I can imagine Cairnzy pulling his hair out watching Sea Presenting do everything right except win at Huntingdon.
The mare was cruising when turning for home when only four were in contention for the win, she jumped well but couldn't see off the hurdles debutante from the Harry Derham yard who won at 10/1. Sea Presenting is only a five-year-old so will likely have many days in the sun, and handicaps will definitely be the place for her.
Rizzel's tips
Gold Clermont 17/2 (Each Way) – Exeter 3.30
It's unsurprising that I've focused on the Devon National for Friday's racing. Unlike many, I really enjoy long-distance chase races, and I think you will find plenty of value in these types of races.
I understand that many prefer shorter distances where speed and slickness over the obstacles are great to see, but this game is all about finding winners, and I tend to do well in these types of races, so I will stick to my guns.
There are quite a few strong stayers in this race, and you also have the unexposed horses at the trip who could improve for the distance, but I'm going to somewhat play it safe by going with a horse I know will stay.
Gold Clermont was the horse who grabbed my attention the most in this contest, partly because of Sean Bowen in the saddle, but also because this horse has run some big races over similar distances, so if he comes into this at 100%, he is going to be fighting for the win when jumping the last few fences.
Andy Irvine doesn't use Bowen much and usually opts for Phillip Armson, who has ridden Gold Clermont more than anybody else. Though it is cruel that he isn't on board today, that's racing, and getting the future Champion Jockey on board can only be seen as a huge positive.
Sean rode his only winner for Andy on this horse at Fakenham over 3m 5f off a 4lb lower mark, but he won by double-digit lengths that day.
Gold Clermont hasn't been in tremendous form this season, but it's always best to focus on a horse's most recent run. That latest run saw Gold Clermont finish third in a 3m race around Bangor, which looks fairly decent for the grade. Seeing him being pulled up on his two runs prior to Bangor and then producing the run he did shows he is coming back to form, and now could be the right time to catch him.
His experience in races like this is going to be key as he was fourth in last year's Eider Chase at Newcastle which is run over 4m 2f, and turning for home he was travelling nicely but ultimately that trip was a tad too far for him.
The rain that will fall from now until the race will make it perfect conditions, so there should be no excuses for my selection of those I deem to be good value for the Devon National.
With the Grand National weights out this week it means the Irish horses also entered in the Cross Country already have their marks.
FYI Current fav STUMPTOWN at a ridiculous price of 9/4 has been given an increase of 8lbs and will run off 159.
There is no way on this God’s earth he will go off anywhere near that price on the day so please don’t let the bookies suck you in.
One horse looks very appealing but I will go into it a bit deeper when I have more time.
Heading home for the weekend so will open the laptop and do some homework.
It was around this time last year I put up I AM MAXIMUS for the National at 25/1.
The reason for the timing is because Sunday is the Bobbyjo National trial which has many of this years principles taking part.
On paper it should be won by Nick Rocket because of the weight he receives but with weights already out there will be no handbrakes on any runners.
It is why this is probably my favourite race of the year outside festivals.
Last year it was won by IAM who at the time was the winner of the Irish National.
This year I’m doing a rinse repeat so I’ve backed the current IN winner INTENSE RAFFLES @14/1 win only.
Since winning the IN last year he’s only had a few runs over hurdles to keep him ticking over. But now it’s time to get down to business and show what he’s made of.
He will be getting 16lbs from IAM at aintree but only gets 9lbs on Sunday so should he win Sunday he’ll go fav for the race
Grand National
INTENSE RAFFLES 14/1
Race is Saturday not sunday
It’s a shame we haven’t got like a Cheltenham Build up thread or something like that that can be updated daily and not lost into the abyss with the other daily threads.
It would mean I could put my snippets up on that and people can visit have a read and also contribute if they wish and the daily thread can carry on as normal without having to scroll past my waffle.
Anyway just a thought.
Because of that I’m not going to go into much detail with regards to the Cross Country other than say my selection is
BUSSELTON current price 14/1
I’m pretty sure 20’s were available across most firms yesterday so he’s been found.
Not sure if it’s good value now or is worth waiting for the day itself for extra places if you play ew.
Has had 2 nice spins around the course already in prep and will be 10lbs better off with STUMPTOWN
One vital thing is HEADGEAR must go back on. If it does he wins imo.
BOL
Hillcrest 1-10 Warwick 7-2 bet365
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Charismatic soldier 2-10 Warwick
11-8 top 2 finish @hills 🏇. NAP….
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Planned paradise
EVENS top 4 finish bet365
6-1 ew SKYBET (in case it wins)
Double your dough 😁
This horse has form figures of 2321 when running 3 mile 4 or further
Planned paradise is 3-30 Exeter.
The donkey national
6-1 ew is 4 places, other firms only paying 3
Hi DC, always appreciate your write ups, along with everyone else’s offerings.
I totally agree with your thoughts on a Cheltenham thread. With less of the usual regulars offering some of their ante post tips and thoughts I’ve used other sources for information and be burned.
I’d love to hear peoples thoughts on what horses will run in certain races and their tips to ante post betting or whether to wait till the festival. Thanks
I agree, I copy and paste relevant comments into a folder on my tablet like today’s DC today.
An ante post racing thread would be a solution with the admins deleting posts after the tips have run to keep it tidy.
Also be nice if the 3 headliners proved their worth by chipping in with some thoughts apart from the day to day tips.
Let’s see some ante post winners from the big 3, maybe then we could take them more seriously.
Ante post gives us a chance of seeking out greater value before the masses follow daily paper tipsters like sheep feeding in a trough of poisoned grass.
DC is a star with his foresight and does the dirty work maybe all of us should be doing.
So come on headliners let’s start with your ante post tips for the big 4 races at Cheltenham as I’m sure some will be looking at an acca on the 4 races
Champion hurdle
Stayers hurdle
Champion chase
Gold cup
2.40 Warwick – Demnat 2/1
Bothy Park 4.15 Southwell
Could be overpriced @ 50s top 3
Worth a small ew
GL