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I STARTED you off with Wolverhampton but here are some more tips for Thursday.
It's a busy day of racing and there are a lot of cards to get through.
Wolverhampton 15:15
Class 4 handicap over two miles
Murcar is a versatile performer under both codes who returned to winning ways on first Flat start since 2009 over C&D in January. Runner-up both starts since and still looks on a fair mark.
McBirney has won last two starts on polytrack, including easy victory at Kempton last week. Looks well in under a penalty but pulled too hard on previous attempt at this trip.
Capellanus made a promising start for current yard over hurdles and bounced back to form when landing jumpers’ bumper here in January. Good second over C&D last two starts and needs considering.
The Absent Mare is a likeable horse who improved last season for being stepped up in trip, winning twice at Kempton. Has to bounce back from rare poor run last time but entirely possible she’ll do so.
Foster’s Road enjoyed a productive 2012, winning twice over hurdles as well as three times on the Flat. Won AW bumper in January and beat Capellanus over C&D 2 weeks ago.
Marmas found improvement to win 2m Lingfield handicap in October, coming clear with another. Shaped like a thorough stayer that day so the stronger the pace the better on return.
Hallstatt has not won for a while but placed in some similar contests on turf last year and made a respectable enough return over C&D recently. Opposable for win purposes, though.
1. Foster’s Road
2. Murcar
3. McBirney
McBirney was an easy winner last week but still has his stamina to prove and Foster’s Road appeals as a more solid option. Murcar is another to consider.
Wolverhampton 2.10
ANNALEY MY DARLING
Made her reappearance with a modest third at Lingfield. Better is expected with that run under her belt and she has the beating of La Sylphe on today's terms. The latter has shown no progress in four starts this year but is still clear of the remainder at the weights. Of those, Tartan Blue won at Kempton in November and makes more appeal in a first-time visor than both Nors The Panic and Dalhousie Lassie, as neither of the latter pair have recorded any form worth a mention so far.
This looks like a decent opportunity for ANNALEY MY DARLING to open her account. She finished runner-up in two of her three juvenile outings and ran well enough on her return to action at Lingfield earlier this month to suggest she could take all the beating. Official ratings indicate La Sylphe is the most likely danger, with Nors The Panic and Dalhousie Lassie having plenty to find. Placed twice in four starts. Third of five behind Bapak Bangsawan beaten 3 1/2l at 6-1 on her latest outing at Lingfield over 5f earlier this month.
Wolverhampton 2.40
MAZIJ
Finally showed some improvement for his slide down the weights when runner-up over track and trip last time. He scored on Turf off a 5lb higher mark last year. MAZIJ returned to form with a decent second over this C&D last time and she might be ready to take advantage of her fair handicap mark. Winner of five races from 1m 3f to 1m 4f including three wins on the all-weather (1 FB, 2 PO). Beaten 1 1/2l by Activate when second of six at 8-1 on her latest outing over this course and distance earlier this month.
Ffos Las 13:50
BALLY RONE
Won a 2m bumper here on his NH debut and wasn't disgraced behind Whisky Yankee and Creepy over this C&D on his hurdles bow last time. Entitled to have improved for that experience, he's likely to take all the beating in the opener, with the booking of AP McCoy suggesting connections arrive confident. A winner of a NH flat race at 2m on heavy ground. Third of 16 behind Whisky Yankee beaten 4 1/2l at 5-1 on his hurdling debut over this course and distance (good to soft) earlier this month.
Ffos Las 14.20
STONY ROAD
Is a lot less exposed than most of these and, appearing in his first handicap, could be worth an interest after his third in a better contest at Taunton. Placed in a hurdle race and two NH flat races from five starts. Third of six behind Highland Retreat beaten 22l at 14-1 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Taunton over 3m (heavy) last month.
Ludlow 14:30
MOLAISE LAD
Might not be the most straightforward but won with plenty in hand at Fakenham last time and a reproduction of that effort would probably make him the one to beat. A winner at 9-2 in a selling hurdle race at Fakenham over 2m (soft) on his latest outing earlier this month, beating Neverownup by 35l.
Ludlow 16:10
COOTEHILL
Has won four hurdle races and four chases from 2m to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Well beaten at 14-1 behind Ballyoliver when fifth of nine on his latest outing in a chase here over 3m (good to soft) last month. is now 9lb lower than his last success, which came over this C&D in April last year.
Southwell 17:40
DR LIVINGSTONE (nap)
Ran well enough in a competitive Flat handicap at Kempton last month but has proved a much tougher nut to crack in these events, as illustrated by his easy wins at Kempton and Lingfield in January. It remains to be seen if he returns to hurdles some time soon but should prove too classy competing against exposed jumpers in these races and is fancied to see off consistent chaser Jack The Gent. Always Bold is another coming into this in good form but staying has proved his forte over hurdles and he might not have the speed to trouble the selection.
Milesey (Betfair)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Got any early national tips milesey? There’s gotta be a gem in that pack that’s still at an early big price. I think “on his own” is a bit of a short price for that size field. Cheers
33-1 Across The Bay has managed three wins over fences but the highest value of those three races was only £10k.This is quite unusual for a horse that finds himself on a mark of 150 and his lofty position in the Grand National weights is due, at least in some part, to his exploits over hurdles which have been of a higher profile. Donald McCain has charge of the gelding now but Across The Bay started his career over fences with Noel Meade in Ireland where he seemed inconsistent. The move to England and the McCains seems to have improved him and the highlight of his time in the UK so far have been a comprehensive defeat of Grand National fancy Cappa Bleu over fences and, more recently, a Grade Two win in a three mile hurdle. Across The Bay does look as though he will have to improve again significantly to take a hand in the finish of the Grand National but that is not impossible.
Milesey ( betfair )
50-1 Quiscover Fontaine finished sixth in the 2010 Arkle Chase at Cheltenham to Sizing Europe so has obviously always been well regarded, Quiscover Fontaine was given an entry in the 2011 Grand National but ultimately did not take up that engagement, connections preferring instead to run in the Irish National at Fairyhouse. Willie Mullins had previously kept the French bred gelding at distances up to 2m 5f so his chances at Fairyhouse were rather unknown with relation to him getting the trip. As it turned out he stayed well to finish fourth behind Organisedconfusion. Willie Mullins did run him in the 2012 Grand National and Quiscover Fontaine was still going well when falling at the 17th fence. That run was rather ignored by most pundits as he was a relative outsider but he was still in with a great chance when he came down. Like many recent Grand National winners he has been campaigned partly over hurdles this season indicating that connections believe there is some scope with the horse’s current chase rating and he looks a very lively contender and should definitely be of interest to those punters looking to for an outsider with a good chance.
Milesey ( betfair )
80-1 Any Currency was only a novice over fences in 09/10 but was still campaigned predominantly in handicaps, winning races at Sandown and Ascot. His two best performances probably came in defeat when seven lengths third to The Package in a decent handicap chase at the Cheltenham December meeting and on his final race of the year when returned to novice company. On that occasion he was vying for favouritism in the four mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and ran with great credit to finish fourth behind Poker De Sivola. Beaten just over four and half lengths that day he confirmed what many observers believed in that he has abundant stamina and he was staying on best over that marathon trip. A good showing in the NH Chase usually leads a novice towards the Grand National but Martin Keighley was denied the chance to train this horse with that aim for last year as the horse failed to make the racecourse again after finishing runner-up to Midnight Chase in November 2010. The nine-year-old returned to the track in December of this season and ran a cracker to finish a close up third to Deep Purple in the London National at Sandown. Unfortunately his three subsequent outings have not been as positive and this has meant that his handicap mark has not gone up enough to race from a true mark in the weights. If Any Currency does make the race he will have to race from six pounds out of the handicap.******1ST RESERVE WILL ONLY RUN IF THERE ARE FURTHER WITHDRAWLS********
Milesey ( betfair )
THURSDAY 28TH MARCH 2013
Wolverhampton 14:10
ANNALEY MY DARLING
made her reappearance with a modest third at Lingfield. Better is expected with that run under her belt and she has the beating of La Sylphe on today’s terms. The latter has shown no progress in four starts this year but is still clear of the remainder at the weights. Of those, Tartan Blue won at Kempton in November and makes more appeal in a first-time visor than both Nors The Panic and Dalhousie Lassie, as neither of the latter pair have recorded any form worth a mention so far.
This looks like a decent opportunity for ANNALEY MY DARLING to open her account. She finished runner-up in two of her three juvenile outings and ran well enough on her return to action at Lingfield earlier this month to suggest she could take all the beating this afternoon. Official ratings indicate La Sylphe is the most likely danger, with Nors The Panic and Dalhousie Lassie having plenty to find.
Placed twice in four starts. Third of 5 behind Bapak Bangsawan beaten 3 1/2l at 6-1 on her latest outing at Lingfield over 5f earlier this month.
