Tatty's Racing Tips - Thursday 1st December 2011

It all started so well. A 7/1 second followed by a 3/1 winner and then a long line of duck-eggs. Never mind, I suppose we all have days like that - on to Thursday.

Another evening meeting, this time at Wolverhampton's Dunstall Park. Here I list a few to watch. 

• 4.00 Greyfriarschorista - won 2/1
• 4.30 Mr Red Clubs - won 1/3
• 5.00 Bold Ring - 3rd 5/1
• 5.30 Songbird Blues - 2nd 9/1
• 6.00 Mezzotint - won 2/1
• 6.30 Desert Strike - 3rd 8/1
• 7.00 Ryedane - unplaced
• 7.30 Steelcut - unplaced

And now onto football news. The first managerial casualty of the season occurred in the Premier League yesterday, when Steve Bruce  was relieved of his duties at Suderland. 

The Stadium of Light

Early frontrunners to replace him include former Celtic and Aston Villa chief Martin O'Neill who it is rumoured, has turned the job down twice in the past. Another fancied replacement is Welshman Mark Hughes, late of Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. He has been kicking his heels since the summer when he left Craven Cottage and it is easy to see why the position would appeal to him. It is strongly believed that he is the club's chosen target.

I will however make a suggestion as to someone the powers that be at the Stadium of Light should seriously consider. Former Old Trafford favourite and current manager of Norwegian First Division side Molde, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has been turning many heads with the excellent job he has been doing in his homeland and you would think it will only be a matter of time until he returns to manage in England somewhere.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

One final thought - Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's "headhunter" speaking on Radio 5 Live this morning has stated that Fabio Capello could stay on as England manager after his contract expires at the end of Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine. 

Heaven help us all!


For full story click here

Tatty's Racing Tips - Wednesday 30th November 2011

First of all may I wish a very happy St Andrew's Day to all of my Scottish friends.  

I also wish a good day to all the public service workers who are on strike here in the UK today over changes to pension arrangements. I will not say whether I back them or not, but if I mention that Mrs Tatty is a teacher and is spending her day away from the classroom by going Christmas shopping, it doesn't take Einstein to work out where my sympathies lie.

Yesterday we managed 2 winners and a 2nd place which meant we made a little profit on the day.

Today there is an all-weather evening card at Kempton Park, so here is a runner in each race to keep an eye on.

• 4.00 Shaunas Spirit - 2nd 7/1
• 4.30 Snowed In - won 3/1
• 5.00 Wiltshire Life - unplaced
• 5.30 Laaheb - unplaced
• 6.00 Amba - non-runner
• 6.30 Perfect Act - unplaced
• 7.00 Fenella Fudge - unplaced
• 7.30 Doctor Hilary - unplaced

Last night, the mighty Biggleswade United entertained big spending Southern League outfit St Neots Town (a level above United) in the Hinchingbrooke Cup and only went down by 3-2. Well done lads, sorry I wasn't there to cheer you on.

Come on United!

Tatty's Racing Tips - Tuesday 29th November 2011

Even though I say so myself, Monday turned out to be a pretty decent day at the office. 8 choices, 3 winners at 5/1, 3/1 and 3/1, along with a 3^rd place at 14/1 giving us a nice little profit and almost making up for the disastrous, preceding Saturday.

Anyway, enough of the self patting on the back and onto the business in hand, namely Tuesday’s pony gymkhana at lovely, leafy Lingfield (actually I never did like the place much, but I digress). I cannot get very excited about many of the following choices either, except for the class 2 handicap over 6 furlongs at 2.50, which sparks a little interest.

Anyway, here goes......

12.10  Carlton Scroop- Unplaced

12.40  Henry Holmes - 2nd 5/2

1.10     Osiris Way - Unplaced

1.45     Emmuska - Won 13/8

2.15     Beat Route (E/W) - Unplaced

2.50    Capone - Won 9/2

3.20    Shelagh - Unplaced

Tatty's Racing Tips - Monday 28th November 2011

Well Saturday’s selections at Wolverhampton were pathetic and that’s being kind. At least my suggestion of Don McCain’s OVERTURN for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle came up trumps, going off at odds of 9/4. Should you have checked earlier in the day, you would have joined me in getting a better value 7/2. I thought Binocular actually ran quite well, considering how much he generally needs his first run of the season.

