Henderson Eyes Further Gold Cup Glory

Nicky Henderson will be hoping Bobs Worth can add some glory to what has been a pretty disappointing season so far for the Champion Trainer. Last year’s Gold Cup winner is expected to return to the blue riband event in the sport where he is the short-priced favourite already in the Cheltenham Gold Cup betting odds to retain

4:20 Southwell (27th February) Free Racing Tips

A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 5f on standard going. Nine three-year-olds take part: five colts/geldings and four fillies. A mix of raced horses with a sales median price of not more than £22,000. Quite a restricted race type, which favours those with a proven level of form. While many racing fan will be keen to see the Cheltenham betting this all-weather race could be worth an interest. 

Activial Secures Adonis

Activial  (pictured, right) was one of the big market movers for the Cheltenham Festival following his victory in the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle on Saturday.

His price was cut in half for the Triumph Hurdle which takes place on day four of the meeting next month. 

2014 Cheltenham Festival - Day One Preview

The United Kingdom may have suffered the wettest winter since records began, but come hell or high water race fans will be ready for the tsunami that is the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.

It's time to bring it on!

From Tuesday 11th - Friday 14th March the National Hunt calendar delivers four days of exceptional horse racing including: Champions Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick's Thursday & Cheltenham Gold Cup Day. The festival sees the best of British and Irish-trained horses competing for glory. Watched by millions worldwide, more than two-hundred thousand people attend this annual pilgrimage.

Tuesday, March 11th, brings the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, held at Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire. A seven-race card kicks off proceedings. With an attendance of over fifty thousand people the atmosphere builds to a crescendo with the ''Cheltenham roar'' which refers to the enormous amount of noise generated by the crowd as the starter raises the tape for the first race of the festival (1:30 Cheltenham's Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle).

Take a deep breath. Place your bets. Savour every moment of this racing spectacular - where equine stars are hailed. Listen to the sound of winning hooves, beating faster than your racing heart.

Here is a selection of races featuring the favourites of this year's action and nostalgic glimpse of our greatest racing champions.

3:20 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The most important hurdle race of the season: The Champion Hurdle. This Grade 1 race, run over a distance of two and a half miles, has eight hurdles. It is open to horses aged four years and older. Notable triumphs include the inaugural winner Blaris (1927), Istabraq (2000) and last triple winner & legendary Dawn Run (1984). She was only the second mare to taste victory in this contest, going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1986). The only horse to ever complete this double. Last year's winner Hurricane Fly, trained by Willie Mullins, was the first horse in 38 years to reclaim the Champion Hurdle after denying old adversary Rock On Ruby, who heads for the Arkle Chase. This bay gelding, a son of Montjeu, is presently 3/1 joint favourite in ante post markets. A true talent, this ten year old has won 21 of his 24 races over hurdles and achieved prize money of over £1.6 million. His main opposition include The New One, My Tent Or Yours & Our Conor, a five year old gelding, who was a facile winner of last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle.

2:05 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The second race of the opening day of the festival is the Arkle Challenge Trophy. This Grade 1 Nation Hunt Steeplechase is open to horses aged five years and older. Covering a distance of 2 miles, twelve fences are jumped on the Old Course. This race is for novice chasers and a test of both speed and jumping. Bright Penny prevailed in the first running of this race in 1946, ridden by Glen Kelly and trained by Bobby Norris. Historic winner Alverton (1978) went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Last year's race was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Simonsig, who is out for the season, recuperating, after developing a splint on his near-fore. Willie Mullins trains the 7/2 ante post favourite, Champagne Fever, who won the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. This grey gelding needs to come back from an odds-on defeat when only third at Leopardstown in December. The main contenders include Dodging Bullets (6/1) who is trained by Paul Nicholls, and bred by Frankie Dettori, Trifolium (6/1), Rock On Ruby (7/1) who won last year's Champion Hurdle for Harry Fry, while Alan King's Valdez (9/1) is another among a large field of entrants.

