KEMPTON PARK RACES 2018 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #23 21st NOVEMBER

The evenings continue to draw in and get darker early, but the lights are on here always at Kempton on Wednesday.

Christmas is looming large next month and will soon need to get them cards and gifts sorted ( I hate Christmas ). The football news is that we continue to keep losing in the league (eight losses in a row now) which meant that we finally sacked manager Neal Ardley with no replacement in sight and only just scraping through the FA Cup against non league opposition I for one was pleased for a decent weekend of racing at Cheltenham and we now come back to Wednesday nights Somewhat glad I can come back to this blog as we continue to follow the progress of handicap races on the Wednesday night races here at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey. We've not had the greatest year to date sadly and are falling behind now although it's a bit up and down this is now into the last few months as we reach meeting number twenty three. There are usually 4-5 handicap races covered and some Lay bets too with separate totals recorded to SP throughout the year. 

We are ready for week number twenty three, and as we push on into the latter part of the year we need to find that winning habit again as we need to recover and take a dent out of the losses to date since we find ourselves down -64.72 points to SP, would be nice to continue turning this around and there is still a fair way to go we need some more winners soon and alas we record to starting prices.

As we continue to focus on the handicap contests for each Wednesday evening meeting we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too if one is available. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1 point level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds than this but for the purpose of these results here we simply record SP returns only.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures, having a disappointing time with these of late keep on finding winners, this season though means we are currently 19/30 going forwards with these for 2018 and we at least keep accurate figures win or lose. 

This Wednesday is meeting number twenty three for the 2018 season and we are expecting an eight race card tonight with three handicaps and a Listed Contest for us to look through and enjoy the action which will commence at 16:10 with the the first of our handicaps tonight.

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

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a dark and cloudy day we a decent chance of rain so might be best to stay in the bars between races (just a suggestion) but we can still have a good night even with the threat of rain a top temperature will be about 10C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

16:10 -- 1m 1f 218yds Handicap.
We start our evening with a 14 runner handicap where top weight UNIT OF ASSESSMENT hasn't been seen since February after winning a Lingfield contest and therefore might need the run after his layoff.

RAAQYAH has the breeding and in top ownership but hasn't set the world on fire, however this is probably her best opportunity to date and a big run wouldn't be a shock. 

But we are going with two 3yo against the field with EXCELLERATION [7th 12/1] and GO FOX [3rd 3/1] who both have placed form and yet still have time on their side.

18:40 -- 1m Listed 'Hyde' Stakes.
A decent race for this fixture with £20k+ to the winner and eleven declared for the prize. Top two are FLAMING SPEAR and HATHAL who are 10lb higher than most of the rest on ratings. The other contender looks to be Andrew Balding's STRAIGHT RIGHT [5th 7/2] and this 4yo has won his last two contests so will take a lot of beating and is selected along with VICTORY BOND [4th 4/1] against the field.

19:10 -- 1m 7f 218y Handicap.
A nice staying prize up for grabs now with little over £15k for the winner and a field of eight declared. While both the market leaders ALQAMAR and BAYDAR will be popular they are too short for us so will be following the fortunes of the two bottom ones DARKSIDEOFTARNSIDE [Non Runner] and BILLY RAY [3rd 5/1] the latter having won a couple of races so far and steps up in trip once more after his latest victory.

19:40 -- 1m 3f 219yds Handicap.
Our finale over just under mile and half with a field of just eight looks wide open and will have to side with the course winners LANDUE and RYDAN against the rest.

Staked -- 8 points.
Returns -- 1 points.

Results will appear here later on Wednesday night. Overall the losses are sadly increased to the current level of -64.72 points. Last few meetings of the year left to make a dent into that hopefully, no joy again tonight, not great and down -71.72. 

LAYS -- 19/30 so far, beginning to get them beat regularly now, and if we have one or two Lays tonight they will be updated here also. One success and the other a non runner so we now 20/31.

Tonight's Lays;

FOREST OF DEAN -- 17:40 (7f Novice) Non Runner.
BAYDAR -- 19:10 (1m 7f+ Handicap) LOST 5th.

Our next meeting here at Kempton Park will be in a few weeks time on WEDNESDAY 5th DECEMBER so hope to see you then.

CHELTENHAM NH NOVEMBER MEETING - SUNDAY 18th NOVEMBER

This is the only Sunday where racing takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse throughout the year. This Sunday holds particular prevalence as we mark the centenary of the Armistice with Gloucestershire and Racing Remember. In addition to the top quality racing, there will be a number of themed activities and commemorative events throughout the day, including the charity for the day Combat Stress. 