Wolverhampton 14:40
MAZIJ
finally showed some improvement for his slide down the weights when runner-up over track and trip last time. He scored on Turf off a 5lb higher mark last year. MAZIJ returned to form with a decent second over this C&D last time and she might be ready to take advantage of her fair handicap mark. Winner of five races from 1m 3f to 1m 4f including 3 wins on the all-weather (1 FB, 2 PO). Beaten 1 1/2l by Activate when second of 6 at 8-1 on her latest outing over this course and distance earlier this month.
Ffos Las 13:50
BALLY RONE
won a 2m bumper here on his NH debut and wasn’t disgraced behind Whisky Yankee and Creepy over this C&D on his hurdles bow last time. Entitled to have improved for that experience, he’s likely to take all the beating in the opener, with the booking of AP McCoy suggesting connections arrive confident. A winner of a NH flat race at 2m on heavy ground. Third of 16 behind Whisky Yankee beaten 4 1/2l at 5-1 on his hurdling debut over this course and distance (good to soft) earlier this month.
Ffos Las 14.20
STONY ROAD
is a lot less exposed than most of these and, appearing in his first handicap, could be worth an interest after his third in a better contest at Taunton. Placed in a hurdle race and two NH flat races from five starts. Third of 6 behind Highland Retreat beaten 22l at 14-1 on his latest outing in a hurdle race at Taunton over 3m (heavy) last month.
Ludlow 14:30
MOLAISE LAD
might not be the most straightforward but he won with plenty in hand at Fakenham last time and a reproduction of that effort would probably make him the one to beat. A winner at 9-2 in a selling hurdle race at Fakenham over 2m (soft) on his latest outing earlier this month, beating Neverownup by 35l.
Ludlow 16:10
COOTEHILL
Has won four hurdle races and four chases from 2m to 2m 4f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Well beaten at 14-1 behind Ballyoliver when fifth of 9 on his latest outing in a chase here over 3m (good to soft) last month. is now 9lb lower than his last success, which came over this C&D in April last year.
Southwell 17:40
DR LIVINGSTONE **NAP**NAP**
ran well enough in a competitive Flat handicap at Kempton last month but he has proved a much tougher nut to crack in these events, as illustrated by his easy wins at Kempton and Lingfield in January. It remains to be seen if he returns to hurdles some time soon but he should prove too classy competing against exposed jumpers in these races and is fancied to see off consistent chaser Jack The Gent. Always Bold is another coming into this in good form but staying has proved his forte over hurdles and he might not have the speed to trouble the selection.
Milesey ( betfair )
SATURDAYS HORSE RACING PREVIEW
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The Lincoln Handicap is rescheduled to take place this Saturday at Doncaster.
Recommended bets
Lahaag @ 11/2
The Flat season gets underway this weekend via the traditional curtain-raiser known as the Lincoln Handicap run at Doncaster on Saturday – also referred to by many as the first leg of the ‘Spring Double’, the second leg being the Grand national in a fortnight’s time.
No fewer than 22 runners will bomb down the mile straight course in a bid to snatch the first big prize of the Flat, and the two most likely runners set to scoop the pot judged on current odds are Captain Bertie and Lahaag.
The former ran a big race when fourth in the Spring Mile here 12 months ago – the Lincoln consolation race over C&D – before going on to land the Spring Cup at Newbury on soft ground. Well suited by big field handicaps, Captain Bertie looks sure to go well, though he’ll need to improve to defy a mark he failed to win from in five subsequent runs following that Newbury win.
Lahaag meanwhile, is open to improvement having raced just four times, and the rate of progress this 4yo showed in such a short time in 2012 suggests he is one on the up.
Following two victories over a mile, he was then a head second over 1m1f at York in the mud when just held by another of Saturday’s rivals in Chapter Seven. The step back to 1m at Doncaster will suit, while John Gosden, who won the Lincoln with a similar type in 2009, will have trained him for this assignment.
Don’t write-off Gosden’s other runner, Eshtibaak, should he run, though, as he remains another lightly raced and trades at 12/1 – after all, how many times has the second string won at bigger odds!
However, with both the aforementioned leading fancies currently around the 6/1 mark, there will be numerous punters looking at the bigger priced runners for some each-way value, especially as the last two Lincoln winners were 25/1 and 16/1.
It’s also worth noting that each of the last 10 Lincoln winners were 4-6yo’s, while nine of them carried 9st4lb or lighter. With that in mind, the likes of Dermot Weld’s, Tandem, at 14/1 will be a danger to all because like Lahaag, he is a lightly raced 4yo that won two of his four races last season.
Both of those wins came over 1m on very soft ground, so conditions on Saturday – should he run – will suit, though the same cannot be said of William Haggas’, Nine Realms, who has yet to set foot on soft ground, and has drifted in the market throughout this week.
One who has gone the other way in the market, however, and does handle the mud is Richard Hannon’s, Shamaal Nibras, who will have the services of champion jockey, Richard Hughes. While he was a short head runner-up over 1m last season, his last three wins came at 7f, so Hughes may well reserve his stamina for a late challenge.
Elsewhere, respect is given to last year’s winner, Brae Hill, who looks to have been targeted for this race once more having been runner-up in 2011, before scrapping home by a short head 12 months ago. He handles soft ground and rates each-way value at 14/1, especially as he has dropped to the exact same handicap mark as last year’s Lincoln win.
Chapter Seven was mentioned earlier as having just touched off Lahaag over 1m1f at York (soft) in October and won first time out in April last season. He copes with these conditions and is another who looks well priced at 10/1.
But let’s not forget the Lincoln Trial winner, Strictly Silver (9/1), who demonstrated his fitness by winning at Wolverhampton, though it should be noted that over 15 years have passed since the winner of that trial doubled-up at Doncaster.
But as things stand, it’s Lahaag who gets the nod, as he really looks to have been lined up for this race by the canny John Gosden, and will handle the conditions – let’s just hope the snow stays away!
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Dubai World Cup
runner-by-runner guide to the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup…
Treasure Beach was an Irish Derby winner in his time but failed to win for Aidan O’Brien last year, best effort when second to Point Of Entry in a Grade 1. Promising debut for this yard and should build on that.
Red Cadeux is a tough and reliable sort who won a couple last year, including the Hong Kong Vase on his final start. Shorter trip and different surface to contend with here so looks opposable.
Dullahan is a high-class performer in America if not the most consistent, best effort last year when winning a Grade 1 at Del Mar. Got worked up and trip sharp enough on return and claims on best form.
Hunter’s Light has an impressive strike rate, and has been most progressive at Meydan this year, winning the second and third legs of the Maktoum Challenge with plenty in hand. Looks one of the leading candidates.
Capponi progressed well in 2012, winning the third round of the Maktoum Challenge before finishing second in this corresponding event. Not seen since then which is a concern.
Side Glance is a consistent performer who won Epsom Group 3 last June before finishing placed on his next 4 starts. Good run behind Sajjhaa on return but should be outclassed in this.
Planteur is a very smart performer, whose 4 outings last term all came at the highest level, including when placed in Dubai World Cup. Made all to win listed race on return and could sneak a place again.
Royal Delta was well held in this last year but things didn’t pan out for her and she’s improved since then, winning 4 times in 2012. Confirmed wellbeing with recent win at Gulfstream and a leading player.
Meandre won a pair of Group 1’s last season, victory over Shareta at Saint-Cloud the pick of them. Held his form well otherwise and should come on for reappearance when tackling an unsuitable trip.
Monterosso won the Dubai World Cup in 2012, but has been well beaten since then, not showing a great deal when down the field behind Hunter’s Light latest. Could easily peak in this again but enough to prove.
African Story has an excellent record on this surface, winning 4 times including the Godolphin Mile last year. Better than ever on return when landing the Burj Nahaar and intriguing contender if staying.
Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 but last season was curtailed due to injury (was due to run in this). Has come back looking better than ever, second to Point Of Entry recently, and a leading player.
Kassiano has been progressing really well, winning 3 of his 5 starts this year. Best effort in defeat when second to Hunter’s Light last time and could easily reach a place once more under ideal conditions.
1. Hunter’s Light
2. Royal Delta
3. African Story
The Americans have struggled since this race was switched to tapeta and whilst this is their strongest challenge for some time, they may struggle to contain Hunter’s Light who is a horse that is simply thriving under these conditions. Royal Delta looks the best of those from the States with African Story an intriguing contender if seeing out this longer trip.
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Ante-post favourite Hunter’s Light will break from stall four in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup at Meydan…
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old was a Group 2 winner at the track in February and sealed his place at the head of the market when winning the third round of the Maktoum Challenge earlier this month.
He is one of three runners in the Godolphin blue for the 10-furlong race, with last year’s winner Monterosso going for glory again from stall 10 and African Story in 11.
Capponi will start from stall five as he bids to go one place better than his second in 2012, while Kassiano is widest of all in 13 to complete the teams for Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood al Zarooni.
Top American mare Royal Delta enjoyed no luck at all in finishing ninth last year but the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner will be hoping for better fortunes this time in stall eight.
Fellow American runner Dullahan is in stall two, while there are three British runners, headed by Marco Botti’s Planteur in stall seven.
Hong Kong Vase winner Red Cadeaux will be in stall two for Ed Dunlop, with Andrew Balding’s Side Glance in six.
Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, will be in stall 12, with the Andre Fabre-trained Meandre in nine and outsider Treasure Beach (one) rounding out the field.
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The world’s richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan, has attracted a star-studded 13-runner field.
Saturday’s race…
The obvious starting point when previewing the Dubai World Cup is Godolphin, who have owned the winner five times since the race’s inception in 1996, with Saeed bin Suroor (who also trained Hamdan Al Maktoum’s 1999 winner of the race Almutawakel) responsible for four of those, and new boy on the block, Mahmood Al Zarooni, getting in on the act last year by saddling the first two home, namely Monterosso and Capponi.
It’s no surprise that the boys in blue are heavily represented again this time around, with three running in their colours, namely African Story, Hunter’s Light and Monterosso, and bin Suroor and Al Zarooni will also be represented by Kassiano and Capponi respectively, who have both sported the famous blue in the past but will be in different colours for this race.
The most prominent in the betting out of those five, and indeed favourite or joint-favourite with most bookmakers, is Hunter’s Light, the winner of rounds two and three of the Maktoum Challenge at the Carnival this year.
Godolphin’s last five winners in this race had contested at least one round of the Maktoum Challenge prior to World Cup success and Hunter’s Light couldn’t have been any more impressive in disposing of Surfer in February and his progressive stablemate Kassiano more recently, looking every inch World Cup material.
Hunter’s Light’s record on an artificial surface stands at four from five (only defeat came on debut) and he fully deserves to be towards the head of the market.
Few could have envisaged Kassiano as a likely runner in this at the start of the Carnival, when rated only 106 by Timeform. He has been the most progressive handicapper in Dubai this year, however, improving into a very smart performer in winning three times and then upping his game again when stepped up to pattern company behind Hunter’s Light. He didn’t get the clearest of runs through that day, so can be rated as finishing a clearer second, and there will be worse outsiders than him.
Last year’s winner, Monterosso, is obviously worth a mention as he bids to become the first horse to retain his crown. He will again go into the race on the back of just one run which came in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge when a long way behind Hunter’s Light.
It’s fair to say Monterosso didn’t show anywhere near as much as he had done when prepping a year ago, however, and on that basis he can’t really be supported with any confidence, mindful that he also disappointed on his sole outing in Britain after last year’s success.
A stronger contender could be African Story, who took well to the tapeta surface at last year’s Carnival, winning three times, including the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night. He demonstrated his well-being when making a successful return over the same trip when landing the Burj Nahaar at Meydan earlier in the month.
High-class form over a mile, as well as an impressive course record (four wins from five starts), brings African Story into the reckoning, though the trip is very much an unknown stepping up beyond a mile for the first time.
The other dominant force in the race has traditionally been the American contingent, with eight winners down the years, though it’s fair to say they haven’t been anything like as successful since the race switched from dirt to tapeta ahead of the 2010 renewal. Gio Ponti’s fourth placing that year is the best an American raider has managed on the new surface, with Game On Dude and Royal Delta both noticeable disappointments twelve months ago.
This year’s challenge from the States looks strong, on paper at least, with the aforementioned Royal Delta, as well as Animal Kingdom and Dullahan all declared to run.
Royal Delta will at least return with that experience under her belt, and she has clearly improved again since then, her defeat of My Miss Aurelia in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic one of the highlights on Breeders’ Cup night. She has confirmed her well-being with a recent win at Gulfstream Park and it seems reasonable to assume she will fare much better this time around.
Dullahan disappointed on turf at the Breeder’s Cup but had shown high-class form on a synthetic surface earlier in the year when winning the TVG Pacific Classic. The Dale Romans-trained colt has had a pipe-opener at Meydan this year, finishing well down the field behind African Story in the Burj Nahaar. That performance hardly enhanced his credentials, but there were potential excuses. The shorter trip is the obvious one, whilst it was reported he got very worked up on the way over to the track.
Dullahan’s form in America stands up to the closest scrutiny and whilst it’s fair to say he isn’t the most consistent, he is more than capable of getting involved if on a ‘going day’.
The only Kentucky Derby winner to run in the Dubai World Cup was Silver Charm back in 1998 and Animal Kingdom will bid to complete that notable double when he lines up twelve months later than originally intended.
Animal Kingdom was due in Dubai last year only to suffer an injury and he’s been limited to just three starts in the last nineteen months, all on turf, winning an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream before finishing second to Wise Dan in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (when staying on strongly after meeting trouble) and to Point of Entry in a Grade 1 back at Gulfstream in February. The surface is obviously an unknown, though he does have form on polytrack, whilst his style of racing (tends to be held up) could leave him vulnerable given how Meydan has ridden this year.
Mike de Kock’s sole contender is last year’s Sheema Classic fourth Treasure Beach, who has plenty to find with the main protagonists on Timeform ratings (only sixth behind Hunter’s Light on sole run this year) and essentially isn’t good enough, and similar comments apply to the three British-trained runners, Planteur, Side Glance and Red Cadeaux.
That leaves the French-trained Meandre, who is a triple Group 1 winner over a mile and a half on turf but may find things happening a bit quick for him in this.
As things stand, Hunter’s Light makes plenty of appeal. He is fit and firing, clearly relishes this surface and has done nothing wrong in winning both his starts this year. With doubts of one sort or another over the American-trained runners, as well as last year’s winner Monterosso, Kassiano makes as much appeal as anything of those at longer odds.
Recommendations:
Back Hunter’s Light @ 5.6
Back Kassiano @ 11.5
Milesey ( Betfair )
A good double or treble for the day?
Neverwins, look at the comments section and you’ll see more of Milesey’s tips.
Where/what is the Sections section Mr F ?
1plus2, that confused you. The comments section it should read. But sections section has a much better ring to it.
The Bear Trap Ffos Las looks good thing to me.
OUTSIDER
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PLACE and WIN
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at Ludlow, where the morning inspection was not required. The best betting race on the card may be in the handicap hurdle at 17:15, even though this looks to be wide open, with a case to be made for at least half the field.
Top of the list is the handicap debutant Beauboreen, who comes from a stable that has landed a few touches in recent weeks. Beauboreen is fairly weighted on the form of his promising debut, should be suited by both this longer trip, as well as less testing ground than he’s faced the last twice. The market hasn’t missed him, though, and a better value option may be Goodtoknow. He’s another who could well have more to offer away from heavy ground, and a well-run race – which is on the cards this afternoon – could see him settle better than he did on his handicap debut last time. Five wins from ten runners in the last three weeks suggests his trainer Richard Lee isn’t in bad form either. Goodtoknow looks the best bet.
Back Goodtoknow @ 12.5 in the 17:15 at Ludlow
Milesey ( betfair )
Annaley My Darling
2:10 Wolverhampton
Bally Rone
1:50 Ffos Las
Immediate Response
4:15 Clonmel
Molaise Lad
2:30 Ludlow
LUCKY 15
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Milesey ( betfair )
Thx Mr F i thought i was having a Blonde moment there
MARKET MOVERS
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Ffos Las
14:20
Bamboleo 3.1 out to 5.3
William Hogarth 9 in to 5.8
Black Is Beautiful 11 in to 7.8
Pension Plan 12.5 in to 7.6
Qualviro 3.7 out to 5.4
15:25
Bellflower Boy 2.98 in to 2.26
16:00
The Bear Trap 3.05 in to 2.38
16:30
Thomas Junior 2.9 out to 3.85
17:05
Rosies Peacock 3.45 out to 4.3
Ludlow
15:00
Elenika 2.84 out to 4
16:10
Ballywatt 8.6 in to 4.9
16:40
Pearls Legend 8 in to 5.1
Canadian Diamond 6.87 out to 10.5
17:15
Silver Commander 13 in to 7.6
Southwell
14:25
No No Mac 3.65 out to 6.8
Pastoral 4.5 out to 7.6
Masquerade 6.6 in to 2.74
The Stig 6 out to 18.5
17:40
Dr Livingstone 2.2 out to 3.2
Dolatulo 5.7 in to 3.9
Wolverhampton
13:40
Silcas Dream 2.72 in to 2.06
Alhaarth Beauty 2.32 out to 2.96
Red Baron 9.8 out to 17.5
14:40
Mazij 7.4 in to 5.1
15:15
Mcbirney 3.95 out to 6.8
Marmas 16.5 in to 9.6
Hallstatt 17 in to 11
15:50
Regal Hawk 1.88 out to
Storming 9 in to 4.1
16:20
Watt Broderick 5.1 in to 3
Exceedexpectations 8.2 in to 5.7
Saint Thomas 14 out to 28
16:55
Chester Deelyte 3.75 out to 5.1
Local Singer 12.5 in to 6
Clonmel
14:00
The Crafty Butcher 3.75 in to 3.3
14:35
Andiamos 3.8 in to 3.15
Jimmy The Hat 2.96 out to 4.6
Coolnagorna Giggs 10 in to 6.8
Ok 2 bets 2 day and lets see what occurs
EVENT SELECTION PRICE E/W TERMS STATUS
14:10 WOLVERHAMPTON
Horse Racing Outright – Race
ANNALEY MY DARLING 4/5 Standard EW terms apply Unsettled
13:50 FFOS LAS
Horse Racing Outright – Race
BALLY RONE 8/15 Standard EW terms apply Unsettled
15:00 LUDLOW
Horse Racing Outright – Race
WHAT A WARRIOR 5/6 Standard EW terms apply Unsettled
Bet Type: Accumulator
Ludlow [14:30] 2m Selling Hurdle
Molaise Lad 13/8
Ludlow [15:00] 2m 4f Novice Chase
What A Warrior 5/6
W’hampton [13:40] 5f Maiden Stakes
Silca’s Dream EVS
W’hampton [14:10] 5f Selling Stakes
Annaley My Darling 10/11
W’hampton [15:50] 1m 1 1/2f Handicap
Regal Hawk 2/1
Ffos Las [13:50] 2m 4f Maiden Hrdle
Bally Rone 8/15
Possible Payout 422.63 GBP
1 bet @
5.00 GBP
Total Cost: 5.00 GBP
Total Possible Payout (inc. stake): 422.63 GBP
Ah well that was a waste of time lol
RIGHT……. Goodluck everyone over the easter period if your having a bet, going to pick my son up from school now, and then time off from work till tuesday for me, then a day at work, then off upto AINTREE !!
saturdays racing preview is all done….
