6:30 Kempton (Thursday, 28th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 6f on standard going.

Eight juveniles take part, five raced, with three debutantes including one four-year-old.

Bouyrin, trained by Michael Bell, has fitness on side having raced twice this year. To be fair this daughter of Invincible Spirit must be something of a disappointment to connections after costing 120,000gns as a yearling. Bell trained the mare who was very much a sprinter and winner at Listed class at two and short-head loser at Group 3 at Maisons-laffitte. A recent gallop report on the Al Bahatri said: ''Bouyrin certainly caught the eye in the first group to come up and she traveled nicely. She has entries this week at Kempton.'' With an official rating of 66 some may consider she is handily weighted to go the nursery route. This bay filly has been placed on all starts bar her debut. Although well drawn she is most likely to sit with the pack and try to make her challenge in the final two furlongs. This bay filly has her limitations and in what looks a poor race must have claims.

Clive Cox fields ex-Irish filly Scent Of Roses. Quite a well bred filly, sired by Invincible Spirit,  her first two starts were on heavy ground. A narrow defeat on debut saw her step up to Group 3 class. In training with Dermot Weld, she was readily outpointed when a major fancy in the betting that day. A recent 54,000gns purchase in December by Blandford Bloodstock proves that her new owners feel she has potential. Scent Of Roses was quite weak in the betting that day and 7f may have been a step too far and, perhaps, not fully fit. I would suspect this drop back in distance, Kirby in the saddle, means business. A weakness in the  betting would give cause for concern but conversely strong support would make me consider this is the horse to beat.

Sally Bruce went close to winning last time out after showing little ability in nine previous outings. With an official rating of just 47 it would be something of a surprise if victory came her way.

The debutantes could prove a threat in such a lowly affair. However, experience counts for a lot on this turning track and a slow start is usually part and parcel for those making their racecourse bow. 

Gift Of Silence has the burden of top weight, being the only four-year-old in the field. She is a recent purchase for John Berry at 800gns. A watching brief is advised.

Racing the familiar silks of M Khan is Meetha Achar. This home bred is trained by Jim Boyle who is a talent but his horses usually progress with experience. With the 5lb apprentice taking the ride it suggest this horse isn't primed for today. It would give greater confidence if substantially backed.  

The most intriguing of the debutantes is Seymour Place, trained by Roger Charlton. This daughter of Compton Place is a home bred out of a twice-winning mare who was similarly owned & trained. The stable can ready a horse to win on debut and they have fair each way claims when fancied in the betting. However, home breds can be a little slow to learn what is required of them, although at three that might be negated. Unless substantially backed, I would suspect she will be on the back foot and finish with spirit.

Conclusion: A tricky race in ways. There may not be a great deal of value on offer. Bouyrin is no world beater but has fitness and experience onside. Bell's horses are in decent form and I would be surprised if she wasn't in the first two. If there is a dark horse in this field it has to be Scent Of Roses. On her best form this would be an easy target and for connections to dig deep into their pockets to purchase her at the sales suggests her trainer holds some hope. This drop back in distance looks ideal and if steady in the betting I would make this my selection. A major drift in the betting would be a concern.  

4:40 Lingfield (Tuesday 26th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

The Breathe Spa At Marriott Lingfield Maiden Stakes over 6f.  A small field of four runners but a fascinating race in its own way. Three raced juveniles, from leading stables, with one debutante. Two colts race two fillies on this standard surface.

Star Of Rohm is a familiar horse to many punters, mostly for being beaten favourite, which has happened on three of his seven starts to date. In fact, bar his debut, he has started 7/1 or less on all contests. By all accounts this son of Exceed And Excel has plenty enough ability to win a maiden but he's clearly a quirky character. He has gone close on numerous occasions, but never quite looking as though he will prevail at the business end. This chestnut gelding cost 32,000gns as a yearling and it is a positive Michael Bell's charge is still in the ownership of Whitehead & Lomas. There have been plenty of sales to have given up the ghost so that must be taken as sign they envisage victory this season.

He was a beaten favourite on his last start at Wolverhampton back  in October. After an absence of over one hundred days you have to take his fitness on trust. However, Bell has stated that their horses are in fantastic form and this youngster has been ridden at home by Jamie Spencer on the Al Bahatri gallops. Star Of Rohm's strength is his natural pace. On a number of starts he has traveled with ease and has certainly traded at short odds on a regular basis.

