Left it late but bet of the year at 25/1 to pay for Christmas

I fancy Cue Card very strongly to win the King George VI Steeplechase at Kempton on Wednesday.  If he does so, he will almost certainly shorten dramatically for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. If he wins convincingly, he might even end up favourite for that race.

If he loses on Wednesday, it’s highly likely lack of stamina will be blamed (assuming he completes the course), in which case he will not run in the Gold Cup.

Betvictor offer 25/1 against Cue Card winning the Gold Cup. If he is a non-runner, your stake will be refunded as a free bet (which must be used on Gold Cup day in March: read the full terms and conditions ). In ‘normal’ ante-post bets, your stake is lost if the horse does not run in the specified race.

If Cue Card shortens in the Gold Cup betting, you will, if you wish, be able to ‘sell’ all or some of your bet on Betfair (if he wins I will post a Betfair video tutorial showing you how to do this). Selling (laying  off) ensures you cannot lose from the deal. If he loses at Kempton and for some reason still runs in the Gold Cup without shortening in the betting then you will not be able to lay the bet off profitably (I cannot foresee circumstances in which this would happen).

If you take advantage of this offer, you might also want to have a bet on Oscar Whisky at 6/1 for The World Hurdle. Betvictor’s free bet also applies here and if Oscar Whisky runs (he has a choice of races at the festival) he is likely to be around 2/1 or shorter, thus providing another selling opportunity.

I need to state the usual caveats that this is not investment advice. I have no direct link to the connections of Cue Card and my judgement of where he will run, and how his connections will interpret the result of Wednesday’s race is based  on my own experience, so it is not without risk. If he does not turn up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, you will, of course need to find another selection to carry your refunded stake, but that is a much healthier position to be in than losing it without a run.

Good luck and happy Christmas

Oscar Whisky well worth the risk at 7/1 for World Hurdle

With Big Buck’s announced out for the season with injury, the World Hurdle has its most open look for many years (assuming BB does not make a recovery, as Kicking King and Binocular did).

Bookmakers make Quevega favourite at between 3/1 and 11/2. Oscar Whisky can be backed at 7/1 a price that owes more to the doubt that he might miss the World Hurdle for the Champion Hurdle.

But his trainer Nicky Henderson seems to be growing increasingly convinced that Oscar Whisky was amiss last year when beaten in the World Hurdle. The immediate post-race reaction was that he’d failed to stay but Mr Henderson said in a recent interview that he thought the horse might well have been amiss that day. “Can you really believe he didn’t stay? He finished absolutely unconscious. He was virtually wounded he was so bad. He virtually dropped to the ground.”

Does that sound like a man who wouldn’t like another crack at the World Hurdle, especially minus Big Buck’s? Add to this the fact that Mr Henderson has Grandouet, Darlan and Binocular for the Champion Hurdle. He will, of course, need to persuade Mr Walters. who owns Oscar that the World is at his feet. But at 7/1 I’m willing to take the chance on that.

If he lines up for the race, I suspect he’ll be closer to 7/4 than 7/1

Good luck

Cue Card now looking a very strong bet for King George

The victory of Bobs Worth in the Hennessy Gold Cup franked the form of Cue Card who had failed by just a short head to give that top class horse half a stone at Newbury last season over 2m 4f. Some say Cue Card would have won that day had his jockey not looked round after the last fence.

Cue Card went on to run 2nd in the Arkle to the brilliant Sprinter Sacre who beat the Tizzard horse 7 lengths. But  Cue Card was 22 lengths clear of the third, Menorah with Al Ferof (who’d made a bad mistake) back in fourth. Sprinter Sacre’s astounding performance at Sandown yesterday forged a gold edged seal on that Arkle form.

First time out this season Cue Card won the Haldon Gold Cup over an extended 2 miles 1 furlong, by 27 lengths. Best Mate won the Haldon Gold Cup by 20 lengths the year before he won his King George.

Cue Card has won over 19f on soft ground at Newbury and over 20f on good at Chepstow where he comfortably beat fellow chasing debutant Silvianaco Conti.

