All articles by: Darren Chettleburgh

Horse Racing Preview – Plumpton – 14th May 2017

May 14, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Horse Racing Preview – Plumpton – 14th May 2017

Today’s horse racing preview comes from one meeting at Plumpton.

16.15 Plumpton – Olivia Mellett 18th Birthday Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (0-135)

I am not the biggest fan of putting forward big stable runners as the season comes to a close around the National Hunt circuit, however Nicky Henderson’s Baratineur could bounce back to some form that saw him win over course and distance back in February of last year.

The six year old has failed to impress since that maiden win, but his current mark of 124 he should really be exploiting. His first run this year looked really promising when running close at Taunton, but then really disappointed at Market Rasen when he talked off tamely, I think his better than what he is producing so an willing to stick with him.

Ian Williams Sunnytahliatehgan comes into this in good form after wins at Fontwell and Southwell this year. With a 10lb rise to contend with he still could be unstoppable around this company. Martin Smith’s Ossie’s Dream could be danger to all if refreshed from his six week rest.

Was a winner this time last year in a 0-135 here at Plumpton over 21f. 2-2 at the course and would not be surprised to see him go off favourite. I will stick with the selection, should be a good price due to the poor efforts over the past 12 months, let’s just hope the bookies don’t shorten him ridiculously up just because his from the champion trainer.

Baratineur : 1pt each way @ SP (BOG)

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Horse Racing Preview – Ascot & Haydock – 13th May 2017

May 13, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Horse Racing Preview – Ascot & Haydock – 13th May 2017

Today’s horse racing preview comes from Haydock and Ascot respectively. Beaten by a short head in the big race at Chester yesterday, rounded off with a poor showing of the night selection.

16.20 Haydock – Pertemps Network Conditions Stakes (6f)

Very competitive contest that see’s John Gosden’s Waady at the head of the market. Last season’s Scurry Stakes and Coral Charge winner was not disgraced around pattern company with a good effort when a close third finish in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes.

Fifth place finish in the Group 1 Kings Stand, he has shown consistency of form despite getting into the winning enclosure. He looks a horse for courses with four of his five career wins all coming at Sandown, has been pencilled in to run in the Kings Stand again and has won in the past when going fresh.

Bryan Smarts Mythmaker ran some good races in defeat last year and was a winner over course and distance two seasons ago in a 0-85 handicap. This is his first return to turf since finishing mid division in the Coral Sprint Trophy.

Haydock can catch you out, especially trying to come off a quick pace, best place to be is on the front end which Mythmaker is very capable of setting his own fractions.

The one I have opted for though is Ed Walkers Aeolus who is on a two year long losing streak, his last win came at Gosforth Park when landing the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes.

Course and distance winner three years ago when he landed Listed Sandy Lanes Stakes. Was seen running on this card last season when a good fifth in the Listed Spring Trophy over 7f a trip that saw him out.

Looked out classed on seasons reappearance in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket, this drop in class should give him a good chance of going close.

Aeolus : 1pt each way @ 11/2 (BOG)

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16.35 Ascot -Totepoolliveinfo.com Novices Stakes (5f)

Charlie Appleby’s colt Aqabah will have to live up to his juvenile price tag of $550,000, the son of Exchange Rate is just another one of those big purchases made by Godolphin this year, he has no current big engagements pencilled in for the season, so it could be worth seeing what they have with William Buick booked.

Cardsharp made a pleasing debut when easily winning at Brighton. Al Maktoum owned son of Lonhro will have to step up to take on some good opposition here as I was not really taken by why he beat on debut.

At a valuable price Haddaf representing James Tate put in a good debut shift when runner up to Never Back Down at Leicester. Back in third was Dragons Tail who franked the form this week at Chester emphatically.

Tom Dascombe’s Dragon Pulse colt looks the pick on form and with an advantage of a previous run two weeks ago and should be feared, but Godolphin’s juveniles are in good form this early into the season, so I am expecting a big run.

Aqabah : 2pt win @ 6/4 (BOG)

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17.25 Haydock – Pertemps Network Handicap (0-95)

Without a doubt I cannot bank against Richard Hannon’s Devil Bridge in this. I put him forward last season as one of my top five to watch when making the transition phase. His has become very consistent for me despite not winning more then he should as a juvenile

His current run this year when runner up at Ripon was needed, a performer that gets a still 9f at most venues and at 12/1 it’s a shame it has turned into a race with only seven runners, but I have to stick with him even though there are some big looking improver’s in the race.

Leaders Legacy got off the mark at the second attempt at Epsom, he was a blog winner for me and even though he did it comfortably by four lengths I am not convinced the drop in trip is going to do him any favours.

Marco Botti’s Manderin was another that got off the mark at the second attempt at Newcastle, the runner up has ran well again finishing a good second at Windsor. Richard Hannon also trains the likely favourite in this in The Grape Escape who ran a close third on his return when third in the Esher Cup.

His slight drop in trip might help his cause, but for me he looked a 9f performer, so honestly, I am hoping Devils Bridge is not being used to benefit his other entry and experience prevails

Devils Bridge : 1pt each way @ 12/1 (BOG)

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Horse Racing Preview – Chester & Ripon – 12th May 2017

May 12, 2017 by Darren Chettleburgh·Comments Off

Horse Racing Preview – Chester & Ripon – 12th May 2017

Plenty of cards this afternoon to keep you all occupied, today’s horse racing preview come from Chester and Ripon.

15.35 Chester – Boodles Diamond Ormande Stakes (Group 3)

This race could shed some light on this year’s St Leger chances, at the top end of the market is Ballydoyle’s US Army Ranger. Last year’s Derby runner up returns to put his stamp on things over middle distances and beyond this season.

We all know he handles Chester when winning last year’s Chester Vase on his way to Epsom, but he probably felt the excursions from his Derby run when failing to make any impact. His first run back this season saw him beaten in the Alleged Stakes when behind Air Pilot.

For me the son of Galileo has some big listed engagements this year, the further he goes the better in my opinion and would like to see him land this in good style and head for Doncaster at the back end of the season.

Midterm was also beaten in reappearance beaten to just over two lengths in the John Porter at Newbury. This is a new trip this afternoon, and it looks like Sire Galileo will take this race either way.

John Gosden’s Western Hymn has not shown his three-year-old form, last year’s Gordon Richards and Brigidair Gerard Stakes winner has not really for me shown his true character and potential. Runner up in last year’s Huxley Stakes, the now six year old has had four failed attempts at 12f last year, but finally got a win on his return to the all-weather when winning at Kempton to make it 2-2 and three years in duration between the two runs on the all-weather when winning the Listed Floodlit Stakes.

It’s hard to catch him right these days, if this race was run at Kempton he would probably be close to challenging for favouritism, personally even though I have tipped the horse on many occasions last year he has disappointed me every time, today I have over looked him which might be a backing tip in its self and put egg on my face.

Lively outsider is Ralph Beckett’s Diamonds Pour Moi, she ran creditable in last year’s Cheshire Oaks when one length off Somehow who has won both starts this year emphatically which included the Dahlia Stakes last weekend. Something went a miss when coming back sore when pulling up in the Epsom Oaks, she finished off her campaign winning at Saint-Cloud.

Any support in the market for Beckett’s filly here should be noted, she doesn’t have many miles on the clock and could have more improvement to come.

US Army Ranger : 3pt Win @ 9/4 (BOG)

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18.00 Ripon – SIS Trading Services Novice Auction Stakes (5f)

There are a couple of well thought of individuals in this which include Mark Johnston’s well-bred filly Starlight Mystery and David O’Meara’s Highland Bobby who both have entries in this year’s big juvenile encounters.

The former got off the mark at the second attempt at Brighton ten days ago in what could be a useful looking Novice Stakes race. She never looked in trouble when cruising in hand by two lengths, she should make her presence felt here.

Highland Bobby finished fifth in a similar contest at Beverley eleven days ago, a race that is surely going to turn out winners as the season comes on, but one I have opted for here is Ben Haslam’s speedy bred Funkadelic who did not run badly on debut when finishing sixth of twelve when behind Koditime, the runner up Dahik was the eye catcher in the race as was Central City.

Ben is a hard trainer to catch winners with, but it’s a I yard I do like to follow at the northern based tracks and he could be a fair price if the tissue of around 7/1 is available on the day. One other that most definitely deserves a mention is Tim Easterby’s Aristodemus who showed potential when third at Ripon behind Black Orange who was just denied by a nose in the Lily Agnes Condition Stakes at Chester on Wednesday.

It’s a hard one to call as I like two against the field and it’s that time to put the right one forward, the Black Orange form is solid due to the winners form this week at Chester, the top two yards have also very nice improved entries, but I’m going to hold my original thoughts on Aristodemus who outran his 66/1 price tag on debut, looks interesting and is owned by an excellent syndicate, Ontoawinner, who are well worth getting involved in.

Aristomedus : 1.5pt Win @ SP (BOG)

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