Tag Archives: Monday

England

A Day at: Brighton Racecourse

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It’s been on my bucket list for a while: finally I made it to Brighton – a racecourse that looks marvellous on TV with its sweeping turns and the blue sea looming large in the background.

I must start with a proper bugbear:  £17 admission for a card with only six races, all class 6, is ‘taking the piss’. Perhaps quality-wise this was the worst raceday I’ve ever been to. Only three of those six races attracted eight runners on the day – shocking stuff; is anyone really surprised the sport is in decline with the public?

In fairness, as a flat racing fan, I found the study for all the six races rewarding, as they were – at the very least – quite competitive and intriguing for their low grade. Which didn’t make it any easier finding the winners, truth told.

For me going over from Dublin for a day-trip, getting to the racecourse was a smooth experience : a quick flight over in the morning to Gatwick, then the train down to the coast, and a 35-minute leisurely walk through Brighton.

Racecourse Experience

First things first: I absolutely love this racecourse! It intrigued me whenever watching racing on TV, and in reality the place is as picturesque as it gets – Brighton could be forcing its way into my personal top-3 of racecourses.

Simply fabulous, Brighton offers everything I love and want from a racecourse – perhaps, bar the missing ice cream van, especially on a hot day.

Of course, it helps when the sun is shining: It’s June and it felt like summer. Appreciated, especially as I returned to a cold and miserable Ireland in the evening, mind – so I really would have loved an ice cream as well!

The closeness of everything is perfect at Brighton. It makes it a cosy place to walk around, get a pint, a burger, watch the horses in the parade ring, take a seat alongside the winning post and walk up to the stand and watch the racing with the sensational scenery in the background.

I imagine it can get crammed and uncomfortable on the bigger days when the place is packed; though, for this low-grade Monday afternoon the course was well attended, and created a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.

The views from the grandstand are magnificent. The rolling hills, the sea in the background and the majority of the track observable with binoculars, plus a big screen to follow the action – this is a wonderful place to watch racing.

Food & Drink

Unfortunately it’s customary at British racetracks that you pay through your nose. Brighton isn’t different, to the most part – for example £3.50 for a small, industrially manufactured chocolate brownie. Saying that, a decent burger for €8 pounds is nearly fair in this climate, and a pint of Hobgoblin IPA for £6.30 most likely a steal!

Brighton is a small track, and on low-grade day as this, only half the bars in stand are manned. No problem, I never had to wait long to get a drink. The variety of offerings wasn’t great, but that might be different on bigger days.

Positive is the ample space outside alongside the rails or parade ring to sit down to eat and drink… or simply to soak up the sun.

Odds of Return

4/6

Brighton is a wonderful place to go racing. The easy access, the views, the lovely grandstand, the cosiness – I’ll be back, for sure. Obviously, especially on low-grade day, admission isn’t cheap. That’s a the main thing I didn’t appreciate.

Betting

Monday Selections: 3rd February 2025

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It’s St Brigid’s Day, which marks the the beginning of spring, and I can certainly feel a spring in my step, knowing the days get longer, the sun is supposed to show itself more often from now on, and the flat season isn’t too far away, either.

It’s a low-key racing day in Ireland, where today is also a public holiday, as well as the usual stuff in the UK on a typical Monday during the winter months. But I’ve got some spare time on my hands and found two decent looking bets to try and make the day pay, nonetheless.

Looking 5km to the south from where I live, lies Punchestown. It’s not a card that gets me out of the door to get myself over there today, but the 4.10 Mares Handicap Hurdle appears to shape like an intriguing race.

In this race over 2m 7f it should pay dividends to be close to the pace, given more than half the field may not want to be to soon in front.

Slotty Dotty and Slim Marvel, currently first and second favourite in the betting, could be ideally placed, while No Fussing, who also features prominently in the market, could be left with a lot to do when it matters most.

Slotty Dotty, thanks to her recent course win, stares as the natural favourite. However, despite that commanding 7 lengths victory over 2m 6f, it was a poor race, and she has to define a 10lb hike in her mark also.

Slim Marvel in contrast drops into an easier race after a superb runner-up effort from out of the weights at Cork over todays trip, beaten behind a winner who was highly tried subsequently.

She won a maiden hurdle in July and was placed off 102 and 104 (107 effectively) and this is only her sixth handicap run, and the first time on this type of deep ground. She was placed in maiden hurdle on heavy going, though.

There could be improvement to come in these conditions over this trip, given ran well to the the line, jumped and travelled strongly, and was only beaten by a better quality of horse, that she is unlikely to meet today.

At about 5/1 on the exchanges I’ll take the punt that she gets home strongly today.

Over at Wolverhampton the lucky last 8.30 6f Handicap appeals from a pace point of view. Few want the lead here, which could add to the overall bias towards front-runners.

Nevernay is one who doesn’t mind to run from the front or race prominently, at the very least, and has ran his best races if allowed to stride on.

From the #6 draw he shouldn’t have too much trouble to move forward here. This 11-race maiden drops ever so slightly in class and has been given an opportunity by the handicapper as well, having dropped the gelding to 59.

He ran a huge race over 7f at this venue back in December, though doing too much during the mid-section of the race, and didn’t quite get home to finish 3rd, only 1.5l beaten in the end.

A poor showing at Southwell subsequently, was followed by an awkward effort three weeks ago at Southwell. He was seriously keen, and hard to keep in check by an inexperienced female rider. The race was lost in the first two furlongs. but as a consequence he can race officially in 0-60 off 59 now.

If Nevernay can find back the form he showed in December, he’ll be a big chance today off this mark. Adding to the intrigue is the headgear combination of hood and tongue tie.

The yard has had plenty of success with this type of headgear in the past, so if it can help him to settle, and he is up with the pace, he may not be stopping and hard to peg back.

Joanna Mason goes through a dry spell at the moment, but normally as good rides for the yard, so the booking adds more cautious optimism to the chances of this son of No Nay Never. There is some money coming this morning, so at 9’s he’s one I back.

Selections:
10pts win – Slim Marvel @ 5/1
10pts win – Nevernay @ 8/1

Betting

Monday Selections: 4th November 2024

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7.45 Southwell: Class 6 Handicap, 6f

Oso Rapido looks poised for a big run here as he returns to the course and distance he caught my eye three weeks ago in no uncertain manner.

The 7-year-old gelding drops ever so slightly in grade as well, and should find this an ideal trip on the sand for him, given the pace scenario could also help to make it a gruelling test today.

Not as prolific on the All-Weather, as on turf, Oso Rapido had no too many opportunities to run 6f on the AW, though:

Found out for class in class 3 a few years ago, but he managed a win and the most recent excellent 3rd place in his four starts over 6 furlongs on the All-Weather.

Three weeks ago at this course and distance, he overcame the widest draw thanks to a rapid start, charging up wide to grab the lead just before the bend. He kept going for 3rd place – a massive performance in a decent field.

In fact, the three horses in chasing pack that followed Oso Rapido have won in the meantime. Oso Rapido himself was a bit disappointing at Redcar last week, but he was beaten by the way the race developed in another pretty hot class 5 Handicap for this time of the year.

Today is much easier, although the pace could be hot. The positive thing is that Oso Rapido doesn’t have to lead, he can follow who ever wants to make it. In fact, a good pace will be to his benefit, given he can stretch out to 7 furlongs as well.

10pts win – Oso Rapido @ 11/2

Betting

Monday Selections: 24th June 2024

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3.45 Chepstow: Class 6 Handicap, 6f

If Em Jay Kay could return to the form he showed at Newmarket in May he should be too good for this field. He chased home a strong winner, who had the benefit of the rail as well, in a much hotter race than this today.

One has draw a line through the latest effort at Nottingham, though. Em Jay Kay tends to swerve to his right once the gates open, and he got quickly behind, not helped my rivals, and also a draw that’s often a disadvantage over this CD when the race develops eventually on the stands’ side.

He made some nice progress mid-race, on the other hand, suggesting the form is still there. He simply couldn’t keep it up, but then nobody could do that from the lower stalls in that race.

Em Jay Kay remains lightly raced on turf but has got two 2nd places from three turf runs to his name now. The track and fast ground is a slight question mark, whether that’s his thing we’ll find out today.

The 3lb claim of Grace McEntee is a bonus, though. She can just sit tight, utilise the natural speed Em Jay Kay possesses, float down the hill and should have too much in hand, if the gelding handles the conditions.

10pts win – Em Jay Kay @ 4/1

…….

5.55 Bath: Class 6 Handicap, 5.5f

Rothay Park drops in trip and that’s highly intriguing after two most recent effort that suggested he could benefit from moving down.

