BUSH TELEGRAPH

AUGUST

 SATURDAY 30th August:

CHESTER TIP

2.50: RED GALA appears to be the forgotten horse in this. Fast ground plays to his strengths and he is an autumn horse. His proximity to Macarthur over this course – when he did not get the best of runs – gives him a similar chance to Speed Gifted. He is a class act on his day and looks value.

FRIDAY 29th August:

SANDOWN TIP

2.10: Not the strongest nursery to solve. A strong message for AAKEF may be the answer despite a low draw. Mythical Blue is a danger. He looks a sprinter pure and simple so the two runs over seven can be dismissed. Returned to his wininng trip of five, he has the draw but his young rider will need to exploit it or run the risk of ending up with nowhere to go. Aakef is the call. 3.55: SUMMERS TARGET has improved since his debut at Ascot and it will take a smart one to beat him. Of the unraced contingent, December is reported as being very useful and could represent the biggest danger.

SALISBURY  TIPS

6.05: ON YOUR WAY is another said to have made giant strides since his last run. Derbaas [beat Summer Target at Ascot so we will get a clue to that form] finished fourth to a Listed winner in France in Soul City at Newmarket and does represent the best form in the race. He is the one to beat.

6.40: STAR ROCKER ran a promising third on his only attempt to date and has been found an ideal opportunity in this maiden. Special Reserve travels but does not finish and Wellington Square may be more effective with some give in the ground. Star Rocker is open to improvement, fancied by his stable and looks poised to win.

THURSDAY 28th August:

GREAT LEIGHS  TIPS

4.00: DIRICULOUS  was given a lot to do last time and although closing late, was never going to get to the leaders. All his wins have been on the artificial surface and with a valuable 5lbs lobbed off due to his capable claiming rider, he has a clear chance to get back on the winning trail.

LINGFIELD  TIPS

2.50: BALLORA  has won off a higher mark than she runs from today. Her third at Salsibury last time reads well in the context of this poor race. Her stable are positive about her chances.

5.20: Legal Eagle is something of a stab in the dark as he has not run since June and has the worst draw. These are the sort of ingredients normally enough to deter any sensible backer. But his form [with the exception of his last run] is so superior to today’s opponents, he may be worth taking a chance with.

AYR TIPS

4.40: Following Amicus Meus has proved costly after two defeats at Newmarket. Today’s extra furlong may help but it could be his window of opportunity is starting to close.

TUESDAY 26th August

RIPON TIPS

3.15 The lightly-raced ROSE STREET gets her opportunity today. Re-routed from a more competitive but abandoned event at York, this imposing filly who has plenty of size, looks all set for a successful autumn and her trainer’s patience should pay dividends. She blew up last time at Yarmouth and will strip fitter today. Ladbrokes obviously fancy her chances as they have installed her at an unrealistic 6/4 in their morning odds. Even the Post go 15/8 and it seems reasonable Rose Street will drift.

GREAT LEIGHS  TIPS

3.30: Whilst Ladbrokes have been swingeing with the price of Rose Street, they seem to have titled their prices in the other direction with CITY STABLE who is available at 5/1 this morning. His last run at Catterick is nothing out of the ordinary but was his first for three months and he is entitled to better it. Earlier form with Enroller, Downhiller, Yaddree and All The Aces means that from a mark of 77, he comes into this with serious claims. Morning favourite, Natural Action, was only second to Swords last time and looks opposable. Certainly his price of 5/2 looks too short against stronger opposition today.

MONDAY 25th August

There are times when prudence is required. With the ground so soft at today’s surviving venues, already uninspriirng cards look proverbial damp squibs as far as betting is concerned. Safest bet appears to be Kempton, where at least the ground can be relied upon.

KEMPTON TIPS

2.45: Blow Hole has shown promise on his three runs to date. Last time he showed promise behind a stablemate over this track and, although far from original, he looks of potential interest.

