dropped 8lb by the handicapper, and finished a good second last time out. Although still a maiden, he looks to be lightly treated and could have a good each way chance.
The Henrietta Knight yard have been in better form recently with big race winners Calgary Bay and Somersby and they could have another winner on Wednesday with SILVER ROQUE. Stable jockey Dominic Elsworth is on board the gelding, who has yet to finish outside the first three this season. Dropping back to two miles last time out at Folkestone seemed to be the trick with the gelding as he comfortably beat an odds-on Phillip Hobbs hotpot. He looks to be well treated back in handicaps, and should go close.
Moving across onto the polytack at Lingfield Park, NORTHERN SPY looks to be a very well treated horse in the 2.50. Still a maiden on the all weather, the gelding owned and trained by Simon Dow looks to be an unexposed sort in a race with much tried veterans. With only two runs since returning from a 180 day absence last month, Northern Spy has shown quite a bit of promise. His second to Archie Rice at Wolverhampton looks to be a decent piece of form with Aviso and Archie Rice both winning from that race and the third, fourth and fifth placing in their next start also. He’ll benefit from the not inconsiderable assistance of Hayley Turner.
RAGDA looks like a horse with masses of potential for the shrewd Marco Botti yard, a stable synonymous with horses springing into handicaps with poor maiden form and can repeat that pattern again here. The well bred Invincible Spirit filly looks to have a very fair mark of 52. The race itself looks weak, with the only form horse being recent winner Daniel Thomas who will more than likely give another good account of himself at a short price.
13.40 Cue to Cue (Nap)
14.10 Tales from Heaven (Ew)
14.30 Silver Roque (Nb)
14.50 Northern Spy (Ew)
17.40 Ragda (Ew)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner @JJMSports
Friday 20 January 2012
Victor Chandler Chase Day at Ascot - Saturday 21st January
Terrific racing on Saturday with the fixed brush hurdles again being deployed at Haydock and a bumper card at Ascot, where the highlight is the Grade 1 Victor Chandler Ascot Chase. The Amlin has been won in recent years by Paul Nicholls’ horses Twist Magic and Master Minded. He has last year’s Supreme Novices winner Al Ferof at his disposal but there are others with arguably stronger chances.
The Nick Williams yard had the winner of last week’s top race, the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton, with Swincombe Flame getting up late on. The stable have two very good chances at Ascot with ZAYNAR and ROYALES CHARTER. Firstly we’ll look at Zaynar, who has a good record round Ascot, with three wins and a good fourth from his runs there. He looked back to his best when blitzing the field last time out in a Grade 2 Novices Chase here. The form has taken a massive boost with the third that day, Frascati Park, since winning a strong novices chase at Warwick while Kumbeshwar, runner up on that occasion, has since won and finished second behind Menorah in two further starts. The yard is in terrific form and, given the fact The Nightingale will post 11-10lb top weight and keep the weights down for the field, he has to have a terrific chance.
Royales Charter is another gutsy, game type, who has been unlucky in running into some good horses in novice chases this season. Since returning this term, the gelding has run four times, winning a handicap hurdle before switching to the larger obstacles. In his novice chases, he has ran into Kumbeshwar, Menorah, and Molotof, all of which have won again in good company. He could be very well in at the weights, running to a mark of 124. On a form line through Kumbeshwar and Menorah, he could have upwards of 10lb in hands on official ratings, and could be a very backable price on Saturday.
The best bet on Saturday, in my opinion, is FINIAN'S RAINBOW for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty. He should be too good for the rest of them in this less than vintage renewal of the Ascot Chase. Somersby, Gauvain, Oiseau De Nuit all want further trips, Forpaddydeplasterer hasn't won for over three years, and Al Ferof is still a novice, only running twice over fences. Finian's Rainbow has always been held in the highest regard by the stable. At Cheltenham he travelled well throughout but just failed to get up the hill, beaten by the staying on Captain Chris. He made amends at Aintree, and although made a bad mistake in his return at Kempton in the Desert Orchid Chase, still managed to get up, beating two of his rivals with relative ease under a terrific ride from Barry Geraghty. He should come on for that run and should be at home around Ascot. Anything above even money would be a steal.