This trip looks ideal and it could well suit him racing on this turning course. There is no doubt this gelding is a the type of horse which could turn your hair grey overnight. However, this looks a fine opportunity to get off the mark. Even though he is likely to start one of the favourites I would be tempted to place a lay bet in running at huge odds on just in case he looks a certainty and throws in the towel.

Conclusion: To be fair this looks a fine opportunity for Star Of Rohm to win his first race but at short odds he is probably a watching brief unless you want to get your heart racing. I can see him traveling like a winner but the question is whether he has that winning attitude. 

2:00 Lingfield (Friday, 22nd February) Free Horse Racing Tips

The Bath Spa At Marriot Lingfield Median Auction Stakes. This contest is run over one mile with seven runners, most lightly raced.

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King Bertie, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam and ridden by Jamie Spencer, must have strong claims after a narrow defeat on debut over course and distance.  This bay gelding, a son of Clodovil, was bought by the vendor at the Doncaster Breeze Up sales at two for £13,000, after fetching 5,000gns as a foal. The mare was a limited horse who ran in France over this trip. King Bertie may be no super star but he has plenty enough ability to win a moderate race of this nature. Clearly the stable expected a bold show on debut when he was well backed, starting second favourite to the eventual head-winner, Shaolin. A combination of bad luck and inexperienced proved costly as he was carried wide on the final bend and then showed signs of greenness when running on well but failing to catch the leader. On another day he would have won a shade comfortably. Jamie Spencer will have this youngster sitting handy and I am expecting a win. 

Of those with form, Fearless Lad had shown ability on both starts to date. This step up in distance is likely to bring improvement. It is interesting to see Hayley Turning partnering this colt for the third time. He may have his work cut out if the favourite has progressed.

A number of those to have races have related form lines. Excellent Puck, trained by Jamie Osborne, finished behind Shaolin when racing on debut at this course over 7f. This son of Excellent Art cost 38,000eur as a yearling and hails from a trainer who deserves respect with runners on their second start. There was much to like about that initial start as this bay colt stayed on well after a slow start. This extra furlong looks a positive move and if priced about the 5/1 mark would make a fair each way selection.

Another trainer who often has an ace up his sleeve is Sylvester Kirk. Landau ran as though in need of the race when finishing all too late over course and distance.  This grey son of Aussie Rules  may need a little more time but could well progress to win this winter.

Flamingo Beat and Kingston Eucalypt will need to be primed to win on debut and would need to be substantially backed to bring encouragement.

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Conclusion: King Bertie will be all the rage here but he will need to be wiser for that first start. In truth, he was an unlucky loser and improvement should be forthcoming. Jamie Spencer is a fine rider on the all-weather and it will be intriguing to see whether he presses on or sits just off the pace. This son of Clodovil is the horse to beat although at short odds I wouldn't imagine he makes great value. A couple of his opponents are making their second start and ample improvement could be on the cards. I would respect the chances of Excellent Puck and if priced about the 5/1 mark could make a fair each way bet. If the favourite drifts in the betting he would be a fair win bet but most probably a watching brief with fears that Osborne's charge could throw down a challenge. 

Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle Preview

The most prestigious hurdling event in the British National Hunt calendar, the Champion Hurdle, is the traditional highlight on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. This year’s renewal, due off at 3.20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, looks as competitive as ever, with the last three winners, Rock On Ruby, Hurricane Fly and Binocular, once again in opposition. 

Willie Mullins’ 9-year-old Hurricane Fly (7/4) heads the betting on the strength of four Grade 1 wins out of four since finishing 5½ lengths third to Rock On Ruby in last year’s Champion Hurdle. He’s started at long odds-on and faced a total of just 17 opponents in those four races, but Mr. Mullins was delighted by his 5-length win in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January. He said afterwards, “He is fine and has come out of his race very well and is back in the form he was in two years ago [when he won the Champion Hurdle].”  

Paul Nicholls’ 6-year-old Zarkandar (5/1) won the Triumph Hurdle in 2011 and finished fifth, beaten 6¾ lengths, in the Champion Hurdle last year. He subsequently fell in the Aintree Hurdle, but has been in decent form this season, completing a hat-trick of Grade 2 wins in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, the International Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Kingwell Hurdle, again at Wincanton. Strictly on the form book, he has something to find with Rock On Ruby, Hurricane Fly and Binocular but, unlike Rocky On Ruby and Binocular, he’s won on heavy going, so may have an advantage if the Champion Hurdle is run in testing conditions.

