Glorious Goodwood - Day One

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

Glorious Goodwood, a meeting of pure class and comes this year with the added allure of the greatest equine specimen on the planet once again gracing us with our presence, with Frankel running in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday against three rivals, albeit with one of them being his full brother and pacemaker.

Tuesday has a terrific spread of racing, with three group races, three handicaps and a maiden race, something for everyone to sink their teeth into. At meetings like this, it is important to follow trainers and combination that have significant success on the Goodwood plains.

The Fahey team are in good heart at the minute, with doubles at Carlisle and Pontefract and they have the favourite with LAS VERGLAS STAR with Paul Hanagan booked to ride. Second on his last two starts, the last of which came at Ascot last week, and for that, he is due to be risen 3lb in the weights. The yard are flying and with favourites having a good record in handicaps such as this at the minute, he looks a good price around the 6/1 mark. Another yard in good nick is that of Mark Johnston and LICENCE TO TIL can be forgiven a poor run last time out in the John Smiths Cup, which was a very messy race. Before that, he ran a game third at Newmarket, and the form of that is working out rather strong, Unex El Greco hacking up on Saturday. He could go off a much bigger price than he should be.

MICHELANGELO started his career in a five runner listed race against horses who have all shown form since, and he has come on with the two further starts a treat. Despite greenness he ran on well behind twice group placed Noble Mission and Godolphin’s Mariners Cross. That was followed by a cosy listed win at Goodwood and hacking up in the three year old trophy at Newmarket. He is bred to step up in trip and on all known runs should relish a mile and a half, and potentially even further. He looks the banker on day one.

It really does pain me to tip favourites, but I have spent an absolute age pouring through the form of The Lennox Stakes and I can not get away from CHACHAMAIDEE for Tom Queally and Sir Henry Cecil. Going through her rivals; Edinburgh Knight finished behind Libranno, who is temperamental and fourth in this race last year. Majestic Myles is at his best on soft ground, Foxtrot Romeo was grossly flattered in stop start races in the Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes. Firebeam has failed in listed company twice this season, and has not won for nearly three years. The Cecil mare however has placed on her last seven starts, all in group company, most recently a terrific second to Joviality in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot. She is completely different gravy to this field and should rout them accordingly, providing no silliness from Mr Queally!

The Molecomb Stakes is a five furlong sprint for two year olds and looks wide open this year with a twelve runner field. The Hannon team have won this two out of the last three years but Lyric Ace has disappointed on his last two starts and Dominate is a recent maiden winner and second string. The cash went over to Ireland last year and could do so again with DYLANBARU going for the Tommy Stack yard, after a good third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Although behind Hototo that day, he can reverse the form and has been waiting for this, whereas Hototo hacked through the mud in the Super Sprint. The form of the race has worked out well, with four runners coming out and winning next time out, including a listed and group win. Morwaij was flattered in a poor Group 3, and the only threat could prove to be Jadanna, whose stamina was stretched last time out in a good Group Two behind Sendmylovetorose and Maureen. However the Stack yard are in good heart, with a 24% strike rate in July and the even better ground should aid her even more.

I received a word a few weeks ago that GARSWOOD was absolutely burning up the gallops back home, and a few people must have gotten wind too, because he was absolutely smashed up in the betting, going off the 9/4 favourite. Tony Hamilton got caught napping, and ran on for third, but the damage had already been done. With Paul Hanagan on board and this colt’s lofty reputation, he is worth taking another chance on, and is potentially very, very good.

JACK’S REVENGE looks to be a George Baker type of improver, and has been a revelation this season. Last seen tailed off in a seller last winter, he has come back with a bang after losing his Jacobs in a frightful gelding operation. His form since has been 22211, and is gradually getting better with racing. Up 7lb for a win under Ryan Moore last time out at Newmarket and the best jockey in the game keeps the ride. He could have won by further but hung towards the end, and needed to be driven out, and there could be a couple more pounds in there to eek out of the four year old.

NOVERRE TO GO is a horse that is thriving as of late, and that is in no coincidence to do with the ground firming up. He has excellent form on ground quicker than good, and is in good heart, as is the yard, with Ron Harris excelling with his veteran sprinters. He should run well at a decent price.

2.00 Goodwood – Las Verglas Star & Licence to Til (Ew)
2.35 Goodwood – Michelangelo (Nb)
3.10 Goodwood – Chachamaidee (Nap)
3.45 Goodwood – Dylanbaru
4.15 Goodwood – Garswood
4.50 Goodwood – Jack’s Revenge
5.25 Goodwood – Noverre to Go (Ew)


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Monday Racing at Ayr, Lingfield and Yarmouth 30/7/2012

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

WELSH NAYBER seems a transformed horse since the fitting of the bins, and with an additional 3lb now lower in the handicap, the gelding looks to finally have his best chance of breaking the maiden tag. Only beaten two lengths and a length in his last two starts, he was far from disgraced, and the form is working out rather well, the fourth and the seventh have gone on to win next time out. Jim Crowley is in the plate, and is one of the most under-rated jockeys in the weighing room.

PALUS SAN MARCO was tipped up here in the blog when winning his maiden well when still being quite green at a notoriously difficult track at Brighton. He stayed on well close home and is upped in trip as a result. Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori are on smart horses, but that should only prove to increase our prices and subsequent profit! Lovely jubbly!

PIPER’S LASS has quite the eye-catching pedigree for the Mark Johnston team, a Singspiel filly out of a winning mare out of Selkirk. The yard are flying at the moment, Group winners and places in France over the weekend as well as having winners at York, Newmarket and Ascot. They have had fourteen two year old winners already and have plenty of positives to put this filly up as a good looking selection.

COMMANCHE RAIDER goes for another in form stable, of Michael Dods and Paul Mulrennan, who had a double up at Newcastle on Saturday. Their recent winner comes here after maintaining a strong level of form last season without winning, and finally got his nose in front for the first time in two years at Ponty over the minimum trip; beating recent winner Sir Geoffrey. He ran on well and is stepped up to six furlongs at Ayr, up 4lb; he will go close to defying the rise.

Our final selection is PEACE SEEKER who finally got his season on the right track when third last time out at Kempton, going down a length to subsequent second in higher grade; Noverre to Go. He seems to be gradually improving his fitness, and got tired late on, unlucky to lose second place. The form has worked out nicely, the fifth and ninth winning next time out, the first, fourth, sixth placing as well. The 3lb rise should just see him home. JUST!

2.35 Ayr – Commanche Raider (Nap)
3.15 Yarmouth – Peace Seeker
3.30 Lingfield – Piper’s Lass
5.10 Lingfield – Palus San Marco
5.40 Lingfield – Welsh Nayber

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Saturday at York 28/7/2012

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

Ascot have a peach of a card to rival Newmarket in the south, both have some strong cards, and some tough handicaps as well as promising two year old races. York steals the show, as it does when there is racing there, and they have a Group Two 10 furlong race as well as a twenty runner minefield, the Sky Bet Dash.

William Haggas has a great record at York and has a horse for Sheikh Hamdan in the form of HAAMAAT who steps down into handicap company after fourth in a listed contest last time out. The filly looks very smart and the form of her previous win at Kempton looks very strong, with Jedward coming out and winning a strong Newmarket handicap. Stepped up in trip, pedigree wise, should suit, and the form of her Listed race at Haydock is already working out well.

RANSOM NOTE looks massively overpriced given his form on very quick yard, and the Charlie Hills stable is rocking and rolling with eleven separate winners already this month. He finished second in this race last year behind Twice Over, and has been brought on steadily, needing the run first time out, and nineteen lengths behind Frankel at Ascot. He looks an outstanding price. I’m on! Yeehaa!

The big handicap is a bit of a minefield, and I don’t want to give something a massive nod, because it looks incredibly trappy. May spread a few Gibraltar Pounds across Last Bid, Kaldoun Kingdom, Powerful Presence and Misplaced Fortune.

NOBLE ALAN is a solid national hunt horse who has recently scored a fairly nice handicap mark, and finally upped to two miles, will surely outstay his rivals. He stayed on well, leaving it too late at Chester, but with Graham Lee back on board, I have full faith that this winning hurdler and chaser can score the hatrick and achieve success on the flat.

MAYFIELD GIRL is a tough filly who has been very consistent thus far this season, an impressive fourth behind Super Sprint winner Body and Soul and a form line through there looks pretty strong. Our Diane looks very solid and unexposed but offers little value at around the 3/1 mark. Good old Robert Winston to give us a winner in the lucky last! Yeehaa!

2.35 York – Haamaat
3.10 York – Ransom Note (Nap)
4.50 York – Noble Alan
5.20 York – Mayfield Girl

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Racing at Ascot on Saturday

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

Ascot have a peach of a card to rival Newmarket in the south, both have some strong cards, and some tough handicaps as well as promising two year old races. York steals the show, as it does when there is racing there, and they have a Group Two 10 furlong race as well as a twenty runner minefield, the Sky Bet Dash.

