Betting

2009 Investec Coronation Cup preview

Filed on 3 Jun 2009 @ 10:06

Youmzain is the clear ratings pick for Friday's Group One Coronation Cup - read Graham Richards' analysis and ratings for every runner in the race.

2009 Investec Oaks preview

Filed on 2 Jun 2009 @ 10:43

Rainbow View heads Graham Richards' ratings for Friday's Investec Oaks, but her disappointing run in the 1000 Guineas sees her only second favourite for the race. Read on for full ratings and comments for the full Classic field.

2009 Investec Derby preview

Filed on 1 Jun 2009 @ 10:53

With the Investec Derby less than a week away, Graham Richards previews the remaining runners in the race, with full comments and ratings for each horse.

Derby Update - Fame And Glory

Filed on 11 May 2009 @ 11:43

Graham Richards says it is hard not to be impressed with what Fame And Glory has achieved this season, and he should be a tough nut to crack come the Investec Derby.

Classic update

Filed on 8 May 2009 @ 14:30

With the first Classics run and Epsom fast approaching, Graham Richards reviews the state of play thus far, with analysis and ratings for every horse.

Classic contenders - other British runners

Filed on 28 Apr 2009 @ 11:43

Mick Channon’s Lahaleeb won the Fred Darling at Newbury on her seasonal reappearance. As game a filly as she is, she will have her work cut out if Rainbow View, Serious Attitude, and Cuis Ghaire arrive with their “A” game. Good to soft or softer ground would enhance her chances.

Classic contenders - other Irish runners

Filed on 28 Apr 2009 @ 11:36

Jim Bolger has some good three-year-olds once more

Jim Bolger looks to have some good colts and fillies once again. Intense Focus, the 2008 Dewhurst hero, was beaten on his seasonal reappearance; however, his trainer reports he has come on a good deal for that run and appeals as one to run well in a the hurly-burly of a big field.

Classic contenders - Serious Attitude

Filed on 28 Apr 2009 @ 11:31

Serious Attitude (Mtoto — Zameyla, by Cape Cross): Given she is a daughter of Mtoto, Serious Attitude had a remarkably successful first season. Three times she visited the racetrack and she went into winter quarters unbeaten.

Her dam was a mid-eighties rated performer, who won twice over a mile. Her sire Mtoto is best known for late developing middle-distance horses. Perhaps his best known performer was 1996 Derby hero Shaamit.

Classic contenders - Evasive

Filed on 28 Apr 2009 @ 11:26

Evasive (Elusive Quality — Canda, by Storm Cat): Evasive made his debut on the all-weather at Kempton Park in September 2009. Too green to do himself justice, he ran on late in the day to finish third to John Gosden’s useful colt Mafaaz, now officially rated 102.

Dispatched to Newmarket for a seven-furlong maiden in early October, he came home in good style from Makaamen and Infiraad. The former is now rated on 95, after two wins this season, while the latter broke his duck in good style at the recent Craven meeting.

Classic contenders - Delegator

Filed on 28 Apr 2009 @ 11:19

Delegator (Dansili — Indian Love Bird, by Efisio): Delegator made his debut on the July Course at Newmarket last August, over seven-furlongs. Looking all over the winner a furlong from home, he hung to his left and was caught close home by the rallying Wingwalker. Returning to the same track a fortnight later, he made no mistake and won well from Palavicini. Spencer took things rather easily in the closing stages; otherwise the margin would have been five lengths.

Classic contenders - Sea The Stars

Filed on 24 Apr 2009 @ 15:12

Sea The Stars (Cape Cross — Urban Sea, by Miswaki): This fellow is a half-brother to several top class mile and a half performers, including Galileo. However, whereas Galileo’s sire was by Sadler’s Wells, Sea The Stars is by Cape Cross. Cape Cross’s best offspring are usually most effective at a mile to ten furlongs, though Ouija Board bucked the trend.

Classic contenders - Fame And Glory

Filed on 24 Apr 2009 @ 15:09

Fame And Glory (Montjeu — Gryada, by Shirley Heights): Having won his maiden, Fame And Glory was sent to France for the Group One Criterium De Saint-Cloud last November. Battling on well, he held off stablechum Drumbeat and Andre Fabre’s Feels All Right. The runner-up filled the same spot in the Gerry Fielden at Newmarket recently, while the third home won a Conditions Race in France this March.

