Tag Archives: steve lewis hamilton

Intriguing Gold Cup

March 18, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Plenty of differing opinions and theories as we go in to a very tight looking Gold Cup this afternoon.

For me Cue Card is the value. The Tizzard yard have maintained a high level of consistency all season and I expect Cue Card to be spot on. Based on the King George run, I have Cue Card and Don Cossack on level pegging. There is the conjecture that if the latter had stood up he would have won.

The positive with Don Cossack is his staying strength, which is so important when tackling the uphill finish at Cheltenham. The negative is the need to niggle him along so he can get into a position to use that strength.

Both Donn and our stats man favour Don Cossack. As Donn says in the charity preview:

‘However, it may be that Don Cossack will shade it. He probably would have won the King George had he not fallen at the second last fence, and that is the strongest piece of form around. It is a cracking race, though. It is the most fascinating race of the week, it is the most intriguing Gold Cup that we have seen in some time.’

Last year’s runner up Djakadam demands a lot of respect. Needs to improve and has the scope to do so. Don Poli has a bit more to find to be in contention.

My prices for the front three are:

Cue Card 5/2

Don Cossack 5/2

Djakadam 7/2

Last year Coneygree was the stand out value in the race. It is a lot tighter this year.

The Cheltenham preview and membership has proved a valuable asset with quite a few very good winners. For example: Minella Rocco (WON 8/1) and Diamond King (WON 12/1). Myself and Donn have also provided some nice forecasts as we respectively analysed the home and Irish challengers including an £208 Exacta.

Hope you enjoy another fantastic day of racing and I will be back tomorrow to look at a feature race or two.

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Cheltenham Preview

March 11, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Three meetings for us today and a quick look at one race from Ayr this afternoon.

Will be finalising the Cheltenham preview this weekend. If you want to order a copy and help a very worthwhile racing charity, all the details are on my website: www.slh.co.uk.

Online orders via:

Festival preview only: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/2016-cheltenham-festival-preview

Preview & Membership: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/chel-spec-2016

John Hunt has sent in a great piece which is well worth a read.

Pont Alexandre & Roi Des Francs — Pont Alexandre and Roi Des Francs jump together. Get John Hunt’s full Cheltenham thoughts by ordering the preview today.

In the Ayr 2.30, I noted Jumbo John when finishing third at Punchestown last month. I have him at 4/1 on my tissue, which is about the price he is with the books.

Back tomorrow with a look at one of the feature races.

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Cheltenham latest

March 4, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Two good cards for us from Doncaster and Newbury today and tomorrow.

Before looking at two races at Newbury, I want to bring you up to date with the latest Cheltenham arrangements.

2016 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

Get the professional view and make a valuable donation to a very worthwhile racing charity.

From just £25 you will get:

– The Cheltenham preview from leading professional backer, Steve Lewis Hamilton and top Irish racing expert Donn McClean

– Exclusive contributions from Middleham trainer Micky Hammond and racing broadcaster of the year, John Hunt. Plus the telling stats from Paul O’Hara

– Horses to follow from the Lambourn trainers, including Nicky Henderson. Last year the list provided 14/1 winner, Cole Harden

– Access to Steve’s bets and information for the nine days, Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th March

Click here to book now

For more details about the services and the latest results, click here.

ALL OF YOUR £25 FEE GOES TO THE LAMBOURN VALLEY HOUSING TRUST (Registered Charity No. 1049742).

The Trust build affordable homes for stable staff and their families. Keeping vital staff in racing.

Douvan – Back or lay? Get the preview and discover more.

Back to this afternoon. In the opener, Favorito Buck’s is a warm order to get off the mark for Paul Nicholls since the 4 y.o.’s move from France. Disappointed on debut at Kempton in late December. Tongue-tie fitted and drop in class today. Difficult race to price with so many unknowns. Very recent arrival Lutece could be anything.

The favourite is currently quoted at 5/4. At that sort of price this is more a race to watch.

In the 5.05 Kilcullen Flem steps up to 3m on handicap debut and improvement is expected. I have him in as 7/2 co-fav on my tissue.

Back tomorrow morning with a look at the Saturday action. In the meantime have a look at my website for more on the special charity preview and membership.