3.55: It may pay to side with Mastership with his proven track record on this surface and with a favourable draw.

4.30: MANY VOLUMES is reported to be in great shape and is the one to beat. Looks like the best prospect of the day.

5.40: Pritti Fabulous does not look unfairly treated from her mark of 76 after a a couple of promising recent runs. Most notably her second to Admiral Dundas – a fair performer at his best – gives her a real chance with again the draw in her favour.

In fairness this is not a good day from a betting perspective and stakes should be kept to a minimum

SUNDAY 24th August

YARMOUTH TIP

2.20: MAGALING’s fourth at Goodwood reads well, especially in the light of Frognal’s third at Newmarket on Friday. This looks like a two-horser and he is taken to be too smart for Donativum.

GOODWOOD  TIP

2.45: TEMPLE OF THEBES looks progressive and may prove the answer to this.

DEAUVILLE TIPS

2.15: The Group 1 Prix Morny, bringing together French and British juvenile contenders which as a consequence is a tricky puzzle. There is a positve word for Gallagher but it is hard to be confident.

3.45: COASTAL PATH ought to win this having lost an unbeaten record when failing to stay the extreme trip of the Ascot Gold Cup. he has plenty of pace and it is entirely possible he may be considered for the Arc if impressive today. Ex-French Royal And Regal is a serious opponent and there is a real chance he may be overpriced. he is seen as the only realistic danger to Coastal Path.

SATURDAY 23rd August

NEWMARKET TIPS

Newmarket seems to offer the best betitng opportunities today but there are no easy pickings.

12.50: INVINCIBLE HEART’s form when fourth to Wingwalker was franked twice yesterday and he has to be the one to beat.   2.00: Stevie Thunder looks the form horse.   2.35: Sericus is the subject of a positive message. Running from a plater’s mark, he ought to be in the mix.

3.05: Strike The Deal would have been the pick here but the low draw is off-putting. The winners yesterday all came from high numbers and in a race as competitve as this, it is hard to think he will be able to get across.

4.10: It is hard to get over-enthusiastic about Defector but he is highly thought and carries stable confidence. He is in a race that will not take too much winning but you do have to ignore his last run to give him a chance.   Elsewhere plenty of interest but that does not constitute bets.

FRIDAY 22nd August

An unexpectedly great day’s racing but punters should be warned that, although rich in content, it may turn out to be poor in terms of betting returns. We shall see; but some caution is called for.

NEWMARKET TIPS

12.25: Purple Sage ran a race full of promise behind Snoqualmie Girl, who had finished third to Rainbow View. This will give some indication of the worth of the form. Purple Sage shaped like a stayer and with several promising newcomers in opposition, it is hard to make her a confident call.

12.55: The same applies to Midday, another who shaped with promise first time. Well-regarded she has to run the gauntlet of several likely-looking types having their first runs.

2.05: Lush Lashes may be opposable here. In Passage of Time and Michita, she meets two fillies for whom conditions may turn out to be ideal, whereas Lush Lashes may be more effective over ten furlongs. Rain is forecast in East Anglia but at present, newmarket is basking in sunshine making conditions in the Irish filly’s favour. Stamina may make her at her most vulnerable up the hill. A tricky one and I am not sure I have a definite answer.

3.40: DELEGATOR may be strongly fancied but it is worth pointing out that Jamie Spencer foregoes the ride in the ‘Ebor’ on Milne Graden [a horse he has been jocked up on all week] to fly to Newmarket and partner Four Winds in this for Michael Bell.

NEWBURY TIPS

1.45: This looks between Art Connoisseur and Marine Boy. Both are fancied; preference is for Marine Boy.

3.25: Young Mick may roll back the clock in what is clearly a hard handicap.

At present it looks like a case of treading with caution. We should be in a position to provide an update later.

THURSDAY 21st August

GREAT LEIGHS TIP

2.40: Encouraging words have been received for ETHAARA.

