Midweek Tipping - Brighton Thursday 13th October 2011

The racing world is awash with hype and expectation as the build up towards the first ever QIPCO Champions Day draws ever nearer. Once again the world and its mother can gaze their eyes on the world’s top rated racehorse, the Sir Henry Cecil trained FRANKEL, who looks to extend his unbeaten run to nine in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Before that however the jumps season is now in full swing and we head back to jumping’s HQ at Cheltenham, with a good set of handicaps on offer. Thursday has racing at Uttoxeter and Wincanton but we’ll focus our attentions on Brighton, where Silvestre De Sousa aims to make up ground on Paul Hanagan and Kieren Fallon.

Our first selection runs in the 3.00, a Class 6 Handicap run over 10 furlongs, where, despite the poor grade, it could be worth taking a chance on PRINCE OF THEBES who has come tumbling down the handicap in recent starts. He has looked like he may return to form, travelling well without finding much, and the new whip rules may just aid him as he seemed to be one who finds little under pressure. He has come down 24lb since his last win 18 months ago, and his apprentice rider takes another 5lb off to boot. The jockey is 3/9 at Brighton, so is something of a specialist, and could be worth a punt at a working man’s price.

A really tricky maiden is up next in the 3.30, with stables represented including the Balding, Hannon and Godolphin yards to name but a few, with some finely bred two year olds on display. Renegotiate runs for the Andrew Balding and Jimmy Fortune connections and he showed promise two weeks ago in a Newmarket maiden, there could be more to come. Richard Hannon won this race last year and has another smart prospect in Golden Jubilee. He was well backed last time out in what seemed a smart maiden at Salisbury but didn't seem to handle the soft ground. He could go better on a firmer surface.

The stand out entry, however, is EXPERT FIGHTER for Saeed Bin Suroor and the interesting jockey booking of William Buick. The Dubai Destination colt ran a good seventh on his debut at Haydock in a maiden where the form has worked out really well with the three subsequent runs bringing a win and two seconds.

PEARL OPERA is horse who has been thriving on the all weather lately, and has not been seen on the turf since his maiden at Chepstow, but that shouldn't hamper his chances at all. The filly has the advantage of acquiring the services of Richard Hughes, who has been in sparkling form this past few weeks, with 11 wins from 43 runners so far in October, including a Listed race, Sales race and two group wins. Pearl Opera won last time out and won well, staying on strongly. She has gone up only 3lb in the handicap and the handicapper seems to have given her a chance to go and give connections another happy afternoon.

3.00 Prince of Thebes (Ew)

3.30 Expert Fighter (Nap)

4.00 Pearl Opera

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Midweek Talking Turf - October 6th 2011 - Botham to hit them for six at Ayr!

Without jinxing things, the form of the tipping article has been exceptional, with the last 4 naps all being successful, making August and September very profitable months for followers of The Yorkshireman.

We focus on Ayr on Thursday for a competitive card, and where there are some promising chances, especially for some of the more notorious northern yards, such as Jim Goldie and Paul Midgely, both of whom like to pull off a nice betting coup now and again, so be sure to keep an eye on any market movers!

Our first selection comes in the first race, the 2.10, in a mile maiden race. NEVER PERFECT looks an exceptionally well bred colt who can build on a promising fourth on his racecourse debut last time out at Newcastle. The son of Galileo looked green on debut, but still managed to run a respectable race on ground that was less than ideal. He has a Racing Post Trophy entry, so is clearly highly though of by connections, and should go a lot better against a much lower quality field.

BOTHAM is a horse who was very impressive last time out, winning at Hamilton under a penalty, and won with plenty in hand. Jim Goldie's dual performer was running after a previous win at Hamilton 10 days previous, and the horse and the yard are clearly in good heart at the moment, and can complete the hatrick in the 5.10, the lucky last. The 9 furlong trip should be ideal for the gelding, and given his last two victories have been successful on both good and soft ground, the forecasted rain would not hamper his chances. He is due to go up 5lb in the handicap next week, so is a horse who is well in, and should win a shade cosily under Danny Tudhope who has 2 wins and 1 place from 3 starts on him, and I would be very surprised if a gamble isn't launched and landed from local connections.

