1.30 BALLYMORE NOVICES HURDLE Envoi Allen is the favourite and probably will win. But I don’t like that price in a race like this at Cheltenham. I think SPORTING JOHN is worth a punt. He has done everything he has been asked to do and looks progressive. There are a number of interesting e/w angles…
Tips
DAY 2 WEDNESDAY – CHELTENHAM: CHAMPION CHASE DAY
Well, a tough first day, where we really can’t make any excuses. The Pharoah of Galway suggested decent performances from KILDISART – HONEYSUCKLE – IMPERIAL AURA – RAVENHILL and Capt. Kneesup had a few places. I hope you made some sense of it all. As for today’s selections, like a bunch of Cistercian monks, whose…
Cheltenham 2020 Day One – The Pharoah of Galway returns
1:30 SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE A great race to start the festival with some very exciting novice hurdlers to choose from. Many future stars such as Altior are listed among recent winners but only Douvan and Vautor have gone off as favourites. Clearly this is driven by the fact that many are unexposed and are still…
Cheltenham 2020. Surely we’re sunk if the future is cinq.
Over the last 96 hours, I have sacrificed the remaining parts of my working anatomy to your collective cause. I have dined with Nicky Henderson and Nick Luck; I have sat with Haggas, Jarvis, Beckett and Balding and then remembered they weren’t a firm of National Hunt solicitors. I have drunk a huge amount of…
Coronavirus, Corvid19, and Saturday’s TV Racing – All you need to know.
The most novel thing about COVID-19, is the extraordinary speed with which the brutish symptoms of the associated #MEFIRST culture have spread. Aided by 4G, 5G and WiFi, people everywhere have been able to tell us every moment of their illness. Unless you’re in China. Apps tell you when you’re nearing an infected address in…
Today’s Saturday racing tips.
Working on the Cheltenham stats, so just tips today. A profitable day last week, but I have done some work on today’s card and think I have a couple of decent winners. 1:15 KEMPTON Betway Pendil Novices’ Chase (G2) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m4½f 7 runners SOUTHFIELD STONE – ERIK LE ROUGE 1:50 KEMPTON Adonis Juvenile Hurdle…
Something to make a Sunday night pass by.
Occasionally I kid myself that the time is right for me to take up Goff, the received pronunciation of the game involving sticks and lost balls. I like the game, I have even sponsored a team of racing journalists, providing electric carts and ice buckets and a decent Macon for the relief of my players….
A profitable weekend, but more importantly Nicholls kept a good ‘un.
A cracking day’s racing, where we did well at Ascot and dismally at Haydock. It was astonishing that the racing went ahead at all, and well done the ground staff and on-the-day course men who kept things in place and battened down. In line with our policy of accurately reporting our results, we carry forward…
Another Parisian attack on our, green, semi-submerged and pleasant land
Storm Denis is on its way, and my view of the weather rolling towards Raceweb Towers, suggests it is going to be an unutterable bastard. This is hardly unsurprising given that St Denis is the patron saint of France and Paris. I was always rather fascinated by St D as a child, because the rumour…
Sometimes despair is an underrated word.
The brief version of Saturday’s diary was: Woke – Breakfast – Form – More Form – Watch Racing – Bath (as in water, not the little spa racecourse) – Theatre – Dinner – Sleep. The eight words intervening between Woke – Dinner – Sleep, really cannot do justice to the desultory nature of the day….
Laying Trump perhaps, plus a wonderful and informative TV card
My inbox delivered an interesting piece from Politico.com which political punters might find interesting. The article refers to the work of Ms Bitecofer, a political scientist of some repute, Putting aside the fact that at this stage in the USA’s presidential race any fresh political voice is a siren, Ms Bitecofer does appear to make…
Good Moaning, here is the good news and the end of civilisation
As you might guess, the ceaseless whining of Woke spokespeople, has driven me insane. I seem to be constantly reminded that I am not wearing my hair shirt (only available from Sackcloth and Ashes, tailors to the Liberal Elite and Champagne Socialist Party), while adenoidal pimples, rub their televisual hands together and invite us to…
The weekend’s racing and a tip for The National
I had to go to town last week for a memorial to celebrate a good, racing, gentle man – the space is deliberate. Nicky was there, having trained for him, and post-service we chewed the fat for almost three hours with a bunch of mutual racing chums and his . I personally gave thanks that David…
The Results for 2020 to date
We all know someone who never had a loser, some genius whose every betting account had been closed and now was only allowed to bet in 50p maximums. We, on the other hand, are determined, to be honest about our endeavours. Thus we produce these occasional reports. We started with a Carry Forward Balance of…
Festival Trials day and all Saturday’s TV races
I suppose as race titles go, the 1:50 isn’t at all bad, given that it tells us exactly how much time we have to wait for The Festival. However. it doesn’t tell us how much time until the announcement by Martin St Quinton, Cheltenham Chair, regarding the introduction of a five day Festival. So, as all…
The ITV Races on Saturday 18th Jan
At the overnight stage, we’re looking at an average of under seven runners per race, which means by almost any measurement; entertainment, income, televisual experience, interest, competition and form, it is an unsatisfactory state. If that sounds as though I am disgruntled, yes I am. Part of that is down to Charlie Brooks who writes…
The results from last Saturday
As we rush headlong to being unable to have a bet because it is not a carbon-neutral activity and where horses will only be able to race if they are powering a wind-generator, it was refreshing to find that our efforts to date have not been entirely fruitless. Not profitable, but at a loss of…
Ante-Post? No but the ITV races are here now.
I thought it might be a good idea – with just nine weeks to go – to start having a look at a couple of the big races, and almost immediately regretted my thinking. It’s a bit like ordering a 1000 piece jigsaw of a green square, and discovering too late that the manufacturer will…
The 10th Night – or is it 11th?
Firstly a very Happy New Year to you all. A couple of weeks away from the Raceweb coalface, and while you may struggle to come to grips with the concept, I have actually had a couple of half-decent days of profitable racing!. A spectacular New Year’s Day at Cheltenham, where The Pharoah of Galway had…
Saturday’s TV racing tips
The height of the waters is of serious flood concern in our part of Oxfordshire, and I have tried to stiffen my resolve, lest we repeat the ghastliness of 2007. This was easy to do having looked at the pictures of the great and the good inspecting the course at Ascot today. I didn’t…
Cheltenham Saturday’s Tips
Once again The Pharoah of Galway provides another selection of winning tips. Be aware that The Dublin Pharaoh runs in the 2.35 Newcastle today. The Gosden duo might provide a challenge.
Cheltenham Friday 13th December
12:10 STOLEN SILVER 1PT E/W 12:45 PYM 2 PTS WIN 13:20 PETER THE MAYO MAN 1PT E/W 13:55 ZARA HOPE 2PTS WIN 14;30 SINGLEFARMPAYMENT 1PT E/W DANDY DAN 1PT E/W 15:05 EASYSLAND 1PT E/W JOSIES ORDERS 1PT E/W 15:40 KILBRICKEN STORM 1PT E/W ASK BEN 1PT E/W
Just time for a quickie
As I head off to the annual Guinness Carol Concert, I spied one for today which, had the Captain not already made his selections I would have popped into the Advent Calendar.
