KEMPTON PARK RACES 2020 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS 25th MARCH IS OFF

Welcome to Kempton Park racecourse usually here for Wednesday night action. Sadly as we all know the current climate has changed and pretty much all sport, recreation activity and large gatherings of people are cancelled for the foreseeable future. So as we now look forward to about 12 weeks of self isolation just wanted to wish you all well. Yes we are living in fairly troubling times, not just for horse racing of course, though was interesting to see that Ireland still have meetings and ITV covered the Thurles card on Saturday although the meeting is still behind closed doors. All the football, rugby, cricket etc are off till later in the year at the earliest and the 2020 Olympics will most likely be moved to 2021. What happens next? No idea. But as soon as we know things are getting better we'll be able to plan out the remainder of the year. Sadly we've also lost my birthday race meeting at Ascot (Sagaro Stakes card) and that week off will be very different this time around.

Who knows when the next meeting will be, all we know for the time being is that all racing is off till 30th April at least and even then a resumption appears unlikely. So please take care, hope we will return one day this year, be kind, don't panic and just carry on as best you can. Back Stronger.

THE EMIRATES FA CUP 2020 -- SIXTH ROUND POSTPONED [21-22 MARCH]

This weekend would have seen the 6th round of this years FA Cup Competition sponsored by Emirates. 

Of course with the currently Covid-19 troubles and suspension of all major football means that this will not be taking place as planned. When we know more, which is probably not until end next month at the earliest, we will update here;

Saturday 21st March 2020
LEICESTER CITY  P - P  CHELSEA
. 
NEWCASTLE UNITED P - P MANCHESTER CITY
.
SHEFFIELD UNITED  P - P ARSENAL

.

NORWICH CITY  P - P MANCHESTER UNITED

.

All football off till at least 3oth April and further discussions ongoing about maybe cancelling the season, or deferring till summer. We've already seen the Euro 2020 finals move to 2021 now, and plenty of other sports and events cancelled or attempts to rearrange. Keep safe, keep calm, be nice and we'll hopefully be back to some sort of normality soon.

Back Stronger.

FOOTBALL SUSPENDED, AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL AT RISK ... NOW ALSO CANCELLED

The FA, Premier League, EFL and Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England until 3 April at the earliest, due to Coronavirus. This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of Clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the COVID-19 virus. 

The suspension comes on a day of widespread sporting postponements worldwide.

• UEFA has postponed next week's Champions League and Europa League fixtures.
• England's Test cricket series in Sri Lanka has been cancelled.
• Golf's Players Championship in Florida was called off after one round.
• French football's governing body has suspended its top two leagues.
• The remainder of the Scottish football season has been postponed indefinitely.
• Formula E is suspended for two months, affecting races in Paris, Seoul and Jakarta.

We've been lucky enough to see Cheltenham NH Festival  survive this year but prospects for horse racing in particular the Aintree Grand National and the start of the Flat season will surely be in doubt now during the coming days and weeks, scenes reminiscent of the last round of foot and mouth outbreak which saw a shut down for a while. 

In Golf news The Masters has been postponed because of the coronavirus crisis. The first men's major championship of the year was due to begin on 9 April at Augusta National in Georgia. Wales' Six Nations match at home to Scotland on Saturday has also now been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The two other round five scheduled games had already been postponed and no date has been confirmed to complete the 2020 Championship. The Welsh Rugby Union had insisted earlier on Friday the game would "go ahead as planned". But now the match has become the latest sporting event to fall foul of the coronavirus outbreak.

While all this news was coming out it's strange that the Rugby Union "Premiership Rugby Cup final" between Sale Sharks and Harlequins this Sunday will still be going ahead. "We will continue to work closely with government on a schedule for the remainder of the season, should the guidance on sporting events change," a statement said."We will keep updating our plans with new information as it is released, and ensure our clubs and fans are updated with developments as soon as they happen."

HORSE RACING CONTINUES BEHIND CLOSED DOORS FOR NOW, BUT THE AINTREE MEETING FEATURING THE GRAND NATIONAL IS ALREADY OFF

Naturally this means there's a lack of action to blog about, but we'll have to play it day by day and see if/when there is a resumption in the near future.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2020 FRIDAY 13th MARCH [GOLD CUP DAY]

With an expected full house of 70,000 racegoers on Gold Cup Day for the final day of The Cheltenham Festival as racegoers prepare to be part of history being made in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup. Legends are created on Gold Cup Day with another seven extraordinary races, and 2019 was no different. Willie Mullins finally got his hands on The Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup for the first time as Al Boum Photo flew up the Cheltenham Hill under Paul Townend for the Irish team. 
Day Four - 13th March 2020
Weather - A settled day, cloudy with occasional light rain and becoming milder max temp 10C.
Official Going Report - Chase and Hurdle: Soft, Good to soft in places.  