The meeting always provides glimpses of future stars and it was no different in the latest renewal of the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle. The runners were well bunched throughout the race with no certain winner appearing. Eventual Cheltenham Festival winner, Summerville Boy took the lead as they climbed the Cheltenham Hill, drawing clear of the rest of the field by 3 lengths but Slate house, under Harry Cobden, fought back to win the race by 3/4 of a length.

At 10:50, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, soldiers dressed in WW1 uniform, will march in contingent in the Parade Ring. At 11:00, the Cheltenham Steam Train will arrive with contingent of Glosters on board, followed by an Act of Remembrance in the Parade Ring at 11:15. At 12:30, there will be an Aerial Combat Display above the Racecourse, followed by a parade on the Racetrack at 1:30. There will be a host of WW1 themed activities inside The Centaur, including a field hospital and a Jet Age Museum.

Come along for a fantastic day of racing, also pleased to announce that HRH The Princess Royal will be attending Gloucestershire Remembrance Day at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Surface:   Turf
Going:     Good to soft 

13:15  Steve And Sue Ibberson Happy Retirement Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
(Class 3, 2m 5f, 24 runners)
A winner first time out last season PALMERS HILL [WON 7/1] only raced three times and might be best fresh despite the weight. Along with the consistent HURRICANE DYLAN who picked up couple of smaller races already and worth a look in this company.

Result
1 (3) Palmers Hill 7/1  [Jonjo O'Neill Jr.]
2 (24) Unblinking 16/1
3 (23) Offshore Oscar 12/1
4 (17) Valadom 33/1

13:50  Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices' Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The November Novices' Chase)
(Class 1, 1m 7f 199y, 6 runners)
A race with a small field but focus on the top two where DEFI DU SEUIL is selected to beat CLAIMANTAKINFORGAN. 

Barry Geraghty's charge is already a course and distance winner over the smaller obstacles but a multiple winner in that sphere and can use his class to take this.

Result
1 (4) Lalor 11/2  [R Johnson]
2 (3) Dynamite Dollars 3/1

14:25  Shloer Chase (Grade 2) (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase)
(Class 1, 1m 7f 199y, 6 runners)
A small select field, looks like a safe round of jumping secures SCEAU ROYAL this prize. [WON 5/4F] Brain Power is second favourite more on reputation than form, as his jumping went to pot last year so will be the Lay bet. Paul Nicholls has a chance with Le Prezien as a course and distance winner but we think this looks like a banker bet for the Alan King inmate.

Result
1 (3) Sceau Royal 5/4 Fav [D A Jacob]
2 (1) Simply Ned 28/1

15:00  Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
(Class 1, 2m 87y, 20 runners)
A field of 20 now, top weight OLD GUARD would be of more interest if Harry Cobdon was on board after his successful time on Saturday so will look further down the weights and DEYRANN DE CARJAC for Alan King with NUBE NEGRA of Dan Skelton against this field.

Result
1 (19) Nietzsche 20/1  [Danny McMenamin]
2 (6) Silver Streak 12/1
3 (1) Old Guard 16/1
4 (2) Verdana Blue 9/2 Fav

15:30  Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle)
(Class 1, 2m 87y, 6 runners)
Plenty of quality amongst the six declared here, with both ANYTIME WILL DO and COLONEL CUSTARD on a good run this term and if they are to be beaten it's probably SEDDON who is the most likely candidate with any amount of improvement following his easy Stratford win.

Result
1 (4) Elixir De Nutz 5/1  [H Cobden]
2 (1) Itchy Feet 5/1

16:00  High Sheriff Of Gloucestershire And Racing Remember Standard Open NH Flat Race (Listed)
(Class 1, 2m 87y, 9 runners)
We sign off for this weekend with a bumper, Philip Hobbs won this event last year and his THYME HILL will be popular having already picked up a flat race at Worcester and along with MCFABULOUS (Paul Nicholls) are our final selections today.

Result
1 (3) Master Debonair 3/1  [James Bowen]
2 (7) Thyme Hill 8/1
3 (9) Kissesforkatie 33/1

Hope you enjoyed a good weekend too. 

CHELTENHAM NH NOVEMBER MEETING - SATURDAY 17th NOVEMBER

The November Meeting takes centre stage. Day Two of the biggest Jump racing fixture before Christmas features the iconic BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham Racecourse. 

The racing highlight of The November Meeting always draws a large, high-class field and was won last year by the popular Splash Of Ginge and Tom Bellamy for local trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies. 