4:00 Cheltenham (Tuesday 11th March)

The Cheltenham OLBG Mares Hurdle is a fascinating event. This Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race is open to mares aged four years and older. Nine hurdles are jumped over two and half miles on this left-handed course. This race was established in 2008 and the winner's trophy for this event is named in the memory of David Nicholson (1939 - 2006), a talented jockey & trainer. Since the inaugural winner, Whiteoak, this race has been dominated by super mare Quevega. Ruby Walsh has ridden her to success. In fact, this daughter of Robin Des Champs has won the last five contests. The Willie Mullins-trained ten year old is unbeaten in her last eight starts and price 4/5f in ante post markets. Her trainer has a strong hand in this race with 9/2 second favourite Annie Power to test her mettle. This six year old is unbeaten in all of her ten starts, of which seven were over hurdles. The main opposition include: Cockney Sparrow (8/1), Sirene D'ainey (10/1) & Glen's Melody (14/1) from what could be a large field. In previous years this race has fielded up to 21 runners.

Feature Races Of The Cheltenham Festival 2014

Tuesday 11th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Stan James Champion Hurdle

Wednesday 12th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Queen Mother Champion Chase

Thursday 13th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Cheltenham Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Friday 14th March - 3:20 Cheltenham - Betfred Chelentenham Gold Cup

Our Cheltenham Resources

Race cards: Channel4 Race Card

Cheltenham Betting & Odds: Bookmakers

Racing Weather: Met Office (Cheltenham Racecourse)

5:00 Lingfield (21st February) Free Racing Tips

A 0-70 rated handicap for four-year-olds plus. A pretty poor affair. Five horses take part: all fillies and mares. This isn't a race type I would take any great interest and this post is to detail a humorous story rather than a fill-your-boots tip. The horse in question is Meddling, trained by Julia Feilden. I know one of our regular readers will be rolling his eyes as I mention this individual, trained from Exning, just outside Newmarket. I am an avid reader of Julia's blog, and a superb read it is, too . I remember her excellent horse Spirit Of Sharjah, who competed at Group class at two and had an official rating of 107. What a wonderful specimen. Aged nine, he has since retired and owned by none other than Richard Perham. His name will be familiar to readers because he used to ride professionally for Richard Hannon. These days Richard works for the British Riding School, coaching fledgling jockeys. In addition, he's a regular presenter on At The Races. It proves that the racing world is small and interwoven. 

I've been following the progress of Meddling. This daughter of Halling was purchased in December by Feilden for 15,000gns. Now four years old, she's said to be going well at home and the stable fancied her last time at Wolverhampton when a 25/1 shot. By all accounts it was a disappointment, finishing last of seven runners. The interesting part of the story is that this chestnut filly used to be trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Although fancied on a number of occasions, this April foal couldn't find the winner's enclosure. Feilden has decided to step this filly up to 1m 2f in an attempt to find improvement. I imagine this has as much to do with her breeder suggesting a test of stamina could be the key. Evidently, he told this to Sir Michael Stoute. He never got a reply! 

Most punters have given up the ghost. I assume the stable are testing the water today but a drop in weight, after the trainer said Meddling was well handicapped, could give hope. I would have to take a watching brief and cross my fingers for the Feilden team.  

First Season Sires 2014

It's getting to that time when we start to think about the forthcoming Flat turf season. HCE has its finger on the pulse of two-year-old racing. A topic which many pundits focus is first season sires. British 2yo Racing is a great website for finding gems of wisdom and they have a page which details this information in the justice it deserves. Here are a few of the most expensive stallion fees and background information. There are over 20 new sires who will be trying to make an impact on the breeding scene. It will be interesting to see whether a few two-year-old talents come from these stallions.   

Blame (by Arch) Fee: $30,000

Owner bred in the US by Adele Dilschneider & Clairborne Farm. Trained by Albert Stall. Successful in one of his two juvenile starts when winning a 7f maiden at Keeneland. 41 sold with an average sales price of $182,512. Located at Claiborne Farm, Kentucky. 