Harry Fry’s 8-year-old Rock On Ruby (6/1) has done little wrong since winning last year’s Champion Hurdle. He subsequently finished third, beaten 5¼ lengths, behind Oscar Whisky (ante post favourite for this year’s World Hurdle) in the Aintree Hurdle, over 2 miles 4 furlongs, but has run two perfectly adequate preparation races this season. He finished third, beaten 8 lengths, behind Zarkandar, to whom he was conceding 4lb, in the International Hurdle and showed the benefit of that run when comfortably beating Countrywide Flame by 3 lengths in the 32Red Hurdle at Doncaster in early February. That race was marred by a fatal injury to Darlan, but Harry Fry is reportedly delighted with the way Rock On Ruby has come out of the race. He said, “…we’re very confident and if it continues to dry we’ll be growing more confident by the day.”

Although he clearly has something to find with Rock On Ruby, if the Doncaster form is taken at face value, the North Yorkshire trainer has been equally bullish about the chances of his 5-year-old Countrywide Flame (16/1) in recent weeks. Prior to the 32Red Hurdle, Mr. Quinn said, “I think he’ll run a good race on Monday, but it’s not Cheltenham and that’s what we’re really looking forward to. We know he loves Cheltenham, he showed that in the Triumph Hurdle last year and as I was saying to someone the other day, if he hadn’t kicked the last hurdle out of the ground he’d have won the Triumph Hurdle by six lengths.”

HCE

2013 Gold Cup Winner Is? A Daft Whiner

The Cheltenham Gold Cup. What a race? Pure class. However, I just can't help but tamper with things. So each year I love to have a little bit of fun with the anagram name generator. You know the kind of thing, it turns a normal everyday name into something akin to verbal abuse. I really should know better by now but I just can't help myself. For starters, I had a difficult decision to make. I chose to exclude offensive words! I'm sure I've missed a trick with my ethical standing. I bet there have been times when you wanted to go up to a trainer after their horse had run like a three-legged pig and say: ''Did you realise that Coy Sully Unit is a....(You Silly....Bleeeeeeeeeeeep)? Obviously I would never - normally - dream of doing such a thing but idol curiosity has got the better of me. Remember the obscenity button has been muffled in fear of legal action. So what does the anagram name generator make of this year's race?  I'm interpreting the generated words with a little poetic justice. It's a well-meaning spanner.      

Cheltenham Festival 2013: HCE Has It Covered

High Class Equine is known for specialising within two-year-old horse racing. In fact, we are top ranked on Gooogle. We didn't get to that position by resting on our laurels. The stars of our equine world come in all shaes and sizes - flat & jumps. However, what about the Cheltenham Festival? You didn't think we would miss out?We are chomping at the bit to be part of this true racing spectacular. This superb meeting captures the heart of racing in a way that even Royal Ascot cannot achieve. It's getting closer by the day. HCE is pleased to announce that it's going to be the focus of our attention. Firstly, we have a superb guest blogger lined up in Sean Kelsey who will cover the festival - start to finish. Our man knows his stuff and writing exclusively for us. This information will not be found anywhere else on the net. I'm looking forward to learning from his insight. He will be at the festival so he takes his racing seriously.  

For further insight I would suggest you take a look at the Cheltenham Festival Bulletin. This publication comes from fellow blogger Ian Dykes who runs Wayward Lad. I purchased it last year and it certainly paid its way. 

We will be promoting our Cheltenham Festival to the max and expecting page views of 1,000+ a day. HCE is rolling up its sleeves to get stuck into the National Hunt. We love it. Join us for this incredible racing spectacular. Be part of the action. 

Frustrated Searching For Trainer Websites?

I know what you are thinking - Horse Trainer Directory is a bit of a mouthful. So it might be, but it's also a great free resource which saves you time. HTD is our latest website development and it has taken endless hours to get to this point. In truth it is a labour of love because it hardly earns a penny. However, if you need to find a trainer website, blog or twitter link then it could be the answer to your problem. I haven't seen a website easier to navigate or as comprehensive. It is a free portal with hundreds of links. Not only that, it has been well received by a number of horse trainers. Take a look at our testimonials. The whole purpose of this website is for it to be used. I have always appreciated the value of this information and the trainer blogs can be a gold mine of information. If you intend to bet on a horse, doesn't it make sense to take a look to see what the trainer has say? Click the banner - at the top of the page - and see for yourself. Better still tell a friend or write a line or two on your blog. We always return the favour and make no mistake the day will come when Horse Trainer Directory is synonymous with horse trainers big and small.   

