Cheltenham – Festival Trails Day

Hello and welcome to Arseonlineracing. This is a 100% Independent racing website with NO affiliate links. The website is curated by 2 racing enthusiasts from either end of the British Isles, Charlie hails from Glasgow while Rich is from the Isle of Wight. Miles apart but united by the sport of kings…..

Hey folks, Charlie is away for the weekend so sadly you are left with just me(Rich) and my thoughts on Festival Trails Day at Cheltenham. I have run my eye through 3 races on the card including The Cotswold Chase & Cleve Hurdle, so lets get cracking….

1.15 Novice Handicap Chase…. Class 2… 2m 4f 127yds…

Court Master – Was still a maiden until being sent chasing this season having finished 4/3/10/PU in 4 starts over hurdles in 2018. Was given a second wind operation in the close season & made seasonal return in a Class 4, 2m 4f Novice Handicap Chase on November 28th at Musselburgh, with an opening mark of 112, Winning by 3 lengths on chase debut from Castletown and was raised to 115.
Court Master was stepped up in Class and trip on December 18th at Newbury in a 2m 7f Class 3 Novice Handicap Chase, making it 2 wins from 2 chase starts when winning by 3/4’s of a length from Jammy George and with 3 horses rated 130+ in behind. The drop back to 2m 4f is no issue and now rated 121 with a penalty, I think is ahead of his mark and carries only 10st, with Top Weight & Top Rated Jarveys Plate, 147, carrying 11st 12Lb….

2.25 Cotswold Chase…. Grade 2… 3m 1f 56yds…

Bristol De Mai is the Top Rated( 170) in this race, who finished a 1 & 1/2 length runner up on seasonal reappearance in the Lancashire Chase at Haydock in November to Lostintranslation.
The Gold Cup 3rd ended the season at Aintree, when 4th behind Kemboy at Aintree in the Bowl Chase and comes across Santini, who has had a Wind Operation having won on seasonal return at Sandown in November in the Listed Intermediate Chase, who finished last season at this course when runner up to Topofthegame in the RSA Chase by 1/2 a length and receives 2Lb from Bristol De Mai.

These 2 should be in the mix coming to the later stages of the race and I would like to think that Slate House can get close to them having landed the Kauto Star Grade 1 Novice Chase on Boxing Day to make it 3 wins from 4 starts since October 26th when winning here in a 2m 4f Class 2 Novice Chase, with the only blemish being a fall at this course in the Grade 3 Gold Cup Handicap Chase at the November meeting, falling 2 out when still in with a big chance…..
Likely outcome is that Bristol De Mai should win

3.35 Cleve Hurdle… Grade 2… 2m 8f…

This is a fantastic race. Paisley Park, is Top Rated 169 and went unbeaten last season winning 5 from 5 starts including the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle when beating Sam Spinner by 2 & 3/4 lengths at the Festival in March. He started this term as he ended the last when taking the Grade 2 3m Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on November 29th by 1 length from Thistlecrack(Out injured), while 3rd that day The Worlds End has since landed the Grade 1 Marsh Hurdle, with PP a Non Runner along with Tobefair.
He is up against If The Cap Fits, rated at 166, who landed the Grade 1 Stayers 3m Hurdle at Aintree in April by a head from Rosksana and has also made a winning seasonal reappearance at Ascot, when taking the Ascot Hurdle by 1/2 a length from Call Me Lord on November 23rd, who has since landed the Grade 2 International Hurdle at this meeting in December, these 2 along with Somerville Boy, who is rated at 156 and carries 11s 6Lb with the above pair.
But one I think will outrun his odds is Tobefair, rated at 154 and was a 4 length 3rd at the November meeting here in the Class 1 Listed 3m hurdle, having won over 3m on seasonal return here in October and his Course form in 2019 reads 2/1/1/3…

Paisley Park is likely to win but I would be happy if the main 3 I mention fill the places!

That is everything for you today folks. I would like to thank Nikki Evans for her time with the Interview and to you guys for your response…

REMEMBER… Only bet what you can afford to lose and if you don’t bet, just watch as the racing is fantastic…

All the Best – Rich 

Pictures from Cheltenham Twitter account(Except gates – File)

Ascot & Haydock

Hello and welcome to Arseonlineracing. A 100% independent racing website with NO affiliate links. This website is curated by 2 racing enthusiasts from either end of the British Isles, Charlie hails from Glasgow while Rich is from the Isle of Wight. Miles apart but united by the sport of kings….