OK then, on to Monday’s little lot, again at Wolverhampton’s Dunstall Park. 

• 2.10 Storm Hawk (E/W or place) - Unplaced
• 2.45 One Way Or Another - Won 3/1
• 3.20 Atlantic Beach - Won 5/1
• 3.50 Griffin Point - Unplaced
• 4.20 Masters Club - Won 3/1
• 4.50 Dutchman’s Field (E/W or place) - 3rd 14/1
• 5.20 Boa - Unplaced
• 5.50 Yellow Printer - Unplaced

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Lastly, I said that on Saturday afternoon I was going to Biggleswade United’s Second Meadow stadium to watch their Spartan South Midlands League clash against high flying Haringey Boro’. Somehow, the visitors from North London managed to scrape a 2-1 victory, much to the amazement of most people there. On the balance of play, United definitely deserved at least a point.

Here are a couple of snaps I took before the match got underway.

View from the Main Stand

Players lining up before kick-off (United in Red)

Tatty's Racing Tips - Saturday 26th November 2011

Friday was quite a good day with 7 winners from 15 choices giving a £5.12 profit from £1 level stakes. Admittedly some of the prices were a little on the skinny side, but a winner is a winner (winner-winner-chickendinner!).

All-weather Saturday action is limited to just one evening meeting at Wolverhampton. Here are a few to keep an eye on....

WOLVERHAMPTON

·         6.20 Littlesuzie - Unplaced

·         6.50 Kames Park - Unplaced

·         7.20 Kidlat - 3rd 13/2

·         7.50 Snow Dancer - Unplaced

·         8.20 Haaf A Sixpence - Won 8/13

·         9.20 Lethal - Unplaced

Away from the sand, the highlight of the Saturday National Hunt cards is the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, but as I cannot make my mind up about that I'll post a few thoughts on the Stan James Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle (2.20). Sadly only 5 line up for the 2 mile, Grade 1 contest, and arguments can be made for the chances of BINOCULAR, OVERTURN and CELESTIAL HALO.

2010 Champion Hurdler BINOCULAR will most likely go off odds-on, but he may be up against it having been off the track for over 6 months, as opposed to his 2 rivals who have run far more recently. A class act however and is certainly capable of coming here fresh and winning, but in recent seasons has a habit of needing the run.

CELESTIAL HALO has certainly flourished since returning to hurdling after an ill-fated spell over the larger obstacles and won at Wincanton earlier this month. As much as I like him, in my opinion he is not quite in the same top class as his main 2 rivals in this contest.

I will therefore plump for Don McCain's OVERTURN, who impressed me greatly at Ascot last week, winning the Coral Hurdle. He jumped like a stag and set an unrelenting pace to score by 27 lengths. My only slight concern is that if he and Celestial Halo both try to set the pace, they may well run each other into the ground and leave an opening for Binocular or even one of the outsiders to slip through on the blind side.

KOSTA BRAVA and STORMY WEATHER, both available at up to 100/1, make up the field of 5.

NEWCASTLE

• 2.20 Overturn

We return on Monday, again at Wolverhampton, with what looks to be a very much run-of-the-mill all-weather flat card. Hope to see you then (all being well).

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Am off later to watch Biggleswade United v Haringey Borough, in the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, kick-off 3.00

For Twitter score updates, go to http://twitter.com/#!/Biggleswadeutd

Come on United!

Tatty's Racing Tips - Friday 25th November 2011

There are 2 flat meetings on the all-weather today, here is a choice in each race to keep an eye on.

