Tag Archives: haydock

No joke

January 21, 2017 Steve Lewis Hamilton

With Ascot and Taunton both falling prey to the cold weather we are left with one turf meeting today at Haydock. It is a classy card containing four Group 2 races. We are going to look at one of them plus a competitive handicap.

Clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright reported: “Temperatures were -1C and we wouldn’t have wanted any more frost. We’ve been dry since Wednesday, the sun is out and it’s set to a bright, dry day. The ground is soft and it’s not going to be as testing as your traditional Haydock in January.”

3.15 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2)

A reasonably case can be made for 10 of the 14 runners.

Difficult to price with the form of ex French trained Alary difficult to evaluate in the context of today’s race.

Definitly Red put up his best performance when winning at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

However that form line also puts Bristol De Mai, Otago Trail and Bishops Road in the mix.

I’m 11/2 the field on my provisional tissue.

Bishops Road can go well at double figure odds.

3.50 Racing UK Club Day Today Handicap Chase (CLASS 3)

Trip could be too short for the returning Wuff who has been out for a year.

Back By Midnight needs to sharpen up his jumping.

Ubaltique is handicapped to go close, but finds little for pressure.

Pistol Park is improving but is priced accordingly.

Imjoeking is my e/w preference at 7/1+. His latest run is solid form and conditions are fine.

The major festival meetings in Britain and Ireland are getting closer. Special terms now available for the rest of the jumps campaign and longer term. For details go to: www.slh.co.uk

horse racing

Baby repeat?

November 19, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Whilst we have Good to Soft ground at Ascot and Huntingdon, the going at Haydock will be Heavy. The track has had further rain this morning and can expect a little more this afternoon. Haydock is a course that trainers would expect and sometimes hope for that extra cut in the ground as shown by the current low level of non-runners.

Two races for us to look at starting with the opener:

12.10 Haydock Read Paul Nicholls Exclusively On Betfair Handicap Hurdle (CLASS 3)

Clyne impressed when last seen and will be suited by conditions.

Baby King disappointed after winning this race last year. He goes well fresh and is expected to figure.

Verni isn’t an easy ride, but has the champion jockey on board and can progress.

My tissue:

Clyne 3/1

Baby King 3/1

Verni 3/1

Baratineur 5/1

16/1 bar

1.50 Haydock Betfair Price Rush Hurdle (CLASS 2)

Just the four to post to contest the winner’s prize of just on £62,000 with all of them guaranteed to take home a share of the overall prize.

Old Guard has a bit to prove after scrambling home in a chase on latest start.

Ch’tibello isn’t sure to be suited by testing ground.

Melodic Rendezvous is at his best in heavy ground, but looked to regress at the end of last season.

My Tent Or Yours sets the standard, although ground conditions are not ideal.

I price the four as follows:

My Tent 1/1

Old Guard 3/1

Ch’tibello 7/1

Melodic Rendezvous 7/1

On the Haydock card we see the welcome return of the sparkling 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree. Let’s hope he stays fit and can be an important player this season.

It is an intriguing and informative day of racing at all three jumps fixtures plus there are a few at Punchestown that will be of interest for the future.

horse racing

Kach me if you can…

September 23, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Interesting day of racing as we look at three races.

3.55 Haydock

A wide open race with plenty of in-form horses.

We have had a good recent run with our early season noted horses and Kachess is the latest. Much better than recent efforts suggest.

Having her first start in a handicap and expected to go well at double figure odds. Currently around 10/1 having been twice that price first thing this morning.

If you want a free copy of my noted horses shortlist, just go to the website: www.slh.co.uk

4.30 Haydock

Parliamentarian has solid form and is progressive.

Deserves to be at short odds. 6/4 on my provisional tissue, most of the books are 11/10 – 5/4

2.20 Worcester

Kerisper and Minella Daddy are ex Irish Pointers who have solid hurdles form and are worth a close look on their chasing debuts.

Southfield Vic could be vulnerable carrying a penalty.

On my private tissue, I go:

Southfield Vic 7/4

Minella Daddy 9/4

Kerisper 9/4

Good week for us with two winners from two bets only. Got a great deal from the Perth two-dayer which will be of value in the opening stages of the main jumps campaign. Special terms are currently available, see the website for full details.

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Donjuan to score?

September 3, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

The arrival time of the bands of rain sweeping across the country will be an added factor this afternoon. Ascot should get a relatively clear run before arrival but Haydock is already seeing the first wave.

3.10 Ascot Appletiser Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (CLASS 2)

Richest race on the card with £100,000 in prize money for the twelve declared to contest.

Stargazer was noted on latest start at Goodwood over 10f. He stayed on well after having to race wide on the track. Steps up to 12f today which is expected to bring further improvement.

Although there are a few other possible improvers in the opposition, I would be surprised if Stargazer doesn’t go very close. On my provisional tissue below I have him the same as the general price on offer. Not value enough for me in a competitive handicap:

Stargazer 5/2

Dal Harraild 11/2

10/1 bar

4.30 Haydock 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1)

As things stand by the time we get to this race, Haydock will have been at the centre of the rainband as it passes east. Haydock does not drain as easily as many other courses. Until we see the extent and depth of the heavy rain forecast it is not possible to accurately price this race. Also we could lose the favourite should the conditions be too soft.

Looking at a few of the contenders and their preferred conditions:

Limato’s prospects depend on the ground staying good – softer ground will lessen his chance. For me the 9/4 favourite on good and a drifter on a slower surface.

Quiet Reflection will be suited by easing ground, and must go very close.

Donjuan Triumphant is expected to go well at double figure odds if the forecast rains arrive.

Provisionally pricing on good to soft – soft ground, I go: Quiet Refection 5/1, Donjuan Triumphant 14/1.

horse racing

Not so fantastic Friday

September 2, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Unappealing days racing with modest maidens and tightly knit handicaps. Tomorrow’s cards hold much greater appeal.

We are going to quickly look at two races:

Ascot 2.35: Harwoods Volante has been gradually returning to his best and looks sure to go well in an open race. He was just touched off at Leicester last week after pulling hard early on. I don’t anticipate the drop to 6f from 7f to prove an issue.

Cases can be made for half this field, but I would be surprised if Harwoods Volante doesn’t run well. 5/1 on my provisional tissue.

Haydock 4.30: El Vip heads the market and looks sure to improve. However I am always suspicious of ‘One start – One win’ horses immediately moving into competitive handicaps.

In time El Vip may prove to be a higher class animal than this opposition, but experience counts for a great deal and he makes limited appeal at the current 7/4. I rate him more like a 3/1 chance.

Very good week so far with both of our highest strength bets being successful. A profitable lay at 2.1 and a 3/1 winner from our only bet yesterday. For your free information pack go to: www.slh.co.uk Introductory membership terms now available.

Back tomorrow.

horse racing

Eclipse tester

July 2, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Yet again the ground is the major talking point as we look at Sandown and Haydock today. At Sandown the going has eased slightly to a general Good to Soft. Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper reported: “I could show you some good ground out there but taking all things into account after a little bit of rain yesterday evening and having moved onto fresh ground I am just going to call it good to soft.” A dry fairly warm day is forecast.

In contrast the ground at Haydock has deteriorated to Soft (Heavy in places) and light showers are expected this afternoon.

As covered yesterday, the uncertainty over racing conditions between entry and raceday is a nagging problem for connections. There are plenty more non-runners today.

3.45 Sandown Coral-Eclipse (Group 1)

£525,000 in total prize money with just on £300,000 to the winner. We have seven to post with the O’Brien and Charlton yards both having likely pacemakers for The Gurkha and Time Test respectively.

Time Test and My Dream Boat are closely matched on a strict line through Western Hymn.

Time Test is a previously noted horse who I expect to go close today.

However The Gurkha was staying on strongly at the finish of the St James Palace at Ascot and the step up in trip is expected to bring further improvement.

Compared to the general odds on offer, I have the market leaders closer together on my tissue:

The Gurkha 11/10

Time Test 3/1

My Dream Boat 5/1

Hawkbill 14/1

Western Hymn 20/1

2.50 Haydock bet365 Old Newton Cup (CLASS 2)

There are a few hold-up horses amongst the market leaders. In testing conditions it is a dangerous game to try and rapidly make up ground as the line approaches.

Penglai Pavilion is worth a look in this wide open handicap. Always behind at Ascot on latest start and never placed to challenge. His form over hurdles last season suggests he retains plenty of ability and he can figure today. Ground conditions shouldn’t be an issue.

Some 14/1 still around which would offer a bit of value.

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Palmer double?

May 28, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Two races from Haydock for us this afternoon; a warm dry day is forecast. Hugo Palmer has a runner in each of our featured races, both figure prominently in my analysis.

3.10 Haydock Timeform Jury Stakes (Registered As The John of Gaunt Stakes) (Group 3) (CLASS 1

Home Of The Brave and So Beloved are the two to concentrate on.

Home Of The Brave is still progressing and must go close. Won a valuable listed race at Leicester last time out where he led for most of the race. Entered up for Royal Ascot.

So Beloved impressed when winning over C&D on latest start. That Haydock form three weeks ago gives him a solid chance.

I put the pair in as my 3/1 joint favourites.

3.45 Haydock 188Bet Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) (CLASS 1)

Second of the Hugo Palmer entries to look at is Gifted Master, who comes here seeking his sixth consecutive victory. Noted at Ascot when he made all and stayed on strongly despite an arkward exit from the stalls. Expected to progress further.

Woodcote and Coventry Stakes winner Buratino should appreciate the return to sprinting after his run in the Guineas. He a live danger on last season’s form.

I go 7/4 and 5/1 respectively on my tissue.

The absurdity of current meeting planning is highlighted today as we have no afternoon racing in the south whilst Haydock and Chester compete against each other.

horse racing, Uncategorized

Appeared to progress?

May 21, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

A terrific day of racing ahead both in Britain and Ireland. Two races for us to look at; the first at York where the going is Good. Heavy rain is forecast before racing commences at 2.05 with intermittent showers throughout the afternoon. We also go to Haydock, which has a similar weather forecast on ground which is already Good to Soft in places. The widespread softening of the ground has resulted in plenty of non-runners today.

3.15 York Federation of Bloodstock Agents Stakes (Handicap) (CLASS 3)

Appeared made his turf debut for Roger Varian at the Dante meeting in a Class 4. Despite hanging and not looking a straightforward ride, the 4y.o. was most impressive when winning over today’s C&D. Providing his temperament can be kept under control he can make further progress. He looks to have the latent talent to be a listed/group race performer.

Although expected to be effective on today’s quicker ground, any rain would be welcomed. I put him in at a provisional 2/1, which is the best price currently on offer. The whole field is priced up very similar to my tissue.

Interception Wokigham — Interception winning the 2015 Wokingham

3.40 Haydock EBF Stallions Cecil Frail Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies´ & Mares) (CLASS 1)

Interception sets a very decent standard on last season’s form and is not expected to lack for fitness on her return to action. She has been confirmed in-foal and connections will want to get as much race success with her before she retires to the paddocks.

Difficult to price with total confidence but around 3/1 looks fair.

Morning favourite Thetis is a NR.

With Epsom and Royal Ascot on the horizon, there will be pointers today worth noting.

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Fun Boy Three

November 20, 2015 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Good end to the week with the cards from Ascot and Haydock today with the same venues plus Huntingdon tomorrow.

Silviniaco Conti looks to win The Betfair Chase again tomorrow

Shades of the old ITV7 on Saturday as the cameras go to seven races from Ascot and Haydock. Some of the big stars are in action including double King George VI winner, Silviniaco Conti.

The most intriguing race today contains just three runners as Minella Rocco makes his chasing debut at Haydock. Given his experience in Irish points, the bigger obstacles should not be too daunting. A horse with a big future.

Given the strengths of the opposition and his chase debut, I cannot get him at the current odds-on in my pricing.

Finally a word of praise for Andrew Thornton’s excellent ride on Alder Mairi yesterday. Broke the left-hand stirrup leather at the 4th, but his determination and skill saw him home to a not so comfortable 17 length victory. On this occasion it paid to be a taller jockey who could physically cope with the problem presented to him.

Back tomorrow with the regular Saturday preview.

Professional backer – Horse Racing Advisory Service