He showed nice early speed, after slightly awkward starts, especially last time out at Salisbury, and travelled keenly and with enthusiasm, but didn’t get home over 7- and 7-5f respectively.

Especially his most recent performance was noteworthy, as he overcame the widest draw, an awkward start, and then moved quickly forward to push the pace, before kicking on from 3 furlongs out. He managed to hold on for 2nd, which was huge in the context.

Rothay Park remains on the same mark, and is lightly raced enough to suggest the penny may have dropped recently, and over the right trip he can win and be a bit better than 65.

His full-sister was two-times course and distance winner on fast ground here as well. So that adds to his chances.

10pts win – Rothay Park @ 5/1

…….

7.30 Bath: Class 6 Handicap, 5f

Betweenthesticks continues to drop in grade and this looks a race for the taking. The gelding isn’t a frequent winner but has shown he’s probably in pretty decent form right now, especially judged on his first two runs this year, back in May at Windsor and in early July at Ripon.

One has to be forgiving, though, given his most recent outing was a disappointing 10/10 finish. Although with excuses. Possibly the race came a bit too soon after that huge Ripon run only 5 days earlier. He was also caught very wide chasing the hot pace, which was basically a death sentence.

Prior at Ripon Betweenthesticks had to settle for 2nd place behind a well-handicapped winner, but he came clear of the rest and showed nice early speed and good attitude.

Whereas he probably needed the run at Windsor in May, and over 6 furlongs, not his optimum, he still ran seriously well off a wide draw having to travel wide behind the pace – again, not ideal at that CD.

He’s down to a mark of 66, ran to a 65 speed rating at Ripon, 4x to 67 speed ratings last season and is obviously not far off that form that saw him placed six times of higher marks.

Although Betweenthesticks has only won on soft on turf, his career-best came on fast ground at Salisbury last season, hence I think today represents an ideal opportunity to score.

10pts win – Betweenthesticks @ 4/1

Betting

Monday Selections: 17th June 2024

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5.30 Windsor: Class 5 Handicap, 5f

Kiss And Run has been performing with plenty of credit in better races than this one today over the last weeks. She drops down to 0-68 and could have too much speed and class in this field.

She was perhaps slightly disappointing on the bare form last time at Lingfield, but she got quite a big bump from two rivals as soon as the gates opened, before she moved forward and set hot fractions. She didn’t get home in those circumstances over 6 furlongs, plain and simple.

The drop to 5 furlongs will surely suit. She really impressed at Goodwood two runs back as she pushed pace going wide as part of a duo. She fought hard, showed great guts and attitude in a hot 0-80 Handicap to go down only by a head.

That was a career-best speed rating and on the basis of that she is well-handicapped today in this class. She has improved run by run this year and there’s perhaps a bit more to come.

Only worry for me is the fast ground. Her best form comes with some juice in the ground.

10pts win – Kiss And Run @ 6/1

Betting, Uncategorized

Monday Selections: 10th June 2024

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I’m still a bit in a state of shock after Saturday, 0/6… it’s going from bad to worse. I guess the positive is: three decent runs, and the majority were prices you can’t expect to go in any day.

But at some point a proper upswing should be on the cards now…?

……

7.40 Windsor: Class 5 Handicap, 5f

Safari Dream ran well in his last three races, although he was outclassed, ultimately, in his most recent start at Goodwood, but at least showed once again a fine attitude to finish the race.

He caught the eye the two times prior, in much more obvious fashion. In early May at Salisbury he couldn’t quite find the acceleration in deep ground, yet travelled incredibly strongly to the 2 furlong marker, and just as he seemed to find momentum again, got squeezed out in the closing stages.

At Windsor on before that, he travelled strongly too, and didn’t enjoyed the clearest of passages, getting stuck behind horses. Both runs the 4-year-old gelding suggested he’s in excellent form and the most recent performance doesn’t put me off.

He drops down to class 5 again. Much easier, also with the added support from the handicapper, who dropped Safari Dream to 70, with excellent 5lb claiming apprentice Oliver Searle on board.

The only danger is that if he doesn’t get off to a quick start, he may find himself locked in against the inside rail.

10pts win – Safari Dream @ 9/2

……

6.30 Pontefract: Class 5 Handicap, 5f

Spring Is Sprung should have a cracking chance from his low draw and his blistering early speed to potentially dominate, or at least get it easier in the early stages of the races than others.