6:30 Wolverhampton (Friday, 8th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

A small field of six runners for this median auction maiden stakes over 5f 216y. By all accounts a poor race. However, it is intriguing for one reason - we see the return of Newstead Abbey. Will he win? In truth, that isn't the reason for me writing this post. This son of Byron is a prime example illustrating that to be a successful race horse is as much about temperament as it is possession of ability. Many race fans will remember this bay was originally purchased by John Fretwell for 37,000gns, racing in his familiar lime green silks. He started his career at York when trained by David Brown. He ran a sterling race on debut when fancied in the betting. Finishing second to Funk Soul Brother, beating Artigiano - a group-class campaigner for Godolphin who came third. After such a promising start, few would have considered winning a maiden more than a stroll in the park. However, with seven races under his belt, this February foal has yet to taste victory. Although going close on a number of starts, Newstead Abbey ruined his chances by pulling too hard. Shortly after his last run in October, he was sold at the end of the Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale to Harrowgate Bloodstock for 15,000gns. Now trained by David Barron, he is owned by the Let's Be Lucky Partnership. With a tissue price suggesting he will be odd-on favourite, perhaps fortune favours the brave. Fingers crossed.

6:05 Kempton (Wednesday, 6th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

A 0-75 Nursery over this turning 5f. Eight three-year-olds contest this race where a low draw can often be regarded as an advantage. All have won bar Scott Dixon's Con Leche, while a couple are remarkably consistent.

Ada Lovelace, a daughter of Byron, is lightly raced and trained by Dean Ivory. He is a talented handler and always catches my eye on the all weather. There was a lot to like about her win at Lingfield over the minimum distance, where Crowley played the perfect waiting game, and cruised past Modern Lady - who runs today - with little fuss. The downside is being raised a substantial nine pound in the weights. That looks a pretty stiff mark although she is clearly in good from which is very much an advantage against many of these who do not seem the most straightforward. A leading chance, especially if touching an each way price.

Modern Lady has a fair pull at the weights and not been out of the frame in her last eight starts. Guest's youngster is a course and distance winner but only one victory from thirteen races suggests this bay filly has limitations. A wide draw isn't ideal, especially if Prince [jockey] tries to lead. She is a speedy sort but it leaves her prone at the line.

Ron Harris must be as pleased as punch to train such a consistent horse as Windforpower. This Irish-bred son of Red Clubs is definitely a tricky customer, who often looks awkward when hitting the front. He is obviously a robust gelding who takes his racing well. It is quite remarkable that the handicapper has kept him at this present mark. He is weighted to run his race although most recent efforts have been at Lingfield & Wolverhampton. It will be intriguing to see whether this drop back to the minimum trip will have him on the back foot. However, it would be a brave soul to suggest another placed effort will not be on the cards.

La Sylphe is a speedy filly but probably best watched after changing stables and been on the sidelines for a few months. Derek Shaw isn't usually in any rush with his new recruits.

Marvelino has been a frustrating horse at times. Favourite when making his debut in the Brocklesby, there seemed much promise. Pat Eddery's charge won on his last start but that was a weak race and this bay colt needs everything to fall right. After tasting victory I would consider he is more likely to be poor value. He has ability but  susceptible.

John Best is a capable trainer and Mossgo has won twice. He is similarly weighted to when touching off Modern Lady. Running at the end of December suggests there may has been a problem as he finished last. He has claims on best form but a watching brief.

Con Leche isn't suited by a wide draw and last time's awkward start could be a real concern and may indicate temperament. 

Iwillsayzisonlyonce was put in his place by Ada Lovelace on their last meeting and another who doesn't make much appeal.

Conclusion: A race full of difficult customers. Ada Lovelace catches the eye and looks a fine each way selection if prices allow. The handicapper must have been impressed to inflict a nine pound raise. Ivory is a canny trainer and Crowley will most likely let a few of these burn themselves out vying for the lead. If the weight doesn't takes its toll she should finish well in the last two furlongs.