Today's best bets, by Tony Paley
National Hunt racing is back centre stage and two of jump racing's fans' favourite southern venues in Fakenham and Plumpton host today's action. Fakenham is a most idiosyncratic track and course specialists are well worth a second look on their return. Herecomestanley (3.30), who has two victories to his credit at the Norfolk course, hinted at a return to form last time at Leicester when fourth, a position that might have been improved on if he had not made a serious mistake three out. There is no doubt the selection is very well treated at present – he has won off a rating as high as 127 at his best and can race here off 110.
The best bet of the day at the meeting is in the opener in the shape of Madame Mado (1.30). She should improve some for the experience of her hurdling debut fourth last time, form which has been franked since, and for the step up in trip today. The selection gets a handy 7lb from chief danger No Rules and I reckon she will outspeed her opponent round these tight turns.
Jim Best is a trainer who invariably gets the best out of his recruits and Count Boris (4.00) looked a winner waiting to happen when second for his new handler over this course and distance in November. That was his first run for over two years and he is another runner favourably weighted on his best form.
On the all-weather at Wolverhampton, Rock A Doodle Doo (3.20) looks a standout wager. He ran three times over an inadequate six furlongs last year but looked much more at home when stepped up to eight furlongs last week. He finished to such effect when second that day that there seems every likelihood that he will be even more suited by today's longer distance. He can race off the same handicap mark today and is a confident selection to go one better.
Tipping competition, a new week
Congratulations to Tiznow, who nicked last week's tipping crown with a 10-1 winner. That dashed the cup of joy from the lips of Rivercity, who had struck the front with a 25-1 winner earlier on the final day.
This week's prize is a copy of Eclipse by Nicholas Clee, the much-praised story of one of the most brilliant racehorses in the history of our sport. It's "the story of a rank outsider who went on to become a national celebrity; and of the horse that became a national icon, and whose influence is transcendent 200 years later," says the blurb.
To kick things off, we'd like your tips, please, for these races: 3.30 Fakenham, 3.40 Plumpton, 4.10 Plumpton. Look, no all-weather!
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers.
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Good luck!
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Live updates, by Chris Cook
12pm Nominations revealed for the Lesters
Tony McCoy has more Lesters than anyone else (14 so far) and is expected to add to his haul when the annual jockeys' awards come round again on Sunday 28 February.
The nominations have been released today and McCoy looks a shoo-in for ride of the year in a jumps race, for his effort on Wichita Lineman at the Cheltenham Festival. It would also be a bit of a shock if he wasn't jump jockey of the year, having notched his 3,000th winner in 2009. If I was Richard Johnson, I'd be a bit miffed not to have been nominated for that one, having reached 2,000 in December.
Cathy Gannon, a favourite on here, must have a chance in the retro-titled "Lady Jockey of the Year" category. Meanwhile, the presence of Paddy "Mad" Merrigan may very well liven things up a bit.
So, as Charlize Theron would say, the nominations are:
International Jockey of the Year
Mick Kinane
Christophe Lemaire
Davy Russell
Ruby Walsh
Apprentice Jockey of the Year
Andrea Atzeni
Jack Mitchell
David Probert
Fred Tylicki
Lady Jockey of the Year
Cathy Gannon
Kelly Harrison
Amy Ryan
Hayley Turner
Flat Ride of the Year
Neil Brown – Sirvino, John Smith's Cup, York
Richard Hughes – Monsieur Chevalier, Weatherbys Super Sprint, Newbury
Phil Makin – Jaconet, Toteswinger Handicap, Musselburgh
Tom Queally – Midday, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Santa Anita
Flat Jockey Special Recognition
Dale Gibson
Richard Hughes
Philip Makin
Vince Slattery
Conditional Jockey of the Year
Aidan Coleman
Campbell Gillies
Brian Hughes
Harry Skelton
Jump Ride of the Year
Tony McCoy – Wichita Lineman, Cheltenham Festival
Paddy Merrigan – Opus Cafe, Sedgefield
Tom Scudamore – Lough Derg, National Spirit Hurdle, Fontwell Park
Liam Treadwell – Mon Mome, Grand National
Jump Jockey Special Recognition
Brian Harding
Richard Johnson
Warren Marston
Jimmy McCarthy
Jump Jockey of the Year
Paddy Brennan
Noel Fehily
Tony McCoy
Robert Thornton
Flat Jockey of the Year
Richard Hughes
Philip Makin
Ryan Moore
Tom Queally
2.15pm Bookies in clover at Fakenham
Nicky Henderson (56%) and Paul Nicholls (45%) have terrific strike-rates at Fakenham but both have been beaten with their runners in the first two races at the tight little country track today. The winners, trained by Lucy Wadham and Mark Tompkins, were only 3-1 each but I would imagine that the bookies took a fair bit of cash on the horses sent there by the big two.
2.40pm Massasoit worth taking on next time
Nicholls has just had a short-priced winner at Fakenham with Massasoit but this beast, who had some decent form over hurdles, is a really hairy jumper of fences, despite this being his third outing over the larger obstacles. I'll be keen to oppose him next time because anything that takes him on will have a chance if he continues to jump that poorly.
In other news, David Ashforth has a fascinating article in today's Racing Post about Dorothy Paget, the eccentric owner of five-time Gold Cup winner Golden Miller. Paget, who used to sleep through the day and had breakfast at 8.30pm, had an arrangement with her bookmaker whereby she could place her bets in the evening, after racing had taken place. Remarkably, she still managed to make a healthy net loss, which says much for her honesty, at least. Ashforth's article has not been posted on the Post's website, so you'll need to buy a copy of the paper if you want to read it.
MillieJ, I'll certainly have a go at your competition by Friday.
5pm Hi Tiznow
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