The week in racing has been interesting yet again, with a fine ride at Lingfield on Thursday being looked at by the BHA, while a Jockey fights to clear his name after a dodgy urine test in France. Altior is still not running this weekend and Racing Blogger has been doing a decent job touring the Yards & Studs of Ireland….

Back to the horses that matter at the moment, the ones that are currently entered to run today… Charlie will lead the string while Rich will have the Final hack….

Charlie –

Ascot

1.50 – Magic Of Light -Was 2nd in last seasons Grand National at Aintree over 4m 2f and 74y, beaten 2 and 3/4 lengths by Tiger Roll. Was then sent to Navan on the 10th of November and raced over 2m 4f and finished a well beaten 3rd behind Apples Jade who was 2nd and the winner Bacardys. Was then sent to Newbury for latest run on the 18th December in a Class 1 listed race over 2m 7f and won, beating Drinks interval by some way after Graceful Legend and Field Exhibition both unseated their jocks. Drinks interval broke a blood vessel in that race and takes a bit of the shine off the victory. If handling today’s ground should go well again here with Trainer Mrs J Harrington having a 25% strike rate in last 14 days and Jock Robbie Power having a 33% strike rate at Ascot.

Win Advised

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3.00 – Esprit De Guye – Was 2nd at Chepstow on the 6th November when beaten 4 and 1/2 lengths by Simply The Betts over 2m and 11y in a Class 3 Handicap Chase. Was then sent to Exeter for next run on the 6th December to race over 2m 3f and 48y in another Class 3 Handicap Chase and won beating Deauville Dancer by 3 and 3/4 lengths. Next race was here at Ascot on December 21st in a Class 2 Handicap Chase on heavy ground over 2m 2f and 175y and won beating My Way by 10 lengths. Although is considerably higher in weight due to previous races, comes here in good form and may still get involved if handling the extra burden.

Non Runner no replacement

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Haydock

3.15 – Pentland Hills -Had won 3 on the spin last year, beginning with a 14 length victory of The Flying Sofa at Plumpton on the 25th of February over 1m 7f and 195y. Next win was at Cheltenham in March when winning the Triumph Hurdle over 2m and 179y beating Coeur Sublime by 3 lengths. The hat-trick of wins was completed at Aintree in April when winning the Grade 1 Doom Bar Juvenile Hurdle over 2m and 209y beating Fakir D’oudairies by a neck. Returned to Cheltenham for latest race in December when finishing 5th in the Unibet International Hurdle over 2m 179y some 5 lengths behind winner and stable companion Call Me Lord. Nicky Henderson has a 35% strike rate in last fortnight and jock Nico de Boinville has a 40% strike rate in same period.

Win Advised

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Well that’s my thoughts on today’s selections, good luck if following and please remember to keep stakes small so it doesn’t hurt your pockets. I will now hand you over to Rich for the Final Word.

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Final Word with Rich – 

Thanks Charlie, there are some nice races today but I have left the big Ascot chase alone, my tracker Defi runs against UDS again & I just want to enjoy the battle….

I have 2 from Ascot & 1 from Haydock for you…

Ascot…. Heavy…

2.25 Handicap Hurdle… rade 3… 2m 3f 58yds….

Ballymoy… The C&D winner has made 3 chase starts this season finishing runner up on all 3 starts & now returns to hurdles. The winner of this race last season by 1 & 3/4 lengths was last seen on November 30th finishing 12 lengths behind Knight in Dubai in a 2m 4f Class 4 Beginners Chase….

4.00 Novice Hurdle… Class 3… 2m 5f 141yds…

Faustinovick…. The 6yo has had two hurdle starts. Made debut at Carlisle in early November when finishing a 3 & 3/4 length 2nd of 17 in a 2m 4f Class 4 Novice Hurdle before running at Newbury on November 29th. Finished 3rd, some 11 lengths behind the winner. Has since had a wind operation, runs in a first time tongue tie & steps up an extra furlong in trip….

Haydock… Heavy….

3.15 Champion Hurdle Trial… Grade 2… 1m 7f 144yds….

Darasso…. Makes season return having not been seen on the racecourse for 309 days when winning the 2m Webster Cup Chase from Cadmium by 2 & 1/4 lengths back in March. He moved to Ireland and started last season as 2 & 1/4 length runner up before finishing 5th & 9 & 1/4 lengths behind Presenting Percy last January in the Grade 2 3m Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran. Darasso landed the Grade 3 2m Red Mills Trial Hurdle in February at Gowran by 11 lengths. He is a winner of two 2m 2f Listed hurdles in France, beating Janka on both occasions….

