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PLANS have been made to switch the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster to a week later should Saturday's fixture be lost to the predicted snow.
With severe weather forecast, the track's owner Arena Racing Company has, in consultation with the British Horseracing Authority, made provision to reschedule the Saturday's programme.
The meeting, which heralds the start of the turf Flat season, includes both the Lincoln and its consolation race the William Hill Spring Mile.
Friday's opening fixture is subject to a precautionary check at 8am while a further inspection is planned for 8am on Saturday ahead of the feature card.
Jebel Ali
Interpret still looks a little rough around the edges but he's going the right way and can be expected to improve a chunk now stepping up in trip in the opening handicap at 10.10. Having finished second to Dubai Iconic and Surfer on his first two starts, he duly appreciated the lesser company when comfortably winning by 10 lengths at this track in December.
He was then off the course for the best part of three months, returning just a couple of weeks ago when again finishing second, this time behind Encipher who lines up in the minor event later on the card.
The feature of his four starts to date have been the fact he has come under pressure earlier than most, this longer trip very much in his favour and while he's unlikely to be as good as his half-brother Invasor it wouldn't be the biggest surprise were he to ply his trade at a higher level next season so he really should be competitive off his current mark of 84.
On War shaped as if on the way back when fourth to Blue Tiger's Eye at Meydan last time and he's worth supporting in the 10.40. It's fair to say he's had a disappointing campaign given the way he won his maiden at this track last year, following that success with an excellent third to Izaaj off a mark of 85.
His poor run of form has at least seen the handicapper give him a chance and he shaped much better running off 70 last time, forced wide throughout yet still briefly hitting the front over 1f out before his earlier exertions began to tell. He will appreciate the switch back to this surface and can hopefully salvage something from his poor season.
The maiden that brings the curtain down on Jebel Ali's season at 1.10 is probably the weakest race of its kind to be run all season but it does provide Daar Rashid with a gilt-edged opportunity to get off the mark. He finished in the frame twice for Eoin Harty in America last year and bettered those efforts when second to Backstage Tour at this track last time. The winner did disappoint in handicap company next time but there is nothing of his calibre in this field and Daar Rashid should only need to run up to his best to oblige.
Back Interpret 1.94 in the 10.10
Back On War 2.7 in the 10.40
Back Daar Rashid 1.96 in the 1.10
Newbury 4.25
Shotavodka was a useful bumper performer last term and confirmed promise of his hurdling debut with two ready victories at Taunton and Sandown last month at up to 17f. Type to go on improving in handicaps.
Changing The Guard has shown form more in-keeping with his Flat ability in handicap hurdles around 2m this season, winning three times in total. Suspicion handicapper has him about right now, however.
Chesil Beach Boy thrived last term, landing hat-trick of Wincanton handicaps before good fifth in Imperial Cup. Shaped well on occasions this season but well positioned when runner-up in a visor latest.
Kaylif Aramis caught the eye on several occasions prior to getting it right in a competitive 2½m handicap at Ffos Las last month. Ready winner at Uttoxeter on Saturday and drop in trip shouldn't be a problem.
Kellys Brow is already on trainer No.3 but made the perfect start for this yard in a 21f handicap at Ludlow a month ago. Six-pouns rise to contend with but drop in trip a bigger concern.
Whitby Jack landed 2m Kempton handicap in January. Never looked like justifying support at Ascot next time and again disappointing in the Imperial Cup after good second at Ludlow the time before.
Scorched Son was all the better for recent reappearance when a wide-margin winner in the mud at Ffos Las in December. Never been the easiest to catch right and though back on track in a visor latest he's risky.
Ivor's King has been much improved this season, completing hat-trick comfortably at Ascot (2½m) in November. Took another step forward when third at Kempton, but lesser effort back there latest needs forgiving.
Iolith was suited by test of speed when landing back-to-back novice hurdles at Kempton and Taunton at the end of 2010. Absent since April the following year but well treated if top yard has him back.