Cue Card can be a tricky ride; he dislikes restraint and often has to make is own running. The hot pace of the King George should suit although it will also test his stamina on his first attempt at 24 furlongs. His jumping, touch wood, is pretty sound these days though, like Sprinter Scare, he is not always straight in the air – there can be a degree of lateral movement which sometimes leads to him screwing slightly on landing.

Still, I would say he has the most solid form in the race. I fear Al Ferof and have had a saver on him, but the 7/1 about Cue Card holds strong appeal. The race is definitely his target according to his trainer and unless a training mishap derails him, he will be there on the day. I suspect, by then, the 7/1 will have shrunk to 11/2.

Bearing in mind that ante-post bets are losers if your selection does not run, some might be willing to sacrifice a point or two in price and wait for the day.

If you decide to back him for the King George, you’d be as well having a small bet at 33s for the Cheltenham Gold Cup too. If he wins well at Kempton he might drop to a single figure price for the festival showpiece.

Good luck

 

 

Take 16/1 Al Ferof now for the Ryanair

I believe Al Ferof has a fine chance of winning the Paddy Power on Saturday. If he does he’ll be close to favourite for the Ryanair over half a furlong farther in March.

His Cheltenham record has been blotted only by his poor run behind Sprinter Sacre in this year’s Arkle when he made a horrendous mistake four out (sweated up beforehand too). Mr Nicholls can rarely resist the temptation of taking his Cheltenham runners to Aintree when  in my opinion, many should be rested (he’s not the only trainer whose common sense is holed below the waterline by the lure of huge prize money).

Anyway, he boxed up Al Ferof  and took him there where he ran a lifeless race. Prior to his festival outing, he’d run a really good race for a novice in the Victor Chandler; he lined up there with just two fencing runs behind him and ended the race with his best ever RPR of 163 for finishing 3rd.

He won a very good Supreme last year beating Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card and is a high class horse with a strong liking for this track and an excellent record on good to soft which looks likely for Saturday and is always favourite for the festival in March.

I like Grand Crus but I suspect he is a wee bit soft. Al Ferof could come late and battle him out of it in the Paddy Power. Take the 16s now for the Ryanair. If you get the ante-post yips over the winter, you can always lay it off at half the price!

Good luck

50/1 Sanctuaire for 2013 QM Champion Chase is EW value

I can find no record of tipsters in The Old Testament although I suppose you could class prophets in the same group.  Anyone recommending a bet on David against Goliath would doubtless have been laughed off the track – in this case The Valley of Elah.

A valley in the Cotswolds is where my David in the shape of Sanctuaire will hopefully face Goliath next March in the QM Champion Chase. Sprinter Sacre is already as short as evens for the race. Sanctuaire is 50s with Coral.

I need not list the talents of Sprinter Sacre who could be one of the best we’ve seen. But much can happen in a year and a key event comes up in three weeks time in the shape of The Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree. That’s the next planned run for Sanctuaire and he could well get an early sight of Sprinter Sacre alongside him at the start.  The Arkle winner appeared to take little out of himself and connections will be tempted to run at Aintree.

But between now and then, I doubt Sanctuaire will get any longer than 50s for next year’s QM and he might go shorter on the run up to the Maghull.  If Nicky Henderson keeps his ‘black aeroplane’ at home over Aintree then Sanctuaire will, I believe, have a strong chance of winning the race.  Last year’s winner, Finian’s Rainbow got a post-Maghull quote of 10/1 for the QM and supporters  collected on that last week.

Sanctuaire leads over the 2nd at Sandown

Even if he finishes runner-up to Sprinter Sacre at Aintree, he will be much shorter than 50s for next year’s big race.

Sanctuaire was a talented but moody sort over hurdles.  More evidence is needed that fencing has changed his attitude, but in his two steeplechases so far, he has looked as though he cannot wait until he reaches the next fence so he can fly it. After his Sandown victory last time, his trainer, Paul Nicholls (who has a fine record in The Maghull) said this:

 ”He got a bit fed up with hurdles and had a few hard races, but he´s an awesome jumper and fences could be the making of him. He´ll be really interesting next year and could be very good in the big two-mile chases. Horses who gallop and jump like that can take a bit of catching and he could be good in a race like the Tingle Creek.”