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Support the stable staff

February 26, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Advance bookings for the Cheltenham Festival membership and preview now being taken.

The whole package costs £25, with all of your£25 going to racing charity.

For Cheltenham week we are offering you all my work on the Private and Exchange Services for the 9 day period Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th March. The Festival is from the 15th to 18th March.

Plus you will also get the exclusive Cheltenham preview from myself, top Irish racing expert Donn McLean and unique statistical analysis from Paul O’Hara. Plus there will also be guest contributions from a few racing names.

The preview also provides top class information direct from quite a number of the Lambourn trainers. For example, Nicky Henderson has four for you at the Festival plus another to follow late season. Whilst Jonathan Portman has two for the Flat campaign.

The whole package costs just £25 if you book now. We are looking to give all £25 to Lambourn Valley Housing Trust (Registered Charity No 1049742). If you want the text service over the nine days there is a £2.50 supplement.

For more details and to book your place, go to: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/cheltenham-special-2016

The Trust build affordable houses for stable staff and their families. Retaining valuable and highly experienced staff within racing.

‘There are many reasons for a successful yard and one of the most important is the staff. They are not as richly rewarded as we would like and we are always likely to lose key trained lads and lasses when they have just married. Quite rightly they want a home of their own together, but cannot afford to rent anything suitable.’ – Peter Walwyn, Chairman of the Lambourn Valley Trainers Association

From last year’s preview of the Champion Chase: At the current prices my attention is drawn to the 5/1 on offer for the progressive Dodging Bullets.

The ground is now starting to ease and we can expect bigger and better fields as trainers take advantage of the improving conditions. I have a few noted for their next run.

Back tomorrow for the three meetings Chepstown, Kempton and Newcastle.

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Support the Stable Staff

February 19, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Fakenham has passed its second morning inspection and there will be added interest as Victoria Pendleton rides in the Foxhunters Chase at 4.10.

Quick look at three races today. At Fakenham one that looks overpriced is Raise A Spark in the 2.30. Had every chance when falling on latest two starts. However, emphasis may be more on a clear round than competing with the current odds-on favourite.

The Sandown card has some appeal. In the 2.10 Blandfords Gunner returns after a good win at Leicester in early December. Expected to continue his progression. 3/1 on my tissue which is roughly in line with the current market.

The best race on the card is the 2.45. A Grade 2 in which Jessbess Dream makes a quick reappearance having finished second at Warwick last Saturday.

Katie Too heads the market. Unbeaten from her two runs this season. Whilst she impressed in her latest victory, the current 5/4 seems too short in a competitive race. I make her 3/1 on my provisional tissue.

Katie Too on her way to victory at Fontwell

Good week for us so far with both our bets being profitable. They have been a strong bet on a 20 length 7/4 winner and a successful lay of a 4/5 favourite.

Special memberships are now available. For more details go to: http://www.slh.co.uk/index.php/cheltenham-festival-2016

A good part of your membership fee will go towards supporting the stable staff.

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Arkle turnaround?

February 12, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Kempton and Wetherby for us this afternoon. The going is reported as Soft and Heavy respectively, with a dry day at both courses.

Two races this afternoon to quickly look at.

We start with the Wetherby 2.25. A trappy race in which only the short-priced favourite Bawden Rocks, has any recent winning form. The one that looks overpriced is Formidableopponent, who could stay on in these testing conditions. Currently 8/1 best.

The Kempton 3.15 is an intriguing four runner affair. I price them as follows:

Josses Hill 6/4

Gods Own 13/8

Aso 5/1

Kings Lad 16/1

In last year’s Arkle Gods Own and Josses Hill finished second and third respectively. Josses Hill has a weight pull today. For me, it totally depends on which one is ‘right’ today. They both have a bit to prove.

Back tomorrow with the Satuday analysis. The feature meeting is from Newbury. But we have a forecast of heavy and prolonged rain prior to racing, which will be a significant factor.

Special membership are available from now to Cheltenham and Aintree. Drop me an email on Steve@slh.co.uk for more details and save £25 from standard rates.

horse racing

Festival Membership

February 5, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Since we lost the meetings at Lingfield and Ayr earlier in the week, the slight ease in the ground has permitted a full racing programme to go ahead in the past few days.

