racecards

Head To Head Horse Racing Analysis

There are many ways to analyse a horse race and one method is by using head to head analysis. This is a simple technique that can be advanced if desired, however it is seldom used and the principles are easy to understand. We should have the knowledge in our arsenal of tools for both of these reasons and this is…

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David O’Meara – a young trainer making waves

Many young trainers wait a long time for their first success at Group level but former jump jockey turned trainer David O’Meara has already ticked that box in the first year of his training career courtesy of Blue Bajan winning the Henry II Stakes at Sandown. That is unlikely to be his last pattern race success either and his progress…

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High profile Derby trainers both claim Fallon is riding for them

Controversial Irish-born former champion jockey Keiren Fallon is never very far from the headlines (not always for the right reasons), and looks as though he might once again be at the centre of a ‘misunderstanding’ as to which horse he will partner in the forthcoming Investec Epsom Derby on June 4 , writes Elliot Slater. Fallon, who has won racing’s…

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The Apprentice – Betting System Task

Guest post by David Renham The fading sound of Big Ben in the background meant it was just after 6am. The phone rang and a half-asleep Frankie rushed down the stairs. ‘Hello this is Lord Sugar’s office. Lord Sugar wants you to meet him at Epsom racecourse. The cars will pick you up in 30 minutes.’ Frankie put the phone…

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Ballabriggs – the horse who gave it his all

Even though just a few days have passed since the Donald McCain-trained Ballabriggs won a gruelling renewal of the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree from the gallant Irish challenger Oscar Time, odds are available about the 2012 running of the marathon contest for which yesterday’s winner has been installed the ante-post 16/1 favourite to follow up, writes Elliot Slater.…

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Lightning Strikes Twice as Murtagh Lands Doncaster Feature Again

Johnny Murtagh, riding for the John Oxx yard this term having been stable jockey to Aidan O’Brien last season at Ballydoyle, booted home the winner of the ultra-competitive William Hill Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster on Saturday for the second year running, writes Elliot Slater. Twelve months ago Murtagh made the bookies weep as he booted home the William Haggas-trained Penitent…

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A History of York Races

The City of York has a long and rich history which dates back to Roman and Viking days. One of the focal points of the city is the racecourse based on the Knavesmire which attracts over 250,000 visitors to the York each year swelling and benefitting the local economy. However, we doubt if many of that throng of visitors each…

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Two Suggestions for this Year’s Aintree National Hero

This year’s John Smith’s Grand National promises to be the usual mix of thrills and spills, triumph and disaster, but does appear to have attracted a very good quality field on a par with anything seen in the race for some years, writes Elliot Slater. After giving the matter a great deal of thought and working on the assumption that…

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Presvis primed for Dubai Duty Free

Dubai specialist Presvis is reported bang on target for another crack at the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free having pleased his trainer Luca Cumani in his final piece of work before the high profile race, one of the main supporting events on the World Cup card at Meydan on Saturday evening, writes Elliot Slater. Runner-up to Gladiatorius in the 2009…

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Triple Cheltenham joy for resurgent Walsh

It must have been very tough for the hugely talented Ruby Walsh to sit on the sidelines for four months following his fall at Down Royal in November in which he sustained a broken leg, and watch high-class horses trained by Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins win for other jockeys when under normal circumstances he would have been on board,…

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King delighted with Bensalem form

Alan King has put Bensalem through his final piece of work prior to attempting to justify favouritism in the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase on the opening day of the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival, as he switches back to the larger obstacles having been campaigned over hurdles so far this term, writes Elliot Slater. One of the market leaders when…

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Dream Going Straight to 2000 Guineas

If you exclude his one disappointing effort in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes that came on the back of two stunning victories at the highest level just a short while before, then it is hard to argue that David Simcock’s imposing colt Dream Ahead doesn’t have the best quality profile of any three-year-old going into their Classic season – and…

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Midge Misses World Cup for Sheema Classic Challenge

Brian Meehan’s smart performer Dangerous Midge will not take his chance in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 26 and will instead bid for glory in the Sheema Classic on the same card, writes Elliot Slater. The decision to bypass the $10 million contest against the likes of Cape Blanco, Twice Over and Bold Silvano, has been taken…

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Whisky provides dream result for racing investor Walters

It’s not always the case in life that you get back even a fraction of what you put in when it comes to hard graft and investments, but in the case of Dai Walters, the driving force behind the creation of Ffos Las and the principal investor in the excellent new Welsh track, the victory of his own Oscar Whisky…

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Handicapper gets juvenile colts’ assessment spot on

Guest post written by Elliot Slater It might be an unfashionable thing to say just at the moment following the publication of the World Thoroughbred Rankings, but I believe that the panel have correctly assessed the relative merits of Britain’s two leading juvenile colts, Frankel and Dream Ahead, in awarding them both a rating of 126. There have been more…

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Ruby closing in on February return

Guest post written by Elliot Slater The signs are positive that the tremendously popular Ruby Walsh could be back in the saddle in February after an examination of his broken right leg showed that he is making good progress. Those assessing the latest betting tips note that Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey has had to sit on the sidelines and watch…

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Fallon serious about winning back jockeys’ title

Guest post written by Elliot Slater Former British champion jockey Keiren Fallon has made clear his intention to do everything he can in the year ahead to regain the title he last won in 2003. Fallon has never been far from the headlines over the years – and not always for the right reasons – but having returned to the…

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Easy first chase win for Quantitative

Guest post written by Elliot Slater Much was expected of Jonjo O’Neill’s Quantitativeeasing last season, especially after he won his first two outings over hurdles. He didn’t win again, but showed he had plenty of ability, and having now opened his chasing account with a comfortable success at Fontwell he could potentially go on to much better things. Among the…

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Mourad emerges as potential threat to Big Bucks

Guest post written by Elliot Slater The Willie Mullins-trained Mourad confirmed himself an up-and-coming staying hurdler in the making with a solid display to win the Grade 2 Woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown’s showcase meeting, and in the process provided Ireland with a possible contender to give Big Bucks a race in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival…

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Europe sizing up King George assault

Guest post written by Elliot Slater With very good reason, most of the pre-race talk concerning the forthcoming Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day has centred on the near legendary Kauto Star. There are however a number of up-and-coming horses prepared to try and break the run of success of the Kempton…

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