His turf record doesn’t read too well, but he ran with plenty of credit the last two times, following on from a long break and wind operation.

Especially last time out at Catterick where he got off to a great start, although pestered throughout, set a hot enough pace and only got beaten in the final furlong.

Today is formally a slightly easier race, and another 2lb off his mark can only help. He could be quite well-handicapped now, given last summer he ran well off 78 and 80 in hot handicaps and he has multiple 70+ speed ratings on his CV.

10pts win – Spring Is Sprung @ 7/2

……..

8.10 Windsor: Class 6 Handicap, 1m 2f

I loved the handicap debut from Penalty Shootout a few weeks ago. It was a gigantic step forward from anything the 3-year-old gelding showed in three maiden races.

He was soon up with the pace, travelling seriously well into the home straight, still on the bridle 3 furlongs out and only tiredness seemed to get the better off him late.

If he can improve from that run, he’ll must have serious chance today. Still unexposed, a mark of 60 may underestimate him, as he ran already a fine 55 speed ratings the last time.

He was quite well backed that day too, and the same seems to be the case today. Intriguing to see Oisin Murphy retaining the ride. The pedigree is an intriguing one too, as a son of Bungle Inthejungle the 10f trip doesn’t seem a natural fit.

But I believe if was tiredness, not stamina, that saw him fade at Nottingham. Also the dam is a significant stamina influence looking at the family.

10pts win –  Penalty Shootout @ 4/1

Betting

Monday Selections: 27th May 2024

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That was a disappointing Sunday, especially as it was clear after two furlongs that both Elegant Man and Azada will struggle to make any impact in their respective races.

Elegant Man never looked happy on the gras. Whether it was just rain that went into the ground, or the surface itself, who knows. Azada was way too keen to have any chance of winning a competitive 1000 Guineas.

It was only her second career run, back off a break; she’ll learn and remains of interest, given she did travel well for quite a long time.

……..

3.45 Yarmouth: Class 5 Handicap, 6f

The short priced favourite Hover on The Wind looks opposable given the much softer ground conditions today, albeit he acts on soft, his best performances came on decent ground, or at least, no less than good to soft in places.

A new career-best is required too. Not impossible, but it’s difficult to see where there’s any value in the price, with all possible improvement very much factored in.

At a much bigger price I’m quite keen on Parisiac, who caught my eye in his most recent run, back in March at Doncaster. That was a hot class 3 contest, so he takes a big drop in class today.

He was not up to the task against much classier opposition back then, but showed a nice attitude, not giving in, even when beaten, after pushing a hot pace early on.

Down to his last winning mark now, Parisiac should be ready for a big run. In his last two runs in 2023, he achieved 71 and 75 speed ratings, and if he can get back to that level of form he must rate a big chance today.

The ground is certainly in his favour, as two of his three career-bests on speed ratings have been achieved in the mud. The 5lb claim of Tommie Jakes is an added bonus today, especially as the apprentice is 3-1-1 when on board.

10pts win – Parisiac @ 8/1

……..

4.35 Redcar: Class 2 Handicap, 1m 2f

This looks an open race and I’ll take a chance on Stressfree, who will enjoy the soft ground and ran much better in all three starts this, including when well beaten the last two times.

On his seasonal reappearance he was an excellent runner-up behind Qitaal, who enjoyed the run of the race and was seriously well-handicapped on that day. I felt that performance warranted an upgrade.

Stressfree appeared to have disappointed the next two times. Though, from off the pace, it was always going to be a struggle at Ripon, and he made some decent progress while not enjoying the clearest of passages, with the winner in the different world, anyway.

The ground was never to suit when last seen at York. Nonetheless, once again, he travelled well enough and made some good progress before running out of steam and possibly being saved for another day.

Not sure he’s up to this class today, but off 85, with the visor on for the first time, and a good draw close to the pace, he could get an ideal race, on the ground he loves.

10pts win – Stressfree @ 12/1

Betting

Monday Selections: 20th May 2024

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3.30 Redcar: Class 5 Handicap, 5f

Showboated caught the for different reasons in each of his three runs this year and off bottom weight could play a bigger part than the betting may wants give him this morning.

He meets Pinpoint again, the one horse he finished behind three weeks ago at Ayr. That was a career-best performance on every measure, including speed ratings.

Dropped He was always travelling on the outside, right up with the pace, without cover, quite keenly. The winner was following closely, but always nicely covered up. That made the difference on the day.

