2.08 Longchamp - Sharnberry. 14/1.

3.45 Newbury - Dick Turpin. 7/2.


Blackburn vs MAN UTD (-1.0) 15/8.

Man City vs STOKE. 7/2.

Sunderland vs WOLVES. 9/5.

West Brom vs EVERTON. 17/10.

2.30 York - World Domination. 9/4.

1.30 York - Bonfire Knight. 11/1.

2.30 York - Arizona Jewel. 13/8.

3.00 York - Rose Blossom. 8/1.

4.45 York - Raucous Behaviour. 11/1.

5.00 Beverley - Lemon Drop Red. 9/1.

4.45 Leopardstown - Zaminast. 11/4.

2.10 Lingfield - Eucharist. 9/1.

2.40 Lingfield - Date With Destiny. 7/2.

3.25 Ascot - Hawkeyethenoo. 11/1.

3.30 Nottingham - Khor Sheed. 9/4.

3.40 Haydock - Chaninbar. 22/1.

2.55 Chester - St Nicholas Abbey. 13/8.

4.15 Punchestown - Ten Fires. 14/1.

4.55 Punchestown - Wishfull Thinking. 4/1.

5.15 Aintree - Oasis Knight. 5/2.

5.50 Ascot - Toolain. 8/1.

7.35 Ascot - Bow To No One. 10/1.

7.45 Punchestown - Drawn N Drank. 20/1.

3.40 Punchestown - Owennacurra Milan. Each way 100/1.

3.50 Goodwood - Beatrice Aurore. 5/1.

5.10 Chester - Norman Orpen. 10/1.

5.30 Punchestown - Mikael D'Haguenet. Each way 16/1.

7.15 Punchestown - Sizing India. 11/2.

7.40 Ffos Las - Spas Dancer. 8/1.

4.45 Kelso - Freddie Brown. 3/1.

6.40 Punchestown - Quel Esprit. 4/1.

2:05 Newmarket - Fox Hunt. 4/1.

3:15 Newmarket - Hooray. 7/1.

5:35 Newmarket - Barbican. 3/1.

2:30 Newmarket - Dandino. 9/4.
He showed his well-being when running away with a 12f conditions race at Ripon 2 weeks ago. He'll come on for that run over the same distance on the same sort of ground. He's bred to be better with age too so I expect to see Dandino winning group races this season.

3:45 Newmarket - Johnny Mudball. 12/1 Each way.
He may need the run but at the odds he's worth chancing each way. He won the totesport handicap at Newcastle in good fashion when giving 3lb to Poet's Place who went on to win the Portland (heritage handicap) off 9lb higher. Johnny Mudball was only beaten late on in the Stewards Cup by a horse he was giving 6lb to and he again ran well in the Ayr Gold Cup off his current mark, finishing 5th behind Redford (won easily off 6lb higher next time), Victoire De Lyphar (expected group class), Hitchens (winner off 1lb higher next time) and Genki (second in a group 2 next time and then won a listed race).

4:15 Ascot - Marine Commando. 10/1 Each way.
Reported as not right when contesting 2 group races towards the back end of last season, also has minor excuses on top of that (Too free first time behind Libranno and was unsuited by soft going on latest start). The firmness of the ground will suit today as he has plenty of speed. Said to have wintered will. Over-priced.

4:50 Ascot - Lord Aeryn. 13/2.
Progressed well from 2 to 3 and looks to have gone on again as a 4yo. A good winner of a similar handicap at Doncaster on seasonal reapperance at the start of the month, would have been an unlucky loser, up just 5lb for that. On both previous seasons he improved from his first runs of the year (Finished 5th in '09 and '10 but won second time out both years).

No selections today.

No selections for Monday.

3:20 Sandown - Treasury Devil. 4/1.

Undone by the soft ground in France in a group 1 on his last start of last season. Will be better suited by the return to faster ground is a positive. The extra furlong shouldn't be a problem. Gosden has his runners fit for the start of the season. 

3:50 Sandown - Barbican. 16/1 Each way.

Still looked green when maintaining his unbeaten record on his handicap debut. This is a step up in class but the fast pace being set by Dordogne will suit him as he was keen in a slow run race last time. It looks as if a strong run mile on good ground will suit.

Double. Pays 3.41/1.

2:35S - Tataniano. 11/10.

