All articles by: Darren Chettleburgh

Horse Racing Preview – Epsom, Navan & Worcester – 3rd June 2017

June 3, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Today’s horse racing preview comes from three meetings, Navan, Worcester and Epsom Downs. The rain came far too late for Hawkbill who was the only selection to bring a return. Well it’s Epsom Derby day and with the ground possibly going good / good to soft I have considered my selections.

13.20 Navan – Lynn Lodge Stud Irish European Breeders Fund Maiden (5f)

Aiden O’Brien is looking to kick start his afternoon early doors when he saddles War Ensign. This son of War Front was disappointing on debut when a long way off the winner over 6f. They drop him back to the optimum trip this afternoon and has a big claim on what looks a good maiden prize.

Best of the rest and the selection is Joseph’s Damselfly, she is the daughter of Power who was only just beaten at Cork two weeks ago, has gained more experience over War Ensign with three solid runs to date and the young can upstage his father here in what looks a solid maiden.

Damselfly : 2pt win @ 7/2 (BOG)

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14.55 Worcester – Winning Brands, Stylish Shopping At Crowngate Handicap Chase (0-135)

Ink Master returns to two mile this afternoon after failing to get home over 21f last time. He was only having his first run for nine months and should strip a lot fitter, but I’m taking him on here with a horse that beat him over course and distance last summer in Tiger Trek of Richard Newlands.

There was thirty lengths separating them that day and despite Ink Master going on from that, Tiger Trek meets Ink Master on similar weights. The selection has run twice here and has had to settle for the runners up spot on both occasions.

I am also hoping they have ironed out his sketchy jumping at times, with the aid of the first time cheekpiece’s he sure to go well again.

Tiger Trek : 2pt win @ 7/2 (BOG)

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15.45 Epsom – Investec Corporate Banking Dash Handicap (5f)

This looks between the top four in the betting, let’s start with El Astronaute of John Quinn’s, who has most definitely come back this season with a bang with two good wins at Newmarket and Chester. Has been drawn relevantly well and will be on the speed early doors.

Richard Fahey’s Kimberella won on champions day at Lingfield, was not beaten that far in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket which has seen the likes of Priceless come out to land the Temple Stakes recently, late closer which might not suit.

Desert Law just heads the market, Paul Midgley’s nine year old made a pleasing seasons debut when winning the Borderlescott Sprint at Musselburgh, good draw in stall nine and should be on the premises once more.

The selection though goes to David Griffith’s Duke of Firenze who got his head in front at York when fending off Rasheeq to a head. Soft ground is a key to his chances here, I would expect him to go for home just over a furlong out and try and hold all late comers.

Duke of Firenze : 2pts each way @ 9/1 (BOG)

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17.15 Epsom – Investec Out Of The Ordinary Handicap (0-100)

I am a big fan of this selection here in Whinging Willie of Gary Moore’s. Signed off last year when winning a 0-75 handicap at Brighton and was not disgraced when runner up over course and distance when behind Galapiat who has gone on to run well in listed and pattern company since.

Barwick was third that day at Epsom when one and a half lengths behind the selection when conceding 11lb at the weights. Barwick is conceding 6lb and can be a lot closer this time around.

Whinging Willie : 1pt each way @ 11/1 (BOG)

I have not done the Derby this afternoon as it’s just a learning curve for me, if I was having a novelty bet it would be each way on Permian of Mark Johnston’s who comes into the race in good heart after landing the Dante.

Best of luck, all my selections will be a subject of an each way Lucky 15 too.

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Horse Racing Preview – Epsom – 2nd June 2017

June 2, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Today’s horse racing preview comes from Epsom. What a day on the blog yesterday, could not of gone any better with an 8/1 and 6/1 advised winners, to top it off if placing a £1 ew advised Patent (£89.92), and the advised Lucky 15 for 50p ew (£275.70).

14.00 Epsom – Investec Woodcote Stakes (Conditions) (6f)

I have totally over looked the poor run of Cardsharp when finishing fourth around the Novice ranks over a trip that was far too short. Steps up in trip this afternoon to 6f, the only concern is the forecasted rain. Richard Hannon won this last year with a nice juvenile in Legendary Lunch and is well represented here once more with De Bruyne Horse.

An impressive seven length success at Ripon when taking the scalp of a subsequent winner in Way of Wisdom. He is by Showcasing who did not mind a bit of cut, so he has to be given high regards again.

One that will relish any rain is Richard Fahey’s Zap who won his maiden well at York on soft ground. The yard also saddle Ventura Dragon, but on job bookings, Hanagan takes the mount on the on this promising improver.

Zap : 2pt win @ 4/1 (BOG)

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14.35 Epsom – Investec Click And Invest Mile Handicap (0-105)

Charlie Appleby’s G K Chesterton caught my eye when winning at Newmarket just over two weeks ago. The Royal Hunt Cup entrant should be hard to beat over this extra half a furlong this afternoon and is another that won’t mind the conditions.

Dangers look to come from Remarkable who won a 0-90 handicap last year at Goodwood. Since then though has found life a bit tougher. The Royal Ascot Balmoral handicap runner up looked poor on his first campaign run when trailing in tenth in the Victoria Cup.

Others to consider, Mutarakaz is one I like for value in this for Brian Meehan. I actually thought his Toronado Handicap run when finishing third at Newbury was very encouraging; if they have settled him he is a major player and the selection.

Mutarakaz : 1pt ew @ 8/1 (BOG)

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15.10 Epsom – Investec Coronation Cup (Group 1) (12f)

I am finding it hard to see pass Charlie Appleby’s Hawkbill here. Again I will have to take it on trust that the weather will come into his favour.

The way he literally embarrassed his rivals in the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury was just sublime to watch. Last year’s Royal winner when taking the Tercentenary Stakes has come back with a bang, hard to beat on that form.

Both Highland Reel & Journey have to be respected, the latter more when winning the Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions day at Ascot. With entries in the Hardwicke and Pretty Polly to come she looks a nice prospect this season.

Highland Reel has the t-shirt, last year’s Secretariat stakes winner has been there and done it, it’s been three years since St Nicholas Abbey won this race and Ballydoyle’s last success, but five year olds have won the past two renewals of this race, but I do feel vulnerability is there.

Hawkbill : 1pt each way @ 10/1 (BOG)

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16.30 Epsom – Investec Oaks (Group 1) (12f)

Everyone’s obvious choice is Rhododendron and rightly so, she did not have much luck in running in the 1000gns and with the winner Winter absolutely hacking up in Ireland the form book is written.

I am an optimist, I was more taken with the way Roger Charlton’s Natavia won the Listed Fillies trials stakes at Newbury. The way she bounced along with here opening stride she had her rivals at full stretch within a few seconds.

With Ryan Moore obliged with Rhododendron, this is a good opportunity for Pat Smullen to get a good ride in this year’s fillies classic.

Natavia : 1pt each way @ 12/1 (BOG)

Best of luck today

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Horse Racing Preview – Hamilton & Fairyhouse – 1st June 2017

May 31, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Today’s horse racing preview comes from sunny Scotland at Hamilton and in Ireland at Fairyhouse.

An exciting month ahead with the next classics just around the corner at Epsom where I really do like the looks of Eminent to win the Derby, a race I will be covering fully along with the Oaks on Friday.

14.30 Hamilton – Dick Birkett Memorial Handicap (0-75) (5f)

Last season I followed Danny Tudhope away from his main stable of O’Meara’s with much success, with his trainer having a runner in the race with Noah Amor, he will ride First Rate instead for trainer Marjorie Fife.

The four year old has not managed to cut it with trainers such as Roger Varian in his short career, from looking over progenies of Kyllachy I feel that improvement with age, maybe a women’s touch is more required here, eye catching booking of Tudhope.

His boss has Noah Amor declared, an ex Richard Fahey in-mate who’s main success came around selling company. Was bought out of a seller and makes debut for the the new yard this afternoon.

I would not think there is much movement around his current mark of 69, escapes a penalty from his second at Pontefract in a 0-70 Handicap, probably one to beat on paper.

First Rate : 1pt each way @ 12/1 (BOG)

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15.00 Hamilton – DM Hall Handicap (0-70) (6f)

Again I am sticking with Marjorie Fife and Danny Tudhope on Control Centre. The boss doesn’t have a declaration in this so could be his best chance of an out right winner.

He won a seller last autumn on the all weather when trained by Richard Hannon. Was just beaten on his return to Wolverhampton beaten a neck when giving 10lb to the winner. Marjorie Fife could have picked up a couple of potentially nice handicappers to play around with this season.

Any dangers could be Keith Dagliesh’s Reckless Serenade,who finished a good fifth over course and distance as a juvenile and should be one to fear from a yard going reasonably well.

Control Centre : 1pt EW @ 13/2 (BOG)

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17.45 Fairyhouse – Foran Equine Irish European Breeders Fund Auction Maiden (6f)

Jessica Harrington’s Whitefountainfairy found all sorts on debut at the Curragh when finishing mid field. The daughter of Casamento should be learning from that experience, I would expect her to be a lot closer this afternoon.

Main danger looks to be Gordon Elliott’s Only William who is the son of Kyllachy, however he will be one to come on.

Whitefountainfairy : 1pt EW @ 6/1 (BOG)

From the three selections, I am going to put them forward as an each way patent, with an each way lucky 15 on a horse I have been given to back on debut from the Willie Haggas’s yard Green Fortune who runs in the 2.10 Lingfield, this is a prep run I’ve been told for Royal Ascot, trading around 9/2.

Best of luck today

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