Looking At Lucky (by Smart Strike) Fee: $15,000

Successful in five of his six outings as a juvenile beginning with victory in a 6f maiden. Later won a Grade 2 over 6.5f and a Grade 1 over 7f. Followed that with a pair of 8.5f Grade successes and then second in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile over the same distance (behind Vale Of York). 58 sold with an average price of $83, 252. Located Ashford, Kentucky, Coolmore. 

Makfi (by Dubawi) Fee £25,000

Owner bred by Hamdan al Maktoum but sold off at the end of his 2yo season for 26,000gns. He had been in training with Marcus Tregoning at 2yo but the Shadwell team took the decision to 'cull' him unraced at the Tattersalls 'October Horses in Training' Sales. Bought by French trainer M. Delzangles who was specifically looking for a son of Dubawi at the Sale. Mr Delzangles ran him in a 7f maiden in France on November 27th which he won. 55 sold at average price of 65,699gns. Located Tweenhills Farm & Stud 

Rip Van Winkle (by Galileo) Fee: €20,000

Won two of his three starts as a juvenile in a 7f maiden in June and the 7f Group 3 Tyros Stakes in July. 7th of 13 in his final outing that year when 6/4 favourite for the 7f Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. That a muddling race and only beaten 2 lengths. 60 sold with average sale price of 70,439gns. Located Coolmore.

Lord Shanakill (by Speighstown) Fee: €5,000

Ran eight times as a juvenile for two wins and 5 places. Successful in a 6f maiden in mid May, having been placed on his 5f debut in April, and the 6f Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes. Placed in the Coventry, Richmond, Prix Morny and the 7f Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. Beaten a nose in a four-way photo finish in the last of those events. 45 sold with average sales price 24,323gns. Located Irish National Stud.

For full list visit British 2yo Racing. 

  

Back To Business

As readers may have noticed over this winter we have featured a number of guest posts from Eric. His sprint analysis has helped us out through what would generally be a quiet time for High Class Equine. This has been a transitional stage for him because behind the scenes he's been developing a brand new website called Eric Winner. We hope you have enjoyed his analysis and take the opportunity to follow his selections within his very own domain. We would like to thank him for his support.

HCE is dedicated to two-year-old horse racing and we really need to crack on with detailing what some of the leading stables have to say about their new crop of juveniles. Our season starts with the Brocklesby Stakes which is raced at the William Hill Lincoln Meeting. As always, we have been working tirelessly to bring you the best information, expert analysis and selective tips. 

1:30 Lingfield (19th February) Free Racing Tips

Too much to go through every horse in every race today so I'm going to give a detailed summary of each race.

1:30 Lingfield -  a seven runner race and two horses, Kuanyao and Come On Dave, who like to lead so should set a decent early pace. The selection Drawnfromthepast can either be held-up or track the leaders and comes out as usual top of my ratings. Its last run can be ignored as it was over six furlongs and the horse should be much happier again back over the five furlong trip. It's a fairly tight claiming race and I'm hoping the seven pound claiming apprentice can swing the weights in its favour. He's only had five races but hasn't rode a winner yet so I suggest you keep stakes to a minimum.

2:00 Lingfield -  the only horse known to lead is Greenhead High. But he would prefer a slower course and doubt even with an uncontested lead he could be strong enough to make the frame. I think the selection Rise To Glory should be able to make use of his stall two draw and track the leaders proving the strongest in the finish.

5:25 Kempton - with eight runners it means they pay a quarter the odds for the first three horses and that makes me think the selection is decent value at 11/2 a win or 11/8 a place. Half the field, Desert Strike, Sir Geoffrey, Roy's Legacy and Novabridge have all been known to try to lead before and I think they make take each other on early and set the race up for a fast finishing type. I do think the selection Your Gifted has got a reasonable chance off bottom weight.

7:25 Kempton - the early pace in this race may come from Firmdecisions who is ideally drawn in stall one for a front runner. But it isn't in my top four on figures so doubt if he can lead all the way. Also, I'm sure that the jockey, George Baker, who is riding very well at the moment on the all-weather, can find a decent early position on the selection, O'Gorman to come late and fast to grab the spoils with this hold-up horse who has run very well before when returning from a break from racing. (E.R.I.C.)

