Tag Archives: sandown

Sandown finale

The final day of the jumps season and it has been another rewarding one. Our summer campaign starts next week, more on that later.

Two races from Sandown for us to briefly look at this afternoon. The going is now Good to Soft.

1.50 2m bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+)

A maximum of twenty runners entered for the opener.

Ar Mest is fairly handicapped in a wide open race. He is expected to appreciate conditions and should figure.

Currently a general 14/1. Some firms are offering to pay quarter odds the first five.

Sandown

2.25 2m6½f bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) (5yo+)

All of these have something to prove after being below form of late.

A top form Top Notch would be very difficult to beat.

I price the leading contenders as follows:

Top Notch  13/8

Art Maures 4/1

Double Shuffle 4/1

Alcala  7/1

16/1 bar

The books have Top Notch in at around 5/4 with Double Shuffle second best at 11/4.

 

Top Notch

 

Latest news & Summer campaign

Both our strongest bets so far this week have been successful including our only bet yesterday, a lay of odds-on favourite Samcro. On my ratings I could not have Samcro at odds-on. He has all the makings of a top class performer but the short price on offer was based on potential and maybe too much hype rather than a record of form shown at the very highest level. Thankfully both Samcro and Melon were fine after their falls and so were the riders.

Our five month summer season gets underway next week. During the summer I concentrate on higher quality flat and summer jumps. Last year between May and September we recorded a profit on stakes of over 50% on all bets. For more details and membership options take a visit to my website: www.slh.co.uk

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As I reported last week, this blog will now be taking a break. My thanks for your visits over the past months.

 

Support the stable staff

Concentrating on the big race of the day at Sandown; the Imperial Cup. A race with a long history dating back to 1907. Until the launch of the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival it was regarded as the most important hurdle of the jumps season.

Our special Cheltenham membership is available from today. It includes a comprehensive Festival preview which will also be sent today. More details about both below.

2.25 2m Matchbook Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)

Whatswrongwithyou impressed when winning at Newbury and falls into the category of “could be anything”. It was the manner of that victory rather than the substance of the form.

However he hasn’t been missed in the market. The general 7/2 on offer in a seventeen runner highly competitive handicap makes little appeal.

Whatswrongwithyou

Master Of Irony was noted on his latest start, being never nearer than at the finish in a slowly run race at Newbury.

He handles today’s conditions and with Richard Johnson back in the saddle (he rode him when winning at Wetherby) and a big run is expected. Presently quoted around the 10/1 mark.

 

  

2018 Cheltenham Festival

The Festival starts this Tuesday and I will again be supporting the stable staff through our Cheltenham Festival preview and special membership package. You will get:

– The Cheltenham Preview featuring my analysis of the home trained runners and the Irish challengers from top Irish racing expert, Donn McClean.
Plus contributions from Britain’s leading racing commentators, John Hunt from the BBC and ITV’s Richard Hoiles.

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14/1 Chance

Two races from Sandown to look at today. The forecast going is on the good side of soft, which is in marked contrast to the heavier conditions experienced at most courses recently that have played a dominant role in my pricing and overall assessment of races.

1.15 1m7½f Betfred “Treble Odds On Lucky 15’s” Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+)

Gino Trail and Big Jim should ensure this race is run at a good pace.

Difficult to access the level of form achieved by Dolos over fences with certainty, but his mark looks high enough.

Cepage stayed on well to finish second at Ascot in similar conditions. A reproduction of that effort gives him every chance here. Charlie Deutsch claims 3lb which is a positive.

Top Gamble is on a good handicap mark.

I price the field as follows:

Cepage          5/2

Top Gamble 7/2

Gino Trail      4/1

Dolos             6/1

Big Jim           6/1

Somchine     33/1

Currently the books all hover around the 3/1 mark for the top three in the market.

Cepage

3.35 3m Betfred Mobile Masters Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+)

Very open handicap.

Final Nudge will be suited by conditions and is on a fair mark. He is the 5/1 favourite with the majority of layers.

Quite By Chance has had a wind operation since last seen at Cheltenham on new year’s day. He has always given me the impression that longer distances could suit him best. At the 14/1 presently on offer, he is of interest.

 

Quite By Chance

 

2018 Cheltenham Festival

We are now just over five weeks away from the start of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. I will once again be providing the Cheltenham preview and membership package with all funds going to support the stable staff.