An Aintree winning Novice. Injured for major part of the season but goes well fresh and he's unbeaten on good ground. The opposition have all had long, hard seasons.

7:00N - Lemon Drop Red. 11/10.

Heavily backed on debut his handicap debut, but no sort of run in a slowly run affair. If he gets the luck today he'll surely be winning in what is an equally weak race.

Singles.

4:50 Sandown - Guest Book. 20/1 each way.
He's been running well in defeat without winning. He looks to be improving, this is a step up in class but I liked the way he stayed on from a wide birth last time. Can run into a place.

7:15 Kelso - Raining Horse. 4/1.
I put this up last time but he unseated after 2 fences. He's a well-handicapped, good ground horse according to his trainer. He's worth another chance.

No selections today.

UPDATE*

Sing Alana Sing was a non-runner today. Mainland did run, and thought he looked to be going smoothly (touched 2.1 in running) he once again found nothing when it mattered. He was backed from the advised 9/2 into 11/4 so it seems plenty was expected.

5:30S - Sing Alana Sing.
Bill Turner and 7lb claimer Jake Payne team up. 3 runs over 6 and 7 furlongs in a maiden and two sellers with little to show. Steps up to 1m4f for handicap debut. Bred to improve for a trip.

5:35N - Mainland. 9/2.
An encouraging debut for the Tracy Waggott yard. He travelled into the race strongly and looked a big challenger but folded tamely in the final furlong, shaping as if in need of the run. This race is no more difficult.

UPDATE*

The blog had one runner today and that was a winner at 11/4. Dazakhee drifted from 2/1 at the opening show but the result never really looked in much doubt. He travelled much the best and picked up to lead 2 furlongs from home, he didn't win by as far as it looked as if he could but the win was stylish anyway. The 6lb penalty will be a small hinderance but he should be competetive off his revised mark in a similat contest next time.

5:05S - Dazakhee.

There is improvement left in him switched to a surface that suits. Ran wide then ran on last time in a 0-65 handicap, well drawn in stall 3 this time. His mark remains unchanged and this is 10lb weaker than his last race. (0-55)

Multiple Selections.

UPDATE*
A luckless day overall. The 3 selections all ran well enough but none could get thier heads infront. Arry's Orse is maybe not as good as first thought by connections but I think there is a a handicap in him off this mark. He travelled well through and it may also be that ground slightly slower (ground was officially firm today at Redcar) may be what he needs. I'm willing to give him another chance. The second horse to run was Lady Chloe, she was smashed up in the betting all day. I put her up at 10/3 and she went of at 2/1f, it looked a bit of a plot but unfortunately she was outdone by another well backed horse having his second run for a new stable. Lastly was Breton Star, unfancied in the market (advised at 8/1) as she went off at 20/1 but there was plenty of promise in the handicap debut. His staying powers were a doubt and it did prove that way in the end, he was the first off the bridle out the back but he picked up well to go into 3rd but he started to paddle late and was caught close home and ended up finishing 4th. There is a race in him off this mark when dropped back a furlong or 2.

4:20R - Arry's Orse. 11/2.

A well regarded colt who should prove better than this grade in time. The return to 6f is a positive.

5:25R - Lady Chloe. 10/3.
She has been laid out for this race. She takes a step up in trip for her handicap debut with Paul Hanagan booked. Big weight for age allowance too.

5:50W - Breton Star. 8/1.
Not guaranteed to stay but it's interesting that he takes this step up in trip on his handicap debut. David Simcock is a shrewd trainer and he wouldn't do it if he didn't think he would have a chance.

No Selections.

UPDATE*

No blog selections today so no loss or gain. The 2 I flagged up as chances though; Spin was the selection in the second listed race but she was never given any chance. Even hours before the off. She was available at 11/2 last night but as soon as this morning came and the money started to come Spin went from 11/2 out to 12/1 within a couple of hours. She was clearly a pacemaker for Gemstone who was sent off at 7/2. Spin went off like a scolded cat at a lightning pace, she went 10-12 lengths clear early and paddled her way across the line in last place. The eventual winner was Jessie Harrington's Siren's Song, a once raced horse who finished second in a maiden but was clealy thought good enough to win a listed race on her second start. It gives a good boost to the form of comfortable scorer Mesariya. John Oxx's filly is currently trading at 25/1 for the Oaks at Epsom in June.

The other flagged up runner was Raining Horse. James Ewart said he's a well-handicapped good ground horse that needs a galloping track. Therefore Wetherby should have suited but Raining Horse was an early faller. The handicap mark won't change and there will hopefully be another day for him. He was backed from the 8/1 I advised into as short as 9/2 when the on-course bookmakers put up their prices.

No blog selections today.

There are no races that really interest me enough to have a bet. The best races of the day are probably the two flat listed races in Ireland at Navan, the first of which is at 4:05 and it gives classy performer Fame and Glory a good chance to have a racecourse workout and reach peak fitness before another group campaign. He's trading around 2/5 right now which is no value at all. He has to give away 7lb all round which should be no problem but he was turned over at those same odds on his seasonal debut last year, the winner that day went on to win a group 3 though and it's tough to see any of these being of that calibre.

The second is a fillies listed event at 4:35. Aidan O'Brien is 3 strong; Gemstone, already a listed winner and the choice of what seems to do stable jockey Colm O'Donoghue; Why, Joseph O'Brien's ride and lastly SPIN, the ride of Seamie Heffernan and the one I see as the value in the race. The other runners worth noting are favourite Kirinda and Siren's Song.

Kirinda is a worthy favourite. A once raced winner, an impressive one at that. He travelled well and quickened smartly. The second horse that day is an O'Brien horse too, Empowering. Empowering clearly trained on over the winter as she ran out a decent winner of a group 3 on her reapperance boosting the form of John Oxx's Kirinda. The step up in trip will suit this Tiger Hill filly who is having her first start on turf. She's bred to train on from 2 to 3 years and if she has she should be difficult to beat, especially as Oxx's horses look well ahead at the start of the flat season but at 2/1 in what appears to be fairly competitive race she is worth swerving for value purposes.

Some tactics will be involved in this race as both Gemstone and Spin have gone from the front in the past and both hailing from the O'Brien yard it's unlikely they'll take each other on. I'd hope Spin can take the lead as her better form came from the front and I feel she needs to lead if she is to be winning this. She gave 5lb to Luxurious when winning on her second start by 4 1/2 lengths in impressive style. Luxurious went on to be beaten by 4 lengths by Gemstone later off level weights to it would appear that with a line through Luxurious Spin holds Gemstone. If you look through the form lines of Banimpire you'd come to the same conclusion. Banimpire was beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Spin in that same race, she went on to win a group 3 on her latest start which boosts the form but it also boosts the form of Gemstone who beat her by just a neck on the same terms as Spin beat her.

Spin was later sent off at 4/5 favourite in a group 3 race eventually won by Chrysanthemum. Spin didn't get to the lead that day and it looked as if something was definitely wrong. She was all but pulled up out the back of field and was the last to pass the post. I'd forget that run as it wasn't her at all. She comes back here fresh, being out of Galileo (as are both Gemstone and Why) she will be suited by the step up in trip, the yeilding ground is now problem either. Gemstone is currently priced up at around 10/3 whereas Spin is on the 11/2 mark. That seems as if it's an each way bet to nothing in my eyes and though I won't be a player I do see that as potential value.

Value in this race is SPIN 11/2. Each way.

Another to watch out for:

4:10W - Raining Horse. 8/1. Fell early.

He's a well-handicapped good ground horse who needs a galloping track. Wetherby tomorrow should be perfect.

Saturday.

UPDATE*

Hunterview ran flat, he was off the bridle a long way out and never looked like having a chance of placing let alone winning. There'll be another day for him but it'll have to be a weaker race than this. The other runners I flagged up were quite disappointing too; Lovelace found the going too quick but he will be winning a good race this year; Ouzbeck was let down by his jumping and was the last finisher in the Scottish National; Night Lily ran fairly well in the Spring Cup, raced towards the rear throughout and when produced on the outside she did pick up well without threatening the runners who were always prominent; The last runner of the day - On His Own was a WINNER at 9/2 (15/2 Advised). Howard Johnson thought he'd be a novice to follow this year and he somewhat disappointed in a good race previously but he did the business today. He'll be a second season chaser next year and the experience of this season will have done him the world of good. There is a staying chase in him again.

1 selection with a few extra fancies:

2:50A - HUNTERVIEW. Each way. 6/1.

Overturn and Mille Chief head the market as joint favourites at 4/1. I'd be more than willing to take on Overturn now back in a handicap. I'd even be inclined to have a small place lay on Donald McCain's gelding. He ran a fair 7th in the Cheltenham version of the race against the likes of Hurricane Fly and Peddlers Cross odd level weights but he has to struggle around here with 11-10 in a handicap. He was a progressive handicapper before stepping up to group class but that rise in class has seen him rapidly lose any sight of a fair handicap rating. Rated 130 when winning this race last year under similar conditions and he did go on to win the Galway hurdle off 145 but he's now rated 160 against a better class of rival. Mille Chief routed Overturn by 47 lengths in a grade 2 at Wincanton but conditions that day weren't ideal for Overturn and he can probably be forgiven that run but he had a hard race at Cheltenham and it is not certain he'll be over that. Peddlers Cross certainly wasn't at Aintree. Mille Chief didn't have such a hard race but he'll have to put up a strong weight carrying performance if he is to win this. He struggled with the pace at Cheltenham and it won't be much difference here under his 11-8 burden.

Nearby looks a possible danger off 11-3 with Chris Davies taking off his usual 7lb. He was an unexpected 3rd in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival at 66/1 and again wasn't disgraced off his current mark when 5th in a strong hurdle at Aintree. Those races were energy sapping though as he may be tired towards what is now the end of the season. Via Galilei was ahead of Nearby in that Aintree race off his current mark but on 9lb worse terms he'll struggle to hold those positions.

Hunterview however has been kept fresh since finishing a fair 12th in the County Hurdle and though on the bare form he has a bit to find with the likes of Nearby, Cockney Trucker and Via Galilei but he was bang there approaching 2 out and just failed to get up the Cheltenham hill as he always does. He's much more at home on an easy track like this. He would ideally like a bit of cut in the ground he has gone well on good ground and he shouldn't be up against it. He is 2lb out of the handicap here but off 10-4 with the exciting Connor O'Farrell claiming 5lb he looks well weighted off 138 (effectively 133) to take a big hand in this.

My other fancies for the day come in a few more of the better races over the cards but I won't be backing them:

3:15L - Lovelace. 13/2.

3:25A - Ouzbeck. Each way. 16/1.

3:45N - Night Lily. Each way. 18/1.

UPDATE*
5:05A - On His Own. 15/2. WINNER

No selections.

UPDATE*

No selections today but of the ones I flagged up; Sikeeb ran out a good winner of the 2:10 Newbury. I selected that one at 12/1, went off at 8/1. I am annoyed with myself for not backing him. He's one to follow this season, he's clearly trained on well and there will likely be plenty of improvement when upped further in trip. The other one I said I like was Noverre To Go in the big sprint handicap of the day but he was a complete no show.

I have no solid blog selections tomorrow.

Here are my views on the Newbury card, just so I don't leave the page empty for the day.

1:35N - This could prove to be a warm little maiden. Won last year by Jane Chapple-Hyam and Klammer, a winner of 3 of his 6 starts, including a a nose victory in a group 3 back at Newbury on his latest start. The race also produced listed winner Royal Exchange, narrowly touched off in group class too. Jane Chapple-Hyam runs Coach Montana with Keiran Fallon the booked pilot. He'll want an extra furlong or two over time but if the money comes it's worth taking note of. There is likely to be a warm favourite in the shape of Regal Entrance. Jeremey Noseda's colt is entered for a couple of smart 2yo races during the summer and if he is anything good enough he should make a bold attempt to win this. The Hannon pair, Sixx and more notably Magic City are worth a market check. Richard Hughes picks Magic City, he has a couple of decent entries too. Another worth taking a quick look at is Commissar. Paul Cole has his ready to go this early season and Silvestre De Sousa is a sound jockey with a big future.

2:10N - I followed SIKEEB closely last season after hearing Clive Brittain saying he was his juvenile to follow for the year. He was beaten on debut by Richard Hannon's smart looking Retainer. The step up in trip helped next time when a strong staying winner over 6f. He was either out-classed in a listed race on his last start or he didn't like the soft ground. Either way he's likely to be better this season and now stepped up to 7f he'll improve a bundle. He's 12/1 on the betting and if fit that could be a good each way price but I'll watch for now. Attracted To You is the more likely of the 2 Hannon runners and again it's Richard Hughes' pick of rides but on previous form it remains to be seen how he will handle ground as quick as the likely going. El Muqbil is on my list of horses to follow but I'm not sure he'll be completely suited by the drop in trip.

4:55N - A competitive handicap. I'm split between two runners. Dandy Nicholls' Striking Spirit ridden by Adrian Nicholls and NOVERRE TO GO, trained by Tom Dascombe with Richard Kingscote onboard.. Both are on reasonable marks and should go well. Striking Spirit has been beaten twice from 2 runs over 5f but by short margins. He's gone well fresh in the past and Dandy aims his runners at these sort of handicaps all year. Noverre To Go was beaten just 1/2 length by Genki on the wrong side in a similar handicap towards the back end of last season. Genki won next time off the same mark and yesterday won a good race at Newmarket, now rated 8lb higher. Noverre To Go was second at Dundalk off this mark too, the winner, Take Ten, won again since off 10lb higher and 3rd placed Banna Boirche has won his next two starts and is now rated 13lb higher. The form looks strong. 12/1 is a fair price but still no bet for me.



I am a value stealer.

UPDATE*
The tip did indeed lose, but I am disappointed in the way the race played out. I'm not one to take a shot at Ruby Walsh but I was disappointed with the ride given to Current Event. He was held up to great effect last time out and scooted away over the last 2 flights. He ran this race to perfectly suit Third Intention. He made the pace and that certainly helped Third Intention settle. Current Event however did go out like a light, maybe he burst a blood vessel, I can't be sure but to me it looked as if something did turn out to be wrong with Nicholls runner. Time will only tell.


Hey readers, my name is Darren. I'm a 27 year old hod carrier with a passion for racing. I don't go to many meetings but I study racing daily.

This is my first blog and I am hoping to show you all how I bet. I look for value in a race. My selections aren't big prices but they still represent value to me. I do not bet everyday as I only bet on races in which I can only see one winner.

I'm sure I don't know as much as many of the people who do these blogs but I'll try and hold my own.
I was going to start my blog yesterday but I couldn't find a selection so I held off until today;

2:10 Cheltenham - CURRENT EVENT. 7/4.

He's always been held in some regard by Paul Nicholls and it was a bold choice to keep him away from both Cheltenham and Aintree. He was 1L second in his hurdles debut which suprisingly was a Listed affair in France. The comfortable British debut scorer Domtaline was well held in 3rd. Current Event struggled on his first start in England when 6th in an Aintree maiden hurdle but he had an excuse and has subsequently undergone a breathing operation. His first start since was impressive, Current Event was receiving a little weight all round last time but he beat the ever-improving Fontano from Emma Lavelle's yard by 18L, 11L further back in 3rd was a well regarded Philip Hobbs inmate in the shape of Tony Star. Hobbs' horse was back on the track after previously winning a race that has produced no less than 6 winners and many a placed effort. Current Event was always travelling and jumping well, he quickened smartly and with such little in the way or recent racing he still has a lot of improvement to come, it's also encouraging that he goes well on any sort of ground as it was raining towards the end of racing at Cheltenham yesterday.

The main danger looks to be Third Intention, a strong 7th in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. That is the best form on offer and he holds strong claims now dropped in class but at likely short odds he is worth taking on as there is atleast 1 good reason as to why. The lesser reason would be Joe Tizzard, it is of my opinion that Joe Tizzard isn't all that good a jockey. Colin Tizzard's horses seem to improve a lot when Joe isn't riding. A fine example of this is Douryna, a horse thought well-handicapped by Mr Tizzard. Joe rode him 3 times and could only finish at best 3rd in a 0-95 handicap chase, falling and pulling up on the other two starts. Stepped up in class to a 0-105 handicap chase and with Daryl Jacob riding, Douryna hacked up by 13 lengths ahead of a next time out 9L winner off the same mark. The other reason is Third Intention's inability to settle early on. On appearance he settled just fine in the Triumph hurdle but the bigger field and strong gallop played no small part. Back in just a 6 runner race with no confirmed front-runner I fear he'll revert to his old ways and fight for his head and run himself into the ground, even more so if there is any juice in the ground.

Higgy's Ragazzo was a good winner of two low rated events and will need to step up if he is trouble the 2 market leaders. Based on flat and hurdles form he is clearly suited by good ground and may struggle if there is any cut in the ground. The other 3 runners; Smart Catch, Occasionally Yours and more so Dona have to give weight away and with weaker form than the others they should struggle in this hot looking race.