Starting with Ascot, Richard Hughes has a good set of rides for his boss and father in law, especially in Maureen, who runs in fillies Group 3 contest. That being said, their horses are generally very short, and certainly avoidable for me at the prices.

Looking for some alternative value elsewhere, WE ARE CITY looks the right profile of a Michael Bell handicapper and is a big price in the opener. An Elusive City filly, she went off second favourite in a decent Newmarket maiden before well held next two starts, and struggled in soft conditions at Epsom. Upped to seven furlongs, and on better ground should bring some improvement, and 63 looks a fair mark, she creeps in at the bottom of the weights; Ryan Powell takes off 3lb too.

The sprint handicap looks a good race, with some potential group horses in the mix, and CATFISH looks sure to suit back to being at the minimum trip, and on better ground. Good placed efforts at York and Epsom in competitive handicaps showed the filly has a touch of class, and didn’t see the trip out or handle the course running over six furlongs at Newmarket, she should bounce back here.

HOYAM looked very good when finishing second at Royal Ascot, and although Maureen looks to be a very good filly in the making, the pair are closer than the difference in prices. She should be suited upped to six furlongs for the first time and hopefully land a double for Michael Bell.

DIALA set tongues wagging last year when absolutely hacking up in a Newmarket maiden and this three year old filly has been somewhat unlucky this year. Running on ground that didn’t suit in the guineas and then again at Warwick on soft, she should come on a treat for the runs and down into handicap company, is better than a 90 rated filly for William Haggas.

1.45 Ascot – We Are City
2.55 Ascot – Catfish
3.25 Ascot – Hoyam
4.30 Ascot - Diala (Nap)


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Friday Evening Racing at Newmarket and York

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

MOONGLOW was well held on her final start in maiden company after showing promise early on, but her final start can be ignored and it was clear her future lay in handicaps. The filly looks to have a few pounds in hand on her official rating and looks a good price to boot.

ECHO OF SILENCE runs for the in form Marco Botti yard, and even more significantly, the money is down for her this morning. She showed promise on debut finishing third, and still showing signs of greenness. It looks a poor maiden and well within their grasp; Jamie Spencer takes the ride. SUUEGIOO is another of the same mould, a Marco Botti horse running in maiden company, and again showed promise, but has done so on two occasions, both in esteemed company. At the third bite of the cherry, he has no excuses this time, and at around the 7/1 price, looks to be the answer. We’re going potty for Botti, like the alliteration? With THEREABOUTS filling out the Botti trixie. Well held on three maiden starts, dropped in off a reasonable mark, it looks a very substandard Newmarket three year old handicap, and he looks the animal most likely to come out and improve in this company. Another one at a very reasonable price indeed.

5.35 Newmarket - Moonglow
6.10 Newmarket - Echo of Silence (Nap)
7.40 Newmarket - Suuegioo (Nb)
8.45 Newmarket – Thereabouts

DANSILI DUTCH has been in really good nick lately, and the tough three year old looks to have the beating of the two market principles at the weights. Second last time out behind David O’ Meara’s Miss Ellany, there is a now over a stone pull at the weights in his directions. I can not have the favourite at any price, those Roger Varian horses are underpriced and not firing. Abandon ship!

PRODIGALITY runs for Ron Harris who has been basking in the glow of The Knavesmire all season, in fact he has milked it dry. His three year old gelding sneaks in at the foot of the weights for the twenty runner handicap and given the form of his sprinters there this season, he ticks every box and should come and run well.

EBN ARAB is running for the ever proving formidable team of Richard Hannon and Sheikh Hamdan. A well bred sort to several winners, the colt has entries in some of the strong two year old races towards the end of the season, including The Gimcrack.

CROWN COUNSEL finalises the Lucky 15 with King Kieren riding for Mark Johnston, his record at York speaks for itself, as does the significance of the booking!

6.00 York - Dansili Dutch (Nap)
6.30 York - Prodigality (Nb)
7.00 York - Ebn Arab
8.00 York - Crown Counsel


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Friday Afternoon at Ascot and York

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

NEW FALCON is a game son of New Approach who showed greenness on debut, before stepping up on that and finishing second on the all weather behind a well backed favourite. He shapes the right way, and looks too big at double figure odds. Similar story with SEQUENCE for Sir Michael Stoute and Her Majesty The Queen, who debuts in handicap company for the first time. On a lenient mark, and a daughter of Selkirk, she should appreciate the step up in trip to a mile and a half. ROC FORT goes for an in form stable, and could spring an upset in the maiden contest. A gelded son of Rock of Gibraltar, Sir Henry Cecil has the favourite who is odds on, and the Ruth Carr three year old should be able to run into a place at the very least at around the 20/1 mark. ON THE HIGH TOPS goes with Shirley Teasdale for the same trainer and is the standout rider in this apprentice handicap. The course and distance winner is down to a career low mark of 59 and although beaten soundly, has been running rather gamely. At the foot of the weights, she has solid claims on only her fourth start of the season thus far.

2.45 Thirsk - New Falcon (Nb)
3.55 Thirsk - Sequence (Nap)
5.30 Thirsk - Roc Fort
5.55 Thirsk - On the High Tops

SHARAARAH steps back down into handicap company after running with credit in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, only beaten by eight lengths. The form of that is shaping nicely, and the filly beat New Falcon on her maiden win, hopefully both can win and doubly-frank the form! THISTLE BIRD was tipped up on here when winning last time out at Windsor in a nice little listed contest. He stayed on powerfully that day, and with under his belt, and the stiffer task of Ascot, he should thrive. He looks the best bet on the card. A couple of outsider fancies to round off with and KANGAROO COURT was an exceptional juvenile hurdler, giving trainer Emma Lavelle her first Cheltenham Festival win. He has claimed two wins on the flat in the last few months and is a gutsy stayer who will appreciate the two mile trip. William Buick booked is a big positive and at around 12/1 looks a fair price. ROAYH is the outsider of the entire field in the 4.40, but shouldn’t be overlooked, despite carrying top weight. The Godolphin gelding has ran at Lingfield, Epsom and Sandown since signing off his season last year with second in a twenty runner handicap at HQ and a mark of 95. With three runs under his belt, and down to a mark of 90, he has been given the chance to bounce back, and has exceptional form as a two year old and solid form at three. Hopefully here is where he bounces back in style.

2.55 Ascot – Sharaarah (Nb)
3.30 Ascot - Thistle Bird (Nap)
4.05 Ascot - Kangaroo Court
4.40 Ascot – Roayh



The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

National Hunt Season 2013 Current Shortlist

Gold Cup
Sir Des Champs 6/1 (BoyleSports, Hills, Bet365, Paddy Power)
Bobs Worth 8/1 (Bet365, Stan James, Hills, Betfred, Skybet)

World Hurdle
Big Bucks 11/8 (Hills)

Champion Chase
Sprinter Sacre 5/4 (Paddy Power, Boylesports)

RSA Chase
Boston Bob 10/1 (Paddys, Boylesports, Bet365)
Fingal Bay 14/1 (Boylesports) 10/1 (Bet365, Paddy Power)

Champion Hurdle
Spirit Son 12/1 (Sky Bet, Boylesports, Stan James)
Grandouet 12/1 Across, 14/1 Stan James

Supreme Novices
Don Cossack 8/1 Across the board
Waaheb 16/1 Stan James/Paddy Power

Grand National
TeaForThree 33/1 (Paddy Power/Stan James/Bet365)
Beshabar 33/1 (SportingBet/Stan James/Bet365)
Cappa Bleu 33/1 (Bet365)

Current Best Bets 1-2-3

1. Grandouet - Champion Hurdle 12/1
2. Fingal Bay - RSA Chase 14/1
3. Teaforthree - Grand National 33/1

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

https://twitter.com/JJMSports

Tuesday Racing at Yarmouth - 24/7/2012

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

A same policy continues this afternoon, with the aim of spotting potentially severely overpriced horses in weak, and opens looking races. Action at Southwell (mixed card), and on the flat at Yarmouth and Musselburgh. Soft in the north and good in the south, disagree with both statements, not when discussing today’s ground however. There is also action from Tipperary; the highlight being a decent looking listed contest, headed by the Aidan O’ Brien trained Parliament Square.

Yarmouth is a quirky sort of track, and it is often the place where the jollies get turned over, such is in the intricacy of it. The ground continues to dry out, and that should aid GOLD BEAU, who put in two very solid runs on good ground before not handling the softer surface last time out at Hamilton. Darryl Holland is having quite the revival and partners the Lucinda Stubbs runner, who is around the 8/1 shot, and looks a terrific price on bare form.