Our final selection is for another native of the Ayr region and is from Keith Dalgleish, who has a tremendously successful season, in his first year since departing as Mark Johnston's right hand man. One of his more consistent horses is CHOOKIE AVON, who since being given a break in the middle of the summer, has come back looking fresh and thriving at northern tracks. His last three starts have reaped a first, second and a third at Newcastle, Ayr and Mussleburgh respectfully, and is another who seems to have remained slightly ahead of the handicapper. Persistent rain means the ground is likely to be soft, which shouldn't be a problem, winning two starts ago on soft ground, beating consistent Middleham Park Racing stalwart Whispering Spirit.

2.10 Ayr - Never Perfect

3.10 Ayr - Chookie Avon

5.10 Ayr - Botham (Nap)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Weekend Tipping, Ascot, Newmarket and The Arc

A fantastic weekend of racing afoot, with Ascot hosting a fantastic card, including a Group 2's, a listed race as well as the Challenge Cup, a tough 28 runner handicap, with the seasons most versatile and arguably the best handicappers in racing this season. There is also racing at Newmarket, with more of the rich sales races for two year olds, not to mention the richest race in Europe with the Arc being at Longchamp Sunday, and lots of European challangers aiming to bring the prize across the channel for the third successive year.

The Arc is the richest and arguably the most coveted race in the world, and is the second most important race when it comes to the breeding industry, only behind the Derby and with top breeding operations having the Arc as their number one target. Coolmore, Juddmonte, Darley and The Aga Khan have stamped their print on this race, and all will have entrants aiming to carry on their fine tradition. Coolmore and Ballydoyle are likely to have southern hemisphere sensation So You Think as their spearhead, and should go well on ground that will suit, with little rain forecast. Despite disappointing in the Prix Foy, St Nicholas Abbey could still turn out, although would be suited with more cut in the ground. They are also represented by Irish Derby first and second, Treasure Beach and Seville, Epsom Oakes second Wonder of Wonders and likely pacemaker Regent Street.

The drying ground is also likely to suit dual Oaks heroine Snow Fairy, who ran So You Think home in the Irish Champion Stakes, and seems prime for a fine autumn campaign. Last year's winner WORKFORCE seems to suit the track, especially the long punishing straight, but with him again having fitness worries given his recent King George run after hanging badly, he could not backed with high amounts of confidence. A horse with a good chance is GALIKOVA, half sister to champion miler Goldikova, and put her Prix De Diane second behind when winning the traditional Arc trial the Prix Vermaille. The daughter of Galileo seemed to thrive when stepping up to a mile and a half, after previously winning a Group Two at Deauville, turning the tables on French Oaks winner Golden Lilac. Galikova will get lumps of weight being a three year old fillee, and has to be considered. The main challenge and leading threat however represents HH Aga Khan, who aims to follow Zarkava's win in 2008 with SARAFINA, who looks to build on a disappointing third last year. She was badly hampered in running, and arguably would have finished much closer were it not for the argy bargy in behind. She has been a model of consistency since starting her four year old campaign, taking her career earnings over the £1 million mark. After finishing second in the Prix Ganay, she has won a further three races, the last two over 12 furlongs. She travels like a dream, and stays so well, winning her last three races in the final strides, all winning on hands and heels rides from Cristophe Lemaire, and providing she can avoid trouble in running, she should carry on her record over never finishing out of the front three at Longhchamp on Sunday.

WAHYLAH runs in the Tattersalls 2yo Trophy at Newmarket, and aims to give connections back to back wins after Clive Brittain's Masaya won last year under Tom Queally. Wahylah stepped up on her maiden run by running well in a group two before winning a good sales race at Newmarket last time out, and looks to have the experience and the pedigree to take a race of this calibre.

