PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2014 TURF SEASON -- PART SEVEN

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2014

[MONDAY 30th JUNE]

The seventh meeting from Pontefract, and we are doing really well so far with a healthy profit of +31 points for the season based on a level stake at SP. 

Last meeting had a couple of winners including a 20/1 shot which was most welcome and our biggest single result to-date. Racing begins at 2.30 today so let's see what the day brings us...good luck to us all today.

2.30 -- FLAG OF GLORY [2nd 5/1], VOLCANIC JACK [7th 14/1]

3.00 -- WINSTANLEY [2nd 10/1], PALLISTER [WON 5/2] 
Forecast paid £24.68

3.30 -- BAYAN KASIRGA [2nd 7/1], MAXIE T [N/R]

4.00 -- AUGUSTA ADA [7th 8/1], HEROIQUE [5th 25/1]

4.30 -- RALPHY LAD [7th 20/1], HALLBECK [4th 4/1]

5.00 -- NAGGERS [2nd 10/11], SEARCHLIGHT [5th 8/1]

5.30 -- SHEARIAN [5th 4/1], SWEET MARTONI [N/R]

RESULTS - A good start to the afternoon even though the gamble on Flag of Glory narrowly failed (16/1 to 5/1) we got a good place result from it. And didn't have to wait too long for a winner as PALLISTER obliged in the 3.00 with Winstanley giving us a forecast too.

Sadly that was it for today as far as winners went, possibly our poorest day results wise but that was going to happen sometime sooner or later. Down -8.5 points today, but still ahead overall by +22.5 points. We'll call that a blip shall we.  

More updates from GOODWOOD and GALWAY festivals coming later next month during July, have a once a year system to continue with at Galway one that has continued to produce profits year by year. 

The next scheduled meeting here will be held on Tuesday 8th July. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2014. DAY FIVE SATURDAY 21st JUNE

DAY FIVE

OUR FINAL DAY OF THIS SEASON'S MEETING AND IT'S BEEN A BIT HIT AND MISS MOST AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, FAR TOO MANY PLACES AND NOT ENOUGH WINNERS ONCE AGAIN.

NOT DETERRED WE GO AGAIN FOR SATURDAY, I USED TO REMEMBER THIS AS ASCOT HEATH DAY AND YOU COULD GET INTO THE COURSE FOR A POUND. ADMITTEDLY THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO BUT IT WAS ALWAYS PACKED AND MEANT REAL RACEGOERS COULD HAVE SOME FUN. ANYWAY THOSE DAYS ARE OVER NOW, LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT THE BIG RACES FOR SATURDAY>>>

2.30 CHESHAM STAKES 2yo's -- WHILE I EXPECT THE AIDEN O'BRIEN DICK WHITTINGTON TO BE A POPULAR FAV I THINK IT'S WORTH LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF BIGGER PRICED HORSES AGAINST HIM. 

CLIVE BRITTAIN HAD A GOOD WINNER ON FRIDAY AND HIS VIA VIA LOOKS WORTH A CHANCE AT 20/1. AND WILL GO WITH THE UNRACED NAFAQA FOR BARRY HILLS WHO IS LOOKING AFTER THE YARD OF HIS LATE SON JOHN HILLS. 

3.05 DUKE OF EDINBURGH STAKES --  OFTEN THE TARGET OF SIR MICHAEL STOUTE IT WOULD BE NO BIG SURPRISE IF HIS ARAB SPRING DEFIED TOP WEIGHT AND RACKED UP A FOUR TIMER IN THE PROCESS. 

CLEARLY THIS IS A DIFFICULT CONTEST AND THE OPPOSITION IS NUMEROUS, HAMELIN WOULD BE POPULAR HERE FOR LADY CECIL AND HAS A STRONG CLAIM GETTING 8LB FROM THE STOUTE HORSE. AN ATTRACTIVE EACH WAY SHOT WOULD BE THE DAVID ELSWORTH TRAINED DASHING STAR.


3.45 HARDWICKE STAKES -- ANOTHER BIG CHANCE FOR THE STOUTE / MOORE TEAM HERE WITH TELESCOPE. A HORSE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN OUT OF THE FIRST TWO IN HIS CAREER CERTAINLY HAS THE SCOPE TO WIN THIS. 


4.25  DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES -- A GROUP ONE SPRINT WHICH SEES SLADE POWER LOOKING TO MATCH HIS STABLE-MATE SOLE POWER WHO WON EARLIER IN THE WEEK. DUE DILIGENCE LOOKS THE BETTER FORM PICK OF THE O'BRIEN PAIR BUT JOSEPH IS ON DARWIN WHICH IS INTERESTING AT 16/1.


