Thursday's Meetings Huntingdon N/H 8 Races 12:50-4:35p.m. Worcester N/H 8 Races 1:00-4:40p.m. Chester Flat 7 Races 1:45-4:45p.m. Tipperary(E) N/H 7 Races 4:20-7:30p.m. Chelmsford(E) A/W 7 Races 4:50-7:50p.m. Wincanton Abandoned Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Place a bet in the Virtual Betting shop here Good Luck
The Whateleys still throwing money at the game - an expensive purchase in each leg of the Huntingdon bumper, The heady days of Menorah and Wishfull Thinking seem a long time ago.
Don 't want to give you a big head but I logged on this morning to see if you were tipping a certain horse at Worcester today. And you haven't so far...
Aye Aye Charlie. I only mention it because in yesterday's 'Weekender' the respective regional correspondent made it out to be the biggest cert of all time (on a scale of 1-10 he went full scale 11 re its chances). I quote 'very well handicapped, 'quicker ground in his favour', 2019 Albert Bartlett form, 'he could be thrown in off 119' and 'first test in a class 4 handicap'. Haven't got any strong opinion on the race myself but cor blimey he went big time in his support for Aye Aye Charlie at Worcester.
I have backed him today, the issue Aye Aye Charlie has is his jumping of fences, so returning to hurdles MIGHT suit him today. He is very well handicapped, the yard are going well and hopefully with Macon Lugnatic in the field they go a decent gallop and make it into a proper stamina test at the trip. The issue with him is that others in the race are interesting too, The Distant Lady being the most interesting for me. The yard are in good form, she looks to be a top of the ground horse and I think her Kelso form is about the best form in this field for the last year or so. I have backed both win only. Fergal hopefully will have other winners today!
Worcester 4 4.07 The Tin Miner ew I like this horse who usually is very game from the front. Beaten by a neck last time out after returning from a 88 day break at Fontwell. Obviously a personal-best is required racing off a career-high mark but still interesting for each way purposes with no trip and ground worries. Huntingdon 1.20 Mr Lombardi A new recruit for the Micky Hammond yard who rarely sends a runner to Huntingdon. This full brother to decent bumper, hurdle and chase winner Real Milan didn't lived up to expectations in Ireland when trained by Mouse Morris but his 3rd in a cork maiden hurdle last summer hinted that there is talent for the game. Could run better than odds suggest. 3.05 Torrent Des Mottes Runs his best races at this track and with Nathan Brennan taking off valuable 7lb again it wouldn't be the biggest surprise seeing him in the mix again today.
Happy to take on the favourites today. 1.45 Lihou 2.15 Foxes Tales 2.45 Bravado The Ormonde is annoying as I'm reluctant to go against Mr O'Brien, but I've got a feeling about Sonnyboyliston. Let's see how those go on and then maybe take a look at the last 3 races later. Good luck all ( must go and vote too ).
The Dee Stakes looks a bit of a disappointing renewal as Ron says. Yibir was originally said to be going to the Vase to get a longer trip but they sent Wirko and he failed to stay. That begs the question as to whether Yibir has the pace in this 2F shorter contest. I don't see Yibir as a possible Derby winner and the same applies to the rest of today's field but one of them has to win this and will no doubt be cut for Epsom. I am going to buck my recent strategy and go with the Aidan O'Brien runner today. Ontario is stepping up a fair bit in trip today from the 7F at Newmarket but being by Galileo it should not necessarily be as difficult as you might imagine. He ran OK in the Free Handicap at a time when the stable was stinking the place out and Sandhurst ran better on his second foray across the Irish Sea, so it is hoped Ontario will also come forward on run number two. Ontario is the highest rated in the field on official figures (109) and although the form of the Free Handicap has taken a few kicks, runner up Naval Crown did run 4th in the 2000 Guineas. Foxes Tales is open to plenty of improvement and is well supported today but he will need it for sure and Maximal has a stone to find from his 92 OR. I can't help thinking the Stoute horse is being tried above his actual ability. I think Ontario will have more pace than Yibir and if he stays I think he wins this. I would expect Ryan to swoop and give O'Brien another winner in this race. I had a solid enough bet at 3/1. 2.15 Chester Ontario 3/1 Good luck today.
Like Foxes Tales in the Dee. The stable is in form and this colt comes from a leading family that includes Kingman and Oasis Dream. Have to invest in Buxted Too again as he did me such a favour last time out but looks as if I'm not alone. For a bit of EW Euchen Glen must have a squeek on this ground in the Ormonde, though this race looks more like a flat race for jumpers (Japan excluded of course).
JAPAN,s drift to 9/4 is either a huge sign that he has absolutely no chance from a yard that is not for firing or one the finest gifts presented since the three wise men arrived on camels!