2.05pm Daily lunchtime Punchestown update from Greg Wood
The idea of a rivalry between two racehorses always seems a little odd, since the horses themselves neither know nor care about the score in their head-to-head. For what it is worth, though, Hurricane Fly and Jezki have now lined up against each other eight times in all, with Hurricane Fly winning five times and Jezki twice, while the eighth and most recent meeting between the pair was in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, when neither could land any kind of blow on Faugheen.
Faugheen’s appearance among the entries for the Punchestown Champion Hurdle tomorrow seems to be the main reason why both Hurricane Fly and Jezki are setting out into the unfamiliar territory of three miles in this afternoon’s Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle. Both Willie Mullins and Jessica Harrington seem reasonably confident that their horses will see out the new trip, and both can point to at least some form at two-and-a-half miles that offers encouragement.
The market seems to agree, with Hurricane Fly favourite this morning at 15-8, Jezki next in the list on 11-4 and then a price of 9-1 bar following the scratching of Dedigout. This seems sure to be a strongly run race, however, and there will be nothing either Mullins or Harrington can do to assist their runners if they start to feel the strain two furlongs out.
The bookmakers have grounds for optimism that they will get both of them beaten, and Lieutenant Colonel (5.30) could be the horse to do it. A proven stayer, he did not run his race in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, pulling hard from the start and then fading to finish 10th. He should be able to settle in behind the front-runner Jetson today, however, and then make his stamina count from the top of the straight.
The second Grade One on the card, the Ryanair Novice Chase, should be little more than a victory parade in front of his home fans for the Arkle Trophy winner Un De Sceaux. Dogora (4.50), who was fourth in the cross-country event at Cheltenham’s Festival meeting, is an interesting runner in the La Touche Cup over the Banks course, while Pleasant Company (6.05) will take all the beating in the handicap hurdle.
11.20am Godolphin rule Maftool and Belardo out of Guineas
Tony Paley: Godolphin have announced that both Maftool and Belardo will miss Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in favour of the French equivalent. Saeed bin Suroor, who trains Maftool, told http://www.godolphin.com: “We have decided to miss the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and go for the French Guineas instead, as it just gives him a little more time to prepare.”
The Godolphin website also stated: “Roger Varian had taken a similar decision to head to France with Belardo, who seemed to find the Good to Firm ground unfavourable when eighth in the Greenham Stakes on his last outing.”
Nineteen have been declared but The Wow Signal will also skip the Classic after suffering a setback at home.
Harry Herbert, spokesman for owners Al Shaqab Racing, said: “The Wow Signal suffered an injury in one of his final preparation gallops yesterday and with it being this close to the race, there is no way he is going to run. It is bitter blow for John Quinn as he was flying at home and was in fabulous form.
“The racecourse gallop at Pontefract didn’t look visually exciting but the horse really needed it. The horse has got a great temperament and is very laid back and that really woke him up. In many ways he was one of the underrated horses in the race despite having better form than most of the field.
“At this stage we are still trying to work out what the injury is. It has been a frustrating time but hopefully we will know more in a few days.”
Meanwhile, trainer Andrew Balding will make a late call on Elm Park’s participation in the race.
“We’ve declared but we’ve always viewed him as our Derby horse and it would be silly to ruin his chance in that. We’re unlikely to ever get a better shot at the Derby than we do with him,” said David Redvers, racing manager for Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing operation.
“I saw him do his last piece of work yesterday morning and he looked magnificent but there’s no way Andrew will want to jar him up. Andrew will walk the course after the first race, but it doesn’t look as if the rain will arrive in time.
“The likelihood is that if it continues to dry out, he will head for the Dante and then the Derby. I have to pinch myself over what he achieved last year because as a physical specimen he just looked a three-year-old. There’s no better trial than the Guineas and we’d have loved to have run, especially given we sponsor the race.”
Thursday’s best bets, by Tony Paley
It’s the start of the new National Hunt season with Richard Johnson, Tom Scudamore and Sam Twiston-Davies all heading to Newton Abbot for the evening meeting. I fully expect Twiston-Davies to take the lead riding Vicente in the Beginners’ Chase at 5.15 but at forecast odds of 1-6 the Paul Nicholls-trained runner can’t rate a bet.
The best wager of the day comes over the jumps as the shrewd Keith Dalgleish yard send Bertie Moon (2.15) to Sedgefield where they will be hoping the gelding can go one better than last week when a good runner-up at Perth on only his second run in a handicap. Off the same mark today and on his preferred fast surface, Bertie Moon has plenty going for him.
The Godolphin yard have made an excellent start to the new Flat campaign and should notch up another winner at Redcar today with Bow And Arrow (3.25) who bids for a hat-trick under a 6lb penalty after smooth successes after winning with a lot to spare at Beverley last week.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
Croquembouche 4-1
Great Minds 6-4
All Talk N No Do 7-2
Tuesday
Steve Rogers 3-1
Some Article 10-1
Felix Yonger 5-1
Wednesday
Sperry 4-1
Mizzou 4-1
Don Cossack 5-2
And our leader is …
wiggy12 +11.50
… who aadded Mizzou to three winners earlier in the week. Slackdad38 (+10.50) and dean055 (+8) are next.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 4.15 Punchestown, 5.00 Redcar, 5.30 Punchestown.
This week’s prize is a copy of The Druids Lodge Confederacy, by Paul Mathieu, which recounts the amazing century-old story of five gentlemen gamblers who tried to make the game pay through the use of a remote stable on Salisbury Plain where the staff were locked in to ensure secrecy. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
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. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -9.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
Click here for all the day’s racecards, form, stats and results.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