5.00 WOKINGHAM STAKES HANDICAP -- JUST THE 29 RUNNERS FOR THE BIG HANDICAP OF THE DAY, THE HIGH DRAW SEEMED TO HAVE  AN ADVANTAGE IN BIG FIELDS SO FAR BUT WE WILL AIM TO HAVE ONE FROM EITHER SIDE SINCE PACE MIGHT BE THE KEY. 

ALBEN STAR FROM RICHARD FAHEY IS OUR FIRST SELECTION AND PRICED GENEROUSLY AT 20/1 AND FROM STALL 10 HOOF IT WITH KIEREN FALLON ON BOARD LIKES A BIG HANDICAP AND COULD STRIKE HERE TODAY.  


5.35 QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES  -- RUN OVER 2m 6f THE LONGEST DISTANCE ON THE FLAT RACE CALENDAR AND A RACE OFTEN TARGETED BY THE NATIONAL HUNT TRAINERS WHO ARE AGAIN WELL REPRESENTED HERE. 

WILLIE MULLINS HAS PIQUE SOUS, ALAN KING RUNS TIGER CLIFF AND NICKY HENDERSON HAS ROYAL IRISH HUSSAR SO WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN DUTCH THOSE THREE AGAINST THE FIELD. 

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2014 TURF SEASON -- PART SIX

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2014

[Sunday 22nd June]

The sixth meeting of the season from Pontefract, with a excellent start so far we go forth into this one ahead +19 points for the season based on a level stake at SP. 

Hopefully the weather will be a little kinder to us this weekend since the last scheduled meeting the other Monday evening was cancelled due to a waterlogged track. 

We plan to get underway at 2.10 on Sunday afternoon with the opening 2yo maiden contest. Here are our system selections for Sunday ... 

2.10 -- LADY MOSCOU [2nd 10/3], ROSE OF KIEV [7th 7/1]

2.40 -- STOUT COURTEZ [5th 8/1], PETITE MADAME [7th 50/1]

3.10 -- EPIC BATTLE [WON 20/1], LEGAL WAVES [2nd 20/1] Forecast paid £309.54!!

3.40 -- MIRSAALE [4th 20/1], FAMILIARITY [3rd 25/1]

4.10 -- RIPTIDE [7th 9/1], SIR FRANK MORGAN [10th 5/1]

4.40 -- INGLEBY SYMPHONY [2nd 7/1], BUREAU [WON 4/1] Forecast paid £31.04

5.10 -- RED COSSACK [4th 8/1], MAKING THE RULES [2nd 11/8]

RESULTS - Cracking winner with EPIC BATTLE [20/1] in the 3rd race and a forecast too which was a surprise and welcome bonus. Already makes a huge increase in our profits for this system. Then we backed that up with another winner BUREAU [4/1] and another forecast too. 

Increases our season profit from +19pts to +31pts for a £1 stakes at SP. Though using Betfair prices and having a little wager on the forecasts too we are considerably further ahead than that. Onwards and upwards, another meeting soon and we've got Galway / Goodwood coming up too. 

The next scheduled meeting here will be held on MONDAY 30th JUNE. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2014. DAY FOUR FRIDAY 20th JUNE

DAY FOUR

WHAT A GREAT GOLD CUP THAT WAS, THE WELL SUPPORTED WINNER LEADING LIGHT JUST GETTING THE BETTER OF THE QUEEN'S ESTIMATE. SHAME BROWN PANTHER COULD NOT QUITE GIVE US THE 1-2-3 BUT IT WAS ANOTHER SUPERB DAY OVERALL. 

FEW QUICK NOTES ABOUT FRIDAY'S MEETING. THE OPENING RACE AT 2.30 THE ALBANY STAKES FOR 2YO FILLIES HAS A FIELD OF 24. FRANKIE DETTORI HAS BEEN RUNNING WELL FOR HIS RETAINED OWNER AND IS ON BOARD OSAILA [5th 16/1] AND PRICED ABOUT 12./1 WHICH IS FAIR BUT HER ONE RACE WAS A NOTTINGHAM MAIDEN AND THIS IS A BIG STEP UP ALREADY? THE AMERICAN TRAINED SUNSET GLOW [2nd 7/1] WINNER OF A BELMONT MAIDEN AND SURELY NOT OVER HERE FOR THE AIRMILES COULD BE INTERESTING BUT ONLY SHOWING AS A 5/1 SHOT. 

THE KING EDWARD VII STAKES OFF AT 3.45 A SELECT FIELD OF 9 NOW THAT WESTERN HYMN IS A NON RUNNER. THIS HELPS THE SIR MICHAEL STOUTE TRAINED SNOW SKY [NAP] AS HE WAS BEATEN BY THAT HORSE TWO RUNS AGO BEFORE WINNING THE LINGFIELD DERBY TRIAL (DID NOT RUN IN THE DERBY ITSELF). 

