Newbury - Saturday 1st March 2025

 I won't be at Newbury tomorrow as I am having a weekend in London highlighted by watching Wimbledon at home to Bromley at 3pm on Saturday and then a Stamford Bridge stadium tour on Sunday. It's an intriguing card at the Berkshire track however. 

13:20 - Credo looks set to go off favourite here but she's been put up 7 pounds for winning at Exeter last time out and I wonder if she liked the return to a slightly sounder surface that day. Sam Brown (9/2, 1pt win) continues to race off lofty marks but Chad Bament is value for his 10 pound claim and has ridden this old timer before, when second in the final of this series at Market Rasen in January. He's gone well at this track in the past and will be well at home on the surface. 

13:55 - Nap Hand (9/2, 1pt win) looks a contender here and I like his chances at the prices. Epinephrine will probably go off favourite after hacking up at Kempton 22 days ago off a 9 pound lower mark, but that was a pretty modest race and he'll be faced with a softer surface here. Alan King's Nap Hand however, was a winner at this track on heavy ground last year and has been butting heads against some potentially useful types from the Henderson yard since sent hurdling. This is his handicap debut and he could well be better than his opening mark of 118.

14:30 - It's hard to look past Jasmin De Grugy (11/10, 1pt win) really. Anthony Honeyball's 6 year old has swept all before him in the past year having won all of his last 5 starts in quite convincing fashion. This is by far his hardest task to date but we still don't know where his limitations lie and the visual impression he gave last time out indicated that he has more to give. 

15:05 - This looks a pretty decent little handicap hurdle and preference is for David Pipe's progressive 6 year old Jurancon (5/2, 1pt win). He looked a horse to follow earlier in the season when running The Kemble Brewery close on hurdles debut before seeing off the classy Tripoli Flyer next time out. He wasn't at his best when turned over at odds-on in December but bounced back to form to defy a penalty at Newbury last time out in decent style. He's a proper galloping type and this track suits him well. He has to give weight away but to horses with questions to answer and Jurancon looks the most uncomplicated horse in the field. 

15:45 - Billytherealbigred (5/1, 1pt each-way) is just such a likeable horse and I fancy him to take the big prize of the afternoon. He ran a mighty race at Cheltenham in January only for the hill to be his undoing late on. There is no hill here and he races here off a lovely low weight. Sure, this is a tough race and it will be difficult to dominate but the galloping nature of the track should suit him and he will love the testing going. There are dangers aplenty, and I think the biggest one is Le Milos (10/1, 1pt each-way) who won a veteran's race last time out to show there is still life in the 10 year old yet and if he continues in form, then he should be going close back at the scene of his greatest triumph. 

16:15 - I'm going to take a chance that Go To War (8/1, 0.5pts win) can bounce back to his best here. It's interesting that connections are happy to go again with him in a similar sort of race to which he totally blew out of last time. He went off 7/2 favourite that day and nothing seemed to go right. I think he's got plenty of talent, it just needs to be coaxed out of him. He's trained by a master and at the prices, I'll take a punt. 

Newbury - Friday 28th February

 I will be at Newbury tomorrow to see a pretty modest afternoon's racing in terms of runners but a couple of classy individuals take to the track. I don't have a standout pick but I'll run down through the races. 

14:13 - King Of The Lake (7/4) duly hacked up at Wincanton on similar ground 13 days ago. He had decent form in 2023 and early 2024 before really going off the boil throughout the autumn. He tumbled down the weights as a result and is still on a workable mark now. He's reunited with the same jockey here and should follow up for the in form Jeremy Scott yard. 

14:48 - It's pretty hard to find a reason to take on Give It To Me Oj (4/6). He's got a real head start on his rivals here in terms of ratings and connections have found a very winnable race in which to get off the mark in. 

15:23 - Ben Case's Bashers Reflection (7/4) ran an almighty race last time out when second to a runaway Skelton horse at Wetherby last time out. He seems to enjoy this sort of ground and is finally getting his jumping together over fences. He's off the same mark here and this isn't as tough as last time. 

15:58 - A winner of a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April, Horaces Pearl (2/1) remains unbeaten but has had a troubled hurdling campaign as he has only been sighted the once. He has loads of potential and although Piettot Jaguen sets the standard on hurdling form, I think Fergal O'Brien's 7 year old can extend the unbeaten run to 5. 