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Making the grade

We are going to look at the two major races at Sandown this afternoon, both will be significant yardsticks for the season.

The going is Good to Soft and whilst a dry day is forecast, the temperature is not expected to get above 3 Celsius after being below zero overnight. As usual, I will be getting a first-hand course report in time to brief members with my betting plans later this morning.

A further inpection is planned for 10 a.m. but officials are very optimistic that racing will go ahead.

1.45 1m7½f  randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

A cracking novice chase with all five runners capable of winning further races.

Brain Power made a big impression on chase debut at Kempton.

He looks sue to be a big player come the ‘spring festival’ meetings.

Finian’s Oscar is also a top class prospect.

However, he could be vulnerable dropping back to 2 miles against a horse of the class of Brain Power.

On my private tissue I have them provisionally priced as follows:

Brain Power           13/8

Finian’s Oscar        5/2

Capitaine                13/2

North Hill Harvey  7/1

Sceau Royale         12/1

 

Brain Power

2.55 1m7½f Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

Fox Norton sets a very high standard and looks to be still progressing. His reappearance win at Cheltenham was impressive.

The only negative I can find is that he’s possibly better going left-handed. He had to be hard ridden to win at right-handed Punchestown last season, but even so that form is high class.

Of the opposition Sir Valentino looks to be overpriced. Currently around 20/1 with the books. He returned to form on latest start and is expected to run well.

My early tissue:

Fox Norton       4/6

Politologue       11/2

Sir Valentino    13/2

Ar Mad             20/1

San Benedeto  25/1

Charbel             25/1

Fox Norton

Peter Walwyn MBE

The sad news was announced yesterday that Peter Walwyn had died. Like many others I would like to pay tribute to one of the true greats of horse racing. His achievements as a trainer are legendary.

I first met Peter and his wife, known to all as ‘Bonk’ at Newbury many years ago. My first and lasting impression of Peter was of his warmth and passion for racing.

We met and spoke over the ‘phone numerous times over the years and I was always impressed by his knowledge and forward thinking.

Lambourn and racing generally owes this man of his word a huge debt of gratitude in so many areas.

He has laid a foundation for significant advancement in racing welfare and inclusiveness which I hope will be taken forward in his name.

Delightful company and a true gentleman. I will miss him.

Peter Walwyn trained Grundy, ridden by Pat Eddery, just gets the better of Bustino in the King George. An epic battle described as the ‘Race of the century.’

Treasure trail

The ground is generally good at all the British meetings today. We have one race from both codes this afternoon.

2.25 Sandown

The 7f Group 3 Solario Stakes was first run in 1947 and has produced some notable winners over the years. A race dominated by Henry Cecil in the late 70’s and 80’s.

Seven to post today with the market headed by Masar.

Masar ran well in the Chesham at Royal Ascot.That form gives him every chance, with further progress expected.

Purser impressed when winning on debut, although by a small margin. I expect him to improve significantly for that experience.

I provisionally price them:

Masar  3/1

Purser  7/2

Masar

 

2.50 Newton Abbot

This looks a very tightly knit 2m 4f  handicap.

Beau Bay won well on chase debut, although that form is suspect.

Double Treasure returns from a break after looking progressive when last seen at Chepstow.

None of the 8 runners can be totally discounted.

My marginal preference is for Double Treasure who is currently a best priced 6/1.

Difficult race to price, but I would be around 7/2 the field.

Double Treasure

 

Good winner for us yesterday with Deadly Move at Bangor. A very professional ride by the teenage claimer James Bowen on a horse who is far from straightforward.

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Derby form pointers

Four afternoon and two evening meetings across Britain today. Five report their ground on the firm side of good, whilst the evening meeting at Carlisle bucks the trend with good to soft going.

We go to Sandown today for two races including the Eclipse.

2.25 1m Coral Challenge (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+)

One of our old favourites Gm Hopkins heads the weights here and runs off only a 1lb higher than his Royal Hunt Cup winning mark.

El Hayem is a noted horse. Can be forgiven disappointing run on soft ground latest start.

Worth a close look in competitive race. Current 8/1 is fair.

Gm Hopkins wins the Royal Hunt Cup

3.35 1m2f (1m1f209y) Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (3yo+)

Cliffs of Moher can give a boost to the Epsom Derby form.

Dropping back in trip will suit.

Doubt about Barney Roy being as effective over this distance.

