4:05 Wolverhampton Racing Tips (24th November) 32RED CASINO NURSERY HANDICAP (TAPETA)

A 0-60 rated nursery handicap over 7f 32y on standard going. Twelve two-year-olds take part. P J McBride is a talented trainer who places his horses exceptionally well. Sky Steps has been knocking on the door but a costly loser for favourite backers starting 11/4 or less in his last four starts, although placed on three of those occasions. This chestnut gelding, a son of Strategic Prince out of a once-rate German mare, was fancied to go well last start but had to go round the houses when pushed wide which most likely cost him victory. The way Danny Brock rode this March foal suggested to me they didn't expect to lose because this youngster was given a number of strong slaps with the whip.Having gone up 2lb in the weights connections have opted for 7lb apprentice, Gary Mahon. I'm not convinced this step back up to 7f is ideal but I would imagine this horse will lead and try to keep out of trouble and hold on to any advantage in the home straight. This looks the type of horse that will be shorter odds in-running and that is the angle I would take if betting, laying your stake and hoping this juvenile hangs on in the closing stages for a profit. The tissue price looks about right and although no outstanding bet is the type of horse that will be expected to make a bold show. 

12:40 Southwell Racing Tips (18th November) £20 RISK-FREE BET AT UNIBET NURSERY HANDICAP

A 0-60 Nursery Handicap over 6f on standard going. Nine two-year-old horses take part, the lowest rated 45. Not the most illuminating of contests. Richard Whitaker doesn't have many juveniles in his care but knows how to train a winner and they are often progressive types. At this grade it pays to identify a horse which is in form and one that is likely to finish its race with spirit. Sparkling Sapphire is a roan filly and daughter of Monsieur Bond out of a winning mare who was similarly houses at Hellwood Racing Stables. The Nice Day Out Partnership have done well with thoroughbreds running in their familiar silks. Tumblewind has proven a fair sprinter. 

In truth, Sparkling Sapphire is no great talent but a determined horse who deserves to win at some level. She showed a glimmer of hope when running at Newcastle and then ran a sound race at Southwell last time out when given a confident ride by Paul Quinn. She may have started astronomical prices on Betfair but that didn't stop backers from taking odds on in-running when she looked the winner with a furlong to go. Fading in the closing stages over seven furlongs, gave way to a fair third place. This drop back to six furlong should see he finish with verve and remains on the same official rating [45]. I'd be tempted to back in-running as bigger odds should be available as there is a chance this February foal could be a touch outpaced in the early stages. At this lowly level the greatest strength is running to the line. Has each-way claims if odds allow.   

Hennessy Gold Cup to provide Cheltenham clues

On November 29, one of the most competitive handicap races of the whole National Hunt season will be staged at Newbury as the Hennessy Gold Cup provides another thrilling spectacle with plenty of serious Cheltenham Festival contenders amongst what is sure to be a high-quality field of staying chasers.

Ahead of the big event betting firms are struggling to find a favourite and bet 10/1 the field. Take your pick from such as Fingal Bay [pictured], Djakadam, Smad Place, Many Clouds, Rocky Creek, and many, many more. The same horses can all be backed at 11.0 or bigger on Betfair.

It may well be the case that by the time the runners go down to the start at the Berkshire track a clear favourite will have emerged having either put up a notable performance in the interim or been the subject of a major off-course ante-post gamble. The Hennessy Gold Cup has a history of producing smart performances by horses that often go on to excel at the Cheltenham Festival four months later. In recent renewals Paul Nicholls’ superb Denman (winner in both 2007 & 2009) went on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Nicky Henderson’s Bobs Worth won the 2012 ‘Hennessy’ before following up in the blue riband event in the spring of 2013 in tremendous style.

It’s not only Gold Cup winners who come out of the Hennessy field. Plenty of horses have run well in the race before going on to land other big prizes, including the feature handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival and other major spring Festivals at Aintree and Punchestown. The Newbury contest is definitely one to keep a close eye as the cream of the staying handicap chasers, many of whom are graded class and often close to Grade 1 level, take each other on in what is always a tremendous spectacle.

With the Philip Hobbs team probably in better shape than any of the other major yards at this stage of the campaign it would be dangerous not to seriously consider the chance of his likeable Fingal Bay, formerly a very classy staying hurdler who has done well since making the transitions to the larger obstacles. His win last season in the listed Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle final at the Cheltenham Festival shows what a versatile horse the eight-year-old son of King’s Theatre is.

His gutsy nose defeat of Southfield Theatre was a tremendous effort following a pleasing reappearance win at Exeter a month earlier. That came on the back of a long absence as the result of sustaining a serious injury early on in what had already become a very useful novice chasing career in autumn 2012. After his win at Cheltenham, Fingal Bay headed to the Punchestown Festival and contested the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle, but could only finish fifth behind Jetson, a performance that convinced Hobbs that his charge was just a little short of the top rung over timber and that he should concentrate on chasing this season. There’s every chance that the likeable stayer could well prove a star over fences this season.

Another interesting contender for the Hennessy Gold Cup is Alan King’s Smad Place, a really tough performer who rarely runs a bad race. Twice placed third in the World Hurdle, Smad Place took really well to fences last season winning nicely at Exeter and at Newbury before going down with all guns blazing in a terrific renewal of the Grade 1 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. That race, often seen as a contest won by horses with future Gold Cup pretentions, eventually went the way of the Rebecca Curtis-trained O’Faolains Boy who wore down King’s game performer in the shadow of the post to score by a neck.

Like Fingal Bay, Smad Place will have his fair share of weight at Newbury but he looks a potential high-class chaser and could prove hard to beat if he is fully wound up on what is likely to be his first start of the campaign.

Oliver Sherwood’s Many Clouds has already thrown down his Hennessy Gold Cup marker in making an impressive winning reappearance in a listed chase at Carlisle in early-November, staying on in fine style to beat Nicky Richards’ Eduard and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Holywell, favourite with some firms in the ante-post market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself.

Many Clouds was useful last term, and the Trevor Hemmings-owned stayer appears to have come to hand early this campaign and is on the upgrade. He looks just the right sort for the Newbury contest and is sure to prove popular on the big day in what is invariably a hot betting contest with so many horses being relatively unexposed and thought capable of better, not only by connections, but also by the betting public.

12:30 Redcar Racing Tips (4th November) IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF MAIDEN STAKES (Div I) (CLASS 5) (2yo)

An EBF maiden over 7f on soft ground. Division one of this two-year-old contest with eleven runners: fours colts, two geldings and five fillies. A trio of debutantes against a field of lightly-race juveniles from a mix of trainers. The betting could be particularly important so keep an eye on the market with Paddy Power.   

Weiner Valkyrie sets the standard after two runs. Unlike many home breds this bay filly was ready for action when making her debut over 7f at Salisbury. Ed Walker's charge is sired by Shamardal from a family which has sold well at public auction [Vienna Affair $380,000 4-y-o]. This American bred was fancied in the betting when starting at odds of 8/1 when a narrow loser to Jelly Monger who wasn't disgraced when competing in the Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3). Weiner Valkyrie wasn't disgraced when second behind Luca Cumani's Lady Of Dubai, although never posing a threat. Connections will be heading north for what should be a big run. Definitely the horse to beat if coping with the soft ground.

Bryan Smart is always a trainer to take seriously with his two-year-olds on their second start - they often go well. Lewis Valentine is an Irish bred son of Rip Van Winkle out of a dual-winning mare. This bay colt ran over 7f on debut when relatively weak in the market on good to firm ground. This step up in distance should be a positive. The ground is a slight unknown. The most important factor for this horse's chance is the betting. If priced 13/2 & less I would be confident this February foal would be placed. 

Of the debutantes one horse catches the eye - Brotherly Company. This Irish bred son of Fast Company out of an unraced mare is owned by Jaber Abdullah and trained by Richard Fahey. Few handlers feature a better strike rate with their debutantes. plus course and jockey statistics are decent. In fairness, this bay will need to be quite smart to beat the potential favourite who is likely to have an official rating in the 80s. I wouldn't bet on this horse unless decent odds.

Spinaminnie has been relatively fancied on both starts to date for Mark Johnston. This daughter of Moss Vale is stepping up in distance but needs to improve after being beaten by Pastoral Girl at Leicester, who was far from her best. 

Debutantes Bridget Gem & Dazzling Display are best watched.

Beatabout, Racing Spirit & Toboggan's Gift need to have a transformation and better suited at nursery class.

Ingleby Hollow was half fancied on debut and then ruined his chance at Newcastle by pulling when a distant third. Unless seriously backed - a watching brief.

David Simcock is represented by Intrude who wasn't fancied in the betting on debut at Windsor, beaten a good few lengths. This son of Intikhab is out of Richard Hannon's Don't Tell Mum who wasn't disgraced at Group class. This drop back in distance may be more suiting. Intrude cost 160,000GNS at the yearling sales when purchased by Happy Valley Racing. You can imagine connections will be expecting more. If substantially backed or priced 13/2 & less has fair win and place claims. 

Conclusion: An intriguing race where a few trainers may have considered this a prime opportunity to win. Testing ground could be the biggest opposition to a few of these who will need to handle the conditions. Weiner Valkyrie sets the standard with two sterling efforts. It will take a decent juvenile to beat her although the soft ground brings concerns. Richard Fahey's Brotherly Company should be respected but will need to be fit, well and talented to lower the colours of the favourite. I wouldn't bet on this horse unless it was priced 8/1+ [unlikely]. The betting is key for Lewis Valentine. Bryan Smart's juvenile has strong place claims if priced 13/2 & less. Intrude has something to prove after a routine debut. If well backed there may be more to come. I'd bet on Lewis Valentine to get a place if in best betting guide.   

Crystal Palace 4/1 To Win!!!!!!!!! (8PM Kick-Off)

Yes, that's right your eyes are not deceiving you - Crystal Palace 4/1 when industry prices are more like 11/10. Get ready for the action at Selhurst Park (8PM kick-off). I know what you are thinking -  opening new accounts but if you're having a bet then you may as well take the odds and make your money work. Take a look at Winner Sport by click this link. Crystal Palace V Sunderland. Make your betting pay. Good luck to all.     

3:50 Wolverhampton Racing Tips (3rd November) 32RED MAIDEN AUCTION STAKES (TAPETA) (CLASS 6) (2yo)

A maiden auction stakes over 1m 141y on standard going. Nine two-year-olds take part in this restricted race type comprising: one colt, a solitary gelding and seven fillies. All juveniles are lightly race with a debutante from James Tate. 

Burma Bridge, trained by Richard Hannon, has progressed with racing after clearly needing his debut run at Newbury when finishing last at odds of 66/1. This home bred son of Avonbridge showed marked improvement when placed on his second start, then suffered narrow head-bob loser at Brighton when slugging it out in the mud. This gelding is likely to set the pace and could well take some pegging back against what is predominantly a field of fillies. 

Twice Certain showed promise on debut then disappointing second start at Leicester when relatively fancied in the betting. Ed Walker's daughter of Lawman finished second last time out at Lingfield when 20/1. In truth that was a poor race where the winner had something in hand. 

Quest For Wonder, the debutante of the field, wouldn't need to be anything out of the ordinary to prevail against form horses which have official ratings in the low 70s at best. This bay filly by Makfi out of a winning mare cost 20,000gns at the yearling sales. It is never easy for a juvenile to win on debut but Tate is one of a few handlers who can hit the mark at the first time of asking.

The most experienced horse in the field sees Edge Of Heaven trying to make it sixth time lucky. In truth this daughter of Pastoral Pursuits has been consistently hitting the frame but never quite mastering the opposition. Johnny Portman has done well with his two-year-olds this season but with an official rating of just 65 (plating class) she may place once more but for victory others may need to fail. 

Of the others Resolve was fancied on debut but showed little and less so next start. Unless substantially backed, best watched.

A number of horses are making their second start after showing little ability on debut: Space Sheriff, Missandei, Callendula & Rum Swizzel. The betting is the best guide. If priced 13/2 & less all fair win and place claims. However, the tissue betting suggests this is very unlikely. 

Conclusion: A difficult race to assess. The form horses are limited although this race type doesn't set a high bar for success. Burma Bridge will most likely set the pace and say: ''Catch me if you can...'' The horse to beat. Twice Certain and Edge Of Heaven look to have their limitations but hold place claims. Quest For Wonder heralds from a stable which send out debut winners. If available at each way price may be worth a small bet but betting first time out can make a fool of the best trainers at times. I'd be tempted to have a small bet on Burma Bridge with a view to laying at shorter odds in-running. Hannon's gelding should set the pace and hope to hold that lead. 

Ferdy Doesn't Bottle It Over Crabbie's Grand National Campaign

The Crabbie’s Grand National advertising campaign for 2015 has been unveiled. A set of dramatic, powerful images that really capture the spirit and thrill of this great race. 

Being local to Aintree Paul Green's Oaklea Racing Stables were asked if they could supply a horse to partner Katie Walsh for the Ladies Day advert. Green said: ''Lets say, when it came to finding a horse that knew how to pose we knew we had the perfect one. Good looks, style and certainly not camera shy…step up Ferdy!'' 

As we all know Katie Walsh is no stranger to riding racehorses, but I’m sure that even she found riding in a full-length dress a bit hard to negotiate. Ferdy was a perfect gentleman and even with a 3 ft train flapping around his bum he still behaved impeccably…well most of the time!

Wet Sail Heads To Breeders' Cup For Charlie Fellows

WET SAIL is running in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on Friday and is drawn very satisfactorily in stall one with Jamie Spencer on board. Claire Mackay has travelled out with the horse and has reported back that he’s travelled incredibly well and settled into LA life very nicely!

