KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 25th MARCH 2015

Sadly another losing week last Wednesday but never fear we still showing a very healthy position of +45.22 to our 1pt level stake, it's performance is even better in conjunction with Betfair (up over +75 pts) and it's place markets but results will continue to be expressed by SP and to a level unit stake.

Let's aim to be first past this post tonight then yeah...

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/25-03-2015/fast-cards


We've 6 handicaps to enjoy and we'll be racing under the lights from 5.45pm.

So onwards with our selections for tonight;


17:45 - 6f Apprentice Handicap -- Back over 6f will be perfect for SWENDAB who has been apprentice ridden frequently and should put his significant experience to good use. [6th 10/1].

18:15 - 1m Handicap (3yo's) -- An open race and plenty of unknowns with the first time handicappers coming into the race on the back of 3 maiden runs. Their marks could be suspect, it's a race of uncertainty so picking two versus the field DEFTERA LAD / HARLEY REBEL [N/R] having both had a break before their attempt to score today both about 16/1 I would expect. [7th 14/1].

18:45 - 7f Handicap -- Only the six declared for the fillies handicap and I can rule out Amosite here as she appears hopelessly out of form and probably should be looking at a Claimer or Seller contest in due course. 

Of the other five three look too short in the market but there's a small case for SHAUNAS SPIRIT based on her 3 placing here over this trip on her penultimate start. Has Ryan Tate taking a 3lb claim off her back and up against her own type could go well at generous price. [5th 5/1].

19:45 - 7f Handicap -- Top weight My Son Max would make considerably more appeal over at Wolves and while I have been keen on the bottom weight EMBANKMENT for a while I do have a suspicion that BOUNTYBEAMADAM is the one to fear today. 

Three times a winner in a short career so far has not had a lot of racing on the AW, first time out could be the best time to catch her but if prices allow we will try and dutch the pair against the field. [3rd 5/1 / 7th 10/1].

20:15 - 1m 3f Handicap -- Mark Johnston's 4yo looks interesting here MAMBO RHYTHM had a couple of nice wins last summer, then went off the boil a little so rested over the winter. 

Should have improved now a year older and wiser and at 8/1 looks overpriced in stall 1 getting weight off every other horse in the race. [6th 16/1].

No joy for us tonight so another 6pts lost taking the running total down again to just +39.22 profit. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH 2015

Sadly another losing week last Wednesday but never fear we still showing a very healthy position of +51.22 to our 1pt level stake, it's performance is even better in conjunction with Betfair (up over +85 pts) and it's place markets but results will continue to be expressed by SP and to a level unit stake.

Let's aim to be first past this post tonight then yeah...

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/18-03-2015/fast-cards

With no Cheltenham this week to distract us we have an expanded card due to the division of the 1m3f contest. Thus we've 6 handicaps to enjoy and we'll be racing under the lights from 5.45pm.

So onwards with our selections for tonight;

17:45 - 1m Handicap -- Dropping down to basement level might help JACKPOT again but we won't keep picking him he's won us a nice prize and we'll look elsewhere tonight. 

JUST FIVE has been struggling around Wolves of late and might enjoy the change of scenery, and course surface back here, rare run at this time last March ran 2nd in this grade over same trip, a repeat of that form would be sufficient with Jamie Spencer taking the ride.  [5th 25/1 barely a length covering the first 6 home].

19:15 - 1m 3f Handicap Div 1 -- First division of this event and it's a poor bunch where EDE'S THE BUSINESS is a tentative selection, not had a lot of racing and the step up in trip may be the spark he needs. [7th 16/1].

19:45 - 1m 3f Handicap Div 2 -- The second division isn't up to much either, there is a lot of hope placed on AMOURITA that she may be a bit better as a 4yo and catching her fresh could be the best time with the trip not likely to be an issue.  [Hampered and Pulled up last 16/1].

20:15 - 7f Handicap -- Just the five declared for this contest which is surprising given it's a plain 7f event, maybe the likes of HOLLIE POINT has scared them off as she should be up to taking this with some comfort based on last time out success.  [4th 6/4F].

20:45 - 7f Handicap -- Ok someone please explain to me how a LONDON MILE qualifying race is run over 7f? 

Anyway SHINGLE is the option here, only had 5 runs, went close 2nd penultimate start here at Kempton Park and repeat would be more than useful. Others come here out of form, and don't represent much value, Shingle at 12/1 good price. [6th 25/1].

21:15 - 6f Handicap -- The finale is a nice sprint event with DOUNEEDAHAND an interesting runner appears a few pounds below last win/place runs so should do well from the handicap point of view, is a generous price, and been placed here back end of last year with a claimer on board now has a professional jockey to help. [4th 25/1].

A few near misses for the place events but no winners so we lose another 6 points now down to just the +45.22 points profit since inception. We'll try again next Wednesday so have a good week all. 

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 -- DAY 4 FRIDAY (GOLD CUP DAY)

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 13TH 2015
1.30pm 2m 1f Triumph Hurdle	JCB Triumph Hurdle And we’re off…race one on Gold Cup Day.  The final day of the 2015 festival is here already and we kick off with the Triumph Hurdle, a tricky race of 17 juvenile 4yo's headed by the Nicky Henderson trained PEACE AND CO.  We have to look elsewhere instead of going for the obvious fav, there's plenty to like not least the Willie Mullins trio, and Alan Kings pair. But I am siding with the big price available on the David Pipe trained STARS OVER THE SEA a 50/1 shot here was placed in the trial race and while long way off HARGAM the Pipe team clearly going well and looks too big especially for a place. Have no problem if Hargam wins for McCoy on his final day at the festival though.  Result -- 1st PEACE AND CO 2/1F Stars over the sea -- 7th 50/1
2.05pm 2m 1f County Hurdle	Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (Handicap) Just the 26 line up for the County Hurdle and it's a race where EBONY EXPRESS can attempt the rare "BONUS" Double having collected the Imperial Cup last weekend at Sandown. Has at least got into the race as I think the last couple of winners at Sandown have not had that opportunity to try for the bonus. Good luck to all connections in this.  Pipe's BALTIMORE ROCK deserves a big race win here and has had a break before trying this, a race he was unable to get into last year so must have improved to get in on 11-4?  Result -- 1st WICKLOW BRAVE 25/1 Ebony Express -- 19th 16/1      Baltimore Rock -- 7th 12/1
2.40pm 3m Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle A third hurdle race before the big one and only 20 here over the stayers trip of 3m. A race that NO MORE HERO'S heads the market having run up a sequence in Ireland until a mistaken laden effort last time. Should be opposable with so many options elsewhere.  Both FLETCHERS FLYER and CARACCI APACHE should go well and get the trip, the latter winning a 3m Grade 2 "trial" race last time out. Wide open contest, about 16/1-20/1 these pair. Result -- 1st -- MARTELLO TOWER 14/1 Fletchers Flyer -- N/R   Caracci Apache - Pulled Up 20/1
3.20pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	Cheltenham Gold Cup   The BIG one of the week now, as wide open a contest as it's been for many years, plenty here with previous form in the race, includes two previous winners (Bobs Worth, Lord Windermere) and BOBS WORTH doesn't come here with the same form as his winning season but goes well on good ground and has been trained to at least place according to reports from seven barrows.  SILVINIACO CONTI doesn't seem to last up the hill and appears to be a typical 3 mile flat track horse of the One Man ilk.  ROAD TO RICHES / HOLYWELL are the pair against the field for me of upcoming young (8yo) types the latter has proven himself around here before.  Result -- 1st CONEYGREE 7/1 Bobs Worth -  Pulled up 16/1   Road to Riches -  3rd 8/1
4.00pm 3m 2f 110yds Foxhunters Chase	Foxhunters Steeple Chase  The Amateurs Gold Cup now, shame that Tammys Hill isn't able to try and retain her crown, but there are 24 in attendance and you could struggle to get this right with 20 pics.  PAINT THE CLOUDS is the stand out hunter chase expert here, winner of the "Champion Hunter" at Stratford last year has had one race at Doncaster and won that easily.  Both NO LOOSE CHANGE and ON THE FRINGE should be watched in the market for their strong yards, the latter owned by JP McManus and ridden by Nina Carberry could be the subject of a punt if the owner fancies it.  Result -- 1st -- ON THE FRINGE 6/1
4.40pm 2m 4f Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle	Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle 24 runner conditional jockeys affair named after the great trainer Martin Pipe, never been won by the son David so he will be praying that either VIEUX LION ROUGE or BALGARRY can break that duck today.  Loads with chances as you would expect here, Willie Mullins won this with DON POLI last year and we know how good he's become so his best chance of a follow up is ROI DES FRANCS a winner of 3 of his last 4 in Ireland. 3rd 3/1 FORTHEFUNOFIT has won a few small races but could be a handicap blot in here for top connections. 15th 11/1 Result -- 1st KILLULTAGH VIC 7/1
5.15pm 2m 110yds Grand Annual Chase	Grand Annual Steeple Chase  The final race of this years festival and a race which has been renamed in honour of the legend that is the 20 times Champion Jockey AP McCoy. So if NED BUNTLINE wins this for the champ not only will the roof come off but the new stand might have to be rebuilt too.  TED VEALE and ASTRACAD are a pair that can go well at a decent price and I'll have them plus McCoys against the lot in the finale.  Result -- 1st NEXT SENSATION 16/1 AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR DO HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR CHELTENHAM 2015

Results will appear here on Friday evening as I will be out all day enjoying the Gold Cup with my brother. Have a great day, you can rest tomorrow...

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 -- DAY 3 THURSDAY

Gets a bit busy at the bar...

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 12TH 2015
1.30pm 2m 4f JLT Novices Chase	JLT Novice's Chase And we’re off…for day three of this years festival And this time we kick off with a Novices Chase which would appear to be another race at the mercy of the all conquering Mullins/Walsh team. VAUTOUR a winner of last years Supreme Novices hurdle has taken to fences with ease and only a single defeat in a Grade 1 race at Leopardstown blots the record.  COLOUR SQUADRON doesn't look good enough to defeat the fav but I do fancy it to plug on up the hill and place under McCoy at 25/1 looks a good place option.  Result -- 1st : VAUTOUR 6/4F Colour Squadron - 8th 18/1
2.05pm 3m Handicap Hurdle	Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) Just the 24 declared for the Pertemps final, keeping in with the theme of value and looking for something that stays well the first selection is CLOSING CEREMONY who gets the trip and has won a few recently so in good order.  The other is the pick of the D PIPE entries, BYGONES SOVEREIGN another that's won a qualifying race for this and gets on well with the 7lb claimer Michael Heard. Both about 20/1 so the pair vs the field for me. Result -- 1st : CALL THE COPS 9/1 Closing Ceremony NR     Bygones Sovereign 20th 25/1 tried to make all, faded 2 out.
2.40pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  DON COSSACK looks to buck the trend of no Irish trained winner of this for 10 years, looks to have a favs chance but too short for me.  BALDER SUCCESS won his last two but at Kempton and Ascot so needs to show he can win going the other way around.  So for me I'll go a bit left field with an outsider from Jonjo's stable, JOHN'S SPIRIT, something of a standing dish around this track is regularly placed and his 3 recent wins out of 7 career victories have come here. 10/1 looks a great win/place shout.   Result -- 1st : UXIZANDRE 16/1 Johns Spirit -- 5th 8/1
3.20pm 3m World Hurdle	Ladbrokes "World" Hurdle (the Stayers Hurdle) Time for the stayers hurdle now, always loved this race from the time Ballasani won in 1994, some great horses since; Barracuda, Inglis Drever and Big Bucks, sadly nothing of that quality here today.  Wide open affair, Paul Nicholls will hope that his SAPHIR DU RHEU can provide him yet another winner in this contest, his owner has sure had plenty of success around Cheltenham. But another man who doesn't usually leave the meeting empty handed is Nicky Henderson and his WHISPER can take the stayers hurdle crown back to seven barrows. Result -- 1st : COLE HARDEN 14/1 Saphir Du Rheu -- 2nd 5/1      Whisper -- 5th 8/1
4.00pm 2m 5f Handicap Chase	Grade 3 Handicap Chase A fairly ordinary chase now, sort of Saturday afternoon affair, where those receiving lumps of weight seem to be favoured.  FILBERT looks good here with Richard Johnson riding, big price at 28/1 available has winning form, in good order, should run his race.  Also an interest in BOBCATBILLY at a big price, has won at all the top northern tracks and shouldn't be ignored despite being available at about 33/1. Non Runner Result -- 1st : DARNA 33/1 Filbert --
4.40pm 3m 2f Kim Muir Chase	Fulke Walwyn & Kim Muir  National Hunt Challenge Cup (3m 2f) It's a great name for a race this, and the Amateur riders deserve another taste of glory. GRANDAD'S HORSE is a fav of mine and won a few times already, could struggle with top weight though but interesting all the same with the best jockey on board to help.  Down the bottom of the weights THE OULD LAD has good recent form including a close 2nd around here, but doesn't have Paddy Brennan to help, could still be a factor though.  Result --
5.15pm 1m 5f St Patrick's Charity Flat Race	St Patrick's Derby - Charity Flat Race (1m 5f) A complete nonsense from a race point of view, but if they raise a few quid good luck to them. Basically a bit of fun for most, however if you are betting on this you must be mad or have a serious problem. Seek help -- www.gamcare.org.uk ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

Results should appear here through the afternoon and Friday's details updated shortly.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 -- DAY 2 WEDNESDAY

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – WEDNESDAY MARCH 11TH 2015
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Neptune Investments Novices Hurdle  And we’re off…for day two.  Kicking off with a novices hurdle won last year by the progressive Faugheen who won yesterdays Champion Hurdle  Just the 10 declared today, Mullins has two strong fancies with NICHOLS CANYON / OUTLANDER but the home team also have good chances with PARLOUR GAMES / VYTA DU ROC Result --  1st : WINDSOR PARK 9/2 Parlour Games 2nd 13/2     Vyta Du Roc 4th 15/2
2.05pm 3m RSA Chase	Royal Sun Alliance Chase Just the 9 declared here and a cracking race for the RSA renewal. Really fancy the David Pipe trained KINGS PALACE who has been tearing up the course here with 7 wins from 10 starts and the only blot on his CV was a fall here in last years Albert Bartlett novice hurdle.  Clearly put that behind him with two more wins at this course since and a win around Newbury proving he's no one track pony. 7/2 looks a cracking bet for me.  Result -- 1st : DON POLI 13/8F Kings Palace 6th 4/1
2.40pm 2m 5f Coral Cup Hurdle	Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Plenty of guesswork required here with just the 26 declared for this romp around the hurdle course. So if you don't have a lucky pin to hand we will try and narrow it down a little based on history. The profile of the winners is usually aged under 8 so we'll cross out 4 of the older ones, must have been 1st of 2nd in either of it's past 2 outings this season which drops another 10 and from the dozen we are left with we go with BEAR'S AFFAIR and BARADARI against the field both about 20/1 shots and hail from top yards.  Result -- 1st : AUX PTITS SOINS 9/1 Bear's Affair - 7th 33/1     Baradiri - 11th 12/1
3.20pm 2m  Champion Chase	Queen Mother Champion Chase The feature race of the second day now, and they've done well to get previous winner SPRINTER SACRE back to a racecourse but doesn't come here in good form at all and I doubt that he can win again today so one to lay for me. SIRE DE GRUGY is the reigning champion and the one to beat, and will have to be at his very best with the likes of DODGING BULLETS, MR MOLE and the Irish raider CHAMPAGNE FEVER all looking to take over.  Of those DODGING BULLETS seems to be the one improving coming into this, with Mr Mole requiring all of McCoys talents to make a challenge coming up the Cheltenham hill. WON 9/2 Result -- 1st : DODGING BULLETS 9/2 Nice result with winner and successful lay of Sprinter Sacre
4.00pm 3m 7f XC Chase	Cross Country Steeple Chase (3m 7f) The X-Country race wouldn't be one I'd like to play in myself, too many old horses out of form and the uniqueness of the banks, ditches, fences and hurdles makes it a specialist race. No sign of previous winner BALTHAZAR KING which is a shame as it's only him and QUANTITATIVEEASING that I'd want to be on here.  The latter trained by Enda Bolger who's record in these races is legendary, am surprised they don't have more than the one entry for today. Result -- 1st : RIVAGE D'OR Quantitativeeasing -- Carried Out 8/1 travesty
4.40pm 2m Juvenile Handicap Hurdle	Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (2m) Reach for that magic pin again with 22 runners taking the stage, sadly no historic stats to help us much as it's a race for 4yo's and they've all come here with a win (all bar one that is) so it's going to be a bit of a charge to the first.  Looks about 10/1 the field and with last years winner HAWK HIGH going in at 33/1 you can leave nothing out of the equation.  Like the pair ZARIB / ARABIAN REVOLUTION against the field, think they might be popular but in this race anything could happen.  Result -- 1st : QUALANDO 25/1 Zarib - 6th 8/1      Arabian Revolution - 14th 7/1
5.15pm 2m Champion Bumper	Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m) A race that has been dominated by the Irish trainers which is no real surprise when the likes of Willie Mullins saddles a near third of the entire field.  The bookies make BORDINI his strongest contender but it might pay to look closer to home and Alan King knows what it takes to get a bumper horse spot on so we look to YANWORTH for a bit of EW value at 16/1 with the champion jockey on board too.  Dermot Weld won this event last year so any support for his sole entrant VIGIL shouldn't go unnoticed. Result -- 1st : MOON RACER 9/2F Yanworth - 4th 16/1     VIGIL - 5th 8/1 ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM EXPERIENCE

Results will appear during the afternoon and Thursday's card is now available too. 

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2015 -- DAY 1 TUESDAY

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL– TUESDAY MARCH 10th 2015
1.30pm 2m 110yds Supreme Novices Hurdle	Supreme Novices Hurdle  And we’re off…  A race that will revolve around the first Irish banker of the meeting DOUVAN and how short he'll be and where the opposition will come from. (Trainer Willie Mullins has 7 of the 17 at the 5 day declaration stage, and now 4 of the 12 overnight decs).  Will be expecting anything and everything ridden by the champion jockey AP McCoy to be well supported so JOLLYALLEN at 12/1 probably going to be single figures come the off so we'll aim to get that in the place markets early on.  Result -- 1st DOUVAN 2/1F
2.05pm 2m Arkle Chase	Arkle Challenge Trophy Another even shorter priced Willie Mullins favourite here, it's going to be difficult to get UN DE SCEAUX beat but at odds of 4/7 going into the race I've got to be a layer. Has been odds on fav all the way through his career, yet to meet this sort of ground and the hill is an unknown. Enough reasons to lay at that price. -- Fair play made all jumped well.  Going for a couple of big priced ones for this and they are GODS OWN (40/1) and SAIL BY THE SEA (33/1). Result -- 1st UN DE SCEAUX 4/6F, 2nd GODS OWN 33/1.  Happy that the place result comfortably covered the lay of the short fav. Good start vs the bookies though.
2.40pm 3m 1f Festival H'cap Chase	Festival Handicap Chase The first of the "Get your lucky pin out" handicap for this years festival, 24 declared for the 3m+ contest, I've had a few short-listed for this and narrowed it down to two with fair EW chance and they are SMART FREDDY (33/1) and GALLANT OSCAR (16/1).  Once again expect the McCoy horse PENDRA to go off market leader and try to replicate the win of JP's Holywell from last year. Result -- 1st THE DRUIDS NEPHEW 8/1 GALLANT OSCAR -- 3rd 9/1 SMART FREDDY -- 10th 33/1 Another good place result here.
3.20pm 2m 110yds Champion Hurdle	Champion Hurdle  Only a field of 8 standing as of Monday, the fav wil be FAUGHEEN unbeaten in 8 career starts has been campaigned over in the UK before now winning the Christmas hurdle last time out. Clearly top draw and won the Neptune Novice race here last year. WON 4/5F THE NEW ONE looks the likely danger from these shores, but I still wouldn't rule out the former champion HURRICANE FLY who I will be backing in the place markets for sure.  Result -- 1st FAUGHEEN 4/5F HURRICANE FLY -- 3rd 8/1  More place success for us, could do with a nice winner though.
4.00pm 2m 4f Mares Hurdle	"David Nicholson" Mares Hurdle (2m 4f) Ok it's now sponsored by OLBG and just called the Mares hurdle which I think is a little disrespectful. When you change the race name to celebrate a legend of the sport you should keep it that way unless there's someone more deserving of it (Sir Peter O'Sullivan for example) Anyway, onto the race, and what a shock, another Mullins trained odds on fav, ANNIE POWER looking to take over from the yards retired super-mare Quevega. Looks to have far too much in hand over these rivals and we'll just have a watching brief but maybe see if EMILY GRAY (40/1) and L'UNIQUE (20/1) can have a say in chasing her home. Result --
4.40pm 4m NH Chase (Amateur Riders)	Toby Balding National Hunt Handicap Chase (4m) A field of 17 has been declared for the National Hunt Chase, run this year in memory of Cheltenham Gold Cup- and Grand National-winning trainer Toby Balding, who died last year Remains a classic long distance race for the Amateur riders, and will sure test both horse and riders stamina over the fences.  The likes of SEGO SUCCESS has a strong rider with Sam Waley-Cohen, but he's never ridden him before and looks too short a price for such a race. A similar statement can be said for VERY WOOD who looks vulnerable.  Both beaten, 5th 9/2 and 10th 7/2F respectively. PERFECT GENTLEMAN has the assistance of the able PW Mullins (yes that name again) and he's been on board for most of his outings, only 15 career runs for this 10yo seems lightly raced and though it's a step up in trip is a decent price to take a chance on. 4th 10/1 Result -- 1st CAUSE OF CAUSES
5.15pm 2m 4f Centenary Novices Chase	Centenary Novices Handicap Chase (2m 4f) And we close the first day of this years festival with a 20 runner chase, not a race that has a lot to be excited about in fact you probably best saving your money for tomorrow.  But Venetia Williams' yard does well here, and she has two which would be worth a good EW look COLD MARCH and VIVACCIO at around the 33/1 mark  Pulled up 33/1 and 12th 66/1 respectively. Result -- 1st IRISH CAVALIER ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

GOOD LUCK
RESULTS SHOULD APPEAR DURING THE COURSE OF THE AFTERNOON