Reflecting on the racing in Dubai yesterday at Meydan.  It was pretty clear the Saeed Bin Suroor’s horses were much more forward than a lot of trainers, Bin Battuta who won the first race, had been off the track for over 16 months, but was well trained to win,  after a long absence.  The Charlie Appleby horses were disappointing, Isplolini was the closest finisher when second in the first race, but a couple of fancied horses later ran poorly, it’s always best to be cautious and watch the first Carnival meeting, it gives a good guide to early season form.

Today has a few meetings of interest. Wetherby jumping has some nice horses running.  The bumper which is the last race could be interesting, Big Bad Bear was well backed last time when second, he has a good claimer on top today, he would be my choice of going one better today, Prince Llewelyn was second at Ascot last time, although that race is not really working out yet, although he could be the one to beat.  One horse that should have no trouble in getting off the mark today is Clarendon Street 2:20, he looks a penalty kick.

Hopefully I will be able to find something for followers at good odds tomorrow, some good races to look at, hopefully the weather stays dry and the ground remains pretty good/good to soft.

At Meydan today the Carnival have the first meeting.  Some good horses line up.  Ispolini will be hoping to get the ball rolling early for Godolphin in the 2:30, I think he will be the one to beat, he was competing in good races last season, gelded since his last run, he will hopefully be ready to win.  Later races are competitive, Key Victory slightly disappointed in his two runs after winning at Newmarket in the spring, he will have to be well forward to win, as Deauville, who has his first run for Fawzi Nass is a solid group race performer, that race is at 4:50.

Switching to Southwell, Francophillia 1:30 could well be the one to beat on her first run on fibresand, you are never totally sure that they will act on it until they try, but she looks the type who will handle the surface, she did show promise in 2018, and this is not a strong race.

Delighted to start the new year with a WINNER for my subscribers yesterday.  Aso 2:00 Cheltenham was advised at 9/2, heavily backed into 3/1, he won well under Charlie Deutch. Looking at the Newcastle runners tonight, Kentucky Kingdom  4:45 ran well last time, he is improving with racing and will have a good chance of winning, it will be a competitive race though, as he has a couple of real dangers in Dutch Pursuit and Fiction Writer.  It looks a decent type of race for the track.

Looking ahead to racing tomorrow, a couple of horses running at Meydan who I have heard have been working really well, it is the start of the Carnival racing out there, good horses and excellent prize money on offer, it is ultra competitive over the next few months, I was reading that former Racing manager for Godolphin Simon Crisford, who is doing well since starting training, has sent around 15 horses out to race over the next few weeks, hopefully he can have a few winners, he has still close ties to the Makhtoum family.

Looking at today’s racing, Cheltenham is the main card.  Some useful horses on show, a lot of them having their first run of the season, many will have long term targets, a lot will be aiming for the big festival meeting in March at the track.  I think one of the most fascinating races today is at 1:25, a Novice Chase with four horses heading the betting at around 3/1, it’s one of those races were you wouldn’t be surprised if any one of the four won it.  Black Op would be my choice if I have a bet, but it would only be small Stakes! Defi De Soil beat my selection last time, he is a good horse and I think the main danger, On The Blind Side, has looked as though he would be a nice chaser when winning over the smaller obstacles, he is having his first run of the season, so may well improve for it.

At Fakenham today Blu Cavalier 12:45 is a surprise runner is a seller for his big yard, he looks a class above his rivals if within 7lb of his best!

Slightly later post today.  I looked at the racing earlier, I did fancy one in an earlier race that was third, looking at the remaining races.  The last race at Warwick 3:35 is a bumper. I thought if the Macon Lugnatic handles the softer ground today than when second on debut, he was the one to beat.  He was beaten by a decent horse that day, who won his next run over hurdles, so the form has backed up. It may well be a half decent race today, so he will have to show progress from his last run, Nobby is a winner, and looked decent when winning last time.

Hopefully everyone who follows will have a good evening tonight, a few horses entered tomorrow of interest, pleased to get a profitable month for December for my subscribers, yesterday’s three winners were good, with the racing carnival in Meydan starting in January, I am sure January will be profitable , with plenty of good racing to get stuck into.

Pleased to give my followers a nice winner today.  Mr Grey Sky 3:35 Haydock was a good winner, it’s looked hard work at Haydock.  Also the 3 horses I advised to my subscribers today all WON.  I advised a treble and 3x doubles. Scorpion Sid, advised at 2/1, Posh Trish 4/5 and Fearsome 10/11, combined the treble was 9.3/1, so delighted to get that, with the doubles as well it was a healthy profit, for not a big outlay.  Scorpion Sid 12:55 Haydock was going clear, when his only threat fell at the second last fence, he handled the slow ground well, and jumped well.  Posh trish, the last leg at Taunton 2:55, was a fairly cosy winner of the listed Mares hurdle. She is very useful, and will make a nice chaser in time.

One more day left of the current year, so hopefully I can find a winner before the year is out !

Today has two jump meetings , Haydock and Taunton and Lingfield has all weather flat racing.  Looking at the Taunton card Birds Of Prey 1:15 was a strong finishing second at the track last time, he made a couple of novice mistakes that day, he should be wiser for that run and win this event, he is quite highly regarded.  At the Haydock meeting , where the ground will ride soft/heavy, Mr Grey Sky 3:35 was a winner at the track last time, its always hard to win with a penalty in a ‘bumper’, but this horse could be good enough to do just that.

If having a bet at Haydock, make sure you know that they handle slow ground, it is a real test of stamina at the track when soft, as the ground is very ‘tacky’, and can be really hard work.

Quite a good day at Kelso races today.  Unlucky not to start the day well, Sams Adventure was a couple of lengths in front when he ran left and crashed through the wing at the last hurdle, thankfully horse and rider looked ok, pretty sure he would of won, and not sure why he ducked out.

I backed Charmant in the 1:25, he stood out in the paddock and won well.  I then backed two in the 2:00, only small bets but a profit on the race, as one of my picks Elvis Mail won, at 100/30, he was a cosy winner.

Pretty good attendance at the races, it is a nice little track, and with a bit of rain overnight the going was pretty much ideal for horses.

Looking ahead over the next two days, hopefully I can find a few winners, and end the year well.  I am looking forward to 2019, the Carnival racing in Dubai starts early January, I should be able to find a few winners, it’s always advisable to follow the boys in blue !

Today is Another typical Saturday, difficult to work out the races.  I am going to Kelso, the ground is currently good.  In the 2:00, Goldencard is trying to win a fairly ordinary race, I thought he could be the one to beat, he has won at the track before and will handle the ground OK. Hopefully the favourite kicks the day off to a good start 11:45, Sams Adventure has had a wind op, i will have a look at him in the paddock, see if he looks in good shape, I do think he can win if he is in good shape, and the wind op has helped.  Got to go, early first race !

One horse at Doncaster I like.  Seven  De Buane 12:20, he steps up in grade today, but won easily last time, he has a solid chance today.

Doing a bit of travelling today.  So a short message.  I thought Le Precieux could win the 3:40 Leicester, only three runners, he won’t mind the ground , which is good to firm , and had a win on the flat last time, the other two are a bit like him, not frequent winners, but I think my selection, is the one with the most potential. At 9/4 I thought he was a shade of value.