UK Horseracing Selections - Aug 14, 2006
Southwell, 14 August 2006
2:15 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Novices' Handicap Chase
Schinken Otto, Westfield Dancer and Dalraith are among the ones in form and we are with Schinken Otto. A keen running sort, he gained compensation for a string of fair efforts and if he has gleaned confidence from getting his head back infront, there is every reason to be on him again today. Westfield Dancer was an odds-on flop on his latest start. A maiden after 25 starts, he ran a fair race on British debut and can be expected to attempt to make the best of things from the rise of the tapes. Dalraith tends to run in snatches but has yet to win at Southwell in her previous attempts. The Dublinpublican has bits and pieces of form that would entitle him to consideration although he looks not to have progressed from his success at Wetherby. Changing Gear won a weak maiden hurdle at Worcester. The blinkers are kept on for a first bow over chase fences. Electrique's flat ability has been met with frailities over the obstacles. Play Master looks ordinary. Schinken Otto is in form and looks to be the percentage call.
2:45 Take Control With Wbx.com Novices' Chase
Not a strong race in which Kivotos, September Moon and Burren Moonshine form the shortlist. Kivotos is the selection but he is not one to be taken at short price. A fortuitous winner at the course two runs ago, he is nevertheless a lightly raced sort who is potentially open to improvement while not being among the top draw. September Moon can be expected to bowl along at the front. She looked to have every chance when running out at the third last at Uttoxeter and wouldn't be far away on her better form. Burren Moonshine is an out-and-out stayer and has ran consistently without troubling the judge as often as she should. Siegfrieds Night beat Burren Moonshine when the pair met over hurdles at Southwell but is more exposed. Greencard Golf has been easy to back on previous chasing starts and is likely to be similarly priced here. Having considered the alternatives, Kivotos is offered as the selection.
3:15 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Handicap Chase
A modest affair in which stakes should be kept to a minimum and we shall side with Ballynure although Destino and Great Benefit should provide stout opposition. Ballynure had been struggling in handicap hurdles but took advantage of a low rating over chase fences to score at Perth on his most recent start. The time figure was exceptionally slow but he jumps adequately and should give a good account in a poor race. Destino has often been well backed in the past and while a record of 0 from 15 looks modest, the Sue Smith team are in form and any market confidence should not be ignored. Assumetheposition was once rated in the mid-90's but is on a long losing run. The visor is applied for the first time. Bewleys Guest is off a platers mark and it is unlikely that Venetia Williams has any other horse so lowly rated in her string. Second to Walcot Lad at Fontwell last season, he has clearly had training troubles. Ex hunter chaser Ouh Jay has disappointed the backers on his last two starts and it remains to be seen whether they will support him for a third time. Losing Grip is a winner in selling grade but has struggled outside that class. Ballynure appears best in a very poor race.
3:45 Take Control With Wbx.com Selling Hurdle
Majestic Vision is preferred to Hanko and Crownfield. Majestic Vision hacked up in a non-seller on his latest start so it is interesting that he drops back to the grade but backers can forgive a previous disappointment at this level as the saddle slipped at a vital stage. Hanko is a rare runner in a seller for JP McManus. His official handicap rating is based on a number of fair efforts in Ireland a couple of years back and he is yet to show any sparkle since switching to Jonjo O'Neill. Crownfield looked useful when trained by Mary Reveley. Not seen out since running on the flat a year ago, Ben Pollock attempts to work the oracle. Champagne Rossini is a notorious hard puller and as a consequence the art of jumping appears almost a secondary issue during her races. Delaware Trail has ran respectably in selling grade at the track but is nothing out of the ordinary. Not a race to be getting too heavily involved with but Majestic Vision has fewer negatives than most and is afforded the selection.