SATURDAYS HORSE RACING PREVIEW
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The Lincoln Handicap is rescheduled to take place this Saturday at Doncaster.
Recommended bets
Lahaag @ 11/2
The Flat season gets underway this weekend via the traditional curtain-raiser known as the Lincoln Handicap run at Doncaster on Saturday – also referred to by many as the first leg of the ‘Spring Double’, the second leg being the Grand national in a fortnight’s time.
No fewer than 22 runners will bomb down the mile straight course in a bid to snatch the first big prize of the Flat, and the two most likely runners set to scoop the pot judged on current odds are Captain Bertie and Lahaag.
The former ran a big race when fourth in the Spring Mile here 12 months ago – the Lincoln consolation race over C&D – before going on to land the Spring Cup at Newbury on soft ground. Well suited by big field handicaps, Captain Bertie looks sure to go well, though he’ll need to improve to defy a mark he failed to win from in five subsequent runs following that Newbury win.
Lahaag meanwhile, is open to improvement having raced just four times, and the rate of progress this 4yo showed in such a short time in 2012 suggests he is one on the up.
Following two victories over a mile, he was then a head second over 1m1f at York in the mud when just held by another of Saturday’s rivals in Chapter Seven. The step back to 1m at Doncaster will suit, while John Gosden, who won the Lincoln with a similar type in 2009, will have trained him for this assignment.
Don’t write-off Gosden’s other runner, Eshtibaak, should he run, though, as he remains another lightly raced and trades at 12/1 – after all, how many times has the second string won at bigger odds!
However, with both the aforementioned leading fancies currently around the 6/1 mark, there will be numerous punters looking at the bigger priced runners for some each-way value, especially as the last two Lincoln winners were 25/1 and 16/1.
It’s also worth noting that each of the last 10 Lincoln winners were 4-6yo’s, while nine of them carried 9st4lb or lighter. With that in mind, the likes of Dermot Weld’s, Tandem, at 14/1 will be a danger to all because like Lahaag, he is a lightly raced 4yo that won two of his four races last season.
Both of those wins came over 1m on very soft ground, so conditions on Saturday – should he run – will suit, though the same cannot be said of William Haggas’, Nine Realms, who has yet to set foot on soft ground, and has drifted in the market throughout this week.
One who has gone the other way in the market, however, and does handle the mud is Richard Hannon’s, Shamaal Nibras, who will have the services of champion jockey, Richard Hughes. While he was a short head runner-up over 1m last season, his last three wins came at 7f, so Hughes may well reserve his stamina for a late challenge.
Elsewhere, respect is given to last year’s winner, Brae Hill, who looks to have been targeted for this race once more having been runner-up in 2011, before scrapping home by a short head 12 months ago. He handles soft ground and rates each-way value at 14/1, especially as he has dropped to the exact same handicap mark as last year’s Lincoln win.
Chapter Seven was mentioned earlier as having just touched off Lahaag over 1m1f at York (soft) in October and won first time out in April last season. He copes with these conditions and is another who looks well priced at 10/1.
But let’s not forget the Lincoln Trial winner, Strictly Silver (9/1), who demonstrated his fitness by winning at Wolverhampton, though it should be noted that over 15 years have passed since the winner of that trial doubled-up at Doncaster.
But as things stand, it’s Lahaag who gets the nod, as he really looks to have been lined up for this race by the canny John Gosden, and will handle the conditions – let’s just hope the snow stays away!
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Dubai World Cup
runner-by-runner guide to the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup…
Treasure Beach was an Irish Derby winner in his time but failed to win for Aidan O’Brien last year, best effort when second to Point Of Entry in a Grade 1. Promising debut for this yard and should build on that.
Red Cadeux is a tough and reliable sort who won a couple last year, including the Hong Kong Vase on his final start. Shorter trip and different surface to contend with here so looks opposable.
Dullahan is a high-class performer in America if not the most consistent, best effort last year when winning a Grade 1 at Del Mar. Got worked up and trip sharp enough on return and claims on best form.
Hunter’s Light has an impressive strike rate, and has been most progressive at Meydan this year, winning the second and third legs of the Maktoum Challenge with plenty in hand. Looks one of the leading candidates.
Capponi progressed well in 2012, winning the third round of the Maktoum Challenge before finishing second in this corresponding event. Not seen since then which is a concern.
Side Glance is a consistent performer who won Epsom Group 3 last June before finishing placed on his next 4 starts. Good run behind Sajjhaa on return but should be outclassed in this.
Planteur is a very smart performer, whose 4 outings last term all came at the highest level, including when placed in Dubai World Cup. Made all to win listed race on return and could sneak a place again.
Royal Delta was well held in this last year but things didn’t pan out for her and she’s improved since then, winning 4 times in 2012. Confirmed wellbeing with recent win at Gulfstream and a leading player.
Meandre won a pair of Group 1’s last season, victory over Shareta at Saint-Cloud the pick of them. Held his form well otherwise and should come on for reappearance when tackling an unsuitable trip.
Monterosso won the Dubai World Cup in 2012, but has been well beaten since then, not showing a great deal when down the field behind Hunter’s Light latest. Could easily peak in this again but enough to prove.
African Story has an excellent record on this surface, winning 4 times including the Godolphin Mile last year. Better than ever on return when landing the Burj Nahaar and intriguing contender if staying.
Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 but last season was curtailed due to injury (was due to run in this). Has come back looking better than ever, second to Point Of Entry recently, and a leading player.
Kassiano has been progressing really well, winning 3 of his 5 starts this year. Best effort in defeat when second to Hunter’s Light last time and could easily reach a place once more under ideal conditions.
1. Hunter’s Light
2. Royal Delta
3. African Story
The Americans have struggled since this race was switched to tapeta and whilst this is their strongest challenge for some time, they may struggle to contain Hunter’s Light who is a horse that is simply thriving under these conditions. Royal Delta looks the best of those from the States with African Story an intriguing contender if seeing out this longer trip.
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Ante-post favourite Hunter’s Light will break from stall four in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup at Meydan…
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old was a Group 2 winner at the track in February and sealed his place at the head of the market when winning the third round of the Maktoum Challenge earlier this month.
He is one of three runners in the Godolphin blue for the 10-furlong race, with last year’s winner Monterosso going for glory again from stall 10 and African Story in 11.
Capponi will start from stall five as he bids to go one place better than his second in 2012, while Kassiano is widest of all in 13 to complete the teams for Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood al Zarooni.
Top American mare Royal Delta enjoyed no luck at all in finishing ninth last year but the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner will be hoping for better fortunes this time in stall eight.
Fellow American runner Dullahan is in stall two, while there are three British runners, headed by Marco Botti’s Planteur in stall seven.
Hong Kong Vase winner Red Cadeaux will be in stall two for Ed Dunlop, with Andrew Balding’s Side Glance in six.
Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, will be in stall 12, with the Andre Fabre-trained Meandre in nine and outsider Treasure Beach (one) rounding out the field.
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The world’s richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan, has attracted a star-studded 13-runner field.
Saturday’s race…
The obvious starting point when previewing the Dubai World Cup is Godolphin, who have owned the winner five times since the race’s inception in 1996, with Saeed bin Suroor (who also trained Hamdan Al Maktoum’s 1999 winner of the race Almutawakel) responsible for four of those, and new boy on the block, Mahmood Al Zarooni, getting in on the act last year by saddling the first two home, namely Monterosso and Capponi.
It’s no surprise that the boys in blue are heavily represented again this time around, with three running in their colours, namely African Story, Hunter’s Light and Monterosso, and bin Suroor and Al Zarooni will also be represented by Kassiano and Capponi respectively, who have both sported the famous blue in the past but will be in different colours for this race.
The most prominent in the betting out of those five, and indeed favourite or joint-favourite with most bookmakers, is Hunter’s Light, the winner of rounds two and three of the Maktoum Challenge at the Carnival this year.