Barry also rides Our Girl Sally, who he gave a terrific ride last time out when the mare outstayed her rivals in a Grade 3 Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. Barry retains the ride and is currently operating a strike rate of 33% this season at Ascot. Nobody rides the place better, bar a certain Timmy Murphy. She has improved steadily, previously running well behind subsequent winner Mikael D'Hagunet, and the form from her previous runs in Ireland looks good. The race may cut up and she may not have the strongest of fields to contend with. Emma Lavelle’s Kentford Grey Lady could be the biggest danger.
1.00 Ascot - Royales Charter
2.05 Ascot - Our Girl Sally
3.10 Ascot - Finian's Rainbow (Nap)
3.45 Ascot - Zaynar (Nb)
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner @JJMSports
The Nick Williams yard had the winner of last week’s top race, the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton, with Swincombe Flame getting up late on. The stable have two very good chances at Ascot with ZAYNAR and ROYALES CHARTER. Firstly we’ll look at Zaynar, who has a good record round Ascot, with three wins and a good fourth from his runs there. He looked back to his best when blitzing the field last time out in a Grade 2 Novices Chase here. The form has taken a massive boost with the third that day, Frascati Park, since winning a strong novices chase at Warwick while Kumbeshwar, runner up on that occasion, has since won and finished second behind Menorah in two further starts. The yard is in terrific form and, given the fact The Nightingale will post 11-10lb top weight and keep the weights down for the field, he has to have a terrific chance.
Royales Charter is another gutsy, game type, who has been unlucky in running into some good horses in novice chases this season. Since returning this term, the gelding has run four times, winning a handicap hurdle before switching to the larger obstacles. In his novice chases, he has ran into Kumbeshwar, Menorah, and Molotof, all of which have won again in good company. He could be very well in at the weights, running to a mark of 124. On a form line through Kumbeshwar and Menorah, he could have upwards of 10lb in hands on official ratings, and could be a very backable price on Saturday.
The best bet on Saturday, in my opinion, is FINIAN'S RAINBOW for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty. He should be too good for the rest of them in this less than vintage renewal of the Ascot Chase. Somersby, Gauvain, Oiseau De Nuit all want further trips, Forpaddydeplasterer hasn't won for over three years, and Al Ferof is still a novice, only running twice over fences. Finian's Rainbow has always been held in the highest regard by the stable. At Cheltenham he travelled well throughout but just failed to get up the hill, beaten by the staying on Captain Chris. He made amends at Aintree, and although made a bad mistake in his return at Kempton in the Desert Orchid Chase, still managed to get up, beating two of his rivals with relative ease under a terrific ride from Barry Geraghty. He should come on for that run and should be at home around Ascot. Anything above even money would be a steal.
Barry also rides Our Girl Sally, who he gave a terrific ride last time out when the mare outstayed her rivals in a Grade 3 Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. Barry retains the ride and is currently operating a strike rate of 33% this season at Ascot. Nobody rides the place better, bar a certain Timmy Murphy. She has improved steadily, previously running well behind subsequent winner Mikael D'Hagunet, and the form from her previous runs in Ireland looks good. The race may cut up and she may not have the strongest of fields to contend with. Emma Lavelle’s Kentford Grey Lady could be the biggest danger.
1.00 Ascot - Royales Charter
2.05 Ascot - Our Girl Sally
3.10 Ascot - Finian's Rainbow (Nap)
3.45 Ascot - Zaynar (Nb)
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner @JJMSports
Sunday 15 January 2012
A Family affair for the Reveley's at Southwell on Wednesday
A Family affair for the Reveley's at Southwell Wednesday
The weekend has thrown up a host of more questions, as opposed to answers. Swincombe Flame successfully taking the money in the William Hill Lanzariore Hurdle, under a terrific ride from young Will Kennedy, only to be tarnished with a 7 day ban for excessive use of the whip from the stewards under the shambolich new penalty system. Horses of note that come out well this weekend are Cotton Mill, Menorah, Saddlers Risk and others also laid down further credentials for their possible future dates at the Cheltenham Festival.
