KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #4 27th JANUARY

Kempton Park next evening fixture will take place on Wednesday night 27th January. The meeting will begin at 16:40 with a 6f Handicap contest.

Despite a winning week last time out we are having to carry over a small loss into week 4 of -1.5 points, and will continue to keep a running total of our results to a 1pt win at SP, the focus remaining on the Handicap events and a few selected conditions or listed events too.

This season we are also selected a few short favourites to "lay" our first two have been successful, last week got an 8/13F beat which was nice and we'll hope to keep our 100% record for as long as possible. These are likely to be occasional bets through the season and these statistics will be kept separately to the main profit / loss figure this year.

Forecast going is Standard as usual, the weather has dropped in recent weeks and suggest you wrap up warm as it's likely to be no higher than 2C tonight.

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/27-01-2016/fast-cards.

This weeks card has 8 races where 7 are Handicaps, lets see if we can find a winner or two tonight.

Here are our selections for those handicaps;

16:40 -- 6f Handicap.
Tonight's meeting gets under way with this 6f Handicap contest, but even with 11 runners it's very uninspiring. Am fairly reluctant to go for a horse that is 11 years of age now but WE HAVE A DREAM [8th 16/1] was placed when last seen here and has 13 wins from his 102 runs with another 24 places so has form and is still running well. Not a big bet to start with but a definite place bet.


17:40 -- 1m 4f Handicap.
A rematch on paper here with FERN OWL and TANGRAMM facing one another again after the former won by a head at Wolves about three weeks ago.

While plenty of attention will be on these and it's hard to call the result of that match again I am going to side with INDIRA [NON RUNNER] despite top weight has run well here and course form might be preferential.


18:10 -- 6f Handicap (3yo).
A sprint event for 3yo's only now, and while the comedian in me want's to follow GO ON GO ON GO ON this one seems too short a price today based on a couple of maiden events.

Instead the one with plenty of form especially in Nursery's is the top one KINGSLEY KLARION [WON 3/1]. Mark Johnston should be ready with this one having run last week and doesn't tend to come to Kempton without a good chance.


18:40 -- 1m Handicap (3yo).
Another 3yo contest now and 9 declared include recent Wolves winner NOUVELLI DANCER [WON 6/4] who has a 6lb penalty to cope with and has landed a decent low draw so could be hard to peg back if in the same mood.


19:10 -- 1m Handicap (Div1).
This mile event has been divided and Division One has 10 declared largely out of form types looking for some help from the handicapper. BLACKADDER [10th 33/1] has the help of a decent 5lb claimer on board and if he has a "Cunning Plan" could go well at a price, along with bottom weight LET IT GO [9th 25/1] who's only had a few runs and might be slowly getting the hang of it on the AW and worth a small bet.


19:40 -- 1m Handicap (Div2).
And with Division Two we can look at the other 9 runners and it's a race we were successful with last year when Jackpot popped up at 25/1. Not sure if we can repeat that but lets try anyway, CROWNING STAR [9th 8/1] was hampered when close up towards the finish last time here, and has won off a higher mark too, so a chance is taken on that one off bottom weight.


20:10 -- 1m 4f Handicap.
And our finale this week over a mile and half is a race where I expect CARTOGRAPHIC [4th 6/4] to confirm his recent course and distance win here on his UK debut (ex Irish, sire - Henrythenavigator).

Might not be a big price again but should see these off before being reassessed again by the handicapper.


Staked -- 8 points
Returns -- 7.5 point (Indira N/R, 2 winners)

Loss b/f -- -2 points.

Lays -- 2/2 (100% both odds on favs successfully beat)

Results will appear here during the course of the evening.

A Beautiful sunset ...

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #3 20th JANUARY

Our latest evening meeting here at Kempton Park will take place on Wednesday night 20th January. The meeting will begin at 16:40 with a 1m Handicap contest.

We carry over a small loss into week 3 of -2.5 points, and will continue to keep a running total of our results to a 1pt win at SP, the focus remaining on the Handicap events and a few selected conditions or listed events too. 

This season we are also selected a few short favourites to "lay" our first one was successful at 10/11F, these are likely to be occasional bets through the season and these statistics will be kept separately to the main profit / loss figure this year.

Forecast going is Standard as usual, the weather has dropped in recent weeks and suggest you wrap up warm as it's likely to be no higher than 2C tonight.

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/20-01-2016/fast-cards.

This weeks card is an ALL Handicap affair, 6 races to go through and no rest for the punter, lets see if we can find a winner or two tonight.

Here are our selections for those handicaps;

16:40 -- 1m Handicap
The opening race is the first of three 1m Handicaps, 14 runners to look through, LITTLE INDIAN [3rd 8/1] was runner up when last racing around here a repeat of which should see him go close again in this company. 

In addition will be on the bottom weight ENDLESS SEAS [11th 16/1] who has not had a lot of runs for a 5yo and will be a decent price for Catherine Gannon to steer home after a six month absence (the horse, not Cath).


17:10 -- 1m Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier)
This is a good quality handicap for the series and though restricted to 3yo's usually gives us a true run competitive race. 

Early for many of these to be thinking about the final but the one I think looks most forward here is William Haggis' RAHYAH [6th 3/1]. This filly has had three runs, runner up twice and not beaten far each time, interesting they target this instead of finding a maiden event.


17:40 -- 1m Fillies Handicap
The third mile handicap in a row now, although this is restricted to the ladies only and has 8 declared for us to ponder.

The top weight and likely fav is OAKLEY GIRL, at 11/8F looks short for us despite winning three contests in the past and is going to be our 2nd Lay bet of the year. [BEAT! 2nd 8/13F]

So if we get the fav beat who's going to win for us? Well we fancy going with LADY MARL [5th 12/1] and MAIDEN APPROACH [3rd 10/1] as both priced about 12/1 this could be a big result


18:10 -- 1m 4f Handicap
An 11 runner affair now, CARTOGRAPHIC [Non Runner] looks interesting with only a penalty for his recent win here over the weekend. The draw could have been kinder but assuming they take their chance should be right up there in this crowd. 

The only other "in form" one is WELL OWD MON but he's one who is usually seen at Wolves and might prefer another spin around there instead of Surrey.


18:40 -- 1m 3f Handicap
Tricky one again looking through them for multiple winners on the AW does flag up WHINGING WILLIE [WON 8/1] who has 5 wins to his name and although 7yo now at least has recent winning form too over the Christmas / New Year season. 

Also on the short list is MR RED CLUBS [10th 12/1] with 7 wins and a further 12 places to his tally, admittedly has been campaigned around Wolves for a while but we take that chance at the price.


19:10 -- 7f Handicap
And for our finale a 7f poser, really only two likely to be involved in the finish with Bridge Builder up another 6lbs and has had two recent runs in short succession so we go with INVECTUS HERO [6th 2/1] even though his last win was over 6f should get this trip being out of Paco Boy.


Staked -- 9 points
Returns -- 10 points (8/1 Winner 18:40 and a Non Runner in 18:10)

Loss b/f -- -2.5 points. 
Up a point tonight overall, so -1.5 points going into next week.

Lays -- 2/2 (100% both odds on favs successfully beat)

Well a good evening really, a decent winner couple of places and the short favourite beaten. Ok overall the returns are small but a fun night, plenty of action, and plenty to take forward. 

A Beautiful sunset ...

2015/2016 FOOTBALL SEASON. AFC WIMBLEDON vs MANSFIELD (H)

SATURDAY 16th JANUARY 2016

After having last weekend off with no FA Cup games to play the Dons look to get another three points at home against another play off chasing opponent in Mansfield. They have just beaten Stevenage 2-1 last weekend and currently sit a couple of places above the Dons in 8th. 

The Dons recorded a fine 1-1 draw when they visited Field Mill in September and spurred on by their emphatic win over Cambridge in their last fixture should fancy their chances this Saturday. However the Dons will need to be very wary of top scorer Matt Green as well as on loan attacker James Baxendale (23) who has arrived on loan from League One high fliers Walsall and scored in that 2-1 win over Stevenage.

We shall update on Saturday before kick off with the confirmed starting XI for both sides and any further news as it comes available. 


Line Ups (to be confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON
Odds -- 21/20 (William Hill) 


Shea (Gk),  Fuller (c), Osborne,  Robinson,  Meades,  Barcham,  Rigg,  Bulman,  Taylor,  Elliott,  Akinfenwa


Subs – McDonnell (Gk),  Kennedy,  Beere,  Fitzpatrick,  Azeez,  Sweeney,  Gallagher

MANSFIELD TOWN
Odds -- 13/5 (William Hill) 


Jensen (Gk),  Hunt (c),  Pearce,  Tafazolli,  Adams,  Clements,  Chapman,  Westcarr,  Lambe,  Baxendale,  Green


Subs – Shearer (Gk),  Rose,  Collins,  Beardsley,  Blair,  J Thomas,  McGuire

 

H/T Score – 0 - 1


First Half Comment;
Not a good start for the Dons as they goal behind to the dangerous Matt Green in under 10 mins. Prior to that we had our first booking of the match to Karleigh Osborne.

Long way to go but plenty to do with the Dons wasting a couple of chances to level it up in the opening 20 mins. 

As the first half drags on there's little to write about, Wimbledon having a couple of pot shots but always high and wide of the mark, while Mansfield seem content to time waste already at any set piece, and must be confident of maintaining this one goal lead.

As it stands Wombles are down to 12th, we need some improvement in the second half. 


F/T Score – 3 - 1


Match Summary;
Great result to come from one behind at half time to score three times and leapfrog Mansfield to 8th place and thus the play off charge is definitely ON this year. 

Goals from Taylor, Meades and Azeez sent the home fans away delighted.


Man of the Match – Tom Elliott.

Referee -- Fred Graham, 51, from Essex. A league official since 2004. Reffed Wombles 7 times, including the brilliant 3-2 home win v Luton last Feb when Connolly scored the last minute winner. Reffed Mansfield once; A 3-0 loss away to Oxford in 2014 (4Y). Hates the scum. Reffed them once against Stevenage and they lost. Top man. Hates them. In 19 games this season he has given 82 Yellows and 1 Red card - that's a huge card count so if you can find a bookies get on. 

Dirty Mansfield are top of the fouls league as usual, so no change from their Conference days then, with 336 fouls so far. They have the most yellows too, 56, and 3 reds. We haven't seen this level of consistent brutality since the Somme - the BBC don't need Motson or Alan Green to commentate their games, they need Ted Bundy or Charlie Manson (granted, Bundy's dead, but he's still better than Green).

Attendance – 4,089.

Next match:
Saturday 23rd January vs Notts County (Away)
League Two 3:00pm

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #2 13th JANUARY

Kempton Park hosts it's second evening meeting of 2016 at the Sunbury venue this Wednesday night on 13th January. The meeting will begin at 16:35 with a 7f Maiden.

Last week we started off with a nice small profit of +2.5 points and will continue to keep a running total of our results to a 1pt win at SP, the focus remaining on the Handicap events and a few selected conditions or listed events too. 

This season we are also selected a few short favourites to "lay" and last week our first one was successful at 10/11F, these statistics will be kept separately to the main profit / loss figure this year.

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/13-01-2016/fast-cards.

There are 6 races scheduled on the card and this includes 4 handicaps so we will be kept busy covering these.

Here are our selections for those handicaps tonight;

17:10 -- 1m 3f Handicap
Our opening contest tonight features a good field of 12 runners, looks wide open and as it's a low grade event recent form can go out of the window. 

I'll side with the pair of I'M HARRY [3rd 14/1] and FAIR COMMENT [4th 25/1], both are course and distance winners and are high and low so we'll have options either way they break out. Close but not quite enough, place win though.


17:40 -- 1m 4f Amateur Riders Handicap
The amateurs turn now, so often a race left till the back end of the night but here they are so they can get round, jump off and head home for tea ! 

A field of 10 tonight, with Godolphin providing an interesting handicapper in GOOD JUDGE [8th 11/10] who will have Alex Ferguson in the saddle claiming 3lb. No don't worry it's not Sir Alex, this youngster is pretty good and has a superb chance of a big yard to impress here.



18:40 -- 6f Handicap
Tricky sprint handicap up now, MISU PETE [Non Runner] has already done us a good turn last year winning in January at 25/1, not sure they'll be as generous with the odds this time around but one to go on the short list. 

Additionally at the other end of the weights we've got GOLD BEAU [3rd 11/1] with Cath Gannon on board. Has been runner up on last two visits here and worth a go to claim another win.

19:10 -- 7f Handicap
Though we've 11 declared reading some of their recent form you have to wonder if any of them can win lol. So many tailed off, pulled up and finishing a near distance away leaves us with only a few real options. 

FAIRY MIST [7th 8/1] seems likely to give his running again and despite top weight has wins in the bag and can use that experience to good use here.



Staked -- 6 points
Returns -- 1 point (Non Runner)

Profit b/f -- -2.5 points.

Lays -- 1/1

Couple of places at good prices but no wins tonight, just the one non runner and we go from a 2.5pt Profit into a 2.5pt Loss to take forward. 

A Beautiful sunset .. or is Heathrow on fire....

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #1 6th JANUARY

Kempton Park hosts it's first evening meeting of 2016 at the Sunbury venue this Wednesday night on 6th January. The meeting will begin at 16:10 with a 1m 4f Handicap.

Once again we will be covering this regular fixture on Wednesday evenings throughout the year, keeping a running total on our ups and downs but focusing on the Handicap events and a few selected conditions or listed contests too.

A link to tonight's race card can be found here;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/06-01-2016/fast-cards.

There are 7 races scheduled on the nights card and all bar one race is a handicap so we will be kept busy covering all these. The going as is often the case here is Standard, weather forecast for Wednesday night is for prolonged periods of rain, becoming windy later on. Temp 4C

Here are our selections for the handicaps tonight;

16:10 -- 1m 4f Handicap
Our opening contest of the season for this blog is a mile and half handicap where 14 are declared to face the starter. 

TAKE NOTE [14th 33/1] and TOAD CORNER [6th 25/1] are the pair I will be following in the win and place markets against the field. It's a very open event and this pair have some excellent jockeys booked which could help.


16:40 -- 1m Handicap (3yo)
The next event has 8 declared but it's the Top Weight AUTUMN BLOSSOM [Last 10/11F] who needs the closest look at. A winner of a Southwell maiden on her only start is forecast an even money fav for this event. I'd have to be a lay of this one purely on the basis of it's lack of experience, is up against colts this time and racing over further. [Very poor effort but first laid fav of the new year successful.]

So hoping to get the fav beat is one thing, what can win is another, WINGED DANCER [WON 5/1] looks a well bred type to go well in this grade and should be able to get close enough to place even if the jolly obliges.


17:10 -- 1m Handicap
Straight forward 1m contest with another 8 ready to line up, very open I would look at the likes of CD winner ALKETIOS [7th 5/1] who popped up at a big price here last summer and has run well over 7f lately so the step back up to the mile ought to help.


18:10 -- 1m 4f Handicap
US NAVY SEAL a winner at Chelmsford and having been placed both there and Lingfield comes here in decent form if you excuse the Unseating on the penultimate start.

ROBINS PEARL has a couple of wins over a shorter trip, could be interesting if staying this far, but at a bigger price ROYAL WARRANTY [7th 9/2] merits plenty of respect and has stayed this far.


18:40 -- 7f Handicap
We will keep this one simple and dive into DUTCH GOLDEN AGE [WON 5/2] a recent winner of a maiden here.

19:10 -- 6f Handicap
The finale is another tricky sprint handicap, BLACKTHORN STICK [8th 5/1] could be interesting at the bottom of the weights and has plenty of experience around here too.


Staked -- 7 points
Returns -- 9.5 points
Single win to a 1pt stake at SP. 

Laid Favs - 1/1 so far.

The 2016 season starts with a profitable evenings work, thanks to a couple of winners putting us +2.5 points for opening meeting. 

And we also saw the successful lay of the short fav in the 16:40 but will just keep a separate tally of these which may only be now and then. 

A Beautiful sunset .. or Heathrow is on fire....

CHELTENHAM NH MEETING - NEW YEARS DAY 2016

Welcome to 2016, Happy New Year to you all.

We kick off the year with the traditional meeting at Cheltenham, it is now only 10 weeks till the festival so each meeting has it's own clues to the future. 

Today it's a 7 race card, the feature events are a pair of Grade 2 contests, the Dipper Novices Chase over 2m 4f and the Relkeel Hurdle also over 2m 4f.

Here are our selections for the card; 

12:10 -- 2m 4f 56y Novice Hurdle

CAPTAIN CHAOS (for those of us that remember the original Cannonball Run films). [7th 7/2]


12:45 -- 3m 2f 70y Handicap Chase

DE KERRY MAN [U/R 3 out]


13:20 -- 2m 4f 166y Novices Chase (Grade 2 The Dipper Novices Chase)

SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT [WON 7/2]
Stays well and the heavy ground might find it hard for some of the others here. 


13:55 -- 2m 4f 166y Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

JOHNS SPIRIT [6th 11/1]
A decent price (16/1) and a horse that does his best work around here, could well spring a surprise under Josh Moore.


14:30 -- 2m 7f 213y Handicap Hurdle

Pairing ACCORDING TO TREV [12/1] and BATAVIR [Pulled Up] against the field here sure to be fast and furious up front where I'd expect to find these so if they still there 2 out well in with a chance. 


15:05 -- 2m 4f 56y Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2)

Top Notch looks a risky fav given there's doubts about whether he'll stay further so looking at COLE HARDEN [3rd 9/2] to beat off Whisper who has been a bit disappointing. 


15:40 -- 1m 5f 209y Open NH Flat Race

Very open bumper to end with so we'll chance two at good prices with CABLE [8th 25/1] and ONE OF US [4th 8/1] against the field. 


Will aim to update results later in the day

GOODBYE 2015 ... HELLO 2016

All the best for the year ahead, we'll be back with more racing, more football, more laughs. 


So have fun, live well, and no regrets. 

Remember that love IS the answer. 
HAPPY NEW YEAR.