Daisy Warwick Fillies' Stakes Runners Guide - In The Pink

Todays only selection from Goodwood in the 2.15 totesport.com E B F Daisy Warwick Fillies´ Stakes (Listed Race) has caught my eye so much that I have more than doubled my bet this morning to the maximum 5PTS! Historically this means I should be expecting a loss but no matter what angle I try to analyse the race from I cannot see why Pink Symphony is not at the head of the market given the conditions.

2000 Guineas Day - Saturday Racing Preview

Feeling refreshed I am once again ready for an assault on the Saturday racing fixtures where I aim to remember all the bets I have placed this time (unlike last weekend)! The Last Derby Antepost punt failed to prove profitable last Monday in the Irish Grand National but I did get to watch the utterly superlative Bury FC give Chesterfield a thumping which acted as a pleasurable alternative reward. Once again I will be at the home of the Shakers on Saturday afternoon which will mean I miss much of the live horse racing coverage and the main event itself - The 203rd running of the 2000 Guineas. I will be avoiding the results at all costs as I will sit down later on in the evening to watch a recording of each race to enjoy the pain and the gains to their fullest.

With the weather looking very assured of itself tomorrow throughout the UK there are no worries with regards to placing my bets early so read on and GET ON!

Irish Grand National - The Last Derby Reminder

The value has by now dispersed with my intended bet on the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday. Whilst The Last Derby was trading at odds of upto 74-1 on Betfair early last week that price has long since capitulated and it is with Ladbrokes that the best price now remains at 20-1.

Powers Gold Cup

Back again after a lacklustre day for the blog yesterday. Why do I periodically see fit to bet on horses shorter than 3-1 in odds? I am SURE I never win on them when I do it! If I ever do it again and do not come up with absolutely 100% indestructible reasons for doing so then feel free to E-mail me as much abuse as possible to stop me from doing it again!

The day was worse yesterday when I failed to remember I had backed Sunley Peace on Friday evening.

Saturday Racing Preview

Racing being televised today comes from Sandown and Haydock but with the latter track offering very much of little interest to myself the day may end up being my most disciplined yet with only two bets envisaged at the Esher track.

Fascinating Weekend Ahead

This weekend the Oddspundit blog looks to get back to winning ways and with several high profile races featured through Saturday to Monday there is hope that moral boosting winner can be found.

Here I take a quick early look at what is on offer over the coming days.

Irish Grand National - Antepost Preview

On Easter Monday the Irish Grand National run over a distance of 3m 5f takes place at Fairyhouse and with a slightly prolonged gap between the Irish and English equivalents some of the Aintree also rans may also be making an appearance this year.

It looks an intriguing contest where is can sometimes pay to take note of trends as year after year the bulk of these are matched by the eventual winner of the contest.

Disaster Averted

An incredibly poor weekend on the horse racing front had me waking up in a gloomy mood on Sunday. I had rescued some of my own betting losses by having a wild bet on Manchester City to beat arch rivals Manchester United in the first FA Cup Semi Final. I only managed to watch the first half before being called away but a text message from a Liverpool fan an hour later which read "Great Result! R U Out?" had me believing my bet might just have landed as I know how much those Scousers hate the red side of Manchester.

Saturday Racing Selections - Ayr / Leicester / Newbury

Racing on Saturday promises to be a treat with a mixture of high calibre National Hunt and Flat Racing action scheduled. Not every race is worthy of a bet but there are a plethora of high octane races on the televised schedule that should keep all enthusiastic racing eyes glued to the their screens throughout Saturday afternoon.

On Target For Saturday

With several quality races over both disciplines being televised on Saturday I am keen not to become too much of a spendthrift as I approach the betting markets from my value betting stance.

I have already laid out my plans for the Scottish Grand National earlier this week but what other races appear worth tackling?

Here are my early thoughts before I do a full form study early in the morning!

Ayr Scottish Grand National Preview

The Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) run over a distance of 4m 110yds will test some of the best long distance chasers when this years renewal takes place on Saturday afternoon at 3.25.

With a maximum field of 30 declared the winner will take a maximum amount of research to configure as can be gleamed from the last decade of results that have involved NINE double odds winners ranging from 12-1 to a colossal 66-1!

None of those horses won without good reason so what looks a good bet this year?

Polytechnicien Can Take Sefton Stakes

Polytechnicien trained by the French trainer Andre Fabre makes his way over to Newmarket HQ on Thursday ready for an assault at Group 3 level on British shores in the Weatherbys Earl of Sefton Stakes. The last time Andre Fabre brought over a contestant for this race was in 2007 when the classy Manduro took his chance and was a well backed Favourite. He saw off the opposition only to set a new course record in the process so no one should take Fabre runners lightly in this.

