Any white rabbits scurrying around the hedgerows in the fields down the end of our lane this morning, will surely have been wishing for an extra fur coat…. a thick frost there was, and absolutely brass-monkeys-cold it was! February is upon us and we’re still suffering the cold snap. This afternoon’s cards at both Ludlow and Kempton were called off due to frost before today, leaving Wolverhampton alone to provide the racing fare. Today I’m going to quickly re-cap the action from the weekend, then look ahead to what is in store at SkyBlueKangaroo this week.
I had my eye on the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday, as my ante-post selection for the Pertemps Final at the Festival Lie Forrit was making an appearance. Something was clearly amiss as he did not even trade blows near the front before being pulled up by the jockey before the last. Trainer Willie Amos suggested the problem was a lack of fitness, and not enough mileage on the gallops recently because of the weather. Following two eye-catching wins in handicap company the public were behind the horse who was sent off the 11/4 favourite on Saturday. Lie Forrit may get the chance to redeem himself before the Festival as connections will try to get him in the Rendlesham Hurdle on February 20th.
What of the racing to come over the course of this week? Now we are in February, Cheltenham looms large on the horizon only six weeks away, and a good number of horses are now in their final prep stages.
On Saturday there is (weather permitting) a veritable smorgasbord of top class jumps racing, from Sandown, Doncaster, and Wetherby.
The toteswinger Contenders Hurdle at Sandown is a decent Listed event over two miles, and is often used by trainers to give their Champion Hurdle runners a last run out before heading off to Cheltenham. En route to Festival glory in 2003 Rooster Booster won this race, and although no horse has done this since, Celestial Halo did come close last year. It will be interesting to note which of the entries for the big race line up on Saturday to contest this.
Again at Sandown is the Scilly Isles Novices Chase. It’s a two-and-a-half-mile race and to date it has failed to produce any noticeable record for producing Cheltenham winners. Because it can often be run at a crawl, it tends to return surprise winners and false results. Punters can often use the race to their advantage, as providing they do not finish a country mile back, beaten horses who’s Festival prices lengthen after this could provide a bit of value in the antepost market.
A large field will go to post for the Heroes Handicap Hurdle. Worth watching the market on the day to spot any market support for well-handicapped horses. With testing conditions almost certain, it’s going to be important any selection can definitely stay the 2m 6f trip.
At Doncaster we have the Blue Square Handicap Chase which is a two-mile-and-half-a-furlong race that has attracted some top class entries. Last year’s Arkle runner-up, Kalahari King will be there, along with strong representation from the Paul Nicholls stable, such as Take The Breeze, Chapoturgeon and Free World.
At Wetherby the Towton Novices Chase provides a real stayers challenge for the younger steeplechasers. This is only the sixth running on the race but it has already been won by such top class horses as Ollie Magern and Halcon Genelardais.
I will try to find a winner from one of the bigger races this weekend, and to that end I’ll post some further detailed thoughts on Friday.
Between now and then I hope to produce a final review of Betting Against Horses For Profit which in nearing its thirtieth day under the microscope. I have decided to call a halt to the Hot Horses review, as after one month there has only been the one selecetion! I shall probably revisit the service in the summer.
As usual around mid-week I shall present a piece that is more educational in nature, with the hope I can help a few of you to improve your betting skills by at least a notch.
On Thursday evening I’m getting together with a few faces and names from the online horse racing community, most of whom you may well be aware. We convene on a fairly regular basis to chew the fat and share ideas. The more corporate would call it ‘networking’ but it’s basically an excuse for a few beers! I’ll report on who turns up, and who tells the worst gags, on Friday.
Until then, may the punting fairies smile upon you.
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