Hennessy Gold Cup Day at Newbury

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Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup headlines three fantastic days of jump racing at Newbury as the National Hunt Season gets well and truly in full swing.

The race has a history of favouring second season chasers, the likes of Denman (2007), Diamond Harry (2009) and last year’s winner Bobs Worth all succeeding and despite not being seen for 18 months Invictus has been warm since betting opened, last seen beating last year’s winner Bobs Worth in The Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot. Nicky Henderson’s subsequent Gold Cup winner won from a mark of 160 yet Invictus runs from a mark of 145; does he have over a stone in hand as the figures would suggest?

Jim Culloty’s Lord Windermere and Willie Mullins' Prince De Beauchene (14/1 from 20/1 with BetVictor after Ruby Walsh was confirmed to ride) have both been backed, seeking to give Ireland their first winner of the race in 33 years; their second since Arkle’s famous win in 1965. Lord Windermere is seeking to be the third consecutive horse attempting to do the RSA/Hennessy double after Denman and Bobs Worth; both incidentally going onto win The Gold Cup to complete a memorable treble.

Hennessey Gold Cup Prices from BetVictor
Rocky Creek7/1
Lord Windermere - 7/1
Our Father - 8/1
Highland Lodge - 10/1
Invictus - 10/1
Hadrians Approach - 10/1
Merry King - 12/1
Prince De Beauchene - 14/1
Katenko - 14/1
16/1 Bar
EW ¼ 1-2-3-4

The most interesting runner in the race without question is David Pipe’s runner Our Father, the trainer in red-hot form; Dynaste running a terrific race in defeat when chasing home Cue Card in the Betfair Chase to earn quotes of 7/1 for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and 4/1 for the King George on Boxing Day. The master of Pond House completed a four-timer following Dell Arca’s win in the Greatwood at Cheltenham, completing at four-timer on the day when rounded off by Red Sherlock win in the bumper, in the colours of his late owner David Johnson.

The late David Johnson and his family own a share of Our Father and Timmy Murphy looks set to partner him on Saturday with the key to the 7-y-o being his record fresh. He won a competitive Ascot handicap in December 2011, before doting up at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting to beat Paul Nicholls’ Sire Collognes by 20 lengths; again first time out. A mark of 147 looks to flatter him and providing he handles quicker ground than he’s used to, he look sure to go very close indeed.

The race looks to be a stone lower in class compared to recent times, Cape Tribulation heading the weights from an official mark of 158, Tidal Bay likewise from 170, the latter proving himself a solid Grade 1 animal where Malcolm Jefferson’s 9-y-o looks very poorly handicapped. Loch Ba would be interesting at 33/1 however if an animal rated 133 can win a Hennessy it is a very poor affair.

Venetia’s horses are in good nick and she has Katenko,(who would want it bottomless) with Adan Coleman opting to ride ahead of Houblon Des Obeaux, who fits the profile of a second season chaser with strong form in novice company. A 10lb hike for beating Merry King at Ascot looks a bit harsh however, and he will now have to toil out three mile handicap chases to come back to a workable mark, or take his chance in higher grade.

Nicky Henderson is another with two intended runners; surprisingly Barry Geraghty has ditched Hadrians Approach to ride Triolo D’Alene, third behind the two mentioned horses at Ascot at the start of the month. Hadrians Approach has been well backed in the week with us at BetVictor and will have the services of Nico De Bonville taking off a useful 5lb.

Highland Lodge chased home Standing Ovation, who went onto win since, which looks a strong form line despite David Pipe’s horse missing out on the four-timer – given a poor ride throughout and didn’t look to suit jumping left-handed. Leighton Aspell rides for the first time and Emma Lavelle’s charge is undoubtedly well handicapped.

The more I look through the race the more I feel it’s there for the taking for Pipe’s OUR FATHER. There will be lots of pace in the race with the likes of Highland Lodge, Theatre Guide and Rocky Creek all likely to be prominent and I would be disappointed if Timmy Murphy isn’t able to sit in the rear and bide his time before creeping into it two out. His record fresh and the stable’s current form make him a cracking each way prospect at the 8/1 mark, Donald McCain’s Super Duty looking the value a the bigger prices, 20/1 with BetVictor and Jason Maguire legged up to ride.

