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Post by Kimmy on Mar 18, 2018 12:13:16 GMT
Exeter and Southwell off
Officials at Exeter have made the early decision to abandon Tuesday's National Hunt fixture.
The Devon circuit is covered by two inches of snow and a further two inches is forecast to fall on Sunday.
The course was waterlogged on Friday following 88 millimetres of rain in seven days and officials have no option but to pull the plug.
Exeter's Twitter feed posted: "We are sorry to say that following the recent snowfall and with more snow forecast, our race meeting on Tuesday has been abandoned."
Kelso's meeting on Monday must pass a 2pm inspection on Sunday as that also has a covering of snow.
Clerk of the course Anthea Morshead said: "2" snow overnight @kelsoracecourse Temperature currently on 0deg, due to rise to 2 deg at noon, & 5 deg by noon Monday. No frost in ground before snow arrived & going Heavy. INSPECTION 2pm Sunday."
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 18, 2018 13:00:58 GMT
LIMERICK OFF.
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Post by dennisg on Mar 19, 2018 7:37:04 GMT
in today's sporting life............... Latest news as the wet and cold weather forces inspections at tracks in the UK and Ireland. No National Hunt on Monday Southwell abandoned their Monday card as the track is covered by four inches of snow. Kelso is also snowbound and called off its fixture following an unsuccessful inspection at 2pm on Sunday. A statement issued by Kelso read: "Further snow showers today and temperatures remaining around zero degrees - and forecast of further snow this evening - leaves insufficient hope for required improvement." Monday's only surviving domestic fixture is at Lingfield. There are "currently no problems" ahead of the seven-race Flat card on the all-weather track. Limerick is also due to race on Monday and will stage an 8am inspection on raceday morning. Exeter make early call Officials at Exeter have made the early decision to abandon Tuesday's National Hunt fixture. The Devon circuit is covered by two inches of snow and a further two inches is forecast to fall on Sunday. The course was waterlogged on Friday following 88 millimetres of rain in seven days and officials have no option but to pull the plug. Exeter's Twitter feed posted: "We are sorry to say that following the recent snowfall and with more snow forecast, our race meeting on Tuesday has been abandoned." Wetherby to check again Tuesday's meeting at Wetherby is subject to a further inspection at noon on Monday. Officials at the West Yorkshire track announced an initial check for noon on Sunday after significant rainfall since March 5 left the course waterlogged in places. On Sunday lunchtime the course had a light covering of snow and officials have decided to check again on Monday in order to reassess the situation after the snow has melted. Newcastle is also set to stage a Flat fixture on Tuesday. There was a dusting of snow on the track on Sunday morning but clerk of the course James Armstrong expects the weather to turn milder from Monday. Down Royal race on Monday Down Royal was forced to abandon its meeting on Saturday, but officials moved swiftly to reschedule the meeting on Monday. Racecourse manager Mike Todd is confident the fixture will defeat the elements at the second attempt. He said: "We've had no snow at all. We were forecast snow flurries (on Sunday) but didn't get any. "Our track was under water on Saturday, which is why we can to cancel, but we are now in good shape and we don't anticipate any problems." The outlook appears a little cloudier at Clonmel on Tuesday as its National Hunt card is subject to an 8am course inspection on Monday morning.
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Post by dennisg on Mar 19, 2018 7:39:22 GMT
Nick Grant previews the pick of Monday's action, as well as providing a selection for every race in the UK and Ireland. Cliffs Of Dover was a ready winner last time out and can double up in the Betway Stayers Handicap at Lingfield. A very useful juvenile hurdler a couple of years ago, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was forced to miss the whole of 2017, returning at Wincanton last month, where he was pulled up in the Kingwell Hurdle won by Elgin. Nicholls switched him to the level a couple of weeks ago, where he won with some authority under the trainer's daughter, Megan, who made full use of her 5lb claim in giving the five-year-old a smart ride and she is on again. On that evidence, there is no reason at all why he should not win again on the Flat, before possibly going to Aintree or the like. World Of Good can live up to her name for her backers in division one of the Play Starburst Slot At sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap. Formerly with Anabel Murphy, the five-year-old made a winning start for Olly Murphy over this seven-furlong trip at Wolverhampton last month, responding well for pressure to beat Ad Vitam by a length, having taken a strong hold through the early stages. The Danehill Dancer mare remains feasibly handicapped and the drop back to this distance from a mile seems to have been to her liking. There might be a bit more for Murphy to work with just yet. Beautiful Memory continues to go from strength to strength and is very hard to oppose in the 32Red.com Novice Stakes. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly showed promise in two seven-furlong juvenile outings and it has been no surprise at all to see her run out a very easy winner on both her starts this year, where she has relished the step up to a mile and a quarter. Last month's course and distance victor Sayesse gets on well with Callum Shepherd and can go in again in the Play For Free At sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap for Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Mick Channon. Sporting Life selections DOWN ROYAL: 2.25 Free Ranger, 2.55 Mister Butler, 3.30 Sir Carno, 4.00 Crosshue Boy, 4.30 Mala Beach, 5.05 Sizingdowntherhine, 5.40 Shirleys Gold Well. KELSO: ABANDONED LIMERICK: 2.15 Glebe Girl, 2.45 Pete So High, 3.15 Crezic, 3.50 Sunset Sadie, 4.20 The Grey Guy, 4.50 The Big Galloper, 5.20 Clinton Hill. LINGFIELD: 2.20 World Of Good, 2.50 Herm, 3.25 CLIFFS OF DOVER (NAP), 3.55 Beautiful Memory, 4.25 Sayesse, 4.55 Four Fifty Three, 5.25 Ravenhoe. DOUBLE: Cliffs Of Dover and Beautiful Memory.
