Thursday 11th April

hawkhead

7-00 Kempton

Brocklebank 10/1.

This is a tricky enough race but I feel that this one is beginning to show what he is capable of. As a two year old its first two runs were very encouraging so much so that Kevin Ryan allowed him to take his chance in the Coventry stakes where unfortunately he ran no sort of race at all, that seemed to take its toll and for the next 12 months or so he lost his way. He managed to pick up a couple of races at Lingfield for Kevin Ryan towards the end of 2012 after which he was claimed for £10k by Simon Dow. His first 3 runs for his new yard were somewhat dissapointing but on his penultimate run over course and distance he produced a very eye catching run where he was held up by Jim Crowley and ran on really well to be beaten less than a length. He was raised 2lb by the handicapper for that but next time out at Lingfield he duly won and did so somewhat cosily even though the margin of victory was only a head it left me with the impression that there is more to come from this lad. He has gone up 1lb for that win which leaves him still on a fair enough mark and looks a cracking each way bet to me.

rossom

That looks a very tough race. Money for Brocklebank's stablemate Forceful Appeal is interesting given that he is clearly well handicapped but he didn't show me enough on his reappearance for me to back him. Lilys Angel is one I'm going to look further into but its a tough, tough race. You've made a very solid case for yours though but I would be worried about the money for the other one!

hawkhead

You're right Rossom it is a really tough race and I am somewhat biased towards my one as he is a horse I really thought was going to be a good one as a two year old. Things didn't work out at that stage but I have followed him ever since and his last two runs have really impressed me in the way he has quickened up really nicely and finished off strongly just makes me think they have figured him out and know there is more to come.

Edit: I could of course be completely wrong

UrbanSea

Edit Non runner

rossom

Dear lord US. I'll be putting up a couple in that race tomorrow and I know people who are backing another 5 on top of that. Looks a bloody minefield!

UrbanSea

Haha I know well. Ya Hafed was the first one I was going for but thought this fella could improve for the good ground but big doubts about him staying.

rossom

I'm going to play the waiting game as I feel both could drift (one definitely should). Could have 3 or 4 tomorrow.

UrbanSea

Decent handicap at Ludlow with Michael Flips and Divers. Have thought for a while that Micheal Flips will pop up but not on tomorrow due to his price,hoping he runs badly and gets dropped another 2 or 3 and put in an even easier race

SRFC

Catcher star in the first race fontwell will be running for a handicap mark tomorrow probably go off 66/1,when barney has the money on this it will bolt up

the groutch

4:10 Ludlow - Passing The Time 16/1

won two novice hurdles well enough last year and 109 seems a decent mark, his being tailed off on his handicap debut can be ignored as it was on heavy ground over 4f further.

rossom

2.30 Wincanton

Oscars Secret 14/1

This looks an incredibly open contest and I'm plumping for two against the field in the shape of Oscars Secret and Madam Noso. Oscars Secret represents the Kim Bailey yard and I think he's going to really appreciate the return to a sound surface and the step up in trip. This unexposed 6 year old was progressive in 3 his 3 Maidens showing improved form on each occasion before running a blinder on his handicap debut off his current mark of 112 on his seasonal reappearance at Wincanton over 2m4f back in October. On the back of a 7 month break and extremely well supported in the market (20s into 10s on course), Oscars Secret ran an absolutely fantastic to finish 2nd but he ran into a very well handicapped horse that day in the shape of Ivors King. Tracking the leaders throughout under 7lb claimer Charles Greene, Oscars Secret was ridden to chase the front running winner 2 out but was always being held as he finished beaten 4.5L and 10L clear of the remainder (Decimus was challenging for 2nd before falling at the last and has won two races subsequently). Oscars Secret lost absolutely nothing in defeat that day as the winner Ivors King was a very well handicapped horse who went on to win his next start even more impressively and he is now rated 24lb higher than he was for that success. It was another improved performance by Oscars Secret and he was very unfortunate to bump into such a well handicapped horse.

Raised 3lb for that effort, Oscars Secret next start came at Ascot over 20f (Ivors King was again successful) and although a 17L beaten 7th in the end that certainly doesn't tell the whole story. Sitting pretty close to the pace, Oscars Secret was hampered and shuffled right back through the field but he did stay on very eye catchingly under tender enough handling up the home straight and although he would have been playing for a place at best his finishing position can definitely be upgraded. Moreover, he shaped as if a step up in trip would definitely suit and he gets that today over this 22f contest. The form of that race has worked out very strongly as well and it was another very pleasing effort. Oscars Secret's final start came over 3m at Fakenham back in December on soft ground which he hated and I'm putting a line through that run. Understandably, Kim Bailey has waited for a sound surface for this 6 year old which he gets today and I'm encouraged to see he returns to a track where he clearly goes well at. Ed Cookson takes the ride for the first time today and he claims a very valuable 5lb for Oscars Secret which gives him a lovely low racing weight ad I definitely feel he's on a winnable mark. A horse who clearly goes well fresh, I'm confident of a big run from this 6 year old and hopefully he can come out on top of this very competitive handicap.

Madam Noso 33/1

The other I fancy is Richard King's Madam Noso who has been out of sorts this year but I'm hoping the return to a sound surface can revitalise this 9 year old mare who I think is on a good mark based on her Novice Hurdles form. An experienced and successful Point To Pointer, Madam Noso was late to racing under Rules as she only made her last January and after progressing in her first 3 starts she shed her Maiden tag at the 4th time of asking over 22f at Newton Abbott last March. Under Tom Cannon, Madam Noso had to be rousted along from about half way (which is her style) but she hit the front at 3 out and asserted after the 2nd last before going on to score going away by 6L. The runner up My Legal Lady won her next two completed starts in Novice Hurdles to give substance to what was a very good performance. Under a penalty, Madam Noso ran an absolute blinder on her next start over 3m at Exeter last April when finishing an excellent 2nd to Themilanhorse. In receipt of 13lb from the eventual winner (7lb was a Mare's allowance) and under todays jockey James Best, Madam Noso was held up in midfield and swinging into the home straight her young jockey made a bold move (nudged along) to move past Themilanhorse into 2nd. Jumping the 3rd last, Madam Noso had a fractional lead over that rival before she wandered around a bit and Themilanhorse had a fractional advantage jumping the 2nd last where he stumbled slightly (would have only cost him a minimal amount of momentum). Continuing a rally, Madam Noso was just in front jumping the last but under a right hand drive she hung violently to her left which I certainly feel cost her victory as she eventually went down by a little over 2L as the front two pulled miles clear of the rest.

The Paul Nicholls trained winner arrived there in belting form having won two handicaps in the month prior, latterly off 128, he proved he was still in form when finishing 2nd in a very good handicap at Aintree a month later off 136. Given that Madam Noso had him all out to win (she could easily have won if not hanging), if taking that form literally then her mark of 105 looks extremely lenient. The race was run at a good clip which leads me to believe it was a truly run race and Themilanhorse's prior and after the run show he was in good form. The RP reports he got loose before the race started (no clue how far he went) and that obviously played its part but even taking all that into account I still think Madam Noso would have made a very good race of things. Only time will tell and I think we'll get a very good impression of how literal that form can be taken today. That was her Madam Noso's last start last season and she has had 3 starts this season in handicaps (twice off 115, latterly of 110) where she has been desperately disappointing (she did shape encouragingly for a long way 2 starts ago). However, on each occasion she ran in absolutely bottomless ground and I am certainly willing to give her another chance now she has returned to a sound surface. Even discarding her run behind Themilanhorse, her comprehensive win in the Novice Hurdle still makes her feasibly handicapped off a mark of 105 and if her 2nd can be seen as anywhere near 'true' form then she could be really well in and I am sure the good ground today will tell us one way or another. Including James Best's claim, she has a lovely racing weight 10-3 and the jockey comes here for just this one ride today. Another encouraging sign is that she came to hand around this time of year last season and I'm certainly optimistic that she has a future under Rules. Although she's got to leave this season's form well behind, I'm hoping a return to good ground will see her in a better light and I'm hopeful of a good run. Although clearly a **** load of risks come attached, they are taken into account and more at this big price and hopefully she can give a good account of herself and it would be great if she could win this really competitive looking race.

rossom

4.00 Wincanton

Sporting Boy 10/1

Although he's been a little disappointing in 2 starts this season, I think he had excuses on both occasions and I think the return to a sound surface will make all the difference and I expect a massive run from Michael Blake's charge. Last season I was very, very impressed by this upwardly mobile 5 year old and although 10lb above the last of his wins I strongly feel he's on mark he can win off. A winner of 4 of last 5 handicaps last season (the one he didn't win he was out for a spin). After the aforementioned spin, he came out 7 days later in October last year when he won in facile fashion off a mark 110 at Ludlow under when eased down to score by 5L udner Tom Scudamore and followed that victory up in even more impressive fashion 8 days later at Wetherby when winning by a comfortable 8 lengths off an effective mark of 115 under the same jockey. The form of that was franked with the 3rd Lightning Rod running really well on his two subsequent starts - most recently scoring over that C+D off a 2lb higher mark whilst the 4th Laterly was a wide margin winner off 3lb lower mark at Leicester a month later and given that Sporting Boy disposed of those rivals with such ease emphasises how well handicapped a horse he seemed to be. Upped a stone to a mark of 129 for that success, Sporting Boy took a 4 month break before making his reappearance at Newbury at the start of March for a competitive handicap at Newbury where he finished 6th (beaten 17L). However, Channel 4 interviewed trainer Michael Blake just before the race and I strongly got the impression that this was just a prep run for the Imperial Cup at Sandown which would take place a week later and that he would come on for the run (which he needed after a similar break at the start of the season). He also stated that he would run Sporting Boy in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham if successful at Sandown and although neither event took place I feel it speaks volumes of the regard he is held in at home. Sporting Boy duly took part in the Listed Imperial Cup at Sandown a week later but torrential rain had left the course incredibly heavy and Noel Fehily took care of him on ground he clearly hated. As a result of those 2 runs, he has fallen 4lb to a mark of 125 and although his last win was off 115 there is absolutely no doubt in mind that he is capable of winning off this mark and higher and I am willing to forgive his two most recent runs. He gets ideal conditions today over a C+D he has won over before and if he underperforms in this race there will be no hiding places. However, I think the return to quick ground that he loves will bring out the best in him and I am fully confident that he can win this. Nick Scholfield, who has won on him before, takes the ride and Michael Blakes has his horses in very good order at the moment. Although it will take a career best to win this, I am 100% unwavering in my belief that Sporting Boy is a serious, serious horse and I am very confident he'll land this before going on to bigger and better things.

superfurry1

Going for small small small treble at ludlow>> polly hopper,cootehill,fond memory all nigel come on nigel

battser

rossom wrote: »

4.00 Wincanton

Sporting Boy 10/1

Although he's been a little disappointing in 2 starts this season, I think he had excuses on both occasions and I think the return to a sound surface will make all the difference and I expect a massive run from Michael Blake's charge. Last season I was very, very impressed by this upwardly mobile 5 year old and although 10lb above the last of his wins I strongly feel he's on mark he can win off. A winner of 4 of last 5 handicaps last season (the one he didn't win he was out for a spin). After the aforementioned spin, he came out 7 days later in October last year when he won in facile fashion off a mark 110 at Ludlow under when eased down to score by 5L udner Tom Scudamore and followed that victory up in even more impressive fashion 8 days later at Wetherby when winning by a comfortable 8 lengths off an effective mark of 115 under the same jockey. The form of that was franked with the 3rd Lightning Rod running really well on his two subsequent starts - most recently scoring over that C+D off a 2lb higher mark whilst the 4th Laterly was a wide margin winner off 3lb lower mark at Leicester a month later and given that Sporting Boy disposed of those rivals with such ease emphasises how well handicapped a horse he seemed to be. Upped a stone to a mark of 129 for that success, Sporting Boy took a 4 month break before making his reappearance at Newbury at the start of March for a competitive handicap at Newbury where he finished 6th (beaten 17L). However, Channel 4 interviewed trainer Michael Blake just before the race and I strongly got the impression that this was just a prep run for the Imperial Cup at Sandown which would take place a week later and that he would come on for the run (which he needed after a similar break at the start of the season). He also stated that he would run Sporting Boy in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham if successful at Sandown and although neither event took place I feel it speaks volumes of the regard he is held in at home. Sporting Boy duly took part in the Listed Imperial Cup at Sandown a week later but torrential rain had left the course incredibly heavy and Noel Fehily took care of him on ground he clearly hated. As a result of those 2 runs, he has fallen 4lb to a mark of 125 and although his last win was off 115 there is absolutely no doubt in mind that he is capable of winning off this mark and higher and I am willing to forgive his two most recent runs. He gets ideal conditions today over a C+D he has won over before and if he underperforms in this race there will be no hiding places. However, I think the return to quick ground that he loves will bring out the best in him and I am fully confident that he can win this. Nick Scholfield, who has won on him before, takes the ride and Michael Blakes has his horses in very good order at the moment. Although it will take a career best to win this, I am 100% unwavering in my belief that Sporting Boy is a serious, serious horse and I am very confident he'll land this before going on to bigger and better things.