He dropped to the minimum trip and responded well to that, showing good early speed, for all that he can be a bit awkward out the gates, and and kept on once under pressure with a good attitude.

On his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle in March Showboated entered the notebook for the first time. Not quite the best of starts, he was keen subsequently, travelled well enough and showed a good attitude to finish his race.

He never landed a blow over 7f next time. But that trip was too far, he was overly keen, and also interfered halfway through the race.

A sprint over 5 furlongs with plenty of pace could be exactly what this gelding needs. Fast ground is a question, but the pace scenario should help him and he’s drawn right beside one of the likely front-runners too.

Obviously he moves up up in class, meets some higher rated rivals today. Although, this 0-62 looks a particularly poor contest for this class. Off 8-8 he looks a tasty price, who can, at the very least, outrun his price.

10pts win – Showboated @ 9.5/1

Betting

Monday Selections: 8th April 2024

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5.20 Newcastle: Class 6 Handicap, 7f

Sydney Bay caught the eye on his return from a break and wind op at this track over 6 furlongs last month.

He travelled off the pace on the outside off the pack, not getting the best of cover there. He seemed outpaced in this grade over this trip 3 furlongs out but also didn’t find the clearest passage before strolling home in eyecatching fashion in the final furlong.

That form looks rock solid and if he can improve for the run with his breathing fine, he should be here on Monday a big runner, for various reasons.

The 5-year-old gelding drops significantly in grade, down to 0-55 class, a race also restricted to horses without a win since the 2023 flat turf season. This is a poor contest, the fact a now 48 rated 10-year-old is one of fancied horses, says it all.

Sydney Bay is much more home on this lowly level, obviously. Saying that, down to a mark of 53, with the excellent help of 5lb claimer William Pyle, he’s probably quite well-handicapped here, if he stays the stiff 7 furlongs at Newcastle.

He won off 49 and 51 over 6 furlongs at this venue last October, and did well out of the weights off effectively 56 as a runner-up subsequently and achieved 51 and 52 speed ratings in those winning runs.

Moving up to 7 furlongs should suit, in theory. Ever since this horse came to my attention about two years ago, I thought he’d be much better if he moves to 7f, and possibly further. That hasn’t materialised, in reality, but he stayed on strongly over 6f at this stiff track, has the breeding and tried 6f+ outside maiden company only twice in his career.

Amaysmont and Crocodile Power look solid rivals in this field and both may also enjoy the run of the race toward the stands rail. I hope Sydney Bay will be ridden a bit more forward, though, tracking the pace a couple, as he showed in the past he’s suited to that (31/10/23, career-best performance).

10pts win – Sydney Bay @ 4/1

Betting

Monday Selections: 6th November 2023

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1.30 Kempton: Class 6 Handicap, 1m

A muddling pace scenario could open up this contest. However, there are clearly three standout candidates in this field, who’d fight it out, as they are all drawn well enough to expect them not to be too far off the pace.

Island Of Sky, who ran to consistent speed ratings the last two times that’ll see him go close if he can repeat that level of performance with new headgear added.

Curtiz is down to a seriously dangerous mark, having shown glimpses of form when last seen after a long absence. He’ll improve for the run.

The one I can’t leave unbacked, though, is Wake Up Harry – not at these prices. There’s a risk attached given he’s a bit on the drift this morning. Maybe the brakes are slammed once more…. but if not, he should run away with this, I firmly believe.

Down to 0-62 level, a 59 handicap mark, and a seriously strong lto run in the book, Wake Up Harry looks ripe to let lose off a #1 draw to run this field into oblivion.

He’s one who caught the eye last winter, but missed to win. However, last time out over the same course and distance, he caught the eye in no uncertain terms.

A wider than ideal draw didn’t help early on, with indecision by the jockey coming at a cost for travelling widest, before moving forward and taking up the lead around the bend.

Obviously he made too much too soon, using vital energy in the first half of the race, hence it wasn’t a surprise to see him fade away rapidly in the home straight.

One could argue Wake Up Harry never convinced fully on sand. However, he remains lightly enough especially over the mile trip, where spots a 6-1-3 record on the All-Weather.

There’s a danger that he’s beaten for speed today. He may want a little bit further. On the other hand, the draw provides every opportunity to make most of the likely lack of pace, and he can simple move forward and could be hard to catch.

10pts win – Wake Up Harry @ 6/1