Already this has been an incredible opportunity for myself and my team and an exciting entry for Sheik Fahad and Qatar Racing [formerly owned by Saffron House Stables Partnership]. Fellows said: ''Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get the opportunity to have a runner in the Breeders’ cup during my first year training, just to be considered has been a real dream come true.''

All that’s left now is for me to get out there and join him for a memorable few days. Best of luck to all connections and let’s hope we can do the brits proud!

Other UK entrants include: Aktabantay (Hugo Palmer), Commemorative (Charlie Hills), War Envoy (Aidan O'Brien), Faithful Creek (Brian Meehan). Other big name includes Hootenanny (Wesley Ward).

Check out this Breeders' Cup Price Boost - To Make Your Winnings Count

Hannon's California duo leave on Saturday

ALL the preparation work has been done with Toronado and Osaila, who leave for their Breeders Cup expedition in California on Saturday, and Harry Herbert, racing manager to Al Shaqab racing, is predicting a big run from both. 

He said:"I know that Olympic Glory disappointed in the Mile last year, but fast ground at Santa Anita was never going to be his bag, whereas Toronado will relish the underfoot conditions and has the tactical speed to be able to take a good position early on.

"Toronado is much more the straight-forward of the pair. We have been keeping them apart all season, but Olympic Glory went out on a high at Longchamp (Prix de la Foret), and now we hope that Toronado can do likewise before he, too, starts his new career at stud.

"This has always been the target for Toronado, who should be suited by the two-turn mile. He is versatile enough to be able to adapt wherever he is drawn, but obviously we are hoping for a single figure stall as it becomes very difficult if you are planted wide with the first bend coming up so quickly.

"Toronado is very much a fresh horse which is what you need for a Breeders Cup. He is one of the Sheikh's favourite horses, and apart from last year's Juddmonte, in which he swallowed his tongue, he has done nothing wrong. He won the Queen Anne first time out this year at Royal Ascot, lost nothing in defeat against Kingman in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and last time out pushed Charm Spirit all the way in the Prix Moulin in France. That form received a boost in last week's QE11 at Ascot, so Toronado is entitled to be favourite.

"Osaila probably has a tougher task in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, but she is a different filly than she was in June and has improved 7lb. 

"Even though she won the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot on King George day, we knew that she would improve for going up in trip, and she duly confirmed that view when running a screamer in what was a very hot Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh. 

"We then took Osaila to the big sales race at Newmarket and she won well, but she was starting to go in her coat and we had our doubts as to whether she should go to America or not. "However, she was clipped and now looks better, and her subsequent work in the mornings has encouraged us to give it a go. She will be one of the highest rated fillies in the race and deserves her chance. Granted a good draw, she will race handy and she will love the fast ground and the trip."

Elm Park To Win The Racing Post Trophy (Saturday 3:50 Doncaster)

All eyes will be on Andrew Balding's Elm Park this Saturday as Qatar Racing & Kingsclere Racing send their two-year-old bay colt to race at Group 1. This homebred son of Phoenix Reach out of a limited-winning mare has progressed with racing. He may have fluffed his lines on debut at Sandown - but it's been winners all the way since. Kingsclere Racing sold a major share to Qatar Racing after winning readily at Salisbury when competing at Listed class. His most recent [third] victory saw a sterling effort when staying on to win the Judmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 1) when ridden by Andrea Atzeni, racing over one mile. Winner Sport have a great offer for backers of Elm Park to win @ 5/1. 

Richard Hannon Hailed The New Champion With Record Prize Money

There are still almost three weeks left of the domestic season, but, while Richard Hannon's team drew a blank at last week's big meetings at Ascot and Newmarket, they still amassed plenty of prize money from the placed horses, so Richard's haul of £4,620,792 gives him a cushion of more than £460,000 over John Gosden. 

With next Saturday's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster being the final Group 1 of the season and all the really valuable handicaps done and dusted, the fat lady has been on her feet since last week-end, acclaiming Richard Hannon as champion trainer in his very first season at the helm.

Furthermore, Richard's tally beats his father's record prize money from last year by more than £68,000, though they can both claim 16 Group winners each on home soil, so junior will be anxious to inch ahead some time between now and November 8. 

No Pattern prizes up for grabs until the week-end, but seven of the eight races at Newmarket tomorrow are two-year-old affairs, and the stable are well represented at HQ, with Crafty Choice flying the flag in the feature event, the 10-furlong Zetland Stakes. 

Hannon said:"Crafty Choice is on a roll, having won three off the spin, and he was going away at the finish when revelling in the soft ground at Nottingham last time, so neither the extra furlong nor the testing conditions will be a problem."