TRAVELLING had one bad run last time out, but before that had two solid places to his name, and with the Marco Botti stable in fine fettle, he shouldn’t be ignored. He has solid form in the book whereas Twin Shadow and Virginia Galilei are the market principles on promise and expectation. Down to a career low mark of 67, and Marco Botti having three winners and two seconds from his last eight runners, 7/1 looks too big for me.

THE GURU OF GLOOM is a terrific name for someone having to sweat his Jacobs off on the commute in 35 degrees heat (don’t feel too sorry for me here in Gibraltar), but names aside, looks to be worth another chance. Finally stepping down to six furlongs after fading in a couple of his starts this term, he is still relatively unexposed for a four year old, and the key to him is good ground, where all his best form has come over. With the going now good to firm, catch the bookies napping and take the 14/1.

ERRIGAL LAD is around the 9/1 current price because of the big fat egg next to the seven year olds name, but delving into the form book, he isn’t the straightforward. He has a quirky habit of missing the break now and again, and before that run, ran three good races. He won and finished second at Nottingham in two handicaps, with Kelly Harrison on board (who returns here), and they get on as well as a northerner and pie and chips. If this wins, I am having pie and chips and shouting I told you so.


Yarmouth 2.20 – Gold Beau
Yarmouth 3.20 – Travelling
Yarmouth 4.20 – The Guru of Gloom
Yarmouth 4.50 – Errigal Lad


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Tuesday Ticklers at Tipperary - 24/7/2012

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

A same policy continues this afternoon, with the aim of spotting potentially severely overpriced horses in weak, and opens looking races. Action at Southwell (mixed card), and on the flat at Yarmouth and Musselburgh. Soft in the north and good in the south, disagree with both statements, not when discussing today’s ground however. There is also action from Tipperary; the highlight being a decent looking listed contest, headed by the Aidan O’ Brien trained Parliament Square.

TAMAN NAMOOSE showed he handled conditions well enough when a solid fourth on his seasonal beau behind a horse who bolted up once more and has more to offer. Paul Deegan is having a great start to the season with one of my jockeys to follow on board in Chris Hayes, and the now gelded son of Exceed and Excel should appreciate the easier task of shedding the maiden tag than winning a handicap.

SLOPE is unfortunate to still be a maiden for David Wachman and can break her duck in style in listed company. Second behind Jim Bolger’s Move to Strike on debut, who went on to finish fourth at Royal Ascot, she went down a neck second time round behind Roseraie at Fairyhouse when collared late home. She ran behind Sendmylovetorose in a Group 3 at The Curragh and is finally dropped in trip to 5 furlongs, which should finally see her put her best foot forward.

NURSE RYAN is a very interesting entry in the 3.05 maiden, which is dominated by two Aidan O’ Brien runners, as well as runners from the Bolger and Prendergast yards. But the extended mile and a half trip on soft could catch these out and the veteran hurdler is blessed in stamina and the ability to handle conditions, at around the 10/1 price, it looks tremendous value.

CRYSTAL HARMONY has shown gradual improvement, although not having the most visually pleasing figures of 0030. The Dalikhani filly finished third on her third maiden behind an odds on favourite and second favourite, and then finished twelfth of nineteen runners in a hotly contested Naas handicap on sticky ground, and yet was only beaten 6 ¾ lengths. She should get better with racing and dropped 3lb for that run and experience Colm O’ Donoghue now steering, she has strong claims.

Tipperary 2.05 – Taman Namoose
Tipperary 2.35 – Slope
Tipperary 3.05 – Nurse Ryan
Tipperary 4.35 – Crystal Harmony

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Tuesday Racing at Musselburgh 24/7/2012

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

A same policy continues this afternoon, with the aim of spotting potentially severely overpriced horses in weak, and opens looking races. Action at Southwell (mixed card), and on the flat at Yarmouth and Musselburgh. Soft in the north and good in the south, disagree with both statements, not when discussing today’s ground however. There is also action from Tipperary; the highlight being a decent looking listed contest, headed by the Aidan O’ Brien trained Parliament Square.

Starting with Musselburgh, it looks to be getting rather sodden up in bonny Scotland, and with conditions testing, stick to those who have course form around a notoriously sharp track. The first fancy comes in the 3.00, with ROY’S LEGACY looking a tricky wee challenger. The colt seemed to need the run after a five month break at Doncaster, and put in a satisfactory performance on heavy ground at Hamilton. The three year old has also come down 5lb for the two runs and Shirley Teasdale is well worth her claim of 7lb. This month she has a record of 1-9-14, and the prices of the unplaced horses are 11/1, 22/1, 13/2, 9/2, 11/1, 7/1, 11/4, 17/2, 15/2, 20/1, 14/1, 33/1, 25/1, she is paving her way on some difficult animals. Eladdy Roy the boy!

RAVI RIVER shaped nicely on return from a little break over an inadequate trip to show there is more to come from this usually raced hurdler. The increasingly soft ground will make it an even greater test of stamina, and he has it in abundance.

SANDWITH has shown a tremendous level of form in sprint handicaps in the north, and especially Musselburgh, where the now nine year old has a particularly strong record, seldom out of the first three. Lee McNiff, a claimer we flagged up yesterday is on him, and although soundly beaten by The Nifty Fox last time out, he now has a 12lb pull at the weights. He is much overpriced, and in an eight runner race, although usually not a fan, looks a solid place bet at the very least.

SINNAMARA was a previously well bred sort for The Aga Khan, and it is interesting that after only three runs for Mick Halford, she was shipped off, despite showing promise. He turned up in a Doncaster handicap after 7 months after, finishing a game seventh, and went off favourite for a recent novice hurdle, before falling at the second. The filly strikes as having plenty of improvement left in the locker.

Musselburgh 3.00 – Roy's Legacy
Musselburgh 3.30 – Ravi River
Musselburgh 4.00 – Sandwith
Musselburgh 4.30 – Sinnamara


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Racing at Beverley on Monday 23rd July

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.


RED HIGHLITES has been a gradual improve for Middleham Park Racing and should open the card with a winner for S De Sousa. Progressive in maidens and third on handicap debut three weeks ago, he looks to be the best horse of a weak maiden, despite money for the Fahey and Nicholls horses respectively.

BROCKFIELD will be far better suited to the drying ground that most of his rivals in the 7.00 race, a 10 furlongs handicap, and splitting his form into good and soft, will highlight how dependant he is. On Good, good to firm or harder his record in the last year reads 6355221 however on soft, it is 22946. He flopped last tine at Chester, but it is generally very sticky ground there, and a place where track specialists thrive. The six year old has ran four times at Beverley, finishing in the frame every run (3222), and should do so again here at bigger odds.

GIBRALTAR ROAD pulled hard in his last run in a seven furlong maiden, and yet still ran on towards the finish, when not given a particularly vociferous ride, and has more potential than showed. The son of Iffraaj has now been gelded, and with a run into him already this season and a particularly shrewd stable at his disposal, could be much better than his bare form.

COLLATARAL DAMAGE returned to form last week in style, winning in the mud up at Hamilton, and is only up 2lb for that victory. The stable are flying, and if the old boy has got his appetite for racing back, with his confidence buoyed, could bolt home.

Sir Mark Prescott has the short priced favourite in the 8.30, but the stable don’t seem to be particularly firing, and at 7/4, has to be avoided. A massive eye catcher over this trip is another Easterby horse, and SWEET FAIRNANDO finally runs over a trip that will surely see him put his best foot forward. Out of Hernando, and out of a Selkirk winning mare, the pedigree points towards stamina, yet the filly was running in seven furlong maidens. She made solid headway running in a mile and a half handicap without ever threatening and stepped up to two miles could be the making of this filly for red hot connections.

6.30 Beverley – Red Highlites (Nap)
7.00 Beverley – Brockfield (Ew)
7.30 Beverley – Gibraltar Road (Ew)
8.00 Beverley – Collateral Damage (Ew)
8.30 Beverley – Sweet Fairnando (Ew)

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter @JJMsports

jjmports.blogspot.com

Monday Musings at Ayr and Southwell via @JJMSports

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 and get a £25 free bet.

There looks to be some value around today, and given the unpredictable nature of the racing, especially on the polytrack at Southwell, there are some longshots I fancy that appear to be quite overpriced.

The first and biggest priced runner today is KIERONS ROCK, a three year old gelding out of superstar miler Rock of Gibraltar. Yet to show significant progression, he is down to a career low mark of 48, and tried on the artificial surface for the first time. He led and weakened last time out over a mile, and finished sixth of thirteen. The step down to seven furlongs should suit, and the Jedd O’ Keefe yard are shrewd operators, they have had three runners in the last week, running well, with form of 2-3-1.