Sanctuaire’s chasing victories have been class 4 small field events – from those to running a big race in the QM is an awful long way. But he’s only 6, we know from his hurdling career he has talent and his trainer seems to be eyeing the big 2m prizes for next season. He might not be good enough to beat Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham but he could easily be placed and at 50s, I think an EW bet is very good value.

Good luck.

79/1 Big Buck’s worth risking on the chance he’ll go for Gold Cup in 2013

The horse with the best engine in racing, Big Buck’s, can be backed at 80 on Betfair for next season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Connections have often declared that he will never return to fences but given the desolation shown by uber-competitor Paul Nicholls over his yard’s performance at this year’s festival, I’m certain the temptation will have crossed his mind.

I don’t think owner Andy Stewart would take too much persuading that the horse should be given another chance at steeplechasing. The horse has matured since his last outing over fences – more than four years ago – when, had he not unseated (the first time he failed to finish in 7 ‘chasing runs), he might well have become the first 5-y-o to win The Hennessy.

Synchronised made six mistakes when winning the Gold Cup. Long Run made four errors winning his. Big Buck’s would probably need to walk through every fence to lose the race given the standard of competitor likely to turn up next March.

I’m happy to take a chance at the price that the Nicholls ambition and persuasive powers will see the big horse turning out in the Gold Cup next year.  If so, the hardest part of Ruby’s job will be steering him away from the 3m hurdles start.

Quel Esprit now the Gold Cup value at 16/1 NRNB

 

The Racing Post will publish Willie Mulllins’ thoughts on his festival team tomorrow.  The Kremlin’s top inquisitors would baulk at getting anything out of Mr Mullins but on the off chance that he offers a positive word for Gold Cup entry Quel Esprit, I’m advising a bet at the 16s currently available NRNB.

Quel Esprit does not have the form to win a Gold Cup. But he’s improving, is unbeaten in the 4 completions (of 7 ‘chases), was leading, travelling strongly in last year’s RSA when coming down three out and might well have won had he stood up. It was a weak Grade 1 he picked up last time but his jumping was very slick bar a slight error at the 7th.  He races quite keenly and I think he benefited considerably from being allowed to stride on early last time. Hopefully P Townend will adopt the same tactics next Friday – the grey is a most efficient fencer, very quick from one side to the other.

Stamina is a question but I’m happy, at the price, to risk that he will set up a lead and hold onto it travelling well on the likely good ground.

Long Run’s dodgy jumping, Kauto’s confidence, age and interrupted prep might leave this Gold Cup vulnerable to an improver.  Weird Al was the value a few months back (tipped here at 20s) but I believe Quel Esprit is the best value bet now.

Good luck.

 

Cannington Brook must be backed at 50/1 NRNB for RSA

The RSA chase result might hinge on the participation of current favourite Grands Crus, around 2/1 for the race just now. But there must be a reasonable chance he will miss the race for the Gold Cup.  Even if he doesn’t, his freegoing style could see him emptying up the hill.

Bobs Worth is 2nd fav, at around 3/1. His official rating (a professional handicapper’s assessment of his ability) is 151. Cannington Brook (CB) who is rated 1lb inferior at 150 is a 50/1 chance  (non-runner, money back with Coral) and that simply must be taken by anyone who places value at the heart of their betting strategy.

Last time out CB won a 20 furlong race by 35 lengths. Before that he was 5th in the Welsh Grand National, a fine run in stamina-sapping conditions, especially coming just ten days after CB’s victory in the Tommy Whittle ‘chase at Haydock. These last three runs have been in heavy ground and I guess the bookmakers have him down as a slowcoach handicapper.

But he has a decent piece of form on good ground when 3rd in a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree 2 years ago. The Racing Post summarisers had this to say about that run:

This was a fine effort from Cannington Brook, who started out the season over fences. Easy winner of a weak maiden hurdle at Ludlow latest, he is highly regarded by his trainer and showed why here, leading up the chasing pack and travelling well into the straight, but just lacking a telling change of pace on the ground. He could go a long way returned to fences next term.

The form comments of the first seven of his chase runs are peppered with ‘mistake’, ‘blundered’, ‘not fluent’, but he has been error-free in his last three runs and seems to be improving with every race.

