KEMPTON PARK RACES 2017 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #9 29th MARCH

Our ninth meeting into the 2017 season here at Kempton and we arrive here with the turf flat season looming large as the Lincoln season opener at Doncaster is only a few days away at the beginning of April.
 

Last time out was another blow to our earlier good start and having lost another 4.5 points we now find ourselves slightly behind for the season on -9.75 points. Naturally we see this as a temporary blip and will aim to get this back on track in the coming weeks. 

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 endeavors 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 opportunities of short priced favorites too, once again will keep these results separately from the handicap figures. We managed to pick up a pair of successfully beaten favs last time so although we lost on the handicaps we clawed a little back with the lays and will continue with these keeping a separate tally throughout the year.

This week is our ninth meeting for 2017 and we are expecting a six race card tonight. Overall that gives us five handicap contests to review. This evenings action will commence at 17:45 with a Class 7 handicap. 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; 

EVENING RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as Standard to slow once more and the current weather forecast is for a showery day with a max temperature of about 11C when the meeting gets underway and looks likely to remain cold with scattered showers due throughout the evening.

Here are our selections for this evenings 6 handicap races;

17:55 -- 6f Apprentice Handicap (3yo).
Our night kicks off with a weak looking Apprentice handicap, limited to 3yo horses so the lack of experience is shared between horse and rider. Of the nine runners declared for this contest we don't know much about the riders ability but will side with the following pair against the field top one DIXIE'S DOUBLE [8th 16/1] and TEA EL TEE [3rd 5/1]. 

18:25 -- 7f Handicap.
The obvious form pick would be ADMIRABLE ART who won three of his last 5 runs, but as the price isn't going to be too exciting so take that on with a couple at far bigger odds. Step forward THE YELLOW BUS [5th 9/2] having only his second run in the UK but has good form in Ireland including their AW track at Dundalk. Worth a look along with GULLAND ROCK [WON 12/1] who has won around here last season. 

19:25 -- 1m Handicap (3yo).

Another low grade handicap where the interesting one is SIR PLATO [WON 8/1] who has come on leaps and bounds since going handicapping and has only had the five career runs so is still open to some improvement as he gets older, priced about 10/1 so certainly worth a look in the place markets. 

19:55 -- 1m Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier).

Here's another round of the mile series here at Kempton where top weight ALEJANDRO [7th 8/1] can strike again under the excellent Jo Gordon, has some recent form around here in similar contests which should be considered. 

Also like the looks of Jamie Osborne's inmate SPECIAL SEASON [5th 14/1], a decent campaigner at this level and regular win/place form at Lingfield, if that can be translated to here will be right in the mix. 

20:25 -- 6f Handicap.

A field of eight line up for our finale tonight, and I think we will stay with ESCALATING [3rd 9/4F] while he's in good form. Nothing really inspires us here and it's not going to take much to win this. 

Staked -- 8 points

Returns -- 22 points. Two winners, good prices, a winning evening and up 14 points tonight which puts us back in the black ready for April, a decent start really we can kick on now. Now all the results are in we turned a -9.75 point deficit into a +4.25 point profit. 

Lays -- 4/6.
In the Maiden event at 18:55 we take on the fav CHIPPENHAM [LOST 2nd 11/4] was last on debut and wasn't that great next time out, might need a little more time to develop so opposed. Hurrah another loser, 4 from 6 now.



Our next Wednesday evening meeting at this course will be on 5th April.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2017 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #8 22nd MARCH

Our eighth meeting into the 2017 season here at Kempton and after another losing Wednesday evening a few weeks ago we come here with the Cheltenham Festival behind us now and beginning to look ahead to the start of the turf flat season at Doncaster at the beginning of April.
 

Last time out was another blow to our earlier good start and having lost another 6.5 points we now find ourselves slightly behind for the season on -5.25 points. Naturally we see this as a temporary blip and will aim to get this back on track in the coming weeks. 

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 endeavors 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 opportunities of short priced favorites too, once again will keep these results separately from the handicap figures. We managed to pick up a pair of successfully beaten favs last time so although we lost on the handicaps we clawed a little back with the lays and will continue with these keeping a separate tally throughout the year.

This week is our eighth meeting for 2017 and we are expecting an eight race card tonight following the division of the final handicap contest. Overall that gives us six handicap contests to review. This evenings action will commence at 17:45 with a Class 7 handicap. 

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; EVENING RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as Standard to slow once more and the current weather forecast is for a showery day with a max temperature of about 9C when the meeting gets underway and looks likely to remain cold with scattered showers due throughout the evening.

Here are our selections for this evenings 6 handicap races;

17:45 -- 1m Handicap.
We kick off tonight's card with a 14 runner low quality handicap and a race that can fall to MISU PETE [12th 12/1] who has plenty of AW experience and has won around here too. Putting that out there along with A BOY NAMED SUE [7th 4/1] which for those of you who don't know is a classic country song made famous by the great Johnny Cash. 