Godolphin’s last five winners in this race had contested at least one round of the Maktoum Challenge prior to World Cup success and Hunter’s Light couldn’t have been any more impressive in disposing of Surfer in February and his progressive stablemate Kassiano more recently, looking every inch World Cup material.
Hunter’s Light’s record on an artificial surface stands at four from five (only defeat came on debut) and he fully deserves to be towards the head of the market.
Few could have envisaged Kassiano as a likely runner in this at the start of the Carnival, when rated only 106 by Timeform. He has been the most progressive handicapper in Dubai this year, however, improving into a very smart performer in winning three times and then upping his game again when stepped up to pattern company behind Hunter’s Light. He didn’t get the clearest of runs through that day, so can be rated as finishing a clearer second, and there will be worse outsiders than him.
Last year’s winner, Monterosso, is obviously worth a mention as he bids to become the first horse to retain his crown. He will again go into the race on the back of just one run which came in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge when a long way behind Hunter’s Light.
It’s fair to say Monterosso didn’t show anywhere near as much as he had done when prepping a year ago, however, and on that basis he can’t really be supported with any confidence, mindful that he also disappointed on his sole outing in Britain after last year’s success.
A stronger contender could be African Story, who took well to the tapeta surface at last year’s Carnival, winning three times, including the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night. He demonstrated his well-being when making a successful return over the same trip when landing the Burj Nahaar at Meydan earlier in the month.
High-class form over a mile, as well as an impressive course record (four wins from five starts), brings African Story into the reckoning, though the trip is very much an unknown stepping up beyond a mile for the first time.
The other dominant force in the race has traditionally been the American contingent, with eight winners down the years, though it’s fair to say they haven’t been anything like as successful since the race switched from dirt to tapeta ahead of the 2010 renewal. Gio Ponti’s fourth placing that year is the best an American raider has managed on the new surface, with Game On Dude and Royal Delta both noticeable disappointments twelve months ago.
This year’s challenge from the States looks strong, on paper at least, with the aforementioned Royal Delta, as well as Animal Kingdom and Dullahan all declared to run.
Royal Delta will at least return with that experience under her belt, and she has clearly improved again since then, her defeat of My Miss Aurelia in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic one of the highlights on Breeders’ Cup night. She has confirmed her well-being with a recent win at Gulfstream Park and it seems reasonable to assume she will fare much better this time around.
Dullahan disappointed on turf at the Breeder’s Cup but had shown high-class form on a synthetic surface earlier in the year when winning the TVG Pacific Classic. The Dale Romans-trained colt has had a pipe-opener at Meydan this year, finishing well down the field behind African Story in the Burj Nahaar. That performance hardly enhanced his credentials, but there were potential excuses. The shorter trip is the obvious one, whilst it was reported he got very worked up on the way over to the track.
Dullahan’s form in America stands up to the closest scrutiny and whilst it’s fair to say he isn’t the most consistent, he is more than capable of getting involved if on a ‘going day’.
The only Kentucky Derby winner to run in the Dubai World Cup was Silver Charm back in 1998 and Animal Kingdom will bid to complete that notable double when he lines up twelve months later than originally intended.
Animal Kingdom was due in Dubai last year only to suffer an injury and he’s been limited to just three starts in the last nineteen months, all on turf, winning an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream before finishing second to Wise Dan in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (when staying on strongly after meeting trouble) and to Point of Entry in a Grade 1 back at Gulfstream in February. The surface is obviously an unknown, though he does have form on polytrack, whilst his style of racing (tends to be held up) could leave him vulnerable given how Meydan has ridden this year.
Mike de Kock’s sole contender is last year’s Sheema Classic fourth Treasure Beach, who has plenty to find with the main protagonists on Timeform ratings (only sixth behind Hunter’s Light on sole run this year) and essentially isn’t good enough, and similar comments apply to the three British-trained runners, Planteur, Side Glance and Red Cadeaux.
That leaves the French-trained Meandre, who is a triple Group 1 winner over a mile and a half on turf but may find things happening a bit quick for him in this.
As things stand, Hunter’s Light makes plenty of appeal. He is fit and firing, clearly relishes this surface and has done nothing wrong in winning both his starts this year. With doubts of one sort or another over the American-trained runners, as well as last year’s winner Monterosso, Kassiano makes as much appeal as anything of those at longer odds.
Recommendations:
Back Hunter’s Light @ 5.6
Back Kassiano @ 11.5
Milesey ( Betfair )
……………and my nap today comes in aswell ;) ;) ;)
09:45 Cranbourne (AU)
1st 8. Prelusive Strike BETFAIR SP 48.96
hahahaha ;) ;) ;) LATERS
” TOP JOKEY “
Milesey, sorry but I’m not allowed to congratulate you anymore.
Tut Tut Mr F the old saying of “practice what you preach” springs to mind lol
I seem to recall summin about sly digs being mentioned not so long ago ;-)
1plus2, nothing sly about my dig. It’s totally blatant.
Aimed at me that dig i suppose …. haha Mr F if you want to congratulate on Odds on favourite horses (in particular 1/20 horses!) who am i too stop you … you go on right ahead … It wasnt a dig at Milesey before (i know how touchy you are about anyone having an opinion against him) I was merely pointing out he had a lot more better priced horses that day to congraulate him on and you chose to congratulate him on a 1/20 winner in a 3 horse race haha
AC, I never looked at his results, I was working last night and didn’t have time. But I knew the nap had won, that was it.
SATURDAYS HORSE RACING PREVIEW
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Delayed by a week due to the snow, the Flat season’s traditional curtain-raiser, the Lincoln, takes place at Doncaster on Saturday…
Majestic Myles was placed in Group 3 company before winning 7f listed race at Chester (for second year running) in July. Ended year with a laboured effort in Park Stakes here, and has stamina to prove at 1m now.
Prince of Johanne has added another big handicap to his tally when landing Royal Hunt Cup in June. Back to form when a respectable sixth of 20 in 7f handicap here on final start, but is vulnerable to less exposed sorts.
Chapter Seven is a hold-up performer who handles cut well, and won 3 handicaps (including over C&D) last year for Richard Fahey. Ran respectably on AW for new yard last time, and better expected back on turf now.
Memory Cloth has shown useful form for this yard, landing handicaps at Ripon and Newcastle in the mud last year. Well beaten on return at Wolverhampton recently, and has plenty to prove now.
Strictly Silver posted some very useful efforts in competitive 7f/1m handicaps on turf last season, and better than ever when winning 8.6f handicap at Wolverhampton 2 weeks ago. Gelded since, and more to come.
Hit The Jackpot is a maiden winner who wasn’t disgraced in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on 2012 return for Dermot Weld, but failed to fire in refitted blinkers at Leopardstown in May. Hard to weigh up on debut for new yard.
Brae Hill often goes well in big-field handicaps, and landed this contest last year from an identical mark. Ran poorly on last couple of starts, but folly to dismiss him on return to action.
Lahaag has been progressive in short career, winning Yarmouth maiden in June, and 1m handicap at Nottingham early this month. Shaped best when second at York (9f) in October, and sure to improve further at 4 yrs.
Global Village was in fine form over 7f at Ascot in early part of last season, landing Victoria Cup and in frame in similar races next twice. Mid-field on AW return 2 weeks ago, and that should have put an edge on him.
Justonefortheroad has won twice in the mud over 7f early last season, and bounced back to form when beating Shamaal Nibras narrowly at Leicester (1m) in October. Remains on a handy mark if he can repeat that effort.
Captain Bertie was unlucky when fourth in Spring Mile here last year, and won Spring Cup at Newbury next time. Good second in Bunbury Cup afterwards, and clearly well suited to demands of such races. Big player here.
Eshtibaak continued his progress switched to handicaps when scoring on return at Lingfield (1¼m) last March, and endured a rough passage on both starts since. Remains unexposed, and one to bear in mind.
Swiftly Done resumed his progress when landing 1m events in mud here and at Newcastle last term, and easy to excuse lesser efforts in valuable events on last 2 starts. Capable of going well at a price.
Muffin McLeay landed a gamble in 1¼m Ripon handicap in July, but ran badly on heavy ground on final 2 starts, and wouldn’t want conditions to deteriorate if he’s to have any chance here.
Capaill Liath is pretty useful on his day, but is often held back by temperament, and while it’s easy to overlook a poor effort over an inadequate 6f at Wolverhampton on return, he’s easy to oppose at this level.
Gladys’ Gal cost just $800, but looked a bargain when winning 7f events at Lingfield (AW) and here in the summer of 2011. Absent since, but has attracted ante-post support, and not one to take lightly.
Anderiego won a pair of 1m York handicaps last summer. Also second over C&D off this mark in September, but has saved his best efforts so far for quicker conditions than these.
Chosen Character had an excellent 2012, winning 5 times, including 3 for this rider. Good second at Haydock when last seen in October and no surprise to see him go well on return with conditions to suit.
