ASCOT RACES SAGARO STAKES MEETING - WEDNESDAY 29th APRIL 2015.

This is an annual event for us although numbers have sadly dwindled in recent years, but to celebrate my advancing years we decamp to Ascot races for their midweek fixture featuring the Gold Cup trial the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes. 

Last years winner TAC DE BOISTRON reappears and must have a strong chance with form figures of 121/121- clearly goes well fresh and forecast 4/1 looks spot on. (alas since posting this is now a Non Runner on Wednesday)










The card is good quality for a midweek meeting with another Group 3 (Pavilion Stakes) and a listed event (Paradise Stakes) and the only change to the card is that the concluding handicap, the only handicap on the card, is now for apprentice's only but still has a 16 runner max field over the straight mile.

Here are my selections for the meeting;

2.25 - 5f Conditions Stakes (2yo) - LONG OUT ISLAND is noted as a newcomer from the Richard Hannon yard who regularly use this race for one of their forward types. 
WON 9/2

There are three previous winners in the field and the best of these is likely to be GIFTED MASTER who showed a fair turn of foot to see off his rivals, could be a short price so we'll stick with the Hannon inmate.

3.00 - 1m Fillies Conditions Stakes - Just the seven to choose from but they are all top yards and blue blood owners, Hey Majesty The Queen has TOUCHLINE here and with Ryan Moore on board must be fancied back in a conditions race instead of a Group 3.

Godolphin run two, SPERRY and PULCINELLA but I'm going with another Richard Hannon selection SHAGAH who is owned by the Arabs Al Shaqab Racing and has the in form Frankie Dettori in the saddle. 

3.30 - 2m Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) - Last years winner TAC DU BOISTRON stands out on form, staying ability, and is proven first time out. [Non Runner]

Sir Michael Stoute knows the time of day and in all the write up his STOMACHION appears to be overlooked, should be forward enough for a reappearance and Ryan Moore a big plus. Is only a 5yo and improvement still possible over a longer trip, looks an each way price so will have a go in the place markets too.

4.05 - 6f Pavilion Stakes (Group 3) - A very competitive affair here but the stand out selection is the unbeaten LIMATO who excelled last term and really could be anything. 

The likes of BEACON and HAWKESBURY look the pair to take on the fav here. 

4.35 - 1m Paradise Stakes (Listed) - The interesting one here is the lightly raced ex-French INFANTRY, now with Andrew Balding and with a sire of Rail Link you know it's going to be a decent miler. 

5.10 - 1m Apprentice Handicap - The finale is always the big handicap at this meeting but now it's confined to apprentices only, there were 16 declared but of course they've already scratched one so forget about having 4 places unless you using Betfair. 

While you would want to take a second look at Luca Cumani's Saigon City it would seem that this one would prefer further, both DUELLING DRAGON and EXCHEQUER are the pair I would recommend versus the field and hopefully the prices will hold up to allow us to back them both.

Results will appear here during Wednesday evening, check out the Pontefract blog too which is also taking place today.

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2015 TURF SEASON -- PART THREE

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[WEDNESDAY 29th APRIL]

3rd Meeting of the new season ...

New season for our simple to follow system which is based on the low draw stall numbers (1 + 2) at this West Yorkshire track. 

Our strategy in the past was always to keep records to the SP result, and we will continue this practice during the season but we will also be looking into taking advised prices, and a staking plan on the place market as well and these will be recorded separately over the course of the 2015 season.

Despite a few small wins the system is behind after the first two meetings at -13pts, this can be wiped out with one decent return so are no too downbeat given the start we made last year we know it's possible to turn this around. All results for this meeting will be returned to a level stake at SP, and will also show any forecast results too. 

So lets have a look at the third meeting of the 2015 Season, it's an seven race card which will start at 2.00pm. The going is currently reported as 'Good to Firm', the course saw 30mm rain during the last week, but the forecast for Saturday onwards is for dry, sunnier weather, they are watering on Monday to keep the ground as close to Good as possible. 

I would expect the going to be closer to Good ground assuming no further rain by Wednesday afternoon. Weather reports for Wednesday are for a fine sunny dry day so hope you there and enjoy it. 

2.00 -- ROCKLIFFE [5th 12/1],  ROMAN TIMES [7th 25/1]

2.35 -- FALLEN FOR A STAR [2nd 4/9F],  BRACKEN BRAE [4th 50/1]

3.10 -- TRINITY STAR [WON 5/6F],  SWILKEN [7th 25/1]

3.45 -- EASY TERMS [2nd 3/1],  SATURATION POINT [4th 6/1]

4.15 -- SPARRING [WON Evens],  SOUL SEARCHER [3rd 4/1]

4.45 -- VEJOVIE [6th 9/1],  NORMANDY BARRIERE [WON 11/4F]

5.20 -- IGGY [WON 3/1],  THATCHERITE [3rd 5/1]

Results will appear here on Wednesday evening, once I get back from a day at Ascot. Current balance is -13 points so we will be seeking a few winners to get us back on track. 

A few winners but still a small loss today, it's going to be a long season I can tell. Now behind -15.42 points.

The 4th meeting at Pontefract will take place on Friday 22nd May and that will be the first of their evening fixtures. 

PONTEFRACT HORSE RACING SYSTEM -- 2015 TURF SEASON -- PART TWO

PONTEFRACT SEASON 2015

[Monday 20th April]

Second race meeting of 2015 Flat season ...

The 2nd meeting for our new season arrives on Monday and our simple to follow system which is based on the low draw stall numbers (1 and 2) at this West Yorkshire track will hope to find a few winners today. 

Our strategy in the past was always to keep records to the SP result, and we will continue this practice during the season but we will also be looking into taking advised prices, and a staking plan on the place market as well and these will be recorded separately over the course of the 2015 season.

The opening meeting had a couple of winners and some good places but as we are returning results to a level stake at SP we are DOWN -5 pts. And though we haven't started a plan to use the place markets as yet it is encouraging to see some good priced horses being placed. The intention is to back the reverse forecasts and we'll highlight any returns if they come off in the results too. 

The second meeting of the 2015 Season, it's just a six race card which will start at 2.10pm. The going is currently reported as Good, Good to Firm in places, The course reports that they've watered lightly and selectively on Friday (2mm) and will water the whole course on Sunday (2-3mm)

The weather forecast is to remain mainly dry and sunny to race-day.

Here are our selections for the meeting; 

2.10 -- BLACK MAGIC [WON 3/1], RACING VENTURE [5th 17/2]

2.45 -- DEBIT [11th 40/1], SOPHISTICATED HEIR [2nd 5/1]

3.20 -- YEEOOW [3rd 9/2], SUPPLICANT [5th 3/1]

3.50 -- SURPRISE VENDOR [7th 3/1], CHEVALGRIS [8th 7/2]

4.20 -- TAFFETTA [4th 11/1], PACO'S SUNSHINE [5th 22/1]

4.50 -- WHERE THE BOYS ARE [2nd 5/2], PABUSAR [3rd 6/1]

From the opening meeting we have a B/F of -5 points and further results will appear here during the course of Monday afternoon. 

The next meeting at Pontefract will take place on Wednesday 29th April.