13:30  The JCB Triumph Hurdle
2m 1f  [13 Runners]
Three hurdle events before our feature chases, we kick off with the 4yo 'Champion' event the JCB Triumph. There are many here with a big chance, coming over the last expecting 3-4 to be battling hard. My first fancy is Goshen from the Moore stable, has a massive engine for a young horse, unbeaten over hurdles and also has winning flat form prior to that so whatever does get past this one (if anything) will win. Allmankind is a strong front runner but this is hard to win from the front and might set it up for something, Paul Nicholls really likes Solo and also runs Sir Psycho here too while JP O'Brien sends the pair A Wave Of The Sea and Cerberus over the Irish Sea.
Result - 1st : Burning Victory 12/1.
Goshen should have won that, was already well clear of the field when stumbling over the final flight, hopefully a big prize can still be won with this exciting prospect.

14:10  The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle Race
2m 1f  [26 Runners]
Hugely competitive handicap now and it's time to get the lucky pin out really to give us a clue, we like the looks of Oakley (Richard Johnson rides) as one that could pop up at a massive price here, has been competitive in his races though might need to be raced little more prominently here. While the Mullins yard runs five in all with Saint Roi (win) the pick of Barry Geraghty.
Result - 1st : Saint Roi 11/2.

14:50  The Albert Bartlett  Novices’ Hurdle Race
3m  [19 Runners]
Many here are trying 3m for the first time so lots of unknown quality around, Fury Road [3rd] though does stay this trip on Soft ground and already a Grade 2/3 winner so one for the short list. Latest Exhibition [2nd] is another too having beaten Fury Road in a Grade 1 event at Leopardstown. The likes of Monkfish [Won] and Thyme Hill should also be thereabouts.
Result - 1st : Monkfish 5/1.

AL BOUM PHOTO AFTER WINNING 2019 GOLD CUP

15:30  The Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase
3m 2½f  [12 Runners]
Time for the feature event of the day and indeed for many the entire week, last years winner Al Boum Photo returns again having had a similar preparation and must be taken seriously though there are several here with strong chances too. The Dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux came back to form in the latest renewal to score by 21L. Has been given a different preparation this time, could well be a different proposition this year and shouldn't discount Paul Nicholls. The one for me is Delta Work and already has a very good Festival record won the Pertemps Hurdle prior to finishing third in last year's RSA. Needed the outing on reappearance, since taken the two Grade 1's (Savills Chase/Irish Gold Cup) jumps and stays well, very much one for the shortlist.
Result - 1st : Al Boum Photo 10/3.

16:10  The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
3m 2½f  [24 Runners].
And now for the "Gold Cup for Amateur riders" in the shape of the Foxhunters Chase, last years winner Hazel Hill returns again and looks likely to play a leading role in this contest. Paul Nicholls sent out Pacha Du Polda to win this a couple of times and relies on Alcala this time around. Willie Mullins presents Billaway for PW Mullins to ride, and another from Ireland to take an interest is would be Stalker Wallace (E Bolger / JP McManus) lightly raced here having had three years off, so that they persevere with him is worthy.
Result - 1st : It Came To Pass  66/1.

16:50  Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase
2m ½f  [20 Runners]
Greaneteen bettered his useful hurdles form by going unbeaten in three starts over fences easily confirming the promise shown in first two starts last time. 12lb above his last winning mark fine chance for four-timer. This was won last year by a 66/1 shot Croco Bay, he returns again and shaped as though he retained all his ability despite his age at Doncaster, now 5lb higher than last year it's hard to see him following up but is still an each way price. Jan Maat is another to consider each way in a wide open affair.
Result - 1st : Chosen Mate 7/2.

17:30  Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
2m 4½f  [24 Runners]
And so we finish off 2020 Cheltenham with a conditional jockeys handicap where Column of Fire looks the pick from Gordon Elliott's yard, Front View can win in the JP McManus colours and was runner up to festival winner Envoi Allen. Personally a race to watch and close the festival with it's not really one for us to bet in.
Result - 1st : Indefatigable  25/1.