Jack’s Revenge enhanced good strike rate when landing 1m handicaps at Windsor and Newmarket last summer, and ended last season with an excellent second of 20 over 7f here in November. No forlorn hope on return.
Bancnuanaheireann is an ex-Jim Bolger inmate who has run plenty of good races since joining this yard, including fourth in the Cambridgeshire. Not seen to best effect on final start, and not underestimated now.
Levitate is a hold-up performer who won twice last summer for Alan McCabe, including over C&D. Creditable second at York in July, but well held in Cambridgeshire on final start. Starts off for new yard now.
Dubai Dynamo won twice over 1m and posted several other creditable efforts in 2012. Warmed up for this with a couple of decent efforts on AW this month, but others make more appeal in a race of this nature.
The Lincoln Handicap is rescheduled to take place this Saturday at Doncaster.
Recommended bets
Lahaag @ 11/2
The Flat season gets underway this weekend via the traditional curtain-raiser known as the Lincoln Handicap run at Doncaster on Saturday – also referred to by many as the first leg of the ‘Spring Double’, the second leg being the Grand national in a fortnight’s time.
No fewer than 22 runners will bomb down the mile straight course in a bid to snatch the first big prize of the Flat, and the two most likely runners set to scoop the pot judged on current odds are Captain Bertie and Lahaag.
The former ran a big race when fourth in the Spring Mile here 12 months ago – the Lincoln consolation race over C&D – before going on to land the Spring Cup at Newbury on soft ground. Well suited by big field handicaps, Captain Bertie looks sure to go well, though he’ll need to improve to defy a mark he failed to win from in five subsequent runs following that Newbury win.
Lahaag meanwhile, is open to improvement having raced just four times, and the rate of progress this 4yo showed in such a short time in 2012 suggests he is one on the up.
Following two victories over a mile, he was then a head second over 1m1f at York in the mud when just held by another of Saturday’s rivals in Chapter Seven. The step back to 1m at Doncaster will suit, while John Gosden, who won the Lincoln with a similar type in 2009, will have trained him for this assignment.
Don’t write-off Gosden’s other runner, Eshtibaak, should he run, though, as he remains another lightly raced and trades at 12/1 – after all, how many times has the second string won at bigger odds!
However, with both the aforementioned leading fancies currently around the 6/1 mark, there will be numerous punters looking at the bigger priced runners for some each-way value, especially as the last two Lincoln winners were 25/1 and 16/1.
It’s also worth noting that each of the last 10 Lincoln winners were 4-6yo’s, while nine of them carried 9st4lb or lighter. With that in mind, the likes of Dermot Weld’s, Tandem, at 14/1 will be a danger to all because like Lahaag, he is a lightly raced 4yo that won two of his four races last season.
Both of those wins came over 1m on very soft ground, so conditions on Saturday – should he run – will suit, though the same cannot be said of William Haggas’, Nine Realms, who has yet to set foot on soft ground, and has drifted in the market throughout this week.
One who has gone the other way in the market, however, and does handle the mud is Richard Hannon’s, Shamaal Nibras, who will have the services of champion jockey, Richard Hughes. While he was a short head runner-up over 1m last season, his last three wins came at 7f, so Hughes may well reserve his stamina for a late challenge.
Elsewhere, respect is given to last year’s winner, Brae Hill, who looks to have been targeted for this race once more having been runner-up in 2011, before scrapping home by a short head 12 months ago. He handles soft ground and rates each-way value at 14/1, especially as he has dropped to the exact same handicap mark as last year’s Lincoln win.
Chapter Seven was mentioned earlier as having just touched off Lahaag over 1m1f at York (soft) in October and won first time out in April last season. He copes with these conditions and is another who looks well priced at 10/1.
But let’s not forget the Lincoln Trial winner, Strictly Silver (9/1), who demonstrated his fitness by winning at Wolverhampton, though it should be noted that over 15 years have passed since the winner of that trial doubled-up at Doncaster.
But as things stand, it’s Lahaag who gets the nod, as he really looks to have been lined up for this race by the canny John Gosden, and will handle the conditions – let’s just hope the snow stays away!
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Dubai World Cup
runner-by-runner guide to the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup…
Treasure Beach was an Irish Derby winner in his time but failed to win for Aidan O’Brien last year, best effort when second to Point Of Entry in a Grade 1. Promising debut for this yard and should build on that.
Red Cadeux is a tough and reliable sort who won a couple last year, including the Hong Kong Vase on his final start. Shorter trip and different surface to contend with here so looks opposable.
Dullahan is a high-class performer in America if not the most consistent, best effort last year when winning a Grade 1 at Del Mar. Got worked up and trip sharp enough on return and claims on best form.
Hunter’s Light has an impressive strike rate, and has been most progressive at Meydan this year, winning the second and third legs of the Maktoum Challenge with plenty in hand. Looks one of the leading candidates.
Capponi progressed well in 2012, winning the third round of the Maktoum Challenge before finishing second in this corresponding event. Not seen since then which is a concern.
Side Glance is a consistent performer who won Epsom Group 3 last June before finishing placed on his next 4 starts. Good run behind Sajjhaa on return but should be outclassed in this.
Planteur is a very smart performer, whose 4 outings last term all came at the highest level, including when placed in Dubai World Cup. Made all to win listed race on return and could sneak a place again.
Royal Delta was well held in this last year but things didn’t pan out for her and she’s improved since then, winning 4 times in 2012. Confirmed wellbeing with recent win at Gulfstream and a leading player.
Meandre won a pair of Group 1’s last season, victory over Shareta at Saint-Cloud the pick of them. Held his form well otherwise and should come on for reappearance when tackling an unsuitable trip.
Monterosso won the Dubai World Cup in 2012, but has been well beaten since then, not showing a great deal when down the field behind Hunter’s Light latest. Could easily peak in this again but enough to prove.
African Story has an excellent record on this surface, winning 4 times including the Godolphin Mile last year. Better than ever on return when landing the Burj Nahaar and intriguing contender if staying.
Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby in 2011 but last season was curtailed due to injury (was due to run in this). Has come back looking better than ever, second to Point Of Entry recently, and a leading player.
Kassiano has been progressing really well, winning 3 of his 5 starts this year. Best effort in defeat when second to Hunter’s Light last time and could easily reach a place once more under ideal conditions.
1. Hunter’s Light
2. Royal Delta
3. African Story
The Americans have struggled since this race was switched to tapeta and whilst this is their strongest challenge for some time, they may struggle to contain Hunter’s Light who is a horse that is simply thriving under these conditions. Royal Delta looks the best of those from the States with African Story an intriguing contender if seeing out this longer trip.
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Ante-post favourite Hunter’s Light will break from stall four in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup at Meydan…
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old was a Group 2 winner at the track in February and sealed his place at the head of the market when winning the third round of the Maktoum Challenge earlier this month.
He is one of three runners in the Godolphin blue for the 10-furlong race, with last year’s winner Monterosso going for glory again from stall 10 and African Story in 11.
Capponi will start from stall five as he bids to go one place better than his second in 2012, while Kassiano is widest of all in 13 to complete the teams for Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood al Zarooni.
Top American mare Royal Delta enjoyed no luck at all in finishing ninth last year but the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic winner will be hoping for better fortunes this time in stall eight.
Fellow American runner Dullahan is in stall two, while there are three British runners, headed by Marco Botti’s Planteur in stall seven.
Hong Kong Vase winner Red Cadeaux will be in stall two for Ed Dunlop, with Andrew Balding’s Side Glance in six.
Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, will be in stall 12, with the Andre Fabre-trained Meandre in nine and outsider Treasure Beach (one) rounding out the field.
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The world’s richest race, the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan, has attracted a star-studded 13-runner field.
Saturday’s race…
The obvious starting point when previewing the Dubai World Cup is Godolphin, who have owned the winner five times since the race’s inception in 1996, with Saeed bin Suroor (who also trained Hamdan Al Maktoum’s 1999 winner of the race Almutawakel) responsible for four of those, and new boy on the block, Mahmood Al Zarooni, getting in on the act last year by saddling the first two home, namely Monterosso and Capponi.
It’s no surprise that the boys in blue are heavily represented again this time around, with three running in their colours, namely African Story, Hunter’s Light and Monterosso, and bin Suroor and Al Zarooni will also be represented by Kassiano and Capponi respectively, who have both sported the famous blue in the past but will be in different colours for this race.
The most prominent in the betting out of those five, and indeed favourite or joint-favourite with most bookmakers, is Hunter’s Light, the winner of rounds two and three of the Maktoum Challenge at the Carnival this year.
Godolphin’s last five winners in this race had contested at least one round of the Maktoum Challenge prior to World Cup success and Hunter’s Light couldn’t have been any more impressive in disposing of Surfer in February and his progressive stablemate Kassiano more recently, looking every inch World Cup material.
Hunter’s Light’s record on an artificial surface stands at four from five (only defeat came on debut) and he fully deserves to be towards the head of the market.
Few could have envisaged Kassiano as a likely runner in this at the start of the Carnival, when rated only 106 by Timeform. He has been the most progressive handicapper in Dubai this year, however, improving into a very smart performer in winning three times and then upping his game again when stepped up to pattern company behind Hunter’s Light. He didn’t get the clearest of runs through that day, so can be rated as finishing a clearer second, and there will be worse outsiders than him.