Surface:  Turf
Going:  Good to Soft

12:40  Jcb Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (registered as The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle)
(Class 1, 2m 87y, 7 runners)
We open the Saturday meeting with a Grade 2 hurdle a trial for the Triumph Hurdle here in March. We have a short price favourite here NEVER ADAPT from the Nicky Henderson yard, so we would rather take that on with the pair of  CRACKER FACTORY (Alan King) and QUEL DESTIN (Paul Nicholls) [WON 10/3] who both hail from top yards and the former is a multiple winner already. 

Result
1 (2) Quel Destin        10/3 [H Cobden]
2 (1) Cracker Factory 3/1

13:15  Mallardjewellers.com Novices' Chase 
(Class 2, 3m 80y, 6 runners)
Small select field of six now for the Novice Chase, another likely odds on favourite here with The Worlds End who again we would like to oppose with MINELLA AWARDS (Harry Fry) and IBIS DU RHEU (Paul Nicholls) [WON 11/2] the latter getting a handy 5lb from the jolly.

Result
1 (4) Ibis Du Rheu 11/2  [H Cobden]
2 (6) Theatre Territory 8/1
3 (2) The Worlds End Evens Fav

13:50  Betvictor.com Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
(Class 1, 3m 3f 71y, 16 runners)
We are due to see the seasonal reappearance of the 2015 Gold Cup winner CONEYGREE who having had his injury issues finds himself back in handicap company off top weight and needs to find himself again after another disappointing return last year. 

COGRY ran a race full of merit in defeat last time out and that will give him a fitness advantage today over a lot of these. Also expecting a big run from ROCK THE CASBAH over the extended trip. WON 9/1

Result
1 (5) Rock The Kasbah 9/1 [R Johnson]
2 (7) Royal Vacation 14/1
3 (1) Coneygree 12/1
4 (6) Singlefarmpayment 11/2 Fav

14:25  BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 
(Class 1, 2m 4f 44y, 20 runners)
A cracking event now with massive field of chasers, and it's our friend MISTER WHITAKER [NAP] who we once again expect to roar home here having landed a massive punt at the festival last March. Has already won again this term and should have little trouble coping with the ground and expectations. [4th 6/1]

He will meet RATHER BE on amended terms than his Cheltenham win but looks on the upgrade still and will pair the two against the field.

Result
1 (7) Baron Alco 8/1  [J E Moore]
2 (1) Frodon 16/1
3 (17) Guitar Pete 12/1
4 (2) Mister Whitaker 6/1 Fav

15:00  Regulatory Finance Solutions Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) 
(Class 1, 2m 7f 208y, 11 runners)
BOYHOOD and WEEBILL look worth following and can run well here stepping up in trip again. The favourite looks like First Assignment who just succeeded last time and might be vulnerable. 

The two Pipe runners DELL ARCA and VIEUX LION ROUGE are interesting at big prices if there is any market move for them.

Result
1 (7) First Assignment 6/4 Fav [T J O'Brien]
2 (2) Boyhood 10/1
3 (5) Goodbye Dancer 25/1

15:30  Cheltenham Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle 
(Class 2, 2m 5f, 15 runners)
CHRISTMAS IN APRIL hails from a yard that knows the time of day and he has come here from Nicky Henderson. Looks on the upgrade although with 15 runners it's going to be fast and furious. 

POINT OF PRINCIPLE ran well in defeat last time and while that might be his best form shows he's in good order and can certainly be expected to place, looks worth keeping on the right side of.

Result
1 (14) Speedo Boy 4/1 Fav [T J O'Brien]
2 (13) Mahlervous 28/1
3 (7) Lungarno Palace 16/1

16:00  Karndean Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (listed Race)
(Class 1, 2m 87y, 15 runners)
We end Saturday with a Listed class "Bumper" on the flat, where it looks safest to stick to the proven form of Champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins who brings over ROYAL ILLUSION who has already won by a long way at Cork and Punchestown. Will probably be back for the Champion Bumper in March but this is a nice prize to pick up on the way.

Result
1 (15) The Glancing Queen 16/1  [Wayne Hutchinson]
2 (7) Mega Yeats 9/1
3 (12) Royal Illusion Evens Fav

An update for Sunday meeting is now available

CHELTENHAM NH NOVEMBER MEETING - FRIDAY 16th NOVEMBER

The three day Cheltenham November Meeting commences with Friday featuring Countryside Day, a tradition dating back over two decades where money is raised for the Countryside Alliance and Racing Welfare.

This year’s race-day looks set to be as exciting as ever with a number of different Countryside themed events taking place before and during racing. This includes a demonstration from working gun dogs. The dogs, along with ferrets and a hawk will be in the paddock between 11.10 -11.30 and on the members lawn between 12.10 -12.30. Other displays during the day will be Denius Parson is an architectural chainsaw sculptor based locally in Painswick, Gloucestershire. He creates bespoke sculptures and wooden buildings from wood, including tree trunks and large prices of beautifully patterned wood. Based in the Guinness Village between 11.30 and 12.15 Denius will be showcasing this unique art form. 

Another four legged breed will be racing on the day. As well as the six horse races, a pack of trail hounds will race on the course before the first race. Hound trailing is a race between hounds along an artificially laid scent trail. Popular in northern England and Scotland, hound trailing originated in the 18th century as a means of various hunt masters testing their fox hounds against each other in match races. 

It is a longstanding Countryside Day tradition that after the second race, a number of hunts from the south west and midlands will be on course, along with the Cotswold hounds. Racegoers are welcome to join the packs on the racecourse, ground conditions permitting.

That all sounds great and the country folk will love it, maybe the townies will be less excited and will stay in the bars. For us it's the kick off for the NH season with the first BIG meeting now that the flat has closed till spring. 

Surface: Turf
Going: Good to soft; cross country: good-good to firm in places

12:40  Markel Insurance Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase 
(Class 3, 3m 1f, 11 runners)
Our opening event is for Amateur riders but in this case it includes a Gold Cup winning jockey in the very experienced and capable Sam Waley-Cohen who rides THE YOUNG MASTER [WON 9/2]. Patrick Mullins is another who has plenty of experience in Ireland and at the Festivals so his ride SKY PIRATE is also selected against the field.

Result 
1 (4) The Young Master 9/2 [Mr S Waley-Cohen]
2 (6) Station Master 7/2 Fav
3 (1) Walk In The Mill 25/1

13:15  Fairlight Books Novices' Handicap Hurdle 
(Class 3, 2m 87y, 20 runners)
A big field is always likely here and 20 runners line up for the 2m hurdle. We side with a pair of good priced types against the field here starting with useful flat horse JACBEQUICK who won last time out and David Pipe knows how to play the handicapping game. 

MY BROTHER [2nd 7/1] lurks at the foot of the handicap and is interesting at 16/1 too has improved on each appearance for this yard.

Result
1 (14) Red Hot Chilly 33/1  [P J Brennan]
2 (20) My Brother 7/1
3 (3)   Voodoo Doll 18/1
4 (19) Guido Reni 50/1

13:50  Betvictor Handicap Chase 
(Class 2, 1m 7f 199y, 7 runners)
Our two against the field in this competitve chase are the market outsiders, ROCK ON ROCKY might need the rain but still capable, and PEPPAY LE PUGH too is improving.

Result
1 (2) Bun Doran 9/4 Fav [P J Brennan]
2 (6) Movie Legend 6/1

14:25  Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Chase 
(Class 2, 2m 4f 44y, 7 runners)
The novices take on the two and half mile chase course here now and COUNT MERIBAL [WON 4/1] from the Twisten-Davies yard has already won a contest and that experience will be crucial here. LE BREUIL won a match last time, albeit by a long way and should be suited by the small field too.

Result
1 (1) Count Meribel 4/1  [M D Grant]
2 (4) Le Breuil 8/1

15:00  Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 
(Class 2, 3m 6f 37y, 7 runners)
TIGER ROLL won the Grand National and this might be a prep race to keep him going until that meeting next year, looks opposable at the price though. The 13yo BLESS THE WINGS is a course and distance winner here and might be the value in a small field.

Result
1 (3) Josies Orders 2/1 Fav [M P Walsh]
2 (7) Fact Of The Matter 7/1

15:35  Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle) 
(Class 1, 2m 5f, 9 runners)
The finale is a Grade 2 hurdle contest where PERCY VEER should go well but has to give 5lb to all. KAPGARRY and CAPTAIN PEACOCK both look interesting at decent prices and these are my selections for today.

Result
1 (3) Coolanly 7/2  [P J Brennan]
2 (8) Pym 9/4 Fav
3 (1) Percy Veer 25/1

Updates for Saturday and Sunday will follow.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2018 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #22 14th NOVEMBER

The evenings continue to draw in and get darker early, but the lights are on here always at Kempton on Wednesday.

