QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 28th JULY - SAT 1st AUG] -- DAY FOUR

FRIDAY

Thursday was not the best and even a winner didn't soften the blow, we are now behind to the tune of -0.725 on wards to Day Four.

We are only looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

Going -- Good.
Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 21C



2:35 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes 1m (Group 3)
A race that revolves around the fav from Godolphin, LATHARNACH and if in good order should win this easy, but I don't think the yard are in that great form now and he's too short for me. 

I like the chances of MOHEET [6th 6/1] and MALABAR [WON 6/1] against the field the latter was a good 4th in the 1000 Guineas.

Where did you get that hat ... 

3:10 Betfred Mile 1m (Heritage Handicap)
A nice big handicap now with 20 runners over the mile it'll have a few hard luck stories for sure, and we'll start with MUNAASER [5th 7/1] who deserves another chance of a big prize having met trouble last time but still finished second. 

That one is drawn low so we'll even up our chance with one from the other side in AYAAR [6th 12/1] who has the assistance of Frankie which must help.


3:45 King George Stakes 5f (Group 2)

Must still be worth keeping on the good side of the improving OUT DO [10th 8/1] with the yard in good order he's already accounted for a number of runners in this field and can do so again.

The yard also run MOVE IN TIME [3rd 7/1] so we'll take the pair versus the field here.

That's all for Friday, we started well with a nice 6/1 winner but after not so well, still it turned as a 1pt profit today for level SP wagers, as such we have a +0.275pt profit to go forth into the final day. 

Saturday will therefore be updated soon and the conclusion of this years meeting will feature a great card including the Group 1 Nassau Stakes and also the Stewards Cup handicap.

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2015 [JULY 27th -- AUG 2nd] -- DAY FIVE

DAY FIVE


The fifth day is another evening meeting and will begin at 5:10pm with a 2m Handicap Hurdle. The feature race tonight being the éu60k Guinness Handicap over a mile and half (well almost). 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- Yielding
Weather Forecast -- A high of 18C with plenty of sunshine forecast. 

DAY FIVE SELECTIONS;

5:10 -- TANDEM [4th 7/1]

5:45 -- PALMETTO DUNES [2nd 10/11F]

6:50 -- The feature race for Friday is the 1m 3f 180yds GUINNESS Handicap. Dermot Weld has SHOW COURT in this who was runner up in the same event last year so should know what is needed to go one better tonight. [7th 7/1]

7:25 -- PICTOGRAM [2nd 5/2]

8:30 -- GOOD TRADITION [2nd 9/10F]

Day Five Figures -- looking at a 5pt loss tonight, favs getting beat and winners hard to find, just got the weekend ahead to put this right. It's the first year in a long time that this festival has performed so badly, perhaps the master's spell is waning.


D Weld p/l for week +/- currently [-17.5pts]
Overall week p/l to date -- +/- currently [-21.5pts]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Day Six [Saturday] is about to be published and we hope that the weekend can make the figures look a little better. At least Goodwood has been better this year, and we've updated that meeting too already for it's finale.

Still enjoying this excellent week of racing.

QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 28th JULY - SAT 1st AUG] -- DAY THREE

THURSDAY 

RIP Sir Peter O'Sullevan. The Voice of Racing sadly passed away on Wednesday, aged 97 he one of racing's most recognised personalities and will be sadly missed. 

Wednesday was a little sad in many respects and we dropped a few points so just the +0.9 points profit to take forth into Ladies Day. 

We are only looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

So lets look at Day Three which is of course Ladies Day we've got a Group 3 and a pair of Group 2's which include the feature race the 2m Goodwood Cup;

Going -- Good.
Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 19C

2:35 Richmond Stakes 6f (Group 2) 
With the defection of Air Force Blue it's looking likely that SHALAA will take the beating for the inform Gosden / Dettori team. [WON 11/8F]

Of the rest they seem fairly even but will change RIFLESCOPE from Mark Johnston who runs two and does well at this meeting. [6th 11/1]

Where did you get that hat ... 

3:10 Goodwood Cup 2m (Group 2)
Ascot Gold Cup winner TRIP TO PARIS is on a roll still and looks a good solid option to take this unless the ground changes though still looks good value at 4/1. [3rd 5/1]


3:45 Molecomb Stakes 5f (Group 3)Our final supporting race today is a 14 runner Group three sprint. LADY DRAGON [5th 8/1] catches the eye with plenty of consistent form in the book, and JORDAN PRINCESS [3rd 7/1] has the benefit of winning around this course so we'll aim to play the pair against the field for the win.

That's all for Thursday, a small loss today making it -0.725 down for the meeting so far, we will soon have an update for Friday which will feature the Group 2 King George Stakes. 