19:15 -- 7f Handicap.
Better grade now though only 8 declared at time of writing and it's the bottom one we side with here SALEH [WON 7/2] who can make the most of the weight being received from the rest of the field. Was runner up here a couple of weeks back and preceded that with a win here in January, up 5lb but still looks a good chance to score once more. 

19:45 -- 6f Handicap.

UNDER SIEGE [3rd 7/2] ran second here last month and is given a chance to go one better tonight taking on his conqueror that day again FLORENCIO. 

At a more exciting price in the forecast betting market is the filly GWENDOLYN [7th 25/1] who finished 2nd on her only visit to Kempton and has won at Wolves and Ripon since that run so knows how to get in front looks a big price tonight. 

20:15 -- 2m Handicap.

The staying handicap has 11 declared tonight, while Forecast looks the one to be on it's forecast fav (pun intended) so will look for something with a bit more value and that leads us to the 7yo's SHALIANZI [7th 7/1] and NEWTOWN CROSS [8th 8/1] against the field.

20:45 -- 6f Handicap (Div 1) 

The final handicap is now divided and the opening contest is headed by the consistent KRAZY PAVING [6th 6/4F] who has been campaigned around the various AW tracks winning at Lingfield and Chelmsford and can add Kempton to his list tonight. 

21:15 -- 6f Handicap (Div 2) 

Division two isn't up to much either and won't take much winning, JUSTICE ROCK [2nd 11/2] is usually up there at the end and is picked more in hope than anything else, the market will probably be the best guide here.

Staked -- 9 points

Returns -- 4.5 points. 

Results for this meeting will be updated throughout the evening though we are currently down -5.25 points. Lost another 4.5 tonight so that's us down -9.75

Lays -- 3/5.
Just one tonight in the 2nd maiden event, BISHOPS CANNINGS could be opposed in the 18:45. 





Our next Wednesday evening meeting at this course will be on 29th March.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2017 -- DAY FOUR FRIDAY (GOLD CUP DAY)

DON COSSACK WINNING LAST YEARS GOLD CUP

And here we are already the final day of the 2017 Festival and that means crowning a new Champion in the Gold Cup. While the race doesn't quite have the depth of recent years with the injuries to the likes of Thistlecrack it'll still take a good horse to win it. Have a great Friday, bet sensibly. 

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – FRIDAY MARCH 17TH 2017
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, Richard Johnson is on the likely favorite DEFI DU SEUIL but that looks too short for me. Now that Willie Mullins is up and running for the meeting his pair look interesting especially DANDY MAG at 25/1.  Also of interest at a huge price and in receipt of a handy few pounds from the principals is MAGIE DU MA for the David Pipe team at 40/1 looks big. Result -- 1st : DEFI DU SEUIL 5/2F.
2.10pm 2m 1f County Hurdle	Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle (Handicap) If you thought the Triumph Hurdle was tough then it gets worse as the County Hurdle has 26 runners headed by the returning ARCTIC FIRE who was runner up in this very race three years ago.  AIR HORSE ONE is in good form and should be considered if the expected market support comes. While OZZIE THE OSCAR has a squeak on last years form if he can find that again and 40/1 is huge (3rd 50/1) Result -- 1st : ARCTIC FIRE 20/1.
2.50pm 3m Albert Bartlett Novice's Hurdle	Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Just 15 for this before we get to the big race of the day, 3m on this ground looks like DEATH DUTY will be the jolly and has plenty of decent form but 2/1 in such a contest should be opposable.  So I am on AUGUSTA KATE / WHOLESTONE against the field in this while keeping an eye on any strong market moves for the outsiders. Result -- 1st : PENHILL 16/1.
3.30pm 3m 2f 110yds Gold Cup	THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP Missing the ante post favorite this season Thistlecrack would have been a short price to land this but a season ending injury makes it a big chance for the stable No2 to step forward. NATIVE RIVER (3rd 7/2) already proven his staying power landing the Welsh National at Christmas and won around here too.  The likes of Cue Card in my opinion doesn't stay past 3m and the hill will see him struggle if he manages to jump round this time (fell last year), while SIZING JOHN is in good form too and stays so a place bet for sure is the call there.   Result -- 1st : SIZING JOHN 7/1.
4.10pm 3m 2f 110yds Foxhunters Chase	Foxhunters Steeple Chase  Often referred to as the Amateurs Gold Cup this test of stamina on the same course and distance as the big race itself could see yet another repeat win for ON THE FRINGE. The only difference being that regular rider Nina Carberry is no longer available (she's expecting her first child) and is replaced by leading amateur Mr Jamie Codd so a bold bid is expected.  Have not seen much of the hunter chases this season so hard to know what to expect of the bulk of the field. BLACK THUNDER could be interesting now back to a bit of form and has the very able Sam Waley Cohen to assist.  Result -- 1st : PACHA DU POLDA 16/1
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 he is represented by DELL ARCA (33/1) here in the hope that can change today. I can remember the days when Pipe would often have about a 1/4 of the field in some of these handicaps at the big meetings but no longer the force of old.  Amongst the more fancied runners we'll have BATTLEFORD and NO COMMENT if the prices allow against the field. Result -- 1st : CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC 12/1.
5.30pm 2m 110yds Grand Annual Chase	Grand Annual Steeple Chase  The festival finale is the Grand Annual Chase, and we have a field of 24 for this declared overnight. Plenty with chances but anything could win and I'm keen on the bottom weight who looks way too big at 40/1 so WITNESS IN COURT is our first selection from the Donald McCain yard.  Our other selection is from the Colin Tizzard yard who hopefully will have won the Gold Cup earlier so SIZING PLATINUM at 20/1 a live outsider given he should have won last time out.  Result -- 1st : ROCK THE WORLD 10/1. AND THAT'S YOUR LOT FOR THIS YEAR HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR CHELTENHAM 2017