Hennessy Gold Cup – Our Father 3pts EW at 8/1 with BetVictor
Hennessy Gold Cup – Super Duty 1pt EW at 20/1 with BetVictor


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup Day at Exeter

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It’s BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup day at Exeter and last year’s awesome winner Cue Card (2.50) returns, this racing catapulting him to win The Ascot Chase and Ryanair Chase (Both G1), before chasing home Sprinter Sacre at Aintree, arguably his finest performance in spite of defeat.

He is the 11/8 favourites with the sponsors to successfully defend his crown but looks to have his stiffest challenge to date; conceding upwards of a stone to Somersby, Module, Fago and William’s Wishes; a stellar renewal and then some. That being said it looks hard to oppose the favourite; Colin Tizzard’s stable star will have no problem carrying the weight and the stable have started the season in good nick. With the ground likely to be around the forecasted good-to-soft he should have conditions to suit and use this, once more, as a springboard to a fruitful season.

The 7-y-o remains the 4/1 ante post favourite for The Ryanair Chase at The Cheltenham Festival and BetVictor are Money Back-Free Bet on all ante post markets already, ensuring punters won’t be out of pockets should you back a horse and they don’t for whatever reason turn up.

Haldon Gold Cup aside it’s a terrific card at Exeter and the Tizzard stable will likely have high hopes for Billy No Name (1.50), for the same connections after dotting up in a maiden hurdle at Wincanton. He had previously chased home subsequent Cheltenham scorer Kings Palace and looks set to have higher things on his agenda and will no doubt jump a fence in time to boot.

David Pipe’s Doctor Harper (2.20) was a non-runner at Stratford last week due to the heavy going and instead makes a belated debut over hurdles here; he looks one of the most fascinating runners of the day, last seen finishing down the field in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Timmy Murphy rides for David Pipe and providing he jumps well enough, he should have far too much class for the field, with much grander things on the horizon.

A horse who was nothing but frustrating last year was Emma Lavelle’s Claret Cloak (3.20) who was left wanting in the search for good ground last year and looks sure to have a strong season ahead of him in the two mile novice chasing division. The 6-y-o made a smooth transition when putting a smart round of jumping in at Towcester and with the stable firing on all cylinders. Paul Nicholls’s had a cracking weekend with Rolling Aces and Tidal Bay’s respective successes and he looks to have the danger with recent Cheltenham scorer Dark Lover.

The Lavelle team can round the card off with a quick-fire treble as she has recent scorer Kind of Easy (3.50) in the three mile handicap chase and the relatively unexposed Fix It Right (4.20) in the three mile handicap hurdle. Kind of Easy was an impressive winner when staying on well to win over two and three quarters at Fontwell, despite jumping errors, and should be able to defy an 11lb rise.

The 5-y-o Fix It Right was, like most of her runners thus far this season; well backed in a three mile handicap hurdle at Chepstow however looked in need of the run, travelling well before tiring in the latter stages. From an unaltered mark of 111 and should have plenty more to offer.

1.50 Billy No Name
2.20 Doctor Harper (Nap)
2.50 Cue Card
3.20 Claret Cloak
3.50 Kind of Easy
4.20 Fix It Right

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner


Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Monday Racing from Plumpton and Kempton

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Proper racing is back, and how. Harry Topper won a dramatic Charlie Hall Chase, earning a quote of 20/1 for The Cheltenham Gold Cup; the 6-y-o looks a proper staying chaser in the making, despite trainer Kim Bailey describing him as a 'big baby' - he should be even better in time. Tidal Bay successfully defended his West Yorkshire Hurdle, getting up late to deny Alan King's Medinas and Paul Nicholls' enigmatic 12-y-o is now 12/1 from 16/1 for The Hennessy at Newbury in three weeks’ time, aiming to go one better than his second place finish last year behind Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth.

Full betting for The Hennessy


Tidal Bay's long term plan looks to be The Grand National; he is 25/1 from 33/1 for Aintree' spectacle as is Gordon Elliot's Roi Du Me (25/1 from 50/1) after a comprehensive dismantling of a strong field in The JNWine Chase at Down Royal. Both look to have stamina in abundance and will be primed from genius connections for the world's most famous steeplechase. BetVictor are already paying FIVE places and are Non Runner-Free Bet on the race.


Monday sees jump racing double handed at Kempton and Plumpton, with the former offering a veritable treat of national hunt racing. Barry Geraghty makes the trip over the Irish Sea to ride for Nicky Henderson and the pair look to have a smart one in the first with Volnay De Thaix (1.05), an expensive import who has smart form from France, in a race the trainer generally does well in; winning last year with Oscar Hoof.