And sadly that's the lot for this years 2020 Cheltenham Festival, we will update results later today when I get back in. More racing throughout the season of course virus' and political cancellations permitting naturally.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2020 THURSDAY 12th MARCH [STAYERS HURDLE]

Are you ready for the craic on Day Three, also known as St Patrick's Day, at The Cheltenham Festival? Thursday 12 March will be full of the Irish flair, as the Ryanair Chase and Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle take centre stage. The Irish set the scene for an extraordinary atmosphere that sees racegoers come together to watch history being made in seven excellent races.

The racing on Day Three last year in 2019 will be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest Festival days. The atmosphere was electric as the strong crowd roared home Frodon under Jockey Club Racecourse Ambassador, Bryony Frost in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase. Bryony became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 over fences at The Festival. The emotions didn’t stop there however, as Paisley Park justified favouritism in The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle to win for trainer Emma Lavelle and owner Andrew Gemmell.

Day Three - 12th March 2020
Weather - Light showers changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime.
Official Going Report - Chase and Hurdle: Soft-Good to soft in places. 

13:30  The Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
2m 4f  [12 Runners]
Interesting to see how Faugheen fairs in the betting ring, a machine over hurdles in his pomp wasn't 100% sure that going novice chasing would have been his sphere at the age of 12yo although he has won three in a row including a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time. Stablemate Bapaume and the likes of Samcro have yet to reach the giddy heights of Faugheen but are talented and on a going day have strong claims. The home challenge includes the likes of Mister Fisher and Itchy Feet in a race that I think is Faugheen's to lose.
Result - 1st: Samcro 4/1

14:10  The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed)
3m  [26 Runners]
Wide open contest here and the first one I see is The Storyteller who has been a good servant for us in the past and there's no reason to give up on him now and he can score again. The other two I'll have against the massive field would be Welsh Saint and at a much larger price is Rapper who did already take one of the qualifying heats for this. 
Result - 1st: Sire Du Berlais 10/1 

14:50 The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)2m 5f  [8 Runners]
Last years' winner Frodon adores Cheltenham and is contesting the Ryanair Chase for the third successive year (fifth in 2018, and a brave rallying winner in 2019); back on song with a solid front-running display in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti at Kempton latest and will be popular for rider Bryony Frost. A Plus Tard won here last year and then put in a career best in beating Chacun Pour Soi in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m1f, soft) over Christmas. Looking for an each way shot Saint Calvados is a talented horse, and two half miles should show him in a better light than races over two miles (seventh in Champion Chase last year) -- 2nd 16/1.
Result - 1st: Min 2/1.

PAISLEY PARK WINNING THE STAYERS HURDLE LAST SEASON

15:30  The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
3m  [15 Runners]
Paisley Park is going to be a very short price to win this again, but he should do so, and you have to go back two years ago to find his last defeat here in the Albert Bartlett hurdle, to say he's come on a bit since then is an understatement. If the short price favourite is beatable (unlikely) then perhaps Apple's Jade can take advantage as she is a tremendous mare who has won 10 Grade 1's. Won the Mares' Hurdle and took another Grade 1 win at Leopardstown in December. Blinkers on and is good enough if at her best and 20/1 looks big and a place bet is strongly recommended.
Result - 1st: Lisnagar Oscar 50/1.

16:10  The Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Grade 3)
2m 5f  [26 Runners]
Three huge fields to end the day with the first of which sees Mister Whitaker [3rd 22/1] return for us he was a big Festival winner (2m4½f) for us back in 2018 managed to win twice last season at Carlisle (2m4f; Listed) and at Cheltenham (2m5f; Grade 2) but hasn't been able to back that form up since. Does need to bounce back but is still a favourite of ours and still considered. Siruh Du Lac managed to complete a four-timer last season, culminating with victory in this race by a comfortable ¾L. Pulled up on his only start this year, in the BetVictor Gold Cup in November. 9lb higher than 12 months ago but could well have been targeted for a repeat bid and Lizzie Kelly would boost the profile of the female jockeys along with Bryony Frost and Rachael Blackmore with further Cheltenham winners.
Result - 1st: Simply the Betts 10/3f.