CHESTER TIP

6.10: FIRST AVENUE has not always impressed with his attitude but Chester often suits such horses. He does carry stable confidence and is given one last chance.

WEDNESDAY 20th August

On a quiet day, in the 6.55 at Folkestone, PORTODORA is the only message received. She looks to have every chance in a winnable event.

TUESDAY 19th August

Horrendous conditions have forced the abandonment of York where apparently it is still lashing with rain as I write.

We are left with a dead day. We have to assume that Night Lily, who had finished fourth to Rainbow View on her debut and then third to Snoqualmie Girl which is the same formline, ought to be good enough to win at Brighton. She runs in the 2.00. If nothing else she will give a pointer to supporters of Rainbow View for next year’s 1,000 Guineas. It is slightly disconcerting that she has been sent to Brighton to break her maiden but she promises to provide a spark of interest on an anticlimactic day.

It has to be assumed that, with a more favourable weather forecast, prospects for York tomorrow are brighter. In which case it is likely that today’s three Group races will be shuffled to the remaining days of he meeting.

MONDAY 18th August

They are likely to be running in a slop at Windsor with the ground already soft in places and more rain forecast.

LINGFIELD TIP

2.30: MEYDAN DUBAI takes a drop in grade after trying his luck in handicaps. Good runs behind Red Somerset and Cape Hawk mean he would win this weak maiden if able to reproduce such efforts.This ought to be his day.

WOLVERHAMPTON TIPS

2.45: HELPMERONDA is likely to attract support and is reportedly fancied.

3.15: SWORDS caugt a tartar last time in the Irish-trained Master At Arms. From the same mark he has every chance of going one better.

SATURDAY 16th August

Punters are advised to be patient today until seeing the state of the ground. Rain is likely at some stage at Newbury, something that could turn the best laid plans upside down.

NEWMARKET TIPS

1.50: GREENSWARD is spoken of as being in the same league as Gallagher. That being the case he will be hard to beat. However, with several unknowns in the contest, it may be better to delay backing it until more about the race is known.

4.40: This race looks average at best. ROCHEFORT is as good as a winner without a penalty and ought to win. No excuses if he does not.

NEWBURY TIPS

2.10: WHISPERING ANGEL is fancied to win. Maybe the ground will be against Jazz Police and possibly Cry For Freedom, but with two attractively-bred newcomers making the line-up, he makes limited appeal at the price.

2.40: The front two in the betting here, Sixties Icon and Donegal look opposable. (I am more inclined to back against favourites than lay them but each to his own.) Sixties Icon has a well-documented history. Donegal’s second to Conduit flatters him to a degree as Hebridiean was close up in third. More interesting contenders are Eastern Anthem and Peppertree Lane. The ground may tip the balance in Peppertree Lane’s favour, although there may not be much to choose between them.

3.15: PACO BOY has his ground at the time of writing and, more importantly the trip – he is a seven furlong specialist. His price is probably about right but he has to be the pick. Richard Hughes reported the ground at Goodwood was plenty quick enough. Only if it become soft would events conspire against a most progressive and likeable sort, whose only defeat this year was in the French Guineas

FRIDAY 14th August

NEWBURY TIPS

1.50: This event seems to concern the bottom two in the handicap. The consistent Manyriverstocross is assisted by the 5lbs concession from his young pilot, David Probert. As an exposed animal such a weight reduction will help. Ryan Moore may prove the main stumbling block on Woolfall Treasure, who looks the sort to benefit from this step up in trip and is therefore a big danger.

2.20: Opposing Shyrl seems folly. Nobody gets rich backing odds-on shots but, whatever the merits of her second in a dubious Queen Mary, her close third at Windsor on her debut is good enough and represents the best form by a long way in this.

3.30: PARTY FROCK seems to be the best message for what looks an average maiden.