Henderson should be able to make it 2/2 with Captain Cutter (1.35), AP McCoy continuing on his search for 4000 winners when riding for boss JP McManus. The 6-y-o chased home Willie Mullins' impressive winner Turnandgo at the Punchestown festival and has always been held in the highest regard. Started out in a 2m 5f novices hurdle should be the beginning for what looks like, a promising career.


The handicap hurdle on the card looks an absolute cracker, Michael Hourigan sends over The Crafty Butcher from Ireland whilst David Pipe's former Feltham winner Grands Crus reappears, with a fine record around the track including finishing third in The King George last year. The one to side with however is Tom George's God's Own (2.40) who was unfortunate to be brought down when running a stormer on his seasonal beau at Chepstow last month. He looked for all the world the winner that day and despite running from a pound out of the handicap, should be primed to make amends for his unlucky departure in South Wales, with the stable gradually coming into a bit of form.


At Plumpton, Martin Keighley’s Always Bold can go better than his second placed finish last time out when taking the three and a quarter handicap chase, with Tom Siddall in the plate. The 7-y-o chased home Sue Smith’s well backed favourite Benny’s Well at Uttoxeter and was scheduled to run last Sunday, with the ground being a touch on the quick side for him. He will relish the trip and the forecasted soft ground and despite being a touch one-paced, remains on the right side of the handicapper.


The stable can double up in the finale with the mare Bold Tara in the handicap hurdle and Ollie Garner using his 8lb claim. The mare is game as they come and she looked like winning at the track three weeks ago when failing to see out a longer trip and blundering two out. A better round of jumping should see her go closing to getting her head in front, from an unrevised mark and over a better trip, now down to two and a half miles.


One to keep an eye on at Wolverhampton is Tom Dascombe's Ujaygar (4.25) who was well punted (11/4 from 9/1) last time out at Lingfield when chasing home Willie Muir's Black Schnapps and the Dalakhani colt should be able to recoup the fingers burnt on him that day in a weak looking maiden.


1.05 - Volnay De Thaix
1.35 - Captain Cutter
2.40 - God's Own
2.25 - Always Bold
4.05 - Bold Tara

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner


Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Champions Day at Ascot

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Ascot Champions Day will be without the star of its last two meetings and despite the lack of Frankel, the superstar that chased him home last year can take back his Champions Stakes crown.

French raider Cirrus Des Aigles beat a stellar field two years ago in what looks the strongest form in the race. Perhaps even better was getting to within two lengths of the greatest thoroughbred we’ve ever seen? Take you pick, either way Cirrus Des Aigles wins The Champions Stakes.

Champion Stakes Betting from BetVictor

The QE2 has been a race that has cemented horses as legends; previous winners such as Frankel, Excelebration, Rip Van Winkle, George Washington et al the list goes on. Dawn Approach can seal his path to stud in what looks to be the perfect send off for Jim Bolger’s colt; Bolger describes him as ‘still awesome’ – that’s good enough for me.

The Fillies and Mares race looks a cracker and with soft ground forecast it looks to come down to two who thrive under the conditions; The Lark and Dalkala. The latter was an impressive winner of The Prix de L’Opera on Arc Day, showing a game attitude to get up on the line and she is preferred of the two.

Gold Cup heroine Estimate should ensure its hats off for The Queen on Champions Day, The Gold Cup winner’s record around Ascot s truly exceptional and the ground should be no problem for her whatsoever.

The sprint looks a minefield and those punting should nick a good price on the winner!

For all Champions Day Ante Post Markets, click here

1.45 - Estimate
2.20 - Open, Mass Rally, Maarek and Jack Dexter should love the ground
2.55 - Dalkala
3.30 - Dawn Approach
4.05 - Cirrus Des Aigles

The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner


Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Wednesday Racing at Bath, Kempton, Lingfield and Southwell

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Brassick (2.40) has been impressive in novice chases for Charlie Longsdon and it’s interesting that he has switched stables and moved to Evan Williams, under the new ownership of Mr and Mrs William Rucke, purchasing from Paul Murphy last week. He continues in novice company once more and should eventually build up to be a very smart three mile handicap chaser and stepped up in trip once more should continue to improve and should be able to win a race of this fashion in good style.