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2015 [JULY 27th -- AUG 2nd] -- DAY FOUR

DAY FOUR

Good news and Bad news. 
First of all congratulations go to all connections of Galway Plate winner Shanahan's Turn. Sadly we lost one of the real greats of the sporting world RIP "The Voice of Racing" Sir Peter O'Sullevan who passed away on Wednesday aged 97.

But we must move on to our fourth day which will begin in the afternoon at 1:50pm with a 2m 6f Beginners Chase. The feature race today, and indeed for the week, is the Grade A Galway Hurdle over a two mile, and is worth over 180,000 euro's to the winner. 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- NH -- Good, Flat -- Yielding, Yielding to soft.
Weather Forecast -- A high of 19C with the overall outlook of sunshine so have a good afternoon.  

DAY FOUR SELECTIONS;

1:50 -- WAAHEB [3rd 7/1]

3:00 -- ROCK CRITIC / ROACHDALE HOUSE
Both we're Non Runners today

3:30 -- TESTED [2nd 2/1]

4:05 -- GRECIAN TIGER [3rd 10/1]

4:45 -- Today's big race the Galway Hurdle, Dermot Weld runs HISAABAAT who doesn't seem to have the form in the book to be a big player despite winning on the flat recently. Priced up at 16/1 so maybe a small EW play. [16th 20/1]

It's not an easy race to win off top weight but you would take Willie Mullins / Ruby Walsh to give it a good go with DIAKALI
[13th 4/1]

5:25 -- MAGIC KITTEN [18th 5/1]


Day Four Figures -- A few places the best we could do but a bad day with a loss of 6 points to add. 

D Weld p/l for week +/- [-12.50pts down]
Overall week p/l to date -- +/- [-16.50 down]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Day Five (Friday) will be published soon, and we'll hope for better luck then. Enjoy your week.

QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 28th JULY - SAT 1st AUG] -- DAY TWO

WEDNESDAY 

Day One was a success with the winner, (plus the forecast) and a non runner in our two selected races means we go forth into Day Two with a nice +4.5 points profit to show. 

We are only looking at the major races each day not the entire card so focused on the main Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week.

So lets look at day two we've got a pair of Group 3's with the Group 1 Sussex Stakes sandwiched between them;

Going -- Good.
Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 18C


2:35 Gordon Stakes 1m 4f (Group 3) 
A good field of 10 for this Group 3 contest, Aiden O'Brien brings over HIGHLAND REEL who will probably go off fav, but looks worth taking on based on last run at the Curragh and needs to bounce back. 

Since the strategy of picking two reasonable priced horses versus the field worked nicely yesterday we'll aim to repeat this with SCOTTISH / SPACE AGE looking to step up in grade, with both about 9/1 that looks worth a risk.
[Highland Reel won with Scottish 2nd 7/1]


3:10 Sussex Stakes 1m (Group 1)
Unbeaten in his last six contests, the most recent three were Group 1s, SOLOW is not surprisingly the odds on fav here. Having already won at Royal Ascot this summer the trip over should be no problem and it's difficult to see any flaws. 
[WON 2/5F]

Godolphin run two and it's BELARDO from the in form Roger Varian yard that can chase the fav home. [7th 9/1]

3:45 Molecomb Stakes 5f (Group 3)
Another field of 10 here as Washington Dc is a non-runner.

This leads us to side with the Richard Hannon team and KING OF ROOKS. [2nd EvensF]

Wednesday didn't fare as well as day one but couple of 2nds and an odds on winner in the feature means we lost some of our profit and now carry over just +0.9pts

Day three should be ready soon and we'll try and get back on track before the end of the meeting this Saturday. Thursday of course is Ladies Day and features the 2m Goodwood Cup. 

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2015 [JULY 27th -- AUG 2nd] -- DAY THREE

DAY THREE


The Galway festival is off with a bang, first couple of days see's us a little behind on -7.75pts but am slightly ahead over at Goodwood which helps. It's early days ...  

The third day begins a little earlier than the opening fixtures and will begin at 3:00pm with a 2m maiden hurdle, but the feature race this afternoon is the Grade A Galway Plate over 2m 6f which will get underway at 5:30pm. 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- NH -- Good ; Flat -- Yielding
Weather Forecast -- A high of 16C with a chance of a few showers later as it has been so far this week.  

DAY THREE SELECTIONS;

3:00 -- STUCCODOR [2nd 13/8] 

4:45 -- TIME TO INSPIRE [WON 5/4F]

5:30 -- GALWAY PLATE (2m 6f) No D. Weld horse in the feature race is a slight surprise but we'll be backing RULE THE WORLD today, a runner up in the Irish National and is as effective over the slightly shorter trip. Available around 16/1 so EW shout. [Slipped up? 8/1]

6:40 -- SHAHZEENA [7th 10/1]

7:10 -- NEW AGENDA [4th 4/7F]


Day Three figures -- A near washout today with one short winner and 3 losers for D Weld as well as a calamity in the big race which I've not yet seen the repeat of.

D Weld p/l for week +/- [-7.50]
Overall week p/l to date -- +/- [-10.50]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Results to update later tonight, and Day Four should be ready by then, not forgetting our other updates this week from the 'Glorious' Goodwood meeting. Have a great week.

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2015 [JULY 27th -- AUG 2nd] -- DAY TWO

DAY TWO


The Galway festival is off with a bang, and we nearly broke even on day one with a couple of winners but a tiny loss of 0.25pts to level stakes at SP. 

The second day is another evening meeting and will begin at 5:15pm with a 2m Novice Hurdle. The feature race tonight being the Topaz Handicap over a mile. 

As mentioned on day one our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- Yielding
Weather Forecast -- A high of 16C with a chance of a few showers later in the evening.


DAY TWO SELECTIONS;

5:15 -- No Weld horse but we'll have a small wager on THREE STARS in the opener. [2nd 12/1]

5:45 -- WAAHEB [Unseated 6/1]

6:15 -- SIMANNKA [2nd 13/8]

6:50 -- A 14 runner 1m Handicap is the feature race for day two and is named the Topaz Handicap worth 72,000 euro to the winner so worth a second glance

Mr Weld runs STAY DE NIGHT [14th 4/1] here and we'll have that in our list for sure, and we'll try an each way punt on the bottom weight RULER OF FRANCE [8th 25/1] at about 20/1. 

7:20 -- VALAC [9th EVENS]

7:50 -- NORTHERN ROCKED [12th 9/2]

8:20 -- GRECIAN TIGER [4th 5/1]

Day Two figures -- A wipe out today so loss 8 points overall, -6 for D Weld horses, -2 for other selections.

D Weld p/l for week +/- [-5.75 loss]
Overall week p/l to date -- +/- [-7.75 loss]

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Results to update later tonight, and Day Three featuring the Galway Plate should be ready by then, along with some info from Goodwood this week. Have a great week. 

QATAR "GLORIOUS" GOODWOOD FESTIVAL [TUES 28th JULY - SAT 1st AUG] -- DAY ONE

TUESDAY

Though it may not be officially called Glorious Goodwood now, it's still one of the places to go in July/Aug and while I am focused on Galway this week there are plenty of good races here in Sussex. 

I will look at the major races each day not all the card but Group Races or major handicaps. The meeting runs to Saturday and we'll keep running totals of profit / loss throughout the week. 

So lets look at day one;

Going -- Good.
Weather -- Generally sunny, bit breezy and high 18C


2:35 Qatar Vintage Stakes 7f (Group 2) 
This race has a select field of nine, the Godolphin operation run two with big chance (Birchwood / Strong Challenge) but we look away from them to GALILEO GOLD and IBN MALIK against the field

They must be highly regarded by their owners having been upped from maiden / novice company into this Group 2, but the price makes it worth a punt. 
GG -- WON 9/2 / IM -- 2nd 5/1

Winner and the forecast, nice touch for day one.


3:10 Qatar Lennox Stakes 7f (Group 2)
Once again Godolphin run a pair, Toormore / Safety Check would certainly need a good inspection, the going might be a concern but I choose to follow LIMATO closely this season after a good opening win at Ascot.  Non Runner

That's all for Tuesday, we'll have a pair of Group 3 plus the Group 1 Sussex Stakes to tackle on Wednesday. 

GALWAY FESTIVAL 2015 [JULY 27th -- AUG 2nd] -- DAY ONE

DAY ONE

The Galway festival is week long feast of racing, across both codes and a good excuse to visit one of the great Irish venues. 

The opening day actually doesn't start till the evening with the first race of the meeting due off at 5:15pm. The feature race tonight being the Connacht Hotel Handicap. 

Our recent years have focused on the horses from trainer Dermot Weld and we will continue to track his progress this week though we might also offer one or two other selections in particular the feature races if no Weld runner is declared.

Going -- NH - Yielding Flat - Soft
Weather Forecast -- A high of 16C with a chance of a few showers later. Take a mac... 

DAY ONE SELECTIONS;

5:15 -- ZAYAFAN [2nd 11/8]

5:45 -- DEFINING YEAR [3rd 5/1]

6:15 -- TRUE SOLITAIRE [WON 6/4]

6:50 -- The feature race of the first evening, a 2m handicap on the flat will always attract the interest of the NH trainers. 

Tonight no exception and Willie Mullins will be supported with his pair of White Out / Wood Breizh [4th 12/1] while Jessica Harrington too has a good chance with her consistent dual purpose horse Modem [Won 5/1], but we are sticking with Dermot Weld here who has a great chance of yet another winner with SIERRA SUN. [5th 9/1]

7:20 -- TADAANY [2nd 13/8]

7:50 -- HARASAVA [WON 9/4]

8:20 -- No D Weld runners.

Day One figures -- Just the pair of winners on Day 1 and a few places but sadly a small losing day to kick off week. 

D Weld p/l for week       loss -0.25pts
Overall week p/l to date  loss -0.25pts 

Summer, Horse Racing, Galway, Irish Women, Guinness = Life IS Good.

Results will appear here on Monday evening along with 'Day Two' to be published shortly, we're also racing at 'Glorious' Goodwood too this week starting on Tuesday, so two top meetings to enjoy. 

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

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[SUNDAY AFTERNOON 26th JULY]

10th Meeting of the season ...

An overdue profitable meeting last time out so we are now looking at a small loss of -2.25pts, and we will now look at taking the next step to securing a profit for the season as we move into the second half of the year. All results for this meeting will are returned to a level stake at SP, and will also show any forecast results too in the daily results but these do not count for the profit / loss figures. 

Our next meeting of the 2015 Season, the tenth so far, it's a seven race card on what I hope will be a nice sunny Sunday afternoon. It will get under-way at 2.20 with a 5f maiden for 2yo's. 

The forecast going is currently reported as 'GOOD TO FIRM (Good in places)' the weather for this week is for showers on and off during Fri / Sat night and this may continue into race-day with a high of 14C during the day.

The meeting has a couple of decent looking handicaps (one in memory of Graham Rock) and the main feature is the class 1 Summer Festival Pomfret Stakes over a mile at 4pm. 

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

2:20 5f Maiden (2yo)

MAYFAIR LADY -- WON 13/8

COMEDY NIGHT -- N/R

2:50 1m 4f 8yds Handicap (3yo+)

EL BRAVE -- 5th 22/1

QIBTEE -- 3rd 13/2

3:25 1m 2f 6yds Graham Rock Memorial Handicap

CORNBOROUGH -- N/R
SOPHISTICATED HEIR -- N/R

4:00 1m 4yds Summer Festival Pomfret Stakes

MONDIALISTE -- WON 5/2

SHORT SQUEEZE -- 2nd 4/1

Forecast -- £12.22

4:35 6f Handicap

RIGHT TOUCH -- WON 5/1

VALLARTA -- 4th 15/2

5:10 1m 4yds Maiden

EMINENTT -- 4th 66/1

EJBAAR -- WON  5/2

5:40 5f Handicap

OLDJOESAID -- 5th 5/1
BOXING SHADOWS -- N/R

Another winning day and we've broken into overall profit too for the season so that's great news. Today +5.625pts so that gives us a figure of +3.375 to carry over to the next meeting. 

Have a good weekend, try and keep dry if you can.

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

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[FRIDAY EVENING 17th JULY]

9th Meeting of the season ...

Following the last meeting we are now standing at a figure of -25.975pts, but we still believe and keeping the faith that with one decent return we can put this right 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 onwards to our next meeting of the 2015 Season, the ninth so far, it's a six race card on what I hope will be a nice sunny Friday evening. It will get under-way at 6.30 with a 6f maiden for 2yo's. 

The forecast going is currently reported as 'GOOD TO FIRM' the weather for this week is for showers on and off during Thursday night and this may continue into race-day with a high of 20C during the day but 14C come the evening.

The whole meeting is in support of the wonderful work of the Injured Jockeys Fund and the outstanding work of one man, former trainer Jack Berry, so give generously and get your red shirts out ready for action. 

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

6:30 6f Maiden (2yo)

QUOTELINE DIRECT -- WON 22/1
LADY ARGENTUM -- 2nd 5/2

Forecast was £75.50


7:00 1m 4f 8yds Maiden (3yo)

TOLAH -- 3rd 5/1
LA HOOFAN -- 4th 33/1

7:30 5f Handicap

MUKAYNIS -- 2nd 11/8F

SILVANUS -- WON 8/1

Forecast was £12.85


8:05 1m 4yds Handicap

MARKET SHARE -- Non Runner
KIWI BAY -- 2nd 11/4

8:35 1m 2f 6yds Maiden Handicap

COMANCHE CHIEFTAIN -- 3rd 5/1

ENTITY -- WON 7/4F

9:05 6f Handicap

SWEET MISSI -- 2nd 10/3
TEETOTAL -- 3rd 4/1

YES That's the night we were waiting for!!

3 winners and 2 forecasts, the winners to SP give us a profit on the night of +23.75. Which has dramatically reduced our arrears down to a more manageable (but still disappointing) value -2.25 [points to carry over to the next meeting on Sunday week. 

Happy days have a great weekend.

See you next time...

Our next coverage from Pontefract will take place on Sunday 26th July.