I was on sporting boy the last day in the imperial and was hoping today with the improved ground it would suit him. Never in it. I was laughin when they were around the back and I seen a whip go! UL mate

sting60

"If the rain has got into the ground,have a bet".Message for Maundy Money 6.10 Limerick.NAP

rossom

Something must not have been right with Sporting Boy. After 100 yards he was beaten. Have absolutely no idea what happened but no way that was a reflection of his ability. Will keep an eye on the trainer's site in the next couple of days to see if any problem/explanation is mentioned and will post up if anything is posted.

Madam Noso was disappointing as was Oscars Secret although I don't think the latter enjoyed being buried in midfield. Definitely willing to give Oscars Secret another chance.

UrbanSea

UrbanSea wrote: »

Decent handicap at Ludlow with Michael Flips and Divers. Have thought for a while that Micheal Flips will pop up but not on tomorrow due to his price,hoping he runs badly and gets dropped another 2 or 3 and put in an even easier race

Balls he hacked up

mailburner

hawkhead wrote: »

7-00 Kempton

Brocklebank 10/1.

.

gl

flamborough breeze for me in that at 8s
huge price for one who keeps improving and was
given way to much to do last time out over a mile here

Johner

Favourites hacking up left right and centre today.

sting60

Rockalong 5/1 as Cumani has a line with the fav,but no bet.

rossom

6.10 Limerick

Legendary Times 11/1

I've always been a fan of this talented, although temperamental mare and if breaking well and on a going day I think she'll go close at a nice price. Pat Flynn's 7 year old is only 2lbs above her last winning mark at Gowran Park last May where she ran out a very comfortable 2.5L winner off a mark of 65 from a couple of progressive types who are now rated both rated 15lb higher than that day (have been gradual improvers as opposed to rapidly improving sorts). She had a further 4 starts last year where she showed ok but not great form but she comes here on the back of 160 day absence and she always runs well fresh. Fran Berry takes the ride for the first time and is an eye catching booking for a shrewd Pat Flynn operation. Legendary Times seems pretty versatile ground wise and was beaten a neck on her only start at the track and she clearly goes well here. From a good draw in stall 4, if breaking well (can be tardy away) I think she's going to run well and hopefully she can land this tricky little contest at a nice price.

BlueBaron

Local tranier to me Denis Hogan trains the fav in the 6.10 Limerick, was tol it wont be beaten, only one horse they were afraid of is non-runner.

byronbay2

sting60 wrote: »

"If the rain has got into the ground,have a bet".Message for Maundy Money 6.10 Limerick.NAP

Unlucky Sting - ran a good race but just found 1 too good.

Inspector Coptoor

Had a nice few quid on Maundy Money to place on Betfair at 3.5.

rossom

Nothing is coming from off the pace at Limerick. I'd keep an eye out for Legendary Times though who should be back on her last winning mark after that.

Johner

sting60 wrote: »

Rockalong 5/1 as Cumani has a line with the fav,but no bet.

Good man sting.

SRFC

Welds in the last will love that ground 13/8 looks a penalty kick to me,very well suited by them conditions of the race.

Slattsy

SRFC wrote: »

Welds in the last will love that ground 13/8 looks a penalty kick to me,very well suited by them conditions of the race.

Hopefully. I'm on!

Slattsy

Slattsy wrote: »

Hopefully. I'm on!

Best jockey in the race wins.

SRFC

Slattsy wrote: »

Hopefully. I'm on!

Bumped into a group horse there :mad: smullen wasnt over hard on her maybe theres another day for her.

UrbanSea

El Salvador was meant to go for the Derby trial at Lingfield he looks a very decent horse

sting60

byronbay2 wrote: »

Unlucky Sting - ran a good race but just found 1 too good.

He pulled up very sore in the hind quarters and going for a scan today.Watch for post Naas Sat week [not MM].