THE 4.25 IS ANOTHER FILLIES EVENT THIS TIME IT'S THE CORONATION STAKES FOR 3YOs' AND LIGHTNING THUNDER LOOKS THE ONE FOR THIS AFTER A GOOD SHOWING IN THE 1000 GUINEAS FINISHING CLOSE TO THE WINNER MISS FRANCE. 

YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WITH THURSDAY BEING LADIES DAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SENSIBLE AND A BETTER MARKETING OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THESE FILLIES RACES ON THE SAME DAY !! 

AT 5.oo WE'VE THE 2m QUEENS VASE RACE, WON LAST YEAR BY YESTERDAYS GOLD CUP WINNER LEADING LIGHT. AIDEN O'BRIEN HAS CENTURY THIS YEAR AND WAS IN MANY 10 TO FOLLOW LISTS AT THE START OF THE SEASON BUT HASN'T LIT UP THE RACECOURSE AS YET. MAYBE THIS STAMINA TEST CAN SEE HIM GO CLOSER TO A WIN. THE MARK JOHNSTON YARD HAVE WON THIS RACE FREQUENTLY AND HE RUNS HARTNELL WHO WAS 2ND IN THE LINGFIELD DERBY TRIAL AND BRED TO STAY THIS FAR. 

OUR FINALE AT 5.35 FOR FRIDAY IS A HANDICAP (BUCKINGHAM PALACE STAKES) ONLY 29 RUNNERS BUT WE STRONGLY RATE No4 HORSTEAD KEYNES HERE WITH JAMIE SPENCER RIDING FOR ROGER VARIAN. DESPITE AN 11lb RISE FOR HIS LATEST WIN IT'S POSSIBLE HE'S STILL IMPROVING ON TURF (EARLIER WINS ON AW). 

ROYAL ASCOT 2014. DAY THREE THURSDAY 19th JUNE

DAY THREE

And it's Gold Cup day, otherwise known as LADIES DAY -- 'but hang on' I hear you shout -- every day is Ladies Day here are Royal Ascot, you just can't move for the amount of dresses and hats on show, even the Essex Girls have made an effort and the fake tan is giving off a nice orange glow in the silver ring. 

4.25 Ascot -- The Gold Cup 2m 4f
Last years winner ESTIMATE is in the line up to defend her title won in great battling style for Her Majesty The Queen. If she can go in again it'll bring the house down. 

The massive danger as usual in this race is from Aiden O'Brien and his LEADING LIGHT winner of the Queen's Vase here last year and also the St Leger a certain cup horse and going to be a short price fav by the looks of things. 

The other one I fancy is the globe trotting BROWN PANTHER for Michael Owen and his trainer Tom Dascombe. Might just be found wanting over the extra few furlongs though but I do fancy him to be placed. 

The Gold Cup is the feature race of the whole week as far as I am concerned, and will be a cracker. If I get time to update the rest of the meeting it will be later tonight. If not just enjoy the day. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2014. DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 18th JUNE

DAY TWO

Well the sun shone and the champagne flowed, oh and there was a bit of racing on ... Gok Wan was there to tell us what not to wear but sadly he didn't get anyone naked so that was a bit of a shame. 

Expecting good weather again today where we have more Group 1 action with the Prince of Wales Stakes at 3.45 and the big handicap of the day is the Royal Hunt Cup off at 5pm. 

Once Her Majesty has arrived and settled down we will start today off with the Jersey Stakes at 2.30. This Group 3 for 3yo's usually throws up a good one to follow for the rest of the season and the French trained REDBROOK with Frankie on board for his retained owner (winner on day 1) looks an interested bet at 12/1 as does MUSICAL COMEDY for Her Majesty The Queen also at 12/1 so we'll take the pair against the field of 23. 

The 2yo Fillies race Queen Mary Stakes next up at 3.05 and a field of 22 line up. There's a challenge from the USA as well as Ireland this year, SPAINISH PIPEDREAM is the American prospect, successful at Keeneland and not over here for a summer holiday. 

Today's Group 1 race The Prince of Wales Stakes goes off at 3.45 and it's going to be all about the well-being of last seasons' ARC winner TREVE. Another great ride of Dettori he'll be expected to lands this one with the odds on fav. 

MAGICIAN should be the one to give her most to think about but I think she'll be too good and 2l+ clear at the post. 

The Duke of Cambridge Stakes is off at 4.25 but makes little appeal to me. SKY LANTERN should win if tuned up for Richard Hannon's team and maybe Andre Fabre's recent Newmarket winner ESOTERIQUE can give her most to do. 

The big handicap of the day is the Royal Hunt Cup at 5pm with only the 31 declared it's fairly simple. Will probably split into two groups which may give us some clues for the finale over the same trip. 

