Midweek Tipping - Ayr Races - Wednesday 25th May

Northern based trainer Jim Goldie, is a very shrewd individual, and I expect him to have his placings up to scratch with the veteran OH LANDINO, when running in the 4.55 at Ayr on Wednesday. The race is over 1mile 7furlongs, and will be a true test of stamina, especially with more rain predicted to come. Oh Landino is still a maiden after sixteen efforts, but showed great promise during his last three efforts. The gelding finished third over a 3 mile hurdle, before reverting back to the flat and finishing second behind the reliable favourite Oddsmaker. The trainer won the race last year, and he should see the trip out well. The only serious threat looks to be Trojan Gift, who has got better with every runner this year, but is saddled with top weight, and is giving a stone to Oh Landino.

The most in form partnership in the business is the champion jockey riding for his boss Richard Fahey, and they have a fantastic chance of continuing this trend with their runner in the two year old maiden race with HOLY ROMAN WARRIOR. The finely bred colt is a son of Holy Roman Emperor, the former champion two year old for Ballydoyle. The trainer has an amazing strike rate, especially this year, with 12 winners from 35 runners, as well as 9 placings. His breeding and the stable form should be enough to win a relatively poor maiden. The champion jockey is booked, and there is no man better at the moment than Paul Hanagan!

STRIKE UP THE BAND is a long standing servant for trainer David Nicholls and the eight year old will be looking to build on his career that has been frustrating with only 4 wins from 53 starts over the turf. He looked backed to his scintillating best when finishing second on his seasonable beau, finishing a respectable second to Le Toreador last time out at Thirsk. Back in tenth that day Dickie Le Davoir has gone and won a strong handicap at Haydock, which further enhances the form. Son Adrian is booked to ride, and rode it three times in 2005 when the horse started out as a two year old, and hopefully the absence will be filled with another victory to make it 5 from 54 career starts.

2.10 Ayr – Holy Roman Warrior (NAP)

3.15 Ayr – Strike Up the Band (Ew)

4.55 Ayr – Oh Landino (NB)

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Irish Guineas Meeting at The Curragh May 21st and 22nd

SO YOU THINK, the Aussie superstar brought to Ireland by the Coolmore operation, runs in the Tattersalls Gold Cup this Sunday, and looks un-opposable. He currently has multiple Group 1 race entries but connections have stated that his aim will be the King George and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Stakes at Royal Ascot in July. The Ascot trip should be perfect for the Ballydoyle superstar but with the Derby and Arc hero Workforce due to oppose, he will need to be every inch the champion he looks. I take him to prevail come end July and now is the time to get on.

The Irish renewal of the 2000 Guineas is also run this weekend. Dubawi Gold looks to build on his second to Frankel in the English equivalent. He and Michael Dods’ Ashva are the only English raiders in a small field. Aidan O’ Brien has four runners, but none really appeal and I’m looking to DUNBOYNE EXPRESS. The Kevin Prendergast colt looked special last year, following up a maiden win with a group 3 win in the Anglesey Stakes, winning by an impressive 8 lengths. He started the season well, and should build on his win in the Guineas trial by smashing this rather below par field, at a nice price to boot.

LOLLY FOR DOLLY is a very classy mare, and is in fine form, with two wins and a second from three runs this season. She was narrowly touched off in her last race by the hot favourite Emiyna. That race was over 7 furlongs and I think the step up in trip to a mile should suit. The stable have started the season flying, and everything points to Lolly winning the Dolly for us at the Curragh!

Jack Milner

Saturday

Curragh 3.45 - Dunboyne Express

Curragh 4.20 - Lolly for Dolly

So You Think – King George and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Stakes (Ante Post) 3/1

Tipping for Goodwood - Wednesday 18th May

Returning still from the high of being on the Knavesmire and ‘living the dream’, we are back down to earth with a bang with Wednesdays racing. There is a very poor spread of racing, with the exception of Goodwood, who still are able to put on a very good standard of card, with the highlight being a Class 1 fillies listed stakes for three year olds.

It is in that race that we have our first selection, in the only offspring of impressive miler George Washington, DATE WITH DESTINY. The filly looked like she was primed for great things when winning a maiden on debut at Windsor amongst much fanfare and has been running in solid group and listed company since that victory. She has built on both runs this season, a 5 length defeat in the Tattersalls three year old trophy, before finishing third in the Oaks trial at Lingfield. She was hampered when making steady headway that day, and with a bit of luck, she could be a bit of value around the 5/1 mark. The Mick Channon trained Metropolitan Miss was a well beaten favourite last time out, but that performance was too bad to be true, and you would expect her to be a big danger.

Another race of listed status is the IBA Cocked Hall stakes, which although only has five runners, has a very good strength in depth. The field is headed by recent Goldolphin handicap winner Badeel, who won a very good class 3 handicap recently at Nottingham. However preference is for two others out of the field. The first is the once Derby hope MASKED MARVEL. He finished a good fifth in the Derby trial at Sandown, and I think there will be more to come. The son of Montjeu was easily treated on his reappearance, and there will be more to come. Another one who will go close is PICTURE EDITOR. He was used as a pacemaker in the Greenham for superstar stablemate Frankel, but has been a long term Derby hope. Tongues were set wagging when winning a three runner conditions race by thirty lengths, and was immediately thrown into that Derby market as third or fourth favourite. He finished third then in a stronger conditions race behind two horses who have gone on to run better races this season. Measuring Time finished placed in two group races and another good run in the Tattersalls three year old trophy.

CLUB OCEANIC looks to have a strong chance in the class four handicap in the 2.35 also. After winning a maiden last season, he ran a solid third in his foray into handicaps on the all weather at Kempton, narrowly losing by two short heads. He is a son of Cape Cross, so should prefer changing to turf, and with the cobwebs blown off, and Frankie Dettori aboard, he should go very close.

2.35 Goodwood – Club Oceanic

3.10 Goodwood – Date With Destiny NAP

4.20 Goodwood – Masked Marvel & Picture Editor

Lockinge Day at Newbury 14/05/11

Quality and quantity is on offer on Saturday, with flat racing being on display at Newmarket, Doncaster and Newbury, with the highlight being the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes, which has the champion miler from last year Canford Cliffs looking to give trainer Richard Hannon back to back victories after the win of Paco Boy last year.

Canford Cliffs was the clear champion miler last year, finishing second in the 2000 Guineas, before winning the Irish equivalent, and remaining unbeaten for the rest of the season, winning the St James Palace Stakes and the Sussex Stakes, both of which being Group 1 races. He sets the standard, but he was beaten on his opening run of last year in the Greenham Stakes by DICK TURPIN, and I think there is a strong chance that it could happen again here. Dick Turpin was also very successful last year, winning a Group 1 race in France, and being the model of consistency, being unplaced only once last year, when not seeing out the trip in the International Stakes at York. He looked very impressive on his reappearance, which showed he has maintained his ability, and the run will have blown the cobwebs off. He should be around the 7/2 mark, and will be very good value, and guarantee to at least place.

DOMINANT looks to have a very strong chance when running in the Totesport.com Gold Cup Handicap, in the 3.10 at Newbury. Trainer Roger Varian is in sensational form, with winners coming seemingly thick and fast, including Pekan Star on Wednesday at York. Dominant won a good maiden, before impressive wins in the Tattersalls two year old trophy, running a respectable five lengths fifth of twenty seven, before reappearing this year to finish second to Chain Lightning in a class three handicap at Sandown. He is unexposed and has lots of improvement to come, and should be a very sweet price.

POLLY’S MARK was impressive last year running in group and listed company and performing with respectability when finishing second three consecutive races behind good horses Barshiba, Eastern Aria and Les Fazzini. The mare was unlucky in defeat to Gertrude Bell on her most recent outing, and was staying on well towards the end of the race. The step up in trip to this trip of 1m 5f is sure to suit, and her race two weeks ago will have put her cherry ripe to give Clive Cox and Adam Kirby a deserved success.

3.10 Newbury – Dominant (Nap)

3.00 Newbury – Polly’s Mark

3.45 Newbury – Dick Turpin

Tipping for York Wednesday 11/5/11

I am delighted to say that I will be making my inaugural appearance on the Knavesmire this week, for York and its annual Dante meeting. I am excited for what promises to be week that has possible clues to come from the most respected of Epsom trials, the Dante, and the Musiadora.

