ASCOT RACES SAGARO STAKES MEETING - WEDNESDAY 29th APRIL 2015.

This is an annual event for us although numbers have sadly dwindled in recent years, but to celebrate my advancing years we decamp to Ascot races for their midweek fixture featuring the Gold Cup trial the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes. 

Last years winner TAC DE BOISTRON reappears and must have a strong chance with form figures of 121/121- clearly goes well fresh and forecast 4/1 looks spot on. (alas since posting this is now a Non Runner on Wednesday)










The card is good quality for a midweek meeting with another Group 3 (Pavilion Stakes) and a listed event (Paradise Stakes) and the only change to the card is that the concluding handicap, the only handicap on the card, is now for apprentice's only but still has a 16 runner max field over the straight mile.

Here are my selections for the meeting;

2.25 - 5f Conditions Stakes (2yo) - LONG OUT ISLAND is noted as a newcomer from the Richard Hannon yard who regularly use this race for one of their forward types. 
WON 9/2

There are three previous winners in the field and the best of these is likely to be GIFTED MASTER who showed a fair turn of foot to see off his rivals, could be a short price so we'll stick with the Hannon inmate.

3.00 - 1m Fillies Conditions Stakes - Just the seven to choose from but they are all top yards and blue blood owners, Hey Majesty The Queen has TOUCHLINE here and with Ryan Moore on board must be fancied back in a conditions race instead of a Group 3.

Godolphin run two, SPERRY and PULCINELLA but I'm going with another Richard Hannon selection SHAGAH who is owned by the Arabs Al Shaqab Racing and has the in form Frankie Dettori in the saddle. 

3.30 - 2m Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) - Last years winner TAC DU BOISTRON stands out on form, staying ability, and is proven first time out. [Non Runner]

Sir Michael Stoute knows the time of day and in all the write up his STOMACHION appears to be overlooked, should be forward enough for a reappearance and Ryan Moore a big plus. Is only a 5yo and improvement still possible over a longer trip, looks an each way price so will have a go in the place markets too.

4.05 - 6f Pavilion Stakes (Group 3) - A very competitive affair here but the stand out selection is the unbeaten LIMATO who excelled last term and really could be anything. 

The likes of BEACON and HAWKESBURY look the pair to take on the fav here. 

4.35 - 1m Paradise Stakes (Listed) - The interesting one here is the lightly raced ex-French INFANTRY, now with Andrew Balding and with a sire of Rail Link you know it's going to be a decent miler. 

5.10 - 1m Apprentice Handicap - The finale is always the big handicap at this meeting but now it's confined to apprentices only, there were 16 declared but of course they've already scratched one so forget about having 4 places unless you using Betfair. 

While you would want to take a second look at Luca Cumani's Saigon City it would seem that this one would prefer further, both DUELLING DRAGON and EXCHEQUER are the pair I would recommend versus the field and hopefully the prices will hold up to allow us to back them both.

Results will appear here during Wednesday evening, check out the Pontefract blog too which is also taking place today.

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2015 TURF SEASON -- PART THREE

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[WEDNESDAY 29th APRIL]

3rd Meeting of the new season ...

New season for our simple to follow system which is based on the low draw stall numbers (1 + 2) at this West Yorkshire track. 

Our strategy in the past was always to keep records to the SP result, and we will continue this practice during the season but we will also be looking into taking advised prices, and a staking plan on the place market as well and these will be recorded separately over the course of the 2015 season.

Despite a few small wins the system is behind after the first two meetings at -13pts, this can be wiped out with one decent return so are no too downbeat given the start we made last year we know it's possible to turn this around. All results for this meeting will be returned to a level stake at SP, and will also show any forecast results too. 

So lets have a look at the third meeting of the 2015 Season, it's an seven race card which will start at 2.00pm. The going is currently reported as 'Good to Firm', the course saw 30mm rain during the last week, but the forecast for Saturday onwards is for dry, sunnier weather, they are watering on Monday to keep the ground as close to Good as possible. 

I would expect the going to be closer to Good ground assuming no further rain by Wednesday afternoon. Weather reports for Wednesday are for a fine sunny dry day so hope you there and enjoy it. 

2.00 -- ROCKLIFFE [5th 12/1],  ROMAN TIMES [7th 25/1]

2.35 -- FALLEN FOR A STAR [2nd 4/9F],  BRACKEN BRAE [4th 50/1]

3.10 -- TRINITY STAR [WON 5/6F],  SWILKEN [7th 25/1]

3.45 -- EASY TERMS [2nd 3/1],  SATURATION POINT [4th 6/1]

4.15 -- SPARRING [WON Evens],  SOUL SEARCHER [3rd 4/1]

4.45 -- VEJOVIE [6th 9/1],  NORMANDY BARRIERE [WON 11/4F]

5.20 -- IGGY [WON 3/1],  THATCHERITE [3rd 5/1]

Results will appear here on Wednesday evening, once I get back from a day at Ascot. Current balance is -13 points so we will be seeking a few winners to get us back on track. 

A few winners but still a small loss today, it's going to be a long season I can tell. Now behind -15.42 points.

The 4th meeting at Pontefract will take place on Friday 22nd May and that will be the first of their evening fixtures. 

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2015 TURF SEASON -- PART TWO

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[Monday 20th April]

Second race meeting of 2015 Flat season ...

The 2nd meeting for our new season arrives on Monday and our simple to follow system which is based on the low draw stall numbers (1 and 2) at this West Yorkshire track will hope to find a few winners today. 

Our strategy in the past was always to keep records to the SP result, and we will continue this practice during the season but we will also be looking into taking advised prices, and a staking plan on the place market as well and these will be recorded separately over the course of the 2015 season.

The opening meeting had a couple of winners and some good places but as we are returning results to a level stake at SP we are DOWN -5 pts. And though we haven't started a plan to use the place markets as yet it is encouraging to see some good priced horses being placed. The intention is to back the reverse forecasts and we'll highlight any returns if they come off in the results too. 

The second meeting of the 2015 Season, it's just a six race card which will start at 2.10pm. The going is currently reported as Good, Good to Firm in places, The course reports that they've watered lightly and selectively on Friday (2mm) and will water the whole course on Sunday (2-3mm)

The weather forecast is to remain mainly dry and sunny to race-day.

Here are our selections for the meeting; 

2.10 -- BLACK MAGIC [WON 3/1], RACING VENTURE [5th 17/2]

2.45 -- DEBIT [11th 40/1], SOPHISTICATED HEIR [2nd 5/1]

3.20 -- YEEOOW [3rd 9/2], SUPPLICANT [5th 3/1]

3.50 -- SURPRISE VENDOR [7th 3/1], CHEVALGRIS [8th 7/2]

4.20 -- TAFFETTA [4th 11/1], PACO'S SUNSHINE [5th 22/1]

4.50 -- WHERE THE BOYS ARE [2nd 5/2], PABUSAR [3rd 6/1]

From the opening meeting we have a B/F of -5 points and further results will appear here during the course of Monday afternoon. 

The next meeting at Pontefract will take place on Wednesday 29th April. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 15th APRIL 2015

Back for another Wednesday night at the Sunbury course, still in profit for the year with a current position of +35.47 to our 1pt level stake, it's performance is better still in conjunction with Betfair (up over +40 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/15-04-2015/fast-cards


We've an 8 race card tonight with 7 handicaps to enjoy owing to the opening handicap being divided into two so we'll be racing under the lights from 5.45pm. Our first handicap is the second race at 6:15pm.

So onwards with our selections for tonight;



18:15 - 1m 4f Handicap (Div 1) --  Stepping up in trip should give some improvement for PINK LIPS here in the first division of the 12f handicap. 

Has won a couple of events and was placed in 6 more so far so clearly has some ability and handicaps at this level are realistic.  [2nd 16/1].


18:45 - 1m 4f Handicap (Div 2) --  The second division of this event has a number of recent hurdlers all coming back in trip, the one of note is JUST DUCHESS who ran well over a similar trip up at Wolves and probably better over 12f here than over hurdles. At double figure odds is worth a consideration win/place.  [5th 10/1]

19:15 - 1m Handicap --  13 line up for another round in the London Mile series qualifier, and I'll look at a pair to take on the field with these are TOMMY'S SECRET along with BIOTIC. 

Both getting loads of weight from the rest of the field and have place form recently so 10/1 the pair should be achievable.  [2nd 16/1 / 3rd 10/1 respectively].

19:45 - 2m Handicap --  7 runners for the 2m contest, the favourites WAKEA and RIDGEWAY STORM look strong the latter has won here twice over 2m so will be interesting what the market makes of them.

But for me the value lies with SILVER MOUNTAIN who having won 3 from 5 starts can improve once again over this longer trip.  [6th 16/1].

20:15 - 7f Handicap --  Tricky open handicap next where BLACK DAVE looks the likely fav but is beatable, so again lets try a pair vs the field with FOSSA and CLUB HOUSE both have good AW form and the latter recently runner up here.  [9th 7/1 and 6th 9/2 respectively].

20:45 - 6f Handicap -- ONLY TEN PER CENT gets my vote for this contest, a recent spin at Lingfield shows there is ability away from Southwell and will be a decent price to win here, so the place market is our main ambitiion.  [5th 16/1].

21:15 - 6f Handicap (3yo) -- The finale can go to the top weight BORN TO BE BAD from the Jamie Osborne yard. Was not over tried in maiden events and the yard can get one ready around here. Worth a second glance at 12/1 or better.  [6th 20/1].

A few places at good prices but overall a losing night with no winners so that's down 8 points leaving us with +27.47.

There appears to be a break now from the regular Wednesday night action here so we will be continuing with our Pontefract system on 20th and 29th April. 

Also expect a posting from Ascot on 29th too. 

Have a good week. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 8th APRIL 2015

Back for another Wednesday night at the Sunbury course, still in profit for the year with a current position of +40.22 to our 1pt level stake, it's performance is better still in conjunction with Betfair (up over +60 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/08-04-2015/fast-cards


We've an 8 race card tonight with 6 handicaps to enjoy and we'll be racing under the lights from 5:45pm. Our first handicap is the second race at 6:15pm.

So onwards with our selections for tonight;

18:15 - 7f Handicap (3yo) -- Dropping back to 7f could be the key to the chances of SHIPWRIGHT getting home ok having failed to last home in recent events over a mile. [9th 10/1].

19:15 - 1m 3f Handicap Div 1 (3yo) -- Eleven 3yo's line up for the first division of this event and only Willow Jubilee looks out of things, I like the possibilities of SHAVAUGHN having had three maiden runs around Lingfield, the low handicap mark and change of course might be enough in this event. [9th 20/1].

19:45 - 1m 3f Handicap Div 2 (3yo) -- The second division has 10 possibles, most stepping up in trip from their maiden events though BOLLYWOOD DREAM drops down a furlong and looked to stay this far at least so worth a shout with a 3lb claimer helping to lower the mark even more. [9th 16/1].

20:15 - 1m 4f Handicap (3yo) -- Just a small field of five here where the once raced PROCESS could be anything having won a maiden event here two weeks ago. At a more generous price CONSORTIUM just failed to reel in the winner last time and clearly stays well, could be a close contest. [WON 5/4F / 3rd 5/2].

20:45 - 6f Handicap -- Only another small field of six here where Amosite and Shauna's Spirit have had a few chances this season without showing much. So the other "outsider" here is CHEVISE who has at least managed to win a handicap or two in recent seasons. [4th 7/1].

21:15 - 1m Handicap -- The finale over a mile is hard to call, the consistent Berrahri has top weight and seems to go on any of the all weather tracks, but further down the card is KATMAI RIVER who has raced well here lately and with the same 7lb claimer could be worth another chance at double figure odds. [8th 16/1].

Another poor week really, loads of 9th places and overall loss of -4.75 points taking us down to  +35.47

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2015 TURF SEASON -- PART ONE

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[Tuesday 7th April]

Start of the new season ...

New season for our simple to follow system which is based on the low draw stall numbers (1 + 2) at this West Yorkshire track. 

Our strategy in the past was always to keep records to the SP result, and we will continue this practice during the season but we will also be looking into taking advised prices, and a staking plan on the place market as well and these will be recorded separately over the course of the 2015 season.

For this opening meeting will just have the results to a level stake at SP, and will also show any forecast results too. 

So lets have a look at the first meeting of the 2015 Season, it's an seven race card which will start at 2.00pm. The going is currently reported as 'Good to Soft', the course saw 30mm rain during the last week, but the forecast for Saturday onwards is for dry, sunnier weather. 

I would expect the going to be closer to Good ground assuming no further rain by Tuesday afternoon. Weather reports for Tuesday is a fine sunny dry day so hope you there and enjoy it. 

2.00 -- DARK OCEAN [WON 3/1], GREEN ZONE [7th 5/1]

2.30 -- RED HOUSE REBEL [7th 100/1], REDHOTRAVEN [6th 22/1]

3.00 -- DANOT [5th 20/1], BUCCANEERS VAULT [7th 7/1]

3.30 -- CRAKEHALL LAD [8th 28/1], STICKLEBACK [4th 25/1]

4.00 -- GOTHIC [3rd 7/2], MASTER OF FINANCE [WON 4/1]

4.30 -- TAFFETTA [3rd 33/1], MAUREB [4th 11/2]

5.00 -- WHERE'S TIGER [3rd 5/2], FAZZA [2nd 12/1]

A couple of winners and a number of places today, not the worst start but does mean a loss on the day to SP down 5 points. 

The 2nd meeting at Pontefract will take place on Monday 20th April. 

KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 1st APRIL 2015

April fools day but thankfully racing is in the evening so no jokes on us we need to get back to winning ways soon although we do still have a very healthy position of +39.22 to our 1pt level stake, it's performance is better still in conjunction with Betfair (up over +60 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/01-04-2015/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 - 1m Handicap (3yo) -- Ten 3yo's line up here, many with bits and pieces of form but I think something will be able to step up on their 2yo form especially coming on for the trip of a mile. EUTHENIA from Mick Channon's yard is the one for me, ran a reasonable race not beaten too far last time at Lingfield. [8th 25/1].


18:45 - 1m Handicap [London Mile Qualifier] -- The two that will probably head the market VIVAT REX and CITY OF ANGKOR WAT  should be up there and run their race, I was tempted to dutch them against the rest but believe there could be some value in opposing them. 

EMBANKMENT has been quite consistent in similar events here and despite being beaten by Angkor Wat last time this could be his day off revised terms and at 14/1 much better price from win/place perspective. [8th 16/1].


19:45 - 1m 4f Handicap -- The five year old ABLE DASH has a small question to answer over fitness but if primed ready to go after 11 months off. Did win first time out last season and has already shown an aptitude to winning here (twice), only had 6 lifetime starts so should have some improvement to come. [WON 5/1].


20:15 - 7f Handicap -- Another with a near year absence to overcome is LITTLE BIG MAN here, but give he went close on debut last term and then went onto win couple of claiming races he's worth a chance at 10/1 or so. [8th 16/1].


20:45 - 6f Handicap -- The finale is a tricky sprint with 12 declared runners, am ignoring those that ran last week as they seem to turn out quickly without showing anything worthwhile, instead it's Mark Johnston's QUICKASWECAN for me here as he was placed on his only try around this course last year, has at least won a race and the yard don't tend to waste time and fuel travelling down south. [6th 8/1].


We'd be laughing if there was a reward for finding who can finish 8th today eh, but in amongst that A WINNER, albeit only a small price 5/1 but that means we stopped the sequence of losing weeks and have a balance of +40.22 points to carry over to next week.

Don't forgot to come back on TUESDAY next week too, were we will continue with out Pontefract system from previous years. It will be interesting to see how this plays during the year. And of course we'll have another update from Kempton on Wednesday too. 

In the meantime have a wonderful Easter break.