Our flat racing this afternoon comes from Bath and Lingfield and Ryan Moore looks to be a very significant jockey booking for Bereka (2.20) in the two year old maiden. Given the record he has when riding for the stable the filly deserves a second look; he has three wins and a second from five rides for James Tate, and in a race where he could have presumably ridden for Charlie Hills and Jeremy Noseda the filly warrants respect. The dam has produced smart 2yo’s including Kenny Powers and Hearts of Fire so she is certainly bred to do a job and any market support should be noted.


Moore also rides Radiator (3.20) for boss Sir Michael Stoute and despite the trainer’s poor record with two year olds first time out, this filly was smashed up when running at Goodwood last month. She ran well despite being green in the early stages, staying on towards the finish and will have learnt a lot from the run. The winner has since gone on to win The Prestige Stakes and the ninth and tenth have won on their next starts. The form looks strong and this race looks well within her taking, and she should come into her own further when upped in trip.


Moore then travels to Kempton to ride Fine Art Fair for his old man Gary in the rive furlong nursery at 6.00. He shed his maiden tag at the third attempt at Lingfield before defying an opening mark of 67 in cosy style after being smashed off the boards, lumped into 5/4 seconds before the off. A 5lb rise shouldn’t stop his improvement and as seen with the stable’s sprinters Dutch Masterpiece and Picture Editor both continued to improve through handicapping, this lad could prove to be of a similar ilk. He looks the best bet of the day.


Roger Charlton’s filly Vallila (2.50) chased home Richard Hannon’s smart Musical Comedy last time out at Windsor and can build on that when pitched into handicap company for the first time from a mark of 58. She has progressed on all three starts and Charlton seldom sends his horses to Lingfield; nine runners in the last twelve months producing three winners. Joey Haynes has been snapped up by Karl Burke and he takes the ride, his claim taking off 5lb.


Over at Bath course winner Devon Diva (3.00) can get her season back on track with conditions to suit for John Gallagher and Michael J Murphy. The mare won over a mile here three starts ago and ran well in her follow up before bombing out at Chepstow on soft ground. With a line put through that run she has the most consistent form in the race and back down to a mark of 48 has to be respected. She was second here over course and distance from a 2lb higher mark back in June and given the way she handles the track has an immediate advantage over her rivals.


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Tuesday Racing at Goodwood, Leicester and Lingfield

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Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Rizeena jumps to the head of the 1000 Guineas market and is now the 8/1 joint-favourite with unlucky in running Tapestry for next year’s classic. Dazzling certainly lived up to her name and indeed pedigree when making an exciting debut to score over a mile at The Curragh. The filly is a full sister to Irish Guineas winner Roderic O’Connor and his sister is 20/1 to follow in his footsteps to classic glory.


Goodwood on a Tuesday afternoon is a nice treat and good prize money is duly rewarded with a strong turn-out of runners. The highlight of the card (and the day’s racing) looks to be the conditions race at 3.30 with six going to post. Richard Hughes rides Intermath for David Evans as Paul Hanagan rides for Sheikh Hamdan on Wahaab, who was far from disgraced when down the field in The Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. The one who looks to be improving the most looks to be Mark Johnston’s Lyn Valley, an impressive when staying on to win a Newmarket maiden last month. The colt had shown promise at a similar level and his form looks rock solid; both subsequent runners in behind winning next time out. He should be even better over the seven furlongs trip.


Mark Johnston and Joe Fanning can make it a quick-fire double with Crowdamania in the very next race at 4.05. The colt has run to a similar standard in all five starts, running behind the likes of Green Door, Reroute and Mappa Mundi without getting any rub of the green. He tries six furlongs on good ground for only the second time, his first run saw him well backed to finish fourth at Ascot, beaten two lengths to a now 90 rated horse. If things were to click for this Shamardal colt he could look very well handicapped from a mark of 77.


The stayer’s race looks a cracker and it could be a treble for connections with the ever so tough Broxbourne (4.40) who was the gamest of game winners when winning last time out at York. She nutted stable-mate Party Line showing a tremendous attitude and from a 5lb higher mark should remain competitive. Mawaqeet was second to her at York and should give the filly a race of it from being a 1lb off at the weights, whilst Mutual Regard is respected for the Sir Mark Prescott stable.