Richard Hannon's stable jockey, Richard Hughes can't be at Ascot Saturday, but the chances of MONSIEUR CHEVALIER look very good, following his late win at Goodwood in a listed contest last time out. He got a master ride from Steve Drowne that day to win by a nose, and based on his Golden Jubilee Stakes form, he looks to set a high standard. Six furlongs seem to be his optimum trip, and although the Golden Jubilee form has not worked out too well, he still looks to be the best horse in a highly competitive Group 3 contest.

QUEST FOR PEACE looks to be another chance for Kieren Fallon to make some ground on champion jockey Paul Hanagan when riding for boss Luca Cumani in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot. Closely related to multiple Group 1 winner Misty For Me, this son of Galileo was last seen building on maident promise by winning a very good listed race at Roscommon over a mile and a half. Hayizna, Address Unknown and Unity, all down the field have all come out and ran well, and the colt looks to have bags of improvement to come. He has tough competitors in last years St Leger winner Arctic Cosmos and John Smiths Cup favourite Pekan Star, but the unexposed three year old can build on an already promising start to his career here at Ascot.

Prix De L'arc De Triomphe - Sarafina & Galikova (Ew)

2.25 Newmarket - Wahylah

2.40 Ascot - Quest For Peace (Nap)

3.15 Ascot - Monsieur Chevalier

Saturday Tipping - Saturday 17th September, Ayr and Newbury

The showpiece race of Ayr's autumn three day festival is the Ayr Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious sprint handicap races of the flat season with a first prize of £74,000, and it invariably attracts some of the best speedsters in the country. Trainer Dandy Nicholls usually arrives in Scotland mob handed and had five runners last year, including the winner, Redford. This year he has chances with Regal Parade, Tajneed and Evens and Odds, but I’m going to look elsewhere.

Jim Goldie’s Hawkeyethenoo is a tough, consistent sort who finished down the field last year, but has been in good form this year, winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot. Pepper Lane has been a talisman for trainer David O' Meara and completed a hatrick when winning The Great St Wilfred at Thirsk, but has gone up 22lb since the start of his winning sequence. Eton Rifles was impressive when landing a massive gamble under the incomparable K Fallon in the second leg of the Betfair Summer Double.

However, the leading prospect here may be MACS POWER, for the James Fanshawe stable. He has been running well in good quality handicaps this season, and seems to thrive on good ground. He didn't seem to enjoy soft ground in a listed race at Newmarket, but before that ran well behind subsequent narrow Sprint Cup third Hoof It. He is yet to get that slice of luck that is often needed in these big sprint races, and off a decent weight, with the ground possibly in his favour, I am expecting another big win for the successful Fanshawe and Cosgrave partnership.

Aside from Ayr there is an excellent card at Newbury, including the Arc Trial, won last year by the subsequent Breeders Cup Turf winner Dangerous Midge. This tough colt looks to defend his crown, after winning this race in impressive style last year against a good field, including Group One winners Rainbow Peak and Campanologist. His last run was at Meydan in the Sheema Classic where he appeared not to handle the surface and finished last. From his runs last year he sets a good standard, Green Destiny steps up in trip and it is unknown whether he will stay.

Caspar Netcher is a juvenile who has gradually been stepped up in class after a maiden win and a second in a conditions race. From there, he finished second, third and fourth in listed races, including a third to Frederick Engels in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. A third in a Group 3 race behind current ante post 2000 Guineas favourite Harbour Watch was then topped by a Group 2 win last time out in the Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) at York. The form was franked from Burwaaz who finished second next time out, and Reply winning the big sales race last weekend for Ballydoyle. As a final plus, that man Fallon is booked.

2.30 Newbury - Caspar Netcher (Nap)

2.00 Newbury - Dangerous Midge

3.20 Ayr - Macs Power (Ew)

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Doncaster St Leger Meeting - Friday 9th September

The Flying Childers Stakes looks set for another cracking renewal, and although there are lots of big stables with Requinto, Burwaaz, Lilbourne Lad and Angels Will Fall all representing powerful yards, I think it will come down to two horses, depending on the ground. If it comes up good, My Propellor will be difficult to beat, following up her impressive maiden win with a listed win at York. However my value option is KOHALA for the David Barron yard. A model of consistency, and the form from her Queen Mary 4th is absolutely rock solid. She sets the standard.

Few of interest in this one, with no real obvious stand out pick. Eternal Heart ran a good race behind Motrice at Goodwood two weeks ago, and Will Buick has kept the ride on the Mark Johnston colt, which is of interest. Precision Break won this race off a 1lb lower mark, but faces five more rivals than last year, and may struggle for fitness on only his second run of the season. The Fallon factor sways us with BOURNE, who looked an out and out potential stayer when second in the Old Newton Cup. He stayed on strongly, has that man Fallon on board, and has a low weight to carry, and the Luca Cumani gelding may hold the key.

Absolute banker of the meeting runs in the Doncaster Cup and that is my trusty OPINION POLL, whom I napped last time out in the Goodwood Cup, and should once more be too strong against a much inferior field. Trip of 2m 2f should suit the Godolphin animal moreso than anyone else, and his form is absolutely rock solid. The more rain the better, and that will only effect the winning distance. Cue a flying dismount for the Doncaster locals!

Toughest race on the card is the May Hill Stakes, a fillies group two, with some promising juveniles. Samitar sets the obvious benchmark, winning the Albany and then being an arguabley unlucky runner up at Newmarket next time out. Regal Realm looked highly progressive from her recent group three win, and has some promising entries. As does John Gosden's Fallen For You, whose maiden form has worked out well, and the daughter of Dansili is entered in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket. Hard to stray from SAMITAR however, who should relish the conditions and sets the best standard.

Another horse with a seemingly bright future is the Sheikh Hamdan horse EKTIHAAM, and although it pains me to side for a horse with Richard Hills on board, he looks to be potentially a superstar. Entered in the Royal Lodge, Dewhurst and Racing Post Trophy, he made easy work of Harvard n' Yale in his maiden, who is another extremely well bred colt, and then won a Newmarket maiden next time out. Even Richard Hills can get this one home chaps!

BELOW ZERO looks a colt who has sneaked his way ahead of the handicapper, and although carries a 6lb penalty for a recent victory, looks well in. After finishing third in the second leg of the Betfair Summer Double, he was punted off the boards with Fran Berry on in the September Handicap at Leopardstown, winning very cosily. The big danger looks to be the Easterby gelding Grissom seeking the hatrick, but again we put our faithin King Kieren!

Final race of the card, tough classified stakes, a race where three year olds have an excellent record, Godolphin's Willing Foe building on the record last year. Two stand outs come in the Mashaaref for Richard Hills and Roger Varian, a son of Cape Cross who is fairly unexposed, and Beaten Up for William Haggas and Richard Hughes, an unbeaten gelding aiming to build upon a solid maiden win in April at Ripon. Hard to pick between the two but based on BEATEN UP's maiden form, we shall side with Yorkshireman William Haggas in the lucky last.

1.25 Kohala

1.55 Bourne

2.25 Opinion Poll (Nap)

3.00 Samitar

3.35 Ektihaam (Nb)

4.10 Below Zero

4.40 Beaten Up

Saturday Tipping - Goodwood and Newmarket

Glorious Goodwood has absolutely lived up to its name and reputation as a festival, and I feel extremely privileged to have seen many racehorses of utter class in my time, but Frankel winning the Sussex Stakes puts him top of my mental pecking order ahead of Sea The Stars and Zarkava.

Frankel winning the Sussex Stakes is another example of the ‘Classic Generation’ having the apparent upper hand over the older horses, and they can continue this trend in the Nassau Stakes in MISTY FOR ME. The Nassau is a Group One contest for fillies and mares over 1m 2f and attracts horses of the highest calibre, The Aidan O’ Brien trained filly built on her dual group one two year old career in emphatic style winning the Irish 2000 Guineas and then the Pretty Polly Stakes, with the Pretty Polly performance being the stand out, destroying Midday, who she will reoppose here again on Saturday. Misty for Me has proven that her optimum trip is over the distance, tiring in the Epsom Oaks, yet staying on in the Irish guineas, and given the fact three year olds are given 9lb due to weight for age, she should be very hard to beat.

The Stewards Cup is the marmite of betting opportunities –some people love it, some people hate it. There will be a field of 30 runners trying to win this Class 2 handicap, and instead of taking a chance with an outsider, we are playing it safe and sticking with the top weight, the best horse by far in the race, HOOF IT. Kieren Fallon seems to get on tremendously well with this horse, which landed another plunge for trainer Mick Easterby when winning the SkyBet Dash at York, a 20 runner handicap as 3/1 favourite. He is clearly one of those horses that come along that is a group horse slumming it in handicap company, much like Royal Ascot winner Deacon Blues, and as long as the horse deals with the ‘bounce factor’, the Easterby’s could be landing another one of their famous gambles Saturday.

We switch our attention to Newmarket for our final selection, is for in form trainer Andrew Balding, who seems to thrive in tricky handicaps, and has another potential leading player in LAY TIME, whose form looks absolutely rock solid. The filly made her debut last year in a Salisbury maiden, which was won by Group horse for Sir Michael Stoute Shim Sham, and had UAE Oaks winner Khawlah in second. Lay Time finished fifth that day, and then went and won a maiden on her seasonal debut this year, winning a 7 runner maiden over 7f two weeks ago by three lengths. The Balding yard is synonymous with horses coming on for their runs, and this daughter of supersire Galileo looks like the sky is the limit for her.

2.20 Newmarket – Lay Time (Nap)

3.10 Goodwood – Misty For Me

3.45 Goodwood – Hoof It

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Midwwek Turfing Talk - July 13th 211 - Sandown Park and Catterick Bridge

This Wednesday (13^th July) there is a fantastic spread of racing to choose from, with cards spread across three countries, two codes and seven meetings. From this choice of over fourty races I have whittled things down to just three selections in the hope of providing our loyal followers with a nice profit to tee up their weekend punting plans.

Our first selection comes from Catterick in the heart of Yorkshire. The local trainers are usually those to keep an eye out for, especially when the money is down. Trainers such as Richard Fahey, Mark Johnston and David O’ Meara have experienced success in the last few years, however this year it has all been about the EASTERBY family, with both Mick and nephew Tim experiencing a fantastic year thus far. Tim, in particular, seems to have a really good bunch of two year olds.

He has a runner of note in the 2.50, a novice auction race, where his horse PIECE BY PIECE is likely to go off a hot favourite. Piece By Piece won a six furlong maiden at Ripon, which has worked out well, some of those behind coming out to win subsequently. He then ran second recently at Newcastle to a smart horse of Tom Tate’s, Parc De Launay, losing by a neck. His form looks solid enough and the step up to seven furlongs should prove a help rather than a hindrance.

The Henry Candy yard is flying at the minute, in particular when stable jockey Dane O’ Niell is on board. Out of the 44 rides he has had for his boss this year, he has had 11 winners and 13 further places. The team can have further success with BLESS YOU, a recent maiden winner who makes her debut in handicap company for the first time in the 6:50 at Sandown on Wednesday. The filly has been given a mark of 82, which means she will carry top weight, however she looks to have bags of improvement to come, and has improved with every run thus far. The maiden form looks strong, with half the field at least placed in their subsequent runs, and she looks the one to beat.

Further down the card at Sandown there looks to be another horse of interest in the Mark Tompkins trained BATTERY POWER, complete with eye-catching jockey booking Kieren Fallon. The Royal Applause filly is stepping up to 1m 6f for the first time, and looks like one to keep an eye on. Since winning her maiden with relative ease at Southwell back in November, she was stepped up to 10 furlongs on her reappearance, and finished fourth of six. She was entitled to that run, having been off for 200 days . The recent promise she showed when finishing second in a Classified Stakes race at Newmarket earmarks her as the potential value in a trappy handicap.

2.50 Catterick – Piece By Piece (Nap)

6.50 Sandown – Bless You

8.50 Sandown – Battery Power

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner