Tag Archives: newmarket

Class to tell?

Quite short today as I have contacts I wish to talk to after they arrive on course. Those discussions may have a bearing on my betting plans for today and will be briefed to members at 1.00.

It is a very good afternoon of racing and I expect a lot can be gleaned from it as we have decent going conditions for our two races of interest.

3.00 Newmarket 7f (Row) Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) (Colts & Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo)

Expert Eye was noted on debut and duly confirmed that opinion when winning at Goodwood.

He is a very high class prospect and deserves to be at short odds. 1/2 my tissue.

Expert Eye

 

3.05 Chepstow 2m3½f totequadpot Novices’ Chase (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)

 

Finian’s Oscar will be at very short odds to make a successful chasing debut.

However he takes on a worthy opponent in Alcala.

Difficult to price, although I would have them closer together in the market.

 

Alcala (grey)

Plenty to go at this weekend and I will be looking to build on the two winners from our three bets only so far this week.

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Army dreamers

With the abandonment of Ayr we are left with three flat turf meetings in Britain today plus a National Hunt fixture in Ireland. I will be keeping a close watch on the latter as part of my preparations for the fast approaching main jumps campaign.

We are concentrating on a race each from Newbury and Newmarket this morning, the going at both is Good.

2.50 Newbury 6f Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo)

Invincible Army looked to have progressed further when winning on the polytrack at Kempton on his latest start. He sets the form standard.

James Garfield was just touched off over 7f at York after looking sure to win. Dropping back to 6f here isn’t sure to suit.

Enjazaat steps back up in class after easily winning a listed race at Ripon.

Invincible Army looks sure to run a big race and is preferred. 3/1 on offer early.

My tissue:

Invincible Army   5/2

Enjazaat                4/1

James Garfield    4/1

10/1 bar

Invincible Army

5.30 Newmarket 1m (Row) discovernewmarket.co.uk Fillies’ Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-95)

Panova is a noted horse who is proving to be a disappointment. Cheek-pieces are fitted today.

She ties in closely with Dubara on Goodwood form.

Also at Goodwood, Shenanigans stayed on well to win and is progressive. The market reflects her chance.

I price the main contenders:

Shenanigans  2/1

Dubara   7/2

Panova   7/2

8/1 bar

Panova (far side)

The Ayr Gold Cup meeting was the centrepiece of the week and losing all three days meant we were left with some pretty unsuitable betting cards elsewhere. So it has been a quiet week with one winner from our two bets so far.

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Angel of the North

Seven meetings across Britain today, all in England. The going draws a weather map of the past few days from North to South. Cartmel is Good to Soft whilst Newmarket and Windsor are Good to Firm. The remainder are all Good, including York.

We start at the Knavesmire:

3.00 York 6f Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (2yo)

No outstanding performer for this Group 2 worth over £127,000 to the winner.

Form horses Cardsharp and Headway can return to form on this better ground after disappointing on soft ground at Goodwood.

Nebo and Frozen Angel are also considered on form achieved.

At current odds Frozen Angel is my preference.

He was a noted horse earlier in the season and has continued to run well.

His latest performances at the Curragh and Maisons-Laffitte are solid efforts.

Today’s conditions will suit and a big run is expected.

Current 8/1+ is fair.

 

Frozen Angel

 

4.25 Newmarket 6f (July) Hopeful Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+)

Four non-runners leaving a field of eleven.

Previous noted horse Gifted Master returned to his best when winning a Doncaster.

A reproduction of that run gives him a solid chance.

Conditions will suit.

I would want at least 9/2 to get interested.

Gifted Master

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Churchill challenger

Busy day with six meetings in Britain headed by the classic weekend at Newmarket. Two races for us to study, including the Guineas. Both races are on ITV.

The going at Newmarket is Good to Firm and watering has taken place.

1.50 1m1f (Row) Spring Lodge Stakes (Handicap) Class 2 (3yo+)

We start with the opening race of the meeting which for many years was known as the Suffolk Stakes .

Market looks correct with Ballet Concerto and Next Stage heading the betting.

Both impressed with victories on their seasonal debuts at Doncaster and Newmarket respectively.  Progression to come from both.

I was quite taken by Next Stage, who I wouldn’t want to oppose.

7/2 each my provisional tissue.

Next Stage (Right)

 

3.35 1m (Row) Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes Group 1 (Colts & Fillies) Class 1 (3yo)

A relatively small field compared to recent runnings, with just the ten to post. However, it still looks a top class renewal.

Churchill sets the standard on his 2yo form. Five consecutive wins last year culminating in a dominant display in the Dewhurst.

Barney Boy and Eminent impressed in their respective trials.

The unbeaten Al Wukair put up an eye-taking performance in France on his reappearance and I would keep Andre Fabre’s challenger onside.

My provisional tissue:

Churchill      6/4

Al Wukair     4/1

Barney Boy  5/1

Eminent       6/1

20/1 bar

Al Wukair

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Crackerjack!

First week of my summer campaign. Throughout the summer I will be concentrating on the higher quality flat and summer jumps. Today’s flat cards are modest and we will be looking at a couple of races at Fontwell this evening. The going is on the firm side of good and the seven race card commences at ‘Crackerjack! Time’ – 5 to 5 for those not old enough to remember the Friday evening kid’s TV show.

 5.55 Fontwell

Work In Progress proved a big disappointment last season. Returns from a break with a tongue-tie fitted for the first time. Features on a fair handicap mark, with conditions ideal.

Doubts concerning all 5 runners – making it a difficult race to price accurately at this stage.

 

Work In Progress

6.25 Fontwell

Harry Hunt sets the recent form standard.

Again there are doubts about all the runners.

7/2+ about Harry Hunt is fair.


Galileo Gold & Frankie Dettori win last year’s 2000-Guineas

 

Great anticipation regarding the Newmarket Guineas meeting this weekend. Back tomorrow morning for a really good day of racing.

Spring day?

Three races for us this afternoon. We start at Ascot where the going is Good and then onto Newmarket who have Good to Firm ground. Rain is expected at both courses this afternoon.

Ascot 2.30 Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3)

The three oldest horses in the field of nine are the market leaders.

Arab Spring returned to near his best with an impressive win at Kempton.

At his best Western Hymn would have every chance, but he has been below form on his last couple of starts.

Kings Fete could be the main danger to Arab Spring.

All three horses will handle any easing of the ground.

 

Arab Spring
Arab Spring

The market looks about right. My provisional tissue:

Arab Spring  3/1

Kings Fete 4/1

Western Hymn 5/1

Move Up  8/1

12/1 Bar

 

3.05 Ascot John Guest Bengough Stakes (Group 3)

High class 2yo Shalaa makes his seasonal reappearance. Unbeaten in all of his last five starts.

Well documented reports suggest he has recovered well from a pelvic injury.

Softening ground not a problem. Would be good to see him return to his best.

Currently the general 2/1 favourite.

 

Shalaa
Shalaa

 

4.00 Newmarket Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1)

Confined to fillies and mares, with a quarter of a million pounds on offer in prize money.

Alice Springs put a disappointing performance in France behind her with an impressive win at Leopardstown. That win confirms she is effective on easy and fast ground.

A reproduction of that form sets a high standard.

French challengers Ervedya [first time cheek-pieces] and Volta[first time tongue-tie] are the form dangers.

I price the main contenders as follows:

Alice Springs  6/4

Ervedya           5/1

Volta                5/1

12/1 Bar

Alice Springs
Alice Springs

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Focus on quality

Focus on quality this afternoon with two Group 1 races at Newmarket where the going is Good to Firm plus a listed race from Market Rasen. The Lincolnshire track have watered and the ground is good. All three races on Channel 4.

2.55 Newmarket Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1)

6f sprint confined to 2y.o. fillies.

Lady Aurelia’s blistering performance at Royal Ascot was hard to believe.

She was below that level when winning over 6f in France on her latest start.

If she reproduces her Ascot form she will win, but on her French form she is beatable.

Queen Kindly and Roly Poly have achieved a similar level, with Queen Kindly looking sure to improve further.

I price the main contenders as follows:

Lady Aurelia   1/1

Queen Kindly 3/1

Roly Poly 4/1

Lady Aurelia
Lady Aurelia

 

3.30 Newmarket Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes (Group 1)

Entire 2y.o. colts again over 6f.

Blue Point is a noted horse with a big future.

Although beaten by Mehmas at Goodwood, he then improved on his latest start when impressively winning the Gimcrack at York.

Unfortunately his chance is reflected in the market. Currently a best price 11/8, I provisionally put him in at 6/4.

Blue Point

 

3.10 Market Rasen Prelude Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

 

A difficult race to price with the in-form ‘summer’ horses looking vulnerable.

Fox Appeal is on a fair handicap mark, has conditions to suit and can go well fresh. Worth a close look.

Seefood has his second start for his present stable since coming over from Ireland. Just the one outing this year resulting in a tired fall at Kempton in early January.

Again conditions will suit and he can go well at double figure odds. There is a bit of 16/1 on offer.

Seefood winning at Fairyhouse

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Medici renaissance?

In what has been a low grade week, we have another modest days racing. Thankfully the standard picks up a bit tomorrow.

Two races for us to analyse today.