Double Header National On The Horizon

After the traumas endured in the John Smiths Grand National on Saturday there are now the Scottish Grand National (Sat 16 Apr) and Irish Grand National (Mon 25 Apr) to look forward to. One of our Aintree Antepost selections Killyglen was leading the National Hunt seasons highlight event with only a few fences remaining before unfortunately departing at the final open ditch. It remains unknown as to whether he would have lasted the final half mile but connections were very forward thinking by declaring post race that they cannot wait to try again next year.

Sundays Bet - Plus a Look Back at Aintree

Suffering from a tedious hangover today and a sickly feeling that I am not sure was created through the persistent alcohol intake yesterday evening or the fact the best I could muster in the Grand National was a 7th place. I had to cover my eyes for most of the race as I hate to see horses fall but from the bits I did see it was a thorough test in the warm conditions and those that completed need some proper TLC over the coming weeks.

Tax Free Chance At Thirsk

A quick additional bet from myself now that I have had a little time to look at the scene today on the flat. Channel Four offer some action as normal today and there is one race that looks of interest at 3.15. The Michael Foster Memorial E B F Conditions Stakes slooks an interesting 6 runner 6f race with high class types in opposition. However it is Tax Free who ticks too many boxes for him of not to be of interest on this debut seasonal outing. A fine record when racing in the month of April previously he can add this win to his collection against rivals that undoubtedly will strip fitter for the race and be of more interest towards Summer.

Aintree Day Three Preview - Grand National

It is the final day of the Aintree Grand National Meeting today with one of the most competitive renewals of the main event I can possibly remember. I have already committed myself to naming my Grand National selections well in advance of the day but there is one more outsider that I am willing to add to the mix.

There are also a few other races that offer some intriguing respite so lets not dwell on a quite disappointing second day and put it right today!

Topham Chase Preview

The highlight on Day Two of the Aintree Grand National Meeting for the casual viewer to horse racing is quite simply the John Smith´s Topham Chase Handicap (Listed Race) at 3.40. A ferociously paced race ran over a distance of 2m 5f110y on the National course. Carnage awaits those who are not willing to play a prominent role as many results will testify.

Aintree Day Two Preview - Value Betting

On a day of market principles winning left, right and centre Day One of Aintree yesterday could have been a nightmare but as usual when there was an outsider to be had Oddspundit was on the mark and found it. Russian War (16-1SP) saved our blushes and our bank balances yesterday in amazing style to leave the gun fully loaded for another adventurous attack on Day Two of the three day Aintree Festival.

Russian War Lands The Bet - Aintree Day One Review

Well I never saw it coming. The day had been a TOTAL disaster at Aintree with various races either being plain unsatisfactory or alarmingly unlucky before Russian War at 16-1 came from last to first in a blistering handicap performance for the outrageously intelligent Irish trainer Gordon Elliot.

Aintree Day One - Rest Of The Card Preview

After the Grade One action is complete on Thursday the excitement still continues as we are greeted to what is deemed as the Grand National for amateur riders. The 3.40 John Smith´s Fox Hunters´ (Class 2) is a 2m 5f110y race run over the National fences and is limited to the less experienced horseman. It can mean a visually impressive feat with jockeys flying everywhere but who has the capabilities of staying in the saddle and which horse has the form to complete the course in front?

Aintree Day One - Grade One Picks

Aintree is finally here and the Grand National meeting has arrived. Day One of the Grand National Festival features a welcome influx of high calibre horses to the stage with no less than three Grade 1's and a fine supporting card with seven races in total.

I am off to the racecourse tomorrow to try and scoop some winnings in what promises to be a day of good weather and exhilarating action. The one thing I cannot promise is a winner but I will give it a damn good try and will be disappointed if I cannot go close with quite a few.

US Masters - Golf Preview

What on earth? An article not horse racing related I hear you all cry! Well indeed I have been solely focusing on my specialist subject these last six months but there is one tournament in the world of golf that ranks higher than any other and that is the US Masters at Augusta. Due to its importance and incredibly talented field of past tour winners there is always a bet worth having. Admittedly some of the gloss I believe has been taken away from this years tournament as the BBC has lost live coverage rights in the UK but for those still eagerly anticipating a bet on the tournament it would be to your advantage perhaps if you read this first.