SCARBROUGH LILY was badly hampered last time out and lost an iron, so put a line through that run, and give her another chance. The Dansili filly was having her only second run for 200 days, and is come on for race fitness. Willy Twiston-Davies takes off an invaluable 7lb for the Ed Vaughan stable, who have had two winners from their last three runners. I like the stable, and will give Willy another chance, although he should have won for us on Friday on Martial Law, time to make amends lad!

NABURN ran an eye-catching debut last year in a bumper on horrible ground, and the well bred son of Cape Cross has slowly been to the burn this season for Graham Swinback, and after running over insufficient trips, is stepped up from a mile to a mile and a half. Although a stiff mark of 65, Gary Whilans is a good claimer and takes off a useful 5lb, and although he has finished second in his last three rides, has a good record for the trainer.

DARK FALCON returns to the same course and distance of his only ever success, his maiden success here last December, and it is hoped the Dark Angel gelding can rediscover his winning touch. He has never really looked comfortable on turf, highlighted when second last in a thirteen runner handicap last month at Leicester. The form of that has worked out quite decent, the second, third, fourth and seventh all winning since, and back on the artificial surface, I reckon will see him run well.

Advised: Each Way Lucky 15

2.10 Southwell – Dark Falcon
2.40 Southwell – Naburn
4.20 Southwell – Scarborough Lily
4.55 Southwell – Kieron’s Rock

MONSIEUR PONTAVEN is down to a mark of 47, a figure where he last won at the same track two years ago and now has blinkers re-fitted; the Robin Bastiman yard will be hoping it is a case of déjà vue. Dropped down to a more appropriate trip, the five year old’s two wins have come over six and seven furlongs, so it is curious that his last two runs have come over ten. He faded both runs, and the step down to a mile is a positive step. Phillip Makin takes the ride.

MR CHOCOLATE DROP is mainly seen as an all weather specialist, but after a win and a fifth under a penalty at Wolverhampton, he runs with an 8lb lower mark than his last appearance under Phillip Makin at Ayr. Dropped back to a mile and drying ground are sure to aid this old boy, but he looks very overpriced on his revised mark, and both his turf wins have come over a mile on good ground, here’s hoping this is his third.

HEADSTIGHT wasn’t overly tried when running last time out at Beverley in a sixteen runner sprint handicap, and duly finished second last. On that bare form he doesn’t warrant much appeal, but given that was his first run for 267, he won’t have been fully wound up. Similar happened last year when running much better on his second run of the season, finishing third but only losing by a neck. The filly’s best form has come on firm ground, and with the drying ground in her favour, she may be slightly overpriced.

I tipped up SAXONETTE last time out over course and distance and the Piccolo filly ran a very game front running performance to finish second at the big price of 25/1. The ground was quite soft that day and her best form is on stronger ground. The winner that day won easy, and was unfortunate to lose by a short head when running again the week after under a penalty. I think there is still improvement to come for the Amanda Perratt horse, which has a useful 5lb claimer on board now too.

Advised: Each Way Lucky 15

3.05 Ayr – Monsieur Pontaven
3.35 Ayr – Mr Chocolate Drop
4.45 Ayr – Headstight
5.15 Ayr – Saxonette

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

King George Day at Ascot

In Association with BetVictor.com

Ascot, King George Day, what a card.

Need I say more? The almost perfect mix of juvenile races, tough looking handicaps, then if goes to plan there will be a royal winner in the Summer Mile, and then a mouth watering King George.

The first race is an amateur lady riders handicap, and I’m a punter, but to an extent, and can not bring myself to throw the trusty pin in The Wrinkfield Stakes has Toronado for the Hannon team, and is expected to win, and as such is priced accordingly, but I wouldn’t like to have a bet, and if I had to choose something, Arthurs Secret bolted up on debut, and the stable are particularly sweet on the son of Sakhee’s Secret, and he is a bigger price due to the unfashionable Jimmy Quinn stable.

Chil The Kite will be very short in the 2.45 handicap, the Hughie Morrison runner bounced back from his reappearance at Newmarket behind subsequent Royal Ascot winner Fast or Free to go and win at Doncaster. Up 6lb, he has Ryan Moore aboard, and looks to be a nice progressive type. Takeitfromalady however beat the colt at Newmarket, finishing second in that race, five lengths ahead of Chil The Kite. He has since finished fifth at Sandown, beaten by three lengths, and winning at Windsor, both on soft ground. He is double the price of the favourite, and will give another solid account. I’m also hopeful of a decent run from Red Art for the Hills team, who are in a good patch, Shropshire winning well here yesterday, He looked like needing the run when fourth at Chester over seven furlongs, but made late headway to stay on well near the finish. He was competitive in group company last year, and could have the potential to be better than his mark of 96.

Carlton House runs over a mile for the first time, and has travelled well at Sandown and Ascot, and should run well in the summer mile. He is effectively a group one horse running against group two and three horses, and should despatch of the field with ease. Questioning would be the selection for the forecast for the John Gosden and William Buick team.

The International Stakes is one of the most difficult handicaps of the season, and with the favourite expected to be around 10/1 – the twenty nine runner field will have been the aim of some horses for a long time. Al Muheer, Hawkeyethenoo, Imperial Guest, Excellent Guest, Castles in the Air and Brae Hill all run again after finishing down the field last year, and I can’t see any of them turning the tables. Bronze Prince runs as well, now with Malcolm Attwater, but is 5lb higher than his mark last year. The two I like are both seven furlong specialists, and should be spot on for this race. The first is LIGHTNING CLOUD for the Kevin Ryan yard, which has been laid out for this. A good run in the Victoria Cup, before only going down by three lengths in The Wokingham, the form has worked out well, and he is down 1lb in the weights. Amy Ryan has two wins from three on the four year old, and can hopefully bag her third here. Another trip specialist is EDINBURGH KNIGHT – who’s record over seven furlongs reads 11412. The five year old ran very well behind Libranno last time out in a group three, and is officially 5lb well in because of that. The stable are in good nick, with Super Simon winning on Thursday, and William Buick is in the plate.

I’ve done a full and thorough article on the King George, for my complete thoughts, please have a look here, but basically, Sea Moon is a good thing:

http://jjmsports.blogspot.com/2012/07/king-george-vi-and-queen-elizabeth.htm

The last race on the card is a very trappy handicap to close off the card, and there are some very interesting runners debuting in handicaps after winning promising maidens. Sun Central runs for William Haggas, but as people out there reading this knows I am not the biggest fan of young Joseph O’ Brien. Gospel Choir is impeccably bred, but has been well supported and is now a very short priced favourite. Her Majesty will have to settle with just the one winner, as both her runners (Bank Bonus and Moidore) lack any form of appeal. Hurricane in Dubai is a gradual improver for a small, but efficient yard for Denis Coakley. A well bred son of Hurricane Run, the step up to a mile and a half should bring him on further, getting better with every one of his five starts. That man Fallon is booked in the saddle, and is in frightening form, on the back of a fine double at York last Saturday.

2.45 Ascot – Takeitfromalady (Ew) & Red Art (Ew)
3.20 Ascot – Carlton House (Nb)
3.55 Ascot – Edinburgh Knight (Ew) & Lightning Cloud (Ew)
4.35 Ascot – Sea Moon (Nap)
5.10 Ascot – Hurricane in Dubai (Ew)

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMsports

Racing at Pontefract: Friday 20th July 2012

JJMSports’s look at Pontefract’s Friday Evening Card

In Association with BetVictor.com – Sign up now and Bet £25, get a £25 free bet.

We do like a cheeky evening meeting at Ponty, and the Lord has obliged. I don’t know who this lord figure is, but if anyone is listening upstairs, we would like a few winners please.

Ted Easterby is the trainer to watch at the moment, and he has the top rated horse in the first. If it smells like money, looks like money and feels like money, it looks like being onto a winner. He has Twilight Pearl in the first, a Pastoral Pursuits filly, who is still a maiden after three runs. The step up in trip to six furlongs, pedigree wise, should suit, and she sets a good standard in a large fielded affair where Secret Symphony looks the best of the rest.

The Roger Varian stable don’t look to be firing on all cylinders at the moment, and his horses are generally slight underpriced as it is. He has Zowaina in the 7.00 fillies’ handicap, with Dominic Fox on board, but she doesn’t strike me as much value, contesting favouritism with Sir Henry Cecil’s. Kunegunda looks a very decent prospect for the Fanshawe yard, with his favourite filly aboard, The Head Turner, as she seeks to steer her to get on the board in handicaps after hitting the crossbar in maidens. Kunegunda gave strong accounts in maidens at Windsor, Ripon and Nottingham. She has been crying out for a longer trip, and stepped up to a mile and a half can see her finally get her nose, head, neck and body in front.