It has been another terrific week for the column's most promising young jockey JAMES REVELEY, who made a fine comeback from a potentially serioous concussion on Boxing Day with two winners on his first two runners back, completing a 70/1 double at Doncaster on Wednesday. He is back up north again Wednesday, with a terrific book of rides for his old man, and I think every single one of them has to be considered as having a good chance. In the last 12 months James has a 36% strike rate at Southwell, and in his last 11 rides there, has had 4 winners and a further 4 places.
Going through his rides, there are some with stronger claims than others, with an interesting one being SAMBELUCKY in the first. He has been in good form throughout the winter since winning a decent Catterick handicap, with the form coming out of the race working really well. He followed that up by a third, then a second at Huntingdon Friday, behind a seemingly well handicapped horse.
The best bet of the day looks certainly to be CORKAGE, who made amends for falling when seemingly having the race at his mercy at Catterick two starts ago, but duly obliged on James' first ride since injury at Doncaster in grand fashion. He travelled exceptionally well, and given the manner of his eight length victory, turned out under a 6lb penalty, he should be well ahead of the handicapper, to duly oblige for connections.
SAM D'OC was pulled up last time out after struggling with his jumping, when running in the same race as Sambelucky, when he finished third, and as such, is tried over hurdles here in the 1.45. The horse looked scared of the larger obstacles, and the move to hurdling could sparkle some old magic in the maiden, and could be a large price and a sleeper in the market.
NIGHT IN MILAN is another consistent sort who has been knocking on the door, with an unlucky second at Sedgfield, followed up by a rather laboured fourth at Market Rasen, when struggling with a 5lb hike from the handicapper. The well bred son of Milan carries the famous colours of Mr Richard Collins, and those have been seen to great effect this year, the white silks, with a blue V and a pink hat. The trainer/owner combo has placed in 45% of all stats, a comforting stat, and will be hoping to build on only one win in the last six weeks.
OAKSLANDS ELISE runs in the last, a National Hunt Flat race, and on paper, looks a very interesting prospect. Bred out of a multiple winning mare, and comes from a successful family, including two half brothers who have both won bumpers in the last 18 months. The stable are usually quite good at getting them ready first time out, with a 27% strike rate showing a +£7 profit to a £1 stake backing them in NHF races,
12.40 Southwell - Sambelucky (Nb)
13.10 Southwell - Corkage (Nap)
13.45 Southwell - Sam D'oc
14.50 Southwell - Night in Milan
15.55 Southwell - Oaklands Elise
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner @JJMSports
The weekend has thrown up a host of more questions, as opposed to answers. Swincombe Flame successfully taking the money in the William Hill Lanzariore Hurdle, under a terrific ride from young Will Kennedy, only to be tarnished with a 7 day ban for excessive use of the whip from the stewards under the shambolich new penalty system. Horses of note that come out well this weekend are Cotton Mill, Menorah, Saddlers Risk and others also laid down further credentials for their possible future dates at the Cheltenham Festival.
It has been another terrific week for the column's most promising young jockey JAMES REVELEY, who made a fine comeback from a potentially serioous concussion on Boxing Day with two winners on his first two runners back, completing a 70/1 double at Doncaster on Wednesday. He is back up north again Wednesday, with a terrific book of rides for his old man, and I think every single one of them has to be considered as having a good chance. In the last 12 months James has a 36% strike rate at Southwell, and in his last 11 rides there, has had 4 winners and a further 4 places.
Going through his rides, there are some with stronger claims than others, with an interesting one being SAMBELUCKY in the first. He has been in good form throughout the winter since winning a decent Catterick handicap, with the form coming out of the race working really well. He followed that up by a third, then a second at Huntingdon Friday, behind a seemingly well handicapped horse.
The best bet of the day looks certainly to be CORKAGE, who made amends for falling when seemingly having the race at his mercy at Catterick two starts ago, but duly obliged on James' first ride since injury at Doncaster in grand fashion. He travelled exceptionally well, and given the manner of his eight length victory, turned out under a 6lb penalty, he should be well ahead of the handicapper, to duly oblige for connections.
SAM D'OC was pulled up last time out after struggling with his jumping, when running in the same race as Sambelucky, when he finished third, and as such, is tried over hurdles here in the 1.45. The horse looked scared of the larger obstacles, and the move to hurdling could sparkle some old magic in the maiden, and could be a large price and a sleeper in the market.
