Monday 15th April

rossom

3.40 Redcar

Bling King 14/1

I'd definitely advise a saver on Brian Ellison's Destiny Blue as highlighted by Jack who very much caught the eye when a staying on 3rd on his seasonal reappearance and stable debut and he should prove difficult to beat but I do think Geoff Harker's Bling King is a fascinating contender and would be chucked in on his juvenile form and he caught my eye on his first start since returning from France (same race as Destiny Blue) and if improving for his first start in 11 months I think he could be primed to run a huge race off a mark of 77. Formerly with Eve Johnson Houghton, Bling King showed some very useful form as a 2 year old with his best performance coming on his handicap debut when getting up on the line to win by a nose off a mark of 92 at Chester back in 2011 over 6f. That performance was, in my opinion, even more impressive given that he conceded the runner up 22lb. Bling King didn't really kick on from there and was sold to Fabrice Vermeulen for 30,000 Guineas at the end of 2011. In 11 starts in France, Bling King won once over 1m at Compiegne in testing conditions in March 2012 but he performed well on a number of other occasions between 8f-10f with his last start coming in May of last year. Picked up by current connections in November last year and subsequently gelded, he made his stable debut for Geoff Harker on the back of an 11 month absence over this C+D 2 weeks ago where I thought he was an eye catching 7L beaten 6th under a very tender ride from Paddy Aspell. Held up in the last duo, Bling King travelled well throughout the race and was very tenderly handled by his jockey. He still looked as if he held his ability and he should definitely come on an awful lot for the run. Dropped 2lb to a mark of 77, he looks very well handicapped on his 2 year old form and although I don't know how strong his form was in France is he ran consistently for the most part. Raul Da Silva is a very eye catching booking on what is just his 2nd start for the trainer and he comes here for just this one ride. Although Geoff Harker is hardly a prolific trainer and is winnerless since November (only 8 runners) I don't think you can rule Bling King out on that regard albeit you'd clearly prefer that he was amongst the winners. Although I expect Destiny Blue to be quite a tough horse to beat, I expect Bling King to come on a lot for his first start in nearly a year. Well handicapped on his form as a Juvenile, the now 4 year old Bling King is still a relatively young racehorse and I don't see any reason why he would have lost any ability at his age. With ground conditions fine and a bit of money around for him already, I certainly think Bling King is a very interesting runner and if Geoff Harker has gotten him spot on for this I'm hopeful of a very big run which should hopefully see him land this contest.

4.10 Redcar

Stagweekend 9/1

Not one to go nuts on but I think John Quinn's handicap debutant Stagweekend looks on a pretty decent opening mark of 65 and having been gelded since his last run and with his yard in flying form I think his 3 year old looks overpriced. Stagweekend made his racecourse debut over 6f at Newcastle in September last year where he showed a lot of promise to finish a 7.25L beaten 6th where he was doing his best work late on. Under tomorrow's pilot Michael O'Connell, Stagweekend was outpaced from before half way but and it wasn't until late on that the penny dropped as he stayed on strongly at the finish under strong urgings to snatch 6th. The form of those in front of him is pretty useful with the first 4 home all rated at least 70 and there was definitely quite a bit of promise to take from his debut. Stagweekened confirmed his initial promise with a really good 2nd upped to a mile on his 2nd start a couple of weeks later at Newcastle when beaten 1.75L in testing conditions where he showed a very likeable and gritty attitude as the front two drew 9L clear of the remainder of the field. After pulling fiercely for the first couple of furlongs, Stagweekend settled in behind the pace of the 5 runner field and looked to hold every chance two furlongs out. Despite battling on gamely, the Allnecessaryforce forged clear in the final 100 yards. The form of that race looks strong with the winner running a very nice 4th in a Listed contest before going down by a head off a mark of 78 last week and it was a very nice effort form this son of Footstepsinthesand. Stagweekend's final start came 12 days later at Musselburgh in testing conditions when a bitter disappointment but I'm willing to ignore that effort now he has had a break and been gelded in the interim period. Stagweekend comes here on the back of a 182 day absence and although he could need the run his trainer certainly can ready one and I'm hopeful he's fully wound up for this. This represents the John Quinn's only runner of the day at a course where they do well (16% strike rate) and the yard are in blistering form with 5 winners from their last 10 runners (both codes). I do feel an opening handicap mark of 65 looks pretty exploitable and although Mark Johnston's Tribal Path looks potentially on a good mark I can't even work out his horses and I definitely feel Stagweekend is the value in the race. Although this looks quite a tricky contest on paper, I do feel Stagweekend looks to have a good chance on paper if fully wound up and for a yard who can do very little wrong it wouldn't surprise me if this was another winner for the Yorkshire based connections.