Saturday’s Racing 7th December
Those of you swerving the actual selections for The Raceweb Advent Calendar are doing well – although today, I felt as though a corner had been turned. Doubtless, it will be followed by walking into a pane of glass being carried by two slapstick comedians. Hey Ho… it’s only a bit of fun. Meanwhile, we…
Saturday 30th November
NEWBURY 12:05 SILVER FOREVER 2pts win 12:40 RESERVE TANK 2pts win 13:15 LARRY 1pt e/w 13:50 PETER THE MAYO MAN 1pt e/w DOWNTOWN GETAWAY 1pt e/w 14:25 ELVIS MAIL 1pt e/w TORCELLO 1pt e/w 15:00 WEST APPROACH 1pt e/w MISTER MALARKEY 1pt e/w ROBINSFIRTH 1pt e/w ELEGANT ESCAPE 1pt e/w All four in a 12…
Good exciting racing on Friday and even better to come on Saturday
The mighty O’Tool posted minutes after myself – I was unaware o didn’t notify you dear readers – and while not on fire, I think it safe to say that we are both pretty well in tune – maybe even on song. The records speak for themselves: POT 12.15 TRINCOMALEE 16/1 3rd 12:45 KHAGE Lost…
Newbury Friday 29 Nov
12.15 TRINCOMALEE 1pt e/w i think the market leaders are difficult to separate and are poorly priced. I’m taking a chance that Lucy Wadhams gelding will improve further following an encouraging debut over hurdles. 12:45 KHAGE 1pt e/w THE FLYING SOFA 1pt e/w 13:20 FAUSTINOVICK 2PTS WIN BREWERS PROJECT 1PT E/W 13:50 SAN…
If Ladbrokes did Cognac, it would probably be called Hennessy
The Hennessy, The Schweppes, The Whitbread and The Massey-Ferguson. Capital The. It’s a Proper Noun, It’s also a Proper Racing Name and as such should have a BHA rule. This should state that, if you sponsor a race for over thirty years and you haven’t gone bust, the race will always carry your brand. Not…
Saturday’s Racing Tips
Quite a busy week with business in London, plus a drinks party, an-almost-dinner-with-Sajid-Javid which only lacked an invitation, trips around the countryside handing out healing words and sound advice, you know the sort of thing. I did pop into Peter Jones and suddenly realised that my rural concepts of value-for-money needed something of a makeover….
Ascot and Haydock Saturday 23rd November
Having done a lot of research in advance of these meetings at Ascot and Haydock I felt particularly well informed about Friday’s racing. However, on Thursday evening I attended a charity dinner at the splendid Northcote Manor in the Ribble Valley. It was a successful evening with excellent food, wine and company. And we raised…
The weekend rolls on
I’m quite relieved to be socially unattached today. My TV and a roaring planet-destroyer are calling with Racing, EuroFooty, Grand Prix and maybe even a bit of left-over take-away Chinese washed down with beer and no glass … a real boys-at-home “Slack Order” day. Yesterday could have worked out better on the tipping front –…
Sunday Muddy Sunday
CHELTENHAM 12:45 Colditz Castle 1pt e/w Demon Fou 1pt e/w David Pipe’s booking of Jonjo Jnr on Duc De Beaucherne is eye-catching. However, I have opted for two at longer odds. Alan King’s Colditz Castle looks the type to appreciate the trip whilst I think the handicapper has been lenient with Demon Fou. CHELTENHAM 13:15…
A Soggy Saturday
I had every intention of providing the tips for TV racing today when I started. Then I noticed two races from Lingfield snuggled among the races, with titles that were so obscure as to make the race name redundant. Perhaps it is desperately important to remind people that this is Polytrack as opposed to Tapeta…
A wet end to the Flat season
A rotten way to end the season, but for the people of Donny, no racing is an irrelevance. Having been flooded once before, I can only tell you, that the hackneyed phrase, emotionally scarred, does not do post-flood sentiments justice. I wish them all the very best of luck and please God, the fact that…
Saturday 9th November
AINTREE 12:20 Present Value e/w 12:55 Cubao e/w 13:30 Shady Oaks e/w 14:05 Old Grangewood e/w 14:40 Rosy World W WINCANTON 13:15 Enola Gay e/w 13:50 Danse Idol e/w Organdi e/w 14:25 Reserve Tank W 15:00 Grand Sancy Cover Bet 15:35 Present Man e/w
Saturday’s racing tips
Hmmm…. Rugby….. enough said. Today’s UK TV Racing 1:20 WETHERBY bet365 Handicap Chase Cl3 (4yo+ 0-125) 2m3½f I’m told that KAPGARRY is better than his previous win her last year suggests – and the price rather reflects that. I have VALHALLA down as one that goes well fresh. It’s not a great race.
Play up England…
Just a few moments left now before the beginning of 80 minutes that could see knighthoods, MBEs, London parades and Downing Street receptions, rain down like a very rainy thing. Without wishing to sound cynical, and not for a moment suggesting that a victorious England team shouldn’t be feted, nothing succeeds like a National sports team…
Saturday Revisions over Eggs, Bacon…
What a truly cracking start to a miserable day! However, with the TV schedule amended and the going deepening, I have reviewed the situation, as Fagin sang and I have now reviewed and added Kelso. Plenty of non-runners and going changes which are at 12:00 Cheltenham: Going Soft probably changing to Heavy in the late…
Saturday’s TV Selections…
Not a desperate set of results on Friday and only really let down by the ground, fitness, speed, ability, horsemanship and skills of the participants and the stupidity of your correspondent. But for those small, inconsequential elements, we might very well have swept the board. We named the second and third in the first; and…
The first day of the new season
Twice in ten days, I have found myself in London town, and again a young person has drunk a Fernet Branca in my presence. It only happened because I thought a chum’s son needed some stiffening, in order to reject a ghastly offer to appear in STD Island or somesuch. Having heard of the drink’s…
Ascot Saturday 19th October
Those of you looking for winners today will do well to read today’s beautifully reasoned advice from The Tissue. Personally I have a shocking record when it comes to figuring out winners when the ground is soft at Ascot. I think I get obsessed by the form lines that, with quality horses, tend to be…
Champions Swimming Day
It’s none of my business, but am I wrong in thinking that if five of the eight Champions Day meeting have been run on ground described as Soft (or worse), that it might be the wrong time to have it? Answers on a postcard please, secure in the knowledge that criticism of this initiative from…
Passing the Buck…
Well the suit may be a little threadbare, and the shoes may need some heeling, but the spirit remains undaunted and with the return of the National Hunt season, it’s time to get busy on recouping some of The Tissue’s recent losses. For some, the first day at Cheltenham heralds the beginning of the season….
Saturday Racing 12th Oct
G’Morning All As I hunker down in the Cyclone-proof sub-terranean HQ of Raceweb, you will be delighted to hear that The Pharoah of Galway is also safe in his Japanese hotel room and is currently predicting a score of 0-0 for the Scotland Japan game and that both Mercedes and Red Bull will start on…
Bonjour mes petites
I have returned from abroad; browner, poorer and wiser. I swerved left instead of right at Nice airport, thus avoiding the trap of a Longchamps visit with distinguished friends. This would have dramatically increased two of the above trio of “things you get in France” and given the going in Paris, I think we all…
Ascot and Newmarket Saturday 5th October
ASCOT 14:00 ARECIBO 1pt e/w INTENSE ROMANCE 1pt e/w Dakota Gold has had a fantastic season and I am reluctant to oppose him but I just think he is better at 6f and that his price is too short for a 5f race. The key to my thinking is the Be Friendly Handicap at Haydock…
Southwell Friday 4th
Catapult in the last (given at 10-1) pulled things out of the bag at Chelmsford. Tonight I am again looking for some decently priced bets on the AW but this time at Southwell. I have high hopes that Karl Burke might do very well with his runners tonight. 17:25 NEWSTEAD ABBEY 1pt e/w CHAMPAGNE MONDAYS…
Ascot in soft going
I had a terrible first few days at Royal Ascot. Having researched all the races well in advance I developed a huge reserve of confidence about the wisdom of my selections. Then the rain came and I found myself reluctant to review matters based on the change in conditions – very much the wrong decision….
The Only Way Is Essex
CHELMSFORD 18:30 CALEDONIAN CRUSADE 1pt e/w Not much form to go on in this race but I am following Gleneagles progeny and the Simcock / Spencer combination does extremely well at this track. I got 12-1 last night but he will be shorter come race time. CHELMSFORD 19:30 FELIX THE POET 1pt e/w A front…
Longshots at The Curragh
So we now know that Mum’s Tipple finished the Middle Park Stakes lame in his off fore so his run can safely be struck out. With Siskin being withdrawn after an unfortunate incident in the stalls we didn’t get the big battle between the three market principals and it could be argued that Earthlight had…