Eye-Catchers
Betfair Betting News: York Dante Stakes
Sir Michael Stoute’s Telescope is the 6-4 favourite to win Thursday’s Dante Stakes as the colt bids to stake his claim as a leading contender for the Investec Derby on June 1st.
The twice-raced son of Galileo – who is currently priced at 5-1 joint second favourite in Betfair’s ante-post Derby market – was an impressive winner of a hot Newmarket maiden at the back end of last season and has been the subject of good reports from the Stoute stable.
Luca Cumani’s Greatwood is also expected to line-up after the three-year-old was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s Lingfield Derby Trial because of soft ground, while Aidan O’Brien’s Indian Chief and Mark Johnson’s unbeaten Windhoek give the race a strong feel.
Betfair spokesman Barry Orr said today: ‘’As expected, Thursday’s Dante Stakes is looking like another informative Derby trial and the winner will surely become the a leading challenger to current Derby favourite Dawn Approach”
To win the Dante Stakes – Betfair Sportsbook: 6-4 Telescope, 4-1 Windhoek, 5-1 Indian Chief, Greatwood, 7-1 Secret Number, Trading Leather, 8-1 Mars, 10-1 Ghurair, 12-1 Festive Cheer, 20-1 Bar
QIPCO 2000 Guineas Series – Van Der Neer
I return to my 2000 Guineas series this week with a look at the Richard Hannon-trained colt Van Der Neer, writes Andrew Fletcher. He is currently available at best-price 25/1 for the first Classic of the season and it will be interesting to see whether he emerges as a contender for the Guineas come the spring.
He showed a glimpse of his potential racing ability when running out a comfortable winner of a Yarmouth maiden on debut. He was always handy during the six furlongs contest and having been asked for an effort with a furlong to run, he ran out a ready winner of a race that has turned out to be quite useful. There were no less than five subsequent winners in that field although none of the others scaled the heights of their conqueror on this occasion.
It was almost a month before he returned to the racecourse in a Conditions event at Leicester which saw him take on seven furlongs for the first time. This time he settled at the back of the pack before being moved to the outside with two furlongs still to travel. He picked up the leaders with consummate ease in the closing stages and having sewn up the race in a matter of strides, recorded an impressive 1¾ length success easing up.
His Leicester performance was impressive enough for Richard Hannon to run the colt in Group 1 company in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. Once again his jockey Richard Hughes used waiting tactics on him before asking his mount for an effort with a couple of furlongs still to run. He looked to hang towards the stands rail under pressure before finishing off his race in taking fashion to grab second place on the line. It is worth noting here that although Van Der Neer never really troubled the winner Kingsbarns, he did finish ahead of three Group winners in Steeler (3rd), First Cornerstone (4th) and Trading Leather (5th).
His effort in the Racing Post Trophy rounded off a good campaign for the colt in which he continued to improve when facing the challenges of both a step up in trip and Grade. Also, the fact that he hung slightly at Doncaster suggests he was still a little green and that with more experience he could well have finished closer to the winner. In terms of a visual impression he seemed to see out the mile well at Doncaster in testing conditions meaning that the 2000 Guineas would look a suitable target for this colt. He is still relatively unexposed and it will be interesting to see from his pedigree whether further improvement should be expected.
His sire is Dutch Art who during his own two-year-old campaign won the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes as well as the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting. At three he was third in the 2000 Guineas behind Cockney Rebel before being beaten half a length and a length in the July Cup and the Prix Maurice De Gheest respectively. Perhaps the best of his progeny at stud so far has been Caspar Netscher who won both the Gimcrack and the Mill Reef Stakes as a two-year-old before successes in the Greenham and the German 2000 Guineas a year later. Other useful products include Listed and Group 3 winner Producer, Listed sprinter Slade Power and Listed-winning filly Miss Work Of Art. There is no doubt that Dutch Art has already shown an ability to pass on his talents including speed to most of his progeny, but looking at his own pedigree there is reason to suggest there is also some stamina lurking in there. Dutch Art is by Medicean who won both the Lockinge (8f) and the Eclipse (10f) at Group level during his career and is out of Halland Park Lass who although disappointing on the racecourse has also produced a dual Group-winning filly in Up. Dual Group 1 winner Spectrum appears on the maternal side of the pedigree as the damsire and can be considered another stamina influence given that he sired a 2000 Guineas winner in Golan who also won a King George. This information suggests that Dutch Art’s offspring could well have sufficient stamina to stay between a mile and ten furlongs.
