How Many More Abandonments!

Once again I'm posting about the bad weather and the racing casualties brought with it. Today saw Thursday's meeting at Towcester abandoned, and Friday's Chepstow meeting also abandoned, both due to waterlogging on the track. 

There will be a 7:30am inspection Thursday morning, for the days meeting at Wincanton, where going is currently described as Heavy (soft in places).

More heavy rain forecast up and down the country, especially on Friday, and more abandonments could happen yet. 


Away from the depressing weather news, and a look towards the £1 million Grand National, where there's been a sharp increase in entries, attracting 115 entries, the most since 2009.
Willie Mullins has the most entries, with eight, while Nicky Henderson could run Hennessy Gold Cup winner Triolo D'Alene, along the brilliant Long Run and Hunt Ball



And the news on Defy Logic wasn't good, as it emerged his campaign was over, after breaking a blood vessel in the Irish Arkle. 
Paul Nolan says it was the best decision, to give him plenty of time to recover. And went onto say, 'We'll look forward to next season with him now.'


Join me again soon for more news, tips and stats, and also follow me on Twitter @JamesHarvey87

Grand National Winner Auroras Encore Forced Into Retirement

On Tuesday, Sue Smith revealed to the Racing Post that Grand National winner Auroras Encore has suffered an injury which has ruled him out of another crack at the race and forced him into retirement.

On the day that entries closed for the Aintree showpiece, she announced that the 12-year-old had hurt himself when warming up for a second tilt at the contest at Doncaster last Saturday.

The chaser, who gave Yorkshire its first victory in the National for half a century when scoring at 66-1 last April, underwent an operation to have screws inserted in his leg. 

"He got an injury during the Sky Bet Chase," Smith said. "He got a fracture to the off-fore at some stage. That's racing. He won't race again as he is 12 now and this is quite a serious thing."

Just Kempton To Look Towards......Wednesday's Racing

With all jumps meetings cancelled for today due to bad weather, we have only Kempton in the evening to look towards. 
So, I have a few stats and tips for the all-weather at Kempton....


Top Flat Jockey's at Kempton;

Jim Crowley     16% Strike-Rate   131-845
Adam Kirby      16% Strike-Rate   118-748
Jaime Spencer  19% Strike-Rate    50-259


Top Flat Trainers at Kempton;

Ralph Beckett    22% Strike-Rate    56-253
Andrew Balding 15% Strike-Rate    55-366
Sir M Prescott Bt 16% Strike-Rate   25-154
Kevin Ryan        20% Strike-Rate    18-90
James Bethell    18% Strike-Rate      4-22


A Couple To Look At.....

17:50 - Fleetwoodsands; has 5 wins from 27 over this distance (7f) and has Sean Levey on-board, who has a strike-rate of 19% over the last fortnight. Currently 4/1 at Paddy Power (from 6/1)

18:50 - Maggie Pink; has a strike-rate of 38% over the distance (7f), and is 2 from 2 on the course at Kempton, course-distance winner. Currently 7/1 with William Hill......Possible Each-Way bet.


A Few Significant Early Positive Movers....

16:50 - Guardi 12/1 (from 16/1)
17:50 - Fleetwoodsands 4/1 (from 6/1)
18:50 - Smokethatthunders 7/2 (from 4/1)
18:50 - Corporal Maddox 13/2 (from 10/1)
19:50 - Alumina 9/4 (from 3/1)
20:20 - Examiner 5/4 (from 13/8)

For that's about it, but please check back soon