All selections for the article have come from Wednesday’s day of racing, and our first selection comes in the highly competitive Duke of York Blue Square Stakes, which has group two status. The field has fourteen confirmed runners, including last year’s winner Prime Defender and also group one winner’s Regal Parade and Markab. Trends suggest age is against him however, with no horse older than seven years old winning this race. Other contenders include the in form Richard Fahey trained Rose Blossom, and Dalghar, with multiple placings in group company, now trained by Andrew Balding in Newmarket, However it is difficult to see beyond two horses in this field, the first being ‘Sprint King’ Dandy Nicholls trained REGAL PARADE. He ran a solid enough race on his return from a break behind Lolly for Dolly over 7 furlongs in the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. He looked sharp before fading in the closing stages, and from last season it can be season that 6 furlongs is his optimum trip. Ground will be perfect at good to soft, in direct parallels to his Prix Maurice de Gheest victory. His last run will have made him cherry ripe and perfect for this race.

The major threat to Regal Parade is the Goldolphin trained DELEGATOR, who traditionally runs very well fresh. He is returning from a six length defeat to the wonder mare Goldikova in the Breeders Cup Mile. It is the first time he has run over the 6f trip, but the way he travels, this type of race should be ideal. Frankie Dettori has a fantastic record and York, and his pace could be very dangerous.

A twenty runner handicap over a mile and a half on the Knavesmire may sound like a daunting prospect, but it could be easier than perhaps it seems at first glance. In the 3:35 at York, a class four handicap, there are many tried and exposed horses, many of whom have had 10+ runs since their debuts. The exception to this is recently tipped up HUFF AND PUFF for the Amanda Perrett yard. The four year old was tipped here on his recent run three weeks ago at Bath, and the money came for him, being backed into 11/10 favourite from 11/4. It was a solid run, and a great ride from Neil Callan, doing the minimum on the horse,. Callan retains the ride and is 2/2 on board, and we are hoping his form, and his lack of exertions will make it 3 from 3.

Our final selection is the best bet of the day, and is the Barry Hills trained SHROPSHIRE; who was expected to achieve great things as a two year old. He went off joint second favourite in the Gimcrack (Group 2) after an impressive maiden win, and was a sixteen length tenth of eleven runners. But analysing the form of that race further, he was behind a field of very good runners. Winner approved went onto place in the Stakes and Champagne Stakes, won by the Gimcrack fourth Temple Meads. Even Dubawi Gold, last that day, went onto win two listed races en route to finishing second behind the champion two year old Frankel in the 2000 Guineas. Shropshire’s run in the Greenham was respectable and should have put him spot on for this.

2.00 York – Shropshire 3pt Win NAP

3.00 York – Regal Parade 2pt Win Delegator 1pt Win

3.35 York – Huff and Puff 1pt EW

Saturday Tips - May 7th 2011 - Punchestown and Ascot

Saturday, in the midst of the biggest and most illustrious jumps meeting in Ireland with Punchestown drawing to an end, there is excellent and competitive flat racing, with the highlight being the Totesport Victoria Cup, won last year by the Irish raider Dandy Boy for trainer David Marnane. The supporting card comes with a class 1 and class 2 listed races, with the Sir Michael Stoute trained Verdant looking to put aside his poor seasonal reappearance by getting back on track in the John Doyle Buckhound stakes.

VERDANT was touted as a possible Derby horse when winning a maiden over 10 furlongs as a two year old, before winning a tough handicap on his first run as a three year old. He lost his way slightly in the middle of the season before two back to back handicap wins. He was a five length fifth of seven runners three weeks ago, tiring in the last two furlongs and that should have put him spot on for this race. The obvious danger comes from the Roger Varian trained Alainmar, who last year was successful in a class two handicap and class two condition stakes, and has his ideal ground.

The Totesport Victoria Cup is a race that is attractive to owners, and punters, with 29 runners competing for a first prize of £52,964. The tough handicap has many questions, with few answers, and horses could be using this to get them spot on for future races in the coming season. Himalya, ridden by Ryan Moore could prove a big threat, although his fitness may still not be all there, and he could be using this as a stepping stone for other things. Trainers Richard Fahey and Dandy Nicholls are always dangerous in big handicaps, and usually have several runners each. On this occasion however, preference lay in the Michael Bell trained HORSERADISH, who was mightily impressive on returning to win a 6f handicap at Doncaster. The gelding progressed nicely last year; progressing to win a class two handicap over seven furlongs and jockey Hayley Turner has built a great relationship with the horse. He is clearly one on the upgrade, and one to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.

