Tag: "Ireland"

Timeform Weekend Preview

Timeform looks ahead to the final weekend action before Cheltenham… “If you fancy something in tomorrow’s race, and they hold an entry at Cheltenham, it may be an idea to back them for that as well to get ahead of the game with a potentially advantageous trading position.” If Go Native triumphs in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, his connections stand to collect a cool £1m; Kauto Star pocketed the same amount back in 2006 for winning the ‘Betfair Million’. Whilst not on the same level as those bonuses, the £75,000 reward offered first by Sunderlands and now by Paddy Power for the winner of the Imperial Cup, if going on to land a race at the Festival has provided some real drama in recent years. At the centre of it has been David Pipe, who provided two memorable moments with Gaspara and Ashkazar . The former was the subject of a huge ante-post plunge in the Fred Winter after winning the Imperial and duly landed the odds in impressive fashion to send many a punter home happy. Ashkazar was equally well backed for the same race twelve months later and looked set to deliver another big windfall, only to be heartbreakingly denied by Crack Away Jack and a supremely confident Paul Carberry

Mar 12, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Six Nations Betting Preview: Ireland v Wales

The Grand Slam may be gone but Ireland are already looking ahead to World Cup 2011 and are using the remainder of their Six Nations campaign to learn valuable lessons. George Hook expects them to take advantage of an under-performing Welsh side this weekend. “Wales 4.7 have yet to put in a good performance for 80 minutes. They are missing several key players and while they are not to be taken lightly, Ireland 1.3 should register another home win.” Ireland’s defeat to France in Paris is still a painful memory for the players. It was the catalyst for a gritty, determined performance against England and it will carry them through to the end of this year’s championship. But it was also a useful lesson.

Mar 12, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

IRELAND’S EYE on Friday

Friday 12 March IRELAND’S EYE There is full line up of meetings today both on the flat and over jumps with Dundalk and Wolverhampton under the floodlights tonight providing the all weather action in Ireland and the UK backed up by four jump cards at Ayr, Wincanton, Sandown and Leicester. The hunter chases will provide the backbone of our betting strategy today and there are sound reasons for siding with a course and distance winner at Leicester despite a poor effort last time while a Victor Dartnall trained handicap hurdler can score at generous odds at Sandown Bene Lad (3-9/4) was our sole winner yesterday but we did have plenty of placed selections headed by Ag Dul Suas (13/2) in the opener at Clonmel while two of our selections in the handicap hurdle Shorecliffe King (11/4-5/2) and Jacks Island (12/1) went down narrowly to the top weight at the same venue. Coscorrig (5/4) was a disappointing third in the mares novice chase at the Tipperary venue while our supplemental choice Noble Concorde (16/1) finished runner up to the ‘jolly’ in another novice chase. The opening mares novice hurdle at Wincanton today at 2-00 over 2m 6f can give Alan King a pre Cheltenham winner with the 5yo Call At Midnight. Although the daughter of Midnight Legend – a bumper winner at Bangor on her debut has not shown progression on her second start over sticks and has had a rear view of the decent mare Banjaxed Girl now on three occasions the Robert Thornton ridden mare can make it third time lucky here and account for the Hughie Morrison trained Yonder a two time flat winner who should appreciate better ground here on her third start over hurdles. Likely favourite Far From Blonde finished a modest third in this race last year but Paul Nicholls lightly raced 6yo does not look bomb proof and though she could also improve for a better surface she is taken on here. Dual point winner Oopsmylord may have ‘bombed out’ last time on heavy ground at Haydock but the 8yo has proved himself on better ground and he can return to winning ways in the extended 2m 7f hunter chase at Leicester at 3-40. A winner over course and distance on his chase debut last year where he accounted for the useful and subsequent dual hunter chase scorer Gentle George (gave 7lbs)one of the leaders in the betting for the Christies Foxhunters next week the son of Rock Hopper was not disgraced on his seasonal debut when finishing runner up to the useful Bob Hall at Ludlow

Mar 12, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Six Nations Betting Preview: France v Italy

Italy have improved this season but France have been formidable and are chasing a Grand Slam. Can we expect anything other than a big win for Les Bleus on Sunday afternoon? John Woodford selects the best bets. “Those expecting French tries early on should take a deep breath before wading in. Of Italy’s three games of this campaign, two have featured a try-less first half…” The focus for punters on Sunday afternoon’s match between France and Italy will be points and tries – lots of them

Mar 12, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Timeform Radio Racing Tip: Inverlochy Lad can triumph north of the border

Terry Norman selects two best bets for Friday afternoon at the races… “Inverlochy Lad 2.80 provides a punting opportunity in the 14:45, a 3m 1f Beginners ‘ chase, at Ayr.” In a race where there are just two possible selections and the one you strongly prefer is better than evens, my ears tend to have a propensity to do a ‘Mr Spock’. Such an opportunity arrives in the 14:45, a 3m 1f Beginners ‘ chase, at Ayr with Inverlochy Lad 2.80 . The race looks a straight shoot-out between the selection and probable favourite Gilsland – and there are plenty of reasons for heading towards Ian Duncan’s nine-year-old. The surface, drying dramatically at the Scottish venue, will significantly favour Inverlochy Lad, bogged down on the sapping ground in Ireland

Mar 12, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Cheltenham Head-to-Heads: The Champion Bumper

Neither of our men has a strong shout on the winner of the Champion Bumper but once again they’re looking to Ireland for their likely bets “I would have to be interested in laying Al Ferof win and place at 11.5 and 4.5 . Reading between the lines of Paul Nicholls’ recent comments at the preview evenings, I get the feeling this race is being taken in at the wishes of owner John Hales rather than the trainer,” Will Hayler on his Bumper bets Graham Cunningham : The good news is that I have a very rewarding system to pass on as regards the Festival Bumper. But the bad news is that it will only bear fruit for those able to grab a good spot against the paddock rail in order to inspect some of the finest jumping prospects from both sides of the Irish Sea. Year after year this eagerly-awaited contest unveils a string of young hopefuls who have everything it takes to make the grade over hurdles and last year’s renewal featured a stellar selection headed by Dunguib and backed up by a supporting cast including Rite Of Passage, Quel Esprit, Morning Supreme and Shinrock Paddy.

Mar 11, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Timeform Trainer Form: Richard Hannon and James Ewart

Timeform looks at two trainers in form so far this month… “Spring has sprung early for the stable, and their horses have been bounding in, with four winners coming from just ten runners so far this month.” Richard Hannon will start the 2010 Flat season with the biggest string of any British-based trainer and he may lay down a serious challenge to become champion after finishing fourth last year. The Wiltshire handler has just started to send out his first horses and the early signs of the yard’s form are good

Mar 11, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Irish Racing: Thursday 11th March

Timeform’s Billy Nash gives you three recommendations for racing in Ireland on Thursday… “ Whatsabillion has yet to win a race of any description but may be able to put that right here as he looks thrown in on his hurdles form.” Clonmel 4:10 – Win Back – Coscorrig Coscorrig is unlikely to be much of a price but she looks a safe bet in the mares’ maiden chase. Andy Lynch’s charge has been plying her trade in more exalted company than this, finishing second to Dancing Tornado at Wexford and third to Citizen Vic at Leopardstown on her only two starts this season. She will be very hard to peg back around here and her form entitles her to be an odds-on shot.

Mar 11, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post

Timeform Race to Watch: Monday 8th March, Lingfield 2:10

The lingfieldpark.co.uk maiden stakes run over a mile on Monday looked to contain some horses with the potential to go on to better things. The modest pace does cast some doubt over the form, but, given the promising profile of the winner and the second, it is worth taking a positive view. “There were signs that Merrqaad was still not fully clued up as he carried his head awkwardly and flashed his tail when pressured but, at this stage of his development, he’s worth the benefit of the doubt over his temperament.” Merrqaad duly confirmed the promise he had shown on his debut at Kempton. He shaped well that day, finishing third after showing greenness under pressure. There were signs that Merrqaad was still not fully clued up as he carried his head awkwardly and flashed his tail when pressured but, at this stage of his development, he’s worth the benefit of the doubt over his temperament. The penny did drop in the end, and he knuckled down to get there on the nod; Merrqaad looks capable of winning more races. Al Farahidi made a very encouraging start to his racing career, seemingly paying for his early enthusiasm when collard by the winner late on.

Mar 10, 2010 | 0 comments | View Post
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