On the other side of the pedigree, Van Der Neer is out of an unraced mare called Lalectra. She has produced two half-siblings in the form of Goodwood Treasure who won at up to 10f on the all weather and Common Denominator who was placed over a mile. Lalectra is by the former Aidan O’Brien trained King Charlemagne whose career highlight came when winning the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over seven furlongs. It is probably fair to say his offspring have been useful without pulling up any trees with perhaps the best being Listed winning sprinter Aiboa.
The overall conclusion in terms of pedigree seems to confirm the visual impression from Doncaster that Van Der Neer appears to get a mile without any problem. In fact with a number of milers and ten furlong horses in his family it does not seem unreasonable to foresee him running over slightly further in time.
In terms of the 2000 Guineas it is difficult to work out which of Richard Hannon’s three-year-olds will head for the first Classic of the season. It appears that Olympic Glory looks set to head for the French Guineas, perhaps Toronado will head for a race such as the Dante, leaving the likes of Havana Gold, Wentworth and Van Der Neer in contention for the Guineas. If he does make it to the start at Newmarket, he looks to have a chance based on his performances to date. Based on the fact that he was only given three runs at two suggests that connections feel he was always set to be a better three-year-old. His run in the Racing Post Trophy puts him amongst some of the best juveniles of last year and I feel it is fair to say that Richard Hannon’s colt will improve for better underfoot conditions and a winter to develop. Whether he ultimately has the ability to beat the likes of Dawn Approach remains to be seen but with more likely to come, I would be reluctant to rule him out at this stage.
Cheltenham 2013: The Yorkshireman’s Tips
Jack Milner brings us his second installment of his 2013 Cheltenham Festival tips with a look at day two of the festival, which sees the likes of warm odds-on favourite Sprinter Sacre and Willie Mullins-trained Pont Alexandre.
The second day is probably the most varied card of the week. Plenty of opportunities to make a few quid ante post here.
The National Hunt Chase
The first race is The National Hunt Chase, and I am very smug and pleased to have backed Teaforthree last year at 14/1, hopefully history repeats itself? A horse who looks an absolute out and out stayer is Vesper Bell for Willie Mullins. It is incredible looking at the market, just how ludicrous some quotes are for horses that are unlikely to run, but 10/1 seems very fair. He is very unexposed, and beat potential Jewson horse Aupcharlie on debut, and has only had seven subsequent starts, the last winning a three mile chase at Punchestown, and looked to have plenty left in the tank, he’s the one for me. Looking at the market, very few look likely to run at the moment, the two obvious possibilities would be Keppols Hill and Rival D’Estruval. Godsmejudge is an interesting one, similar profile, steadily brought along, unexposed and an out and out stayer. At 20/1, he could be a lively outsider.
The Neptune Novices Hurdle
I’ve been a bit of a busy boy here, and already backed a few at decent prices. I flagged up The New One after winning at Cheltenham in October, and William Hill stuck their necks on the line, and went stand out 16/1 – it had to be taken. Even though he was chinned by At Fishers Cross last time out, he still sets a good standard around Prestbury Park, although his current price is a bit short for me. I backed Clondaw Kaempfer prior to his run in The Challow Hurdle, and think he got beaten by the ground more than anything. I’m on him at 16/1, and could be worth another nibble at 20/1, if the reports from Donald McCain are favourable. Pont Alexander and Taquin Du Seuil are two I am opposed, and the last one I have in the arsenal is Puffin Billy. He would be my initial prospect for next year’s RSA Chase, looks a lovely prospect and could be anything. He is the saver at 10/1. I still think The New One is the one to beat on all known form, although Puffin Billy carries maximum respect.