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 2017 -- DAY THREE THURSDAY (STAYERS HURDLE)

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

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – THURSDAY MARCH 16TH 2017
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 today and just a relatively small field of 8 are declared.  YORKHILL is the short price fav for this and is clearly going the right way for connections, will have most to fear from TOP NOTCH who comes here on a run of four wins. At a more each way sort of price the Nigel Twiston-Davies FLYING ANGEL could be interesting but comes with a few risks having failed to complete twice this season already. Result -- 1st : YORKHILL 6/4F.
2.10pm 3m Handicap Hurdle	Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) Much more competitive for this handicap hurdle now with a field of 24 facing the starter. First selection has to be JURY DUTY (3rd) for the inform Gordon Elliott yard, has been winning these big handicaps in recent years and this six year old selection has been campaigned at all the major festivals.  At a much bigger price we also have SUTTON MANOR from the same yard and 33/1 looks worth a play in the place markets at the very least.  And of course you would want to take the progressive TOBEFAIR seriously even though he's gone up 62lb in the weights over his 7 race unbeaten run.  Result -- 1st : PRESENTING PERCY 11/1.
2.50pm 2m 5f Ryanair Chase	Ryanair Handicap Chase  Just the 8 declared here and could be a match between the two Irish yards EMPIRE OF DIRT and UN DE SCEAUX. While Josses Hill should make things interesting too and appeals as best of the rest.     Result -- 1st : UN DE SCEAUX 7/4F.
3.30pm 3m World Hurdle	Sun Bets Stayers Hurdle Feature race of the day now and it's been given it's original name again the Stayers Hurdle (I couldn't ever bring myself to call it the World Hurdle I mean what was all that about.)  Decent field of stayers here with 16 declared, though a short price fav here with UNOWHATIMEANHARRY who having won 8 in a row deserves his place at the head of affairs.  Trying to topple him will be previous winner COLE HARDEN and ex champion hurdler JEZKI.  LIL ROCKERFELLER has been campaigned at the top level too and could be overpriced at 33/1 with place prospects. (Good 2nd) Result -- 1st : NICHOLS CANYON 10/1.
4.10pm 2m 5f Handicap Chase	Byrne Group Chase Another massive field of 24 for what is really a run of the mill chase at the festival (only worth £60k) VILLAGE VIC showed that he still has plenty of life as a 10yo recently though will struggle to give weight away all round and something will be more progressive.  BARON ALCO is a good yardstick and is another who could well place but the win could be a bit too far, so the win bet will be the David Pipe trained STARCHITECT. Result -- 1st :  ROAD TO RESPECT 14/1.
4.50pm 2m 1f Mares Novices Hurdle	Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle While it's not been the greatest Festival for the Mullins / Walsh combination (until today that is) they have a huge chance with LET'S DANCE a mare going places having won four on the bounce should be hard to beat.  VERDANA BLUE could be a lively outsider at 33/1 racing against her own sex and in receipt of 5lb from the fav. Result -- 1st : LETS DANCE 11/8F.
5.30pm 3m 2f Kim Muir Chase	Fulke Walwyn : Kim Muir  National Hunt Challenge Cup (3m 2f) The finale is for Amateur riders and will be a test as the ground will surely be worse for the previous races today, at least the lack of recent rain hasn't made it an impossible task. Obtaining the services of a fairly experienced rider is a huge benefit around here and Nicky Henderson has picked a good one with Will Biddick on board HADRIAN'S APPROACH.  The same trainer also saddles PREMIER BOND and that's got Gold Cup winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen on board. Result -- 1st : DOOMSDAY BOOK 40/1. ENJOY YOUR CHELTENHAM BET SENSIBLY

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