NIGHT IN MILAN is another consistent sort who has been knocking on the door, with an unlucky second at Sedgfield, followed up by a rather laboured fourth at Market Rasen, when struggling with a 5lb hike from the handicapper. The well bred son of Milan carries the famous colours of Mr Richard Collins, and those have been seen to great effect this year, the white silks, with a blue V and a pink hat. The trainer/owner combo has placed in 45% of all stats, a comforting stat, and will be hoping to build on only one win in the last six weeks.
OAKSLANDS ELISE runs in the last, a National Hunt Flat race, and on paper, looks a very interesting prospect. Bred out of a multiple winning mare, and comes from a successful family, including two half brothers who have both won bumpers in the last 18 months. The stable are usually quite good at getting them ready first time out, with a 27% strike rate showing a +£7 profit to a £1 stake backing them in NHF races,
12.40 Southwell - Sambelucky (Nb)
13.10 Southwell - Corkage (Nap)
13.45 Southwell - Sam D'oc
14.50 Southwell - Night in Milan
15.55 Southwell - Oaklands Elise
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner @JJMSports
Tuesday 10 January 2012
Weekend Tipping at Kempton Park and Warwick - Saturday 14th January 2012
A terrific weekend of National Hunt sport once more, with Kempton putting on a fantastic card filled with variety and their highlight being the William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle. Warwick also have one of their strongest cards of the year, with the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle (Grade 2) being their showpiece, with the race being seen as a stepping stone to one of the novice races at the Cheltenham Festival.
A horse whom I have followed her progress for the last couple of months now is SWINCOMBE FLAME for the Nick Williams yard, who has had some very good success since switching hurdling. After winning two bumpers, one of which was a listed race at Sandown. Two wins and a second in three starts over hurdles, the mare has a lot of class about her, and got a good ride last time out under Will Kennedy, who retains the ride here once more. She is stepped up in trip to 2 miles 5 furlongs, over a was tipped up distance where she has the potential to thrive. The mare looks to be well treated, and the same connections won this race last year as well, so know what it takes to win a race of this calibre.
Emma Lavelle has treated followers of the column well in the last couple of months, and she has two more fancies, both running at Warwick. The first of note is HIGHLAND LODGE, who was tipped up last time out in a Haydock Novice Hurdle, and won in convincing manner, beating two subsequent winners, with some nice form in the book. The gelding now has two wins from two starts after winning a point to point in Ireland last spring. The well bred son of Flemensfirth has a tough race at this hands here, but given the manner of his previous victories, he could be very special. Cotton Mill and Barbatos look to be the most dangerous challenger of the field, in what looks like a relatively strong renewal.
Her other leading fancy comes in the last race on the card, the bumper, where LE BEC looks a very intruiging prospect. The yard has a 13% strike rate in NHF races, however a +£12.00 profit to a £1 stake, looks a fair better statistic for a yard who often slip under the radar, which bodes well in terms of value. At Warwick in bumpers, the yard is 1-2-5 from Warwick bumpers, and with no serious entries from suitors Nicholls, Henderson and Hobbs, he should give a good account of himself.
MONARCHS WAY was successfully tipped up last time out, and battled well when seemingly struggling with the Taunton undulations, as well as getting hampered three furlongs out. His neck winning margin means he is very well treated on his second run in handicap company. The form hasn't worked too well, but this beautifully bred gelding will surely have more to come for a training outfit going places, and with stable jockey Jack Quinlan having a tremendous record with 14 wins from 33 starts for the stable, and an impressive £30.98 profit to a £1 level stake.
EDUCATED EVANS looks to have the ability of a staying chaser in the making, with two terrific wins in good company at Newbury and an even more impressive win at Chepstow, being punted off the boards, before routing a field of eight runners by twenty two lengths on good ground in the stick South Wales track. The handicapper has raised him accordingly, but that might not be enough, and given how well the form has worked out, he should have a good chance with the third, fourth and fifth all coming out and winning, and the second and sixth finishing second, absolutely franked.