Head Space tied up in front last time out, when stumbling and conceding the lead in the last 50 yards, and to the grimace of punters everywhere, lost his marbles, and in fact the race. He is too short for me, even though goes unpenalised and seems a penalty quick. I like my horses like my women, zero fuss, no quirks, and nothing fancy. Caranbola is an old favourite of mine, and has a terrific record over the minimum trip. The mare has a record of 7/20 running over five furlongs, and a bit like Red Tyke on Wednesday has a gutsy attitude, and will give her all. Up 1lb for a ¾ length fourth of ten last time out at Beverley and still looked as good as ever. She goes on any ground, and is too big a price.

Rex Romanorum is a three year old gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor, a sire who has particularly thrived with his two and three year olds. In his first foray into handicap company he ran a solid third behind the progressive Dutch Rose, and there looks to be plenty more to come. The former Aidan O’ Brien trained has only four career starts to his name, and given his expensive price tag as a yearling, could be a lot better than a mark of 63.

As mentioned before in these articles, I am quite fond of the Mel Britain and Robert Winston connections, and it seems a little strange that he gets off Tobrata to ride Lady Bellatrix for Mark Tompkins. As such, it is playing havoc with my nerve endings and as such, I can’t have either or. Zaayah would have been fancied if it weren’t for the fact John Dunlop’s horses are in tremendously shocking form, not having a winner in around a month. Romantic is another Holy Roman Emperor three year old. He put his best foot forward when sixth at Haydock, losing by five lengths. He has been dropped another 2lb, down to a mark of 67, and looks the best of a bad bunch.

The Robert Winston and Mel Britain combination have a runner in the last to hopefully round off a good evening, is it really that greedy wanting to get all seven winners home? Steel Stockholder runs for the first time over six furlongs in the horses’ 26 career runs, and I’ve been waiting for this for a while. The six year old has been running well, but tiring late on in his races, and this seems the most logical of steps. Winston is riding out of his skin at the moment, and would be very rare for him to not go away from a meeting in the mould of this without a winner, hell even a place, we could definitely consider this to be a ‘working mans price’.

6.25 Pontefract – Twilight Pearl (Nap)
7.00 Pontefract – Kunegunda (Nb)
7.35 Pontefract – Caranbola (Ew)
8.10 Pontefract – Rex Romanorum (Ew)
8.40 Pontefract – Romantic (Ew)
9.10 Pontefract – Steel Stockholder (Ew)

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter @JJMSports

Friday Afternoon at Ascot and Haydock

In association with BetVictor.com @BetVictorFans

ASCOT holds the first day of its three day King George meeting and it looks an absolutely mouth watering abundance of equine talent. The King George obviously steals the show, but there are solid supporting casts, and let’s be honest, there is rarely poor racing at Ascot.

PEARL BELL ran a very strong second place; first time out at HQ when behind the Charlie Hills and Sheikh Hamdan horses Reyaadah. As with most Newmarket maidens, the form looks good and the eighth that day, the Godolphin trained Sugar House, has since come out and won a Lingfield maiden rather comfortably, even with the camel rider Ahmed Ajtebi aboard!

The two mile handicap is a very puzzling encounter, and without stating the obvious, the favourite has a blinding chance. Montaser for David Simcock looks like he will improve for the step up in trip, but the Rail Link colt looks too short in a trappy handicap. Purification failed to stay a mile and three quarters last time out, and Romeo Montague is inconsistent but did show promise in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot. It seems very perplexing but I can not help but feel slightly drawn towards Liberate at the bottom of the weights, and looking through his form, he does well on the back of a break. That being said the main eye catcher is MARTIAL LAW for the Pipe team. The son of Galileo is a curious entry for the hurdler, and the Pipe team have a good record in sending national hunt horses into stamina sapping races on the flat. William Twiston-Davies takes off a valuable 7lb and is good value for his claim.

MACS POWER is a horse who I have made donations to than Tiger Woods has had mistresses and although the James Fanshawe trained six year old has not won on nay of his last eleven starts, the form he has shown has still been very consistent. He only lost by around five lengths in The Wokingham Stakes over course and distance and generally thrives the longer the season continues. Back down to a mark of 97 and with Ryan Moore back doing the steering, the money has come, and so it should, I think he’ll bolt up!

A quick fire double for Moore awaits with LADYSHIP who is an outstandingly well bred filly. By Oasis Dream out of a Pivotal group one winning mare. She showed flashes of class last year when placing in all three maiden starts, at Newmarket, Windsor and Leicester. Dropped down to six furlongs on her handicap beau, she travelled well and picked up strongly to go on and win by a length. She will get better with racing, and in a tricky looking handicap, play it safe and get on early, I think the Cheveley Park owned filly will be heavily punted this afternoon.

2.10 Ascot – Pearl Bell
3.20 Ascot – Martial Law
3.55 Ascot – Macs Power
4.30 Ascot – Ladyship (Nap)

Haydock have a very good card as well, and has attracted strong turn outs, and one of the shrewdest in the game has got one in the opener that looks the best bet of the reading. Still reading? Good, because BOLD CUFFS is a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver. Gelding after the winter, when running second in two all weather maidens, he showed significant improvement when stepped up in trip to 10 furlongs. With only three runs to his name, he has progressed nicely against a well exposed field and looks the one to take all the beating.

MUSHAAKIS is another nicely bred horse for the Mark Johnston horse for Sheikh Hamdan, and this home bred is a Shamardal colt out of a pivotal mare, and is related to a few winners. Fifth on debut at Ripon, he shaped with promise without being too knocked about in the closing stages. The winner and the second have both come out and won next time out, and he is entitled to progress. Significant money for Tussy Marx or Unassailable for respected northern connections would be significant. Richard Hannon saddles Great Run and Professor, but neither makes real appeal, and is relatively short on the stables reputation alone.

The Richard Fahey stable are flying as of late, and as well as winning The July Cup with Mayson on Saturday, perhaps even more of note was HENRY BEE finally shedding the maiden tag at the eleventh attempt last week at Beverley. Freddie Tylicki keeps the ride and it could be a nice confidence booster for the gelding who won coming away and will appreciate the extra rain and step up in trip. The second, Economic Crisis has since come out and won twice, and although the favourite, Goldream is respected, he looks plenty short. Pea Shooter and Tip Top Gorgeous have promised much, but have generally disappointed and I’ve done enough money on the former to keep backing it. I’m skint enough! ;)

I flagged up the form of the Easterby stable a couple of days ago, and they show no sense of stopping anytime soon. A big weekend of racing and I think they will have another good run, especially in the north. The money has poured in this morning for COCKTAIL CHARLIE and the shrewd punters amongst you will have seen that he has slowly, slowly been creeping down to a workable mark. He is down to a career low of 78, and with the money coming, and the stable form being as good as it is, it has to be noted. Haajes is 3lb well in, and Captain Scooby won last time out, but it is hardly the strongest form in the book, and David Allan is riding equally as well as the stable is performing, having four winners and five places in the last week (27% & 60%).

The Tom Dascombe yard is in an equally rich vein of form as of late, and I have found a little stat of note. With his stable’s last twenty runners, running at 8/1 or shorter in the market, they have excelled. Form figures of 4511332124156324134. Exceptional stuff. Hayley Turner has been riding very well this year, and she takes the ride on JUNO THE MUFFINMAN who is gelding with a very likeable attitude indeed. He finished second over course and distance last time out, and runs with a very gutsy manner. The stable had another winner last night at Bath, and in a race where the market principles are there on potential improvement in Pistol and Aliante, there are worse horses to back at around the 7/1 mark.

2.00 Haydock – Bold Cuffs (Nap)
2.30 Haydock – Mushaakis
3.05 Haydock – Henry Bee
3.40 Haydock – Cocktail Charlie
4.40 Haydock – Juno the Muffinman


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow Me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Wednesday Night Racing at Sandown Park

Sandown host an evening card, and although it struggles to meet the standard it sets with The Brigadier Gerard Stakes evening, with stars the calibre of Carlton House, Sir Prancelot, Opinion Poll under the bright lights, there is still a strong card in comparison to the equine class on offer this afternoon. Richard Hannon and Richard have two strong runners in the form of Dominate and Law Enforcement, and the stable are in good nick, having doubles at Newbury on Friday and Saturday, but they are both likely to be painfully short in the market and I’d rather be a layer than a backer.

I will gladly take on the favourite in the first race. Dominate is a well bred and well related colt, who ran well first time out at Windsor, but I would be sceptical backing him at odds on. Instead RED EXPLORER makes plenty appeal, especially on pedigree. A son of Henrythenavigator and from a dam who has produced a multiple winner, ran a solid second on debut, staying on well over five furlongs, and it is interesting that he is kept at the minimum distance. He was well supported in the market that day, going off the clear 11/4 favourite, he must be doing something right at home. The third that day has since come out at won at Beverley, and at the prices, it has to be Red Explorer.