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Post by dennisg on Mar 19, 2018 7:41:26 GMT
With National Hunt racing hit hard by the latest cold snap, our nap for Monday runs on the all-weather at Lingfield. Recommended bet: Sporting Life's Daily Nap, March 19 Cyrus Dallin can make the most of a drop in grade to land the Play For Free At sunbets.co.uk/vegas Handicap at Lingfield on Monday. William Muir's horse was disappointing last time, but that was his second run following a near six-month break and perhaps came soon enough, as he was keen throughout and emptied late on over a mile at Kempton. Now dropped back to seven furlongs, he would look a big player in this winnable race if able to return to the form he showed prior to that, when fourth in a much stronger contest. The form looks good as the winner was just touched off in a class 3 contest next time, while the third won at Wolverhampton. Cyrus Dallin is also down to a mark of 75, which makes him eligible for this class 5 contest, and the one and only previous time he ran in this grade resulted in a two-length win off this rating at Goodwood. Having also scored at Lingfield on his debut, conditions could well prove ideal for one of the least exposed horses in the line-up and he should represent a spot of value in the morning for a yard who ended a barren spell with a winner at Warwick just over a week ago. Sea Shack's best form makes him the one to beat under Sylvestre de Sousa, but he wouldn't want to be caught napping from stall one on his first run since last autumn, while the quirky Sayesse arrives at the top of his game but is stuck out in 14. In The Red is another grade-dropper who would've been of more interest over a mile and Varsovian, representing the very much in-form Dean Ivory, might be the one to catch inside the furlong with the visor refitted. The hope is that Cyrus Dallin can stalk the pace and pounce. Daily Nap record: -17.74pts
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Post by dennisg on Mar 19, 2018 7:43:29 GMT
Minella Rocco will head straight for the Randox Health Grand National after sidestepping Friday's Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup. Jonjo O'Neill's charge filled the runner-up spot in last year's Gold Cup behind Sizing John, one place ahead of this year's winner Native River. Despite a largely disappointing campaign so far, the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old was set for another appearance in the blue riband before being taken out on the morning of the race due to the prevailing testing conditions at Prestbury Park. O'Neill said: "The ground was going to be no good for him in the Gold Cup really as he wants nice ground. "He is in good form at home and the plan is to go to Aintree now for the Grand National. "Hopefully the ground will dry out between now and then and they will get nice ground up there."
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 10:32:59 GMT
Monday: going, weather & non-runners Down Royal GOING: HEAVY (Soft in places) WEATHER: Partly cloudy Limerick GOING: HEAVY WEATHER: Partly cloudy NON RUNNERS: 3:50 Ejayteekay (5) Lingfield (AW) GOING: POLYTRACK: STANDARD WEATHER: Partly cloudy STALLS: Inside NON RUNNERS: 2:20 Cyflymder (10)Vincenzo Coccotti (1)Masquerade Bling (4) 3:25 Rosa Damascena (5)Tor (6)Retrieve (9) 3:55 Caspar The Cub (2) 4:25 Tavener (10) 5:25 Beast (8)Kristal Hart (9)
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 10:33:46 GMT
BANKER
Cliffs Of Dover (3.25 Lingfield)
Not the easiest ride as he often races very keenly, but Cliffs Of Dover is well ahead of his Flat mark based on his hurdles form and should follow up under a 7lb penalty. The five-year-old hacked up when last seen in February in a similar race and was fancied by his trainer to go well at the Cheltenham festival on the back of that, but unfortunately didn't make the cut. He must be extremely well in himself if Nicholls fancied him to run a big race of his hurdles mark and therefore he should land this prize without much fuss.
8/11 Cliffs Of Dover 3:25 Lingfield (AW)
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 10:34:28 GMT
Newmarket: David Milnes
Sportswriter (3.55 Lingfield, nap)
Charlie Appleby's gelding was just touched off on his latest start at Newcastle but is on an upward curve and is fancied to give William Buick a winner on his first ride back. The son of Iffraaj has since worked well on Waterhall.
Evs Sportswriter 3:55 Lingfield (AW) Others to follow Lingfield: 4.25 Toriano, 4.55 Solid Man.
Lambourn: James Burn
Sayesse (4.25 Lingfield, nap)
Course-and-distance winner last month and should go close again despite 3lb rise.
7/1 Sayesse 4:25 Lingfield (AW) Others to follow Kelso: 2.10 Grounfdunderrepair, 3.10 Mahlervous. Lingfield: 2.20 Caledonia Laird, 3.25 Rosa Damascena, 3.55 Caspar The Cub, 4.55 Dorian Gray.
Racing Post Ratings: Simon Turner
World Of Good (2.20 Lingfield)
Made the perfect start to life with Olly Murphy, looking on good terms when scoring at Wolverhampton last month. Now just 3lb higher and can win again.
6/4 World Of Good 2:20 Lingfield (AW) Topspeed: Dave Edwards
Solid Man (4.55 Lingfield)
Has been a beaten favourite twice over a mile recently but it may pay to keep the faith over this longer trip.
5/2 Solid Man 4:55 Lingfield (AW) Longshot: Ed Quigley
Cyrus Dallin (4.25 Lingfield)
Inconsistent sort but should be suited by the drop back to 7f and looks capable of going well off this mark.
10/1 Cyrus Dallin 4:25 Lingfield (AW) Ireland: Tony O'Hehir
Tintangle (5.35 Down Royal)
Beaten 19 lengths in fourth on her debut at Leopardstown last month in a race won by subsequent Cheltenham Bumper winner, Relegate, the daughter of Yeats appeals in what looks a lesser race and gets the vote to score for Gordon Elliott and Lisa O'Neill.
6/5 Tintangle 5:35 Down Royal *There are no tips from West Country or the North.
Raceform Interactive nugget
Herm is 2/2 under Fran Berry and 0/12 under anyone else. The pair defend that unbeaten record in the 2.50 at Lingfield.
4/1 Herm 2:50 Lingfield (AW) Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 8pm daily on racingpost.com
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 10:35:22 GMT
Simon Walker has ridden six winners from 13 rides at Lingfield, an impressive strike-rate of 46 per cent. His only ride of the day is on Hallingham in the 5.25. The drop back to 1m2f can help him improve on his fifth at this track last time out.
Bertie Blu Boy, a five-time course-and-distance winner goes in the 2.20 at Lingfield. When running off an official rating of 58 or less at the track his form figures read 11112731, with today’s jockey Kevin Lundie on board for two of those wins. The ten-year-old hasn’t shown much of late but he can roll back the years today.
Planetoid looks up against it in the 3.25 at Lingfield after a 527-day absence. However, he has a good record when fresh and has won four of his nine starts at the track. He had some smart form over staying trips when last seen and if he can replicate that as a ten-year-old he should outrun his odds.
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 10:38:53 GMT
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 10:39:32 GMT
Newcastle
Robin Goodfellow
2.20 World Of Good (nb)
2.50 Herm
3.25 Cliffs Of Dover
3.55 Beautiful Memory
4.25 Pour La Victoire (nap)
4.55 Solid Man
5.25 Relevant
Gimcrack
2.20 World Of Good
2.50 Herm
3.25 Cliffs Of Dover (nap)
3.55 Beautiful Memory (nb)
4.25 Sayesse
4.55 Four Fifty Three
5.25 Ravenhoe
Newmarket
3.55 Sportswriter (nap)
4.55 Solid Man (nb)
Northerner
2.50 Merdon Castle (nap)
5.25 Ravenhoe (nb)
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 18:25:02 GMT
Southwell, 19 Mar 18 Fixture Note Abandoned - Snow Nothing to report View Stewards report Kelso, 19 Mar 18 Fixture Note Abandoned - Snow Nothing to report View Stewards report Lingfield Park, 19 Mar 18 Fixture Note Due to the abandonment of Southwell and Kelso, and to ensure a more even spread of race times during the afternoon, all races at Lingfield will be delayed by 5 minutes.
Permission was given for runners to use the Pre-Parade ring for this meeting, as the surface in the Parade Ring was under repair. Race 1 - 2:20pm THE PLAY STARBURST SLOT AT sunbets.co.uk/vegas HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (DIV I) A query was raised with the representative of Ken Cunningham-Brown as to why his runner in this first race, VINCENZO COCCOTTI (USA) was a non-runner due to the travel, when his runner in the 5.25 race, HALLINGHAM, had made it safely to the course. The representative explained that VINCENZO COCCOTTI (USA) does not like confined spaces and needs two berths when travelling. As their usual horsebox is only 2 berths, a large 6 berth box had been booked to take both horses to the course. Due to the bad weather, the large horsebox was unable to make it to the yard to collect the two horses, meaning VINCENZO COCCOTTI (USA) was unable to travel. His explanation was accepted.
Following the race, Nicola Currie reported that MALAYSIAN BOLEH, placed third, was denied a clear run.
The performance of WORLD OF GOOD which started joint favourite and finished sixth of seven runners, was considered. Luke Morris reported that the filly ran flat, and the representative of Olly Murphy could offer no further explanation for WORLD OF GOOD’s performance.
Race 2 - 2:50pm THE PLAY STARBURST SLOT AT sunbets.co.uk/vegas HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) (DIV II) Permission was given for BLACKTHORN STICK (IRE) to go early to post.
Following the race, Jimmy Quinn reported that BLACKTHORN STICK (IRE), placed sixth, was slowly away.
Race 3 - 3:25pm THE BETWAY STAYERS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) Paddy Bradley, the rider of ARDAMIR (FR), drawn 3, was slow to remove the blindfold resulting in his horse being slow to start. After being interviewed and shown recordings of the incident, Bradley’s explanation that the blindfold snagged on the bridle meaning he took two attempts to remove it was noted.
Turning into the home straight, the rider of ARDAMIR (FR), placed third, had to take a check when going for a gap on the inside of AKAVIT (IRE), placed fourth, which edged marginally left-handed, but after viewing a recording of the incident it was found that no riding offence was involved.
Race 5 - 4:25pm THE PLAY FOR FREE AT sunbets.co.uk/vegas HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) Permission was given for SEA SHACK and BAHAMIAN HEIGHTS to go early to post.
Following the race, Callum Shepherd reported that SAYESSE, placed fourth, was denied a clear run. The representative of Dean Ivory reported that VARSOVIAN, which was unplaced, did not face the visor.
Race 6 - 4:55pm THE 32Red CASINO APPRENTICE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) Following the race, Callum Shepherd reported that SOLID MAN (JPN), which started favourite and finished fifth, was restless in the stalls and slowly away.
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 19, 2018 18:26:33 GMT
Weather prospects
Tuesday Wetherby – heavy (passed inspection on Monday) Clonmel – heavy (passed inspection on Monday) Newcastle (AW) – no problem Exeter – abandoned
Wednesday Southwell (AW) – no problem Haydock – soft, heavy in places Chepstow – heavy, covered in snow but thaw forecast (inspection 8.30am Tuesday) Limerick – heavy Kempton (AW) – no problem
Tuesday's meeting at Wetherby has been given the green light after a midday inspection on Monday, but Exeter's meeting has been claimed by the snow.
Meetings rescheduled
Limerick's cancelled meeting on Sunday has been rescheduled to Wednesday, with declarations from the original entries made at 10am on Tuesday. Entry is free to all racegoers.
Navan's abandoned meeting on Sunday, which was set to include the Grade 2 Toals.com Bookmakers Webster Cup Chase, will now be staged on Friday, although the Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase has been omitted from the card.
Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news
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Post by dennisg on Mar 20, 2018 7:24:28 GMT
in today's sporting life....................... Nick Robson previews Tuesday's action and recommends backing the classy Bengali Boys on his first outing of the season. Dubawi Fifty can continue his progression in the Betway Stayers' Handicap at Newcastle on Tuesday. Fourth in the Cesarewitch for Karen McLintock after victories at Ayr and Nottingham last season, he has regained the winning thread already this year. The five-year-old scraped home at Newcastle in early January but as that was only over a mile and a half he will have found the trip very much on the sharp side. He then went to Wolverhampton on February when he was far more at home over an extended two miles, beating the useful Gwafa by a length. Many would have expected him to be prepared for Finals Day over Easter but McLintock does not believe Lingfield is a suitable track given it's short straight so she is looking at a very valuable prize at Musselburgh instead before focusing on the Northumberland Plate. Velvet Vision really caught the eye on her debut for Mark Tompkins and can go one better in the 32Red Casino Novice Stakes. Tompkins is not known for his handling of juveniles but he might have an above-average one on his hands in this Nathaniel filly. Sent off at 66-1 she rattled home to claim second behind Karl Burke's Lumi, who had already shown a decent level of form. That was over a mile and not surprisingly she steps up in trip for this, given her sire produces plenty of middle distance types it should be well within her range. Bengali Boys had his stamina well and truly stretched over seven furlongs on his reappearance but will have a better chance over six in the 32Red Casino Handicap. Richard Fahey's three-year-old owes his big weight to winning the Super Sprint at Newbury last term but he was beaten only a length by the smart Sound And Silence in a Listed race at York afterwards. As he is giving plenty of weight away to all of his rivals this time Fahey has chosen to employ 7lb apprentice Sebastian Woods. Russian Realm ran a nice race on his comeback when third and can defy top weight in the Betway Sprint Handicap. Paul Midgley's eight-year-old has lost none of his dash, as he showed when third to Heaven's Guest in a decent race last month. Sporting Life suggestions: CLONMEL: 2.10 Allardyce, 2.40 Moonlight Escape, 3.15 Zipporah, 3.50 Gun Digger, 4.20 Mount Brandon, 4.55 Luckyinmilan, 5.25 Oisin James. NEWCASTLE: 5.35 DUBAWI FIFTY (NAP), 6.05 Velvet Vision, 6.40 Bengali Boys, 7.15 Sterling Silva, 7.45 Double Reflection, 8.15 Elixsoft, 8.45 Russian Realm. WETHERBY: 2.00 Saucysioux, 2.30 Progress Drive, 3.05 Big Thunder, 3.40 Tomngerry, 4.10 Newberry New, 4.45 Wig Wam Wiggle, 5.15 Good Boy Bobby. DOUBLE: Dubawi Fifty and Velvet Vision.
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Post by dennisg on Mar 20, 2018 7:26:57 GMT
Cliffs Of Dover set up a possible crack at the Scottish Champion Hurdle when winning his second race on the Flat this month at Lingfield. Trained by Paul Nicholls, the five-year-old rattled up a sequence in juvenile hurdles two seasons ago, but injury meant he missed the whole of the last campaign. He returned in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, but found the ground too soft, and was back to winning ways earlier this month when give a good ride by the trainer's daughter, Megan. The pair teamed up again in the Betway Stayers Handicap and while the 1/2 favourite had a fair bit of ground to make up having been trapped wide on the bend as Age Of Wisdom clung to the rail, he was ultimately a smooth winner. "He just keeps progressing," said Nicholls of his three-quarters of a length scorer. "We're desperate to run him over hurdles again, but he must have better ground. "We just thought with the ground still as it is we'd run him in another Flat race to keep his fitness up. "Once the ground comes good he'll probably have an entry in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, races like that. "He was obviously well handicapped last time and this race was ideal to enable him to keep progressing." He added: "There's nothing really for him at Aintree as the only one I can see is over two and a half miles for conditional jockeys on the last day and I'm not sure he wants to be going that far yet. "He might get an entry, but there's Ayr and the Swinton Hurdle, too. The most important thing is good ground." William Cox was in double form, with a cosy win on Saeed bin Suroor's progressive filly Beautiful Memory the highlight. Sent off the 4/6 favourite she was on a hat-trick having won twice at Chelmsford, but had to quicken up smartly to run down Sportswriter. Cox had earlier won on John Flint's Air Or York (10/1), who scooted up in the first division of the seven-furlong handicap. The second division was won by Stevie Donohoe on Critical Thinking (9/4 favourite) for David Loughnane.
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Post by dennisg on Mar 20, 2018 7:29:09 GMT
Ante-post fancies Lord Glitters and Addeybb are among 73 confirmations for the 32Red Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday, as the curtain comes up on the Flat turf season. Lord Glitters won the Balmoral Handicap for David O'Meara from an unpromising position on just his second start in Britain and went on to finish second in a Listed race at Newmarket. William Haggas' Addeybb is far more unexposed, having had just five runs in his life, winning three, while the Michael Bell-trained Fire Brigade is another well fancied runner, as is Roger Varian's Zabeel Prince. Others who are likely to be towards the head of the market include Martyn Meade's Chelsea Lad and Dolphin Vista, Mick Appleby's Big Country and Dark Red, trained by Ed Dunlop. One of those at bigger prices is James Tate's Via Via, third in a Listed race at Newmarket in November but then slightly disappointing at Kempton. "We're a little bit behind normal because of the weather, but not too bad, he missed one little bit of work because of the 'Beast from the East', but apart from that he's in really good form," Tate told At The Races. "He's generally a horse who isn't too hard to get ready, he's come from big lay-offs before and tends to run well fresh. "He seems to be improving and seems better again this year. He's had a few injuries, so he hasn't had many runs and is on an upward curve. "He was a good third in a Listed race, but took a slight backward step on the all-weather - we just don't think he's as good on the all-weather, though, he doesn't bounce off it. He likes soft turf." The field is limited to 22 runners with those who do not mate the cut able to run in the 32Red.com Spring Mile.
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Post by dennisg on Mar 20, 2018 7:31:22 GMT
Jedd O'Keeffe has his sights set on Aintree with beaten Stayers' Hurdle favourite Sam Spinner. The Long Walk Hurdle winner could only finish fifth behind Penhill on Thursday after attempting to make all the running and O'Keeffe feels a little help in that regard would have made a big difference. "I thought he ran very well but I don't think he ran quite to his best," said the Middleham handler. "I don't think the way the race was run suited him as he would have appreciated some company in front. "The horse was probably a little inexperienced for making all on a stage like that. If he'd had some company on the first circuit a stronger pace would have seen him in a better light. "Whether he would have been good enough to beat the likes of Penhill, I don't know, but he's a still a horse that can improve again next year." How Sam Spinner fares in the Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle at Aintree on April 14 is likely to decide whether he stays over timber or goes chasing. "We've still got the option of schooling him over a fence - we're in two minds about that - as he's still a very exciting prospect," said O'Keeffe. "The plan is to go to Aintree, the track there will suit. Ideally we'd like some company up front so we can help force it with something else or have something to aim at. "Depending on how he does at Aintree, the French Champion Hurdle is still a possible because if we do consider a novice chase campaign I'd probably prefer to finish him sooner so he can get valuable experience over fences in the autumn. "If we keep him over hurdles there aren't too many early-season opportunities, so it's still up in the air."
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 9:30:24 GMT
Tuesday: going, weather & non-runners Clonmel GOING: HEAVY WEATHER: Mostly sunny Newcastle (AW) GOING: TAPETA: STANDARD WEATHER: Cloudy STALLS: 2m - Inside; 1m2f - Far side; Remainder - Centre Wetherby GOING: HEAVY (soft in places) (Rail movements: Races 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 +60yds, Races 3 & 7 +30yds) WEATHER: Cloudy NON RUNNERS: 3:05 Big Thunder (5) 4:10 Just Georgie (1)Special Wells (3)Doktor Glaz (7) 4:45 Wig Wam Wiggle (3)Classical Sound (7)
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 9:31:03 GMT
Newmarket: David Milnes
Bobby K (6.05 Newcastle, nap)
Good effort under a penalty when third to the useful Mandalayan over a mile at Lingfield last time, shaping as if this stiffer test will suit. Simon Crisford's three-year-old has since moved well on Warren Hill.