Smart Catch was a surprise 66-1 winner of a Kempton novice in March 2011. Probably needed the run on handicap bow in November of that year but well-being a big concern given absence since.
1. Kaylif Aramis 3.55
2. Shotavodka 4.3
3. Chesil Beach Boy 7.6
Verdict: Kaylif Aramis isn't short of speed and is well treated under a penalty after Saturday's ready Uttoxeter win so he looks the answer back in trip. Shotavodka is going the right way and looks the chief threat, possibly along with Chesil Beach Boy.
It's the start of the flat turf season at Doncaster.
Doncaster 2.00
RONALDINHO 5.5
For the in-form yard of Richard Hannon, stepped up in trip today to 1m 6f, six starts on the turf – two wins and two seconds – signed off last season with a win at Donny on the soft ground over 1m and is off a lower weight.
Domcaster 3.35
ANNUNCIATION 6.4
Wolverhampton double
5.55: SECRET OF SUCCESS 1.6
Looked a gutsy type when scoring on her Lingfield introduction over the trip last month and the handicapper appears to have given her a chance off this mark of 60. Entitled to have improved for that outing, she is the most unexposed of the quartet going to post and is the one they have to beat.
6.30: JEZZA 3.7
Has been handed a mere 2lb for racking up a course double over the extended 2m a fortnight ago and another big performance looks assured. Coming back to the extended 1m 5f for this assignment, he was seen scoring over track and trip two starts ago and the handicapper may just have some catching up to do off this mark of 65.
2.10: Newbury
PAY THE KING 1.78
A beaten favourite on his hurdling debut at Chepstow last month but still performed with credit and the form has since been franked by both the winner and the runner-up.
3.25 Sedgefield
SPEED STEED (nap) 1.53
SPEED STEED is likely to be a warm order but sets a clear form standard based on his chasing debut second at Doncaster last month and probably wouldn't need to improve upon that effort to go one better today.
Milesey (Betfair)
GambleAware
HORSE RACING
—————–
FRIDAY 22ND MARCH 2013
———————–
Jebel Ali, Friday March 22
Back Interpret 1.94 in the 10:10
Back On War 2.7 in the 10:40
Back Daar Rashid 1.96 in the 13:10
————————-
Friday, Newbury 16:25
1. Kaylif Aramis 3.55
2. Shotavodka 4.3
3. Chesil Beach Boy 7.6
DONCASTER 2.00
RONALDINHO 5.5
DONCASTER 3.35
ANNUNCIATION 6.4
WOLVERHAMPTON DOUBLE
——————–
5.55
SECRET OF SUCCESS 1.6
6.30
JEZZA 3.7
———————
NEWBURY 2.10
PAY THE KING 1.78
SEDGEFIELD 3.25
****SPEED STEED ****NAP**** 1.53
————————————
GREYHOUND RACING
ROMFORD
—————
Both Mark Wallis’ hotpots, Glanmire Lad and Ayamzaman, were turned over at Romford last week, but I think it might be mixed fortunes for the prolific scoring pair on Friday night.
Puppy Cup winner Glanmire Lad rates the banker on the card (21:40) where his early speed – now back in a middle box – can prove too strong for the opposition and he earns a confident vote ahead of the Golden Sprint, which begins in a fortnight.
Ayamzaman, however has been finding winning more difficult of late – remember he won 21 races last year – but he has won only one of his last six starts and with pace inside from Mottos Impact and Millstreet Lar, he may again be one for the layers.
Blue Glenard’s consistency – she was rarely out of the first two in the second half of last year – made her a popular choice amongst backers and she earns a confident vote to bounce back on her first start since January (21:06) where her consistent trapping can soon put her in charge.
The feature Stayers final (21:24) appears a far from easy contest to solve. In-form Roseville Bullet would prove hard to dislodge if repeating her run from a fortnight ago, but she ran considerably slower despite a victory in Monday’s heats and it may pay to side with battling Hometown Honey, who appears well berthed in trap six for Mark Wallis.
Benkaat Boy has a mixed trapping record when drawn near the fence, but with five seeded runners on his outside, can provide another winner for the reigning champion trainer (20:50.
Head Iton Tom has no issues with trapping from the red and can make all over 575m (22:26), while Aero Gaga makes most appeal in the marathon (22:40) especially with Pantone Ava badly drawn in trap four. Paulees Stevie will be far more at home in trap six in the 21:56.
Blue Glenard 21:06 Rom (Fri)
Glanmire Lad 21:40 Rom (Fri)
Milesey ( BETFAIR )
PLACE AND WIN
————–
LIGHNING LAUNCH in the 16.45 at Doncaster. This gelding finished fourth to Pearl Castle at Goodwood last August. He held every chance two furlongs from home, but failed to deliver a challenge and weakened quickly close home.
He should make a better three-year-old and could run well at a decent price in this interesting event. At present he is trading at 9.6 on the exchange.
Milesey ( BETFAIR )
Black Caviar maintained her unbeaten record with an effortless success in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley in Australia…
Sent off at odds of 1-25, Luke Nolen had Peter Moody’s star mare settled in third in the early stages as stablemate Karuta Queen set the gallop. Black Caviar was soon rolling along in second, though, and turning for home the seven-year-old cruised to the front.
She quickly sprinted three lengths clear and was well in control a furlong out, galloping home on a tight rein to spark scenes of delight at the packed Melbourne track as she notched her 24th consecutive win.
Milesey ( BETFAIR )
On a desperately difficult day, made more so by nigh-on unraceable conditions at the jumps meetings at Newbury and Sedgefield, and the prospect of a snowbound Doncaster, it’s probably best to rely on stamina, for horses and horse-watchers alike.
I’d love to have put up a bet in the Novices’ Handicap Chase at Newbury, which is run for the Brown Chamberlin Trophy, named after the 1983 Hennessy Gold Cup winner who carried owner Mrs Basil Samuel’s coral colours to no less than 8 victories at Newbury, and was never beaten at that venue. Sadly, the race named in his honour is an uncompetitive 3-runner affair, and all we have to show for it is a vague recollection of a top-class chaser.
The following handicap hurdle over the extended 2m (16:25) is a much more appealing contest, and one in which it should pay to side with the penalised Kaylif Aramis despite him dropping back in trip. This full-brother to Pertemps winner Kayf Aramis ought to be a thorough stayer on pedigree, but he was found wanting for stamina on his sole start at 3m to date, and has shown his best form at around 2½m. He travelled smoothly over that trip at Uttoxeter last time before winning with something to spare, and that ability to travel through his races suggests he’ll be effective at the shorter trip today, especially with deep ground putting such an emphasis on stamina. He seemed to relish conditions at Uttoxeter in putting up a career best, and is sure to make a bold bid to defy a penalty.
Of the others, Shotavodka is respected having improved to win easily at Taunton (heavy) last month, and was then given an easy task last time. He does tend to race freely, though, and that is a slight concern at this unforgiving venue. Chesil Beach Boy will be popular as Tony McCoy takes the ride on a horse often partnered by the amateur Miranda Roberts (daughter of trainer John Coombe). In my opinion, Roberts gets the very best out of this tricky ride, despite not looking elegant, and I don’t believe he will respond any better to McCoy’s hustling style. Whitby Jack has flopped more than once on heavy ground, and the handicapper has finally caught up with Ivor’s King.
The hunter chase at this meeting last year provided unwelcome headlines for young rider George Gorman, as he erroneously steered certain winner Merry Vic around the last fence, allowing veteran Offshore Account to gain a fortuitous win. The winner turns out again, but is looking increasingly vulnerable at this level, while I’m sure teenager Joe Hill, having just his third chase ride on Ravethebrave, will be well aware of where the water jump is should he find himself in a similar situation to Gorman this time round. The ex-Alan King inmate is respected after winning at Fakenham for his new team, but he’s not the biggest to be jumping Newbury’s stiff fences out of bottomless ground, and preference on the day is for the comically-named Trouble Digger, who has done well in points for the talented Tom Lacey, but nevertheless looked better suited by regulation fences when winning a maiden hunter at Lingfield last time from Penmore Mill, who is a solid performer, and ran out a facile winner at Fakenham on his next start. The son of Double Trigger (geddit?) has taken time to reach maturity having started off with Kim Bailey, but he looks ready to make up for lost time, and could be an exciting prospect if continuing his progress.