Picture Dealer is another short priced favourite, primarily based on the absolute shocker Tom Queally gave him at Doncaster last time out on his handicap beau. Blood is thicker than water, and it helps when your son is the best jockey in the game, and Ryan is in the saddle this time round. Given the manner of how he stayed on at Town Moor, (how apt), I would be dropping him down in trip. He ran on strongly over six furlongs on good ground, and given he won his maiden over six furlongs on soft, the son of Royal Applause, will be fine on the ground, but will seemingly want further, anything up to a mile. I find it very perplexing, and a horse I tipped up last time out seeking the hatrick makes much more appeal in KHUBALA. The stable are very shrewd and are having a fruitful time of things at Ed Dunlop’s yard; enjoying a 14% strike rate, and a rare profitable season to £1 stake on the turf. He has only sent two horses to Sandown all season, so that again is another plus, and the manner of his last two victories have been rather impressive. Up 7lb for his last win, and 12lb for the two, may perhaps slow him down, but I have a lot of faith that the Acclamation colt is still going great guns and on the road to securing some black type.

Haatefina and Law Enforcement are the market principles in the 19:00 maiden stakes, and both have strong claims. Haatefina ran on strongly behind leading 1000 Guineas fancy Maureen who subsequently went close in the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket. Law Enforcement is a well bred and well respected colt for the Hannon and Hughes team who have a good record in this race, winning it last year with Mister Music. The Henry Candy stable aren’t exactly firing at the minute otherwise Beroni would be somewhat of interest. That leaves a rather lacklustre field and it could be worth taking a chance on DANCE WITH DRAGONS for the Paul Cole team. They are yet to have a two year old winner this season, but started off in dire form and are generally coming round. A couple of winners in the last week or so and they are generally operating on a 40% place strike rate, when you consider their runners are overpriced, they could be a nice stable to stay on the side of. The colt’s fourth first time out at Windsor was a respectable effort and he is entitled to come on for that run.


DEBATING SOCIETY runs for the Sir Michael Stoute stable, and after a particularly below par start to the season, they seem to have found some form, just in the nick of time before with the King George on Saturday. He has had only nine runners in the last week, but an amazing five winners, a staggering 55% strike rate. Debating Society has been running with credit, and just not seemingly getting the breaks. The Invincible Spirit colt ran a solid fourth at Windsor, only losing by three lengths. That was his first foray into handicapping, and out of five rivals, three have come out and won since. He followed that with a good second at Kempton, and now tried over a mile and a quarter on soft turf, would look to eek out even further improvement still.

CELLIST ran the most peculiar of races last time out on the all weather when shedding her maiden tag. It really has to be seen to be believed, check out the free video replays AtTheRaces have on their website. The gelded son of Halling was off the bit with about half a mile to go, and he was really struggling. But then when the penny dropped, the penny dropped and he absolutely flew. He is stepped up from a mile and a half to a mile and three quarters and although there are strong contenders from the Cumani, Cecil and Osbourne stables, I think he has a lot more to come from this stayer in the making.

5.55 Sandown – Red Explorer
6.30 Sandown – Khubala
7.00 Sandown – Dance with Dragons
8.05 Sandown – Debating Society (Nap)
8.35 Sandown – Cellist

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Cheeky Lucky 15 for Catterick Bridge - 18th July 2012

Catterick has a card that opts for quantity ahead of quality, and in a similar vein, lets tip up in a seller, what could possibly go wrong eh? Well let’s see, ELIZABETH COFFEE is a four year old filly who won a similar sort of race last time out at Redcar over a mile and a quarter on soft ground. The form of the race has worked out 2-4-2-2, not bad. She is officially rated 73, meaning she has a minimum of 5lb in hand to the field, and has Graham Lee on board. Sound good? That’s what I thought!

RED TYKE is one of those very likeable northern handicappers. He generally tries his best, gives his all, and often comes short, but every dog does have it’s day, and although it may take a lot of knocking to eventually get that door open. The form of his second last time out at Beverley is exceptionally strong for a Class 5 handicap, with the second, fifth and even tenth winning next time out. He clearly loves softer ground and being God’s country, it has bucketed down accordingly. Bet with your heart and your head, Red Tyke for the win!

The Richard Fahey trained SABORE has been tipped up before by this writer, and done his money accordingly, but the fact the filly is running in a maiden instead of a handicap with a mark of 72 suggests they feel a race of this calibre is a more viable proposition. She is the top rated horse in the race, has demonstrated the best form and from a flying stable. If this filly could walk the walk in the same way that I talk the talk she should bolt up!

The Easterby stable are really having it off as of late. As well as owning nearly half of everything in Yorkshire, they’ve been have winners left, right and centre. Royal Rascal won at York on Saturday, and Body and Soul won the Weatherby’s Super Sprint at Newbury, relishing the juice underfoot. Both were trained by Ted, who has had fifteen winners in the last week or so, operating at a 31% strike rate. BLUE SHOES – one of their rare recent misses as of late has finished third at Ripon and third at Catterick in his last two starts, but has ran very well despite not winning. He is officially 2lb ahead of the handicapper because of his run last week here and is tried at five furlongs instead of six. He has attempted to make all and fade and the drop seems sensible, and given the trainer had three winners yesterday at 8/1, 12/1, and 13/2, if we see the money pour in for it, it should be a question of just how quickly we can mortgage the house!

3.10 Catterick – Blue Shoes (Nap)
3.40 Catterick – Elizabeth Coffee
4.10 Catterick – Red Tyke
4.40 Catterick – Sabore

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Cheeky Lucky 15 for Lingfield Park 18th July 2012

We had three winners out of six selections yesterday, all at decent prices, for the loyal followers, although I was very disappointed with the Nap, Bada Bing being very disappointing, as with our other Scott Dixon selection, and they could be a stable to avoid and seem a touch out of form.

Starting with Lingfield, where moreso than form and connections, horses with pedigree’s appealing to the conditions of the polytrack underfoot and that makes GOLD EDITION look a very backable horse for Ryan Moore riding for Jeremy Noseda. He made an eye-catching debut at Kempton Park making progress late on and the form of that race is very strong. A visor is fitted and the Mr Greeley colt looks to have a very appealing profile in a good looking maiden.

NARCISSIST runs for a trainer in fine form, and the Ed Dunlop gelding son of Dylan Thomas made a strong enough impression on debut to suggest further improvement is likely to come. On paper the maiden he ran in looks relatively strong whereas the form of Niger’s last run has the twelve next runs all unplaced. George Baker is in the plate and is one of the best hands in the business around Lingfield Park.

The very fact that DESPATCH is a market mover after three average maidens and now handicapping tells a story in itself. The Nayef filly has been beaten a collective 64 lengths in three outings, two of which this year, and this looks like the stables stereotypical handicap ploy. She is bred to be a lot better than that and probably is. Given the stable did the same with Astra Hall at Lingfield, it should run well.

BIOGRAPHER is a stoutly bred son of Montjeu and ran an excellent second on racecourse debut at Windsor over ten furlongs. He stayed on impressively that day and was stepped up to a mile and a half at Doncaster, winning in a workmanlike fashion, but not given an overly hard ride, and seemed to do better the further he went. As such he runs in a mile and five furlong handicap off a mark of 85, and seems open to further progression.

2.00 Lingfield – Gold Edition
2.30 Lingfield – Narcissist
3.00 Lingfield – Despatch
4.00 Lingfield – Biographer

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Betfair)

To give the race its full name; The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Betfair) is one of these biggest races of the summer. Irrespective of The July Cup, The Goodwood Cup, and so on and so forth, the three Group One, mile and a half races are set in a league of their own. They are The Derby, The King George and The Arc, and the prize money of the three reflects that. The King George has a who’s who of past champions, the crème de la crème, and the vast majority have turned out to be strong at stud level too. Montjeu, Galileo, Hurricane Run, Dylan Thomas and Duke of Marmalade have all flown the flag for Coolmore, and they have a leading fancy once again in St Nicholas Abbey. The Montjeu bred champion two year old was the most talked and hyped about horse in racing when winning The Racing Post Trophy with relative ease in 2009, much like his brother Camelot. He however flopped in The Guineas, and had his three year old season written off, returning with some style in 2011, winning The Dee Stakes at Chester, and The Coronation Cup at Epsom. He ran with credit in The King George and Arc, before winning a memorable Breeders Cup Turf with Aidan’s son Joseph on board, He successfully defended his Coronation Cup at Epsom, and with relative ease, in something of a canter. The form has looked poor however with Red Cadeaux third on his next two starts, and Quest For Peace second last in The Hardwicke Stakes. He has to be respected however given his connections, and he has Robin Hood and Windsor Palace as likely pacemakers for the only trainer to have group horses as lambs to the slaughter, setting the fractions.