That is everything for you folks… A big thanks to everyone who took the time to read our interview with Will Featherstone & we will keep you updated on the progress of his return! We will drop another BIG interview on Sunday night…

Remember.. Only bet what you can afford to lose, if not just watch as the racing this week is top class…

All the Best – Charlie & Rich

Images – Ascot RC & Haydock RC(Twitter Accounts)

Kempton, Warwick, Wetherby and Chelmsford

Welcome to arseonlineracing. A 100% independent racing website with NO affiliate links. This website is curated by 2 racing enthusiasts from either end of the British Isles, Charlie hails from Glasgow while Rich is from the Isle of Wight.. Miles apart but united by the sport of king…

It has been an interesting week with Altior being not himself, only for him to still be in the big race on Saturday with news breaking via a blog rather than the BHA… It was a mess and no doubt this will run for a while longer. We don’t have any association with Bookies on this site, so no worries for us!!

FEELERS….
We are always open to the idea of a sponsor, not via financial gain but maybe with competition prizes. If anyone is interested then get in touch!

Enough of that, you can get a daily update from twitter, you don’t need us to babble on about it on here too, so we will just get straight to it…. Charlie leads the way with Rich having the Final Word…..

Charlie –

Wetherby 3.25 – Éclair De Guye -Was 2nd at Warwick to Avantgardist by 2 and 3/4 lengths over 2m 5f back in March last year in a class 4 handicap hurdle. Was then sent to Southwell and finished 5th over 2m 7f and 209y in October last year. Won a class 4 Handicap Chase at Fontwell over 2m 5f and 135y when beating Battle Of Ideas by 1 and 3/4 lengths in November. Was then sent to Chepstow on the 7th December and finished 6th over 2m 3f and 98y behind winner Domaine De L’isle. That race didn’t pan out after stumbling at the 10th obstacle and jock losing the irons. If showing similar form to race run at Fontwell in November could easily bounce back here but will need to step up considerably based on that previous race at Chepstow.

Win Advised

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Warwick 3.35 – One For The Team -Has finished 2nd on last two starts, with the first of those coming at Worcester when finishing 1 and 1/2 lengths behind Big Shark over 2m 7f in a Class 5 Maiden Hurdle. The 2nd of those came at Newbury when losing by 3/4 of a length to Champers On Ice over 3m and 52y in a Class 2 Handicap Hurdle back in November last year. If turning up in same mood today should go one better in a very open looking handicap.

Win Advised

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Chelmsford 5.45 – Merchant Of Venice – Was 7th here on last visit back in July last year but was only beaten just over 4 lengths on that occasion. Was then off track for 5 months before making reappearance at Newcastle on the 18th December when finishing 5th some 2 lengths behind the winner Northernpowerhouse over 7f and 14y. Should strip fitter here and with a similar display can gain compensation, although does carry a bit of a risk as hasn’t won since landing a hat-trick back in March last year.

Win Advised

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Well that’s my thoughts on today’s selections, good luck if following and please remember to keep stakes small so it doesn’t hurt your pockets. I will now hand you back over to Rich for the Final Word.

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Final Word with Rich – 

Thanks Charlie, lets end a strange week with a few winners….

Kempton… Good to Soft..

1.30 Handicap Chase… Class 3… 2m 4f 110yds…

Sammy Bell… 2 from 2 in debut chase season. Landed a Class 4 Novice Chase over C&D on season return back in November by 11 lengths and made it 2 from 2 when taking an Aintree Class 3 2m 4f Handicap Chase by 3 & 1/4 lengths….

Wetherby… Soft – Heavy in Places…

1.40 Novice Hurdle… Class 4… 2m 3f…

Prince Llywelyn…. TRACKER…. Won a Class 5 2m Wetherby NHF last January before finishing a 4 & 1/2 length runner up at Newbury in a 2m Class 2 NHF in March. Made hurdle debut on seasonal return in November , when finishing 5th of 5, some 25 lengths behind winner Valtor in a 2m 5f Class 2 Novice Hurdle. Has since had wind surgery & wears first time tongue tie….

Warwick… Soft

1.50 Hampton Novice Chase… Grade 2… 3m….

Highest Sun…. Made Chase debut on November 7th in a 2m 6f Class 3 Beginners Chase, finishing a 4 & 1/4 length 3rd behind winner Champ, with Dashel Dasher in 2nd, who has since won a 2m 5f  Class 2 Chase last month. Finished a 3 length runner up to PYM at Ascot in a 2m 7f Class 3 Novice Handicap Chase, who has since won again in this Class at Cheltenham.
Highest Sun finally landed the odds when taking a Match race by 4 & 1/2 lengths in a 3m Class 3 Novice Chase at Plumpton on December 16th….
DANGER…. Two for Gold… Steps up in trip having won opening 2 chase starts. Won by 1 & 1/2 lengths on November 3rd in a 2m 4f Carlisle Novice Handicap Chase before landing a Kelso 2m 7f Class 3 Novice Chase on December 8th by 1 & 1/2 lengths…

3.35 Handicap Hurdle… Class 2… 3m 1f…

Stoney Mountain…. 2 wins from 2 starts this season over hurdles. Landed a 2m 4f Class 2 Handicap Hurdle by 1/2 a length at Aintree on October 27th before taking the Haydock 3m Stayers Grade 3 Hurdle by 2 & 1/4 lengths from Acey Milan.
Unseated jockey on Chase debut in a Class 2 Novice Chase at Cheltenham last time out on December 13th….

That is everything for you today folks…. Competition Sponsors get in touch!
The BIG Interview is BACK TOMORROW… 7PM!

Good Luck – Charlie & Rich

First Saturday Blog of January

Welcome to Arseonlineracing. This website is 100% independent & has NO affiliate links. The website is curated by 2 racing enthusiasts from either end of the British Isles. Charlie hails from Glasgow while Rich is from the Isle of Wight, miles apart but united by the sport of kings….

A disappointing start to the year but it is like the night, young still and with many more days of racing to get on the board and we start again today. 2019 was a fine year for us and our guests, with plenty of winners & some cracking interviews and we hope that 2020 will continue exactly the same, with many irons in the fires as we make preparations for the next few months….
As for todays blog, it’s Charlie leading the way & Rich will have the Final Word….

Sandown

Charlie…….

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Sandown

2.25 – Son Of Camas – Made UK debut at Punchestown when finishing 19th over 2m on the 30th April 2019, found to be clinically abnormal after race. Has since ran 2 times at Newbury winning both. The first of those wins was over 2m 69y when beating Timberman by 2 lengths with Cadzand a neck behind in 3rd on the 7th November. Returned to Newbury on the 29th November and won again over 2m and 69y, beating King Roland by 1 length with Trincomalee a further 1 and 1/4 length back in 3rd. Nicky Henderson has won this race 4 times since 2011. Biggest danger comes in the shape of Colin Tizzard’s Fiddlerontheroof who won here last time out, beating Arrivederci by 7 lengths.

Win Advised

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3.00 – Shanroe Santos – Although hasn’t won here since March 2017, has won at Fontwell over 3m 3f and 149y back in November 2018. Hinted of a return to form last time out at Carlisle when losing by a short head to Teddy Tee over 3m 2f and 34y on the 15th December, if repeating that here that should be enough to go close today over a slightly shorter trip.

Eachway Advised

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Kempton

7.10 –  Break The Rules – Dual purpose runner who has been seen over both hurdles and the flat, finished 2nd at Salisbury over 1m 6f and 44y on the 19th September. Before finishing 2nd again at Fakenham over 2m and 3y in a Class 4 juvenile hurdle, before going to Aintree and finishing 10th over 2m and 209y last time out in a listed race. Returning to the All Weather is a positive and a bold display can’t be ruled out.

Eachway Advised

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Well that’s my thoughts on today’s selections, good luck if following and please remember to keep stakes small so it doesn’t hurt your pockets. I will now hand you back over to Rich for The Final Word.

 

Final Word with Rich….

Thanks Charlie… Lets get cracking…. I have 3 for you today, Lingfield, Sandown & Kempton…..

Lingfield… All Weather..

2.15 Handicap… Class 5… 6f 1y…..

Boom the Groom…. The 9YO was once rated 107 in 2017 and today runs from a mark of 77. Having last run over 6f or 5 & 1/2f at Bath in July finishing 4th of 5 runners by 5 & 3/4 lengths in a Class 3 Handicap. Now drops to Class 5, having been running in Listed & Class 2 races for the past few years. Has only won once over 6f on the AW & that was in January 2015. Last run was at Wolverhampton on December 19th when back from a 142 day break finishing a 4 & 1/2 length 7th of 10 to Dynamo Walt. Last win was in a Class 3 5f Handicap on February 21st & that was from a mark of 87. Drawn in stall 1. This could be the last chance saloon for the Groom, who has been a fantastic horse for his trainer & owners. While writing this the odds started tumbling from 6/1 to 9/2…..

Sandown…. Soft….

2.25 Tolworth Hurdle…. Grade 1…. 1m 8f….

Hang in There…. After unseating the Jockey on race course debut at the first hurdle in a Class 4 2m 2f Novice Hurdle at Exeter on October 10th. Returned to the same course on October 22nd in a 2m 1f Maiden Hurdle, winning by 7 lengths from Getaway Fred before making it 2 wins from 3 starts since coming to the UK from Ireland when landing the ‘Sharp’ 2m Grade 2 Hurdle at Cheltenham on November 17th by 3 lengths from Pacify….

Kempton…. All Weather…

6.40 Handicap….. Class 2…. 1m 8f….

Pianissmo…. C&D winner in a Class 4 Handicap by a neck on November 19th, that was the 2nd win of 3 on the bounce having won over 1m 5f in a Class 5 Novice Stakes in October by a neck before landing 3 in a row at Chelmsford in this Class over 1m 6f on December 19th beating Grandmaster Flash by a nose…..

That is everything for you today folks…. Big thanks for popping by & for your continued support…

All the Best – Charlie & Rich

New Year…. New Blog… Same Us….

Hello and Welcome to Arseonlineracing. This is the first blog post of 2020… 
The same website with NO affiliate links & that is 100% independent.
This website is curated by 2 racing enthusiasts from either end of the British Isles with Charlie hailing from Glasgow while Rich is from the Isle of Wight… Miles apart but united by the sport of kings…

 

We hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas and would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, may all your troubles be small ones….

As we enter a New Year, it’s not a case of out with the OLD & in with the NEW, well not yet anyway. It is not just a new year but a new decade and this is our 4th year and we have had a fantastic time so far & we aim to make 2020 a better year than the others!

As with what has gone before, Charlie will lead the way & Rich will have the Final Word, so lets kick off 2020…..

Charlie…..

Cheltenham

12.15 – Welsh Saint -Fell at Huntingdon back in May over 2m 5f. Was then sent to Exeter in November and was a Neck 2nd to Cat Tiger over 2m 5f and 135y. Was then sent to Warwick in December and was a 15 length winner over Some Detail in 2nd. If repeating that performance today should be enough to take this race and give Nicky Henderson another winner.

Win Advised

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2.00 – OK Corral -Has been a fantastic horse for Nicky Henderson, but has posted 2 below par performances, was pulled up at here in March last year before finishing 15th at Newbury in November last year over 3m 1f and 214y. If returning to form looks overpriced for todays race and with Nicky’s yard doing well at the moment another bold display can’t be ruled out.

Win Advised

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3.50 – Grand Roi -Was 3rd at Vichy over in France before moving to Nicky Henderson’s yard. Made UK debut at Wincanton in December when beating Audacity by 15 lengths over 1m 7f and 65y. If turning up in the same mood today that should be enough to go in again here.

Win Advised

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Well that’s my thoughts on today’s selections, good luck if following and please remember to keep stakes small so it doesn’t hurt your pockets. I will now hand you back over to Rich for The Final Word.

Final Word with Rich….

Thanks Charlie, we had a cracking 2019, lets start 2020 the right way….

Cheltenham…. Soft, good to soft in places….

12.15 Novice Hurdle… Class 1 Listed… 2m 4f 56yds…

Redford Road… Debut hurdles winner at Wetherby on November 1st in a 2m 3f Class 4 Novice Hurdle by 1 length from Shan Blue. Finished a runner up on November 23rd at Ascot to Valtour by 2 lengths in a Class 2 2m 5f Novice Hurdle. Back to winning ways at the December meeting here when taking the Grade 2 Bristol Novice Hurdle 2m 7f when beating Champagne Well by 1/2 a length. Runs under a penalty & gives the field 5Lb….

1.25 Dipper Novice Chase…. Grade 2…. 2m 4f 127yds..

Champ…. 2 from 2 in his debut chasing season, although has had jumping issues his speed has seen him home. Both wins have come at Newbury, when winning a Class 3 2m 6f Beginners Chase by 3 & 1/2 lengths before beating Black Op(Runner up last time out to Slate House), when landing the Grade 2 2m 3f Berkshire Novice Chase by 1 & 3/4 lengths. Carries a penalty & gives 5Lb to the field…..

3.10 Rekeel Hurdle… Grade 2… 2m 4f 56yds…

Emitom… Not seen since finishing a 3 length runner up to Champ in the 3m Grade 1 Doom Bar Hurdle at Aintree in April having headed into that race 3 from 3 over hurdles, winning 3 Class 4 Hurdle races including a Maiden., a 2m Novice Hurdle at Lingfield & landed another Class 4 Novice Hurdle, when stepped up to 2m 4f before heading to Aintree. Makes seasonal return & receives weight from William Henry & Quel Destin….

That is everything for you today folks, thanks for popping by & we wish you a very happy new year… Cheers!

All the Best – Charlie & Rich