1.30 Lingfield - Drawnfromthepast 3/1 4th
2.00 Lingfield - Rise To Glory 12/1 ew  2nd
5.25 Kempton - Your Gifted 11/2 ew 7th (no luck in running)
7.25 Kempton - O'Gorman 11/1 ew Unp

4:45 Wolverhampton (17th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

Forest Edge is either held up or tracks the leaders. A model of consistency and can never be discounted but maybe a little bit better over 6f. I think the handicapper may have the measure of the horse at the shorter distance. Swiss Cross likes to track the leaders and won nicely last time out in a class 3 handicap but has never won in a class 2 on the all-weather. Addictive Dream is a horse that can lead or track the leaders. But I'm fairly sure it would do better on a slower surface and these might go too quick for him. Even Stevens either likes to lead or track the leaders but its recent times don't really put it into contention against these. Silken Express is either held up or tracking the leaders and comes out second on my figures and holds both Evens Stevens and Swiss Cross on recent form. Caspian Prince likes to lead but its times make me think it might struggle to win against today's opposition. It's the only horse with early pace drawn wide and could cause a few problems for those drawn inside his stall 11. Ubetterbegood is a hold up horse but has no form on the course but nothing says to me this will suit. Jiroft is held by Swiss Cross, so drops down the pecking order in my idea of the winner. Doctor Parkes usually tracks the leaders but it would be better running over a slower course. Lexis Hero is another that tracks the leaders and could make the frame and isn't badly housed in stall six. Muhdiq also tracks the leaders but on its recorded times doesn't look fast enough to be involved. DANGEROUS AGE is an improving four-year-old that likes to track the leaders. It has won nicely twice over course and distance and did well when only just beaten in a photo at Kempton. Not ideally housed, in the outside stall, but Caspian Prince - who likes to lead - is drawn in stall 11 and could cause a few problems for those on the inside of him as he tries to lead and I'm hoping Joe Fanning can follow that horse to get into a good early position. 

SUMMARY the two horses that are known as front runners are drawn in stalls 3 and 11. Those housed between them may struggle for a clear run and I'm hopeful that Joe Fanning can follow Caspian Sea and the improving four-year-old can stay on to win. (E.R.I.C)

4:45 Wolverhampton - Dangerous Age 5/1 3rd

5:00 Lingfield (15th February) Free Racing Tips

Ex Ex likes to track the leaders and isn't in my top six rated, so think he might find the pace a bit too quick. Roy's Legacy usually likes to lead but that's over five furlongs and to have any chance today at six furlongs I think it needs to be held up because there's two other horses that can try to lead. Temple Lord can either be held up or track the leaders and comes out sixth on my figures so may have slight place claims but I don't think it is good enough to win. Meridius may need the run as he's been absent since October and isn't in my top four ratings. He did produce a good speed figure at Nottingham on good-to-firm going but over seven furlongs. He can be held up or track the leaders but on what its shown so far on the all-weather it's not for me. MULTITASK comes out top on my ratings and is another that likes to either track the leaders or be held up. El Mirage has recorded times over course and distance that are not quick enough to win this race even though he likes to either chase the leaders or can try to lead. Haadeeth, another horse that can try to lead or track the leaders, comes out fourth on my figures so could have place claims. Compton Prince won over course and distance last time out so shows it's in good form. It likes to track the leaders so another with place claims at the least. Dark Lane is a hold up or track leaders type and is second best in my ratings so has place claims and must rate the main danger. Star Up In The Sky is another horse that can try to lead but it's best figures come at Southwell so I doubt if this much faster course will suit. Shifting Star hasn't produced any fast figures over the distance and will probably find this trip a bit on the short side even though he can either track the leaders or be held up. I think he might be outpaced here. Spellmaker's figures on this course make it fourth in my ratings but he does have slightly better figures at Kempton. Those figures would move him up a place on my ratings. It's a hold up horse but I'm thinking it might not quite get to the leaders.