16:50  The Festival Mares Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
2m 1f  [22 Runners]
A mares hurdle now and Minella Melody maintained her unbeaten hurdles record when taking a Fairyhouse (2m2f, soft) Grade 3 to complete a hat-trick in a race that has proved a good guide to this race. Travels strongly, open to further progress, first try at two miles over hurdles and holds a very strong chance. Willie Mullins has four here and Yukon Lil [4th 20/1] might be his pick of those while support for Nicky Henderson's Floressa should be noted, the yard in flying form already this festival.
Result - 1st: Concertista 9/2.
17:30  The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase
3m 2f  [26 Runners]
And we end with another race for the Amateur riders so will always aim to go with ones that have experienced jockey's on board. That brings together two course winners too with Le Breuil and The Young Master with very good jockey bookings too. Champagne Platinum is a lightly raced 6yo for Nicky Henderson and ridden by Derek O'Connor who is an exciting amateur with a lot of talent.
Result - 1st: Milan Native 9/1.

All the best for today and we'll be back for the final day of this season's meeting featuring of course the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Results to appear later...

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2020 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #8 11th MARCH

Welcome to Kempton Park racecourse here for Wednesday night we return to regular action on the all weather flat track under the lights. So far the opening few months of 2020 have been fair, and the meetings come thick and fast during the all weather season. Although the recent storms seem to have subsided a bit we still lost meetings at Sandown Park over the weekend but it's Cheltenham all week that is the focus while we interrupt that with the regular action here. The Six Nations has been affected by the flu virus that's going around with the Ireland vs Italy game off and next weekend we've lost the Italy vs England tie too, but England won 33-30 against Wales at Twickenham to secure the Triple Crown and AFC Wimbledon took on Bolton Wanderers ending ina  poor 0-0 draw on Saturday which hardly helps their survival chances The Plough Lane Bond is still going having set about trying to rise significant money for the new stadium and when the Bond deadline passed we had already reached the £5.3 million mark so impressed by this the people involved have extended the end date till May hoping to hit something nearer £6m-7m and continue with the Stadium Build. Back to the horse racing all results here are reported to 1pt at Starting Prices (SP) despite a win in meeting #7 we dropped a few more points overall and are down by a figure -7.14 points, results are to SP we will aim to get us back into the black again soon and see further improvement in the results.

Throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we had been fairly successful with our selections throughout last year managed to get plenty of favourites beat so we finished on 40/54 (74%). We reset the counters for 2020 and will be continuing this throughout the year again. Currently a mixed start with the favourites winning occasionally so we are 7 out of 9 after the opening few meetings. 

This Wednesday is meeting number eight for the 2020 All Weather season. Tonight we shall be expecting a seven race card and all bar one of these are handicaps. The action will still commence at 17:20 with our first handicap event and we should end the card around about 20:20 with our final handicap contest over a six furlong trip the feature race tonight appears to be the 18:50 Class 3 handicap.

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

Going and Weather -- The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a lot of cloudy weather and it's going to be very cold all day. Only a light chance of some showers too and we expect the temperature to reach single figures around 7C by the time the meeting gets underway. No let up in the bad weather now we have reached March but hopefully we will see some improvement soon.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;
16:40 32Red Fillies' Handicap 

(Class 5, 6f, 12 runners)

Very busy with the Cheltenham festival this week so just selections appearing for the time being, hopefully can update a bit more later on.  
FASHION FREE [12th 12/1] / YOUNEVERLETMEDOWN [8th 11/2].

17:50 32Red.com Handicap
(Class 4, 1m 2f 219y, 6 runners)

GODDESS OF FIRE [5th 12/1] / SOPHAR SOGOOD [2nd 4/1].

18:20 32Red Handicap
(Class 3, 1m 7f 218y, 11 runners)
COSMELLI [3rd 20/1]  / GRACEFUL LADY [Non Runner].

18:50 100% Profit Boost At 32RedSport.com Handicap
(Class 6, 1m, 14 runners)

RED JASPER [WON 6/1] / FLOWER OF THUNDER [13th 14/1].
19:20 32Red On The App Store Handicap

(Class 6, 1m, 14 runners)

CLASSIC STAR [10th 11/2] / MR MAC [11th 16/1].

19:50 Bet At racingtv.com Handicap (Div One)

(Class 6, 7f, 14 runners)

PRINCE ROCK [13th 6/1] / MISTER FREEZE [4th 5/1].

