BUSH TELEGRAPH

DECEMBER

BUSH TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31st

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

LINGFIELD is the only surviving English meeting today.   It looks temptingly possible that we can end the year on a positive note:  

2.00: Maswerte showed enough last time to suggest he can reverse placings with Today's The Day, particularly over this extra furlong.  

12.30: Wind Flow is certainly up to winning a seller against geriatrics.  

1.00: Despite a dodgy draw, Cut And Thrust (excuses last time) is taken to beat the disappointing Captain Walcot.  

2.00: Mister Thatcher can beat a moderate bunch here. Of his two main dangers, Mistress Cooper is better over five and River Kirov is beginning to look exposed and badly drawn.  

3.30: Finally, as an observation, Perfect Act is well-handicapped if she can be forgiven her last run when she ran too badly to be true.

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 30th

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

The all-weather cards are disappointing. Possibly the talented but quirky Titan Triumph will win again at Lingfield. But I would hesitate to recommend him as a bet although the tight track and Polytrack seems to have revitalised his interest in the game.   A quiet day from this quarter and possibly until the Cheltenham meeting on New Year's Day.

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MONDAY DECEMBER 29th

NEWBURY RACING TIPS

An interesting rather than potentially profitable card. Dave's Dream is a horse expected to produce great things, particularly when put to fences. Some locals have even backed him to win the Gold Cup, but that is a long way down the line. China Gold is expected to step up on his last run when blowing up but may not be in the same class as the Nicky Henderson representative.  

MUSSELBURGH RACING TIPS

1.50: Don't Stop Me Now may make the weight allowance count against West With The Wind, but it is a tight call.

2.20: Gringo will be suited by this track and looks to have every chance of providing a double for the Howard Johnson stable.  

GREAT LEIGHS

3.05: Dover Street Art could be the best bet of the day. Tartan Gunna's habit of breaking slowly (had to be blindfolded for entry last time) is off-putting. Dover Street Art ran well on his debut and looks like he has plenty more to offer. .

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 28th

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

Essentially a quiet day today:   Turn On The style should follow up his recent Southwell success  in the 2.45.  

LEICESTER RACING TIPS

For those of a little more adventurous nature, Matuhi could be worth a second look in the 3.35. He was out of his depth in both company and trip last time and this presents a much more realistic target.

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SATURDAY DECEMBER 27th

Bookmakers took a hammering yesterday but one senses they are expecting a revival in fortunes today with complex cards and only a few races offering potential value:  

KEMPTON RACING TIPS

1.05: Balzaccio is said to be improving fast and they fancy their chances of overturning the favourite, Starluck, who although impressive, did only win at Fakenham beating a horse that has failed to win since. Balzaccio looks a value alternative.

2.15: Little makes appeal here. Royal Darling has always been a dubious proposition and is essentially a hurdler. Alright Now M'Lad, admittedly from a stable appearing to find its form, only won a minor Newbury event and has a weight rise to overcome. I am tempted with Big Fella Thanks but have been told by my National Hunt colleagues not to be so silly!

3.15: Petit Robin is a stable positive but this is much tougher than the race he won at Newbury. No value in his price, but he did win with a great deal in hand and may be up to justifying the high reputation he has always enjoyed.

CHEPSTOW RACING TIPS

12.55: Herecomesthetruth looks capable of winning this, particularly in the light of Pressgang's victory yesterday.

WETHERBY RACING TIPS

1.55: Sacrilege should take advantage of the weight he receives from the penalised duo of Art Exhibition and Pemberton.

2.30: Tot O' Whisky looks as if this reduction in trip will suit and he is taken to get back on the winning trail over this trip.  

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FRIDAY DECEMBER 26th

KEMPTON RACING TIPS

12.55: Hot Diamond will be suited by this sharp track and the drying out ground. He barely stays two miles but has ability and could surprise. A very speculative selection

2.05: Snap Tie faces a formidable rival in Punjabi but is seen as a serious threat. Third to Captain Cee Bee and Binocular in the Supreme at Cheltenham last season, his reappearance run when beating Katchit over this course suggests he may yet enter Champion Hurdle reckoning. He looks a value alternative to the favourite.