The RSA Chase
I pick two horses to follow based on their hurdling form, and how I think they will revert to fences, and generally come close when it comes to The RSA Chase, last year my two were Grands Crus (6/1) and Bobs Worth (10/1) ante post. The two I sided with this year are Boston Bob and Fingal Bay, both at 10/1. Fingal Bay proved to me to not back Phillip Hobbs horses, but I still like Boston Bob, and his chasing debut showed he has a natural flair for jumping. He wants three miles on good ground, and the 7/1 with Ladbrokes is tempting to back again. Dynaste won’t want a slog or a battle, and is skinny from an ante post perspective, I wouldn’t rule out David Pipe sending him to The Jewson. The rest all have muddling form, Our Father and Hadrians Approach look vulnerable. Willie Mullins will likely send Back in Focus and Aupcharlie elsewhere, and I don’t like Nicholls’s Rocky Creek, Unioniste and Sire Collognes. There isn’t an awful lot out there to beat.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase
Backed Sprinter Sacre in October at 5/4, and he will win by twelve lengths, Sizing Europe second if runs.
The Coral Cup
Again, not one from an ante post perspective, but those who appear well handicapped and likely to run at this moment in time look to be the David Pipe pair of Swing Bowler and Gevrey Chambertin. Both unbeaten hurdling this season, and look to have some lenient marks, with plenty of improvement to come from the stoutly bred duo.
The Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle
Minefield. To sum up. If you’ve had a bet in this, you are clearly in the know. Call Me Bubbles and Fatcatinthehat would be an interesting for Willie Mullins, who look likely to miss other races, and are down the pecking order of his juvenile hurdlers. Definitely not one to get involved in for me at such an early stage.
Champion Bumper
Another race I try to not get too involved in, as there is more guess work here than at a Derren Brown episode of cloak and dagger, I did have a nibble on Golantilla after his win at Cork at 10/1, but it’s a cautious one, even though he has a massive reputation, and a cracking turn of foot. Moyle Park has form tied in with Blackmail, and both could be lively ones come closer to the day.
Follow Jack on Twitter @JJmSports!
Doncaster St Leger Meeting: Wednesday & Thursday Review
Darren Fleming was live on track at Doncaster for the whole St Leger meeting last week, and he gives us his review of day one and two at the track.
Whilst Camelot’s defeat at the hooves of Encke was the main story of the Leger festival, the week was full of good racing and thrilling finishes, none more so than the battle between Patriotic and Elijah Pepper and their legendary jockey’s Mick Kinane and George Duffield in the legends race on the Wednesday.
Kinane looked to have stolen the race a furlong or so out but his mount idled in front and it looked as though Duffield had stolen it on the line but the bob of heads just favoured the Irishman.
The opening race of the day saw Regal Dan hold off the late challenge of Red Avenger. The Ed Dunlop colt got going just a little too late but I am sure there is a race or two in this inexperienced horse shortly.
Cour Valant was an impressive winner of the conditions race seeing of the challenge of Royal Ascot fourth Upward Spiral. Ribaat was well fancied but could only finish 3rd but I suspect this could prove to be a decent contest and I will be keeping an eye out for these three horses next time out.
Former Nunthorpe winner Sole Power returned to winning ways in the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes. Jwala had looked as though he may upset the odds for the Cowell team as Murtagh looked to find a clear run in behind. As soon as he saw daylight the 5 year old gelding found a devastating turn of foot to burst clear and won by a cosy length and a half.
We all have our favourite horses and Sole Power is one of mine. He was narrowly defeated in the Prix De L’Abbaye last year and connections suggested he will head there again on Arc day and I will be cheering him on from the comfort of my settee.
Proud Chieftain provided a shock in the next conditions race under a clever front running ride by Darryll Holland.
Born To Surprise is a horse to follow at 7F and Jamie Spencer produced a typical hold up ride to get the Michael Bell trained Colt home. He is a horse to look out for over this distance. Gold City also caught my eye in third and he looks sure to find a race soon. Even Stevens took the last and so it was home to study the form for day 2
Jamesbo’s Girl got day 2 off to a flying start for Fahey and Hanagan but Nargys and Annecdote both ran well in behind and are ones for the notebook.
Sunday Times was a surprise winner of the second race having travelled well he got the better of Gamilati. Favourite Sentaril had got off to a good start but this may have worked against her as she used too much energy early before fading into fifth. As much as I love Johnny Murtagh I suspect he may ride the horse differently with hindsight but to be fair, my own experience horse riding is on the beach at Blackpool!