20:20 Bet At racingtv.com Handicap (Div Two)

(Class 6, 7f, 13 runners)

IN THE RED [WON 15/8f] / LITTLE MISS KODI [7th 14/1].

Staked -- 14 points.      Returns -- 10.875 points.

Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. This season we started afresh and will try hard to stop going well behind but all results are accurate and recorded to SP returns to a 1pt win stake only and updated each meeting. A disappointing start to 2020 was soon put right however after meeting #8 we now carry over a small loss -10.265 overall.

Lays -- 7/9. We had a good season last year with the lays, aiming at favourites and not afraid to take on short odds on shots too. The plan will be for at least one or two each meeting and we will keep those results separate from the handicaps.
Tonight's Lays;

There will not be any this week here.

Our next meeting for this year will be held next time on Wednesday 25th March hope you can join us even while Cheltenham is the focus.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2020 WEDNESDAY 11th MARCH [QUEEN MUM CHAMPION CHASE]

The gates open on Day Two, as we welcome racegoers to enjoy another seven races, including The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. Altior (4/11 favourite) returned to emotional scenes and two spontaneous rounds of 'three cheers' after possibly the most dramatic win of his career to date. Update -- Altior has been withdrawn lame, and quite right too. Tiger Roll put in an extraordinary performance in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase to finish well clear of the field and to follow up on his success in this race last year for jockey Keith Donoghue, and trainer Gordon Elliot.

Gates will open at 10:30 and our first race is due off around 1.30pm
Day Two - 11th March 2020
Weather - A settled day, cloudy with occasional light rain and becoming milder..
Official Going Report - Soft-heavy in places on cross country course.  

13:30  The Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Race
2m 5f  [12 Runners]
Our opening event on day two of the festival is a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle where last years' Champion Bumper winner Envoi Allen puts his unbeaten record on the line. Won't be much of a price but should be a banker for today (perhaps even for the meeting). While both Sporting John and The Big Breakaway are also unbeaten they don't have the same calibre as the Gordon Elliot runner. At 20/1 Easywork could be interesting for Rachael Blackmore and another from the Elliott stable.
Result -- 1st:  Envoi Allen 4/7F.

14:10  The RSA Insurance Novices' Steeple Chase
3m ½f  [10 Runners]
A race where I'd like to see Champ win but his latest effort when falling two fences from home here in the Dipper Chase does temper enthusiasm quite a bit. Minella Indo won last years Albert Bartlett over 3m and therefore staying shouldn't be an issue, while Easy Game was unable to keep tabs with Faugheen though but should find this opposition a bit easier.
Result -- 1st:  Champ 4/1.

14:50  The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Grade 3)
2m 5f  [26 Runners]
A huge handicap now and good luck finding a winner here, Top Moon (JP O'Brien) should enjoy this trip far more than at Leopardstown last time when behind some of these, prior to that event had looked progressive and at 33/1 looks a good each way prospect. Traffic Fluide is another each way option as a course and distance winner and then ran a race full of promise before hitting and falling at the last at Ascot last time looked to be staying on best and not out of this if that fall hasn't taken much out of him.
Result -- 1st:  Dame De Compagnie 5/1 f.

ALTIOR - DUAL WINNER OF THE CHAMPION CHASE

15:30  The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
2m  [7 Runners]
The feature race on day two of the festival and this really should have been a race to watch the mighty Altior win a third Queen Mother Champion Chase but having been reported as lame only three days ago even with the skills of trainer Nicky Henderson it's unlikely he'll be 100% fit enough now. I would not expect him to line up as I write this, he owes them nothing and to risk a bigger injury would seem unforgivable. (he has now been withdrawn from this years race) This is now likely to mean a match between the likes of young contenders Chacun Pour Soi and Defi Du Seuil in opposition. At a huge price we have Sceau Royal who ran Altior and Politologue close in this last year and wouldn't be surprised if they have place chances again.
Result -- 1st:  POLITOLOGUE 6/1.