4:15 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Handicap Hurdle
Hilltime rates as a speculative selection ahead of Nesnaas and Cream Cracker. The selection has had a couple of pipe openers on the flat so should not want for fitness and as a horse that is proven on fast ground, he should have no problems with underfoot conditions and is lesser exposed than most. Cream Cracker won well at Newton Abbot over chase fences and this form was upheld by second placed, Kings Brook, who won easily since. Connections attempt to strike again off a lower hurdles mark but he could be open to a beating from something with a little more flat speed. Nesnaas hails from the relatively quiet Mark Rimell yard and was perhaps unfortunate to run up against a useful sort such as Kanpai on a previous start at the course. The handicapper has not gone mad and he should be with a chance. Broke Road is getting a little long in the tooth but he won a claiming hurdle a couple of weeks ago and is capable of maintaining a level of form. Whether he can do this off handicap terms is another matter entirely. Orpen Wide won two novice events at the beginning of the season but has struggled since. His jumping has left a lot to be desired of late and it could be prudent to oppose again. Feanor has won twice at the course but has not sparkled of late. Hilltime is still open to some improvement and he gets the nod.
4:45 Take Control With Wbx.com Handicap Hurdle
Fu Manchu is preferred to Little Task and Air Augusta. The top-weight clearly has his own ideas about the game and the blinkers have been reached for in an effort to control his wayward tendancies. This is a weaker contest than the one he finished second in at Bangor and if Noel Fehily can persuade him as to his way of thinking, he looks difficult to oppose. Little Task was a rare winner under National Hunt rules for John Wainwright. He had been steadily dropping down the weights prior to that run but as a three miler, he faces some questions over shorter. Air Augusta was a wide margin winner of a Hereford seller and he would need to step up greatly on that form as he beat a number of moderate horses on that occasion. Top The Bill and Tuesday's Child have shown little of note this term and are opposed. Fu Manchu has his quirks and while he will be a short price, he looks to be just about the percentage play.
5:15 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Novices' Hurdle
Jamaaron is preferred to Lowsha Green and St Pancras. Jamaaron hacked up in a selling race at Stratford and while it is not always advisable to take selling form too seriously when in non-selling grade, it was clear from flagfall that he was much superior to his rivals on that occasion and the BHB handicapper appears to have him clear on this instance. Lowsha Green made all at Hexham on his latest start. The second in that race would have won at Sedgefield on Friday had he not unshipped the rider at the last. St Pancras would have rated as a certainty if this were a flat race but it isn't and he has a bit to prove after a flop at Market Rasen. The Bonus King is a light of former days while Laconicos is not totally out of this on some of his better hurdling form. Jamaaron has been found an obvious opportunity in a modest affair and we shall not oppose.
Wolverhampton, 14 August 2006
2:00 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Median Auction Mdn Stks (div 1)
The three form horses appear to be Fen Dream, Tipsy Prince and Madam Gaffer, and we will side with the last named. Brian Meehan�s filly has shown plenty of ability in two better races and should be up to winning in this type of company. She was slightly hampered in her last race at Kempton and under the circumstances did well to finish a close up fifth from a poor draw. With luck in running today she should be there or thereabouts. Fen Dream ran well in a hot race at Newmarket last time and looks the type to improve with racing. Meanwhile Tipsy Prince comes into the argument on his debut second here last month. Iron Dancer is from a yard in great form and so has to be monitored closely in the betting, but Madam Gaffer can put her all-weather experience to good use and she gets our vote.
2:30 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Median Auction Mdn Stks (div 2)
Beauchamp Viceroy, Convivial Spirit and Nepos and displayed plenty of ability last time and we will plump for Nepos. Jamie Osborne�s colt improved on his debut effort to chase home Bataleur at Bath. The third home is only selling class but he was five lengths away and so the form isn�t too bad in the context of this race. Beauchamp Viceroy finished second to a decent enough type on his Lingfield debut, despite running green. The experience will not be lost on him and he should be involved in the finish. Convivial Spirit was also in need of the outing on his Lingfield debut but showed plenty of promise and we could see a much better performance this afternoon. In a pretty open affair Baylini is another to consider for each-way purposes, but we side with Nepos for the likely winner.
