Seriously, you know I'm only havin' a laugh with you!

I always read your write-ups and superb they are too!

God Bless and Good Luck, always!

Good luck Robster, huge price but hard to imagine him being suited by 6fs here, hope i'm wrong.

Close one Rob

W/D  Thanks for the place

Nice place double landed for Virgin as well, bad luck chaps.

great call unlucky but w/d on place

Result bet 25.

Addictive Dream   Placed   + 4.6pts +(£46)

Running total              - 11.5pts -(£115)


Bet26. 2pts E.W. The Artful Cobbler 11-2 generally , use a BOG firm.


Having been going through today's 15.30 at Doncaster it's really hard not to like the chances of the Henry Daly trained The Artful Cobbler, pardon the pun but he does look a shoo-in for at least a place.

He went off at 100-1 for all three of his novice/maiden hurdle races, looking like everything has went to plan in relation to his training, as a very consistent gap between races for me is always a good sign. Having had the experience of those 3 hurdle races this year he made his handicap debut off 105 at Leicester 7 days ago, in doing so he was upped in trip about half a mile from all of his other previous spins, and wasn't friendless in the market, going off a nibbled at 8-1 shot. The money that day was well placed, sitting much closer to the pace than his previous couple of outings he tanked along throughout the race and would very cosily indeed, always traveling best and did not appear to have been fully exerted at the end, pricking his ears on the way to jumping the last a sure indicator he had plenty in the tank.

In away I feel connections have had their hands forced by the assessor, who took umbrage to that win and put him up 15lbs, so they have decided to try and pick up this race today with only a 7lb penalty due to the conditions of the race, so technically is 8lb well in today.  Henry Daly is synonymous with giving his horses plenty of time to mature in to the longer term projects they usually turn out to be (3mile plus chasers), and this one looks very much a horse for the future over fences. Saying that he does look capable of achieving a fairly nice mark over timber prior to those future aspirations, and looks very well treated to add to that win Lto still whilst near the foot of today's handicap. He's by Saint Des Saints, who is also responsible for siring some decent horses, Djakadam and Quito De La Roque a couple of those examples within his progeny, and does seem to get plenty of stamina into his stock that usually get better with age and a trip.

11-2 is by no means a fantastic price to be playing at in a 20 runner class 3 handicap, especially against such a largely  unexposed field. However judging by the way the money went on Lto I'd say connections think he's some way better than even today's mark, and was well entered up post that contest but they have opted to come to a galloping track over 3 miles(which should ideally suit). Both trainer and jockey are  in great shape presently form wise, and I personally  can't see past The Artful Cobbler today.

GL if you get involved.

Skinto you are pure class........in a glass GL sir

Good luck Robster, you could do with a bit of luck going your way, talking of Cobblers anyone seen Skinto!

Result bet 27.

Marcus Antonius  Un Pl  -2pts(-£20)

Running Total           -17.5pts(-£175)

Bet 28,29 & 30.

1pt E.W  Harry The Viking  14.40 Haydock 10-1 generally (use firms 1/4 odds JC)
1pt E.W. Amore Alto 15.35 Ascot          33-1 generally (use firms 1/4 odds)

1/2pt E.W. Double 10-1 & 33-1 JC , both races 1/4 odds and all BOG.



Ascot and Haydock are where I'm personally having my wagers today, with these cards often playing host to horses with Cheltenham and Aintree aspirations, quite often today's races the final preparations for their respective festival targets.