The big prize of the day was taken by the well fancied The Golden Cheongsam under the superb Franny Norton. The first four home Hajam, Haafaguinea and Indian Jade all ran with credit whilst Parliament Square ran well to finish fifth off top weight.
There are certain jockey’s who’s name you like to see against a horse you like and I must confess that Franny Norton is one such name. His ride on Copperwood at Chester at the weekend was superb. Well done Franny!
The ‘fillies Leger’ was up next and Estimate and Paul Hanagan looked to have stolen the race a furlong out but Wild Coco and Tom Queally wore down the Queen’s filly close home.
Glenard won the maiden for Charlie Hills by nabbing long time leader Sicur on the line but it was the performance of Winterlude for St Leger winning trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni that was my eye catcher of the day. He travelled beautifully but when his young jockey asked him to go and win the race, their combined inexperience was there for all to see and somehow they ended up finishing fourth but with a more experienced pilot he is sure to win races and may be quite a decent horse.
Amadeus Wolfe Tone took the sprint handicap with Goldream potentially an unlucky loser, but take nothing away from the winner, who won nicely. Both could win again later in the season.
Black Spirit deservedly got his head in front for the first time in over 2 years to win the last and complete a pretty poor day’s punting for yours truly but the good thing about racing is there is always tomorrow.
Follow Darren on Twitter @papafleming!
Photo Credits:
www.guardian.co.uk
Ante-Post Preview: Group 1 Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe
Mark Duncan gives us his analysis and tips for the Arc de Triomphe following an informative day of trials at Longchamp on Sunday afternoon.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe markets have really been shook up in the past week or so, and with some clues on offer at Longchamp on Sunday afternoon, the market has begun consolidating. We saw the highly touted Japanese super horse Ovfevre complete a workmanlike yet solid victory in the Group 2 Prix Foy. Despite having a pacemaker in the race, it turned out to be a muddling pace, but he put the race to bed in a matter of strides turning in for the straight. He stayed on as well as could have been expected and galloped on to the line, seeing off the late challenge of Meandre. Connections must have been pleased – it’s a solid yardstick for the Arc, and although not as visually impressive as his victories back in the Far East and the proximity of Joshua Tree slightly concerning, he did absolutely nothing wrong. Lets not forget he’s travelled half way around the world and needed to acclimatise to European surroundings. I’ve thankfully got a few pennies on at 16/1 in the ante-post markets, and he’s now as short as 4/1 favourite with some bookmakers. In my mind, he’s beginning to look plenty short enough, and I’d advise anyone now to take a look for some value in the betting. In my mind, there is plenty about.
There are a few other horses that I believe are over-priced due to the typical over-reaction of bookmakers following trials. I’ve had a small investment on Galikova this morning at 33/1, who is quite frankly superb value. A high class 3-y-o, she won the Group 1 Vermeille last year at odds-on before running a solid enough race in the Arc, without ever really getting involved. She went off at 7/1 last year, and although she’ll have needed to improve on last year due to not getting the weight for age allowance this time around, she looks way to big at 33s. She’s been running some solid races in defeat, including a very warm Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville behind Snow Fairy. She was outpaced that day, despite the fact she had a pacemaker in the line-up. She ran today in the Group 1 Vermeille and although not winning, she ran an eye-catching race. She was boxed in on the rail, and when the eventual splits came, she had plenty to do but stayed on without Olivier Peslier getting too serious in the final furlong. If able to get a slightly better position up with the pace come Arc day (easier said than done!), she could be dangerous at a big price of 33/1.
I’ve been looking at some other protagonists who haven’t run today that I believe offer some value. One horse that I can’t imagine will be out the front four is the reliable Snow Fairy – she gets every yard of the trip and is a delight to follow. Connections must be very pleased with her run last year, and her subsequent victories this term following an injury at the back end of last season are all the more commendable. She’s currently 7/1 in the ante-post market – I can imagine her going off any shorter than 5/1, so in my eyes she’s about right in the market, but I certainly wouldn’t put off anyone having a bet on her nearer the day.
One horse I do think is currently over-priced is the Sea Moon. Sir Michael Stoute has had a relatively quiet season by his standards, but it’s likely Sea Moon will be his number one representative. It’s fair to say Sea Moon still has to confirm himself as a top class Group 1 horse, but in my mind he’s not had the opportunities to do so yet. He’s only lightly raced and it’s likely we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
Sea Moon – The best still to come?
He was well backed in the King George at Ascot into 2/1 favourite, but he didn’t travel too well and found plenty of trouble in-running from a tough position. But his commanding success in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes before Ascot outlines his quality. His Listed win at the start of the season is all the more impressive after his lay-off and running in the race with unsuitable tactics due to lack of a pace angle. His second to St Nicholas Abbey in the Breeders Cup Turf at the end of last season was solid for just his sixth start. Although he didn’t have an answer to St Nicholas Abbey on the day, he looked open to plenty of improvement this year over 1 mile 4 furlongs. If you’re willing to forgive his luckless run in the King George, he’s done absolutely nothing wrong so far. At 20/1 with Bet365, he could prove to be overpriced. If we hear of some positive training reports prior to the Arc at the beginning of next month, I can’t help feeling he’ll go off much shorter.
It really does look a race full of quality again this year, and it would be folly to ignore the claims of last years winner Danedream, who won in an incredibly quick time last year and won his trial in Germany with enough authority to think another solid run is on the cards. But for now, I’ll be boosting my Arc portfolio with Sea Moon at a very generous 20/1 with Bet365.
Recommended Bet:
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Sea Moon 20/1 EW (Bet with Bet365)
Mark’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Portfolio:
Ovfevre 16/1
Galikova 33/1
Sea Moon 20/1
Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkduncanHRT!
Doncaster St Leger Meeting: Top 20 Pictures
On the Road to Spring Success – Australian Racing Review
The small hours of Saturday morning played host to some Group race action from down-under, where a host of Spring Carnival hopefuls set about the trail to Australia’s most prestigious racing event, writes Owen Alsop.
The impressive views at Flemington
Flemington racecourse, the home of Australian racing as we know it, laid on an eight race card, that included four Group races, the feature being the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes.
Named after a wonder horse, an Australian sporting hero, who managed to capture the illustrious Melbourne Cup no less than three years on the spin; Makybe Diva is commemorated by a life size statue, situated on the Flemington lawn, and watched over some of this year’s cup hopefuls with her cast Bronze stare.
The Group action got underway with the 7 furlong Group 2 ‘Let’s Elope Stakes’ where Shaune Ritchie brought his stable star Zurella across the Tasman sea for the first time in her career to score on her seasonal reappearance by three quarters of a length from Craig Williams’ mount, Hi Belle, who was returning to somewhere near her best. The hot favourite, Lady Melksham, was never a threat finishing several lengths adrift in 5th.
The ‘Let’s Elope Stakes’ was followed on the card by a Group 2 sprint, the Danehill Stakes over 6 furlongs. This was a competitive field that contained the unbeaten Psychic Mick, Stralia and Murcielaga, however preference in the market was for Gerald Ryan’s Snitzerland who started as the hot favourite under Damien Oliver. Snitzerland is another one of Australia’s potential sprinting superstars, having run the unbeaten champion juvenile, Pierro to within half a length in the prestigious Golden Slipper in her last run of the season. Snitzerland landed the Group 3 San Domenico stakes at Rosehill with ease on her seasonal reappearance and looked set to score another black type victory on Saturday.
In what could have been a horror ending for connections of Snitzerland, Damien Oliver’s mount became short of room just over a furlong from home, Stralia had first run on the field and with so little time left in the race and Snitzerland still searching for a run, it was all but over.
However, Oliver rousted his mount and switched her boldly to the inside rail where she tanked along to collar Stralia dramatically, inches from the winning post to secure another victory at Group level. It was a very impressive performance from Snitzerland who was full of running and showed an immense turn of foot once she got going up the inside to score by a neck from Mark Riley’s Stralia.
Snitzerland is certainly one to look out for at both the Melbourne and the Sydney carnivals, and with Black Caviar and Ortensia’s recent sprinting success on our shores, who knows what else Snitzerland could achieve in seasons to come.
To the feature race of the day, the Group 2 Makybe Diva stakes, run over a mile and playing host to some European imports including Group 2 Prix Chaudenay winner, and firm favourite for the Makybe Diva, Manighar, formerly of Alain De Royer-Dupre and Luca Cumani.
