BUSH TELEGRAPH

OCTOBER

OCTOBER RACECOURSE WHISPERS

BUSH TELEGRAPH  FRIDAY

NEWMARKET RACECOURSE NOTES

12.40: They are keen on Emirates Roadshow here but confidence seems to stem from the knowledge nothing else appears fancied. On evidence so far this expensive American-bred looks no more than average. That may be good enough in a lack lustre event, but the reasoning for his winning is not what I personally like to hear. Expect him to be a short price.

3.00: This is a race that historically favours juveniles. This year’s crop look below par. Kaldoun Kingdom has the best credentials and acts on this ground. However, his form figures are disconcerting. With everything in his favour today, maybe he will rectify that. It is worth noting that Frognal has an eight pound pull for four lengths with Khor Dubai on Redcar running taking his rider’s claim into account. The ground is the leveller here. With neither proven on it, it is a guess but he may represent a bit of value.

UTTOXETER RACECOURSE NOTES

2.00: Pancake will handle the ground and has always appealed as a chaser. The size of a double-decker bus, he may come on for the run but if his jumping is as expected he could get away with it. Certainly he is an interesting recruit.

BUSH TELEGRAPH THURSDAY

At this crossover period of the two seasons, bets are presently few and far between. There is a fine card at LINGFIELD today but finding winners is not easy. Just to make it harder the emphasis in the feature races is on fillies which, as is constantly demonstrated, can catch us all out at this time of year. If maintaining her current progress then Storyland will take the beating in the 3.10 despite the rise in grade.

I am struggling to make some sense of he 3.40, a race that has a tempting look to it if you are prepared to take on Bazroy. Gallantry and Commander Cave are the two beckoning but Gallantary has to put up a personal best to win (not out of the question with optimum conditions in his favour) and Commander Cave is a horse heading in the opposite direction that is on a winning mark having slipped in the weights. I have to pass.

At STRATFORD there is a strong word for Bakbenscher in the 4.20. This seems a worse kept secret than the fact we are in recession. He is expected to take high rank but is already a short price and it is likely to become shorter. There is little point in backing horses of this type as bookmakers will be controlling the action. Stick him in your multiple bets by all means but there will be bigger fish to fry in the future.

BUSH TELEGRAPH WEDNESDAY

There are two possibilities today. From now on I am proposing earmarking bets as opposed to selections and ideas.

There are no actual bets today but it will be interesting to watch the run of Contretemps in the 4.30 at Great Leighs. He seemed to run out of stamina last time and failed to handle soft ground. The ground issue has been addressed but the step up in trip is surprising. With any other yard you would be tempted to think it is his third run for a handicap.

At Kempton, I am told Officer In Command is fancied in the 6.50.

In the 8.50, Cat Whistle, an ambitious selection last time, was arguably a shade unfortuate not to win. She faces no easy task but, at a time of year when she runs well and from an advantageous draw, is the one to beat. If she gets the breaks she should go close.

BUSH TELEGRAPH TUESDAY

Nothing of interest today on what has to be described as a poor afternoon of racing.

BUSH TELEGRAPH MONDAY

LEICESTER RACECOURSE NOTES

Caution is the watchword right now. A change in the ground at Leicester makes it tricky but looks likely to count against Young Mick in the 2.45. Spanish Hidalgo revels in the soft but a light campaign this season hints at a horse that has had a problem or two. This is his level and he may be worth chancing.

LINGFIELD RACECOURSE NOTES

3.20: FALTICAV looked like a colt that had plenty more to offer when scoring at Kempton. Upped 6lbs, he can follow up here.

BUSH TELEGRAPH  SUNDAY

AINTREE RACECOURSE NOTES

3.15: With no Kauto Star to beat this time, in a race he won last year, MONET’S GARDEN is surely worthy of serious consideration.

4.25: CHINA GOLD is fancied here …

WINCANTON RACECOURSE NOTES

 … and the same yard accord a good chance to Russian Invader in the 2.20

LONGCHAMP RACECOURSE NOTES

In the Prix-Royal Oak at 2.50 and shown live on BBC2, GETAWAY, looks to have the best qualifications over a distance likely to pay to his strengths. Yeats has never won in France despite several opportunities and this trip looks short of his best. On the back of a tame run last time he looks opposable.

BUSH  TELEGRAPH SATURDAY

NEWBURY RACECOURSE NOTES

1.40: KING’S DESTINY is a stable message here and should be hard to beat.