The National trial at Haydock is a race I've always liked, but as for going on to win the main event in April it's not a race that throws up winners to the race, certainly not in the time I've been involved in racing (almost 30 years). Maybe it's because that usually winning this often attritional race  takes plenty out of a horse, with the last 7 winners of the trial having a Nto form line reading   PU - 10th -12th - PU - PU - PU - 10th . Having eliminated plenty of the principles at the head of the betting for various reasons, I found it extremely hard to get Harry The Viking out of the frame, especially given his consistency for these type of extreme tests. He was runner up in this race last year, that off a 4lb lower than his current one, and out of today's rivals certainly looks the most consistent. At the weights he is very much entitled to finish in the mix at the business end, and has yet to finish out of the frame from only 3 attempts on course, not beaten very far in all of those contests considering the nature of them. Although he likes to front run he will be just as at home being close up to a decent gallop, which looks assured given the line up, and at least has the benefit of a feather weight for what will no doubt be an extremely testing final half mile.

A little later in the day and a little further south there is a good looking Grade 1, the Betfair Ascot Chase, where plenty of big stables have representatives. However it's a much smaller stables runner that has caught my attention, that horse being Amore Alato now trained by Johnny Farrelly. This race very rarely throws up a surprise, in fact the biggest Sp in the last 10 renewals has been 11-2, with 8 winners going off 2-1 or less. In light of that information it hardly makes sense to be advising the 33-1 outsider of the field, but it's worth noting that three 7yolds have triumphed in the last 5 years and only two double figured aged horses have won in the last 10 renewals(only a 1 in 5 ratio). I'm also taking the stance that today's price could well be the last time you may see such a price associated with this horse, despite needing to find plenty against today's proven Grade 1 winning opposition, but his potential to be a top draw horse in this sphere is massive, and Imo his best days are still to come. His 4 novice run's at first glance don't appear anything out of the ordinary, but if you take a more in depth look Imo it's much much better than the bear results would tell you, with all of his form going forward and his jumping becoming much more polished with experience. His latest couple of efforts gave an indication he could be ready to announce himself on the bigger stage, he would definitely have won that grade 2 over C/D just before Christmas had he jumped the last, unfortunately putting an extra stride prior to taking off, a typical novice fall, that itself not a bad contest that is working out quite nicely. He has subsequently taken in another grade 2 at Haydock, and despite floundering late on in extremely heavy conditions was the only one that had the toe and ability to give the highly regarded Bristol De Mai any sort of race for a long way in that contest. It wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see Amore Alato run well today, and at 33-1 a 1/4 odds with a few firms Imo could prove to be value in what looks a really nice renewal of this race.

GL if you get involved.

very well done

Bet 33, 2 pt win Askamore Darsi 15.20 Sedgefield 11-2 magic sign, write up to follow.....

With the exception of a few nice races over at Naas, today's racing looks very run of the mill stuff, with very few betting opportunities about for me personally. I have however been attracted to the chances of a runner at Sedgefield, he being Askamore Darsi who goes in the 15.20 on the card.

When working a race out I personally scale each individuals chance in any particular contest, often using this as a guide to work out a tissue price, or if I'm being lazy I will wait and see how Corals odds compilers view the race and act accordingly. As it happens I did form my own tissue, which was not so different in respect of the selections price, but personally had Jac The Legend a little more closer to the selection on my tissue, 15-8 & 11-4 respectively, with Auldthunder third best in the list at  4-1.  So given the fact that I could have double the odds for Askamore Darsi, coupled with the other two looking under priced and potentially over bet it was a no brainer as to where my money was heading.

I'd be amazed if the winner came outside this trio, with connections of Scotswell probably hoping for proper spring ground(not today I'm afraid), and Mwaleshi possibly just going to  help force the pace and set it up for a more stamina laden individual. I'm also of the opinion that Auldthunder may struggle to pull in a better class of horse in a better class of race, although he has won his previous couple of chases quite nicely when patiently ridden, beating a couple  84 & 81 rated beasts , those individuals 40lb inferior of today's required standard. I personally think Askamore Darsi at today's weights is very capable of putting it up to the favourite, especially  given the fact he copes with extremely testing ground, which it looks like being today.