I would want at least 9/4 for Cliffs Of Moher.

 

Cliffs of Moher

 

Another good winner for my All Weather team yesterday. As with my work, the service is founded upon selective value led betting. So far this year the record stands at over £1,000 profit to £50 level stakes.

 

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Please note that there will not be a blog next week.

 

 

 

 

Final chance tonight

Five turf meetings in Britain today and the going is Good to Firm at all of them. We are looking at one race each from Newton Abbot and then Haydock this evening, both courses have been watered.

 Newton Abbot 3.15

 An open long distance handicap where none of the eight competitors can be completely discounted.

Katy P can improve on her win here at the end of May.

Awaywiththegreys returned to form on latest start. Jockeys claim could prove crucial.

Amron Kali, Lillian and Our Folly are all in form.

Awaywiththegreys is just preferred.

 My tissue:

 Awaywiththegreys    9/2 jfav

Katy P                          9/2 jfav

Amron Kali                 6/1

Lillian                          6/1

Our Folly                    6/1

10/1 bar

 

Awaywiththegreys

 

Haydock 7.20

 Best race on the card, which isn’t saying much.

A final chance is given to noted horse Areen Heart.

He ran with great promise on his first 2 starts of this season, before disappointing on the polytrack at Chelmsford.

No excuses with conditions this evening.

7/2 my tissue, which is at the top end of the books’ prices this morning.

 

Areen Heart and Graham Lee after winning at Beverley

 

Just two bets so far for us this week providing a winner and a loser. Next few days look a fairly productive period. Good cards at Sandown and Haydock tomorrow. Get your free info pack and latest membership terms at: www.slh.co.uk

Mou to progress

Two races for us to quickly look at. One each from Sandown and Musselburgh. The going at both is Good to Firm.

2.40 Sandown

5f Listed sprint and the only race on the card being shown by ITV4.

Both Fashion Queen and Equimou put up career best performances on their latest starts.

Both are expected to progress further.

My provisional tissue:

Fashion Queen  7/2

Equimou 11/2

 

Equimou winning at Hamilton

3.10 Musselburgh

 

5f sprint handicap worth over £62,000 to the winner.

Gamesome is fairly handicapped and has a good draw. Expected to go well in a wide open race.

Anything around 10/1 is reasonable.

Gamesome

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Royal Ascot

Traffic to halt 4-timer?

Final day of the jumps season and the battle is still on for the champion trainer title in both Britain and Ireland. We concentrate on Sandown today where the Nicholls and Henderson runners will be getting plenty of attention.

The going at Sandown is Good/Good to firm in places and the track has been watered.

2.25 Sandown bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2)

The books look to have the market just  about right.

This is Menorah’s big target as the 12y.o. goes for his fourth win in this race.

Traffic Fluide (with cheek pieces fitted today) sets the recent form standard off his third in the Melling Chase where Josses Hill finished a remote seventh.

However, Josses Hill will be suited by conditions and a return to his earlier season form gives him every chance.

I price as follows:

Menorah      5/2

Traffic Fluide  5/2

Josses Hill    4/1

10/1 bar

Traffic Fluide

 

3.35 Sandown bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Hardly any of the thirteen declared can be completely ruled out for this stamina sapping 3m 5f event.

Scudamore takes over from Fehily, as the latter is unable to do the weight on Doing Fine.

Doing Fine has had a fairly consistent season since moving to the Mulholland yard last October, culminating in a commanding victory at Cheltenham ten days ago.  Escapes a penalty for that win and looks sure to run well.

Difficult to price, but the general 9/2 available looks about fair.

 

Doing Fine

 

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Hobsons choice

It has been a good week of racing so far with Perth and Punchestown leading the way. The quality continues today as we add Sandown; where there are sure to be pointers to plenty of future winners.

Just the one race to look at as we go to Perth for the final day  of their Spring Festival meeting. The going remains Good after watering.

3.10 Perth

Various doubts concerning all of the seven declared for this 2m 4f handicap chase.

Definite Outcome is of most interest on first start since leaving the Rebecca Curtis yard to go to Richard Hobson last week. The 8y.o. is potentially fairly handicapped with conditions to suit.

Difficult race to price, but at the 3/1 generally on offer, I would keep him onside.

Definite Outcome (far side) on his way to victory at Aintree

Very profitable week so far with our last three bets all winning. Two of the winners overturned odds-on favourites.

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