SUMMARY: There are four horses that can try to lead so it should be a decent pace to the race. The best of the leaders comes out fourth top so it looks like a race that will suit those who track the leaders. The two only genuine hold-up horses don't look capable of getting there to be involved at the finish. Multitask is well berthed in stall three so should be able to sit just behind the pace on the rails or very close to them and stay on well at the finish & hopefully win. There's only two firms pricing up the race at this time: Bet365 have Ex Ex as their 7/2 fav while Paddy Power have the same horse as their 9/4 fav. I'm surprised to see such a variance in thoughts from them but then again I don't think they are right with their choice of fav. If I could lay Ex Ex at around the 5/2 mark I would be doing so. There's only half a point difference with them on Multitask 9/2-4/1 (E.R.I.C.)

6:05 Wolverhampton (14th February) Free Racing Tips

Ishetoo may find this a bit on the short side and he usually tracks the leaders. This gelding only comes out fifth on my ratings and likely to be outpaced. Louis Vee has tried to lead before but over six furlongs and I doubt if he's fast enough to lead over the minimum trip. Roy Brotherton's six-year-old comes out fourth on my ratings if you count his six furlong performance where it led. *Lord Buffhead tracked the leaders last time, just as he usually does, and got up to win. Top rated,  this brown gelding could win easily. Speedyfix is a hold-up type, recording slow figures over course and distance. I think it may be better off running at Kempton or Lingfield. Flow Chart is another horse that has led but over six furlongs and may find this trip a bit on the short side. A top three rating suggests a place effort. Dear Ben may set the pace over five furlongs. It comes out second on my ratings so should run its race. If leading, looks the type to hold on for a place. Lady Rain has limited form and easily held by Ishetoo. Milton Bradley's mare needs to improve dramatically to win and best ignored. Busy Bimbo recorded a fast time, putting it second on ratings, over course and distance. That time was recorded before the track was re-laid, when times were much quicker. He also likes to track the leaders but doubt if he's good enough to win. Chateau Lola is a hold-up type but its times over course and distance are slow. Will struggle to even make the frame.

Summary: Dear Ben is the most likely leader and being second top rated has a fighting chance. However, if all goes to plan, Lord Buffhead has the ability to win. The favourite is Speedyfix. Granted, it was unlucky on its last visit to this course. But strictly on form is held by Ishetoo, which isn't even rated in my top four. It would be better on a faster course and a horse I would lay. (E.R.I.C.)

*NR  (Another non runner) 

5:10 Kempton (13th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

Torres Del Paine can either be held-up or track the leaders. This gelding comes out second best on my figures, so must have an each-way chance. Diamond Vine can be held- up or track leaders. It has done better at Lingfield and rated in my top four. *Demoiselle Bond is the only horse in the race that is known to lead, so I'm hoping she can get an uncontested lead and try to make all. This mare is available at odds of 14/1 and looks a decent each-way bet. Strategic Action likes to track the leaders but it maybe needs a longer trip and potentially outpaced. Ryedale Lass has got slow times over course and distance. Geoffrey Deacon's mare may find this trip on the short side. I doubt if she is fast enough to be involved in the finish. Steel City Boy isn't in my top four on its figures at Kempton & probably prefer a slower surface. The type to track leaders, but might be outpaced by some of these at this faster course. Microlight can be held up or track leaders. However, it's not in my top four and maybe struggle to get involved in the finish. Christopher Chua may find this trip stretching its stamina, especially if it's a fast run race. Sherjawy is a rule to himself. He's not the most consistent horse but usually has a chance in low grade races. Rated fourth fastest, this bay gelding could make the frame if any of the top three rated don't run to their best. He likes to track the leaders so can't be dismissed altogether. Chester Deelyte has recorded a fast time over this distance but on the grass with good-to-firm going but so far has not been able to run to those times on the all-weather, especially at Kempton. Vhujon is a hold-up horse and comes out third best on my figures. He'll need a bit of luck when making a late charge. Brandywell Boy hasn't shown any worthwhile speed-figures at Kempton and will most likely find this distance too far and think he can be ignored.

