Final day of the Cheltenham festival. Vauban 1.30 has looked a very good horse, he was beaten by his rival today Pied Piper on his hurdle debut, not beaten far. I think the race could be between them today, but do think Vauban might well get his revenge. At 2.50 Ginto lines up, he has won well on his three tries over hurdles in Ireland, he has a good chance of winning today, in what is a very competitive field.
The ground has been drying out , so should be good to soft, ideal jumping ground for everyone.

More soon.

A good winner advised yesterday for my subscribers. He’s A Latchico 1.46 Lingfield was advised at 11/8 yesterday morning, well ridden by Rhys Clutterbuck who is good value for his 3lb claim.

Today at Compeigne, Influx 11.35 should prove too classy for his rivals, although the trip is a tad on the short side, he has the best jockey on top and runs here for a new stable today, he has also been gelded since his last run in June 2021.
I thought the UK cards were pretty tough to find winners, although a few i like.

More soon.

Already 3 races down at Marseille today. All three have gone to horses under Christophe Soumillion. He is riding very well, with an excellent strike rate. I did like the look of Jaafar in the 12.25 race at the track, he was unlucky last time, and if he gets a better ride today, he has a strong chance of winning.

Looking at the UK meetings, favourite backers should get off to a decent start at Wetherby, the 1.45 is an ideal chance for Our Bill’s Aunt to do the business. Slow ground at the Yorkshire track, although I do not think that will inconvenience the favourite.

More soon.

A good winner advised for my subscribers today. Crush And Run 3.45 Lingfield was advised at 2/1, he was given a positive ride by Shane Kelly, who managed to get a good position after a slow start. He stayed on strongly to win from the lesser fancied stable companion, to get the job done. Hopefully I can keep the decent run going over the next couple of days, already in a healthy profit for the month.

Looking at the later races today, I quite like Ludus 4.20 Lingfield.
More soon.

Quite a number of small fields today at Newbury. The first race at 1.15 sees Bravemansgame head the betting, he is around currently around evens, if his stable runners were in better form I would be tempted to back him, as he would probably be odds on if the horses were in good heart, with a strike rate of around 2 winners from over 30 runners, its a worry. This horse with top weight, has looked very slick over his fences in all three runs so far. And if healthy, will be hard to beat.

At Lingfield – True Icon 3.30 should be too good for her rivals, in what looks a weak event.

I am not a big fan of Saturday betting, as its the most difficult day to back a winner. So caution is a best option today, until the likes of Paul Nicholls yard can regain a run of form, its small stakes on any of his runners.

More soon.

A good days racing ahead today. Sandown starts at 12.40 over hurdles. Shallwehaveonemore is red hot favourite, and will be hard to beat. He ran well in his two starts over obstacles, after winning his bumper. I believe it is Joshua Moore’s first ride back from an absence due to a fall, so best of luck with that. I also like Gunsight Ridge 1.15 Sandown, he was a game winner last time, on testing ground, as he has been given a bit of time to get over the slog, he has a solid chance of winning again. Ahoy Senor 2.30 Wetherby looks to have a good chance of amending for his defeat last time when third at Kempton, in what was a stronger contest. He is well regarded by connections, and should be too good for his rivals.

More soon.

Difficult cards today. Insomnia 12.35 Lingfield would be my pick in the handicap over 1 mile. He ran on well last time over 7f, a decent 3rd, on his first run off a break. He will stay the extra furlong, and his stables horses are running well at the moment, so he has a solid chance.

At Kempton this evening, Tranquil Night 6.00 has been well backed, he ran quite an encouraging race on his debut when 4th, with that experience he can be sharper than his two likely main threats, Naranco and Montressco, and should win. Famille Rose 6.30 was unlucky last time when 3rd at the track, and can make amends here over the 7f.

More soon.

Looking at today’s card at Doncaster, City Cheif 1:05 will be hard to beat. He was strong at the finish last time, he hit a flat spot that day, if ridden more aggressively today he should be too good for his rivals.

It could be a could day to follow the Henderson horses at Doncaster, as he has two other horses with solid chances. Russian Ruler 2:15 and later Hurricane Le Dun in the bumper at 3:50 is supposed to be useful.

More soon.

A good end to the year, Mobashr 1.15 Lingfield was advised to my subscribers at 100/30 yesterday afternoon. He was well supported in the betting, returning at 15/8 favourite. Another month of profit for this month, a few seconds narrowly beaten that could of made a lot of difference, but i cant complain.

Hopefully tomorrow’s cards go ahead, as a fair bit of rain around, and the ground looks pretty testing today at the turf meetings.

More soon.

A late post today. Good to get a winner for my subscription customers today. Galah 1.03 Doncaster was advised at 6/5 this morning. She returned at even money, and did well to win, as I thought she was given a lot too do by her jockey Mitch Bastiyan. He held her up at the back of the field, and after two flights jumped, I could see the leader and eventual second Pump It Up, had stolen a soft lead, and duly kept going when challenged by the winner going to the last flight, so it was a good effort to win.

Yesterday in Ireland at Leopardstown, the Grade 1 Chase at 2.20 was won by Galvin, who stayed on strongly under Davy Russell to win by a nose. I did think Rachel Blackmore was very loose in her “finish” on A Plus Tard, she had no contact with the horses mouth, as her reign’s flapped around, and for me it cost her the race. Horses do not go in a straight line, and wander, more so- when under maximum pressure, and it is the person on top, who has to do the best they can, to help their mount , they need to have them collected, and balanced in a race, at all times.

Recently former champion jockey, John Francome was interviewed about different aspects about racing, generally. When asked about the current crop of riders, he said a lot of them today were average, and not of the same standard as when he was riding, and he was right.
Not big fields tomorrow at Haydock, where the going will be very testing underfoot. At Taunton, where the ground will be good to soft, although showers are forecast. Brave Kingdom 1.15 looked a decent horse when winning at Chepstow on his first run for Paul Nicholls. If he can put his run at Sandown behind him 27 days ago, when a distant 3rd when short odds favourite, he will be tough to beat.
More soon.