His trainer, Colin Tizzard has been in sizzling form of late and given that Grands Crus might not turn up, Bobs Worth is probably over-rated as a fencer (and certainly under-priced), the Irish star Bog Warrior is reportedly staying at home, and the fancied Invictus is out with an injury, Cannington Brook’s price looks a major rick by Coral (Ladbrokes go 25s).

CB holds entries in two handicaps as well, but his twin attributes of speed and stamina, allied to his improved jumping, give him a fine chance in the RSA in my opinion. Let’s hope he lines up there and lands the value bet of the festival.

 

Take the 20s West End Rocker for the National

I’m cautiously happy (as with all ante-post bets; they still need to get there) after the easy victory of Prince De Beauchene at Fairyhouse today, having tipped him at 25/1 for the National. He’s now as low as 7/1. Carrying just 10st 6lbs and still improving, given luck, he will have a strong chance.

My other fancy, and one I think will shorten from his current price of 20/1 (with Ladbrokes and Stan James) is West End Rocker. Alan King’s horse has several things going for him as a potential National winner: the primary one is his apparent love of the course. He jumped round in the Becher Chase as though enjoying every minute, a huge advantage. Not many horses love The National fences but those who do tend to run well again and again there.

He first tried these fences last year in the National where he was unluckily brought down at Becher’s.

09Apr11 Aintree   ( 36 Gd )

I was jumping like a buck and thought I was in for some ride but then got brought down – Robert Thornton

Back for Becher Chase in December, Wayne Hutchinson got him into a beautiful relaxed rhythm – probably more important at Aintree than any other track – and he won by 22 lengths.  Hutchinson said:

03Dec11 Aintree   ( 26 Hy ,RPR155 )

I thoroughly enjoyed that, what a ride he was. The key to him is he has to find his gear, he jumps from fence to fence and he wants these big, galloping tracks. I am sure he will be back for the Grand National. – Wayne Hutchinson

Hutchinson has won on all three completed rides on West End Rocker (pulled up in the other one) and, for a long time was a most under-rated jockey.  His talents have been revealed in the past few months when he took over as first jockey at Alan King’s temporarily (R Thornton was out injured).  He’s already been confirmed to ride the horse at Aintree and that’s another significant plus as he will once again try to get the horse switched off and into a rhythm.

Although the Becher victory was on heavy ground, he has no going preferences, another positive in ante-post betting. Over the 3m 5f  Becher trip he was staying on strongly (he’d previously won on heavy over the same trip at Warwick). Stamina won’t be an issue and he has also won over 3 miles so he’s not just a plodder.

West End Rocker has just 10st 12lbs and, with the 25s PDB long gone,  is now the value bet.

Good luck

Joe

Update on 11th April – Prince De Beauchene is out of the race (injured). West End Rocker is now as low as 10/1.

Tatenen worth a bet at 40

Tatenen faces his toughest test since his novice chasing days in tomorrow’s Grade 1 Ascot Chase (3.00). A good class handicapper he steps up here to take on the likes of Riverside Theatre, 15lbs his superior on official ratings.

Tatenen was a promising youngster who ran in several grade 1 races when trained by Paul Nicholls, but he never quite made it to the top. He is only 8 and has had  his best start to a season for some time, running well behind Quantitativeasing (he was hampered twice) then going to Ascot last time where he showed medal-winning battling qualities coming back close home to reclaim his long held lead from I’msingingtheblues.

He’s run twice over this course and distance and won both – the ground will be perfect for him and Andrew Thornton seems to have built a solid relationship with him. Riverside Theatre and Kauto Stone will dominate the betting though I expect Gauvain, ridden by the excellent Noel Fehily to run well back over this more suitable trip (he tends to get rushed into errors over 2 miles).

I’ll be betting Gauvain at around 7/1 but can’t resist a bet on Tatenen at around 40s on Betfair (25/1 with the bookmakers).

My only other bet tomorrow will be The Minack, top weight in the 2.25 at Ascot. I was most impressed by his stamina and attitude when winning over this course and distance last time. He has top weight but I’m hoping Ruby will give him another fine ride and a good view of his fences.

Good luck

Joe