SUMMARY: If *Demoiselle Bond gets to the front she can set the pace. I think she will be a good each way bet. I'm hoping the Lydia Richards [trainer] has put the seven pound claiming apprentice on board to help with the task of winning. The handler has only had four winners from sixty-nine runners but all of the winners have come on the all-weather: two at Lingfield, Kempton and the level stake profit is very good, which means some of the winners must have been big prices. At odds of 14/1 this looks a good bet. (E.R.I.C.)

*NR

2:30 Lingfield (12th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

A Maiden Stakes over 7f on standard going. Seven three-year-olds take part: four colts, three fillies, including a trio of debutantes. Most are lightly raced bar Treasure Cay, who is on his fifth start. Philip McBride is an astute trainer and very good at placing his horses, especially on their second start. Walk With An Angel is a daughter of Myboycharlie out of a of a multiple-winning mare. This bay filly was a cheap yearling purchase at just 2,000gns and owned by the trainer. She was relatively fancied on debut but didn't help her cause by taking a keen hold in the early part of the race. It wasn't a surprise to see this youngster tire in the final furlong and with over two months on the sidelines there should be improvement and that initial experience could bring hope. McBride should have this March foal primed to run a big race. Louis Steward takes off a valuable 5lb. It is a shame there are only seven runners as two places does slightly detract. It is never easy taking on the colts and a key factor could well relate to whether the debutantes are ring rusty. Walk With An Angel has fair each way claims at respectable odds. (HCE)

6:15 Kempton (12th February) Free Racing Tips

6.15 Kempton - Shawkantango has recorded a very fast time on good-to-firm going at Folkestone so has to be a danger. But its all-weather form is not as good. Top Cop may find this a bit too short and is the type that likes to track the leaders. I think these may go too fast for him. Island Legend likes to try and lead and is the only natural front runner. It is my top rated and if it gets an easy lead it will be very hard to beat. Decent Fella is another that may find this too sharp and may get outpaced. Desert Strike can either track the leaders or even lead and comes out second on my figures. I'm hoping it will not try to force the early pace else it will be set up for a fast finisher. Only Ten Percent may find this trip too short but will be finishing quite well. But I doubt if it will be good enough to win. Pull The Pin may prefer a slower course like Southwell. It likes to track the leaders, but again, I think on this course it will find them too fast. Mossgo can either track the leaders or even lead if needs be but I doubt if it will really want to try and lead in this race but it comes out third on my ratings and could be in the frame.

Summary:  I'm hoping Island Legend will be allowed to bowl along in front and would then be very hard to beat but with a possible three horses pushing the pace the race might be turned on its head and the leaders burn each other out, which would then leave it at the mercy of the finishers. My idea would be to back the selection and have a saver on Shawkantango hoping it can show its Folkestone form here. I've looked at the betting and am surprised to see that Pull The Pin is 2/1 favourite. I only have it down as my fifth top rated and down to sixth if Shawkantango shows its best form, so I think I would also be laying the favourite. (E.R.I.C.) 

8.15 Kempton - I'm not going through the form of every horse in this race because I can't get a picture in my mind of how the race could unfold. The first problem is where the early pace will come from because there's no known front runner. New Rich has run well the last twice being held up and finishing fast he's second on my figures but I'm not sure the race will be run to suit this horse as i doubt if the leaders will be fading. My selection, Secret Millionaire, is also usually a hold-up horse but I'm hoping it can be near enough to use its finishing kick to good effect. With the lack of pace I wouldn't be backing anything with full confidence in this race so keep stakes to a minimum. (E.R.I.C.)


6.15 Kempton - Island Legend 12/1 ew Unp
8.15 Kempton -  Secret Millionaire 4/1 Unp

3:05 Southwell (9th February) Racing Tips

3.05 Southwell - a fairly tight class 6 claimer.  Four horses, Al Khan, Electric Qatar, Hot Sugar & Jiminy have been known to lead, so there should be plenty of early pace. This should set it up for one of the hold-up types. Edith Anne and Monsiuer Jamie usually like to track the leaders, leaving just one true hold up horse Shawkantango. Derek Shaw has a respectable eighteen percent win rate in claimers. plus the selection is ridden by the seven pound claiming apprentice Adam Mclean who has already ridden ten winners for the yard. I think the allowance could make the difference and swing things in this bay gelding's favour. (E.R.I.C.)