12.50 Warwick - Monarchs Way
14.00 Warwick - Educated Evans
15.05 Warwick - Highland Lodge
16.10 Warwick - Le Bec
15.20 Kemtpon - Swincombe Flame
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
A horse whom I have followed her progress for the last couple of months now is SWINCOMBE FLAME for the Nick Williams yard, who has had some very good success since switching hurdling. After winning two bumpers, one of which was a listed race at Sandown. Two wins and a second in three starts over hurdles, the mare has a lot of class about her, and got a good ride last time out under Will Kennedy, who retains the ride here once more. She is stepped up in trip to 2 miles 5 furlongs, over a was tipped up distance where she has the potential to thrive. The mare looks to be well treated, and the same connections won this race last year as well, so know what it takes to win a race of this calibre.
Emma Lavelle has treated followers of the column well in the last couple of months, and she has two more fancies, both running at Warwick. The first of note is HIGHLAND LODGE, who was tipped up last time out in a Haydock Novice Hurdle, and won in convincing manner, beating two subsequent winners, with some nice form in the book. The gelding now has two wins from two starts after winning a point to point in Ireland last spring. The well bred son of Flemensfirth has a tough race at this hands here, but given the manner of his previous victories, he could be very special. Cotton Mill and Barbatos look to be the most dangerous challenger of the field, in what looks like a relatively strong renewal.
Her other leading fancy comes in the last race on the card, the bumper, where LE BEC looks a very intruiging prospect. The yard has a 13% strike rate in NHF races, however a +£12.00 profit to a £1 stake, looks a fair better statistic for a yard who often slip under the radar, which bodes well in terms of value. At Warwick in bumpers, the yard is 1-2-5 from Warwick bumpers, and with no serious entries from suitors Nicholls, Henderson and Hobbs, he should give a good account of himself.
MONARCHS WAY was successfully tipped up last time out, and battled well when seemingly struggling with the Taunton undulations, as well as getting hampered three furlongs out. His neck winning margin means he is very well treated on his second run in handicap company. The form hasn't worked too well, but this beautifully bred gelding will surely have more to come for a training outfit going places, and with stable jockey Jack Quinlan having a tremendous record with 14 wins from 33 starts for the stable, and an impressive £30.98 profit to a £1 level stake.
EDUCATED EVANS looks to have the ability of a staying chaser in the making, with two terrific wins in good company at Newbury and an even more impressive win at Chepstow, being punted off the boards, before routing a field of eight runners by twenty two lengths on good ground in the stick South Wales track. The handicapper has raised him accordingly, but that might not be enough, and given how well the form has worked out, he should have a good chance with the third, fourth and fifth all coming out and winning, and the second and sixth finishing second, absolutely franked.
12.50 Warwick - Monarchs Way
14.00 Warwick - Educated Evans
15.05 Warwick - Highland Lodge
16.10 Warwick - Le Bec
15.20 Kemtpon - Swincombe Flame
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
Friday 6 January 2012
Wells Looks A Great Prospect At Sandown
Return to tipping on National Hunt Racing Saturday, with cards at Newcastle, Wincanton and a good card at Sandown Park, with those famous ‘railway’ fences posing an extra challenge to those hardened handicap chasers.
One of the highlights on that Sandown card is the Tolworth Hurdle, a Grade 1 novice hurdle, where Paul Nicholls has the expected favourite PROSPECT WELLS, who looks to be one of the leading novices in the country. He built on his Supreme Novice credentials when unluckily defeated by ante post favourite Steps to Freedom at Cheltenham's Open Meeting, getting collared late on that occasion. He has since won a novice hurdle and then finished a solid fourth in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot, a race where the form is working out well. There are other big, powerful stables represented such as Henderson, Pipe and Hobbs, which should make the race interesting. However, it should be another big Saturday prize for the Walsh/Nicholls team.
The feature race at Sandown is the 32Red.com handicap. This good prize has attracted some decent horses such as Exmoor Ranger, The Knox's and Master of the Hall. I’ll be taking a chance with WYMOTT. He was punted of the boards, before labouring and pulling up, seemingly not suited by the heavy going at Newcastle recently. The ground at Sandown should be more suitable and I am still of the firm view that he is well handicapped.