Dundalk

• 6.30 Richelieu Won 9/2
• 6.55 Isabellareine - Unplaced
• 7.25 Choral Society - Won 9/10
• 7.55 Aloof - Won 4/6
• 8.20 Regal Tramp - Unplaced
• 8.50 Avanti Albert - Unplaced
• 9.15 Strandfield Lady - Unplaced

Wolverhampton

• 4.00 Prince James - Unplaced
• 4.30 Priors Gold - Won 4/9
• 5.05 Pipers Piping - Won 9/2
• 5.35 Bidable - Unplaced
• 6.10 Adranian - Won 11/10
• 6.40 Decision By One - Won Evs
• 7.10 Monty Fay - 3rd 9/2
• 7.40 Munsarim - Unplaced

Tatty's Racing Tips - Wednesday 23rd November 2011

Good morning everyone.

You may have noticed that most of my discussions are concerned with races on the flat (and all-weather). As much as I love watching National Hunt racing, I generally try to keep my investing opportunities to "on the level" only. My Dad always held the opinion that “these fences and hurdles get in the way of a damn good race”, and when my selection falls or unseats its rider, I can see where he was coming from.

On to today’s fayre, we have a varied selection of racing, with jump meetings at Wetherby, Fontwell Park and over the sea at Cork, along with 2 all-weather flat meetings, at Lingfield Park and early evening under the lights at Kempton Park, making up a fairly busy day. 

The best flat race of the day is the listed Class 1 “Come To Kempton on Boxing Day, Hyde Stakes” at 6.35 With a declared card of 14, containing some quite decent animals, it certainly isn’t easy to pick a winner. I like the look of Derek Shaw’s LOYALTY who, even though is taking a raise in grade, may well be good enough to find the frame. Sir Mark Prescott’s Clinical, going for a 4-timer, looks to be the one to beat however.
RESULT: Was never quite up with it to be honest. Ended in 7th place, about 4-5 lengths back.

Earlier at 5.05, the red hot team of trainer Hans Adielsson and jockey Nicole Nordblad are represented by 4 year old gelding SAND SKIER. Back in distance to a mile and a quarter, this may well be his best opportunity to prevail since his last win back in September 2009. 

Swede Nicole has burst on to the all-weather scene recently and has impressed many of us old race watchers, especially with her superb reading of pace in a race. She is certainly one to keep an eye on for the future, that’s for sure.
RESULT: A blanket finish with SAND SKIER coming 5th only a length or so back after seeming to take a wide route around the bend. Went off as 7/4 favourite and worth keeping in the notebook.

Last of all, one to lay. Over at Lingfield Park (1.05), we have a competitive 6 furlong handicap. TRIPLE CHARM from Jeremy Noseda’s yard, goes up into handicap company for the 1^st time after winning her maiden at Windsor last month. From a stable that is not particularly firing at present, she certainly has the scope for improvement, but I think there will be at least one too good for her today.
RESULT: Whoops! I'll hold my hands up, got it totally wrong - sorry!

TWO TO BACK

•      SAND SKIER Kempton 5.05
•      LOYALTY Kempton 6.35 (each-way)

LAY FOR TODAY

•   TRIPLE CHARM Lingfield 1.05

Tatty's Racing Tips - Tuesday 22nd November 2011

Hello all

First of all one to lay. WHERE’S REILEY (Southwell 12.10) returns to the track after a spring and summer break of 252 days. On his last foray at Southwell, he completed a two-timer and goes up 5lbs in the handicap for his success. Although his stable is currently in decent form, he generally needs the run after a break and the lack of blinkers today is noticeable. I can’t see him winning here, but the current lay odds of 7.8 does not seem conducive to betting. Keep an eye though, if that figure goes in to maybe between 6 and 6.5 then lay him to lose.

RESULT: Very much as I expected, WHERE'S REILEY was ceratinly in need of the run. Drawn on the outside in stall 12, he was in touch until about halfway when he weakened. Went off as a 5/1 second favourite, trading at 6.89 at the off on Betfair.