NEWMARKET TIP

6.00: Amicus Meus was an unfortunate loser last week at this track, only going down in the last strides having been drawn on the wrong side of the course. From the same mark compensation awaits and the morning price of 5/1 with Ladbrokes looks destined to be quickly rubbed off.   Other than that, plenty of maidens today for which messages may surface later. .

WEDNESDAY August 13th

SANDOWN TIPS

6.35: TOO TALL looks to have been presented with an open goal after a good debut effort. The Post price of 7/4 looks generous.

8.10: MURCAR is fancied in a tricky looking contest. Any investment should be kept to a minimum.

SALISBURY TIPS

2.30: HELIODOR has his chance to finally get off the mark here in a race that should only concern him and Outofoil.

3.35: STALKING SHADOW will need to display better behaviour to win this than she did at Thirsk last time when mullish at the stalls and then failing to run straight in the race.

4.05: BASQUE BEAUTY could be anything. Being by Nayef, it could be autumn will prove her time of year. Now that the Chapple-Hyam stable appear to be returning to form, Cape Amber, a one time Oaks fancy, takes a massive class drop and it would be a mistake to dismiss her chances or to take her form since York at face value.

BEVERLEY TIP

2.10: COSMIC SUN should appreciate the trip and ground and has his chance here. The draw should make little difference in the opening race but be warned that if the ground turns soft, it is not unheard of for low numbers to be preferred on a track where high numbers invariably enjoy a marked advantage

TUESDAY August 12th

Today has all the makings of being quiet. Little makes appeal although TASHEBA looks to have a clear-cut chance in the 6.55 Nottingham. His defeat of Askar Tau [twice a winner since] suggests he should be too good for modest opposition. His chance is reflected in the price however.

There are one or two possibilities elsewhere and it is a case of waiting to see what may or may not surface.

There is an encouraging word for WEST LEAKE 7.25 NOTTINGHAM. With the Hills stable staging something of a belated rivival, a small interest is advised.

MONDAY August 11th

WOLVERHAMPTON TIPS

3.30: ROCKET ROB may have scrambled home in a seller last time but was a confident stable pick to win and the fact they bought him in and that he runs off a plater’s mark [62] suggests he is capable of winning a poor nursery like this.

4.30: SWORDS returns to a trip he has won off, seems in top form and looks to tick all the boxes.

WINDSOR TIPS

6.50: This seems to be between Rum Jungle and Brave Hawk. Narrow preference is for Rum Jungle.

7.20: DIRICULOUS has the size to negate a weight hike and against tepid opposition may not be a good thing but is certainly the one they have to beat.

SUNDAY August 10th

WINDSOR TIP

3.30: HOUSE OF LORDS has apparently been working very well at Newmarket and with his fourth to Yaddree having been boosted, looks like he may be the one to beat here.

DEAUVILLE TIPS

3.15: The Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest features the return of July Cup winner Marchand D’or. At the start of the season, it appeared we had a strong hand of sprinters but one by one they seem to have fallen by the wayside. Marchand D’or looks a worthy favourite but his price looks plenty short enough. There is little between him and the enigmatic US Ranger who, despite one or two issues, looks the sort to pull off a race like this before long. On this soft ground, Utmost Respect cannot be disregarded whilst Jumbajukiba and Balthazaar’s Gift are players in a race that is not a foregone conclusion. Win or lose, Marchand D’or’s price looks too short.

Half an hour earlier, Anna Pavlova returns to her own sex after her failure at Newmarket. She does have a penalty to carry and only if it is a case of last woman standing would she be the selection. Turfrose has the best overall form but there has to be a stamina doubt whilst Mrs Lindsay and Believe Me should cope with conditions and probably represent the pick of the home team. .

SATURDAY August 9th

Update

Good message has been received for PERFECT STAR 4.05 Ascot. This course and distance winner ran a promising race last time and she looks a value bet and, arguably the best betting prospect of the day.