Both at Newbury
Back Kaylif Aramis in the 16:25 @ 3.4
Back Trouble Digger in the 17:00 @ 3.7
Milesey ( BETFAIR )
ronaldinho realy like realy
1 tip 1 win yesterday said 3-1 cocked up on that but still awinner in the 730 kempton see if i can get another today
Done a last minute Yankee last night on the final 4 races at kempton. First 3 won, with the last one being athletic, which came second. The difference in payout between 3 and 4 winners is huge. But still, profit is profit i guess
Is Donny on today?
THE opening day of the 2013 Flat season at Doncaster goes ahead after the meeting passed a third inspection on Friday.
Track officials checked at 8am and found it raceable, but more snow was forecast. It had eased when they checked again at 9am, but another inspection was needed.
Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan gave the fixture – featuring the Brocklesby Stakes – the go-ahead at 11am, while Newbury, Sedgefield and Wolverhampton were also deemed fit to race following weather concerns on Thursday.
Doncaster is also due to stage the William Hill Lincoln fixture on Saturday, but that is now subject to an inspection at 6am. Plans are already in place to hold the card on Easter Saturday if it is abandoned.
The course said pre-booked general admission tickets and hospitality would be valid if the meeting is rescheduled, while entries for the Lincoln and Spring Mile will be reopened to the weights-published stage, in which case Hills said all bets placed after the first forfeit stage on March 5 would be void.
Gowran Park, Kelso and Bangor have abandoned their meetings on Saturday, while Stratford faces an inspection at noon on Friday. Newbury also races on Saturday, but must pass a check at 7am.
Milesey ( betfair )
plein pouvoir 240 newbury 4-1 bet of the day
fancy 2 singles and r/fc on warfare and docofthebay in the 5.20 at Doncaster. not much reasoning, had a drunken £20 docofthebay before and it won at 8/1 by a head and warfare is a kevin ryan horse. can’t bring myself to back anything other than his or mark johnston’s horse in race whatever the price. and mark johnston just had a winner wi his only horse at donny
Milesey
Have u had chance to look at the Lincoln odds yet, I can pass on a tip for Captain Bertie at around 6/1 any thoughts on it much appreciated
I’m not going to look at it till it’s passed the inspection tomorrow, but i am going for it being called off, for heavy snow overnight. Maybe nothing on tomorrow to be honest, even the A/W will be off.
Milesey
Only two wins, and a double left to come, not so good today…. at least plenty of football on tonight.
Milesey
JEBEL ALI
Back On War 2.7 in the 10:40 * WIN *
DONCASTER 3.35
ANNUNCIATION 8.0 * WIN *
WOLVERHAMPTON DOUBLE
——————–
5.55
SECRET OF SUCCESS 1.6
6.30
JEZZA 3.7
———————
DUNDALK is OFF tonight
and WOLVERHAMPTON is just about to follow.
Milesey
SATURDAY 23RD MARCH
——————-
BANGOR-ON-DEE – Jump (Updated:22/03/2013 at 07:58:30)
Going
Abandoned due to 3″ of overnight snow and more to follow
DONCASTER – Flat (Updated:22/03/2013 at 10:14:56)
Going
Soft, Heavy in places
(GoingStick: 5.6 on Wednesday at 08:45)
Stalls
Straight Course Stand Side
Weather
1mm of rain/sleet turning to snow at 6.30am Friday forecast to
be heavy by 9am. Monitoring Situation Closely.