Today Catterick report their going to be Good to Soft whilst the more exposed Chepstow is again on heavy ground.

Not much inspiration from today’s cards. One race to look at is the 3.25 at Catterick. Irish import Just Georgie was noted as one Sue Smith could progress after two good showings in points.

Ran a decent second behind a long odds-on favourite on Boxing Day at Sedgefield. Will appreciate the better ground and is expected to figure today.

4/1 on my tissue and just a half point above that at present.

Tomorrow we have Tea For Two and Bristol De Mai in opposition at Sandown. I will take an in-depth look on tomorrow’s blog post. Going conditions may be affected by the heavy rainfall forecast overnight.

3/1 winner yesterday made it seven winners from the last nine bets. Momentum is building as we head towards the Cheltenham Festival.

Special membership now available for you to share in my work. You can join now through to Cheltenham or go to the Aintree Grand National meeting. Fuller details by clicking here.

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Reference Day

January 29, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Scrappy looking afternoon of racing with little of discernible value to go at.

Difficult to accurately price up the key races at Doncaster. More a card for future reference.

At Huntingdon there are two races of interest. The 2.40 doesn’t look as clear cut as the betting suggests and there are plenty here with chances.

The 3.15 is a real conundrum. None of the five come into this inspiring confidence. At The Top makes her chasing debut after not really doing a lot over hurdles. However, she has the make of a chaser. Wouldn’t want to take anything under 13/8.

Djakadam impressed on latest outing when winning the John Durkan Memorial

Tomorrow is an entirely different matter with last year’s Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam being Willie Mullins’ only runner at Cheltenham. Paul Townend is dispatched to Doncaster to ride his three runners there.

Back tomorrow morning with a full preview.

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Jam tomorrow?

January 22, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

The weather has certainly had a big say this week. Since my last blog on Saturday there have been eleven scheduled meetings, of which six have been abandoned. The standard of the five remaining has not been particularly inspiring.

Today we are left with Market Rasen after Chepstow succumbed to waterlogging. The going at Rasen is a mixture of good to soft and soft. It will make a welcome change from the heavy ground that has dominated recently.

Two races quickly touch on. Firstly, the 1.50 where bottom weight Herons Heir makes his handicap debut. On what he has achieved so far, the general 7/4 on offer looks very short. I go 5/1 on my tissue.

The 2.55 looks a wide open affair. Sunny Legend looks to follow up his victory at Towcester two weeks ago. Current 8/1 offers a bit of value.

Un De Sceaux (right) winning the 2015 Arkle Trophy

We have three meetings planned tomorrow. With Ascot and Haydock being the headliners. Un De Sceaux returns to Britain for the first time since his tremendous display in the Arkle. Over at Haydock good novice and champion hurdle trials plus the gruelling Peter Marsh Chase.

Let’s hope the weather is kind.

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Compelling Contest

January 15, 2016 Steve Lewis Hamilton Leave a comment

Very little of appeal so far this week from the three cards that survived the weather.

Just Huntingdon for us today. The biggest prize of the day is for the Juvenile Hurdle at 2.50. The market for this Class 2 event being dominated by the long odds-on Sceau Royal, who won his Triumph Hurdle trial quite decisively at Cheltenham last month.

The 3.20 looks interesting with current favourite Three Faces West making his chase debut. Whilst second in, Ubak, has a second run over the bigger obstacles after a good debut in November.

Ubak landing a surprise victory at Aintree.

Following his surprise win at Aintree Gary Moore described him as ‘a three-mile chase in the making.’

My tissue prices for the race are:

9/4 Three Faces West

4/1 Ubak

9/2 L’Unique

9/2 Buckhorn Timothy

6/1 Ballyboley

As you can see, it is a tight little handicap that should prove an compelling contest.

Just the two turf meetings for us tomorrow, with Channel 4 showing three races from both Warwick and Wetherby, plus one from the All Weather at Chelmsford.

The ground for both meetings of interest is currently reported as heavy.

Will be putting plenty of work in and back tomorrow morning with a preview.

Professional backer – Horse Racing Advisory Service