ABSEIL [drawn 22] is one I wanted to be on this season and having picked up a good race on Oaks day at Epsom should be up there for this one despite the size of the field. 

Whether you want to be on a 4/1  shot in such a competitive race is one thing so perhaps an ew shot with the likes of 25/1 shot GABRIAL'S KAKA [drawn 4] will give us one either side and Jamie Spencer is a man to trust in big handicaps coming fast and late. 

We sign off on Wednesday with the Sandringham Handicap [5.35] over the straight mile for the fillies. 25 declared over the same trip as the Hunt Cup so the ground could be well and truly torn up by now. 

I think we will once again pick a selection from either side of the draw and at decent prices for a big win. Frankie on CORAL MIST [drawn 25] could be having a big day and rides well here it will be a shock if he doesn't pick up a few winners this year. 

ADHWAA [drawn 5] from the Barry Hills yard (he's come out of retirement to look after the yard of his late son John) so it would be especially heartwarming for this 3yo to give him another Royal Ascot winner. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2014. DAY ONE TUESDAY 17th JUNE

DAY ONE
This years Royal meeting at Ascot will be the usual fashion stakes and social event, hey even the Queen will be there ... but is it a meeting for real racegoers or just a fashion parade? 

Well if you can get in and fight through the crowds (or better still grab yourself a bit of hospitality ahem thanks Betfair) then at least you can say you are seeing some of the best racing of the season with Group races each day, top class sprints and big field competitive handicaps. 

Six races to enjoy starting at 2.30 with the Queen Anne stakes over the straight mile course. Richard Hannon saddles the fav here with TORONADO winner of last years Sussex Stakes and likely to be short price to land this event. If you want something at more attractive odds you would want to have a look at the French raider ANODIN they don't send many over the channel without having a big chance and 12/1 looks worth a few bob ew. [Winner and 3rd. Good start to the afternoon.]

The Coventry stakes is our second race and takes place at 3.05 over the straight 6f track.   The 2yo race has attracted a field of 16 and it's a minefield with all bar one having winning form. JUSTICE GOOD looks progressive and with Ryan Moore booked for the ride and odds of 16/1 I think we'll side with that one and hope the low draw is not adverse. [Just run out of it at the line, finished a close 4th]

At 3.45 our first Group 1 race of the week is the Kings Stand sprint over 5f, the first 4 home from last year all take their place again and last years winner SOLE POWER will be strongly fancied to follow up again. Of the rest the 3yo GUERRE from Aiden O'Brien appeals having only run 3 times and the master of Ballydoyle wouldn't drop him in at the deep end without a chance. [WINNER 5/1]

The feature event is at 4.25 the Group 1 St James's Palace stakes over a mile on the round course. Looks a rematch between KINGMAN and KNIGHT OF THUNDER and while it might seem foolish to write off the others, a repeat of their 2000 Guiness effort should see them pull clear. I think KNIGHT OF THUNDER can go in again, he veered across the course at HQ that day and if he can keep a straight line then he's a few lengths to the good on that run. [Kingman won well fair play at odds on]

At 5.00 it's the Ascot Stakes over the Gold Cup distance of 2m 4f for 4yo's+. 20 Runners they could be well strung out by the end of this, and we fancy BALLINDERRY BOY from Andrew Balding to confirm last years good form over 2m with the step up to 2m 4f sure to suit on breeding. 

And we finish on Tuesday with the Windsor Castle stakes over 5f and 25 are declared for that event so good luck there especially if you still in the Jackpot / Placepot (no doubt I won't be after leg 1 as usual). 

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2014 TURF SEASON -- PART FIVE

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2014

[MONDAY 9th JUNE]

The fifth meeting of the season from Pontefract, and we are doing really well so far with a healthy profit of +19 points for the season based on a level stake at SP. 

Here are our selections for this meeting and I'll be looking closely at Cape Tribulation who runs in the 2nd race over 2 miles. 

Racing should have started at 6.40pm Monday but sadly the meeting was called off earlier today. 

6.40 -- MISS VAN GOGH [ ], HOWLIN' FOR YOU [ ]

7.10 -- JOYFUL MOTIVE [ ], CAPE TRIBULATION [ ]

7.40 -- AUGUSTA ADA [ ], THE HOODED CLAW [ ]

8.10 -- SHIROCCO PASSION [ ], SHANKLY [ ]

8.40 -- WOTALAD [ ], DISCLOSURE [ ]

9.10 -- THE STRIG [ ], BORIS GRIGORIEV [ ]

RESULTS - Have only just got home to find that tonights meeting was called off earlier today due to a waterlogged track. This should have been their first West Yorkshire Festival night but sadly that will have to happen another day. 

The next scheduled meeting here will be held on Sunday 22nd June. Weather Permitting naturally...