Graham Lee rarely goes a meeting at Newcastle without going home with a winner, and he has a good book of rides on Saturday, with his best chance possibly being QUETZAL. He won a good race over course and distance last month, given a good ride by James Reveley and coasting home by five lengths. The gelding stayed very well that day and, given the likelihood of softer ground, he should stay the trip well.
Lee also rides MIGHTY MAGNUS and although he is still a maiden after seventeen attempts he could be worth taking a chance on. He seems to get on well with James Reveley, who has built up a good understanding with the horse and appears to get the best from him. His best runs have come on good to soft so Saturday’s ground might not inconvenience him unduly. The form of his last run has been franked too with Whatshallwedo and Strathaird both winning since finishing ahead of him last time out.
A jockey I have been really impressed with is Lucy Alexander, who looks extremely good value for her claim. She has ridden PAPMOA on his last two starts and he has shown dramatic progress. The form of his last four runs have been 3342 with the last two being in handicap company. The grey has been very patiently brought along by connections and his second behind Dusky Bob last time out was gutsy. He stayed on well on that occasion when challenging in the home straight, so the step up in trip may bring more improvement out of the seven year old.
13.25 Newcastle - Quetzal
14.25 Newcastle - Papamoa
15.00 Newcastle - Mighty Magnus
14.35 Sandown - Prospect Wells (Nap)
15.10 Sandown - Wymott
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
One of the highlights on that Sandown card is the Tolworth Hurdle, a Grade 1 novice hurdle, where Paul Nicholls has the expected favourite PROSPECT WELLS, who looks to be one of the leading novices in the country. He built on his Supreme Novice credentials when unluckily defeated by ante post favourite Steps to Freedom at Cheltenham's Open Meeting, getting collared late on that occasion. He has since won a novice hurdle and then finished a solid fourth in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle at Ascot, a race where the form is working out well. There are other big, powerful stables represented such as Henderson, Pipe and Hobbs, which should make the race interesting. However, it should be another big Saturday prize for the Walsh/Nicholls team.
The feature race at Sandown is the 32Red.com handicap. This good prize has attracted some decent horses such as Exmoor Ranger, The Knox's and Master of the Hall. I’ll be taking a chance with WYMOTT. He was punted of the boards, before labouring and pulling up, seemingly not suited by the heavy going at Newcastle recently. The ground at Sandown should be more suitable and I am still of the firm view that he is well handicapped.
Graham Lee rarely goes a meeting at Newcastle without going home with a winner, and he has a good book of rides on Saturday, with his best chance possibly being QUETZAL. He won a good race over course and distance last month, given a good ride by James Reveley and coasting home by five lengths. The gelding stayed very well that day and, given the likelihood of softer ground, he should stay the trip well.
Lee also rides MIGHTY MAGNUS and although he is still a maiden after seventeen attempts he could be worth taking a chance on. He seems to get on well with James Reveley, who has built up a good understanding with the horse and appears to get the best from him. His best runs have come on good to soft so Saturday’s ground might not inconvenience him unduly. The form of his last run has been franked too with Whatshallwedo and Strathaird both winning since finishing ahead of him last time out.
A jockey I have been really impressed with is Lucy Alexander, who looks extremely good value for her claim. She has ridden PAPMOA on his last two starts and he has shown dramatic progress. The form of his last four runs have been 3342 with the last two being in handicap company. The grey has been very patiently brought along by connections and his second behind Dusky Bob last time out was gutsy. He stayed on well on that occasion when challenging in the home straight, so the step up in trip may bring more improvement out of the seven year old.
13.25 Newcastle - Quetzal
14.25 Newcastle - Papamoa
15.00 Newcastle - Mighty Magnus
14.35 Sandown - Prospect Wells (Nap)
15.10 Sandown - Wymott
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
Thursday 5 January 2012
Prospects Blog - January 2012
Well, ladies and gentlemen, another year down, that takes this blog into the third year, a phenomenal achievment for an emotionally crippled, financially irresponsible, temperemental Yorkshireman. The fact that I am even able to write down these perverted thoughts, scribbled down for blank anonymous students and the world to view, judge and chuckle over, doesn't come close to describing the sick human being I even are.
