Christmas Eyecatchers 2022

2023-01-03T11:59:35+00:00December 29th, 2022|

Christmas Eyecatchers

In this blog post, I will highlight some of the standout horses that caught my attention during the Christmas period. These may include contenders for the Grand National as well as those with potential for success in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival

Are these blogs worth reading?

Monday 26th December

Fontwell 11:57

Rambo T – Handicapping. Could be interesting, decent R Figures, beaten by a smart sort last time out in Givega

(Edit – Handicap Mark of 116 – that looks very workable) 

Leopardstown 12:00

Parmenion­ – This horse placed third in the same race where State Man fell before going on to win a […]

3 for the Welsh National

2022-12-18T15:51:10+00:00December 18th, 2022|

A trio for the Welsh National

Truckers Lodge – Paul Nicholls

Truckers Lodge has already competed in 3 Welsh Nationals finishing 2nd in 2019 (off effective 136), 7th in 2020 (off effective 152) and 3rd in 2021 (off effective 150). This year I fully expect Freddie Gingell to ride and take 10lb off in a race named after his late mother AND the horse is only rated 141 now. That would see him running off an effective 131. Remember he was 2nd beaten just 1 1/4 lengths off 136 in 2019. I’m sure they left plenty of work in him when he ran in the handicap at Haydock […]

When targets look obvious

2022-12-14T14:48:02+00:00December 14th, 2022|

I can never understand some trainers plans

Looking at some of the recent handicap marks and some of the upcoming fixtures, there are some that stand out so clearly. Let’s have a look at one of these!

Rouge Vif

Rouge Vif got dropped 5lb over hurdles to 130 and 4lb to 140 over fences after disappointing over hurdles at Cheltenham recently.

Target:

Well handicapped?

Is Rouge Vif well handicapped over fences even though he’s higher rated over fences than hurdles? Absolutely. He’s run in 2 Handicap chases in his career, he was going to finish 2nd off 149 when falling at the last over 2 1/2 mile and […]

She would be great in a Coral Cup!

2022-12-10T12:39:27+00:00December 10th, 2022|

Cheltenham

Unfortunately, Doncaster, Cheltenham, Navan and Hereford are all abandoned and the racing review is limited this week. I did notice a horse yesterday however that should definitely be aimed at the Coral Cup.

Indefatigable finished 8th of 8 yesterday at Cheltenham over 3m having been held up and not picking up when they got racing on the flat (last 2 hurdles were omitted due to low sun). Her last 2 efforts now over 3m have seen her finish last of 8 and last 6 and hopefully connections realise she doesn’t stay 3m as well as she does over the 2 1/2 mile trip. She was beaten yesterday […]

What tactics will they go with?

2022-12-09T14:18:18+00:00December 9th, 2022|

Cheltenham

12:40 Monmiral wins this surely. It should be easy against 2 other rivals who are not as classy. His effort behind Jonbon was probably a very good effort!

1:15 I’m going to side with Gumball here who I think could be going for it. He’s had a run back over fences and actually turned into the straight at Ascot going as well as Thyme White, Before Midnight and Frero Banbou but appeared to get tired late on. Before that his previous start over fences over 2m came in the Grand Annual when sent off just 14/1 off a mark of 140. He disappointed when fading quickly coming to the […]

A winner for later this month & 2 for March!

2022-12-07T11:09:17+00:00December 7th, 2022|

A December winner & 2 for the Cheltenham Festival

Looking through the handicap marks this week, there are less horses this week that catch my eye having dropped in the handicap. I did have a look at a few such as Snow Leopardess and Hill Sixteen from the Becher Chase but feel the former is still feeling the affects of the National whilst the latter is still too high in the handicap.

Gunsight Ridge -1 to 136 – Target: Grand Annual at Cheltenham Festival

Olly Murphy stepped Gunsight Ridge back up in trip again and again it failed to work. I really hope Olly gives up with […]

Have the Skelton’s got a Grand National horse?

2022-12-05T16:48:22+00:00December 3rd, 2022|

Saturday 3rd December Review

Another great day for the Ratings!

We started in great style with Minella Crooner beating RTR 2 I Am Maximus and in total we had 16 TOP RATED winners from 43 races at a strike rate of 37.21%. These included the impressive Jonbon, Landrake in Ireland, Quick Wave in the London National and Ashtown Lad in the Becher Chase Saturday 3rd December Ratings – FULLY UNLOCKED

Crooner beats Maximus – JUST

The Ratings got off to a flyer with TOP RATED Minella Crooner beating RTR 2 I Am Maximus in the first race of the day (remember the ratings for the first race are […]

There are some crazily well handicapped horses!

2022-11-29T20:03:25+00:00November 29th, 2022|

These are so well handicapped!

Fiddlerontheroof -5 to 150

There’s no denying Fiddlerontheroof was disappointing this year in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury having finished 2nd last year. He had been given a fitness run over hurdles and came to Newbury looking like he had a great chance off a 5lb higher mark than last year. Pulling up was disappointing for connections and the handicapper has reacted by dropping him 5lb in one go. That’s quite a drop for a horse who just 3 runs ago was finishing 5th in a Grand National after being sent off just 12/1. I would argue last season he didn’t […]

Superstar Alert – Now we all know it!

2022-11-26T16:34:53+00:00November 26th, 2022|

Saturday 25th Review

Newbury 12:45 

Top Rated McFabulous beat Thyme Hill in good style over fences and jumped really well. He probably showed he does stay this 3m trip now and his jumping today look very assured. We’ve had more and more TOP WEIGHT handicap winners in recent times including First Street and L’Homme Presse today and after today I think McFabulous will be rated 158.

I would love to see him aimed at the lucrative 3m Handicap Chase at Kempton in February. He’s 2 from 2 at the course over hurdles winning a Grade 2 Handicap hurdle and a Grade 2 hurdle. Winning both of those races won him £56,474 […]

His form looks VERY strong!

2022-11-24T19:04:55+00:00November 23rd, 2022|

Friday 25th and Saturday 26th Analysis

Friday 25th November

Newbury 2:30

I’m a big fan of Beakstown here who won for us at Ayr last season over his optimum 2 1/2 mile trip. He ended the season with a good 3rd at Sandown when not beaten far but arguably ran his career best last time out on his seasonal return at Aintree. He finished 4th behind former Grade 1 winner Riders Onthe Storm with subsequent easy Haydock winner Hitman in 2nd and subsequent Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase winner Ga Law back in 3rd. Beakstown was just 1 3/4 length behind Ga Law. Ga Law won off […]