Sandown brings the jumps season to a close on Saturday, and while there’s not so much at stake in the trainers’ championship like last season, Nicky Henderson is out in force to get himself over the line. Title rival Paul Nicholls is also pulling no punches with plenty of runners,…
Author: Joel Roberts
1pt win Death Duty @4/1, 18:05 Punchestown, Friday
Such is the esteem Gordon Elliott holds DEATH DUTY I’m tempted to give him another chance now back down in trip from three miles. He was touted as the best hurdler he has trained and his best chance of a winner at Cheltenham, however he flopped badly and you’d suspect…
1pt win Vroum Vroum Mag @7/2, 17:30 Punchestown, Friday
Punchestown’s Champion Hurdle is uncharacteristically wide-open this year as it’s 7/2 the field from the favourite Vroum Vroum Mag, who has lost some of her invincibility after a few defeats to Apple’s Jade this season. There are few taking aim here with hard luck stories from March, including Tombstone, who…
0.75pt each-way Footpad @16/1, 17:30 Punchestown, Thursday
Day three of Punchestown and just a couple of days left in the jumps season before we give the flat our full attention. Feature race of the day is the stayers hurdle where the first three home in Cheltenham’s equivalent renew rivalries after skipping Aintree. Nichols Canyon is rightly favourite…
1pt win Coneygree @13/2, 1pt win Sizing John @11/10, 17:30 Punchestown, Wednesday
Wednesday’s feature race at Punchestown sees the Gold Cup winner Sizing John, 2015 hero Coneygree and Grade 1 standing dish Djakadam lock horns in a fascinating renewal. Lexus Chase winner Outlander and Thyestes Chase winner Champagne West also take part, as well as big outsider Flemenstar. With Djakadam so exposed now…
1pt win Labaik @3/1, 16:20 Punchestown, Tuesday
Punchestown Festival kicks off on Tuesday in Ireland and improved prize money has ensured it’s full of the jumps season’s best talents. There are three Grade 1 races on Tuesday, featuring two Cheltenham Festival winners in Un De Sceaux for Willie Mullins, who was arguably the performance of the week…
1pt win Queen Kindly @7/2, 14:30 Newbury, Saturday
The vibes around Richard Fahey’s Frankel filly QUEEN KINDLY are difficult to ignore in the 14:30 at Newbury. Priced at 7/2 with rock-solid two-year-old form in the book and quick ground very much in her favour, she looks very backable despite some quality opposition. Dabyah looks the best of the rest with her…
Saturday racing tips from Ayr
With Aintree and Cheltenham over we turn to Ayr’s Scottish National card in search of a few more jumps winners before the season is out. We’re a bit up against it time-wise today so we’ll keep the analysis to the point. 14:10: Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices’ Chase An…
1pt win Benbatl @6/1, 15:35 Newmarket, Thursday
The flat is firmly back on British racecourses and Newmarket’s Craven meeting is into full swing. It’s a devilishly tricky time for punting given so many unknowns like race fitness or the strength of two-year-old form – that said, I’m keen to have a bet in the meeting’s feature race the…
1pt win La Bague Au Roi @25/1, 14:25 Aintree, Saturday
I give the only mare in the race, LA BAGUE AU ROI, a better chance in the Grade 1 two-miles-four novice’ hurdle than the 25/1 she’s quoted suggests. She was no match for Let’s Dance in the mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but was returning from a 110-day break…