16:10  The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
3m 6f  [16 Runners]
A big field but all eyes will be on Tiger Roll here this is his traditional preparation race for the Aintree Grand National and is a class above these. The opposition to the favourite would appear to start with the French Easysland in the JP McManus silks a course and distance winner here and a winner of 6 Cross Country style events. Yanworth also carries the same colours and was once thought of as a Champion Hurdler and future Gold Cup Chaser, but still of interest having won at Punchestown.
Result -- 1st:  Easysland 3/1

16:50  The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3)
2m ½f  [22 Runners]
Paul Nicholls has two with big chances in this handicap the top weight Mick Pastor (Barry Geraghty) and Thyme White (Harry Cobden) and it's difficult to pick the best of these pair let alone the 22 strong field. The David Pipe yard also know how to ready a handicapper too and Night Edition is a lightly raced 4yo who could be well in based on his easy win last time out and was runner up in a Grade 2 in January here on only his second start.
Result -- 1st:  Aramax 15/2.

17.30  The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)
2m ½f  [23 Runners]
We end Wednesday with the Champion Flat Race "Bumper" a contest that the Irish trainers such as Willie Mullins (9 wins) in particular used to pick up almost every year in the past since it was first run in 1992, although there have been recent 'home' successes and even Cue Card took this back in 2010 as a 4yo. Mullins looks to have the favourite here with Appreciate It, and also has Ferny Hollow as a decent 2nd string too. The home challenge is likely to come from The Glancing Queen (Alan King) and Panic Attack (David Pipe) but in reality this race is often wide open, and usually gives up better clues for what is to come in the future over hurdles and fences so perhaps a race to watch and take notes.
Result -- 1st:  Ferny Hollow 11/1

Good luck once again today, still praying that all animals and jockey's come back safe and sound, lets find a winner or two as well. Results will be updated here too later in the day with the rest of the week's action to follow as well. Have a great Festival.

CHELTENHAM NH FESTIVAL 2020 TUESDAY 10th MARCH [CHAMPION HURDLE DAY]

Welcome to the opening day of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, the Gloucestershire course will be expecting over 250,000 people over the duration of the meeting, and that will include a capacity 70,000+ on Friday for Gold Cup Day itself. No sign of this being cancelled or people being deterred by the flu / Corona-virus spread which is good and let's get on with it. It's the best meeting in the country and top class NH Racing anywhere, although you will not be able to move for the amount of Irish people this week. 

Day One - 10th March 2020
Weather - A settled day, cloudy with occasional light rain and becoming milder.
Official Going Report - Chase and Hurdle: Soft.

We kick start The Cheltenham Festival with seven races on Day One. The feature race is the iconic Unibet Champion Hurdle at 15:30, with prize money of over £450,000. The 2019 renewal saw Gavin Cromwell train his first winner at The Festival with Espoir D'Allen, ante post favourite this year seems to the JP McManus owned mare EPATANTE.

13:30  The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race
2m ½f  [16 Runners]
Abacadabras for Gordon Elliot can take this opening race of this years festival, beaten only once in four races over hurdles the most recent win when running clear by 8L in the Grade 1 "Future Champions Novices" at Leopardstown. While Asterion Forlonge looks the pick of Willie Mullins trio here. Fiddlerontheroof won the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle but Sandown is a different track to Cheltenham and seems too short for me, at a BIG price is Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore could well have a massive say this year.
Result -- 1st:   Shishkin 6/1.  

14:10  The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase
2m  [11 Runners]
NOTEBOOK is unbeaten in four starts over fences; made light work of a Punchestown Grade 2 prior to a pair of Grade 1 wins at Leopardstown. Better than winning margin suggests in both races and can confirm form with Fakir D'Oudairies and Cash Back on his latest starts. MARIE BANRIGH is another unbeaten in four starts over fences but at a listed level though the 7lb weight allowance helps and is a decent jumper so at 12/1 makes some appeal as a place contender too.
Result -- 1st: Put The Kettle On 16/1

14:50  The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase
3m 1f [24 Runners]
Huge field here and the likes of Vintage Clouds (2nd in this last year) might be using this as a prep race to another attempt at the Grand National next month. Might be interesting to have a couple of big prices against the field and with low weights both Quarenta (J O'Neill) and No Comment (P Hobbs) the latter having a fourth appearance at the Festival.
Result -- 1st: The Conditional 15/2

2019 CHAMPION HURDLE WINNER -- ESPOIR D'ALLEN (RIP)

15:30  The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
2m ½f [17 Runners]
The feature race for Day One of the festival is the Champion Hurdle, sadly will not see the return of last years winner Espoir D'Allen but plenty of exciting options here and owner JP McManus does have a strong chance with Ante Post favourite EPATANTE [WON 2/1f] the mare has only lost once over hurdles and in receipt of 7lbs weight allowance from the field could be the one to beat. The highest rated horse here is SHARJAH [2nd 16/1] and Willie Mullins should always be feared with his festival charges. Nicky Henderson runs Pentland Hills but this one has been fairly disappointing this season and looks far too short in a high quality fast run race like this.

