11.20am Newbury meeting must pass early inspection
Tony Paley: The scheduled meeting at Newbury on Wednesday is subject to a precautionary inspection at 8am on raceday. The track is raceable now with the hurdle course reported to be heavy, soft in places and the chase track described as soft, heavy in places.
However, clerk of the course Richard Osgood is planning to assess conditions in the morning due to the prospect of some wintry showers overnight.
Communications manager Andy Clifton said: “There’s a bit of sleety snow in the forecast and while we’re pretty confident we will be fine but we feel it best to take a look. Temperatures are forecast to fall not much below freezing but it’s due to be a pretty cold and windy day [on Wednesday], so given that forecast we feel it best to call a precautionary check.”
Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Grim news this morning from Australia, where one of Peter Moody’s horses has reportedly tested positive for cobalt. While cobalt can occur naturally in horses, there is also a suspicion that it is being used as a blood-booster in some equine sports and Moody is the second trainer to have a positive test since the state of Victoria put a maxiumum reading for cobalt in place last year.
According to one report, Moody faces a three-year ban from racing if unable to demonstrate extenuating circumstances. The trainer, famous for his exploits with Black Caviar, has put out a statement, saying: “I have no knowledge or understanding as to how this could occur and will work with the Racing Victoria Integrity Services Department to bring this matter to a conclusion as soon as possible”.
It’s a desire familiar to anyone who has spent time watching all-weather racing at Southwell. “How can we bring this matter to a speedy conclusion?” punters ask themselves as the field take half an hour to labour up the home straight.
But I have hope that the 9-4 shot Canadian Diamond (4.00) might be able to complete that journey marginally quicker than his rivals in today’s closer. Three times a winner over hurdles, most recently off a mark of 119, he is unexposed on the Flat and looks very fairly treated on 58.
That’s only 5lb higher than the mark from which he won on his debut here last month and, although this is a step back in trip, his effort that day suggested a slightly shorter race might be preferable. He was wearing cheekpieces for the first time that day, so let’s hope they continue to help. A hood now joins them. Brendan Powell is presumably saving the tongue tie for next time.
I’m a bit surprised to be offered 4-1 about Vision Du Coeur (3.15) at Fakenham, where the six-year-old scored on his British debut recently, having joined Fiona Kehoe from Ireland. He’d shown some ability without winning over there but is now contesting what I suspect are weaker races than he was able to find in his native country and an 8lb rise may not be enough to stop him. The extra distance also seemed to help last time.
Tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
Dawson City 5-2
Coursing 13-2
Archipeligo 5-2
And our leaders are. . .
orso +8
slackdad38 +8
. . . which really means orso, since slackdad can’t use the prize, alas. Both men had Coursing and one of the 5-2 winners on opening day. Eight others had Coursing and are on +4.50, while moidadem is on +4, having had both 5-2 winners.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.15 Fakenham, 3.25 Southwell, 3.50 Fakenham.
This week’s prize is a pair of Premier tickets to Sandown on Saturday 31 January, when the feature race is a Grade One, the Scilly Isles Novice Chase. If you don’t win, you can buy tickets 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 -3.
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!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