About this time last year Askamore Darsi was half a point less in the market than Jac The Legend for a novice chase at Catterick, where Jac The Legend won and Askamore Darsi got no further than the second. That day Askamore Darsi was giving his rival a staggering 19lbs, today it's only 1lb. Askamore Darsi looks to have been one of only a handful of horses that have performed well in light of Donald McCain's down turn in form, and Imo has an equally as progressive profile as Jac The Legend, some may argue it's possibly better given the fact he has a much better strike rate over both timber and fences.

Pre race I'm of the opinion there can't be too much between them, but you do have to forgive the selection a poor performance Lto, that said the yard look very much to have turned a corner in form so hopefully we will see another solid performance from Askamore Darsi today.

GL if you get involved.

His overall profile put me off somewhat Polab, looks like a big ask off 105 in this company despite his rude health. It's all about opinions though, best of luck sir.

PS, good call Polab, won with a bit in hand Imo. WD

Bet 35. 1pt E.W. Russian Reward 19.15 Chelmsford 11-1 B365, 10-1 generally ...use a BOG firm.

I keep getting logged out, can see by balance and personal details but unable to access the forum, hopefully I will be able to post the write up soon...

Result 34&35.

Ebony Express       Un Pl    -2pts(-£20)
Russian Reward      Un Pl    -2pts(-£20)

Running total             -20.5pts(£-205)



Bet(s) 36,37 & 38.

1pt E.W. Carols Destrier 14.50 Cheltenham  14-1 generally use BOG & 5place firms.
1pt E.W. on each  Amore Alato & 1pt E.W. Five In A Row 17.30 Cheltenham both 25-1, use BOG



Well folks the greatest jump racing on earth is finally upon us, no doubt the usual suspects in the training ranks will have their heavy artillery primed to the minute for these 4 days, with plenty of well hatched plots about to unfold before our very eyes. I will be sticking to the handicaps during the festival, but because of the uncertainty regarding some potentially well handicapped horses not making the cut, that along with the multiple entries plenty of the bigger establishments have had for their respective horses I have decided to play all of my bets on the day of the race.

The 14.50 is the starting point of my week, just the 24 runner handicap worth of form  to try and work out, that along with keeping half an eye on the usually informative stats associated with the race. To be perfectly honest I won't be spending a vast amount of time going over the handicaps this week, having already had a fair idea of what I'm backing through going loosely over the cards in the run up, along with the odd note book horse I'll be sitting back for the majority of this week enjoying the action.

Carole's Destrier is a horse I've liked for quite sometime, and has been given a small break to come here a fresh horse, no doubt connections will be extremely pleased the ground has at least dried out to almost perfect spring going. I was really impressed the way he traveled and then found plenty when coming under a little pressure when winning that class 2 contest at Sandown on his latest start, in doing so beat a few of the more hardier stayers that are doing the rounds presently. Noel Fehily maintains the partnership, with quite a lot of this horses wins and decent performances coming on similar ground, and is 2 from 2 in the month of March.....he has an E.W. chance in a wide open race.


In the lucky last I'm backing both my note book horses, who both have decent enough chances respectively, Imo of course.


I put Amore Alato Lto in the Grade 1 Betfair chase at Ascot, that day he was the 33-1 outsider of a race with proven performers in at that level. His mark that day was roughly 20lb inferior to the vast majority of those in opposition, running a really nice race to plug on for 4th place in floundering conditions. I still think that this horse will get better with fencing experience, as will he improve for the better surface he encounters this afternoon. I was a little surprised the handicapper did not put him up a few pound for that latest performance, although I do take on board he could well have been flattered regarding his fine 4th placed finish that day, however coming back to handicap company have taken in a couple of grade two's(one of which he should have won if jumping the last) and that Grade 1 should be easier, and I think he could be involved contesting off just 139.