5/4 Bobby K 6:05 Newcastle (AW) Others to follow Newcastle 7.45 Rude Awakening, 8.15 Patty Patch. Lambourn: James Burn
Final Choice (3.05 Wetherby, nap)
Ground should be fine for this son of Makfi, who shaped well over 2m½f on his penultimate start before weakening when stepped up in trip last time. Decent show forecast dropped back to 2m.
7/1 Final Choice 3:05 Wetherby Others to follow Newcastle 6.40 Ghost Serge. Wetherby 5.15 Up To No Good. North: Colin Russell
Monfass (3.05 Wetherby, nap)
Carlisle winner in early December has continued to progress despite creeping up the ratings. The conditions will suit and he's fancied to go well again.
11/4 Monfass 3:05 Wetherby Others to follow Newcastle 5.35 Dubawi Fifty, 6.05 Zarjaz, 6.40 Prestbury Park, 7.15 Mujassam, 7.45 Paparazzi, 8.15 Elixsoft, 8.45 Russian Realm. Wetherby 2.00 Little Bruce, 2.30 Progress Drive, 3.40 Dedigout, 4.00 Just Georgie, 4.45 Instingtive, 5.15 Manon. West Country: Tim Mitchell
Warthog (3.40 Wetherby, nap)
Best effort to date when third at Ascot last time after a wind operation. Connections are hopeful that this Irish point winner will benefit for this step up in distance on handicap debut.
10/3 Warthog 3:40 Wetherby Racing Post Ratings: Steve Mason
Final Choice (3.05 Wetherby, nap)
Looks fairly treated on the form of his Newbury reappearance third and it could pay to overlook a less encouraging effort over further at Uttoxeter last month.
7/1 Final Choice 3:05 Wetherby Topspeed: Dave Edwards
Prestbury Park (6.40 Newcastle)
Pleasing second on seasonal return at Lingfield recently and with improvement anticipated, he can go one better.
4/1 Prestbury Park 6:40 Newcastle (AW) Longshot: Ed Quigley
Top Cat Henry (4.10 Wetherby)
Inconsistent sort but has some good form over this course and distance and can't be ruled out off a mark of 113.
9/1 Top Cat Henry 4:10 Wetherby Ireland: Tony O'Hehir
Awayinthewest (2.40 Clonmel)
The Pat Fahy-trained six-year-old, who was returning from a break when finishing second to Lareena over this trip at Thurles 12 days ago, gets the vote to score under David Mullins.
4/6 Awayinthewest 2:40 Clonmel Raceform Interactive nugget
Sir Mark Prescott is 9-23 (39 per cent, +£24.19) with three-year-olds in handicaps at Newcastle. Rude Awakening, gelded since last seen, can enhance that record in the 7.45.
5/2 Rude Awakening 7:45 Newcastle (AW) Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 8pm daily on racingpost.com
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 9:31:31 GMT
BANKER
Dubawi Fifty (5.35 Newcastle)
Karen McLintock's five-year-old has improved rapidly since winning off a mark of 79 in an Ayr handicap in July and can take his tally to five wins from his last six starts if landing Newcastle's opening contest. Now racing off 17lb higher than that victory at Ayr, Dubawi Fifty seems to be better the further they go and landed a 0-105 handicap over this trip at Wolverhampton when last seen. He was sent off the 10-11 favourite that day and galloped strongly to the line, suggesting there was much more to come off marks in the 90s.
10/11 Dubawi Fifty 5:35 Newcastle (AW) EYECATCHER
Christmas In Usa (4.45 Wetherby)
Despite being winless in 22 career starts, Christmas In Usa has the ability to score in this level and, despite going up 6lb for his runner-up effort at this course last month, today could be the day. Having raced prominently, he stayed on well in the heavy ground – conditions he seems to relish – and beat all bar one of eight rivals. The winner has since gone close off 9lb higher and Christmas In Usa, who gets first-time blinkers, should finally get off the mark under Grant Cockburn.
4/1 Christmas In Usa 4:45 Wetherby Let our experts point you in the direction of the winners with invaluable punting pointers delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up here to get our free newsletter every week
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 9:32:01 GMT
When David Bass rides for Kim Bailey at Wetherby it’s worth taking note. The pair have a 46 per cent strike-rate when combining at the venue. They team up with Bandon Roc (4.10) in the handicap chase, the jockey’s only ride of the day.
Oisin Murphy has an impressive 43 per cent strike-rate with his rides for the last two weeks. He goes to Newcastle for four rides, the pick of whom is Starboy for trainer George Scott in the 7.45. The gelding has more improvement to come as a three-year-old.
Lisa Harrison has a 21 per cent strike-rate with her runners two weeks either side of Tuesday’s date for the past five seasons. She saddles the progressive Instingtive (4.45 Wetherby) partnered by jockey Ross Chapman, who is aiming for three straight wins on the seven-year-old.
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 9:33:15 GMT
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 9:33:37 GMT
Wetherby
Robin Goodfellow
2.00 Rock Of Leon
2.30 Sainte Ladylime
3.05 Monfass
3.40 Tomngerry
4.10 Doktor Glaz
4.45 Christmas In Usa
5.15 Good Boy Bobby
Gimcrack
2.00 Saucysioux
2.30 Progress Drive
3.05 Big Thunder
3.40 Tomngerry
4.10 Newberry New
4.45 Wig Wam Wiggle
5.15 Good Boy Bobby
Newcastle
Robin Goodfellow
5.35 Continuum
6.05 Bobby K
6.40 Lord Of The Glen
7.15 Mujassam
7.45 Starboy (nb)
8.15 Patty Patch
8.45 Athollblair Boy (nap)
Gimcrack
5.35 Dubawi Fifty (nap)
6.05 Velvet Vision (nb)
6.40 Bengali Boys
7.15 Sterling Silva
7.45 Double Reflection
8.15 Elixsoft
8.45 Russian Realm
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 17:44:14 GMT
Exeter, 20 Mar 18 Fixture Note Abandoned - Snow Nothing to report View Stewards report Newcastle, 20 Mar 18 Race 3 - 6:40pm THE 32Red CASINO HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) Permission was given for VJ DAY (USA) to go early to post.
Race 4 - 7:15pm THE BETWAY CLAIMING STAKES (CLASS 6) Permission was given for EXCHEQUER (IRE) to go early to post. View Stewards report Wetherby, 20 Mar 18 Race 2 - 2:30pm THE WATCH RACING UK IN STUNNING HD NOVICES' STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3) Following the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PROGRESS DRIVE (IRE), placed second, lost its left fore shoe.
Race 4 - 3:40pm THE racinguk.com HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 2) The winner EMINENT POET, appeared to show improved form, compared with its previous run at Chepstow on 24 February 2018 where the gelding finished sixth of eleven, beaten by 29 lengths. It was noted that Venetia Williams’ representative could offer no explanation for the gelding’s improved form, other than he considered this to be a weaker race than Chepstow.
Race 5 - 4:10pm THE RACING UK PROFITS RETURNED TO RACING HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 4) Following the race, David Bass reported that BANDON ROC, which started favourite and finished fourth of four, was never travelling. The gelding was routine tested.
Race 6 - 4:45pm THE VISIT THE ALL NEW racinguk.com NOVICES' HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 5) Following concerns raised by the riders at the start regarding the low sun obscuring their vision at the first two hurdles in the back straight (hurdles 1 and 7), the Stewards consulted with the Clerk of the Course and ordered that these obstacles should be by-passed for this race.
Race 7 - 5:15pm THE FAMILY FUN RACEDAY - SUNDAY 29th APRIL STANDARD OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE (CLASS 5) GOOD BOY BOBBY (IRE) wore earplugs throughout the race.
Following the race, Graham Lee reported that BIG BAD DOG (IRE), unplaced, stopped quickly as if something was amiss. The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal any abnormalities.
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 17:45:35 GMT
Lincoln favourite Lord Glitters not a certain runner Trainer David O'Meara has warned that ante-post favourite Lord Glitters is not a certain runner in the 32Red Lincoln at Doncaster on Saturday.
Connections went to €270,000 to secure the French import last summer and he went some way to repaying that hefty fee when landing the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day at Ascot in October.
He was last seen suffering a narrow reverse in a Listed event at Newmarket in November and is as short as 6-1 for the traditional Flat season curtain-raiser, but O'Meara is in two minds about letting him line up on Town Moor.
He said: " We're still undecided whether we're going to run him or not. If it's very soft or even heavy we might have a rethink. He's going to have near on top-weight and I'm just not sure yet.
"I've put him in the Listed race (Doncaster Mile) as an alternative. He worked this morning and we're very happy with him.
"He does go on soft ground. It's just giving away a lot of weight on soft ground on his first run of the season might be a slight concern.
"We'd hope that he'd have some nice targets later on and I don't want to completely bottom him for his first run.
" I'll have a chat with the owners tomorrow and base the decision on what everybody thinks. We'll decide on Thursday morning."
O'Meara won the Lincoln for the first time with Bravery 12 months ago, but may not be represented in this year's renewal.
He told At The Races: "Bravery won't get in this year. The only other horse of mine that may get in might be Escobar, who we bought in October
"But again, looking at what he's done in the past, I'm not sure he wants it very soft either."
Michael Bell feels Fire Brigade ticks all of the boxes and is thrilled to have booked Ryan Moore, fresh from his win in the Hong Kong Derby last weekend, for the ride.
A four-year-old by Firebreak, he was narrowly beaten into third by William Haggas' Addeybb in the Silver Cambridgeshire last season and signed off his campaign with a win at Leicester.
Bell told The Sun: "The Lincoln has been his target.
"He has been back in work a month now and his mark of 98 should see him get in nicely at the bottom of the handicap.
"We know he likes cut in the ground and he ticks all the boxes. A mile is his best trip."
Addeybb will renew rivalries with Fire Brigade as Haggas targets a fourth Lincoln success following the victories of High Low (1992), Very Wise (2007) and Penitent (2010).
"He's a lovely horse and I hope this will be his year. He's improved physically and he's still fairly lightly raced," said the trainer.
"He's quite idle at home, so he's a difficult horse to assess. But I think he's pretty fit and his weight is excellent, so I hope he'll run well.
"To say we've laid him out for the race sounds a bit flash, but we've had this idea for a while."
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 17:46:20 GMT
Chepstow's meeting on Wednesday will go ahead as scheduled after a planned precautionary inspection was brought forward.
Course officials had called the check for 8.30am as the track still had a covering of snow on Monday.
However, temperatures have risen meaning the snow has melted, leaving the ground heavy but raceable.
The racecourse tweeted: "Racing definitely goes ahead tomorrow. Inspection brought forward and passed. All snow cleared. Going heavy. First race 2.20pm. Admission £15 in advance."
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 17:47:08 GMT
Velvet Vision 6.05
7/2 Velvet Vision 6:05 Newcastle (AW) A 66-1 second on her debut over a mile here last month, the daughter of Nathaniel should relish the step up to 1m2f given her pedigree. Herdam was a winner over 1m4f so stamina is unlikely to be an issue at this new trip and it will be fascinating to see how the Mark Tompkins-trained three-year-old has progressed from her debut.
Taifbalady 7.45
9/1 Taifbalady 7:45 Newcastle (AW) A regally bred son of Dark Angel, this three-year-old has yet to show any form in three starts but makes his all-weather debut for Mark Johnston and could do better. Last seen finishing 11th behind Poets Dream at Thirsk last September, Taifbalady has since been gelded and it will be interesting to see whether that has a positive impact.
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 17:47:58 GMT
Denis Egan, chief executive of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB), says he would be open to a sit-down with fellow industry leaders after revealing that the upcoming trainers' course has been scrapped after only two applications were received.
The course, which is usually run twice per year, needs a minimum entry of ten applicants and its postponement – the only one Egan can remember – has left him concerned.
He said: “The industry as a whole needs to look at this and it would be well worth holding a meeting between ourselves in IHRB, HRI [Horse Racing Ireland], the IRTA [Irish Racehorse Trainers Association] and the RTA [Restricted Trainers Association].”
After statistics last month showed a fall from 805 to 578 trainers operating in Ireland over a ten-year period from 2007 to last year, Egan called the decline a "worrying trend".
Speaking on Tuesday, Egan maintained that something needs to be done to make training more of an attractive proposition.
He said: “I have a concern about the whole thing. As I said at the time [when the industry statistics were released], the industry needs to have a good look at this.
“There’s a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve got some very successful trainers, and that’s great, but there are also a huge number of people who are struggling and that’s what needs to be addressed.”
His remarks come in the wake of Irish trainers – led by Gordon Elliott with eight winners, Willie Mullins (seven), Pat Kelly (one) and Henry de Bromhead (one) – dominating at the Cheltenham Festival with 17 winners between them.
Egan added: “We had only two applications but needed a minimum of ten to run the course so it’s been postponed until the autumn.
“We generally run two trainer courses per year but obviously the first one is gone now. Prior to making the cancellation, we received a few phone inquiries about the course but nothing came of them. The two original applicants will have to wait until the autumn now.
"I can't remember the last time we had to cancel the trainers' course and it's certainly been full for the past four years.”
Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com
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Post by Kimmy on Mar 20, 2018 21:37:13 GMT
yNewcastle, 20 Mar 18 Race 3 - 6:40pm THE 32Red CASINO HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) Permission was given for VJ DAY (USA) to go early to post.
Following the race the Veterinary Officer reported that GHOST SERGE (IRE), unplaced, finished lame on its right fore.
Race 4 - 7:15pm THE BETWAY CLAIMING STAKES (CLASS 6) Permission was given for EXCHEQUER (IRE) to go early to post.
Race 6 - 8:15pm THE 32Redsport.com HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) Inside the final furlong VIKING WAY (IRE), placed second, shifted left causing MUSBAQ (USA) to be checked, but after viewing a recording of the incident, it was found that no riding offence was involved and that it had not improved the placing of VIKING WAY (IRE).
The winner, VENTURA GOLD (IRE), appeared to show improved form, compared with its previous run at Lingfield Park on 14 February 2018 where the gelding finished ninth of nine, beaten by 6 lengths. It was noted that Richard Fahey could offer no explanation for the gelding’s improved form. VENTURA GOLD (IRE) was routine tested.
Race 7 - 8:45pm THE BETWAY SPRINT HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) Permission was given for RUSSIAN REALM to go early to post.
Following the race Jack Garritty reported that LEXINGTON TIMES (IRE), placed sixth, was slowly away.
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