3:05 Southwell - Shawkantango 2nd 4/1

2:35 Lingfield (8th February) Racing Tips

2.35 Lingfield -  For this Class 4 handicap race I've gone each way on Sir Pedro. I really would have preferred there to be at least eight runners but I do think it's a two-horse race. Early pace will come from either Fair Value or Gregori. Fair Value has recorded a really good figure over this distance but on good to firm going. But its times on the all-weather are no where nearly as good and it also might need a run having been off since November 20th. Gregori is the other possible pace setter - this comes out second on my ratings - so has to be respected and even more so if it gets an uncontested lead. I'm going with the top rated Sir Pedro. It is a hold-up type, and has to have a chance if they go too fast. I'd have saver on Gregori.

3.45 Lingfield - A very nice Class 2 handicap. Three horses have been known to lead: Nocturn, Perfect Pasture and Iptism. Although none of them are what I would call a natural front runners. Perfect Pasture would have a chance of  leading all the way but could just as easily employ different tactics. Four of today's runners ran on January 4th where Perfect Pasture won with Rivellino, Diamond Charlie, and Noble Deed in behind. Rivellino is weighted to reverse the form but Diamond Charlie lost his position that day and it cost him quite a bit. With a clear run he could prove victorious. Also, this gelding recorded the fastest figure over course and distance on November 20th. At odds of 14/1 he could be a good each-way bet.

4.20 Lingfield - Rigolleto and Haadeeth have tried to win from the front before. But the confirmed front runner is Mac's Power. He's not drawn best in stall nine but to counteract that he's dropped in class. Hopefully he can get to the front. If so, he has the speed to keep all at bay for the win. (E.R.I.C.)

2.35 Lingfield - Sir Pedro 11/2 ew  5th
3.45 Lingfield - Diamond Charlie 14/1 ew Unp
4.20 Lingfield - Macs Power 11/2 ew 2nd

What's Gambler's Psychology Kit?  

5:00 Wolverhampton (7th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

5:00 Wolverhampton - this race could be a frantic affair, five of the six runners have been known to lead, the exception being Iffranesia. The others might take each other on and burn themselves out leaving the race to the only hold-up horse in the race. In addition, the selection holds the second favourite Sir Geoffrey on recent form. 

5.30 Wolverhampton - thirteen runners but only two horses known to try and lead: Interchoice Star and Marmot Bay. But both are drawn fairly wide - stalls nine and ten - and I doubt if either is good enough to hold on for even a place. The race could become messy if those mentioned break well and head for the rails. It will need a horse that can sit handy to take advantage. Valdaw, drawn in stall six, could let the two leaders cut across him and then settle behind in a handy position and run on at the finish. 

5.00 Wolverhampton - Iffranesia 2/1 1st
5.30 Wolverhampton - Valdaw 5/1 Unp

7:30 Wolverhampton (6th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

The early pace looks most likely to come from Marmot Bay. However, Red Shadow, Flow Chart and Novalist can lead but, conversely, sit off the pace if a natural front runner hits the gates. It's possible if Kirby's filly [Marmot Bay] goes clear she could well hit the frame. Novalist can sit behind the leaders from a favourable draw and finish strongly towards the line. This looks a decent win chance but at the odds it makes sense to place an each-way bet, (E.R.I.C.)

7:30 Wolverhampton - Novalist 9/1 ew 5th

8:00 Kempton (5th January) Free Horse Racing Tips

They say timing is everything! Well, that proved to be the case on Tuesday. It's sod's law that the day we didn't upload a guest blog post from sprint supremo E.R.I.C it comes back to haunt us. He fired in two out of three winners: 10/1, 8/1...the unplaced selection was 33/1. He detailed his tips here. A frustrating day. All my fault - a lesson learned. Here is his latest sprint race analysis.  