16:33 - Famous Five arrives here just a couple of pounds above his winning mark over track and distance in December. However, his jumping that day was poor and the form of the race hasn't worked out well. Mount Tempest will be ridden by a fair 7 pound claimer and that could bring him into the race but Duhallow Tommy (11/4) has been running in much tougher races than this all season and is still fairly handicapped. He should find this easier to dominate and has run well at the track before. He's due a win and I think he'll open his account for the season here. 

17:05 - I was at Cheltenham for Trial's Day and remember being taken with Gamesters Guy (7/2) in the parade ring ahead of his attempt at a Grade 2. He found that pace just too demanding before sticking to his guns late on to be beaten about 13 lengths. He's up in trip here and on a softer surface which I think he'll appreciate. I think he'll prove to be a decent horse in time. He's giving plenty of weight away but he's conceding it to pretty exposed horses. 

Ludlow - Thursday 27th February 2025

 Meetings keep getting abandoned! When will the sodden turf dry out? There's an inspection at Taunton tomorrow so I take a look into Ludlow's card. 

15:45, Good Life Plus Cash Free Prizes Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Gaye Legacy 3/1, 1pt win

It's interesting that Tom Symonds' mare was due to run in a much more open race at Plumpton earlier this week. She's obviously going well at home as she is out here against her own sex and on ground she's proven on. This looks winnable. 

Wincanton - Wednesday 26th February 2025

 It will be pretty sodden down at Wincanton but here's hoping it goes off without a hitch. 

15:05, Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Handicap Hurdle

The Blueberry One 5/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Harry Derham's horses continue to run well and his 6 year old here is completely unexposed on just his second handicap run. He's up a bit more in trip than last time and looks a staying type. He's a big galloping type and the heavy ground here will be fine for him. He's got Alice Stevens up claiming 3 pounds and I really like his chances of gaining a first career win here. 

Tuesday 25th February

 So Plumpton was abandoned (again!) and to be honest I can't really find anything worth backing tomorrow with small fields at Leicester on what will be very testing ground not appealing much. The racing at Catterick is also pretty modest. I'm also trying to move away from betting on the all weather due to an overall poor record compared to my bets on turf racing. 

I will work on a roundup from my weekend away and will hopefully post that asap. 

Plumpton - Monday 24th February

 So, my long weekend comes to an end. Southwell on Friday, Newcastle on Saturday and Hereford today. 3 new tracks all crossed off my list and I managed to make a little bit of profit whilst I was at it. It will be all downhill until Cheltenham now and the racing will probably be a bit quiet. I will be at Newbury on Friday before a trip up to London on Saturday to see Wimbledon play Bromley. But until then, there's a big handicap hurdle at Plumpton tomorrow to get stuck into. 

15:15, BetGoodwin Sussex Stayers Handicap Hurdle

Patriotik 5/1, 1pt win

Evan Williams's runner here is only 6 and is having just his second try over this trip since joining the stable. He has always shaped as if he needs a trip and the ground should be favourable too, having won on heavy ground in the past. It's worth noting that he was sent off just 7/1 for a big 3 mile handicap hurdle at Haydock in November where he unseated rider before the race heated up. He finished second to subsequent winner Red Dirt Road at Aintree since then and was pitched into a race at Ascot last weekend that would not have suited. I fancy this race will be more to his liking and continues to shape as if he has a bit pot in him from this mark. 

Newcastle & Kempton - Saturday 22nd February 2025

 I was at Southwell today (first visit) and will be making an even further trip north to Newcastle tomorrow for the first time. Hopefully, I can find some winners to help pay for the diesel!

Newcastle

14:10, Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase

O'Connell 11/2, 2pts win
Gaboriot 11/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

This is one of the most open and competitive renewals of the Eider for many years and it's 11/2 the field. I think that O'Connell has got to be backed as he ticks too many boxes. The horse is in red hot form and so is his trainer. This trip looks like it should be perfect and a decent jockey is claiming 3 pounds off his back. As much as I like his chances, I'll also be having an each-way bet on Gaboriot. This 9 year old won a 4 mile hunter chase at Cheltenham in March and hasn't been disgraced since, including when 3rd on unsuitably heavy ground at Haydock last time out. Given his stamina, this race has probably been on the cards since and I fancy him to be right there at the end of this marathon. 