Sunday Not So Good

Over excitement best explains why I chose to bet on Sunday when there was nothing really that fitted into my criteria as a feasible betting contest with a likely big priced winner. I tried to turn the Class 2 Sprint at Doncaster into something it wasn't, an outsiders race - ultimately though the favourite won. I am looking forward to the opportunity when the flat season gets going to really test myself this year. This will not be until May and just after the Guineas that I expect to find my feet just like many horses will be finding theirs at that time.

Karaka Jack Back To His Best?

Infrequently I tend to visit low grade racing for my form reading challenge and today I am attracted by Karaka Jack who runs for trainer David Nicholls in the 3.20 William Hill Home of Betting Handicap (Div II) (CLASS 4) at Doncaster. The horse throughout last season degraded his handicap mark a gigantic 15lb after numerous indifferent performances. With the help of improving jockey Billy Cray claiming 3lb the horse looks feasibly weighted and well drawn for a viable challenge over the 7f trip today. This will be the horses first start for the Nicholls yard who does incredibly well with cast offs from supposedly superior stables. There is no doubt that if the change of scenery has worked then this horse has no alternative than to finish infront at a double figure price.

Pundit Pointer:

3.20 - Karaka Jack (1pt WIN / 0.5 PLACE @ 10-1 BET365)

Read my earlier blog posting for todays main race selections HERE.

Claiming Some Bets At Doncaster And Insight Into David Nicholls' Runners

Sunday sees racing take place in the UK at Doncaster once more for the final day of their three day meeting known currently as the William Hill Doncaster Shield Day. The highlight appears to be the 3.55 williamhill.com Handicap (CLASS 2) event over 6f featuring no less than 22 runners. I offer my two against the field for the contest at what look very big outsider prices.

Started With A Bang

My seasonal debut bet on the flat started in grand style when my two selections for the William Hill Spring Mile Handicap came home first and second.

Eton Forever (10-1) was an eye-catching winner and no doubt will progress onto better things as predicted but Dance And Dance (16-1) proved his ability with a tough fought out runners up spot having raced on from towards the rear early. It was a shame the positions were not the opposite way as my far bigger bet was placed on the runner up but it was not to be. The forecast paid out £142 which would have been a nice sum for anyone daring enough to trust me with my prediction.

Taqleed Out - Prime Exhibit In - Late Lincoln Bet

Very frustrating to hear the news that Taqleed has been withdrawn from the William Hill Lincoln Handicap but my dissatisfaction at the news was quickly healed by a 1-2 and even 3 finish in the Spring Mile (if we include my firmly mentioned Manassas). I needed Dance And Dance to finish infront to claim the big prizemoney but it was still a moral boosting win that netted me a small sum nonetheless.

On the back of that result I have decided to place a bet on my second choice in the Lincoln now that my original pick no longer runs. Prime Exhibit showed a distinctive improvement in form three weeks ago when stepped up in trip for the Lincoln Trial Handicap at Wolverhampton. This race will take no less getting but is indeed 1/2 furlong shorter in distance and I believe there could be a total change of fortune for this race as I deem the pace to come from the FAR SIDE this time around unlike the Spring Mile where I stated correctly the pace was all stands' side.

As this is only a replacement bet I am keeping to minimal stakes and betting the same funds I had on Taqleed.

Pundit Pointer:

3.10 - Prime Exhibit (0.8pts WIN @ 10-1 Betfair)

Cammidge Trophy Preview

Interest from myself is wholeheartedly building gradually as I finally get back to the style of racing I feel I know best and am more comfortable with - FLAT RACING! As much as I enjoy the rigours of evaluating National Hunt form and the success of finding nicely priced winners they are nothing compared to what I am capable of finding on the flat! Now if that statement does not make you read on or bookmark this blog then I honestly do not know what you want!

Here I will declare my interest for the 2.35 Williamhill.com Cammidge Trophy (Listed race) which once again is a horse that has not been heavily considered it would seem elsewhere.

Saturday Racing At Doncaster - The Flat Is Back!

Good times are upon us after an above average winter we now head to the flat season which begins in earnest with competitive renewals of William Hill Lincoln Handicap and the Cammidge Trophy amongst several races that are featured on a credible Doncaster card.

Gamble Continues On Lincoln Favourite Taqleed

The William Hill Lincoln Handicap (Class 2) on Saturday looks all set to be contested by a clear favourite as money continues to come in for the John Gosden trained youngster Taqleed. Already mentioned last weekend in my Lincoln preview was the horse to be on he has halved in price to just 7-2 from 7-1 as the week has progressed.