GRANDOUET is a horse that I have followed all season, and I will remain faithful to the Nicky Henderson gelding when he runs in the 4 year old hurdle at Punchestown. He has been progressive on all starts this season, to eventually finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. He followed that up by a fantastic run in the four year old juvenile hurdle at Aintree, when seemingly all over eventual winner Zarkander, unfortunate to being brought down at the second last by a. The only negative is he will face field where runners have beaten him before. Kumbeshwar was second ahead of him at Aintree and Unaccompanied was second at Cheltenham, That being said, he is improving with every run, and is the top rated horse in the race, and I still expect the Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty combination to end the festival on a high here.

Selections:

Horseradish 3.25 Ascot (EW) NAP

Verdant 2.20 Ascot

Grandouet 4.25 Punchestown

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner

Punchestown Festival Preview - Best Bets

Punchestown is a place where the Irish come out in full force for the festival, with an emphasis on quality, with a staggering eleven grade one races, and a who’s who of national hunt racing on display. Kauto Star, Big Zeb, Binocular, Sizing Europe, Hurricane Fly, Menorah, Quito De La Roque, all Grade One winners at the Cheltenham Festival over the last few years, and all will be out to achieve further honours this week.

Tuesday is the day I have personally been looking forward to, with the Boylesports Irish Champion Chase being the highlight of a seven race card, with three of the mentioned eleven grade one races. This race sees Ireland’s three best two mile chasers Sizing Europe, Big Zeb and Golden Silver renew their rivalry. In the last three races that they have competed, each on has a victory to their name. Big Zeb won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, before Golden Silver getting the upper hand at Punchestown, and finally Sizing Europe winning the Champion Chase at Punchestown. Golden Silver won this renewal last year, springing a relative surprise with Sizing Europe the beaten favourite in third. Last year had no BIG ZEB however, and I will retain faith in last years champion two miler. He won the Champion Chase in fine style, on good ground, and is clearly a spring horse, that seemingly thrives at this time of year. Sizing Europe clearly loves Cheltenham and can be described as somewhat of a specialist. Sizing Europe got the run of the race at Cheltenham, and was able to gallop to his own accord, and given his running over longer distances this year, the stamina came to his benefit. This shouldn’t be the case around Punchestown, as these tactics didn’t work here last year. Big Zeb sets the standard and is the class horse in the race and my support remains in tact since Cheltenham.

Wednesday sees a fantastic array of jumping superstars on display, with perhaps the most famous and the one who will go down in the history books is KAUTO STAR, who runs in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup. He has had by his standards a rather unsuccessful season by only finishing third in the King George and then Gold Cup, but that by any horses standards is still a tremendous achievement, especially considering his fall at Cheltenham last year, and the fact that age is clearly catching up with him. He opposes a maximum of nine rivals, and most of which he has beaten before in the past. Ruby Walsh will be riding him, and trainer Paul Nicholls insists the horse is mad fresh and raring to go. Good ground is a big bonus, and is the best horse in the field, and can hopefully bring the curtain down on a fantastic horse, and maybe even his career.

The third day of the Punchestown Festival sees my favourite mare look for back to back victories, in the same manner that she achieved at Cheltenham, with QUEVEGA looking to win the three mile Ladbrokes Hurdle. She was the most impressive winner at Cheltenham with the David Pipe trained Junior, winning ten lengths to Sparky May, the mare went on to finish a very game third in the John Smiths Novice Hurdle at Aintree. Quevega won at Cheltenham on the absolute bridle, with Ruby taking it up a furlong from home and unleashing her, to a standing ovation from the Cheltenham faithful. That trip was over 2m 4f and the 3 miles she runs over here should not be a problem, considering she won here last year with the exact campaign (Cheltenham and Punchestown) and still won by 3 lengths. Last year she beat Bensalem and Noble Prince (second and fourth), and both went onto taste Cheltenham success, so the form is absolutely rock solid, and she should delight the crowds here once again.

Selections: (All Punchestown)

Thursday – 5.30 Quevega (NAP)

Tuesday – 5.30 Big Zeb (NB)

Wednesday – 5.30 Kauto Star

The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner