KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #13 30th MARCH

Last week we dropped another 9 points which has quickly taken us up to -17 points loss overall. Hopefully after an Easter break and with no other distractions we can get back on track. At least the places paid a little bit and the LAY bets are also still losing (or winning, depending on your view) things will turn in our favour soon I'm certain.

As always our focus will be on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of the results we record to SP.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and as a result of yet another successful lay last week we have a success rate of 6 from 6. Results for this will be kept separately too and hopefully we can remain at 100% for a long while yet.

This week there's a 6 race card on offer, 5 of which are handicaps and we get under-way at 17:55 with a 6f Apprentice Handicap contest.

Here is a link to the evenings race card;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/30-03-2016/fast-cards

Our first race tonight gets under way at 17:55 it's an apprentice handicap over six furlongs. The going on the polytrack surface as usual is described as Standard and the current weather forecast is for a sunny day but a few showers could appear from about 6pm the temperature is likely to remain at about 10C in the evening so nowhere near as chilly as it has been of late but take a brolly.

Here are our selections for this week;

17:55 -- 6f Apprentice Handicap.
Our opening event is for Apprentices, will ensure we take a look at some of their earlier riding and connections first as it does help if they've had some experience with their mounts in the past. 

Both BLISTERING DANCER [5th 13/8F] and DIAMOND VINE [6th 20/1] have at least had recent outings with their respective apprentices and are worth a play against the field in the hope that this is a bit of an advantage, are both well drawn too.


18:25 -- 7f Fillies Handicap.
The fillies handicap sees a field of 7, robs us of a 3rd place bet option so we will look only for the winner. 

And it doesn't take long to go with the recent winner RIALTO MAGIC [4th 7/1] from Jamie Osborne who gained that win at Chelmsford and can strike again here under similar mark owing to the jockey's claim.


19:25 -- 1m Handicap (3yo).
A mile handicap for 3yo only now, 11 lined up ready for the off and immediately looking at KAFOO [2nd 11/8F] off a fairly generous handicap mark for Ed Dunlop and Paul Hanagan. Might not be much of a price but I still think it's the winner.


19:55 -- 1m London Mile Series Handicap.
Just the 8 declared for the latest in this series, with Harry Holland the least exposed of these and comes off the back of a maiden win at Lingfield. 

Another maiden winner is Bank of Gibraltar and this one has a bit more form with several places too, should run a fair race and be thereabouts, our selection will be ISIS BLUE [7th 4/1] who was well fancied last time out only to un-ship his jockey 2f out, before that was successful and given a chance to atone for that error.


20:25 -- 6f Handicap.
With Gentlemen looking more at home around Chelmsford it would pay to look elsewhere, will chance RIO RONALDO [8th 7/1] and LIGHTENING CHARLIE [5th 11/2] against the field in the finale.


Staked --  7 points
Returns -- Nil points.

Loss c/f  -- -24 Points

Lays -- 6/6 (Still 100%, no lay bet tonight).

Another poor showing the loss is too big it has to fall soon.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2016 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #12 23rd MARCH

Last week we dropped another 8 points while spending too much time enjoying Cheltenham and that is our loss value going forward into Easter. 

We have plenty of time to get things back on track though and the lay bets are also still losing (or winning, depending on your view) things are actually on the up. 

As always our focus will be on the handicap contests for each meeting but will occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1pt level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds but for the purpose of the results we record to SP.

There will also be the occasional lay opportunity of short priced favourites and as a result of yet another successful lay last week we have a success rate of 5 from 5. Results for this will be kept separately too and hopefully we can remain at 100% for a while.

This week there's a 8 race card on offer, 6 are handicaps and we get under-way at 17:45 with a 1m contest.

Here is a link to the evenings race card;
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/kempton-park/23-03-2016/fast-cards

Our first race tonight gets under way at 17:45 it's a handicap over a mile. The going on the polytrack surface as usual is described as Standard and we'll update the weather later though the forecast is for a sunny day and the temperature is likely to remain at about 10C in the evening so nowhere near as chilly as it has been of late.

Here are our selections and the next lay bet for this week;


17:45 -- 1m Handicap.
Our opening event of the evening features 11 runners but only 5lb between them, which for half the field will be offset by claiming allowances of their riders. 

We have 3 course and distance winners which includes last years victor CROWNING STAR [6th 8/1]. Is 5lb lower than that winning mark last year and is certainly worth a bet tonight.


19:15 -- 2m Handicap (Div 1).
The stayers event has been divided and the first division looks open with some experienced handicappers being challenged by a few young upstarts (ok they are 4yo's). 

Will take OPERA BUFF [6th 8/1] and JEZZA [2nd 6/1] against the field, both have the assistance of 5lb claimers and this might prove decisive in the final stages.


19:45 -- 2m Handicap (Div 2).
The second division is more difficult to call, some of these taking a step up in trip from recent runs in particular the top weight GOLLY MISS MOLLY [LOST -- 2nd 11/4F] who is also showing as the 2/1 Fav. 

Though the trip might not stop her I do expect the weight concession will as she is up 8lb for her last CD win, and for those reasons she will by my 6th LAY bet of the season. 

MIGHTY THOR [7th 8/1] is our win / place selection in this event, placed when last here over this trip and wouldn't need to find much to score again.


20:15 -- 6f Handicap.
The 6f sprint presents us with a field of 12 and amongst them is UPSTAGING [2nd 14/1] a winner of his maiden here and has been running regularly since as a 3yo and could be ready to win again based on that form and if fit and ready. 

RICH AGAIN [4th 9/2] has had a recent run here and should be fit enough to do justice off a mark of 78, has won and placed off this mark and higher, seems to hold form well and should be thereabouts.


20:45 -- 7f Handicap.
A race where most of these are in need of a little respite from the handicapper but one that has won many times off much higher than current mark is MAJESTIC MYLES [12th 33/1] and although isn't getting any younger at 8yo has still won already this year off a mark of 88 albeit at Lingfield. Looks over-priced at 12/1.


21:15 -- 6f Handicap.
The finale is a sprint with 10 runners with 6f ahead of them, not made any easier with Tony Carroll running 3 of them, of his trio I would want to be on ASSERTIVE AGENT [3rd 7/1]. 

BURAUQ [6th 7/1] is a regular with Frannie Norton and should go well again here.



Staked -- 9 points
Returns -- NIL points.

Loss c/f  -- -17 Points

Lays -- 6/6 (Still 100%, Tonight's lay lost again).

Not a good evening, only a few places although the Lay got beat again so that's something, Sadly a big loss to carry over. Hope you have a good week and don't scoff too many Easter Eggs this weekend.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2016 -- DAY FOUR FRIDAY (GOLD CUP DAY)

LAST YEARS VICTORIOUS GOLD CUP SCENE

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 18TH 2016
1.30pm 2m 1f Triumph Hurdle	JCB Triumph Hurdle And we’re off…race one on Gold Cup Day. The Triumph hurdle always run at a sprint and might have plenty of these in trouble some way out, so FOOTPAD will be our first selection for the unstoppable Mullins/Walsh pair. At a bigger price we also fancy CLAN DES OBEAUX.  Result -- 1st : IVANOVITCH GORBATOV 9/2
2.10pm 2m 1f County Hurdle	Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (Handicap) 26 runners the biggest field of the week now for the next hurdle contest, with WAIT FOR ME and GREAT FIELD are our pair against the rest of the field this afternoon.  At a big price the northern raider HAWK HIGH is 33/1 and could go well having been a course and distance winner in the past. Result -- 1st : SUPERB STORY 8/1
2.50pm 3m Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle LONG DOG has a string of 1s by his name and comes from the all powerful Mullins yard but is taking a big step up in trip, all that said he should be included in this company.  BARTERS HILL has the form in the book to go off with a strong chance and give one of the smaller yards a nice win at the festival. Result -- 1st : UKNOWWHATIMEANHARRY 11/1
3.30pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	Cheltenham Gold Cup   10 runners for the Gold Cup, doesn't seem the best of renewals as many of the fancies are injured or in the case of Vautour re-routed to other races.  Cue card would bring the house down but I think 3m was the very limit of his ability on a flat track let alone around here, so it seems that DON COSSACK / DON POLI can fight out the finish for Ireland and the same owners.   Result -- 1st : DON COSSACK 9/4F
4.10pm 3m 2f 110yds Foxhunters Chase	Foxhunters Steeple Chase  The Amateurs Gold Cup now, Or the Vicki Pendleton Show as it's become...she's on PACHA DU POLDER but is one to lay as it'll be a lot shorter due to the hype than it truly should be. A pair of decent horses to take the field on are AUPCHARLIE from the Henry de Bromhead yard that don't tend to come here without a good one, and CURRENT EVENT who looks a good price at 16/1 with a jockey that has raced here several times in the past. Result -- 1st : ON THE FRINGE 13/8F
4.50pm 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 and that won't change today as he's surprisingly got no runners. I can remember the days when Pipe would have at least a 1/4 of the field in some of these handicaps.  Oh well onto the race, QUALANDO looks the pick of the Paul Nicholls entries and along with ZULU OSCAR are our picks against the field. Result -- 1st : IBIS DU RHEU 14/1
5.30pm 2m 110yds Grand Annual Chase	Grand Annual Steeple Chase  The festival finale is the Grand Annual, and 24 line up where top weight ARTHURS OAK can provide trainer Venetia Williams a welcome winner. Another ultra consistent horse is ROCK THE WORLD comes here in good order and with a decent round of jumping should go fairly close.  Result -- 1st : SOLAR IMPULSE 28/1 AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR CHELTENHAM 2016

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...until next time.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2016 -- DAY THREE THURSDAY (WORLD HURDLE)

It can get a bit busy at the bar...

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 17TH 2016
1.30pm 2m 4f JLT Novices Chase	JLT Novice's Chase And we’re off…for day three of this years festival. Kicking off with a Novice chase for a change. Nigel Twiston-Davies' yard are going well so far, and wouldn't be a shock if his BRISTOL DE MAI took this, with OUTLANDER the big danger from Ireland. I will try to back the pair against the field in the opener. Result -- 1st : BLACK HERCULES 4/1
2.10pm 3m Handicap Hurdle	Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) Big field as you'd expect for a handicap final here, IF IN DOUBT seems aptly named and carries the first colours of JP McManus though his colours are carried by no fewer than SIX of the runners. I also fancy the chances of OSCAR SAM win/place at a decent price, but it's a tough race to call.  Result -- 1st : MALL DINI 14/1
2.50pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  Now that VAUTOUR has been re-routed here instead of the Gold Cup the race is so competitive would you want to take the 8/11 with so many good horses in the line up?  DYNASTE looks a bit big at 25/1 and could well stay on for a place, you would also be looking at SMASHING who is improving and while not the class of the fav could be an EW/PLACE bet at 20s.    Result -- 1st : VAUTOUR EVENS
3.30pm 3m World Hurdle	Ladbrokes "World" Hurdle (the Stayers Hurdle) Feature race of the day now and it's the Stayers Hurdle (I still can't bring myself to call it the World Hurdle I mean what's that about...)  You don't see too many former Gold Cup winners having a crack at this but we've one today in BOBS WORTH, but you have to expect this to all happen a bit too fast for him now and there are some excellent staying hurdlers in the line up.  Last years winner COLE HARDEN might not get some an easy lead up front this time around but should be thereabouts, the one for all the money and certain fav is THISTLECRACK and I have to say it does make a change to have a short price fav that isn't trained by Willie Mullins. Result -- 1st : THISTLECRACK EVENS
4.10pm 2m 5f Handicap Chase	Byrne Group Chase A 24 runner chase next and you'd want to pass on this surely, unless you want to play in which case I'd only want to look at something at least 20/1 or better for some value. With Colin Tizzard coming here with some hot ammo it wouldn't be a shock if he's also got SEW ON TARGET ready for this.  David Pipe runs three, and his VATICANE won so well at Wincanton could be worth a go too at 20/1 if in the same mood. (Non Runner) Result -- 1st :  EMPIRE OF DIRT 16/1
4.50pm 2m 1f Mares Novices Hurdle	Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle Another Mullins Odds on Fav here with LIMINI for top owner Mr and Mrs Ricci, doesn't appeal at the price though will probably win.  BLOODY MARY looks good at the price to upset or place at the very least.  Result -- 1st : LIMINI 8/11
5.30pm 3m 2f Kim Muir Chase	Fulke Walwyn : Kim Muir  National Hunt Challenge Cup (3m 2f) The finale is for Amateur ridders and will be a test as the ground will surely be worse for the previous races today, at least the rain hasn't made it impossible.  KNOCK HOUSE appeals with top rider Nina Carberry on board and Channon does fairly well with his few NH horses, most of which he inherited from Hen Knight.  TOP WOOD can also run well for another female rider Katie Walsh, they both show as 20/1 shots so would seem good against the field in both win and place markets. Result -- 1st : ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

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