Saturday's Meetings Fairyhouse N/H 8 Races 11:30-3:21p.m. Newcastle N/H 7 Races 11:45-3:15p.m. Doncaster N/H 7 Races 12:05-3:28p.m. Newbury N/H 7 Races 12:10-3:35p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 8 Races 4:00-7:30p.m. Bangor-on-Dee Abandoned Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Newbury 15:00 Ladbrokes Trophy Chase Eklat De Rire 9/2 (33/1 Gold Cup) 15,35 Il Ridoto 11/2 Lads and Coral, others 5/1, 9/2, 4/1
A fascinating renewal of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and hopefully the weather will not interfere with proceedings (high winds and blustery sleet / snow showers forecast for tonight). Six are entered at the moment and probably only Sceau Royal would not want significant precipitation prior to the race. The first key question is: Where is Epatante form- and fitness-wise? She looked pretty sharp when winning it last year on seasonal debut but after her back issues I would think the trainer will not have pushed her too hard in her work and will be feeling his way towards Cheltenham with her. I think that means she has to be taken on as 5/4 fav. The next question is: How will the 4YO Monmiral fare for the first time in open company? On the face of it, Adagio gave Monmiral's form a boost with a fine 2nd off top weight in the Greatwood, Monmiral having beaten Adagio 7 lengths at Aintree. But it is worth remembering that Adagio went to Liverpool off the back of a hard race in the Triumph and he was potentially therefore below his best at Aintree. Given the general tendency for 4YOs to struggle in open company I think 9/4 is plenty short enough for Monmiral and I am happy to pass him over. Sceau Royal comes to Newcastle in fine form having brushed aside Silver Streak at Kempton prior to romping home in the Elite at Wincanton. He got closest to Epatante last year and if the mare is not 100% then I think he will be the one most likely to take advantage. Obviously a pre-race deluge will hinder his prospects.
Morning all, After having a very quick glance through todays races I think P Nicholls could have a very good day. He sends only 2 up to Newcastle and 2 up to Doncaster with all having decent chances. At Newbury he is mob handed, but season after season he loves to mop up these races on a Saturday. I think he will have at least 4 or 5 winners but now I need to find them . Will do the two doubles up at Newcastle and Doncaster for starters and then go from there. Good luck today
Forget Sceau Royal - 35mm of rain/sleet overnight has changed the going to good-soft, soft in places with the possibility of more rain during the morning.
In the 12.40 Newbury it’s only a 4 runner race and how many times do we see the outsider win. Nicholls has FLASH COLLENGES 8/1 in here as the current outsider but he has won the last 2 runnings of this race.
Wolverhampton- a track for All Weather- is having an inspection. Because of the weather. Always makes me laugh when that crops up in the sports news on a Saturday in winter! Thought I’d pop in after seeing that! Hope all keeping well
Lovely winner for Lucinda Russell there at Newbury and somehow nice to see the Irish horse not cantering to victory
All good thanks hope things are good your end mate?? It’s the old Hennessy day today isn’t it? Good old Denman!! What was the last proper Grade1 horse to win it- Bobs Worth?