Bonfire weekend might have come and gone yet the fireworks still going off all night long ... The national hunt season in action now too away from the all weather tracks and trips to Ascot and Cheltenham will be on the cards between now and the new year. The football is best forgotten about for the time being as Wimbledon keep losing (seven without a win now in the league) yet the manager is still in situ, although we did win 1-0 against a lowly non league side on TV to get into the second round of the FA Cup. Fed up watch a lack of passion so glad I can come back to this blog as we continue to follow the progress of handicap races on the Wednesday night races here at Kempton Park racecourse in Surrey. We've not had the greatest year to date sadly and are falling behind now although it's a bit up and down this is now into the last few months as we reach meeting number twenty two. There are usually 4-5 handicap races covered and some Lay bets too with separate totals recorded to SP throughout the year. 

We are ready for week number twenty two, and as we push on into the latter part of the year we need to find that winning habit again as we need to recover and take a dent out of the losses to date since we find ourselves down -56.72 points to SP, would be nice to continue turning this around and there is still a fair way to go we need some more winners soon and alas we record to starting prices.

As we continue to focus on the handicap contests for each Wednesday evening meeting we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too if one is available. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1 point level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds than this but for the purpose of these results here we simply record SP returns only.

We will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures, having a disappointing time with these of late keep on finding winners, this season though means we are currently 17/28 going forwards with these for 2018 and we at least keep accurate figures win or lose. 

This Wednesday is meeting number twenty two for the 2018 season and we are expecting an eight race card tonight with four handicaps and a 2yo Nursery (if I have time) for us to look through and enjoy the action which will commence at 16:30 with the first handicap over a mile. 

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

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a dark and cloudy day we a decent chance of rain so might be best to stay in the bars between races (just a suggestion) but we can still have a good night even with the threat of rain a top temperature will be about 14C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

16:30 -- 1m Handicap.
We open with a low grade handicap and fourteen declared for it, FREDDY WITH A Y has a win around here but going with two who are both Course and Distance winners who should still have enough in this level, they are COOKIE RING [8th 40/1] a seven year old who was winning here last year in similar sort of event and he's selected along with ERTIDAAD [6th 13/2] who has seen his rating fall from 72 to 47 and won off this so they appear to be in with a chance in a poor race such as this.

18:30 -- 7f Nursery Handicap (2yo).
Including the nursery contest too, a cosy field of eight for what is a reasonable event of it's type here, John Gosden sends INTRICATE [7th 12/1] a filly bought for 240k and with the yard in great form this year should be taken note of in the betting. 

Having been campaigned at Ascot and York the Richard Hannon trained SPELL [Pulled Up] might appreciate this easier company and the yard do well with their juvenile fillies.

19:00 -- 6f Handicap.
Better handicap here (class 3) and nine in the line up where MERLIN [6th 3/1] and BUSBY [3rd 10/1] will be selected against the field. The latter might only be a 3yo but has won here and at Chelmsford on the all weather and while in good heart expected to make a strong bid for the hat trick.

19:30 -- 1m 3f 219yds Handicap.

A seven runner affair next with a reasonable grade for the evening, headed by Great Hall who is dropping down the weights and now 9lb lower than his win in April, best watched for now. CASPER THE CUB [WON Evens] won again last time here and could have the 5lb in hand easily so will certainly look to get on board again. GRAND INQUISITOR [2nd 8/1] is our other candidate in a rather open contest.

20:00 -- 1m 3f 219yds Handicap.

Our finale tonight has a field of 14 and will not be easy to find the winner here, top weight PERFECT MYTH has had a few runs including some NH Flat races too but doesn't look the type to go in over this trip first time in a handicap, maybe of interested when stepped up in trip later. 

LIFE KNOWLEDGE [8th 14/1] was successfully at Newcastle last time out for this same rider and should be followed to go in again tonight. Rocksette looks more at home down at Brighton and is opposed so we instead pick KARAM ALBAARI [9th 20/1] despite his preference for Lingfield has at least been around here before.

Staked -- 10 points.
Returns -- 2 points.

Results will appear here later on Wednesday night. We had a few near misses recently but overall the losses are sadly increased to the current level of -56.72 points. Couple of months of the year left to make a dent into that hopefully. 

LAYS -- 17/28 so far, beginning to get them beat now, and if we have one or two Lays tonight they will be updated here also. Got them both beaten tonight, we move onto 19/30

Tonight's Lays;

17:30 -- ARCTIC OCEAN [1m Novice Stakes] LOST 10th.
18:30 -- GLORIOUS CHARMER [7f Nursery] LOST 4th.

Our next meeting here at Kempton Park will be next week on WEDNESDAY 21st NOVEMBER so hope to see you then.