Newmarket 3.45: Mediciman is a noted horse from last season who has been one of the few disappointments from the shortlist.

Steps down in grade and up in trip to 10 furlongs for the first time. The extra distance should suit. A very tight knit seven runner handicap where no runner can be discounted.

I would want 5/1 for Mediciman, currently 9/2 best. He knows this course well .Three of his career starts have been here, including his last two.

Newmarket racecourse.
Newmarket racecourse.

Down Royal 5.45: Intriguing and relatively valuable 2m hurdle.

Prickly has proved inconsistent in the past but impressed when winning on the flat at Killarney last time. If reproducing that level of ability over hurdles he will take plenty of beating.

Has winning course form in a bumper last year.
However if Prickly disappoints again, Mai Fitz looks the one to take advantage.

I go 5/2 Prickly and 3/1 Mai Fitz.

Prickly
Prickly

Really exhilirating end to the month with a big winner last Saturday and a strong bet 7/2 winner from our only two bets so far this week.

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Ladies Day?

Final day of Glorious Goodwood and an interesting card at Newmarket are the focus this afternoon. We are going to look at one race from each meeting.

The going at Goodwood is again Good to Firm and has been watered. Good at Newmarket and a dry cloudy day is forecast at both tracks.

3.45 Goodwood Qatar Stewards´ Cup (Heritage Handicap) (CLASS 2)

This is such a competitive race with so many variables that it makes limited appeal as a serious betting medium.

However I do want to touch on the chance of Dancing Star. She won a highly competitive and valuable 3yo handicap at Newmarket on her latest start and is very progressive. That came after two runs in June – a second place at York in unfavourable ground and a win at this course and distance.

Looking back at last year: Magical Memory won that same Newmarket race off the same handicap mark as Dancing Star before going on to win this race, again of the same mark.

Dancing Star looks to have a decent draw and ground conditions are fine. She is sure to run a massive race.

The other 3yo in the race is Raucous who is well worth keeping a close eye on.

If his high draw [20] doesn’t disadvantage him, he is capable of a big run.

Dancing Star is 5/1 generally with Raucous in at 16/1.

 

dancing-star (Nearest)
Dancing Star (Nearest)

 

2.15 Newmarket British Stallion Studs EBF Chalice Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) (CLASS 1)

Fireglow has the single best piece of form when 4th in the 1000 Guineas. However she has performed below that level in recent starts and has to prove she will stay this trip. She has run creditably three times at Newmarket in her twelve race career, picking up a victory here at the end of last season.

Lady Of Camelot ran well in the Lancashire Oaks and is sure to figure.

Sweeping Up is decent, stays well but is exposed.

Abingdon is the horse with most potential. A big filly with the physical scope to improve. Stepping up to 12f looks sure to suit and she can progress past her rivals.

My tissue:

Abingdon 15/8

Lady Of Camelot 3/1

Fireglow  5/1

Sweeping Up 6/1

16/1 bar.

 

Abingdon
Abingdon

 

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Newmarket boss?

Tremendous day of racing ahead with Channel  4 screening ten races. Two from Ascot and four from both Newmarket and York. We are going to look at one race each from the latter. At both courses the going is Good to Firm.

It is an ultra-competitive day with plenty of prize money on offer. The percentage mark up in many races leaves little scope for value, especially each way in the big handicaps. If you are looking at any of the bigger priced horses, the exchanges should be consulted.

3.40 York John Smith´s Silver Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

Quest For More looked to have a solid chance on quick ground. However rain is forecast and any easing of the ground is a worry. Just the one outing this season when runner up at this course/distance. The stable are keen to get a run into him and with Goodwood being on his priority list this could be a prep if conditions turn against him. The current 11/4 looks risky given the doubts.

Seamour appeared the winner of the Northumberland Plate before being run down close home. Ground conditions aren’t an issue although drop back in trip could be. I still expect him to be in the ‘shake up.’

With uncertainty regarding the ground at present, I am not going to finalise my prices until I get a course report later and have watched the opening races.

Seamour would be my preference at this stage

 

Seamour
Seamour

5.10 Newmarket bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) (CLASS 2)

Bossy Guest caught the eye in the Hunt Cup at Ascot, finishing the race strongly. He is handicapped to go close. He does tend to linger at the stalls however and this has become an issue. The yard are keen for him to replicate his good form at home into a strong racecourse performance.

Conditions are suitable and if breaking on terms I would expect a big run in a wide open race. Currently around 14/1 which is in keeping with my provisional pricing.

 

Bossy Guest
Bossy Guest

 

Good day for us yesterday as we were well ahead of the gamble on Alice Springs. 6/1 early turned into a winning 5/2 S.P. For more details about the service go to my website: www.slh.co.uk