Last year’s winner, Monterosso, is obviously worth a mention as he bids to become the first horse to retain his crown. He will again go into the race on the back of just one run which came in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge when a long way behind Hunter’s Light.
It’s fair to say Monterosso didn’t show anywhere near as much as he had done when prepping a year ago, however, and on that basis he can’t really be supported with any confidence, mindful that he also disappointed on his sole outing in Britain after last year’s success.
A stronger contender could be African Story, who took well to the tapeta surface at last year’s Carnival, winning three times, including the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night. He demonstrated his well-being when making a successful return over the same trip when landing the Burj Nahaar at Meydan earlier in the month.
High-class form over a mile, as well as an impressive course record (four wins from five starts), brings African Story into the reckoning, though the trip is very much an unknown stepping up beyond a mile for the first time.
The other dominant force in the race has traditionally been the American contingent, with eight winners down the years, though it’s fair to say they haven’t been anything like as successful since the race switched from dirt to tapeta ahead of the 2010 renewal. Gio Ponti’s fourth placing that year is the best an American raider has managed on the new surface, with Game On Dude and Royal Delta both noticeable disappointments twelve months ago.
This year’s challenge from the States looks strong, on paper at least, with the aforementioned Royal Delta, as well as Animal Kingdom and Dullahan all declared to run.
Royal Delta will at least return with that experience under her belt, and she has clearly improved again since then, her defeat of My Miss Aurelia in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic one of the highlights on Breeders’ Cup night. She has confirmed her well-being with a recent win at Gulfstream Park and it seems reasonable to assume she will fare much better this time around.
Dullahan disappointed on turf at the Breeder’s Cup but had shown high-class form on a synthetic surface earlier in the year when winning the TVG Pacific Classic. The Dale Romans-trained colt has had a pipe-opener at Meydan this year, finishing well down the field behind African Story in the Burj Nahaar. That performance hardly enhanced his credentials, but there were potential excuses. The shorter trip is the obvious one, whilst it was reported he got very worked up on the way over to the track.
Dullahan’s form in America stands up to the closest scrutiny and whilst it’s fair to say he isn’t the most consistent, he is more than capable of getting involved if on a ‘going day’.
The only Kentucky Derby winner to run in the Dubai World Cup was Silver Charm back in 1998 and Animal Kingdom will bid to complete that notable double when he lines up twelve months later than originally intended.
Animal Kingdom was due in Dubai last year only to suffer an injury and he’s been limited to just three starts in the last nineteen months, all on turf, winning an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream before finishing second to Wise Dan in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (when staying on strongly after meeting trouble) and to Point of Entry in a Grade 1 back at Gulfstream in February. The surface is obviously an unknown, though he does have form on polytrack, whilst his style of racing (tends to be held up) could leave him vulnerable given how Meydan has ridden this year.
Mike de Kock’s sole contender is last year’s Sheema Classic fourth Treasure Beach, who has plenty to find with the main protagonists on Timeform ratings (only sixth behind Hunter’s Light on sole run this year) and essentially isn’t good enough, and similar comments apply to the three British-trained runners, Planteur, Side Glance and Red Cadeaux.
That leaves the French-trained Meandre, who is a triple Group 1 winner over a mile and a half on turf but may find things happening a bit quick for him in this.
As things stand, Hunter’s Light makes plenty of appeal. He is fit and firing, clearly relishes this surface and has done nothing wrong in winning both his starts this year. With doubts of one sort or another over the American-trained runners, as well as last year’s winner Monterosso, Kassiano makes as much appeal as anything of those at longer odds.
Recommendations:
Back Hunter’s Light @ 5.6
Back Kassiano @ 11.5
Milesey ( Betfair )
1 bet for me today and thats
3.15 wolverhampton FOSTER’S ROAD
Lincoln tomorrow im on Captain Bertie
Good luck
I dont think ill be doing my national bet on Betfair,just noticed they are only paying 4 places when most others give 5,id rather take advantage of Skybet who are giving a free £10 bet on any bet you want and you dont even need to deposit to get it.
Your entitled to place your bet where you want, but i’ll be doing my bet on the exchange, best price, and who cares if they are only paying out on 4 places ? i don’t intend to see it out till the end of the race, i’ll be backing to lay, or to trade out in play and then get back in, already been backing to lay as the market shapes up, but the field still has to been knocked down to the 40 starters anyway….. and not alot of offers out there of yet, but betfair were best last year with their £25 free bet treble, so we’ll see what firms come up with this year ;) ;)
Milesey ( betfair )
Not really into the layers market as im a novice and id get stung,was just looking to back some big prices for a place and was stunned when i noticed betfair only offering the 4 places,just thought id mention it to see if you knew why, anyway cheers for the reply.
Just watch out doing ANTE POST and take a bookie who are doing non runner no bet, as i’ve said before i know bet365 are offering this, the field has still to be cut down to the 40 runners, and some have entries elsewhere so may take thm instead of the national, and just look out for offers that are about.
Someone just told me that Bet Victor are paying out on 6 places ?
http://www.betvictor.com/sports/en/grand-national-non-runner-no-bet-
Grand National Special – Each Way first 5
Another way of encouraging you to have a bet with a particular online bookmaker for the Grand National would be for a Grand National special offer of first 5 home. This year it is Paddy Power and Boylesports who are offering this excellent promotion for the each way punters, they will be paying out on the first 5 home so be sure to take advantage of this great deal.
Free Bet If Your Horse Falls
Another interesting Grand National Special offer is from Victor Chandler where if your horse falls in the Grand National your stake will be refunded as a free bet in another race of your choice. With only half the field likely to make it home this is a very good concession from Victor Chandler.
Grand National 2013 5 Places Each Way
Your guide to the best bookmakers to use for the 2013 Grand National, those offering 5 places each way (or better!) and access to the best free bets available from top online bookies.
Grand National 2013 – Saturday 6th April 2013
*** STOP PRESS *** As of 26th March 2013 BetVictor are going 6 Places Each Way at the 2013 Grand National at Aintree. For full details click here!!
The 2013 Grand National will be the biggest betting event of the sporting year. This year the biggest horse race in the world, which has delivered legendary names like Foinavon, Red Rum and Aldaniti, takes place on Saturday 6th April 2013. Whilst the competition at Aintree will be as fierce as ever for the 166th running of the greatest handicap steeplechase, that competition will be mirrored amongst bookmakers who want to attract customers like you with eye-catching promotions both in terms of free bets and extended Each Way (EW) place terms. That’s right, a select band of bookmakers will give enhanced place terms and pay out 5 places Each Way (1/4 odds) or even 6 places Each Way for the Grand National 2013, rather than the standard 4 places. Now that’s something that can be very profitable!
So read on as we give you all the latest up-to-the-minute bookmaker deals available, plus highlight how you can maximise your chances of landing a big priced Each Way winner and how to grab some juicy free bets. Our results page details previous extended Each Way winners to help shape your selection ideas, plus why not take a look at our Grand National tips page which detail our well-priced fancies that could possibly land a winner.
Grand National 2013 Free Bets | Previous Results | Grand National 2013 Each Way Tips
So whether you’re an experienced punter who wants the very best account opening promotion or a first timer who is interested in finding out more information about how to have a great fun online bet on the Grand National, you will find all of the information you need at our website Grand National 2013 5 Places Each Way.
Grand National 5 Places Each Way Offers
Paddy Power and bet365 have already gone live with ante-post markets that are paying out 5 Places Each Way (1/4 odds) for the Aintree Grand National 2013. Bet with them on or before the day and you’ll get exactly the same terms plus some interesting extra benefits as detailed below:
Paddy Power New Account Offer, £/€250 in free bets – claim your free bets here.
Paddy Power are offering enhanced place terms with 5 places Each Way in both their ante-post or on the day markets. They also offer guaranteed best odds, not just at Aintree but across all UK and Irish horse racing meetings throughout the season. If you take a price with Paddy Power on the day of the race and the starting price is higher then they pay you out at the higher odds. Can’t say fairer than that!
Tie a great Grand National enhanced each way offering in with this unbeatable account opening offer for the perfect winning Aintree combination. Put simply you won’t find a stronger account opening offer in 2013 for either Paddy Power or for any other online bookmaker. Open a Paddy Power sports betting account via us and you’ll receive £250/€250 of free bets – click here for full details and terms.
bet365 New Account Offer, £200 in free bets – claim your free bets here. For alternative currencies click here.
You can bet on the Grand National with total confidence with bet365 who are offering Guaranteed Best Price as well as 5 Places Each Way in 2013. If you fancy a bit of early value they are also offering ‘No Runner No Bet’ on their ante post market which closes 24 hours before the race. They also have a 4/1 special which is perfect as any winner of the National which will trigger this promotion. Back any winner at 4/1 or more on a UK or Irish race televised live on Channel 4 with Bet365 and you can have a free bet to the same stake on the next live Channel 4 race. Also includes some additional feature races, full details on the Bet365 website.