3:00 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Selling Stakes
Woolly Back and Molly�s Secret have similar form credentials and we will give the vote to the last named, Lord Of Methley may be the pick of the remainder. Molly�s Secret ran well in a claimer over course and distance last time out, chasing home Finished Article, with the third well beaten off. This represents a drop in class and she should take all the beating. Woolly Back steps up in trip after going close in a mile handicap here last time. He is well in with the selection on official ratings, but there is a stamina doubt. Lord Of Methley has been campaigned over hurdles, without too much success. However his flat form of two years ago does put him in with a fair chance in this type of company. He�s A Star has to give weight away all round but is the class act in the race and shouldn�t be far away, however Molly�s secret has shown the best recent form and she gets the verdict
3:30 World Bet Exchange Wbx.com Nursery Handicap
Cesc won well last time and should go close in his follow up bid, however we will take a chance with Billy Dane, Intersky Sports may do best of the others. Brian Meehan�s charge is making his handicap debut following three promising efforts. The most recent was at Epsom when just touched off by Five A Side, on that evidence he doesn�t look badly treated and he can gain his first success. Cesc hit winning form with a vengeance, when easily beating Bobbish in a Newbury nursery. The handicapper has taken note but another big run can be expected. Intersky Sports is a solid and consistent performer and hasn�t been overburdened here, he could be capable of making the frame. Of the others, Soffooh can also go well of a low mark, but we return to Billy Dane for our selection.
4:00 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Handicap
This is one of the most open races on the card and a narrow vote is given to Rosein, with Mistral Sky and Vienna�s Boy put fprward as the main rivals. Rosein was successful at Southwell in June and apart from one blip, has run with credit since. On her last visit to the racecourse she was just pipped in a very competitive race won by Scuba. A repreat of the effort should be good enough this afternoon. Mistral Sky is a model of consistency and has shown a real liking for this track. He could possibly do with being dropped a couple of pounds, but nevertheless he should be in the shake up. Vienna�s Boy disappointed a little last time but had previously beaten Mistral Sky over course and distance. If on a going day he will be a major threat to all. Pommes Frite and The Crooked Ring also have claims on their best form, but Rosein should be capable of taking first prize today.
4:30 Take Control With Wbx.com Handicap
The two recent winner Lysander�s Quest and Ice And Fire could fight out the finish here and we will plump for the first named, Aristi is an outsider with place claims. Lysander�s Quest gained an overdue success at Yarmouth last month when comfortably beating the good yardstick Jadeeron. He has shown a good liking for this track and he looks set to make it back to back victories. Ice And Fire also loves it round Dunstall Park as he proved when winning her last time out. He gets on really well with his young jockey and another big run is expected. Aristi won here this time last year of a higher mark , so although disappointing in recent races he could go close if returning to his best. Johnny Alljays is another that could go well at a price, but Lysander�s Quest has to be the pick on recent form.
5:00 Wbx.com World Bet Exchange Apprentice Handicap
Fiore di Bosco is given another chance following a couple of poor efforts, Scamperdale and Windy Prospect look the best alternatives. David Barron�s five-year-old may well relish this return to the all-weather having been tapped for toe in two recent efforts on then turf.. Her victory over course and distance in March was against better opposition and if everything drops right this afternoon she may prove hard to beat off her current mark. Scamperdale, a course and distance winner in May, put in another solid effort here last time when third in a competitive handicap. He does have to shoulder top-weight here this afternoon, but should still be involved in the finish. Windy Prospect is steadily coming to hand and is from a yard firing in the winners, he may get into the places. All in all a very open affair but Fiore di Bosco does look the pick of the weights and this one gets our vote
Thirsk, 14 August 2006
5:55 E.b.f. Oswalds Restaurant Rooms Median Auction Maiden Stakes
Catlivius showed plenty of promise on her debut and can land this open looking event, Le Masque and Smirfy's Diamond may do best of the others. Kevin Ryan's filly tended to run green on her Ripon debut and hung right, lacking cover on the outside of the field - she is bound to improve and looked a likely future winner for her trainer's strong team of juveniles. Le Masque is an interest ing newcomer. Bryan Smart has a good line to two-year-old form and this well colt will know his job first time up. Smirfy's Diamond has gone well against decent opposition in two races to date and once again should be involved in the finish. The pick of the remainder could be Shotley Mac, but for the winner we have to side with catlivius.
6:25 Beatrice Stephenson Handicap
River Kirov showed plenty of determination to win last time out and can follow up this afternoon, Northern Chorus and Tender Process could be the main dangers. Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt had run a good fourth at Newbury on his handicap debut and confirmed he is still on the upgrade as he responded to pressure to get up on the line to beat Peter Island at Nottingham. There should be more to come from this relatively unexposed sort. Northern Chorus also hit winning form last time out, landing a decent enough Redcar handicap. He doesn't really have the scope of the selection but should still be thereabouts at the business end. Tender Process makes his handicap debut following three promising runs in maidens. He gets in here on a very low mark and he could go well at a decent price. The pick of the others could be Rainbow Bay, but there could be plenty more to come from River Kirov and he gets the verdict.
6:55 Black Sheep Brewery Handicap
Primondo is given the nod here ahead of Master Nimbus and Comical errors. James Fanshawe's colt probably didn't act on the all-weather last time but had previously run a blinder when just pipped at Haydock. This contest doesn't look any harder and a big run can be expected. Master Nimbus improved on his seasonal debut effort to chase home Thornaby Green at Newcastle. With more progression likely he should play a major role. Comical Errors returned from a spell over the jumps with a good effort at Catterick last month. He looks on a decent mark on the pick of his past flat form and could reward each-way support. Top-weight Jumeirah Scarer is another to consider for the places, but we return to Primondo as our choice for the winner.
7:25 Racing At Beverley On Wednesday Maiden Auction Stakes
Kay Gee Bee gets a narrow vote in thsi maiden event, Cassie's Choice and Let's Get Cracking are put forward as the main dangers. Jamie Spencer takes the ride on the selection who has put in two solid efforts in defeat. The latest came in a decent race at Newmarket when second behind Charlie Farnsbarns. The extra furlong looks ideal and he should give a good backers a run for their money. Lets Get Cracking is a newcomer trained by Kevein Ryan, who has a few first time out juvenile winners this season. The seven furlongs should be ideal for this son of Anabaa Blue and any market confidence should be noted. Cassie's Choice is steadily improving with racing and is from a yard that has plenty of two-year-old talent. The pick of the rest could be Lady Best, but Kay Gee Be is dropping slightly in class and can make it pay.
7:55 Hambleton Inn Sutton Bank Selling Handicap
Tequila Sheila gets a sporting vote in a difficult race to assess, Cut Ridge and Linden's Lady look to be the main dangers. Karl Burke's filly hasn't won since here two-year-old days, when earning a top rating of 84. She has obviously regressed but did put in a decent effort in a class five handicap at Carlisle last time and should be capable of winning in this grade. Cut Ridge was three places ahead of the selection in that contest but is three pounds worse off today. He should still be on the premises but this mile trip is a slight concern. Linden's Lady is another one dropping down the weights and has strong claims on a recent effort behind Sawaah Musselburgh. Legal Dram is another to consider for each-way purposes, but Tequila Sheila is the the tentative choice in a wide open contest.
8:25 Fairfax Arms Gilling East Handicap
Two horses bidding for hat-tricks here Cool Ebony and Just Lille and we just favour the first named, Rainbow's Classic may do best of the others. There has been a lot to like about Cool Ebony's victories. He moves nicely through his races and just does enough to win. There could be plenty more in the locker and he can make it three wins in a row. Just Lille, on the other hand has been a wide margin winner at Ayr and Haydock. She has been punished by the handicapper, but is obviously still on the upgrade. Rainbow's Classic has been running much better than his form figures suggest and has been steadily dropping down the weights. Watch out for any market move on this one. All in all a decent enough handicap and Cool Ebony just gets the verdict.
Windsor, 14 August 2006
5:45 Racing At Santa Rosa Fillies' Nursery Auction Handicap
Richard Hannon is always to be feared in this type of event and, from the ideal draw in stall 11, Top Royelle is taken to give him another winner with Dolly Coughdrop and Yerevan rated the main dangers. The selection has shown improvement with each outing and looks to be on a fair mark for her first start in this grade. Angeletta has been thereabouts in recent outings and should be again here, while Drifting Gold is going the right way and represents a yard that has been in fair form of late but she may be a shade high in the weights at present. Dolly Coughdrop is consistent but may be open to less improvement than most of these, while Yerevan was not beaten far in a similar contest at Chester last time and has to be respected on that evidence. Richard Hannon's Whipchord has a nice racing weight but stablemate Top Royelle offers more solid claims and should improve further for this longer trip.
6:15 Vc Casino.com Maiden Stakes
Manhasset Indian, a Johannesburg half-brother to a couple of winners trained by Jeremy Noseda, may be of interest first time out but, along with Benchmark, has been done no favours with the draw and preference is for Woqoodd. The selection lacks a previous run but the Michael Jarvis-trained colt is bred to be useful and, with the benefit of a draw in stall 12, he may be worth chancing at the likely odds. Dean Ivory's Bertoliver has shown promise in his two starts but needs to improve, while Dance of Dreams is likely to need the run first time out as trainer Nick Littmoden very rarely has a two-year-old ready for his first start. Brian Meehan's Dan Tucker is entitled to step up on his debut run but needs to and of more interest may be the more experienced Benchmark. Woqoodd is an interesting newcomer though and he gets the vote.
6:45 Vc Casino.com Handicap
Envision has won his last three, all in claimers, and returns to a handicap off what looks a fair mark so he has to be respected but preference is for Coleridge, with Our Putra rated the best of the rest. The selection made a winning start to his career in this country when getting up close home at Nottingham last time. A 4lb rise for that success looks perfectly fair and Brendan Powell's gelding is taken to follow up here. Golden Applause ran better at Epsom last time but may not have the speed for the drop back to a mile, while Leoballero may struggle to give weight away all round. Our Putra is less exposed than most of these and can be expected to improve further but Coleridge represents a yard very much in form at present and he makes more appeal.
7:15 Play At Vc Casino.com Handicap
Idle Power deserves to get his head in front after a string of consistent efforts in competitive handicaps but has had little respite from the handicapper and a better bet looks to be Kostar, who gets the vote ahead of Greenslades. The last mentioned never threatened in the Wokingham last time but had won well at Newmarket the time before on a softer surface and he could be of interest if any rain arrives. Obe Gold is usually thereabouts and should be again here but could do with some help from the handicapper. Grimes Faith disappointed here last time and may now be best watched, while Blue Tomato is another that may be a shade high in the weights at present. The vote then goes to Kostar, who has been running well without a great deal of luck of late and comes from a yard that is in good form at present.
7:45 Play Blackjack At Vc Casino.com Maiden Stakes
Duke Of Milan and Well Guarded probably have the best form among those to have raced previously but neither makes any great appeal and this may go to one of the newcomers with the vote given to Pikaboo. The selection is a Pivotal half-sister to several winners trained by John Gosden and can be expected to be forward enough to make a winning debut. Godolphin are represented by the Forestry colt Very Far, who could be anything but is unlikely to represent any great value given his connections. You Live And Learn is entitled to improve but needs to and of more interest may be Giles Bravery's consistent Duke Of Milan. Pikaboo makes plenty of appeal on pedigree though and gets the vote to make a winning debut.
8:15 Monday Night Racing With Vc Casino.com Handicap
Bay Hawk made an encouraging return on his first start since May when chasing home Undeterred over course and distance in an amateur riders' contest last week and, while the bounce factor has to be of some concern, Brendan Powell's colt did not seem to have a hard race that day and can go one better at the main expense of Looks The Business and Melvino. The last mentioned has been running consistently well of late but could probably do with some help from the handicapper so may be best watched. Hatch A Plan has yet to prove that he truly stays this far, while Scottish River is another that is probably better over shorter. Looks The Business lost no caste in defeat in a better race than this here last time and has to be considered but preference is for Bay Hawk, who is taken to go one better than last time.