Last year’s one-two in The St Leger reoppose with Brown Panther and Masked Marvel both having points to prove. Masked Marvel has disappointed since his classic win and finished seventh of eight in The Jockey Club Stakes and then third behind St Nicholas Abbey; and on that form alone, he looks likely to struggle. Brown Panther struggled at Chester before returning to form in a Pontefract Listed Race, beating Lost In The Moment and Jet Away by seven and a further four lengths, respectively. The Shirocco colt is a course and distance winner after winning King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, but looks severely out of his depth here.

The French have three runners in the field, and it is hard to know which one of the three rivals has the most obvious claims between them, let alone winning the race itself. Reliable Man was heavily fancied for the Jockey Club Stakes when flopping in the race that featured Masked Marvel, and Dunaden has similarly ran well below his Melbourne Cup winning form from last year, his best effort coming second to Sea Moon in The Hardwicke Stakes. He ran on strongly that day and will have the jockey who rode him to victory at Flemington Park that day aboard, which is an obvious positive. Shareta is a horse for The Aga Khan, and although again, has claims, based on recent trends, involving winning at least one of his last two starts, and running in better grade, has to be opposed. Last year’s Arc heroine Danedream, I may prove to be stung on this, but I am pretty sure her Arc win was a fluke, and expect her to be well and truly trounced in this company. You know where to point the finger of blame when she hacks up! Deep Brillante is the final foreign challenger for a very international renewal and the Japanese contender is a son of the brilliant Deep Impact. He won the Japanese Derby by a nose and although carries a progressive profile, the quality on offer here is likely to be far more substantial than those faced in the orient.

The remaining two horses are of the highest class, and are progressive four year olds for connections who thrive in these races. Nathaniel came back with a bang two weeks ago, winning the 2012 running of the Coral Eclipse, finding more in his deep reserves to defy the late run of Farhh. That was the colts run since The Champion Stakes last year, a race which has worked out tremendously well from a form perspective. So You Think and Cirrus Des Aigle, the first two home have both gone on to further group one success, and that was over Nathaniel’s inferior trip. He won the King George last year, beating Workforce and St Nicholas Abbey, in comfortable style, and there is little to suggest St Nicholas Abbey will reverse last years form. That does not account for SEA MOON however who looks like a typical Sir Michael Stoute horses who he has trained to win this race in recent years. Like Harbinger (2010), he is aimed at the King George after winning The Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and like Conduit (2009); he is aimed after running in The St Leger the previous season. Connections have a tremendous record in the race, and Sea Moon ticks every box in terms of trends, won last time out, course winner, four year old, Group winner etc. He looks to be going the right way, and will have the best jockey in the game on in Ryan Moore. I fully expect Nathaniel to follow him home, and Dunaden to run on into a place.

1. Sea Moon
2. Nathaniel
3. Dunaden

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter @JJMSports

Tuesday Racing at Beverley and Ffos Las

Sponsored by BetVictor - www.BetVictor.com

BADA BING looks entitled to step up from his first run of the season when finishing second last time out, and on what was only his first run back this season. The Scott Dixon trained gelding only went down by a neck, going off an unfancied 12/1 shot on the day, but given the fact he still only has four runs to his name, he is unexposed and open to much more progression than the majority of his rivals. Red hot Robert Winston landed a 130/1 double at York on Friday and takes the ride. Scott Dixon also trains STYLYSTICKHILL who he trains and owns, and what runs in the 3.30. He looks overpriced at this current odds of around the 14/1 mark after signing off last year with form figures of 1-3-2, all at Wolverhampton. He returned from a near seven month break at Doncaster three weeks ago, running with credit stepped up in trip, finishing a tired sixth of nine runners. She looked in need of the run that day, and being dropped 2lb by the handicapper for that, she could run a big race.
The Mark Johnston team seem to be gradually coming round after a frightful couple of weeks in between Royal Ascot and Newmarket’s July meeting, and he has. MOON TRIP who is a gelded son of Cape Cross, and has shown glimpses of ability without really firing. However now on a mark of 75; he can build on such promise shown last year. Out of a King’s Best mare, he is stepped up two miles for the first time, and that may unlock the key with him. Franny Norton has a good strike rate for the trainer, and this being only his fourth run of the season, he is bred to be better than what he has shown thus far. Similarly with TINSELTOWN who flopped last time out at Yarmouth after hacking up at Catterick on soft ground under Joe Fanning. She didn’t seem to see the trip out that day, upped to a mile and three quarters and it is interesting that the gelding is dropped down to 10 furlongs after winning a couple of two mile novice hurdles over the winter. She again could be overpriced in one of these lady rider races, with one of the best in the game on her in Amy Ryan.

2.00 Bada Bing (Nap)
3.30 Stylistickhill
4.00 Moon Trip
5.30 Tinseltown

Advised Bet – Win Lucky 15

Ffos Las looks a much trickier proposition, with the weather proving to be unrelenting once more, and the ground will be look to have any form of hold in it whatsoever and is the sodden side of heavy. Horses proven around the track and an even greater emphasis on those proven on conditions. It is going to be wetter than an otters pocket down in sunny south Wales.

It isn’t really the most fashionable of selections but Jim Crowley and Ralph Beckett have an excellent record at Ffos Las and Chepstow and send down a promising filly in CITY GIRL, who was a beaten favourite last time out in a good looking maiden at Sandown. She lost by a head that day, and is a talented filly, being by Elusive City, she should go on the ground, and should get the Lucky 15 off to a decent enough start.

Bernard Llewellyn usually goes mob handed in some of the open handicaps down here, and there are two races where he has three runners alone. One of his is PANDORICA who put up her best effort in a long time in very soft conditions at Ayr over 1 mile 5 furlongs. She led three furlongs out, before tiring and I expect Chris Catlin to attempt to make all on the filly, knowing she stays further than the trip.

2.15 City Girl
3.45 Pandorica

Advised Bet – Win Double

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter @JJMSports and @BetVictor

Monday racing at Ayr, Ripon and Windsor

Racing at Ayr, Windsor and Ripon Wednesday, and I’ve singled out a few horses at each meeting to keep an eye on.

Firstly starting at Ayr, PETELLA should come on for his run last time at Pontefract to make a decent fist of things for Gary Moore and in form jockey P J McDonald. A winner of two mile handicaps on soft ground a couple of seasons back, the mare shaped with enough encouragement last time out having her first run for 238 days, and will have come on for that no end. Another potential improver is SAXONETTE, who will be a very big price considering the filly’s lack of form throughout the season. That being said, she has tumbled down the handicap for an in form stable, and with a particularly hot jock on board right now, as well as cheek pieces fitted for the first time, she can steal a week looking race (hopefully). Another Amanda Perratt runner is SCHMOOZE who was an eyecatcher last time out when staying on well to finish second in a Hamilton handicap over a mile. Dropped 2lb in the weights, the filly is stepped up in trip and has looked a rejuvenated animal this season. She looks open to the most potential in a messy looking race. I tipped up REGAL ACCLAIM at the start of the season when getting the benefited of a peach from Ted Durcan to come home in soft conditions. The gelding has been a consistent performer this season finishing second at Doncaster and Redcar and with ground more to his liking, he has strong claims.

3.00 Ayr – Petella
3.30 Ayr – Saxonette
4.30 Ayr – Schmooze
5.00 Ayr – Regal Acclaim (Nap)

At Windsor, WHIPPER SNAPPER looks to have a good chance in the maiden race at 6.40 given the manner of his second on debut at Newmarket on soft ground. He went off 25/1 that day but was leading a furlong out, showing signs of greenness in the process. The colt is a brother to winners at two and he should have the edge over unraced rivals. I tipped up VISCOUNT VERT last time out over course and distance last week and he runs with a 6lb penalty and given the manner of his win, and liking for the particular ground, he looks good value to complete the hatrick for Andrew Balding and David Probert. Peter Chapple-Hyam is having a predominantly fruitful season with his juveniles, having another winner last week at Brighton and the well bred WE USED TO WAIT looks to have a chance in the 7.40. The Mr Greeley filly ran at Newbury over a mile and a quarter and travelled well, before tiring in the last two furlongs. With a run under her belt and the drop back in trip, she could be a dark horse at a decent price. RED LOVER could be worth another chance given the manner of market support he received last time out at Newmarket. He was a well backed 5/2 favourite in a twelve runner handicap and never got involved and not given a hard race by Ryan Moore. Even so, the form of that race looks good on paper, with the second, fourth and eighth winning next time out, and more market support could be significant.