Inspections
Inspection 6am
KELSO – Jump (Updated:22/03/2013 at 07:52:47)
Going
Heavy (Waterlogged in places)
(GoingStick: 4.8 on Thursday at 12:00)
Rails
Bends have been moved out two metres to provide fresh
ground.
Weather
Dry overnight. Light snow forecast for Friday (2cm) and
more light snow on Saturday (2cm). Very cold and 25-30mph
winds. Min Temps -2C, Max Temps +3C.
Inspections
RACING ABANDONED
NEWBURY – Jump (Updated:22/03/2013 at 12:18:24)
Going
Heavy
(GoingStick: Hurdle 4.7 Chase 5.4 on Friday at 12:15)
Rails
Rail has been moved in since last meeting.
Weather
Last 24hr 9.6 mmm.
Forecast: Friday- Wet start turning showery with rain overnight.
Saturday- Showers or longer spells of rain.
Inspections
Pecautionary inspection at Saturday 7.00am
SOUTHWELL – Flat (Updated:22/03/2013 at 11:09:18)
Going
Standard
Stalls
All Races Inside
Weather
There is a risk of light snow overnight with a low of 0C tomorrow
Other
The team are on Stand by to work the track overnight if required
STRATFORD-ON-AVON – Jump (Updated:22/03/2013 at 12:21:14)
Going
Both tracks: Heavy, waterlogged in places. RACING ABANDONED
Inspections
After a second inspection of the course at 12 noon, we found the course waterlogged in places, with several unraceable patches that could not be avoided.
Wolverhampton is ON
——————–
Racing at Wolverhampton has been given the green light after an impomptu 5pm inspection, due to snow, was passed.
WOLVERHAMPTON DOUBLE
——————–
5.55
SECRET OF SUCCESS 1.6
6.30
JEZZA 3.7
Milesey
Ok cheers pity if it gets called off, Ill wait till morning
I’ll see whats on in the morning being i do anything for tomorrows racing, could be a day of no racing.
Milesey
——————————
DONCASTER has already beaten the weather once but faces the prospect of having to do it again if the William Hill Lincoln is to take place on Saturday.
An inspection is due at 6am on Saturday and clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said on Friday night: “Looking at the forecast now, we have sleet coming in later on tonight.
“It’s then forecast to turn to light snow until about 3am, when they are saying it could turn a bit heavier. I think by the time we inspect at 6am we should have some idea of where we are going.”
Racing went ahead at Doncaster on Friday, and Duncan admitted: “At 6am this morning you wouldn’t have thought we would have been racing as we had snow falling and it was starting to settle, but we didn’t have enough to put a cover on the track and by 11am it had gone.”
Ground conditions were officially soft, heavy in places and Duncan said: “The lads are saying it’s no worse than I have called it. But even if we just get a light snowfall it is nearly bound to ease.”
Newbury must also pass an inspection if racing is to go ahead on Saturday with a 7am inspection scheduled at the track.
On Friday night Newbury’s clerk of the course Richard Osgood was fully expecting the track’s closing jumps meeting of the season to pass the inspection.
Persistent rain left the course heavy for its fixture on Friday but, although further rain is forecast, hopes are high.
“I’m optimistic and I think we should be all right,” said Osgood. “It really depends on how much rain we get. We are forecast 6mm to 8mm, and we ought to be able to cope with that. The jockeys have been saying today the track will take more rain, and if we get it early in the day the course will also have more chance to deal with it.”
The only other meeting taking due to take place in Britain and Ireland on Saturday is Southwell after Bangor, Gowran, Kelso and Stratford were called off.
Inspections
Racing at Doncaster and Newbury must pass inspections at 6am and 7am respectively tomorrow. On Betfair, Doncaster is 11-4 to be on and 2-15 to be off. Newbury is 1-5 to be on and 1-2 to be off.
No snow at Doncaster, yet
Doncaster managing director Mark Spincer (@DoncasterRaceMD) wrote: “Currently no snow at Donny fingers crossed it stays that way.”