Manighar has tasted Group 1 success since making the move to Australia, landing the Ranvet Stakes for Peter Moody and Luke Nolen and was joined by former John Oxx trained Mourayan, who ran a certain Sea the Stars to within half a length in the Group 2 Juvenile Beresford Stakes before later moving to join Robert Hickmott’s stable. There were two more ex-Europeans in the field, December Draw and German recruit Mawingo, but it was Manighar and Mourayan that led the charge on this particular day.
The market suggested it was Manighar’s race to lose, although he was joined near the top of the market by Caulfield Cup winner, Southern Speed, representing Leon McDonald and Andrew Gluyas, under Craig Williams and in receipt of 4lbs from Manighar.
In what was a true run race, and a bit of a barging match down the straight, Manighar became horribly walled in, Luke Nolen pushing and shoving and doing his utmost to find a chink of light for the favourite; by the time the break came for Manighar ‘the bird had already flown’ and Southern Speed was several lengths clear. To the frustration of all favourite backers, Manighar showed he was still full of running and started eating up the ground in hot pursuit of Southern Speed and was seemingly on level terms as they passed the post together before an agonising photo showed that Southern Speed had won the race ‘on the nod’, touching his nose down at exactly the right time to deny Manighar by the smallest of margins.
Having beaten Southern Speed twice already since moving to Australia, there is no doubt in my mind that had Manighar ‘got out’ a bit sooner then he would have won cosily, had Manighar been provided with a clear run, he would have scored by several lengths. Unfortunately for jockey Luke Nolen, renowned for almost getting Black Caviar beaten at Royal Ascot, there wasn’t a lot else he could have done to get Manighar into the race sooner, and this race was a prime example of how luck plays a mischievous role in the world of horse racing. Mourayan ran a creditable race to finish a couple of lengths back in 4th.
The final Group race on the card was the 19 runner, Group 3 Bobby Lewis Handicap over 6 furlongs. With the market going 11/2 the field, this should have proved a punting nightmare but it was not to be.
In a similarly close affair to the previous race, joint favourite We’re Gonna Rock touched off Spirit of Boom to claim the prize for Mark Kavanagh and Michael Rodd in the penultimate race of the day.
The quality of Australian racing will pick up dramatically over the next few weeks, as the Melbourne Spring Carnival begins to hit its stride. You can be assured of some champion performances and an atmosphere like no other at a racecourse as Australia’s finest move further along their journey towards Spring success.
Follow Owen on Twitter @Owenalsop!
Cheltenham 2012 – Where’s the Money Been Going?
The ante-post markets have really started to heat up as more and more trainers have been outlining their plans for the Cheltenham Festival 2012. But where’s the smart money been going? We’ve compiled a list of the market movers with PaddyPower since January to show you how some of the race markets have been shaping up.
Want the latest live odds? Click the title of each race to find the latest odds courtesy of Oddschecker.com!
Long Run 2/1 (from 9/4)
Kauto Star 7-2 (from 12-1)
Grands Crus 12-1 (from 16-1)
Captain Chris 14-1 (from 16-1)
Weird Al 16/1 (from 20/1)
Quel Esprit 16-1 (from 25-1)
Hurricane Fly 4-5 (from 9-4)
Binocular 10-1 (from 12-1)
Oscar Whisky 4/1 (from 7-1)
Monksland 11-1 (from 14-1)
Simonsig 12-1 (from 14-1)
Benefficient 16-1 (from 50-1)
Barbatos 20-1 (from 33-1)
Sadler’s Risk 6/1f (from 12/1)
Minsk 8/1 (from 10/1)
Ut De Sivola 10-1 (from 16-1)
Grumeti 12-1 (from 33-1)
Hisaabaat 14-1 (from 25-1)
Darroun 16-1 (from 20-1)
Countrywide Flame 25-1 (from 33-1)
Kazlian 25-1 (from 33-1)
Lyvius 25-1 (from 33-1)
West Brit 50-1 (from 100-1)
Sizing Europe 11-10f (from 5-2)
Finians Rainbow 5-1 (from 6-1)
Big Zeb 6-1 (from 4-1)
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Boston Bob 8-1 (from 10-1)
Mount Benbulben 10-1 (from 12-1)
Barbatos 16-1 (First Show)
Ipsos Du Berlais 16-1 (from 20-1)
Benefficient 25-1 (from 50-1)
Sivola De Sivola 25/1 (from 50/1)
Grands Crus 2-1 (from 7-2)
Bobs Worth 9-2 (from 8-1)
Last Instalment 6-1 (from 9-1)
First Lieutenant 9-1 (from 14-1)
Silvinicao Conti 12/1 (from 16/1)
Champion Court 25-1 (from 33-1)
Simonsig 9/1 (from 10/1)
Darlan 9-1 (from 12-1)
Galileos Choice 12/1 (from 14/1)
Trifolium 12-1 (from 50-1)
Montbazon 16-1 (from 20-1)
Last Instalment 9-1 (from 10-1)
Call The Police 10-1 (from 16-1)
Champion Court 14-1 (First Show)
Peddlers Cross 3-1 (from 7-2)
Call The Police 16-1 (from 28-1)
Quevega 6-4f (from 13-8)
Our Girl Salley 12-1 (from 14-1)
Medermit 12/1 (from 14/1)
Backstage 11-2 (from 9-1)
Salsify 8-1 (from 20-1)
My Flora 9/1 (from 12/1)
Moscow Mannon 8-1 (from 14-1)
Pique Sous 10-1 (from 33-1)
Venture Capital 12/1 (from 16/1)
The New One 20-1 (First Show)
The Westener Boy 20-1 (First Show)
Hold On Julio 8-1 (from 9-1)
Volador 16/1 (First Show)
Thehillofuisneach 20/1 (First Show)
Sivola De Sivola 11-1 (from 14-1)
Vendor 6-1 (from 7-1)
Countrywide Flame 12-1 (from 16-1)
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Scotsirish 5-2f (from 3-1)
Sizing Australia 11/2 (from 6/1)
Swincombe Flame 12-1 (from 16-1)
National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup
Lambro 10-1 (from 12-1)
Soll 8-1 (from 10-1)
Other Movers:
West End Rocker 16-1 (from 20-1)
Prince De Beauchene 20/1 (from 25/1)
Niche Market 20-1 (from 33-1)
Treacle 20-1 (from 33-1)
Fancy an ante-post punt? Use your Paddy Power £50 free bet!
Want to know what the writers at the Horse Racing Tavern think? Find their Cheltenham previews here:
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Cheltenham 2012 – Where’s the money been going?
There have been a deluge of market movers in the past month as the national hunt season is really hotting up with just 56 days till the start of the Cheltenham Festival! We’ve chalked up the major market movers and first shows at Paddy Power from late December onwards for some of the main races at the festival!
Want the latest live odds? Click the title of each race to find the latest odds courtesy of Oddschecker.com!
Kauto Star 7-2 (from 12-1)
Grands Crus 12-1 (from 16-1)
Captain Chris 14-1 (from 16-1)
Hurricane Fly 2-1 (from 9-4)
Binocular 8-1 (from 12-1)
Rock On Ruby 10-1 (from 14-1)
Oscars Well 16-1 (from 20-1)
Cotton Mill 20-1 (from 33-1)
Oscar Whisky 11-2 (from 7-1)
Simonsig 12-1 (from 14-1)
Barbatos 20-1 (from 33-1)
Sadler’s Risk 6/1f (from 12/1)
Ut De Sivola 10-1 (from 12-1)
Grumeti 12-1 (from 33-1)
Kazlian 25-1 (from 33-1)
Sizing Europe 9/4f (from 5/2)
Al Ferof 14-1 (First Show)
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Boston Bob 8-1 (from 10-1)
Barbatos 16-1 (First Show)
Ipsos Du Berlais 16-1 (from 20-1)
Grands Crus 2-1 (from 7-2)
Bobs Worth 5-1 (from 8-1)
Champion Court 25-1 (from 33-1)
Darlan 9-1 (from 12-1)
Montbazon 16-1 (from 20-1)
Champion Court 14-1 (First Show)
Quevega 6-4f (from 13-8)
Our Girl Salley 12-1 (from 14-1)
Backstage 15-2 (from 9-1)
My Flora 9/1 (from 12/1)
The New One 20-1 (First Show)
The Westener Boy 20-1 (First Show)
Venture Capital 12/1 (from 16/1)
Hold On Julio 8-1 (from 9-1)
Volador 16/1 (First Show)
Thehillofuisneach 20/1 (First Show)
Sivola De Sivola 11-1 (from 14-1)
Hisaabaat 14/1 (First Show)
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Eye-Catchers
Crimson Knight WON @ 12/1 at Newmarket next time out over 1 mile 5 furlongs!
This Brian Meehan colt showed little in its two first races, struggling to keep up with the pace over 8 furlongs and 10 furlongs. Its most recent run over 1 mile 3 furlongs was full of promise however. After being initially outpaced, Crimson Knight stayed on extremely well. The colt was never going to catch the first two in the race, a smart Cecil horse Wild Coco and Haggas’ Thubiaan colt, who drew clear of the rest of the field. When stepped up to staying trips such as 1 mile six and 2 miles, Crimson Knight will be interesting.
Sovereign Debt Runs in the 2.50 at Doncaster on Sunday 12th June! EW advised! WON @ 5/1
This Michael Bell trained 2 year old colt did some sterling late work on his first racecourse appearance in a hot Newmarket maiden in late May. The 105,000 guineas purchase is a son of successful first season sire Dark Angel and is a half brother to the Group 3 winning performer Puff. His encouraging debut run was over 6f – he stayed on in taking style after being short of room mid-race. I would expect to see him step up markedly and improve to take a maiden in early June. It should be noted that his owner Lawrie Inman has had other talented horses run in his colours over recent years, most notably, the Great Voltigeur Stakes winner and St.Leger 3rd Monitor Closely.
Snowed In Running at Newmarket today at 5.20pm! EW advised at 16/1!!
This 2 year old gelding has a win to his name over 5 furlongs at Kempton on his second start, and then ran a perfectly respectable race when unfancied in the betting at Newmarket third start out over 6 furlongs, but the form of the race looks very strong – the Hannon trained horse in second has won a class 1 listed event at Naas in impressive fashion, and the winner of the race B Fifty Two is entered into the group two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Snowed In’s last run at York on Friday over 6 furlongs was eye-catching – he was outpaced in the rear and eventually flew in the last furlong but wasn’t able to catch the front two (including an Easterby monster gamble – 33s into 14s). When stepped up in trip to 7 furlongs or a mile this gelding will be an interesting play.
Silvee – Running in the 6.40 at Windsor Monday 4th July! EW advised! Close 5th!
Ran into 4th place at Salisbury in a poor looking amateur rider handicap on soft ground. The race was run at an extremely quick pace over 7 furlongs due to Realt Na Mara up front and stretching the field at a blistering pace. Silvee was travelling well before meeting repeated trouble in running, before eventually getting a clear run and plugged on strongly to take 4th close home. One to follow in a similar low key affair between 7 furlongs to a mile.
William Van Gogh
William Van Gogh last run at Wolverhampton was very encouraging – the gelding had to overcome a wide draw and therefore had to drop in at the back of the pack, and then when coming around the bend WVG came wide and was still travelling well with about 3 furlongs to go, before the jockey asked him questions and he stayed on strongly, but never going the pace of the front 3. If WVG is ridden in a similar event over the same trip or +1 furlong and closer to the pace, he could return to form and be very competitive.
Ghostwriting
The Gosden trained Colt ran its first race at Wolverhampton over 7 furlongs, winning by a neck; However that winning distance doesn’t do justice to the way Ghostwriting won. Ghostwriting was quickly away from the stalls, but was outpaced mid race. However the penny dropped for the colt on the turn, and he made easy progress through the field, and when coming to challenge Juno the Muffinman was hampered, he had to switch to the outside, and still comfortably stayed on to win by neck. Ghostwriting will have learnt alot from the debut on track and will clearly be stepped up in grade. Will be interesting next time out.
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| Goodwood |
Good |
| Haydock Park |
Good |
| Salisbury |
Good |
| Sandown Park |
Sprint: Good (Good to Firm in places) Round: Good to Firm (Good in places) |
| Wetherby |
Good (Watered) |