6.40 Windsor – Whipper Snapper
7.10 Windsor – Viscount Vert (Nap)
7.40 Windsor – We Used to Wait
8.40 Windsor – Red Lover

At Ripon, there looks to be a strong mix of maidens and handicaps, at a track where market movers are generally a pretty strong indicator. The first selection is AL MUHEER who ran a very game race on Saturday at Haydock, losing by a head to Atlantic Sport. Providing the gelding has come out of his race well he should have strong claims, and runs for the in form Ruth Carr stable. ATHENIAN is a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver and has been a revelation since handicapping, with form figures of 1121. The Acclamation filly has shown she has the ability to handle soft ground and will be a difficult horse to beat with further improvement expected. In the 8.50 maiden race the two market principles Cathedral and Sunnybridge Boy will be short prices and it could be worth taking a chance on CENTRIFUGAL. The Pivotal gelding will handle conditions and had a decent enough run behind him at Hamilton two weeks ago. He weakened badly, and the drop back in trip may give him a chance at a big price. WISEMAN’S DIAMOND won the last race on the card last year and has shown glimpses of form this year to suggest this race is well within her reach. A heavy ground winner at Pontefract, he struggled after being raised 6lb by the handicapper since. In his two runs at Ripon however he has a first and a third, and after lowered 3lb from his last two runs, the mare could go back to back providing she has her game face on.

7.50 Ripon – Al Muheer
8.20 Ripon – Athenian (Nap)
8.50 Ripon – Centrifugal
9.20 Ripon – Wiseman’s Diamond

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

@JJMSports

Eclipse Day at Sandown Park

ECLIPSE DAY at Sandown Park is always a special day, and with a good supporting card for handicappers, sprinters and stayers it look a well rounded card for the 10 furlong spectacular that can boast Sea The Stars, So You Think, Twice Over being some of the most recent winners, all horses that boast boundless amounts of class.

Going through the card, there looks to be some strong bets to be had, and being fortunate enough to be attending there myself, here’s hoping to a profitable day. The first race is a seven furlong handicap limited to three year olds, and although I like Dutch Master at the head of the market, it could be worth taking a chance on DANCE COMPANY for the William Knight stable. Young claimer Harry Bentley takes off a valuable 3lb, and this horse has been showing decent bits of form since running in a Group 3 last season. Its fourth last time out at Yarmouth was a good run behind three smart horses and he looks on a very workable mark.

The Coral Charge is a five furlong Group 3; there are some horses in the field that have the potential to surge up the sprinting ranks. Night Carnation won this last year and is respected, as is the top rated Elnawin for Richard Hannon, but they are inconsistent and boast a sole place between them in five runs this season. The most obvious horse is JUDGE AND JURY who has shown a tremendous attitude and consistency running this season, often in quick succession. He returned from a break to win a good York handicap, and showed his best piece of form to date when second in a Group 3 last week at The Curragh. He may get an easy lead and be hard to pass on better ground for the eight year old.

Trade Commissioner is likely to go off a very short price in the 2.40 and in all honesty looks the most likely winner, but I would have him around a 4/1-9/2 shot, not the 5/2 he is currently priced up at and hence is opposed. STAGE ATTRACTION looks a much more lucrative option for the in form Andrew Balding stable, and has been showing a consistent strong level of form in all his three runs thus far this season. The course and distance winner was just tiring last time out when a five lengths fourth, and the better ground could see further improvement, demonstrating steady progress without the handicapper lancing him in. The winner of that race went on to win at Royal Ascot, and the form of his three runs looks decent.

The fillies listed contest is another minefield with a very strong favourite. Starscope was placed in The Guineas and The Coronation Stakes, both of which were on bottomless ground though and the firmer stuff here may find her out. I as a person and a tipster general avoid Godolphin horses, which makes it even more open. I tipped up KINETICA at Royal Ascot and she looked badly in need of the run. With the Sir Mark Prescott yard in much better form three weeks on and a run under a belt, I still think she is potentially group class, and are worth taking another chance on.

The Eclipse looks a bit of a damp squib affair with ante post favourite So You Think pulling out, and I was personally lumping on him on the day, he was a banker. New favourite Farhh is ludicrously short for a horse with little group form. Nothing makes too much appeal, with Bonfire and Cityscape ideally liking a bit of cut in the ground, similarly with Nathaniel, who the trainer has said not to lump in, with him concerned about his fitness, and looking like this may be used as a prep for The King George. It may be a shot in the dark, but CRACKERJACK KING could be a tremendously underrated horse, and is the sort Marco Botti does well with, and Ryan Moore booked. Only ever beaten once (in the Prix Du Jockey Club/French Derby), he has won every start, and the Shamardal colt will relish the trip, he is bred to anyway. Rated only 2lb better than Sri Putra (118-116), he beat him ten lengths in a Group One in Italy in May, he is clearly better than the bare ratings.

Similarly MOUNT ATHOS who is Luca Cumani and Marvan Koukash’s earmarked Melbourne Cup horse for the season. He finished a good fourth in the Cesarewitch last season, and made a striking reappearance winning a good handicap at Newmarket. The step up in trip from 14 to 16 furlongs should bring further improvement out and red hot William Buick is booked in the plate.

Hayley Turner will be seeking redemption in the last on FOURTIETH AND FIFTH who went off a well backed favourite in his debut in handicap company last time out at Thirsk when she gave the horse too much to do and later apologised on Twitter for doing so. He looks much better given the way he ran on towards the finish, and she will be eager to make amends for a gelding that looks to have a lot of potential given the way he hacked up in his maiden win at Hamilton, and the form of that race working out well.

1.30 Sandown – Dance Company
2.05 Sandown – Judge and Jury
2.40 Sandown – Stage Attraction
3.10 Sandown – Kinetica
3.45 Sandown – Crackerjack King
4.20 Sandown – Mount Athos (Nap)
4.55 Sandown – Fourtieth and Fifth (Nb)


The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

@JJMSports

Friday Selections - Doncaster, Haydock and Sandown

Sandown

2.20 Ganas
2.50 Star Breaker
3.25 Royal Skies
4.00 Afsare (Nap)
4.35 Chain of Events
5.05 Sign Manual

Doncaster

2.00 Moodhill
2.30 Abidabhidubai
3.00 Raheeba
3.35 Trade Secret
4.10 Sequence (Nap)
4.45 Tobrata
5.15 Beauty Pageant

Haydock

6.45 Liberty Ship (Nap)
7.15 Tartan Jurer
7.45 Lexi The Princess
8.15 Miss You Too
8.45 Gladsome
9.15 Ambivalent

Tuesday July 3rd - Racing at Brighton

Racing on Tuesday is a mixed bag, and quite the contrast with the weather being about as strange and quirky of some of the horses on display, with the current going being good to firm at Brighton yet soft to heavy in places at Hamilton. A smorgasbord of weather.

I like the look of a few at Brighton, where course form, and course specialists including trainers and jockeys are paramount.

A trainer that particularly has a good record at the track is Mick Channon, and he has two very good chances with MAJESTIC SOUTH being his first in the opener. This is the time of year when three year old handicappers thrive and the unexposed Berolini filly will have benefitted from being hampered in running last time out over course and distance further helping his current handicap mark. His other chance is AMAZING WIN with Charles Bishop taking 5lb off, negating his rise in the weights. A tough sturdy Channon stereotype, he has won over course and distance before and is tough as old boots, with his game attitude and thriving on his racing, he should go close.

WHITEOAK LADY is another one of these Brighton favourites for David Evans, and has been rejuvenated since the fitting of cheekpieces in June. The mare plummeted down the weights and capitalised on the mark winning a handicap over course and distance. She seems to have found her appetite for racing again and will give another strong account.

MR FICKLE is a Gary Moore handicap special, absolutely lumped into when putting its poor maiden form behind to win a fifteen runner handicap at Yarmouth under the super cool George Baker, going from last to first in a matter of strides to get up on the line. He dropped down to 6 furlongs at Lingfield but met traffic in running and couldn’t get through in time. Returning to seven furlongs should suit and he is very unexposed for shrewd connections.

PALUS SAN MARCO has obvious claims for Peter Chapple-Hyam who is enjoying a rare rich vein of form over the last month. He had a winner at Wolverhampton yesterday and has two winners and three seconds from his last eleven runners. The well bred son of Holy Roman Emperor appreciated the step up in trip at Nottingham to run a good second behind a well backed favourite and the winner and the fifth have both come out and won since. There will be a short priced favourite for Sir Michael Stoute but Palus San Marco is worth a chance at a much bigger price.

FILUN has gradually been getting into the swing of things this season and the seven year old gelding has had a little break to aid his hunt for more glory. The twice course winner ran a good second five weeks ago to St Ignatius over a mile and a half before just tiring, with the same happening a week later. He has been freshened up and the winner has gone on to complete a hatrick since.

2.15 Brighton – Majestic South
2.45 Brighton – Whiteoak Lady
3.15 Brighton – Mr Fickle
3.45 Brighton – Palus San Marco
4.45 Brighton – Filun
5.45 Brighton – Amazing Win

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

@JJMSports