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

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[MONDAY AFTERNOON 29th JUNE]

7th Meeting of the season ...

Following the last meeting we are now standing at a figure of -17.725pts, 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 next meeting of the 2015 Season, our seventh, it's a seven race card on what I hope will be a nice sunny Monday afternoon at the end of June. It will get under-way at 2.30 with a 1m 2f Handicap for Lady Amateurs. 

The forecast going is currently reported as 'Good to Firm (Good in places)' the weather for this weekend is for dry, sunny weather and this continues into race-day with a high of 20C on Monday afternoon.

Here are our selections for Monday, remember it's a very simple selection process of stalls 1 and 2 in any race;

2:30 1m 2f 6y Ladies Handicap (Lady Amateurs)

ESTIBDAAD - [7th 4/1]
SACRED SQUARE - [4th 4/1]

3:00 6f Conditions Stakes (2yo)

GOLD MEDALLION - [2nd 6/4]

YOUNG JOHN - [4th 9/1] 


3:30 5f Handicap

SCORELINE - [8th 5/1]

TINSILL - [6th 14/1]

4:00 6f Fillies Handicap

GRAN CANARIA QUEEN - [WON 7/2]

AUGUSTA ADA - [8th 4/1]

4:30 1m 4f 8yds Handicap

DEW POND - [2nd 7/2]
AUSSIE BERRY - [6th 8/1]

5:00 6f Classified Stakes (3yo)

ALHELLA - [N/R]

EDGAR BALTHAZAR - [3rd 13/8F]

5:30 1m 4yds Handicap

AHOY THERE - [N/R]
TWIN POINT - [N/R]

Results will appear here on Monday evening, and what a shabby bunch of results they were too, another losing day -6.5 to leave us on -24.225 for the season. Things can only get better.

See you next time...

Our next meeting from Pontefract will then take place on Tuesday 7th July.

KEMPTON PARK RACES WEDNESDAY 24th JUNE 2015

Good evening friends....And you're very welcome to another exciting night of racing at Kempton Park (OK that's a bit of an exaggeration I know but you got to try and build up some enthusiasm at times)

It was a bad night at the track last time and we lost 12 points then, however we are still ahead to the tune of +20.47 profit to a 1pt level stake at SP. Could do with putting a few more points in the bank though, but half way through the year and not looking bad. 


Let's be the first past this post tonight again ...

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/24-06-2015/fast-cards

We've a 7 race card tonight with  5 handicaps so plenty to get stuck into tonight, we'll be racing under the lights from 6.20pm with an Apprentice Jockey Handicap over a mile. 

Bit stretched for time so if I don't get back to updating this later at least I've put up the selections for Wed night in advance.

Here we go with our selections for tonight's handicaps;

18:20 - 1m Apprentice Handicap

Not many here with strong form claims but CROWNING STAR is fairly consistent and has a decent apprentice on board so is the tentative selection for this opening handicap.

[11th 14/1].

18:50 - 1m Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier)

These qualifies regularly attract a decent field and 14 are declared again for this latest series. Seems prudent to try two versus the field and both FIRST EXPERIENCE and LEAR'S ROCK are at attractive prices to make this worthwhile.

[3rd 20/1].

19:50 - 1m 3f Handicap (3yo) (London Middle Distance Qualifier) 

Might be time to give an old pal another try, THE GAY CAVALIER took a couple of handicaps earlier in the year and has had a month break. [11th 25/1]

Top weight QANAN would be our other selection against a max field of 14 again. [4th 6/1]


20:50 - 6f Fillies Handicap

The fillies turn now and just the 12 for their event. Where BIRDIE QUEEN N/R can take advantage of the 7lb discount his jockey can claim and together with ACQUITTAL they'll be our pair against this field.

[4th 6/1].


21:20 - 2m Handicap

Keeping with the theme of two verses the rest in these max field handicaps and it's DUKES DEN with LADY KNIGHT.

[3rd 8/1 and 9th 20/1].

Whatever you are doing have a good evening, few places and N/R but a 7 point loss for tonight. 

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

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[SUNDAY AFTERNOON 21st JUNE]

6th Meeting of the season ...

Following the last meeting we are now standing at a figure of -12.875pts, 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 next meeting of the 2015 Season, our sixth, it's a seven race card on what I hope will be a nice sunny Sunday afternoon in June. It will get under-way at 2.10 with a 6f maiden. 

The forecast going is currently reported as 'Good' the weather for this weekend is for dry, sunny weather but there is a chance of showers on Sunday afternoon.

Here are our selections for Sunday afternoon;

2:10 6f Fillies Maiden (2yo)

SUNNUA  [2nd 7/2]

VOCALISE   [9th 66/1]

2:40 1m 4f 8yds Maiden (3yo)

SPRING DIXIE    [2nd 11/10]
FAITH MATTERS    [3rd 10/11]

3:10 1m 2f 6yds Handicap

CHADIC    [2nd 11/4]
ABBEY ANGEL   [4th 3/1]

3:40 1m 4f 8yds Listed

CONNECTICUT   [WON 4/7]
NANCY FROM NAIROBI    [2nd 6/1]

4:10 2m 1f 216yds Pontefract Cup Handicap

AWAYWITHTHEGREYS     [5th 9/2]
SAMTU     [Pulled up 9/2]

4:40 1m 4yds Fillies Handicap

ATLANTIC AFFAIR    [3rd 2/1]
LA DOROTEA    [WON 10/3]

5:10 6f Handicap

APROVADO    [WON 9/4]
DANOT    [2nd 6/1]

Three winners today and plenty of places, even got two small forecasts up as well however it means a small loss of 4.85 points today to the WIN part, a shame but we'll get a big winner soon I can feel it. So we are down -17.725pts.

Our next meeting is on Monday 29th June.

ROYAL ASCOT 2015. DAY FIVE SATURDAY 20th JUNE

SATURDAY WEATHER UPDATE -- Mixed weather through this period with the risk of rain or possibly heavy showers for Saturday afternoon. Also some dry weather with some sunshine. 

Temperatures close to average, perhaps locally warm. with a Very High Pollen count forecast too. High of 19C

GOING -- GOOD TO FIRM


DAY FIVE

OUR FINAL DAY OF THIS SEASON'S MEETING AND IT'S BEEN A BIT HIT AND MISS I HOPE YOU HAVE BEEN BACKING RYAN MOORE AS HE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN UNSTOPPABLE IN MOST EVENTS. 

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 7f 2yo's -- Just the dozen taken the stage for Saturdays' opener and it will be a surprise if the Aiden O'Brien trained BALLYDOYLE cannot make the frame at least for the red hot Ryan Moore. 

LOVE THE KITTEN from the USA is probably the big danger.

2:30 Result
1st 6 Suits You (FR)  (C Demuro 14/1)
2nd 8 Ballydoyle (IRE)  7/4 f
3rd 5 Sixth Sense (IRE)  12/1


3:05 WOLFERTON HANDICAP 1m 2f -- You really can leave Ryan Moore alone this week and hopefully you are quids in if you been backing him each day. In this 10f contest he's on Sir Michael Stoute's PROVENANCE.

We'll take that one along with COLLABORATION from the Andrew Balding yard and those pair against the field for us.

3:05 Result
1st 4 Mahsoob  (P Hannagan  7/4 f)
2nd 15 Sennockian Star  12/1
3rd 1 Fire Fighting (IRE)  16/1

3.40 HARDWICKE STAKES 1m 4f -- Group 2 with just the 7 declared, last years winner TELESCOPE reappears and should be right there, but I fancy a big price and a big run from RED CADEAUX to gatecrash the party one more time. 

3:40 Result
1st 6 Snow Sky  12/1
2nd 1 Eagle Top  2/1


4:20  DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES 6f -- Today's Group 1 and 15 declared for the sprint, no great surprise that Aiden O'Brien's DUE DILLIGENCE has been well supported this week to take this and best grab the price cos it won't last.

We'll have a look at GORDON LORD BYRON at 20/1 too as he usually runs well here and while doesn't appear in form could well surprise.

4:20 Result
1st 13 Undrafted (USA)  14/1
2nd 3 Brazen Beau (AUS)  7/2 j
3rd 2 Astaire (IRE)  25/1


5:00 WOKINGHAM STAKES HANDICAP 6f -- It's just not Ascot without a massive field handicap and today we've the Wokingham and 28 runners. 

It seems that the low draw has been favoured during thie week in the sprints, and as such we take two from that side in ZARWAAN and GAMESOME though whatever wins will need some luck in running and there's bound to be a few hard luck stories afterwards. 

5:00 Result
1st 13 Interception (IRE)  10/1
2nd 6 Robert Le Diable (FR)  12/1
3rd 3 Lancelot Du Lac (ITY)  25/1
4th 28 Related  50/1


5:35 QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES 2m 6f  -- We conclude with the longest distance race on the Flat calendar, an event that is often targeted by the National Hunt trainers who are surprisingly absent this time around. 

All except the phenomenal Willie Mullins who saddles the unbeaten WICKLOW BRAVE. 

5:35 Result
1st 6 Oriental Fox (GER)  4/1
2nd 14 Taws  25/1
3rd 8 Teak (IRE)  10/1

BYE BYE FOLKS, SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR. LUV QUEENIE

ROYAL ASCOT 2015. DAY FOUR FRIDAY 19th JUNE

Friday Weather update -- A good deal of cloud on Friday though all places will probably stay dry. With all the cloud temperatures will be down a little compared to Thursday. Forecast High of 18C

Going -- GOOD TO FIRM

DAY FOUR

What a wonderful Gold Cup day, the feature winner TRIP TO PARIS and Graham Lee getting the plaudits and justifying the owners decision to pay the additional fee to supplement the Chester Cup winner. 

The day was another awesome one for Ryan Moore too who is simply unstoppable this week. 

The opening race is at 2:30 it's the ALBANY STAKES a race for 2yo fillies and has a field of 19 runners declared for a 6f dash.

Only one of these yet to win and that's the once raced OUR JOY of Clive Cox, the American LAXFIELD ROAD won a race over 4f at odds on and it's questionable if she'll stay if going flat out, expect something to pass her in the final furlong. 

The Richard Hannon pair seem the ones to focus on, so we'll back both ILLUMINATE and PALENVILLE against the field. 

2:30 Result
1st 9 Illuminate  (R Hughes, 4/1 fav)
2nd 1 Ashadihan  12/1
3rd 4 Elegant Supermodel  20/1
4th 5 Fireglow  20/1


The KING EDWARD VII STAKES is next off at 3:05  

Only the 7 to look through but we do fancy OL MAN RIVER from the Aiden O'Brien yard, and with Ryan Moore banging in the winners I doubt the forecast 4/1 will last long. 

3:05 Result
1st 1 Balios  (J P Spencer, 3/1 2nd-fav)
2nd 5 Mr Singh  8/1


A new race at 3:40 is the COMMONWEALTH CUP a GROUP 1 race run over 6f for 3yo's. 

18 runners declared, the bottom one TIGGY WIGGY was highly regarded last term and lost her reputation by finishing 3rd in the Fred Darling stakes on reappearance and then took 3rd again in the 1000 Guineas at HQ. Is still clearly a good filly but will do well to get in the frame again in amongst the boys. 

LIMATO is the talking horse and couldn't have won easier at Ascot on his reappearance (I was there, it was all over a long way out). Got beat in a Group 2 by ADAAY at Haydock and the pair go again in this event and shouldn't be far away.


3:40 Result
1st 11 Muhaarar  (Dane O'Neill, 10/1)
2nd 10 Limato  9/2
3rd 14 Anthem Alexander  8/1
4th 13 Salt Island  33/1
 

At 4:20 it's another fillies event and this time it's around the mile track for 3yo's, THE CORONATION STAKES.

This GROUP 1 race has 9 runners and 3 of these are owned by the Godolphin yard. While LUCIDA is the shortest price the one from this trio that I'd want to back is SPERRY (currently 14/1). 

ARABIAN QUEEN won comfortably (4L eased) at Epsom last time and is also an attractive price for this albeit she's up in class. 

4:20 Result
1st 2 Ervedya  (C Soumillon, 3/1 joint-2nd-fav)
2nd 3 Found  13/8 fav
3rd 6 Lucida  3/1

At 5:00 we have the DUKE OF EDINBURGH stakes over 1m 4f a race that has attracted 19 runners, once we eliminate the reserves.

We'll pick a pair in form, and as luck would have it they are separated by the width of the track ASTRONEREUS from Amanda Perrett and SENNOCKIAN STAR [N/r] from Mark Johnston's yard will do for us. 

5.00 Result
1st 16 Arab Dawn  (R Hughes 6/1 j)
2nd 8 Ajman Bridge  8/1
3rd 6 Astronereus (IRE)  8/1
4th 18 Libran (IRE)  20/1


Our finale on Friday is now the 2m QUEENS VASE off at 5:35.

Aiden O'Brien has the favourite here with ALOFT but at the odds it has to be worth taking on and it's Her Majesty's FABRICATE that we will be backing to raise the roof.  

5.35 Result
1st 1 Aloft (IRE)  (Ryan Moore 5/2 f)
2nd 10 Tommy Docc (IRE)  33/1
3rd 5 Future Empire  12/1

ROYAL ASCOT 2015. DAY THREE THURSDAY 18th JUNE

Thursday Weather update -- Any early rain in the south soon clearing on Thursday then along with Friday, dry with sunny spells. High of 20C. 

Going -- Good to Firm

DAY THREE

Gold Cup day, also 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. 

Before we reach the big one we've a few other decent events to take in, which will start at 2:30 with the Norfolk Stakes over 5f for 2yos.

While it's obvious the appeal about KING OF ROOKS the fact he's odds on for this event is enough to put us off from a value perspective if nothing else. The place market is where it's at for this one and WATERLOO BRIDGE looks way overpriced at 16/1 for O'Brien and Ryan Moore who is already banging in the winners at the Royal meeting. 

2:30 Result
1st 11 Waterloo Bridge  (R L Moore, 12/1) :) 
2nd 6 Log Out Island  13/8
3rd 5 King Of Rooks  11/8 fav


At 3:05 we have the Tercentenary Stakes (which I know better as the Hampton Court Stakes) and it's a Group 3 for 3yos over 1m 2f. Why they have to mess about with the names I don't know, what does this one mean? 300th anniversary of Hampton Court or what? Can't be that, anyway back to the race ... 

PEACOCK [NAP] is the one for us today, 2nd to this years Derby winner Golden Horn he then went out and took a listed event at HQ. Anything that can get as close to Golden Horn as he did that time should be up to taking a Group 3. 

3:05 Result
1st 13 Time Test  (L Dettori, 15/8 fav)
2nd 11 Peacock  5/1
3rd 8 Mustadeem  20/1


3:40 is the RIBBLESDALE Stakes a Group 2 event for 3yo Fillies (well it IS ladies day). And it's another odds on shot to avoid in PLEASCACH though clearly comes here with the best form. 

John Gosden has ZAMOURA and is priced at 25/1 with Frankie Dettori in the saddle should be a good win/place bet in this field.

3:40 Result
1st 2 Curvy  (R L Moore, 9/2 2nd-fav)
2nd 8 Pleascach  Evens fav
3rd 6 Pamona  8/1

4:20 Ascot -- THE ASCOT GOLD CUP 2m 4f

The Gold Cup is the feature race of the whole week as far as I am concerned, despite all the other Group 1 races I think the mix of Ladies Day and the stayers makes this the day to attend and this year ought to be another cracker. 

Usually goes to something in the forefront of the betting market and no surprise if FORGOTTEN RULES retains his unbeaten status. 

Naturally the trip is the concern as it is for many who come here with lofty reputations, and at a much bigger price is WINDSHEAR, good enough to be 4th in the St Leger last year and 25/1 is about right if you don't fancy the favourite. 

4:20 Result THE ASCOT GOLD CUP
1st 12 Trip To Paris  (G Lee, 12/1)
2nd 9 Kingfisher  5/1
3rd 3 Forgotten Rules  5/2 fav


5:00 is the Britannia Stakes over the straight mile. Only 30 runners (3 reserves declared) so nice and easy as you can tell. 

First for us with the high draw is Barry Hills' SAHAAFY who's is lightly raced and has taken a small handicap at HQ though it WAS on Good to firm going and running in his own age bracket is probably best at this stage. 

On the lower side of things, the unusually named UDODODONTU has the benefit of a recent victory at York in a 17 runner affair which is much more than a lot of these can say.

5.00 Result
1st 2 War Envoy  (R L Moore, 10/1)
2nd 26 Udododontu  14/1
3rd 16 Sacrificial  28/1
4th 6 Carry On Deryck  33/1 


5:35 The King George V Stakes over 1m 4f for 3yos and only the 19 runners for this one. And TAPER TANTRUM is one that could be able to make this step up in grade as his recent placing behind a couple of decent types reads well.

SPACE AGE looks the pick of the Godolphin pair. 

5.35 Result
1st 6 Space Age (IRE)  (W Buick, 9/1)
2nd 3 Scottish (IRE)  7/1
3rd 10 Marma's Boy  16/1
4th 5 King Bolete (IRE)  9/2



Should be able to update results from today during the early evening, and we've still got Friday and Saturday to enjoy. 

Oh and if this wasn't enough there's another meeting from Pontefract to savour on Sunday afternoon. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2015. DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 17th JUNE

Wednesday Weather update -- High 21C Wednesday, warm, humid, sunny spells but an increasing breeze. 

Going -- Good to firm

DAY TWO

Well the sun shone and the champagne flowed, oh and there was a bit of racing on ... Once again 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 4:20 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 16 are declared to do battle today.

The market leader IVAWOOD was placed in both the English and the Irish 2000 Guineas and is dropped in class and should go close. However at the price I would want to be taking him on and SIR ISSAC NEWTON could be up to this company and 12/1 is attractive too.

2:30 Result
1st 2 Dutch Connection  (Jim Crowley, 14/1)
2nd 16 Fadhayyil  9/1
3rd 4 Bossy Guest  8/14th 13 Tupi  14/1



The 2yo Fillies race Queen Mary Stakes next up at 3:05 and a field of 23 line up. And while it's possible to cross out about 6-7 of these on form the rest could be anything having raced about once or twice at most. 

It's my policy to take one from each side in these large fields and look for bit of value at the same time, the first one that appeals to me is Mick Channon's filly KASSIA [drawn 22] who was 2nd here before taking a Sandown maiden event.

On the other side it's Mark Johnston's filly DELIZIA [drawn 8] a twice winner and took a listed event at York before coming here, should be close. 

3:05 Result
1st 2 Acapulco  (R L Moore, 5/2 fav)
2nd 10 Easton Angel  13/2
3rd 3 Besharah  6/1
4th 13 Kurland  14/1


The Duke of Cambridge Stakes is off at 3:40 but makes little appeal to me from a betting perspective. INTEGRAL should win if tuned up for Sir Michael Stoute's team and maybe Clive Brittain's RIZEENA is the best alternative. 

3:40 Result
1st 4 Amazing Maria  (J Doyle, 25/1)
2nd 8 Rizeena  7/1


Today's Group 1 race The Prince of Wales Stakes goes off at 4:20. The French raider and multiple Group winner in his native country ECTOT to take this multinational Group 1 contest. 

Raiders from all over the globe line up and WESTERN HYMN is the hope of the home team for the inform Derby winning trainer John Gosden. 

4:20 Result
1st 5 Free Eagle  (P J Smullen, 5/2 fav)
2nd 9 The Grey Gatsby  9/2
3rd 10 Western Hymn  8/1


The big handicap of the day is the Royal Hunt Cup at 5pm with only the 30 declared (excluding the reserves) it's clearly fairly simple. 

Will probably split into two groups which may give us some clues for the finale over the same trip. We will be on last years winner FIELD OF DREAM at 20/1 from the low drawn side and on the other side let's have YOU'RE FIRED with Graham Lee a good booking here. 

5:00 Result
1st 15 Gm Hopkins (Ryan Moore, 8/1)
2nd 27 Temptress (IRE) 9/1
3rd 5 Chil The Kite 16/1
4th 4 Balty Boys (IRE) 25/1

We sign off on Wednesday with the Sandringham Handicap [5:35] over the straight mile for the fillies. 

Only 17 this time for the end of day two, and we'll look to the Queen's colours with Jamie Spencer on board TOUCHLINE to give us a Royal winner in the appropriately named event.

5:35 Result
1st 1 Osaila (IRE) (L Dettori, 13/2)
2nd 3 Always Smile (IRE)  2/1 f
3rd 12 Touchline 15/2
4th 2 Jellicle Ball (IRE) 8/1