2.40: Air Force One is the logical option to Kauto Star. There is a train of thought that he is best going right-handed; that is nonsense. Although the majority of his wins have been that way round, his best form is at Cheltenham and Newbury. He will stay, is on the upgrade and must have a fair chance on his Hennessy effort.

3.15: Pressgang looks the one to beat here.

3.45: Stripe Me Blue ran well on his reappearance at Newbury. On the face of it the form has not been franked; but there are reasons for that and Stripe Me Blue (particularly with the jockey booking of Ruby Walsh for an outside ride), makes it look as if he has been trained with this in mind.

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING TIPS

3.15 Passage To India is taken to go one better than when a credible second at Southwell last time. She made up ground that day from a difficult position and should appreciate the extra trip.

TOWCESTER RACING TIPS

12.55 Fiftyonefiftyone ran well enough at Ascot to suggest he can win 

WETHERBY RACING TIPS

Tidal Bay injects plenty of interest at Wetherby in the 1.45. Trying three miles for the first time, he is short enough but looks likely to be suited by the trip. His class should be decisive.

HUNTINGDON RACING TIPS

Starburst Diamond is taken to win the 12.20 at Huntingdon. He created an impression last season and should win today.

WINCANTON RACING TIPS

I am tempted with Elusive Dream in the 1.15 at Wincanton but fearful of Galient at the weights. Kempton looks the value card, Snap Tie, Air Force One, Pressgang and Stripe Me Blue all look interesting propositions.

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TUESDAY DECEMBER 23rd

There are three messages on a day when it would have been reasonable to have expected none. However...  

SOUTHWELL RACING TIPS:

12.30: Likely favourite Joannadarc is expected to win and looks the one to beat. But True Blue Wizard is apparently fancied and is likely to attract support.  

FONTWELL RACING TIPS:

12.45: Limbo King is quite a strong call from Newmarket. The form of the stable would be something of a concern though.   Bush Telegraph will be back in good time for Boxing Day and a couple of articles will be posted in the meantime.    Best wishes for a happy holiday from all in this particular branch of the Bob Rothman empire.

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MONDAY DECEMBER 22nd

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS:

3.00: Azabu Juban has a good chance of winning this returned to Polytrack, but she has been busy recently and that is the negative that can get this sort of horse beaten. Add to that the fact this looks a harder assignment than those faced at Southwell, and she is unlikely to be paper price and I shall let her go.    Today's Flat cards look tricky; Kempton in particular offers little that is appealing.  

HEREFORD RACING TIPS:  

1.40: I can pass on a good word for Tifoso here. On his first run since coming to this country there is little I can add.  

2.10: Oliver Sherwood has his team in fine form. He could have two winners today but Six Day War looks the better of the two from a betting point of view and could be worthy of consideration.

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SUNDAY DECEMBER 21st:  

A selection of free racing tips and comments

GREAT LEIGHS RACING TIPS

2.50: Wellington Square won with authority last time and should follow up today. He looks progressive.  

3.50: Flipando was an unlucky loser for us last time and has every chance to make amends today. He would nearly have beaten Internationaldebut but for being pushed wide last time and providing he gets a smoother passage today then, from the same mark, he has to be knocking on the door.

A selection of free racing tips and comments

12.30: My Petra is hard to oppose.

1.05: Trabolgan is reported to need the run. Running off the mark that saw him win a Hennessy, he may still make fools of the message men but his stable mate Oedipe seems to have better prospects in a difficult race.

1.40; Binocular is fancied for those brave enough to take a short price against such decent opposition.

2.10: Punchestowns is seen as the best of the day from the powerful Henderson stable, who field a very strong contingent today.

2.45: Belcantista looks as if he may have sneaked under the handicapper's radar.

Friday 19th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

ASCOT RACING TIPS

12.45: Fistral Beach may not be quite the good thing he looks here. Obviously his second to Belcantista reads well, but his jumping was sketchy and the winner did it easily. