UK Racing News.......Top Stories

Sherwood Talks Deputy Dan

Trainer Oliver Sherwood has said that Deputy Dan could be a 'serious contender' in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, if the going is 'Soft'. The six-year old is a general 16/1 for the Neptune, although a decision on the shorter contest, or the Albert Bartlett, will not be made until much nearer the festival. 
Deputy Dan had picked up an injury when winning at Warwick but is back in training. 



Paul Nicholls Waits On The Weather Outcome

Paul Nicholls believes he has two well handicapped horses for the Betfair Hurdle on Saturday, in Irving and Irish Saint, but which one will run is all dependant on the weather. 
According to Nicholls, the more it rains, the better for Irish Saint, and the less likely that Irving will line up. 
On Monday, Nicholls said, 'Irish Saint relished the testing ground and hosed in at Ascot.' Nicholls also added, 'The handicapper raised him 12 lbs, but he only has a 5 lb penalty, so he's nicely in, and you can see why he's favourite (7/1).'


Morning Assembly Going Straight For RSA Chase

Morning Assembly will be heading straight for the RSA Chase says trainer Pat Fahy. Fahy said that it was always the plan to go from Christmas to Cheltenham, as not to over race him.
A Grade 1 winner over hurdles, Morning Assembly has continued to progress since being sent out chasing in Autumn, taking his first two races at 2m4f and 2m6f.

Then upped in trip to 3 miles, in the Grade 1 Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December, Morning Assembly was beaten in the final stages by Carlingford Lough. Despite this loss, Fahy believes that stamina is Morning Assembly's strong-point. 
Currently a 10/1 shot for the RSA Chase, and has been partnered with Ruby Walsh in his first three starts over fences, but no rider has been confirmed as yet.


Shock as 28 Year Old Lucy Stack Dies

The world of UK racing has been left in shock after hearing the news that 28 year old Lucy Stack had passed away. The winning owner and breeder died 'in tragic circumstances' on Sunday at her home near Cashel.
Lucy saw her pink and black colours carried to victory twice by the flat stayer Parkers Mills. She also bred Clenor, the prolific US miler. 
The families ask that they be left to grieve and people to respect their privacy at this very sad time.

Definitely taken from us too soon, thoughts go out to the families involved. RIP.


And for now, that's about it. Please join me again soon for more tips, news and stats. Check my tips from today....

Monday's Racing

Monday's jump racing comes from Southwell, and there's all-weather action from Kempton and Wolverhampton. 

Southwell is currently described as 'Heavy' with a going stick reading of 6.0. There is waterlogging in places off the track. Both straights, golf club bend, and bend into home-straight moved inside to provide fresh ground. The forecast is for light rain and wind. 

I've picked a couple of selections from the racing at Southwell to share.....

Southwell 12:45   The Last Bridge    4/1 (PaddyPower)
Southwell 13:15   Royal Riviera(EW)7/1 (Bet365)


A few early movers in the market for Monday's racing include (Prices from Paddy Power)....

Southwell 12:45   The Last Bridge      4/1 (from 5/1)
Southwell 12:45   Dermatologiste      8/1 (from 14/1)
Southwell 13:15   Stagecoach Jasper 4/1 (from 6/1)
Southwell 15:20   Marmalade Man    15/2 (from 10/1)

Kempton 14:30    Dance                   3/1 (from 4/1)
Kempton 15:00    The Young Master  5/4 (from 13/8)
Kempton 16:00    Conversational       4/1 (from 9/2)


For now that's all I have, but please check back soon for more posts

I'm Back....

Well, I've had a couple of days where I've been way too busy to get any posts online, first being my birthday on Friday.....Another year older!! But definitely not wiser for it! Then Saturday I was at a very cold and windy Wetherby to enjoy the totepool Towton Novices' Chase (Grade 2) which saw Charlie Longsdon trained Ely Brown finish strongly to take the prize. 

So, after a couple of days away, I'm back! And I will get posting some news, tips, stats and more in the next 12-24 hours, check back soon. Hope you've all had a great weekend.

Today's Racing - 31/01/2014

Plenty of racing to look forward to today despite Chepstow having abandoned early due to a waterlogged track. We have jumps racing from Catterick, where going is currently described as Soft (Heavy in places). And we have four all-weather cards from Dundalk (IRE), Lingfield, Wolverhampton, and the 'bumpers for jumpers card at Kempton (Going; Standard-Slow (Good-Soft)).

A few Non-Runners so far and they are;

Night of the Realm - Kempton 13:50

Shirley Vanessa     - Lingfield 14:00

Plan Again             - Kempton 15:30
Shine In Time        - Kempton 15:50

Master Cardor Visa - Kempton 16:40

Vaitsev                  - Wolverhampton 17:20



And, regarding the weather once again, there's been an update HRI Racing (@HRI_Racing), who have Tweeted; 'Fairyhouse (tomorrow), Heavy, Soft-Heavy in places. Will continue to monitor situation. Forecast; Heavy rain today, showers tomorrow'.

Ffos Las are also set to inspect at 7:30am Saturday morning, for their card, which includes the Welsh Champion Hurdle and the West Wales National.


Check back soon for more updates and latest. Have a nice day.

Classy Certify Back, And Winning!

The classy filly Certify returned to the track with another win in the Cape Verdi Group 2 at Meydan. 
Held to the rear most of the way, until making her move up the outside with 400-500 metres to the post. Battled with L'Amour De Ma Vie eventually winning by 3/4 lengths, maintaining her unbeaten record.

Over 350 Entries For Novice Hurdles At Cheltenham Festival

There have been over 350 entries for the Novice Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival this year.


Willie Mullins has a massive 64 entries, with favourites for 3 of the 4 Grade 1 novice hurdles at Cheltenham, with Vautour (Supreme), Faugheen (Neptune), and Ivan Gronzy (Triumph Hurdle). 

There are 104 entries for the Neptune, 102 for the Supreme, 81 for the Albert Bartlett, and 65 for the Triumph Hurdle.

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

Racing Latest - Ruby Walsh Talks Annie Power and Big Bucks

RUBY WALSH TALKS ANNIE POWER AND BIG BUCKS

Ruby Walsh admits that Annie Power's exuberance may be an issue if she was to run in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle in March at the Cheltenham Festival. 
She stretched her unbeaten record to 10 wins on Saturday at Doncaster, but was very keen before the race.
Walsh told Racing UK, 'She was more on her toes at Doncaster than she has been any other day, but she's always been highly strung. So going three miles over Cheltenham would be a worry.'

Walsh also spoke about Big Buck's, and says he wouldn't have ridden him any differently in last Saturdays Cleeve Hudlre, after new jockey, Sam Twiston-Davies, came under some criticism for taking up the running a mile from home. 
Writing on his blog, Walsh said, 'Things didn't go to script for Big Buck's comeback, but in my eyes he got beat because of race rustiness. He hadn't run in 14 months, and if you stoppped the race a few strides after the last, you'd think he was all over the winner. He doesn't appear to have lost any of his sparkle, and looked like he was going to pull away up the hill.' Read the whole blog post on PaddyPower.com


LATEST WEATHER PROBLEMS

And, once again, the weather is playing its part on race abandonments, with Leicester having to call their meeting off on Wednesday, due to a waterlogged track. The easy-call was made at 15:45 today following inspection.
Clerk of the course, Jimmy Stevenson said, 'We needed a wrong forecast. I knew the rain was around. The forecast is for rain this evening. And no let-up tomorrow.'

Newcastle's meeting tomorrow is also off due to waterlogging.

There is also an inspection at Chepstow tomorrow, for Friday's meeting. Currently described as Heavy, with waterlogging in places.