Open an account today and bet365 will give new customers a market-leading deposit bonus where they will match any initial deposit up to £200. Uniquely bet365 give you a 100% Welcome Bonus on the amount you deposit. So if you deposit the maximum £200 you can start your sports betting with a £400 balance or conversely deposit £20 for the Grand National and bet365 will let you play with £40. For full details and rollover requirements click here.
Why 5 Places Each Way?
Maximising the number of places paid by bookmakers for Each Way bets is absolutely essential when backing your selections at Aintree. After all, anything can happen as you can see here via our results page. Horses priced at 33/1 and even 100/1 place and actually win the Grand National really quite regularly!
The Grand National has 40 runners with the standard Each Way terms being 1/4 odds on the first 4 finishers. Traditional High Street players like Coral, Ladbrokes and William Hill quite legitimately stick to these terms therefore minimising their exposure. So placing your bets with a bookmaker that offers 5 Places Each Way increases your chances considerably and year after year produces great results.
Take last year for example. Punters with 888sport, bet365, Boylesports, Paddy Power and Skybet received an extra place which worked well for backers of In Compliance. The 100/1 shot, who wasn’t given much of a chance by the experts and the handicapper, finished a magnificent 5th delivering a 25/1 return for those who were clever enough to back 5 Places Each Way.
Grand National 6 Places Each Way With BetVictor
There’s no doubt that bookmaker Victor Chandler, via his BetVictor brand, has led the way in giving the best customer value in recent Grand Nationals. In 2011 BetVictor were the first bookmaker in history to pay out 6 Places Each Way 1/4 odds and it seriously cost them as Ruby Walsh on the favourite The Midnight Runner had the audacity to finish in 6th place. That delivered a profitable 15/8 place return for a legion of punters who’d had the foresight to back the favourite with BetVictor. Once bitten certainly wasn’t twice shy as BetVictor again went 6 Places Each Way last year and the 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs, who was 12/1, finished in the additional place pay out position delivering a 3/1 Each Way return for backers. So watch this space for the 2013 Grand National and we will update if BetVictor go for the same strategy for the 3rd time in 2013.
BetVictor New Account Offer, £25 Free Bet – claim your free bet here
Whether BetVictor go 6 Places Each Way or not they are offering a tasty ante-post ‘Non Runner – Free Bet’ promotion. Have a bet in their ante-post market and if your selection is withdrawn they will refund up to £50 per horse in a free bet which will be credited on the Friday prior to the Grand National. Maximum £100 per household. Tie their big race promotion in with this great new customer offer: open an account today for the Grand National with BetVictor and they will give you a free £/€25 free bet. Place a bet of up to £25/€25 or better and BetVictor will match the value of your initial bet – full details and terms here.
FOSTERS ROAD 10/3 WINNER
What ya got planned for yer wee lad over Easter Milesey? Has he just started school?
No he’s just finished school for the easter holidays ;) ;)
thinking about going here “”
If you are around Clydebank, pop down and support your local fair!
Taylor’s Family Funfair is in town Clydebank! We open this thursday 28th March 2pm””
Milesey
Prob be best advised to avoid the funfair!!…pile of tinks running it rippin folk off. Muzza will know most of them well, lot of them are residents of Corby for chunks of the year!! Got a sis in law in Clydebank/Dalmuir…er well, maybe Mr F be better bum it up/not me :-) Might take a look down the see the daughter she’s in Glasgow in 3rd year politics at University of Glasgow, Partick Thislt the local team for student in that are of Glasgow/nice family kinda club as well. Is your wee fella showing inclinations towards Stevenage or are you dangling carrots in front of him with promises of sweets/toys etc if he goes?? :-)
Milesey, passed that fair on my way into work. Looks the biz. Reckon they’ll come from miles around then take in the sights.
Have a wee e/w on Goodtoknow at 5.15…get sum some bullets for tonight hopefully..opnly horse nbet of today.
The Bear Trap…ffs..that certainly widda trapped a few folk..nowhere
RESULTS
——–
Wolverhampton 14:40
MAZIJ ** WIN ** @ 5.1
Wolverhampton 15:15
1. Foster’s Road ** 1st **
2. Murcar
3. McBirney
Ludlow 16:10
COOTEHILL ** WIN ** @ 10.5
Milesey ( betfair )
NOW THATS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT … Lovely Milesey on Cootehill … ;)
I hope Mr F congratulates me if my NAP comes in today, for i’m really starting to doubt it, seen the weight rise, and the money going elsewhere, so i want a big cheer from Mr F if this one comes in ;) ;)
Milesey
Milesey, can’t do it. I might get slated.
I’m sure he will have his pom poms at the ready
Should you really be opening up a debate on Mr Fixits POM POMS and wether or not he has them at the ready should he become excited? This is neither the time nor the place for that kind of chat.
OUTSIDER
——–
PLACE and WIN
Back Goodtoknow @ 12.5 in the 17:15 at Ludlow ** P/U **
Southwell 17:40
DR LIVINGSTONE **NAP**NAP**
Milesey ( betfair )
Southwell 17:40
DR LIVINGSTONE **NAP**NAP** ** 2ND **
put them pom poms away now MR F ;) ;)
Milesey ( betfair )
Anything for Deathdalk?
mrf is so far up milesey a** and milesey top jokey mate
Does any1 know how to check what dundalk placepot paid tonight?
A lot of the talk about those in the Godolphin Mile (13:10) surrounds Soft Falling Rain and he could literally still be anything, but his form in Dubai isn’t particularly strong and I think Surfer offers plenty of value against him. Surfer has finished behind Hunter’s Light on his last two starts, both over further than the 1m he runs over on World Cup night, and the drop in trip looks sure to suit given he hit the front on both of those occasions before tiring. He is well drawn and looks to have slipped under the radar a little bit.
Tenenbaum is my idea of the best bet of the meeting in the Dubai Gold Cup at 13:45. He was patiently handled by Andre Fabre last year, progressing as he stepped up in trip, and he caught my eye on his recent reappearance when staying on steadily into fourth behind Ahzeemah, set too much to do and faring much better than Saddler’s Rock, for all the prices don’t reflect that.
What value there was in backing Secret Number for the UAE Derby at 14:25 has all gone and I think Lines of Battle can upset the favourite. It wouldn’t be much of an upset in truth, Aidan O’Brien’s charge thought good enough to run in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf last year, and he was far from disgraced having been forced wide throughout. Daddy Long Legs had a similar profile to this one prior to winning the race 12 months ago and Lines Of Battle is worth supporting to repeat the feat.
Shea Shea is a short price in the Al Quoz Sprint at 15:05 but he’s very difficult to oppose. Like so many of the Mike de Kock runners, he was badly in need of his reappearance before showing his true colours last time when bolting up in the Meydan Sprint. He had several of his rivals in behind, and whilst the likes of Sole Power and Spirit Quartz can be expected to finish closer with that run under their belts, it will be a surprise if either are good enough to reverse form.
The Dubai Golden Shaheen at 15:45 looks far harder to solve. Mental was impressive on his reappearance and is a worthy favourite but the draw is hardly ideal so it might be worth trying to find something at a bigger price and Kavanagh fits the bill. On the book he isn’t entitled to beat Mental, he was a length behind him in the Al Shindagha Sprint and is now 5 lb worse off, but he went for home soon enough that day before Mental pounced from much further back. Kavanagh has won on turf since then and is worth risking at double-figure odds.
Trade Storm is priced up more on visual impression than solid form in the 16:40 but in a race where nothing can boast a solid profile, it is worth sticking with David Simcock’s charge. He has flourished in Dubai this season, winning his last two starts with loads in hand, and whilst he is a prisoner to luck given how he is ridden, he has the right man for the job in Jamie Spencer. Godolphin are reportedly very confident about Sajjhaa and you could do worse than back the pair.
It’s hard to know what to make of Gentildonna in the Dubai Sheema Classic at 17:20, and a short price is enough to have me looking elsewhere. Await The Dawn probably didn’t achieve a great deal when winning a handicap on his penultimate start but he was very impressive in doing so and I maintain he wasn’t seen to best effect in a messy race more recently. There should be a sound pace on here, which will suit Await The Dawn who is being reinvented by Mike de Kock as a hold-up horse and he is the value call.
The World Cup itself which concludes matters at 18:05 is a cracking renewal and I think Godolphin can win it. Whether it is with Hunter’s Light or African Story I am not quite sure, the latter certainly a very interesting runner given the Godolphin Mile would have been a far easier assignment. He should stay and needs to be kept safe but Hunter’s Light just gets the verdict. He can boast an excellent strike rate, clearly loves this tapeta surface and is positively thriving at present, a good draw in stall 4 sealing matters.
All times GMT
Back Surfer in the 13:10
Back Tenenbaum in the 13:45 (NAP)
Back Lines Of Battle in the 14:25
Back Shea Shea in the 15:05 (NB)
Back Kavanagh in the 15:45
Back Trade Storm in the 16:40
Back Await The Dawn in the 17:20
Back Hunter’s Light in the 18:05
Milesey