DONCASTER: RACECOURSE NOTES

 3.35: I have a feeling that Jukebox Jury may be on the short side for this. Apparently there is little to choose between the Ballydoyle raiders, Masterofthehorse and Indian Ocean with the stable divided. This looks a tricky race to solve.

SANTA ANITA RACECOURSE NOTES

6.10: SIXTIES ICON should win this.

6.50: Fleeting Spirit is in great form and will be suited by the fast conditions. But a low draw seemed a disadvantage yesterday and beating the Americans in these sprint races is hard. She may win but everything will need to drop into place.

One or two of the other races have been covered in an article on ‘And Another Thing…’

A tough day today and one that requires a degree of caution.

Bush Telegraph Friday 24th October

DONCASTER RACECOURSE NOTES

A card designed by a maze-maker. No bets today

Bush Telegraph Thursday 23rd October

LUDLOW RACECOURSE NOTES

2.20 Balzacchio ex french, stable in flying ofrm and one of their better novices

3.55 Kerrimuir Lass bet in fine form and as long as ground stays as it is she wil take all the beating

GREAT LEIGHS RACECOURSE NOTES

7.20 Roblevka Star. Message received from Newmarket indicates she has improved since debut at Yarmouth. On the face of it she wouldn’t have to find too much to win this, and chances are she will attract morning support

WEDNESDAY 22nd October

BATH RACECOURSE NOTES

LASSO THE MOON falls into the category of being the obvious in the 2.00. He really ought to be good enough here after finishing second to Palavinci. Certainly the sort of selection that can be including in any multiple bets!

GREAT LEIGHS RACECOURSE NOTES

3.10: It may be MATSUNOSUKE’S turn today. A winner this time last year, forget his latest run at Bath but judged on his two preceeding runs he wins. With a good draw and on the assumption his trainer has factored in the fact the majority of his winning has been at five, he is back amongst more suitable company today.

KEMPTON RACECOURSE NOTES

8.20 OTAARED is expected to continue the current run of the Michael Jarvis stable. They feel he has been leniently treated on his handicap debut. That seems reasonable; however the price does not.

TUESDAY 21st October

LINGFIELD RACECOURSE NOTES

2.30: TEST MATCH, reportedly green on his debut, is expectd to be a lot sharper today and get off the mark.

YARMOUTH RACECOURSE NOTES

2.20: MEZENAH is expected to provide Godolphin with a two-year-old winner. Recent homework suggests she has come on considerably since her debut.

EXETER RACECOURSE NOTES

Stage a good card for jumping enthusiasts. The 2.40 looks like being a hot race. There are messages for the three from the big yards: Hector’s Choice, The Nightingale and Shalone. It is the last-named that seems the strongest although there is a train of thought within the Alan King yard that their horses might be just needing their first runs. For that reason Shallone may drift in the betting, resulting in him becoming a value each-way wager.

Monday 20th October

PONTEFRACT RACECOURSE NOTES

3.40: PLAYFELLOW is technically receiving 5lbs from the filly Lahaleeb who faces a tough task if turned out after her win at Newmarket on Saturday. Playfellow is well-fancied by his connections and his third to Westphalia and Zacinto at Doncaster represented improved form. The only possible negative for me is the stiff mile, which could conceivably stretch his stamina. On the assumption his excellent stable have factored this into their assessment he looks the call but, if Lahaleeb does not run his price will be too short to take a chance.

WINDSOR RACECOURSE NOTES

4.00: Inchwood is expected to provide the Michael Jarvis stable with a double. Her task does not look straightforward to me with the lightly raced and hard to assess Jaadull open to any amount of improvement.

Sunday 19th October

KEMPTON RACECOURSE NOTES

2.20: SATICON  is the subject of a strong message here and by all accounts will be hard to beat. He seems to have only two serious rivals: Maxwil and Newmarket juvenile winner, Fr Dominic.

2.50: Greenbridge has apparently schooled well over fences, which is what this game is all about.

4.35: On a big day for the Alan King yard, Katchit, although not fully wound up, should be capable of  successfully kick-starting his season.

Horseracing Tips -October Archive

SATURDAY 18th Oct

NEWMARKET:

2.05: Cat Junior is a suggestion. This trip will suit and the stable is in sparkling form.

2.35: Rip Van Winkle’s form needs radically improving upon to justify a ludicrous morning price. Huntdown and Delegator are seen as the possible alternatives, whilst Soul City should not be dismissed. This is a hard race to call despite the fact there is great value on offer due to the incorrect pricing of the favourite.