Anyway, monolouges aside, 2011, the year in review could be a long article and a long reflection, so I shall attempt to cut to the chase, and give a brief synopsis of the life of a twenty four year old dreamer, with twenty four carrot ambitions. At the start of the year I was a cashier with Coral, in a job I enjoyed, but with little success, and lofty aspirations to one day, in approx 22 years time, be running the company. I had begun contribruting to The Racing Forum, however with little experience, I didn't really know what to expect. Successful five a side team, that had recently imploded, similar things with the cricket team, and the rugby and darts both more or less written off. Employment wise, I was at an early stage of a new chapter, and had no real plans with regards to an overhaul and search of entering the real world as such. I was content in the new job, as I had done the role part time with university, and had thoroughly enjoyed, so was going to have a real good crack at it, so to speak. Hence, there was no imminent plan to seek a real job, with a graduate scheme, and real weekends, and actual bank holidays off. The little things eh?
So a year on, lets see eh? Well, moving on from being a cashier, a steady transition, floating between assistant and deputy manager, depending on superiors and conditions at the time. The takeover of the company seems an even bigger distance away from the original lofty dreams of a one man dictatorship, creating the largest, most superior and forward thinking betting shop chain in the world, combining traditional punting with new age exchanges, but alas. By 2013, I very much doubt I will be with the company, due to the constant politics and hearsay, which is seemingly shocking for a small chain of betting shops in a confined area. The football team has imploded, the family is near an implosion. I appeared on Cricket AM on Sky Sports in London, and as luck would have it, it jinxed us and we lost in the semi finals of the cup the week after. Captain of The Black Bull darts team, however we are bottom of the league, and my boy Gary Anderson went out of the quarter finals of the World Championships.
So eventful, so much drama, embarassment, highs and lows. To being a big shot at York races, to the crushing tedium of work, to writing successful tipping columns, to captaining a darts team bottom of the league, and the employment suicide that I commit on a seemingly basis. Hope you were all entertained, and raise a glass to another year,
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
Anyway, monolouges aside, 2011, the year in review could be a long article and a long reflection, so I shall attempt to cut to the chase, and give a brief synopsis of the life of a twenty four year old dreamer, with twenty four carrot ambitions. At the start of the year I was a cashier with Coral, in a job I enjoyed, but with little success, and lofty aspirations to one day, in approx 22 years time, be running the company. I had begun contribruting to The Racing Forum, however with little experience, I didn't really know what to expect. Successful five a side team, that had recently imploded, similar things with the cricket team, and the rugby and darts both more or less written off. Employment wise, I was at an early stage of a new chapter, and had no real plans with regards to an overhaul and search of entering the real world as such. I was content in the new job, as I had done the role part time with university, and had thoroughly enjoyed, so was going to have a real good crack at it, so to speak. Hence, there was no imminent plan to seek a real job, with a graduate scheme, and real weekends, and actual bank holidays off. The little things eh?
So a year on, lets see eh? Well, moving on from being a cashier, a steady transition, floating between assistant and deputy manager, depending on superiors and conditions at the time. The takeover of the company seems an even bigger distance away from the original lofty dreams of a one man dictatorship, creating the largest, most superior and forward thinking betting shop chain in the world, combining traditional punting with new age exchanges, but alas. By 2013, I very much doubt I will be with the company, due to the constant politics and hearsay, which is seemingly shocking for a small chain of betting shops in a confined area. The football team has imploded, the family is near an implosion. I appeared on Cricket AM on Sky Sports in London, and as luck would have it, it jinxed us and we lost in the semi finals of the cup the week after. Captain of The Black Bull darts team, however we are bottom of the league, and my boy Gary Anderson went out of the quarter finals of the World Championships.
So eventful, so much drama, embarassment, highs and lows. To being a big shot at York races, to the crushing tedium of work, to writing successful tipping columns, to captaining a darts team bottom of the league, and the employment suicide that I commit on a seemingly basis. Hope you were all entertained, and raise a glass to another year,
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
Tuesday 3 January 2012
Midweek All Weather Tipping at Lingfield and Kempton - January 4th 2012
An absolutely spectacular day Saturday, with the loyal followers making a few quid, just in time to celebrate the New Year in style, with four winners, a second and a third from six selections, including the Nap; Mush Mir, and the next best; Cue Card, both winning, at odds of 3/1 and 5/2 respectively. Nothing of that calibre in the week, where the focus is once again on the fibresand, and where Hayley Turner continues her comeback, and making up for lost time with plenty of winners in the last few weeks.