An hour later at 1.10 NIGHT TRADE makes her debut on Fibresand, after a reasonable spin on the Polytrack at Kempton last Friday when coming in 3^rd. It is noticeable that she dons the cheekpieces again (no headgear on Friday), when it seems questionable to me whether she really needs them (maybe something to do with her hanging left in the final furlong at Kempton though). I just think that if she takes to the softer sand surface (she has run well previously on turf with give underfoot), she could reach the frame, so back either each-way or place only.

RESULT: For whatever reason the headgear was re-applied, it didn't help and NIGHT TRADE always lagged behind and was a rather disappointing selection.

• LAY WHERE'S REILEY - Southwell 12.10 
• E/W or PLACE NIGHT TRADE - Southwell 1.10

A Lack of Posts

Sorry I have not posted for the last couple of days. Sometimes boring stuff like earning a living gets in the way of the blogosphere if you know what I mean.

Hopefully back to normal soon with some thoughts on a few horses (that will hopefully be somewhat more profitable than the two old nags I suggested last Friday).

TTFN.........

Tatty's Racing Tips - Friday 18th November 2011

Yesterday was very good day if, like me, you kept well away from laying Barrie Burn. Both the other’s were well beaten, bringing us a nice little profit.

Today I have a couple that might be worth backing with a small each-way (or place only) investment.

At Kempton Park (3.30), Richard Fahey runs GOLDENVEIL. At prices currently hovering around the 14/1 mark and with little recent form to her credit, you might think that I have finally lost the plot and should be awaiting a visit from those fine upstanding individuals in their white coats. But wait, Racing Post tipster The North, not only tips her, but makes her the nap for the day – surely he has some idea as he does this for a living? 

Recently she has plummeted down the weights and is very much out of form, but certainly possesses the ability and a debut on the all-weather, in a lower class of race than she has been contesting, might just be the change she needs. 

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Up at Haydock Park (12.50) Champion Hurdle 3^rd placed horse from 2007 AFSOUN, runs in a 2 mile, class 3, handicap hurdle. In his prime he wouldn’t have had much trouble in seeing off these, but he hasn’t been in the frame since May 2010, nor won for 3 years and in truth is certainly not the horse he once was. On the plus side however, he is fond of Haydock and is declared for the Coral Hurdle at Ascot tomorrow (though I can’t imagine he’ll run). On the negative side the good ground is not certain to suit. 

If you remember the old adage that form is temporary and class is permanent, surely Afsoun is worth an each-way/place flutter?

Today's Choices (both each-way or place only)

• Afsoun - Haydock 12.50
• Goldenveil - Kempton 3.30

Keep your fingers crossed..........

Tatty's Racing Tips - Thursday 17th November 2011

Well yesterday proved to be a devilishly decent day with Domoly getting beaten, albeit only just, but still earning us the odd penny or 3 (Lightning Sprit being scratched). This tipping to lose lark may just be a winner!

On to today. Jumping at Wincanton, Market Rasen and Thurles - all-weather flat action at Kempton Park is the fare on offer.

BAZART (Hereford 12.55) - trained by Bernard Llewellyn in Caerphilly, Wales, has been running creditably well since dropping in the ratings to the low to mid 70's. On a 3 timer today, but 2 things worry me about the 9 year-old's chances. I think running off a mark of 83 is just that bit too high for him and the anticipated good to soft conditions may not be ideal either. On the plus side however, Llewellyn is renown for being quite shrewd in the placement of his horses and never let it be said that the horse will not be in prime condition. Still worth opposing today though I think.

Another one climbing the weights is Milton Bradley's THE GREY ONE (Hereford 3.30) after some impressive placed efforts at Worcester and Fontwell, followed by a win at Huntingdon. He gets an extra 10lbs lumped on after that victory which should really scupper his chances. 

The 2.50 at Market Rasen on paper looks a fascinating contest. Arguments could be made for and against quite a few of the participants, but the one that interests me in the Jonjo O'Neill trained and AP McCoy ridden BARRIE BURN. The 5 year old ran at Aintree a month ago, pulling up sharply 3 fences out. We must assume that the problem has now been sorted, but is he running again too soon maybe? Possibly worth watching and laying in running if there are any negative signs.