3.10: New Approach has had a hard season. I would not back him as his last run suggested he may be feeling the effects of being on the go since the Guineas. But I would not back against him as this is a sub-standard Group 1.

3.50: LIBERATE makes plenty of appeal in a race that may not be as hard to solve as the numbers suggest. First time cheekpieces will help him to concentrate and he is reported to be fit and in fine fettle.

5.00: UNSUNG HEROINE is a filly peaking at the right time of year after an excellent second in the St Leger. I know it is dangerous backing fillies at this time of year (demonstrated by Spacious yesterday), but I will make her the exception today on the assumption her sensible trainer would not risk her if he felt she was not able to do herself justice. Not forgetting she had the Oaks winner behind her at Doncaster on what was only her third run, her price of  9/4 appears generous.

CHELTENHAM: 3.25: Two-and-a-half miles is ideal for Bible Lord who spent too much of last year racing over the wrong trip. I would have taken a chance with him today but for his trainer’s negative comments in the Post. He wants watching though as he is capable of lifting this sort of prize when right.

 FRIDAY 17th October 

NEWMARKET:

3.45: SPACIOUS may not be a clever selection but she looks a solid prospect dropped in grade to Listed Class and stepped up to ten furlongs. On a day full of question marks, she ticks all the boxes. Two big-priced selections are available on Pennies To Pounds at Newmarket.

CHELTENHAM:

There are some decent types on show today and whilst it still seems early to be parting with cash, those thinking Ring The Boss faces an open goal in the 2.55 should be aware that Razor Royale is held in high regard by his stable and expected to make his mark over fences this year. He may give the favourite plenty to do.

THURSDAY 16th October:

The Racing Post headline tells it all: “Thursday Thriller” – a rematch between two old crocks – War of Attrition and Kicking King. Neither has won for two years and both are surely shadows of their former selves. Good luck to both but what odds one fails to finish?

NOTTINGHAM TIPS

1.40: Big Bound will be a warm order here.

2.40: Racing from a mark of 68, Johnny Rook is thrown in on his debut run at Newbury behind Orizaba. The trouble is it is not a run he has capitalised on. But he has been off the track for nearly three months that suggests something may have been ailing him. If it has been fixed then he could easily win this. Any market interest should be noted.

BRIGHTON TIPS

2.30: Roman Glory ought to win this but his third at Newmarket is not as good as it looks. It may be good enough but…

4.30: Sendreni is no nap but looks worth a small interest on the day. In a race that is little better than a seller, he has the form to go close and the booking of Richard Hughes looks significant.

MONDAY 6th October:

WINDSOR TIPS

3.00: CHEVIOT  looks to have a big chance here, particularly as his Newbury form has been boosted by the run of Neshri at Newmarket. The drop in trip will also help – should win.

WARWICK TIPS

2.30: BOUVARDIA looks well-treated, particularly in the light of Tiger Eye’s win at Newmarket.

4.20: OLYMPIC CITY probably has an easier task here than when beaten in a very competitve event at Kempton last time. Has won on soft and could reward a modest investment at a big price.

PONTEFRACT TIPS

4.10: DIAMOND YAS is surely better than claiming class and should be too good at this level.

SUNDAY 5th October:

LONGCHAMP TIPS

It is my contention that unless you have a strong opinion, it is no good approaching a meeting like this concentrating on the obvious. There are easier ways of backing 5/2 winners than attempting it here!

1.15: The first of five Group 1s on a star-studded day by any standards. We have to assume not everything will go to plan today, particularly with the likelihood of rain. Marchand D’ Or and Fleeting Spirit are the two form horses here but there are obvious question marks. Although a winner over five, this does not seem to be the ideal trip for Marchand D’ Or. On the other hand, this race seems tailor-made for Fleeting Spirit, but her well-documented interruption is a worry. The less talented but equally less complicated pair: National Colour and Equiano (would not want if soft but not right in the Nunthorpe) are seen as viable alternatives. You have to climb off the fence in races like this and I don’t think Bordlerlescott will win.

1.50: Again may be the real deal but her form does not exactly scream at you. She had Sugar Free (well beaten at Newmarket on Friday) behind her last time and looks short enough. Elusive Wave has proved herself in today’s conditions (would not any deterioration in the ground though) and along with Copperbeech looks the best of the home team. We are dealing with fillies and with no real solid form lines, a turn up is possible here.

2.25: Mastercraftsman looks the real two-year-old deal. Given time, I feel stable mate Rip Van Winkle may turn out to be the better but, taking the Prix Morny won by Bushranger as representing the best two-year-old form, Mastercraftsman, who beat him at the Curragh, ought to win the Criterium. Stamina and ground is not a problem and he does look bombproof on all known form. Milanais may prove best of he home team but they ought to be playing for places.

3.00: On a day likely to be dominated by fillies, we come to the Prix de l’ Opera. Back Lush Lashes if you wish, but she makes no appeal at the price. The ground may be against her and she comes here on the back of a long hard season. I am taking a chance with top juvenile, Proviso who looked to have lost her way in the early part of the year. However, a gradual restoration of her form has been signposted and she is a good filly on her day. It should not be forgotten she was favourite when runner-up in last year’s Fillies Mile at Ascot, a race in which many felt she was unlucky. l know the stable jockey choses Treat Gently in preference but she lacks a killer turn of foot and I believe it is entirley possible he has made a mistake.

3.40: So we come to one of the great showpieces of the year. Apart from dismissing Youmzain, I have little to add. We all know Zarkava has looked brilliant but having a bet here is not compulsory. For a three-year-old filly to win this means she has to be exceptional. Zarkava is exceptional but, taking on beefy colts for the first time, with the possiblity existing that she may forfeit ground at the start and that rain may turn the surface against her, she cannot be a bet. I wish her well. This is not a race to guess in inless you are backing a double-figure priced horse and I cannot see a suitable candidate. For me it is perm any one of the first four in he betting, in which case I may as well be in Las Vegas!

Bon Chance and Viva Le France!!

FRIDAY 3rd Oct

NEWMARKET tIPS

The ground is crucial today. Rain is forecast for the east of the country which could well embrace Newmarket. Running through he card…

1.00: Evasive the one to beat but faces some likely unraced types and his third at Kempton, although promising, needs improving upon.

1.30: Snoqualmie Girl the form horse. Beat colts at Salisbury and one of them, On Your Way, ran well enough in the Royal Lodge to make her the filly to shoot at. Not too many dangers. Ave looks the most obvious improver.

2.05: A drop of rain may improve the chances of Bankable but he has won on this sort of surface and his main adversary, Eagle Mountain, may find this a bit sharp.

2.40: A tough race to solve. Serious Attitude is fancied and the ground will sut. Pursuit Of Glory has to be respected as does Sugar Free who has mixed it with colts. By Oasis Dream, she has run on firm but may prefer a drop of juice.

3.10: Bushranger represents the top colts’ formline at present. By Danetime and winner of the Morny on soft, as it stands this ground could find him out. HUNTDOWN was enormously impressive at Newbury two weeks ago. By Elusive Quality [same sire as Raven’s Pass] he will be all the better on the current ground. This is a big step up for him but he has impressed from day one and looks a top class contender. In the absence of rain he is worth backing. But obviously we have to wait until race time. There is nothing between Prolific, Gallagher and Sayif on the book. It would appear they are playing for places.

4.20: If he can put his tumble at Chester behind him, Speed Gifted has the necessary form.

THURSDAY 2nd October:

NEWMARKET TIPS

2.00: Alhaque finished an excellent second to North East Corner at the last meeting and should win this maiden. It will take a well above average newcomer to beat him but that looks sure to be reflected in the price.

3.45: This is the day when we discover if the highly promising Wingwalker can realise his potential. Not a betting proposition at the price but he should be up to the task. North East Corner [form on show in the opener but may have been advantaged by his draw on a day when high numbers held the call] and Control Zone are intersting contenders but need to raise their respective games.

GOODWOOD TIPS

2.10: HISTORY LESSON is my idea of the best best of the day. This looks an average contest and his second to Control Zone (form that has been franked) looks better than Noverre To Go’s second to subsequently beaten Diddums.

WEDNESDAY 1st October:

Plenty of racing today but only one serious candidate for me and we have to wait until the 8.50 at KEMPTON, where FALCATIV looks a good thing. This is a horse we picked up on two runs ago when he finished a tenderly-handled fifth at Doncaster behind Sortita. Apprentice-ridden that day and again at Sandown last time when having his first run in a handicap, he gets the services of Dane O’Neill tonight. Rated only 73, a reproduction of his last run should be good enough in this company; but it seems reasonable to assume he is capable of bettering it. That is the good news. I fear the bad will be the price. Anything bigger than 6/4 looks a bonus to me.

Those looking for a couple of more speculative wagers should take a peep at our sister service, PENNIES TO POUNDS, but those with a nervous disposition should look away…