6.00 Newcastle

Brasingaman Eric 11/1

This looks a really, really poor contest and a tentative vote goes to George Moore's 6 year old Brasingaman Eric who is now 2lb below his last winning mark and should strip much fitter after his first start for 17 months. Before his long absence, Brasingaman Eric looked a progressive (albeit low grade) horse over staying distances winning 3 times in 2011 and he was successful off a mark of 59 on his final start before his long absence with a very game all the way win over 2m at Newcastle. I think its quite interesting that George Moore kept this 6 year old in training despite him being absent for so long and I think it suggests that they clearly feel he can record some more wins. Brasingaman Eric should clearly come on an awful lot for his first run back 2 weeks ago and although he didn't look like a winner in waiting or anything like that he did travel well for a long way and was given an easy time of things and that should have blown away some cobwebs. He could still need another couple of runs to get back to full fitness but I'm willing to take that risk. Looking through the opposition, this is a really poor race and there doesn't look like there are any confirmed front runners in the race. Given that he made all over 2m for his last win, I'd be very happy if P J McDonald tried to make this a real stamina test over this 12f trip and I really hope he is sent to the front from his good draw in stall 5. Although George Moore is winnerless on the flat since last August, his last National Hunt runner was successful so the yard aren't exactly going through a barren spell. Although more hopeful than confident, I feel Brasingaman Eric could prove very difficult to pass if sent from the front in a really poor looking race and if fully fit and retaining his ability I'm hopeful of a good showing from a horse who is below his last winning mark.

SRFC

Awful days racing imo,the fillies maiden in the 2nd race leopardstown is probably the maiden of the year so far very nice horses in that,wouldnt be taking a short price on anything with that ground at leopardstown.

UrbanSea

Have backed Macbeth in the 6.45 at Leopardstown at 7/1 earlier on. Backed him in the Lincolnshire and ran a really good race in fifth over an inadequate trip. Only about 5/1 now but thought 7s was a good price.


In the 5.45 I'd be keen to take on the top two, they're two mares I like and have followed but they're vulnerable and think Manuka at 13/2 could beat them

rossom

Bling King a blinder in 3rd. Seems as if its very hard to come from off the pace at Redcar and Bling King did best of those held up. He'll probably come on again for the run and there are races to be won with him.

rossom

Although I'm worried about the massive drift on Stagweekend I've had another little bet at 25/1 in the hope there is late money for him. He's too big at his price but if money doesn't come he won't be winning!

rossom

4.30 Newcastle

Cono Zur 22/1

I was hoping the ground dried out which it seems to have done and I think that makes Ruth Carr's Cono Zur look an absolutely massive price. A horse who loves the ground as quick as possible, Cono Zur is now back down to the same mark of 69 that his last win came off when running out a pretty comfortable winner on firm ground at Haydock last May from a subsequent winner. Additionally, he put up a couple of very good performances off marks of 74 and 75 subsequently and he made a more than adequate reappearance from a 7 month absence at Wolves earlier this month. Another huge positive for the chances of Cono Zur are that, with the really strong wind, it seems very difficult to come from off the pace at Newcastle today and that should definitely suit this front running grey. Ruth Carr, who is very much a trainer who goes the hot streaks, horses seem to be coming to the boil quite nicely with her last runner successful and if the ground is good or better I think he's primed to run a very big race.

Gringo180

That Indian Chief looks a real smart horse he did that very nicely there.

rossom

Cono Zur not going to the front was the writing on the wall.

3ndahalfof6

NEWCASTLE 6:00 HARARE 25/1, not the youngest horse in the race,

been off for a while which might help and can win off this mark, not big stakes, but one that might just have a big smile on the face, crossing the finish line 1st.

sting60

Leo 5.15 11/2 Smoke Charger.Paul Deegans horse ran a blinder last time out considering he was out of the handicap where he ran on well to finish fourth.Today is 2lb better at the weights and has a decent chance.

Howjoe1

Greatest 6.15 leop

was a well backed fav when dissappointing over a mile last time. A bit speculative, but maybe the step up in trip will suit. small ew bet for me.