Classic contenders - Black Bear Island

Filed on 24 Apr 2009 @ 15:06

Black Bear Island (Sadler´s Wells — Kasora, by Darshaan): A full-brother to High Chaparral, Black Bear Island has made steady progress on his three racecourse appearances. Second on his debut, (Sea The Stars was fourth in the same race) he easily won his maiden at Naas.

Classic contenders - Arazan

Filed on 24 Apr 2009 @ 15:02

Arazan (Anabaa — Asmara, by Lear Fan): John Oxx, who trains See The Stars, has another potentially top-class colt in the shape of Arazan. Following a comfortable maiden win, Arazan ran away with the Group Two Futurity Stakes run at the Curragh over seven-furlongs.

Classic contenders - Mastercraftsman

Filed on 21 Apr 2009 @ 14:12

Having won his maiden at the Curragh, Mastercraftsman returned there three more times, notching one Group Two and two Group One races. The Phoenix Stakes over six-furlongs and the National Stakes over seven furlongs are two of the most prestigious two-year-old events in the Irish racing calendar. In the latter event, he battled on gamely in heavy ground, landing the spoils by the narrowest of margins from the game and talented Shaweel. The runner-up went on to finish a close-up fourth in the Dewhurst.

Classic contenders - Rip Van Winkle

Filed on 21 Apr 2009 @ 14:06

This fellow made his debut at the Curragh over seven-furlongs at the end of June 2008. Racing in midfield and travelling like a dream, the colt was shuffled towards the far rails before coming to challenge between Tomas An Tsioda and stablechum Drumbeat a furlong and a half from home. Unfortunatley the gap closed and he was reined back. He re-launched his challenge down the outside and quickened impressively. Despite making up three-lengths, he failed by a short-head to land the spoils. Fortunately for connections, the stewards decided the winner had caused the inference and awarded the race to the Aidan O’Brien colt.

Classic contenders - Rainbow View

Filed on 14 Apr 2009 @ 10:19

John Gosden’s filly carried all before her in 2008, finishing the season with a perfect 4-4 record. Having won her maiden at Newmarket by six lengths in July, she returned to the same track and repeated the trick in the Group Three Solera Stakes, once again, over seven-furlongs.

Classic contenders - Crowded House

Filed on 14 Apr 2009 @ 10:09

Improved throughout 2008, ending the season with an impressive victory in the Racing Post Trophy. The race as a whole was unsatisfactory affair. Runner-up Jukebox Jury, suffered interference two and a half furlongs from home and again when Crowded House swerved across the course into Skanky Biscuit. He in turn cannoned into the Mark Johnston colt. Skanky Biscuit himself was knocked out of his stride by the winner, though he looked at that stage, to have given his all. Crowded House found trouble two furlongs home, running into a pocket before being extricated by Spencer. Pulled right to make his challenge, the winner quickened and immediately hung to his left. Given the way he was initially forced out of his stride pattern, Crowded House did remarkably well to quicken and come through in the style he did.

2009 John Smith's Grand National preview

Filed on 31 Mar 2009 @ 09:54

Cloudy Lane look set to head the weights for the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday - Graham Richards previews the runners for the four and a half mile Aintree spectacular.

Lincoln Handicap preview

Filed on 26 Mar 2009 @ 16:36

The turf Flat season gets underway at Doncaster on Saturday, where the Lincoln Handicap is the tradional curtain-raiser. Graham Richards previews the runners for the one mile contest.

Grimthorpe Chase preview

Filed on 27 Feb 2009 @ 15:20

The Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster on Saturday is a leading trial for the Grand National - Graham Richards assesses the runners in detail.

Cheltenham Gold Cup preview

Filed on 19 Feb 2009 @ 11:26

The trials have all been run and the Cheltenham Gold Cup is three weeks away - Graham Richards reviews the form of the protagonists after an informative few weeks.

Tote Gold Trophy preview

Filed on 28 Jan 2009 @ 14:38

The Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury is always a cracking contest. Graham Richards previews the likely runners in this year's renewal, to be run at the Berkshire track on 7 February.

Cotswold Chase preview

Filed on 21 Jan 2009 @ 14:20

The Cotswold Chase, the highlight of Trials Day at Cheltenham on Saturday, looks to be an informative contest. Graham Richards rates the runners in his full preview.

Grand National ante post preview

Filed on 9 Jan 2009 @ 09:59

With Paul Nicholls coming round to the idea of running Denman, who would carry top weight of 11-10, in the Grand National, Graham Richards previews the likely runners from an ante post perspective.