Result -- 1st: Epatante 2/1 (hope you took the 4/1)

16:10 The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race
2m 4f  [10 Runners]
BENIE DES DIEUX is many people's idea as a festival banker, but not for me at the price as I'd rather be on a top-class, unbeaten mare in HONEYSUCKLE. She has won Grade 1 races on three of her last four starts, including against the boys in the Hatton's Grace (2m4f) and Irish Champion (2m). Conditions will suit and she poses a huge danger to Benie Des Dieux and I've already been saying that I expect Rachael Blackmore to have a big impact at this years meeting. With Stormy Ireland one to fill the place for Willie Mullins and Robbie Power.
Result -- 1st: Honeysuckle 9/4

16:50  The Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase
2m 4½f  [22 Runners]
Mick Channon won this for us two years ago with Mister Whitaker and we'll certainly be supporting his HOLD THE NOTE [3rd 10/1] here this time. Two improving sorts in this competitive handicap are IMPERIAL AURA (Kim Bailey) and GALVIN (Gordon Elliott) and with reasonable improvement should be right there at the finish.
Result -- 1st: Imperial Aura 4/1

17:30  The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Steeple Chase)
3m 6f  [14 Runners]
Our finale on the opening day is for Amateur Riders and should be open to CAREFULLY SELECTED for the Mullins team with a high quality experienced jockey on board, the same applies to the only closely matched horse on ratings LORD DU MESNIL with Sam Waley-Cohen on board and the horse narrowly failed to secure a staying four timer, but does jump well and stays so much be right up there.
Result -- 1st: Ravenhill 12/1

Good luck today, hopefully all animals and jockey's come back safe and sound, lets find a winner or two as well. Results will be updated here too later in the day with the rest of the week's action to follow as well. Have a great Festival.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - FEMALE ONLY RACE MEETING SOUTHWELL 8th MARCH

Sunday 8th March 2020
International Women's Day
A Female-only race meeting for flat and jump jockeys at Southwell.

Pictured above are trainer Gay Kelleway (centre) with jockeys (left to right) Rhona Pindar, Josephine Gordon, Ella McCain, Gemma Tutty, Nicola Currie and Hayley Turner, also pictured with Southwell officials Tricia Drabble and Amanda Boby
This Sunday Southwell racecourse will stage a unique all-female race meeting for flat and jump jockeys on International Women's Day. Following a number of phenomenal performances from female jockeys in 2019, Southwell’s all-female racecard will bring together female stars of the sport with a thrilling day’s racing. The Southwell fixture will feature a mixed card of four Flat and four Jump races, restricted to female jockeys only. The eight-race fixture, split between the two racing codes, is to be held at the Nottinghamshire track on 8th March. It is thought to be the first course in Britain to host a mixed racecard restricted solely to female riders. "We are getting more and more recognition so this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase women in racing" said rider Hayley Turner.

Organisers hope that the meeting will be staffed mainly by women, including female British Horseracing Authority (BHA) officials and racecourse executives. There will also be a workshop ahead of racing to look at issues faced by working mothers in the racing industry. "We ride against and at the same level as men so don't think of ourselves as female jockeys, but this is a great way to celebrate the talented women in our sport" added Turner.

Here is the card for Sunday and our selections will appear here by Friday evening when declarations are available;

13:50 Watch Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Female Jockeys' Handicap Chase
(Class 4, 2m 4f 88y, 7 runners)
Our first all female meetings starts with a Handicap Chase and with a field of seven headed by Nesterenko, the 11yo hasn't won for some years, but does place frequently enough, seems a safe enough jumper to complete but is passed over for the win purposes. Bryony Frost is clearly going to be popular over the obstacles this afternoon and has a decent chance with Silent Steps [WON 9/1] who is at least a course winner, we'll pick that one together with Battleofthesomme against the field to kick us off with.