Lays for today:

• BAZART Hereford 12.55
• BARRIE BURN Market Rasen 2.50
• THE GREY ONE Hereford 3.30

Tatty's Racing Tips - Wednesday 16th November 2011

Hello all

Being as my recent tips have proven that I cannot pick a winner for love nor money, I have come up with a couple for today that will be fancied, but I think will be beaten. If you are a player on the exchanges (Betfair, Betdaq etc), these may well be worth laying.

Firstly we go to Hexham for the 3.10 where Ferdy Murphy saddles 2 runners. The more fancied (and most likely race favourite) is DOMOLY. The 8 year old gelding won over course and distance 12 days ago and goes in with an 5lbs extra on his back because of it. In truth he didn’t have a lot to beat that day and watching the race, it seemed he was struggling a furlong or so out. He somehow rallied to win, but I really cannot see him doing it again. This field isn’t the greatest either, but there are 1 or 2 capable of beating him in it. On the plus side however, he is piloted today by Graham Lee as opposed to a claimer.

Over on the all-weather at Lingfield, in the 1.50 Gary Moore’s LIGHTNING SPIRIT lines up against 11 other handicappers in an interesting looking 0-55 contest. She stayed on well to win last time out at Kempton, but this is up a grade and I think she will struggle. I am always dubious when 3 year olds come up against older (more savvy) horses and currently trading at lay odds of 7/2 (Betfair) I think she is well worth taking on.
UPDATE: Connections must have known she was unlikely to win as she has been declared as a non-runner.

TODAYS LAY TIPS

·         LIGHTNING SPIRIT Lingfield Park 1.50 NON RUNNER

·         DOMOLY Hexham 3.10

Tatty's Racing Tips - Monday 14th November 2011

Well Saturday's tips were a complete load of old rubbish, so no accusations that I am misleading anyone please. I make it abundantly clear that the old nags I suggest are to be avoided like the plague and I MEAN IT (by the way, if you missed me yesterday, then you are sadder than I am!)

Plumpton Racecourse from way back when (in 1985) - probably about the last time Tatty picked a decent winner (image by Nick MacNeill)

OK, on to Monday then. Traditionally a pretty cruddy day when it comes to horse racing in the British Isles and today is no exception to this rule. Jumping at Leicester, Plumpton and over the sea at Limerick, washed down with some all-weather flat action at Wolverhampton.

Today's nags to avoid are:

Leicester

• 2.50 First Fandango

Wolverhampton

• 2.10 True Satire
• 4.40 Glenridding

Tatty's Racing Tips - Saturday 12th November 2011

With an 11/2 winner yesterday (Third Half), we just about broke even. Back this lot and you'll be crying all the way to the bank!

Today's no-hopers are as follows:

Uttoxeter

• 2.40 Present To You
• 3.15 Officer In Command

Lingfield Park

• 1.40 Frog Hollow
• 2.15 Hunter's Light
• 3.20 Mia's Boy (each-way)

Cheltenham

• 1.55 Fair Along (each-way)

Wetherby

• 2.55 Vamizi

Wolverhampton

• 7.20 Triple Eight (each-way)
• 9.20 Bravestofthebrave

That's your lot!

Off down the bookies now then...............

Tatty's Racing Tips - Friday 11th November 2011

Todays racing tips are listed below.

Lingfield Park (AW Flat)

• 1.25 More Than Words 
• 2.35 Musharakaat
• 3.10 Catchanova

Newcastle (NH)

• 3.20 Bardolet

Wolverhampton (AW - Flat)

• 5.45 Third Half 
• 7.45 Dingaan

Dundalk (AW - Flat)

• 8.20 Northgate

REMEMBER - Back any of these at your peril. You have been warned!

Good luck - you'll most likely need it!

Joe Frazier RIP

Further to my post on Sunday, the sad news has come through this morning that former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier has died from liver cancer.