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Kempton

15:00, Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle

Tripoli Flyer 3/1, 2pts win

I have been a big fan of this horse ever since he won a bumper impressively at Lingfield in January last year. He followed that up to finish a good 2nd at Aintree up in grade and has really made an impression since sent hurdling. He found bundles when asked for an effort last time out in the Scottish Supreme and I fancy him to take this. 

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15:35, Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase

Heltenham 8/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Dan Skelton's charge has his long overdue first run over 3 miles here and I think it will bring about improvement. He's now down to his highest winning mark and this time last year he finished 2nd at this track over 4 furlongs shorter. 

Huntingdon - Thursday 20th February 2025

 15:45, Join The 20 Club At Huntingdon Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Morandi Second 15/2, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Patrick Neville's 6 year old has been in proper form of late and finished second last time out to a mare who has gone in again since. Should go close. 

Kempton - Wednesday 19th February

 The jumps racing tomorrow looks fiendish so I will go for one at Kempton in the evening. 

20:00, Try Unibet's New Smartview Racecards Handicap

Brasil Power 7/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

George Boughey's string is in decent nick and his runner here has a terrific record at Kempton having won 3 races at the Sunbury track. Brasil Power's only run over this trip at this track resulted in a second place finish off a 3 pound higher mark however, his jockey is claiming 5 today. He ran here 7 days ago over a furlong shorter and was a fast finishing third. This looks a good move. 

Market Rasen & Taunton - Tuesday 17th February

 There's a few decent races north and south of the nation tomorrow. 

Market Rasen
14:50, Every Race Live On Racing TV Novices' Handicap Chase

Jessmae 5/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Henry Oliver's charge is now 10 pounds better of with Camino Rocio than when he was beaten by him earlier in the season and should benefit from this longer trip. On his only completed attempt at this far he was a close up 3rd at Southwell. He's a winning pointer and should come into his own now chasing. He's mightily unexposed and races off just a pound higher mark than at Southwell in a race that was better than this. 

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Taunton
14:05, South West Rail Solutions Ltd Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Don't Tell Rosie 11/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Jeremy Scott's string is in decent form at the moment and his handicap debutant here looks in with a decent shout. She has been taking on vastly superior mares in novice hurdles to date and now steps up in trip for handicap debut. I expect her to go close. 

Ante-Post, Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (11/03/2025)

Cheltenham, Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (11/03/2025)

Puturhandstogether 14/1 (Unibet), 2pts win

We have just 23 days to go until the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and the handicaps is where I will be putting in most of my focus over the next 3 weeks. The graded races don't look appealing as betting options anymore with too many short priced favourites but I suspect there is still value to be found if you know where to look. The Fred Winter is one of my favourite punting races of the week and I think this year will be no different. I have focused in on a J P McManus owned 4 year old from last year's winning stable, Joseph O'Brien. Puturhandstogether is by Commonwealth Cup hero Caravaggio but undeniably must get his stamina from his dam sire, Galileo. He put in some decent performances on the flat, most notably winning a 10 furlong handicap at the Curragh in July to put his flat rating up to 84. Puturhandstogether has had 3 runs over hurdles, first up at Punchestown in mid November. He was sent off 2/1 that day but looked like a horse in need of an education and he finished a weakening third of 8 that day. But market confidence was noted and he duly made amends next time out at Cork when he won 20 runner maiden hurdle at Cork by 1 1/4 lengths from Turn And Finish who had finished ahead of him at Punchestown who is now in the care of Harry Derham and won at Catterick recently. Turn And Finish was given a mark of 125 by the British handicapper. Pururhandstogether had his 3rd and most recent hurdles run at Fairyouse on 5th February. It was a small field and a middling affair. Mark Walsh had him in rear and made up good ground approaching the final flight but couldn't get past the consistent and tough Collaborative. It is worthwhile noting that it was heavy ground that day and JP's horse didn't look at home on it at all. He doesn't have much of a knee action for a national hunt horse and I thought it was a decent effort in the circumstances. He still managed to put 4 lengths between himself and the 3rd placed Whimsy who had previously finished 3rd at Cheltenham, just 2 lengths behind the 125 rated Ace Of Spades. If the ground comes up decent in March then I give this lad a real good shout at the prices. His connections know how to win this race and I can see this being Mark Walsh's ride in the race. History tells us that you need to be rated at least 120 to get into the Fred Winter but to be safe you'd want to be about 125. I think Puturhandstogether will get something between 127 and 130. To put this into context of official rating of the last 5 winners going into the race: 2024 Lark In The Mornin (OR 122), 2023 Jazzy Matty (OR 125), 2022 Brazil (OR 137), 2021 Jeff Kidder (OR 125), 2020 Armax (OR 138). Puturhandstogether should get into the race and I hope he will get his ground. 

Carlisle - Monday 17th February

 I haven't been able to post as often lately due to personal reasons but I'm getting back in the saddle now and hope to make some profit between now and the end of February. It's a quiet day for jump racing this Monday but there is one race at Carlisle I like. 

15:55, Racing TV Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Reel Rosie 5/2, 2pts win

This is a pretty low level handicap hurdle but I like the chances of Jennie Candlish's 6 year old. The stable has been in red hot form this month and their runner here was a decent performer on the flat having won 4 races from 18 runs. She duly got off the mark in this sphere over 2 1/2 miles at Sedgefield in October and backed that up over today's trip when a solid 3rd at Catterick. She couldn't trouble the front 2 that day but the winner ran well at Listed level next time out and the runner up has won since. Reel Rosie had the rest of the field 19 lengths behind her. She found stepping back up half a mile on soft ground too much of a stamina test last time out and now comes back in trip and will be reunited with a sounder surface. 

Ascot - Saturday 15th February 2025

 My only bet on Friday was a non runner which was a shame. I will be at Ascot tomorrow for a decent day of racing from start to finish and I like one in the big handicap hurdle. 

14:25, Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle

Joyeux Machin 5/1, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)

After a tough task against Constitution Hill on Trial's Day, Dan Skelton's ex smart Irish performer ran a hugely eye catching race at Wetherby last time out when a fast finishing third over this trip under a relatively inexperienced jockey. Harry is now back aboard and I expect him to go very close to winning this. 

Southwell - Friday 14th February 2025

 There hasn't been many races worth betting on recently and tomorrow's cards at Kelso and Fakenham are pretty ordinary. There's one I fancy to run well at Southwell however. 

16:00, Weekly 5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap

Sophosc 13/2, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Ian Williams' string is in pretty hot form of late and Charles Bishop has a decent record for the stable. Sophosc has tumbled down the weights recently and now races off just 53 however, from this mark he ran a good race to finish a staying on third over 2 furlongs shorter than this at Wolverhampton last time out. He's now back up in trip and back to a track that he does well at. 

Newbury - Saturday 8th February 2025

I will be at Newbury tomorrow for Super Saturday. 

15:35, William Hill Hurdle

Navajo Indy 14/1, 1pt each-way (4 places) "advised ante-post"
Beat The Bat 28/1, 0.5pts each-way (5 places)

I backed Navajo Indy last week ante-post for the reasons I made in that writeup. I still believe he has a great chance and hopefully Gavin Sheehan can get his mount in a rhythm early on it what I expect to be a very fast run race in testing conditions. There is so much pace on that it could turn into a proper war by the end and for those reasons I'm tempted to have a little each-way bet on Harry Fry's Beat The Bat at big odds. He looked a novice to follow last season when winning at Ascot and finishing second to Dysart Enos at Cheltenham on New Year's Day 2024. He missed the Spring but came back from a big layoff to finish second in a really hot handicap at Haydock in November in bad ground over a slightly further trip. He was put up three pounds for that but I don't think this mark is beyond him considering his relatively unexposed profile. He's a proper galloper and hated the speed favouring nature of Windsor last time out when he finished seventh. He will show up better here and he's five pounds better off with Secret Squirrel now. 

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16:10, William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Pic Roc 9/2, 2pts win (Bet365)

This looks a hot little novice handicap chase but I like the chances of Ben Pauling's Pic Roc here. He finished second in a big field handicap at Sandown last March when showing real staying properties. He's been kept to intermediate trips since but I expect him to come into his own now stepped up in distance. He travelled like the winner at Exeter last time before being battled out of it after the last but that was effectively his first proper run of the season having come to grief on seasonal/chasing debut at Carlisle in November. He improved with his racing last season and I see no reason why he can't do the same again. 

Kempton - Friday 7th February 2025

 Hopefully Kempton passes it's 8am inspection.

15:25, trustatrader.com Handicap Chase

El Rio 5/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Kim Bailey's 8 year old runs here off the same mark as when 3rd in a hot novice chase at this track on Boxing Day. He jumps well for a novice and goes well at this track. He's still unexposed and I like how connections are stepping out into open company. 

Taunton - Tuesday 4th February 2025

 A gutsy 3rd place at an SP of 12/1 from Thereisnodoubt was the highlight on a miserable Monday. It was a shame to see The Winslow Boy pull up early at Southwell after appearing to go wrong, I hope all is well with him. I move on to Taunton on Tuesday. 

16:40, Free Racing On Monday 10th March Handicap Hurdle

Dash On Ruby 5/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

I won't go in to too much detail here as I put up this mare for a meeting last week which was called off. She looks to be working her way towards the winners enclosure.

Carlisle & Southwell - Monday 3rd February 2025

 After a good day at Musselburgh with Surrey Quest running a game race to finish third in the Edinburgh National and Thistle Ask winning at decent odds (17/2) in the two mile handicap chase, I'm hopeful I can kick on this month. 

Carlisle

15:30, Watch Racing TV Handicap Hurdle

Thereisnodoubt 17/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

I'm taking a bit of a punt here by having a go on this 12 year old but there's reasons to be optimistic. Lucina Russell's veteran is now off his lowest mark since joining the yard and Alan Doyle takes a further 5 pounds off. Thereisnodoubt is a real soft ground specialist and it will be pretty sodden up at Carlisle, which is a pretty stiff old track. It's worth noting that he was 3rd off a stone higher mark at the track last season. He's got his conditions and with first time cheekpieces employed, I think he's worth a punt. 

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Southwell

15:50, Golf And Gallop Package Handicap Hurdle

The Winslow Boy 9/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

Tom Symonds' stable is in decent nick and I was pretty taken with his 6 year old when he won a maiden hurdle at Chepstow at the start of the season. I liked his chances in a 17 runner handicap hurdle at Ascot after that but he found the occasion a bit too much and never really took to the challenge. He's been given a 45 day break since and now runs over half a mile further, which he looked like he'd relish early in his career. He's been dropped a couple of pounds since Ascot and I fancy the softer ground will be a bit of a help as well. He's also back on a left handed track which is no hinderance. 

Musselburgh & Leopardstown - Sunday 2nd February 2025

 I managed to find 2 winners at Sandown on Saturday but only at cramped odds (Handstands at 10/3 and O'Connell at 9/4). With a few frustrating runners in Scotland, headed by a very below par run from Balhambar, it wasn't an overly profitable start to February but we move on!

Musselburgh

13:55, bet365 Frodon Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Asta La Pasta 11/8, 2pts win

This looks to be a really good opportunity for the Skelton's novice to bag another prize. He's been put up 2 pounds for finishing second in a hot race at Kempton on Boxing day but the winner has come out and won again since. 

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14:25, bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase

Surrey Quest 6/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Toby Lawes is fresh from claiming the Scottish Triumph Hurdle on Saturday and looks to claim another big prize on his journey north. Surrey Quest finished a gallant second on his last visit to these shores when second in last year's Scottish National. He's looked in good nick this season and his mark still doesn't look beyond him. He can take this on his way to a possible tilt at Aintree. 

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15:35, bet365 Handicap Chase

Thistle Ask 11/2, 1pt win

This 8 year old is very lightly raced for his age and has had his problems but he looked a horse to follow when bolting up at Ayr 2 years ago. He resurfaced from a mammoth 20 month absence when second to a decent yardstick of Skelton's 98 days ago. He's been given time since that and I like how connections are pitching him into this sort of race so early. The signs are good and he's totally unexposed. 

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Leopardstown

12:40, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy And Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle

Queen's Gamble 9/2, 1pt win

There's a slight worry about soft ground and that the stable doesn't look to be in fine form so that is enough to keep this to a 1pt bet rather than 2pts but I still think Queen's Gamble is far an away the best mare in this race and that she should be up to defying top weight. This looks a great bit of placing. 

Musselburgh - Saturday 1st February 2025

 February is finally here after a very long January. Hopefully I can build on what was an up and down start to 2025. I will be at Sandown today but the races look trappy on heavy ground so have found the bet of the day to be up in Scotland at Musselburgh. 

14:17, bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (0-145) (2) 4yo+

Balhambar 5/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

This 6 year old is still on the upgrade and his form from Cheltenham in the Autumn is probably the best on offer here. He had a nice run back at Southwell on New Year's Day but the track may not have suited him and I fancy that this has been the plan. He looks a nice price.