8.00 Kempton - I tipped New Rich last time out and I'm prepared to give him one more chance. He won well the time before last and that was this gelding's second win over course and distance. A top rating was achieved on its last win here.  Fahey [jockey] overdid the hold-up tactics last start and was never going to get there in time. There are three horses that have been known to lead: Nelson Quay, Dorback and Ghostwing. Hopefully there will be a decent early pace. I don't think Ghostwing will be fast enough to lead and would probably be a better horse over seven furlongs, while I think Dorback and Nelson Quay may both prefer five furlongs. However, I think Dorback may be the hardest nut to crack. I'm hopeful the selection can finish best of all as the two probable leaders run out of stamina. (E.R.I.C.)

8.00 Kempton - New Rich 6/1 (returned 10/1 3rd)

5:00 Kempton NR - post removed

2:40 Southwell (4th February) Free Horse Racing Tips

A maiden Stakes over 6f on standard going. Eleven horses take part: all three-year-olds bar a horse of five and six who look to have little chance on form. A mix of colts, geldings, filly and one mare. This turning course often favours those with a lower draw. 

Royal Encounter, trained by Ed Vaughan and ridden by Jimmy Quinn, hails from stall one. This son of Royal Applause is out of a winning mare, who finished fourth in the Nell Gwyn Stakes (Group 3), achieving an official rating of 104. This bay colt cost 45,000gns at the Tattersall's October Yearling Sales, purchased by Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock. This youngster was in need of the run when making his debut in December at Lingfield at odds of 25/1. Connections expected much better next start at Wolverhampton racing over 7f. Royal Encounter showed good pace to take the lead that day and battled well in the closing stages playing second fiddle to Hardy Black. This April foal lost by just under one length, although the winner looked to hold a clear advantage by the line. Even though that was a relatively small field, the first two where expected to run big races and neither disappointed or lacked in determination. The third horse has since hit the frame and albeit no world beater this race is most probably of a similar level. Royal Encounter drops down to 6f which may take the edge off his pace. However, from a low draw, his jockey is likely to try and hold this favourable position. As long as the surface doesn't cause any problems, this grandson of Dayjur, should finish well. The main opposition - Jaeger Train & Bretherton - have both opted for head gear in an effort to find improvement. The former trained by Karl Burke has been a short-priced fancy on both his starts and will appreciate this drop back in trip and with Joey Haynes claiming 5lb it looks like connections mean business. However, Royal Encounter has fair each way claims if prices allow. 

Want to know Julia Feilden's Brocklesby Hope?

1:30 Kempton (3rd February) Free Horse Racing Tips

1.30 Kempton - Jubilee Brig may prefer a longer trip and can either be held up or track the leaders. Pabusar might find this stretches his stamina. He will have to be held up to have even the slightest chance of winning. Belle Bayardo has got poor form at Kempton and is likely to track the leaders. Jambobo may need further and its form on the all-weather is poor. Dixie Gwalia is the likely leader but her times make it doubtful if she can win even with an uncontested lead. The only horse with a semblance of a decent time is Capone (NAP) and it could win easily. Either it needs to have an off day or another horse progress beyond all recognition for the selection not to win but there's never a certainty with horse racing. 2.00 Kempton - this race is split with 3 horses that are known to lead and three that will either chase the leaders or be held up. I think Welsh Sunrise, Time For Lambrini and Harvest Mist would have to improve greatly to win this race. The selection would be a good bet if he reproduces his Lingfield form here at Kempton. But I wouldn't be betting very heavily if at all on "what a horse may do". 5.40 Wolverhampton - on my speed figures most of the field can be discounted unless they improve greatly. The four on my list are Falasteen, Megaleka, Loyal Royal and Daneglow. I'm always wary when a horse can get an uncontested lead and Falasteen is the only known front runner in the field and I think it should be in the frame. Loyal Royal is a hold up horse and may be able to pick up the leader but Megaleka and Daneglow will also be staying on, so I would keep the stakes low. (E.R.I.C)

1.30 Kempton                 - Capone
2.00 Kempton                - Clock Opera
5.40  Wolverhampton   - Loyal Royal