She has some more chances Wednesday, riding at both Lingfield and Kempton, and a horse who she has a good partnership with is OPUS MAXIMUS, who has been in sensational form through the winter, racking up four wins and four seconds from the gelding's last eleven runs, an incredible strike rate for a horse who loves his racing. Primarily a Wolverhampton specialist, he goes to Lingfield Wednesday carrying a 6lb penalty, but the way he is running, that is still unlikely to stop him. The seven year old has only ran once, finishing a narrow head second at Lingfield Park, and with 'The Head Turner' on him here this time, he could make it a quickfire double.
Hayley also rides the horse who broke her ankle when bucking her off, back in August, ROSE AURORA, for trainer Marcus Tregoning. Although finishing stone last in her previous outing at Lingfield, the filly returns to Kempton Park, where she was a good winner back in November, and beat a decent field by an impressive six lengths. Providing she is still in that sort of form, she should take some beating again, in what looks a substandard field. Blue Cossack could be the sleeper, if back to the form he showed in October, over extended trips.
It is interesting that AMITOLA runs again at Kempton Park, after two very good runs at Lingfield, on his first descent onto the all weather. The well bred son of Choisir had a lacklustre summer, seemingly in the grip of the handicap, gradually slipping down on his mark, winning off a mark of 82 in a 7 furlong handicap. He then finished a good second behind Numeral, when punted off the boards, narrowly denying Jamie Spencer a hatrick that day. He has gone up 3lb for those two runs, but his form is undeniable, especially over 7 seven furlongs 7-5-3-1-2. Spencer/Barron have a terrific strike rate over the all weather season, and although it is a conditions stakes, and he has room to make up, he is on the upgrade, and in good form, unlike the majority of his rivals.
14.20 Lingfield Park - Opus Maximus (Nap)
17.00 Kempton Park - Rose Aurora
17.30 Kempton Park - Amitola (Ew)
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
She has some more chances Wednesday, riding at both Lingfield and Kempton, and a horse who she has a good partnership with is OPUS MAXIMUS, who has been in sensational form through the winter, racking up four wins and four seconds from the gelding's last eleven runs, an incredible strike rate for a horse who loves his racing. Primarily a Wolverhampton specialist, he goes to Lingfield Wednesday carrying a 6lb penalty, but the way he is running, that is still unlikely to stop him. The seven year old has only ran once, finishing a narrow head second at Lingfield Park, and with 'The Head Turner' on him here this time, he could make it a quickfire double.
Hayley also rides the horse who broke her ankle when bucking her off, back in August, ROSE AURORA, for trainer Marcus Tregoning. Although finishing stone last in her previous outing at Lingfield, the filly returns to Kempton Park, where she was a good winner back in November, and beat a decent field by an impressive six lengths. Providing she is still in that sort of form, she should take some beating again, in what looks a substandard field. Blue Cossack could be the sleeper, if back to the form he showed in October, over extended trips.
It is interesting that AMITOLA runs again at Kempton Park, after two very good runs at Lingfield, on his first descent onto the all weather. The well bred son of Choisir had a lacklustre summer, seemingly in the grip of the handicap, gradually slipping down on his mark, winning off a mark of 82 in a 7 furlong handicap. He then finished a good second behind Numeral, when punted off the boards, narrowly denying Jamie Spencer a hatrick that day. He has gone up 3lb for those two runs, but his form is undeniable, especially over 7 seven furlongs 7-5-3-1-2. Spencer/Barron have a terrific strike rate over the all weather season, and although it is a conditions stakes, and he has room to make up, he is on the upgrade, and in good form, unlike the majority of his rivals.
14.20 Lingfield Park - Opus Maximus (Nap)
17.00 Kempton Park - Rose Aurora
17.30 Kempton Park - Amitola (Ew)
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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