All articles by: Darren Chettleburgh

Horse Racing Preview – Newbury and Newmarket- 20th May 2017

May 20, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

This afternoon’s horse racing preview comes from Newbury and Newmarket with the Lockinge taking centre stage. All the selections can be seen on television, so crack open a can and let’s get on with getting some winners.

Yesterday’s selections were mixed feelings, Main Desire is going to be very useful come Ascot, but on the other hand I was very disappointed with Ryan Moore’s tactics aboard On Her Toes, went the right route on the rail to be shut out and nowhere to go, any real excuses probably not as the winner was holding in front regardless.

13.05 Newbury – Al Rayyan Stakes (Group 3) (12f)

Our first selection comes in what looks a good competitive pattern race to start the day, mile and a half for four year olds and above. Pending on how much rain has got into the ground here at Newbury I would expect a bold showing for Charlie Appleby’s Hawkbill who is having his second seasonal run.

Last year’s Eclipse winner should have no excuses on the ground, looked in need of the run when fifth in France three weeks ago, should be in the mix. At the head of the market is Michael Stoutes Midterm, another that looked rusty on debut when finishing fifth in the John Porter here at Newbury last month.

That girl had taken a knock yesterday when the winner Muntahaa failed to turn up in the Yorkshire Cup managing only to trail in second last. He has won over the index when taking the Bet365 classic trial at Sandown, but failed to shine the rest of the year, not the most reliable.

Stoute also has Across the Stars, tenth in last year’s Derby, the son of Sea the Stars put that run behind him quickly when landing the King Edward V11 stakes at Ascot, Muntahaa was put in his place there also that day. I actually thought his run in the Great Voltigeur was poor, but the quick ground did not help the cause, back on soft a player.

Overall I think Frankie has got it spot on when he takes the mount on Across the Stars who could be one to keep on the right side of this season. Big danger looks Hawkbill who should come on for his debut run overseas.

Across the Stars : 2pt win @ 7/2 (BOG)

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14.05 Newmarket – Betway Fairway Stakes (Listed) (10f)

Very open contest with a case that can be made for a few of these. William Haggas has potentially a nice colt on his hands here with Call to Mind.

With a Derby entry and owned by the Queen who had a welcoming winner with Dartmouth yesterday at York when landing the Yorkshire Cup, the son of Galileo showed tenacity when fending off Roger Varian’s Commander. It was not the strongest of maidens, however he could be useful for stepping up in trip on his second outing.

Godolphins Leshlaa I fancied on debut when getting up in the shade of the post when beating stablemate Dubai Horizon, this is a lot tougher than the 0-95 handicap he won over course and distance three weeks ago.

One I like here is John Gosdens Valcartier who got off the mark at the second attempt at Nottingham, I think the slower ground will play to his advantages and is the one to best for me under pilot Rob Tart.

Valcartier : 1pt win @ 9/2 (BOG)

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14.20 Newbury – Shalaa Carnarvon Stakes (Listed) (6f)

This is a type of race that could see Visionary bounce back from his all-weather win at Dundalk where he was runner up last time out when outpointed on Lingfields Champions Day.

He has been a regular around the all-weather track for Robert Cowell, returns to turf for the first time since running a cracker behind Harry Angel and Reach High in a novice’s contest at Ascot. More to come, definitely.

Main dangers look to come from Richard Fahey’s Private Matter who needed the run when fourth in a listed event over 7f here at Newmarket, drops back to 6f this afternoon, major player.

Visionary : 2pt each way @ 6/1 (BOG)

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14.40 Newmarket – Betway King Charles 11 Stakes (Listed) (7f)

I am in Godolphins camp here with Desert Frost who impressed me when pulling away to win by one and a quarter lengths on debut at Doncaster just over two weeks ago.

The way he won that day suggested that 7f would not be beyond this progeny of Dark Angel. On paper though Richard Hannon’s Larchmont Lad is the one they all have to beat only if rejuvenating his juvenile form which saw him land the Somerville Stakes over course and distance.

His transition has not gone to plan so far after competing in the Craven and 2000gns over a trip he just did not see out. We have to take it on trust that he was out classed and this drop in company and trip sees his season start here.

Stoutes Taamol still looked green in a conditions contest here last month when finishing fourth over a mile. Drops back a furlong this afternoon and if bringing his novice course and distance win to the floor he has to be considered.

Desert Frost : 1.5pt win @ 7/2 (BOG)

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14.55 Newbury – Al Zubarah London Gold Cup Handicap (10f)

A good each way bet could come in Simon Crisford’s Century Dream who’s two length defeat at Sandown in a 0-95 showed promise from his juvenile status.

The fifth place finisher has improved when finishing runner up in the Derby trial at Lingfield recently. The winner they might be chasing home is Roger Varian’s Defoe.

I am sweet on him as the winner of this race, he looked out classed in the Listed Zetland Stakes on his last outing. Off an opening handicap mark of 88 which could be very lenient to exploit, big claims each way for me.

Defoe : 2pt each way @ 9/1 (BOG)

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15.30 Newbury – Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) (8f)

The highlight of the day the Group 1 Lockinge and Richard Fahey’s Ribchester is going to be a tall order to beat here.

Last year’s Mill Reef and Jersey stakes winner ran a cracker to finish third in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at this year’s carnival when beaten only one lengths on seasonal debut. Can the hotpot be beaten? I think not especially on this ground.

Ribchester : 3pt win @ 7/4 (BOG)

Reverse forecast : 2pts Ribchester & Aclaim

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Horse Racing Preview – York – 19th May 2017

May 19, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Afternoon followers, today’s horse racing preview comes from York with 4 selections across the card. Firstly, i would like to apologise for the non-previews this week on the blog, spent day one of the Dante meeting at the course.

14.20 York – Langley Solicitors British EDF Marygate Fillies Stakes (Listed) (5f)

I would not be surprised to see Michael Bells Main Desire land the opener under Danny Tudhope. The daughter of High Chaparral won against her own sex on debut at Nottingham in good fashion. The ground I feel will not inconvenience her and is the one to beat in this.

Tom Dascombe’s Formidable Kitt could be the main danger to the selection. Won with something in hand at Newmarket on debut, the runner up and fifth place have run respectively again since.

Main Desire : 2pt win @ 7/2 (BOG)

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14.55 York – Longlines Irish Champions Weekend Fillies Stakes (Listed) (7.8f)

With the rain still forecasted I would expect a big run from Willie Haggas’ On Her Toes. She was a decisive winner at Windsor as a juvenile on soft ground, she went on to record two more wins at Pontefract and won the same sponsors race at Sandown (Listed) ending up finishing a good third to Nations Alexander in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes on her final start, the one to beat.

Another to consider is John Gosden’s Dancing Breeze who looked a potential filly when holding on at Newmarket on debut by half a length. She looks to not be inconvenienced by the softening ground.

On Her Toes : 2pt win @ 4/1 (BOG)

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15.30 York – Betway Yorkshire Cup (Group 2) (13.8f)

The selection for me thrives on soft to heavy conditions in Peter Nivens Clever Cookie. Last year’s winner returns to put his authority as one of the best middle distance competitors.

His form around York is very impressive turning in a form stats of 11001415, he is 2-2 at this particular meeting and with the ground turning soft for me he is the one to beat.

He certainly will not have it all his own way and will have to fend of stiff opposition such as last year’s St Leger winner Simple Verse who makes his debut at the Knavesmire. She will have to step up in my opinion on this boggish ground this afternoon.

It’s becoming hard to catch Sir Michael Stoutes Dartmouth right. Another debutante to the course, even though his form on soft ground is not that effective he did win the Hardwicke Stakes on good to soft ground, can go well fresh.

Final mention goes to John Gosden’s Muntahaa, the lightly raced four-year-old won the Group 3 John Porter Stakes by a neck when beating Chemical Charge. Last year’s Chester Stakes winner will have no doubt of getting the trip.

Clever Cookie : 1pt each way @ 7/1 (BOG)

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16.05 York – Betway Jorvik Handicap (11.8f)

I am very sweet on Roger Varian’s Gibbs Hill in this, the ultra consistent four-year-old won a good looking handicap at the end of last year at Sandown and has followed that up by winning on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.

Has excellent soft ground form and will be hard to beat under Atzeni. Best of the opposition looks to come from Alan Kings Burguillios who won a 0-85 at Leicester this year, chances on form.

Gibbs Hill : 3pt win @ 15/8 (BOG)

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Horse Racing Preview – Brighton & Windsor – 15th May 2017

May 15, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Horse Racing Preview – Brighton & Windsor – 15th May 2017

Today’s horse racing preview comes from Brighton and Windsor’s night meeting.

This week was going to be limited due to myself being away for a few days, but some interesting runners have caught my eye for Monday.

15.50 Brighton – Fxelectrical.com Handicap (0-80)

Charlie Appleby seems to have some very nice youngsters on his books for Godolphin this coming season, one of interest here is Radjash. Turf debut came at Doncaster as a juvenile when finishing third to John Gosden’s Hyde Park.

He was stepped up significantly from 7f to 10f on his transition reappearance when beaten a favourite in a Windsor maiden. The runner up Mistress Quickly bumped into a smart individual next time out of Willie Haggas’s. They drop him back in at 7.9f this afternoon and has to be taken seriously off his opening mark of 77 on handicap debut.

Best of the rest could come from Hugo Palmer’s Munawar & Al Maktoums Morning Suit. The latter has experience around handicaps as a juvenile with a solid second in a 0-95 handicap on the all-weather at Newcastle on his last juvenile run.

His transition was pleasing when winning a 0-85 three runner affair at Lingfield back in January. Not been seen since and if the layoff has brought him on he is a player in this. Munawar got off the mark at the second attempt when winning at Lingfield over 8.6f. The third, Upgrade, franked the form on the all-weather at Southwell immediately.

One to keep an eye on in the market is course and distance maiden winner Diamond Bear. Looks well handicapped off an opening mark of 76 and has to be feared as the main danger to all.

Radjash : 1.5pt win @ SP (BOG)

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17.20 Windsor – Sporting Life Pick 7 Median Auction Maiden Stakes (10f)

This looks a very good opportunity for Ed Walkers entry here Romanor to build on his solid second to Leaders Legacy who franked the form when winning a 0-95 handicap yesterday at Haydock.

It looked like a strong maiden at Epsom that should see at least the winner and third come on again. The step up to 10f looks the right move with him running on last time which was eye catching.

There look to be a few dangers, but more likely to come from Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Bullington Bear who shaped nicely when runner up on the all-weather at Chelmsford. Even though the maiden is not working out that well he just could be better than that form suggests and should make a pleasing transition.

Romanor : 1pt each way @ SP (BOG)

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17.50 Windsor – Sky Bet Top Price Promise Handicap (0-85)

Charlie Appleby’s entry here Secret Advisor really impressed me when landing a big field maiden at Thirsk last month. The first three home should be picking up races throughout the season, especially the front two who were nicely clear.

Just the one in this I think could have a bit of class about him is John Gosden’s Crowned Eagle, Showed forwardness when off the mark at the third attempt at Nottingham on his final juvenile run. The runner up commands a good rating of 90, though the handicapper has been a bit lenient for his debut in this company off 85.

Crowned Eagle : 2pt win @ SP (BOG)

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18.20 Windsor – Weatherby’s Racing Bank Novice Stakes (5f)

The attitude of Godolphin’s juveniles this year has made me pencil quite a few into my tracker which included the smart Aqabah on Saturday.

Here they have Last Voyage, son of Eskendereya who if you have not heard of the sire, he is the son of Giants Causeway who sadly was struck down with injury when Kentucky Derby favourite.

The trainer has seemingly given him an easier maiden to compete in than take him to this week’s Dante meeting at York, Buick on board again.

Any of interest in the race, David Evans two-time runner up Last Page was unlucky not to collect his first win when just denied in a conditions race at Bath last month, can make his presence felt again.

Last Voyage : 2pt win @ SP (BOG)

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