 

The BBC is showcasing an interview with him from 2008, first broadcast on their Inside Sport programme – well worth a look. Click on link below....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/15616562.stm

Rest in peace, big man. It was truly an honour to watch you in the ring.

It's time Sir Bruce Forsyth Called it a Day

Hopefully I will never be accused of beating around the bush and not saying what I think. 

This posting is going to upset a lot of people, but sadly it has to be said - at age 83, the veteran host of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, Sir Bruce Forsyth, should call it a day and retire.

 Brucie (Wikipedia)

I agree that Brucie is a living legend and has long been a favourite in British households, but let's be honest here - he's just not funny anymore and if anything, watching him on a Saturday evening has become something of an embarrassment. It is noticeable that he doesn't get to front the Sunday evening results show, although last evening he popped up with a totally cringeworthy song and dance routine.

How would he be replaced I hear you ask? If you remember, when he fronted the Generation Game for the BBC back in the late 70's, he decided to jump ship and join ITV for his ill-fated Big Night show (can't imagine there's any danger of him being poached by ITV again somehow). He was replaced by camp comedian Larry Grayson who, against all the odds, took the show to a higher level and not only achieved higher viewing figures, but in truth did a far better job. Forsyth's new ITV show was cancelled after one run.

A suggestion for his replacement could be SCD dancer Anton du Beke, who has made a creditable job of fronting the Hole in the Wall show for the BBC, also on Saturday evening (when SCD is off-season) or even a return to regular TV of Sir Terry Wogan. 

du Beke and regular dance partner Erin Boag.

But as for Sir Brucie, now he has been awarded his long deserved knighthood, it's time the BBC and the British nation said a big thank you and allowed him to retire gracefully.

Breeder's Cup, Champion Jockey and Joe Frazier.

I apologise for the lack of posting on this blog for the last couple of weeks.

As this is predominantly a column concerned with sports and writing topics (although it's hard to believe sometimes), it doesn't help that my published writings have also recently been few and far between. This is due to my returning to part-time University undergraduate study which is somewhat time consuming to say the least. I still remain as a Feature Writer at Suite101.com even though I have requested a move back to Contributing Writer status (less commitment supposedly). 

Should you have the slightest interest however, I have been keeping up a Uni' based blog which is available by clicking the following link:

Mikey's Blag (don't you mean Blog?)

HORSE RACING

A fairly decent night for Europe at the Breeders' Cup last night with 2 successes for Aidan O'Briens Ballydoyle team.

Wrote, partnered by Ryan Moore impressively won the Juvenile Turf with a perfectly timed run, whilst the trainers' son Joey, became the youngest jockey at 18 to ride a winner, when steering St Nicholas Abbey to the Breeders Cup Turf.

St Nicholas Abbey, previously pictured at Epsom (KrisV)

It was sad to see French superstar Goldikova get beaten into 3rd in her final race, especially as she is the only horse ever to win 3 previous Breeder's Cups and no-one would have denied her the 4th. On a personal note, I was upset as I had the odd penny or two riding with her.

Congratulations to Paul Hanagan upon securing his 2nd UK Champion Jockey title in 2 years at the end of the turf flat season at Doncaster yesterday. He eventually triumphed by just 4 winning rides from Brazilian Sylvestre De Souza, with Kieren Fallon back in 3rd. Its now back to studying all-weather racing for the winter months for us UK flat racing fans.

BOXING

Today I heard the sad news about heavyweight legend Joe Frazier being admitted to a Philadelphia hospice after his recent liver cancer diagnosis. Who can forget his 3 fights with Muhammad Ali back in the 70's, including the one and only "thriller in Manila". There was never any great love lost between the 2 great champions, but in recent years Frazier had begun to forgive Ali for his incessant taunting during the 70's.
 

Never the best of friends, Ali and Frazier pictured in 2003 (Cliff1066)

It is unclear as to the full details of his illness, but the 67 year olds condition has been described as very serious. I can only wish him all the best in what is his most important fight of all. 

Full story courtesy of the Los Angeles Times

That's all for now - I will try not to leave it so long next time.