Five In A Row went into my note book when getting up from a rather hopeless position when accounting for Sametegal at Mussleburgh, with Ittirad (rated 146) a further 2 lengths in behind. The selection was getting weight of his rivals that day, but the assessor saw fit to have him on 130 for his handicap debut in the fencing sphere, making quite hard work of accounting for the fast finishing Central Flame over 20F at Newcastle in soft ground. Despite winning on numerous occasions on a soft surface Brian Ellison insists he's a several pound better animal on better ground, and he will also improve for a decent test of stamina, which today's fast pace and Cheltenham hill will no doubt provide. He still looks progressive despite his latest workman like wins, and at his price off his current mark makes more appeal than others in an extremely competitive finale to the first days action.

GL if you get involved .... or whatever your hard earned is on

No Ryan did not know regards the wind op, I'm assuming it has been done in the build up to this race, with the break incorporated ?

PS. GL toda, I know you're taking a break from ya thread for the Cheltenham races, but it could not be going any better. MANL

Result bet(s) 36,37 & 38.

Carole's Destrier  Un Pl  -2pts (-£20)
Amore Alato        Un PL  -2pts (-£20)
Five In A Row      Un Pl  -2pts (-£20)

Running Total     -26.5pts     (-£265)





Bet(s) 39,40 & 41.

Rock The Kasbah      1pt E.W.  12-1 generally
Day's Of Heaven   0.5pts E.W.  40-1 generally
Hunters Hoof      0.5pts E.W.  25-1 generally (now only 20's available, also  PW selection)

Despite having no financial gain from my own selections, if yesterday's racing was the marker then the rest of the week should be a visual treat, the highlight of my day was not the win of Annie Power, but the tearful scenes afterwards and how connections truly attach themselves emotionally to their horses was genuinely humbling to watch.

Later I also shed a little tear myself, not for that glorious display by Annie Power, but the thought that at the end of these 4 days by betting bank could be spiraling into an extremely dark abyss, the prognosis of any such recovery rather bleak. Back in the day  if I start this week off with £200 in my pocket, come Friday tea time if I still had £20/30 quid left in my pocket for a night out I'd had a good Cheltenham, it truly is the hardest place to find a handicap winner bar no other meeting.

The Coral Cup at 14.50 looks a superb renewal, no doubt the usual suspects in the training ranks trying to get their lightly raced progressive second season hurdlers in with a little bit in hand, which seems to give you the edge in winning this event. It is an extremely lightly raced  and highly progressive second season hurdler who I like, with Rock The Kasbah certainly getting my vote to put up a good performance in this years renewal. All of his runs this season have been excellent, culminating in a really nice win against some extremely progressive in form types when winning a decent handicap at Ascot. He looks to have made vast chunks of improvement from race to race this season, with the suggestion being that the step up in trip and stiff finish will eek out a further chunk of improvement.  All roads look to have lead Rock The Kasbah to the Coral Cup, and undoubtedly looks to have the right attitude for this type of race, obviously another chunk of progression will be needed but that not out of the question given his profile.

I will also be backing a couple of note book horses, they are both second season hurdlers trained by Nicky Henderson, and are both very lightly raced fairly progressive types. Days of Heaven is very interesting, especially at 40-1. He hasn't looked the same horse as when running up a sequence in the hood last year, but at least he comes here on a competitive enough mark and was spared anything like a hard race when looked after by Barry Geraghty when down the field in the Scottish County hurdle Lto, this better ground certain to see him in a much better light.

Imo it's also worth throwing a could of quid E.W. at Hunters Hoof, who just like his stable mate had a very progressive profile, that was until failing to fire in the race won by Rock The Kasbah on soft ground. Maybe it was also a case of his second run back being too soon, looking at his profile he seems to be a better horse when fresh after a break on decent ground, and now connections get him in off bottom weight with all the boxes ticked for an optimum performance.

It's also worth noting that Nicky Henderson seems to get plenty of big priced horses in the frame of this race, more often than not his unconsidered less fancied of the clutch he throws at the race out run their much more fancied stable mates.

GL if you get involved.

Good Luck Robster