HAYDOCK TIP

2.35: MULTIDIMENSIONAL is expected open his account for the season in what is his easiest task this year. It has to be said he would be a good thing on his Ascot second to Macarthur but that some of his other runs would make one think twice.

LINGFIELD TIP

6.10: STIRLING CASTLE will be more effective over this trip and carries stable confidence.

NEWMARKET TIPS

3.15 RAINBOW VIEW was impressive on her debut and is expected to follow up.

4.55: TIME CONTROL made a strongly fancied Monbrettia pull out all the stops last time and unless she bumps into a smart newcomer must be the one they have to beat here.

FRIDAY August 8th

LINGFIELD TIP

3.40: MASAMAH has recently been working with older horses and showing plenty of pace. He has loads of ability but the fact he veered from a true course last time is slightly disconcerting. If on his best behaviour can win, but not one to be over-confident about.

NEWMARKET TIPS

7.50: MEYDAN CITY looks interesting in this but confidence is tempered somewhat by Godolphin’s constant recent reversals.

8.20: AMICUS MEUS is reported to be fancied for this. He is not easy to assess but his trainer knows the time of day and this son of Danehill Dancer – who should be okay on the easier ground – did beat a subsequent winner last time. Only has to defy a mark of 71 to win and should go close.

TTHURSDAY August 7th

Just two horses so far on the day.

SANDOWN TIP

6.50: ON OUR WAY is a confident stable pick.

HAYDOCK TIP

4.10: WOODCUTTER is fancied to supplement his recent Newmarket success in this much more competitve handicap. However, his profile is one of an improver and he will relish the trip and the ground should be no problem. There has to be a trip doubt about Allied Powers.

WEDNESDAY August 6th

Merely a few ideas on an otherwise drab day:

NEWCASTLE TIP

2.20: QUATERMAIN only rated 80 in this nursery, is reckoned by his connections to be ahead of the handicapper and that being the case, and assuming his draw will not be a hinderance, he is a tentative suggestion.

PONTEFRACT TIP

3.10: No pizes for originality here but, although only a narrow winner last time, THUMBS UP is said to be better than the formbook indicates.

BRIGHTON TIP

3.30: BAINISTEOIR looks something of a straw-clutcher. Apparently he failed to face the blinkers last time and should be a big-price (probably deservedly) in this.

KEMPTON TIP

6.20: SHOW WINNER has been presented with a good chance of winning under a capable apprentice in a pretty poor contest.

SUNDAY August 3rd

NEWBURY TIPS

2.10: MARINE BOY is the subject of very positive reports in advance of his debut. The stable have had notable success with their juveniles this season and his chance has to be taken seriously. The one proviso could be the ground. Being by One Cool Cat, he is unlikely to want it on the soft side so anyone contemplating backing this colt would be advised to wait until they see how the surface is riding. Plenty of rain fell at Newbury yesterday and, judging by current grey skies, it looks as if more could arrive today.

3.15: GULL WING finished an excellent second to Yellowstone last time with subsequent winner Eastern Anthem in third. On her favoured easy ground and back against her own sex, that should be good enough.

3.50: LOCHSTAR has reportedly been working very well in preparation for today. From a yard in sparkling form, he must have every chance to confirm the promise he showed last year.

4.20: Lightly raced MISS ROCHESTER carries stable confidence in an average event and excuses will surely be thin on the ground if she fails to justify such confidence this afternoon.

DEAUVILLE TIP

2.15: NATAGORA will be hard to beat in the Group One. She left the impression on 1,000 Guineas Day that there was something left in the locker and her third in the French Derby confirmed she is a filly right out of the top drawer. Darjina must be considered as a doubtful runner on soft ground, whilst Nahoodh, although considered by many as unlucky at Newmarket, does not look as if she is quite in Natagora’s class. A bigger threat may be provided by Goldikova.

SATURDAY August 2nd

GOODWOOD TIP

4.25: There seems to be plenty of confidence behind HOLYROOD who shaped with plenty of promise first time out.