Result -- 1st Silent Steps 9/1. (great start for us)

14:20 Betway Female Jockeys' Handicap
(Class 5, 4f 214y, 7 runners)
Looks like we'll alternate between NH and Flat action as the next event is a 5f sprint where top weights Big Time Maybe and Global Melody will do well to concede the weight to Simba Samba with local star Hayley Turner in the saddle. the very lightly raced 4yo Final Legacy [WON 3/1] has been almost exclusively racing around here and shame there's not eight runners as a certain place bet would have followed.

Result -- 1st Final Legacy 3/1

14:50 Watch Sky Sports Racing On Virgin 535 Female Jockeys Handicap Chase
(Class 4, 3m 60y, 5 runners)
Back over the fences again now and only the five are declared which is a shame, it might well pay to side with the two six year olds here against their elders, that's Eclair de Guye [WON 2/1] (Bryony Frost) and Tractor Fred (Page Fuller). Since it's been over a year for Uhlan Bute's last win the 12yo might have too much on his plate here, while Dylanseoghan would probably prefer his racing around Plumpton and still looks too high in the weights also which leaves the bottom one Virnon has at least won around here just over a year ago and at 10/1 might be worth including.

Result -- 1st Eclaire de Guye 2/1.

15:25 Bombardier Golden Beer Female Jockeys' Handicap
(Class 5, 1m 13y, 9 runners)
Runner up here at 16/1 Casina Di Notte should go well again with 7lbs less to carry than previous winning effort at Yarmouth, seems to hold their form well enough and that run here should put them spot on for this. Three C's [WON 6/1]has had three runs in February here and won two of those (runner up on the last try) so getting plenty of weight here is in good heart too and worth another try for a third win in four.

Result -- 1st Three C's 6/1.  [A very good day, we should have more female only meetings at this rate.]

15:55 Bud Light Female Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
(Class 3, 2m 4f 88y, 8 runners)
Possibly the best race on the card and can go to the winner of a maiden hurdle and a last time out success in a Sedgefield handicap Lord Roccoco and the 6lb rise for that victory is offset by his riders 7lb claim so should be right there with a decent round of hurdling. And in receipt of lumps of weight from the field Ladronne [WON 11/2] was also a winner last time out in an amateurs race at Newcastle so we take that pair against the field.

Result -- 1st Ladronne 11/2.

16:30 Heed Your Hunch At Betway Female Jockeys' Handicap
(Class 4, 6f 16y, 5 runners)
A winner of a Cork maiden even on his first visit to a racecourse Highland Dress now appears for trainer Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle should go close in their first handicap if taking to this surface. Wasntexpectingthat [WON 15/8] has three wins and two runner up efforts for trainer Richard Fahey has meant a rise up to this current mark but is clearly in good heart and Megan Nicholls takes off a useful 3lbs.

Result -- 1st Wasntexpectingthat 15/8. 

17:00 Whizz Kidz Female Jockeys' Maiden Hurdle
(Class 5, 2m 4f 88y, 7 runners)
Although has yet to show much in three races Toad could be interesting at a big price in such a low key contest, was 3rd at 100/1 in his second race chasing down a 2/7f and this should be much more to his liking with plenty of time to improve. While support for Willie Butler having his first go over hurdles (already a bumper winner at Huntingdon) should also be noted and we'll chance the two decent prices against the field today.

Result -- 1st Dublin Four 3/1.

17:30 Betway Casino Female Jockeys' Handicap
(Class 5, 2m 102y, 7 runners)
Our finale on the level, and a stayers event can go the way of Cotton Club who is 5lb lower than when runner up at Newcastle and if you also factor in the riders claim surely has a decent chance again in this field. While Colwood [Non Runner] is now a non runner we will replace that one with October Storm who has won better races than this at tracks like York and Goodwood and was a runner up at Lingfield while trained by Mick Channon and is now in the hands of Donald McCain so maybe a hurdles campaign later?

Result -- 1st Oleg 5/2.

Run by Arena Racing in conjunction with the sport's Diversity in Racing Steering Group, the BHA, Women in Racing and Great British Racing, the Southwell fixture will feature four flat and four jump races to celebrate a record-breaking year for women. Bryony Frost become the first-ever female jockey to win a Grade One race over fences at the Cheltenham Festival, while Rachael Blackmore was runner-up in the National Hunt Irish jump jockeys' championship. While on the flat, Hollie Doyle broke the record for most wins achieved in a calendar year by a woman while Turner was the first female rider to win at Royal Ascot in 32 years.

Wow that was a great day and very profitable here, hope they repeat this seems like a good idea.