Although disappointing at York the form of J Wonder’s Newmarket win continues to impress, Dancealot, Midnite Angel and Excel’s Beauty all placing in pattern company and as such it could be worth taking another chance on William Haggas’ Princess Rose (2.30) over at Leicester. She didn’t handle the undulations of Chester last time out but before that had progressed nicely in stronger company. The handicapper has given her a chance from a 2lb lower mark and back down to six furlongs has to be a player.


Twilight racing a Lingfield where Royal Bajan (5.15) should be able to complete the hat-trick for James Given and defy a 9lb rise for wins at Ayr and then Brighton. The five year old has Freddie Tylicki in the saddle and given the fact he has defied a poor draw on both previous efforts, being drawn last of eight hopefully shouldn’t hinder the gelding.


Ralph Beckett’s filly Prospera (7.20) lost nothing in defeat when fourth last time out at Salisbury and back on the all-weather should be difficult to beat in Lingfield’s lucky last. Since returning in April she has progressed steadily and improved with every run, winning at both Doncaster and Kempton. The form of her win on Town Moor looks the pick of the race, with the second that day winning both of her next two starts.



The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

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Tuesday Racing at Brighton, Yarmouth and Leicester

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Tuesday sees former champion jockey (and for my money the best jockey in the world) Ryan Moore taking in the views and scenery of Great Yarmouth, with four rides for four different trainers. Moore spent his weekend between Arlington and Deauville in Group One races and whilst there is nothing on the card of that calibre, he just loves riding winners. He is by all accounts stable jockey for Sir Michael Stoute and his main reason for going to Yarmouth is to ride Meddling (2.30) in the six furlongs maiden handicap. The filly drops down to six for the first time and given how tamely she has folded over seven furlongs the switch looks likely to suit. Although she disappointed last time out when only fourth the form of both her Salisbury runs looks strong and immediately strikes as having the potential to be much better than a 66 rated filly.


Moore hangs around to ride the infamous George Baker, trained by his namesake and whilst he is sure to be popular I like the look of Azrael (4.30) with Davey Probert in the saddle. His form around the idiosyncratic course is exceptional and the five year old has won twice over the course and distance this year. With the ground likely to be rattling quick as per the norm here, he should have conditions perfect to suit. Muftarres and Jonnie Skull finished first and second in a similar contest last week and re-oppose once more, with the former under a penalty.


Brighton rivals Yarmouth with being such a quirky course that traditionally has ground quicker than Usain Bolt, conditions which should help Sir Mark Prescott’s American bred filly Alzavola (3.45) in the ten furlong handicap. She succeeded on her handicap debut over the same trip at Bath after being set up in maidens in the tried and tested Sir Mark way. She was well backed when running under a penalty at Bath on her last run before failing to stay the trip when tried at a mile and a half for the first time. A return to a mile and a quarter should suit and the stable continue to churn out winners.


Evening racing comes from Leicester and the opening fillies’ maiden looks a good chance for Shilla (5.00) to get off the mark at the second attempt. First season sire Kodiac is enjoying plenty of success and Henry Candy’s filly showed plenty of promise when chasing home Richard Hannon’s 80 rated juvenile Autumn Sunrise at Windsor. The form in behind her looks strong and her main danger looks to be Mick Channon’s colt Kanz, who has to concede 4lb.


Handicap debutante Saffire Song (5.30) has plenty of scope for improvement after showing glimpses of promise whilst never being competitive in much stronger company. The Firebreak filly has achieved her opening mark of 60 through running in strong Newmarket maidens and despite never threatening she could have some wiggle room with her rating. The Alan Bailey string are in good nick, with two winners and two seconds from his last five runners and talented claimer Robert Tart takes off a useful 5lb.


Luca Cumani thrives with his handicappers and his string are in superb order going into York’s Ebor Festival, an omen that will hopefully assist the chances of Don Padeja (6.30) in the mile and a half handicap. The Dansili colt was an eye-catching staying on third when behind a Sir Mark Prescott at Lingfield in a race where Davey Probert’s made a complete hash of it. The winner has gone on to complete a hat-trick and with Andrea Atzeni now in the saddle the three year old promises to have a strong career ahead.


2.30 Yar – Meddling (Nap)
3.45 Bri – Alzavola
4.30 Yar – Azrael
5.00 Lei – Shilla
5.30 Lei - Saffire Song
6.30 Lei – Don Padeja (Nb)


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports