Saturday March 5th Tipping

A plethora of weekend’s racing lie in store once more, with action from the breadth of the country. Fantastic national hunt racing takes place at Kelso, Doncaster and Newbury, as well as action from Gowran Park across the Irish Sea. Saturday is a day of contrast and information, en route to the festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, with plenty on show. The consistent and reliable Ballabriggs is expected to be seen at Kelso in the Totesport Premier Chase, Ruby Walsh will also be on the comeback road to Cheltenham, as he takes on some promising looking rides for the champion trainer Paul Nicholls. There should also be a chance for Newbury to redeem itself after the tragedies of three weeks ago.

A partnership that seems to be flourishing at the moment is that of trainer George Charlton and his stable jockey Jan Faltejsek, The Czech native has formed a formidable partnership with the trainer since coming over as an 18 year old to work the Newmarket gallops in 2005. Since then he has become a very polished jockey, and takes the ride on FREDDIE BROWN, in the novices hurdle race at Kelso. After winning a bumper, he was not since this season until 257 days later, finishing a respectable 5^th of 17 in a novice’s hurdle, with the form working out very well indeed, with 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th in their next run all finishing second or better.

Staying with Kelso and another one of their showpiece events is the Kelso Hurdle. STORM BRIG looks to have an excellent chance on both form and ratings. He won 2 from 3 in bumpers, before turning to hurdling. He is 2 from 2, with both races working out very well. The last run at Newcastle last month being particularly so, with the second, third and sixth all winning next time out, and the horse finishing fourth that today finishing second next time out. Brian Harding takes the ride again and is cracking form, so fingers crossed both can make the hatrick.

A horse that is intriguing more than anything is the quirky and often unpredictable OSCAR PAPA. The Nick Gifford 6 year old has some strong form to note at the start of the season, finishing a good second to long time Albert Bartlett Hurdle ante post favourite, Court in Motion. He most recently finished second again, behind the promising Paul Nicholls horse Rebel Rebellion, and for that reason, he could be of some reasonable value. Although disappointing with two poor runs in between, I think there could be more to offer.

We turn our attention to Doncaster for our final selection, which also happens to be our Nap. In the north, in tough, competitive handicaps; it usually pays to stick with J Howard Johnson horses. The Grimthorpe chase is synonymous for finding staying chases, and there is a stellar field to try and battle out the way of attrition for this renewal. The most imposing and improving horse carries the famous Wylie colours, and that horse is PRESENTING FOREVER. The form from his last run at Cheltenham has worked out fantastic since finishing an unlucky second to Gold Cup hope Midnight Chase. Knockara Beau has since come out and won a handicap carrying top weight, Rare Bob won a Grade 2 handicap, and Neptune Collognes won the Argento chase. Not to mention strong runs from Beat the Boys and Palypso de Creek. Brain Hughes has opted to ride this over others and he should have the measure of a tough field.

Jack Milner

Presenting Forever 3.15 Doncaster 2pts EW NAP

Storm Brig 4.15 Kelso 2pt win

Oscar Papa 4.10 Newbury 1pt win

Freddie Brown 3.10 Kelso 1pt win

McCoy To Tie Them Up In Knots

McCoy To Tie Them Up In Knots

Ludlow specialist CEDRUS LIBANI aims to make it a hatrick on Thursday in the Chase Meredith Memorial Trophy, a 3 mile Hunter Chase event. He hacked up last time he was here a year ago, winning by 30 lengths when beating Silver Adonis. Silver Adonis followed this up by going onto the win the Foxhunters Chase at the Aintree festival, so the form has been given a very nice boost. Rated 130, he has 10lb in hand of his nearest rivals and the course and distance form is a real bonus. He should win this en route to higher profile hunter chases.

A very interesting runner at Bangor on Wednesday is a horse by the name of PLUS ULTRA. A son of multiple Group 1 winner Rock of Gibraltar, he was trained on the flat by Henry Cecil, and ended his flat career still a maiden. Switched to jumping and now gelded, there has been some improvement, albeit rather minor. He has finished 4-6-4 in three maiden hurdles, beaten by a combined 104 lengths. However in his last start, he ran behind Local Hero and Dhaafer, both of whom are subsequent winners. He could be very interesting proposition off bottom weight, especially when you factor in that best ever run on teh flat came off a 268 day lay-off, when ½ second to the Sir Michael Stoute trained Visualise. Fresh and off a low weight, Plus Ultra has a shout in what is a rather modest handicap.

The final selection is in the Kent National at Folkestone on Wednesday. AP McCoy has undoubtedly been the man for National races in the last 12 months and he takes the ride on my selection RATE OF KNOTS. He rides here for the same connections that won the Welsh and Midlands National with Synchronised and the Grand National itself with Don’t Push It. A beaten favourite last time out, the form of the race has worked out well. Rate of Knots should have the beating of what looks an average field.

Ludlow Thursday – Cedrus Libani 3pts Win (NAP)

Bangor Wednesday - Plus Ultra 2pt Win

Folkestone Wednesday – Rate of Knots 2pt Win

Tipping at a RATE OF KNOTS!

Last weekend was filled with the feeling of bittersweet, with all selections running well, with nothing to show for it. In the Racing Post trophy, Nacarat (Advised at 7/1) ran another fantastic race. Looking to have every chance four fences from home, he tired in ground unsuited and running with top weight, eventually finished a gutsy third. Razor Royal ran a very game race considering again conditions were not to suit, and sixth was very respectable given the competitive nature of the field. More disappointment came in the novices’ race, with Toubab being extremely disappointing, never going and making mistakes early on, before eventually being tailed off 3 out. The last horse, Soixante I was very sweet on, but again, finished a well beaten and finished second to Coup Royale who was the 7/2 favourite. The NAP Royal Charm was declared a non runner at the 48 hour declaration sentry stage unfortunately. Onwards and upwards!

Ludlow specialist CEDRUN LIBANI is aiming to make it a hatrick on Thursday in the Chase Meredith Memorial Trophy, a 3 mile Hunter Chase event. He hacked up last time he was here, winning by 30 lengths beating Silver Adonis last March. Silver Adonis followed this up by going onto the win the foxhunters chase at the Aintree festival, so the form has been given a very nice boost. Rated 130, he has 10lb in hand of his nearest rivals, and although given a 4lb allowance out, he still is the course and distance specialist, and should be in good order to win comfortable in this opposition en route to more higher profile hunter chases.

A very interesting runner at Bangor on Wednesday is a horse by the name of PLUS ULTRA. Son of multiple Group 1 winner Rock of Gibraltar, he was trained on the flat by Henry Cecil, and ended his flat career still a maiden. Switched to jumping and now gelded, there has been some improvement, albeit rather minor. He has finished 4-6-4 in three maiden hurdles, but beaten by a combined 104 lengths. However in his last start, he ran behind Local Hero and Dhaafer, both of which are subsequent winners. Thrown in off bottom weight could be very interesting proposition, especially when he had his best ever run with a break of 268 days, when ½ second to the Sir Michael Stoute trained Visualise. Fresh and off a low weight, Plus Ultra could easily winner a rather modest handicap.

The final selection revolves around the Kent National, at Folkestone racecourse on Wednesday. The man for National races in the last 12 months has been none other than AP McCoy, and he takes the ride on our choice RATE OF KNOTS. The same connections that have won the Welsh and Midlands National with Synchronised and the Grand National with Don’t Push It team up once more and have a very strong chance. A beaten favourite last time out, he was beaten a head only a head, and with that being only his second run of the season, improvement cane be expected.. The form of the race has worked out well, connections flying and an average field, Rate of Knots should have the beating of this very mediocre field.

Ludlow Thursday – Cedrun Libani 3pts Win (NAP)

Bangor Wednesday - Plus Ultra 2pt Win

Folkestone Wednesday – Rate of Knots 2pt Win

Jack Milner

Midweek Column 15/02/11 - Radium will be in his element!

Radium Will Be In His Element

Another significant weekend for racing as the build up and anticipation towards the Cheltenham Festival grows. Unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons that racing made the headlines this weekend. I’d like to start this week’s article by saying my thoughts are with the connections of both horses, and may we all move on from this terrible event.

Unbeaten Champion Hurdle candidate PEDDLERS CROSS aims to continue his unbeaten record when running in the Victor Chandler Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso on Thursday. Donald McCain plans to run his stable star in the race after he missed his previous engagement due to a minor setback.

The 2007 Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity is being sent over for the £15,000 race, and trainer Robbie Hennessy is rather bullish about his horse’s claims; "I've never been to Kelso but I'd say it's 99% that we'll be there next week. Everything I run in Britain seems to do quite well and we've been lucky enough to pick up a bit of prize-money.” Although Zaynar lost this race en route to his Champion Hurdle race when going off the 1/16 favourite, Peddlers Cross appears to be something special. The ease with which he won the rescheduled Fighting Fifth hurdle at Newbury illustrated his class, and he should be too strong for this field.

RADIUM has a fantastic chance of opening his account over fences when going to Ffos Las for the Dunraven Windows Novice Chase. He was unlucky to be brought down in his last race at Cheltenham in December, and the form has had an almighty boost with Wishfull Thinking and Spirit River both winning comfortably since. Radium is rated 11lbs better off at the weights than any of his prospective rivals, and with stable jockey Barry Geraghty set to ride, he has a massive chance.

A horse that is definitely worth another look and is entered to run at Punchestown on Thursday is the Edward O’ Grady trained CASH AND GO. He hacked up on his debut last week in testing ground at Thurles, entering the betting for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival for which the prices have been snapped up and he is now as low as 12/1, from 25s. Cash and Go is from the same connections as the Champion Chaser Big Zeb, and after proving he relishes heavy ground, could well be turned out quickly to good effect.

An outsider that has a good each way chance is the HEEZ A STEAL, who runs in the 2.40 at Kelso in the Lloyd Vaderstad Handicap Chase. Trained by George Charlton, Heez A Steal made a game return after a 253 day absence in a Catterick handicap last time out finishing fourth at 40/1. He has finished in the first four in his last 12 runs, winning three, has course and distance form, all of which point to him running a big race at a good price.

Jack Milner

Selections Summary

Wednesday 16^th February

Cash and Go 4.10 Punchestown 2pt Win

Thursday 17^th February

Radium 3.40 Ffos Las 3pts Win NAP

Peddlers Cross 3.50 Kelso 2pt Win

Heez a Steel 2.40 Kelso 1pt EW

Get me Onto This! 12/2/11 Column

The Totesport Trophy is the feature of a strong weekend of racing and is one of the strongest handicap hurdles of the season. A bumper field is expected, and with currently 23 horses declared, this means just one thing, value! This week’s first tip will single out GET ME OUT OF HERE to do the business here once more, after winning the 2010 running of this race. The horse will have the champion jockey AP McCoy aboard, who relishes and excels in races such as this. Get Me Out of Here won last year’s renewal before going onto finish a close second behind Menorah in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. He has run twice already this year, and has travelled very well before tiring near the end of his races, so the form figures of 67 do not tell the entire picture. The first race was after a 228 break, and provoked debate and the questionable ride given by AP McCoy, who was very gentle to say the least. The second run two weeks later was again positive before a bad mistake three from home ruined his chances. He will be fresh and raring to go and has the class and the form to win his second Totesport Trophy.

Another horse in the race of great interest is the Nicky Henderson trained SOLDATINO. Last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner had his first appearance of the season in the Holloway’s Hurdle at Ascot three weeks ago and was given a fairly cautious ride from Barry Geraghty. This was still only the horses sixth lifetime run and third in this country. The highly touted youngster cantered into the lead 4 furlongs from home, but the 2miles 3 furlongs trip proved his undoing, and this trip should be ideal. Wit the previous run working off a lot of rust, the horse will have had the ideal preparation, and at the current price of 10/1, is in with a fantastic chance.

FRENCH OPERA runs in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase in the 3:00 at Newbury and given the field size is a very good each way chance. Since switching to fences the horse has an outstanding record with four wins and a second from 6 starts. The only unplaced outing was on his reappearance this season after a 266 day absence last month at Sandown, where he finished 34 lengths last of Cornas who also runs. However the horse blundered and made a bad mistake four fences from the finish when he was making headway. Woolcombe Folly is the deserved favourite due to his wins, and the style of his wins this year, posting a more impressive speed figure than Master Minded, but he is vulnerable.

My final selection is at the rearranged Leopardstown meeting, which will now take place on Sunday. There is a tremendous card on offer with four Grade 1 races. The most illustrious of which is the Hennesy Gold Cup, where my tip JONCOL is bidding to make it back-to-back victories. The horse’s trainer Paul Nolan has said the horse is in prime shape and is extremely confident that his stable star is in even grander order than when getting up on the line to better of Cooldine, winning in the end by a neck. This season the horse finished a good third in the Lexus Chase won by Pandorama, however this has been the horses main aim for the season, and with the Paul Nicholls trained Pride of Dulcote in the race, there is nothing else left that should be able to trouble the 8 year old.

Joncol 3.50 2pts win

Get Me out of Here 3.35 2pts win

Soldatino 3.35 1pt ew

French Opera 3.00 1pt ew

All roads lead to Cheltenham

Another week has gone by, and there seems to still be more questions than answers still, in the run up to the big meeting, the Cheltenham Festival during the middle of March.

Saturday was another stepping stone to the big week, with more contenders in question, with racing on at Ffos Las, Sandown and Wetherby. A large disappointment was the abandonment of a fantastic multiple grade one card at Leopardstown, with the Hennessy Gold Cup being the showpiece of a card that included exciting horses such as Zaidpour, Pride of Dulcote and Mikael D’haugenet to name but a few.

Focusing on the racing that did go ahead, the most visually impressive performance was in the valleys, for the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las, where the Nicky Henderson trained OSCAR WHISKY duly obliged as the 2/7 favourite won very easily, barely coming off the bridle, winning by 8 lengths. Although he didn’t have the strongest of fields to defeat, the horse should have been put into ideal shape for the Stanjames.com Champion Hurdle, where he is currently a 14/1 chance, from 18s at the beginning of the week. The reigning Champion Hurdler won the Totesport Contenders Hurdle for the second successive year, but like last years race, the 1/10 favourite did not seem to look and win like a 1/10 horse should. Binocular stalked the leader and took advantage of the 50/1 outsider’s mistake at the last to win by 2 lengths. Bookmaker reaction was to ease out the current market favourite to 7/2 from 3/1. Although not visually impressive, trainer Nicky Henderson insists the run will put him spot on for the showpiece on day 1 of the festival come March 15^th.

MEDERMIT booked his place in this fields Arkle Chase with a victory in the Totesport Challengers Novice Chase, more commonly known as the Sicily Isles Novice Chase. The striking grey jumped cleanly and fluently throughout and cruised into contention three fences out before bounding clear over the final fence. The 2 miles 4 furlong trip seemed to stretch the 5/2 favourite, who tired during the final 2 furlongs to eventually only win by ¾ lengths to second favourite Captain Chris, who nearly took advantage of the weary leader, by coming back towards the line. Due to the win, the horse has gradually been supported for the Arkle, and is now 6/1 third favourite after being 12s prior to the race, then 8s and 7s before being confirmed for the Arkle, rather than the Jewson Novices. Phillip Hobbs, trainer of Captain Chris was said to be very pleased with his run, and he will in fact head for the Jewson’s Novice Chase, where he has been supported from 14s to 10s and is now clear second favourite behind the Paul Nolan trained Noble Prince. The son of Montjeu has finished twice in successive starts second behind Realt Dubh, including in last months Irish Arkle.

Perhaps the most encouraging run of the weekend was that of the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained BABY RUN, The horse was cemented in Twiston-Davies folklore when capping off the greatest day of the trainers professional career, when winning the Foxhunters chase last year on Gold Cup day, marking a memorable treble, and even more memorable as it was ridden by the trainer’s son Sam. On Saturday it was the turn of young brother Willie, who rode the horse to an exemplary 37 length winning margin. The 11/8 favourite made all and won from the front, striding clear, with no other horse being able to keep up with the ferocious pace the hose set. The horse is currently 5/1 to repeat his success of last year, which seems a very tempting price, as if the horse turns up in similar form, it could look very generous indeed!

BIG ZEB STILL THE ONE TO BEAT

Reigning Champion Chase winner and Irish Cartier Horse of the Year; Big Zeb, lost his first race in over 14 months at the weekend, when going down by ½ length to Golden Silver in the Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestowns Sunday. Big Zeb went off 4/6 favourite, and also 5/2 ante post favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The defeat has led to Big Zeb being deposed at the head of the Market by the 2008 and 2009 champion Master Minded, who has looked at this brilliant best, and is three from three already this season, including winning Grade 1 races the Victor Chandler chase, and even more impressively, the rescheduled Tingle Creek by an impressive 8 lengths.

However there is reason to stay loyal in the Big Zeb camp, and the loss on Sunday was hardly a trouncing, and the horses jumping looked at his impeccable best, which ironically could have been the reason behind him losing the race.

Big Zeb's trainer Colm Murphy said: "He probably jumped too well to get there when he did."

I'm a little disappointed but he flew the third- and fourth-last and he was possibly in front too soon. There was always going to be a day like that and today was the day. Anyway, we learned plenty and he seems to be OK after it. "The plan remains the same [to go to Cheltenham], the only problem today was the result!”.

The horse travelled and jumped so well that it was hard for jockey Barry Geraghty to restrain him, which led to the horse taking the lead 3 out, whereas the horse and jockey usually opt to have very substantial waiting tactics, to be in the lead as late as possible. The horse looked to have made it his fifth win on the bounce when going 3 lengths clear 2 fences from home. However when in front, the horse idled, and at the last fence, it allowed Golden Silver to steal the initiative and get first run on the approach to the winning line under an excellent ride from the Paul Townend, a man at the top of his game, riding at a current strike rate of 30% since the turn of the year.

irrespective of Golden Silver getting the upper hand over Big Zeb on Sunday, it has to be remembered that Big Zeb had won the previous 4 altercations at a combined total of 45 lengths, including 35 lengths defeat at the infamous Prestbury Park track, that is notoriously the true test of a national hunt horse, and the fact that Big Zeb has already shown his ability to hack up the Cheltenham hill, should provide his followers with more hearty optimism heading towards March. The horse has also won on good, soft and heavy ground, so there will be no need for a rain dance come March 16^th, unlike some other ground dependant horses, and although the weather may be predictable, it can be relatively easy to predict that this years sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase, should be an absolute treat!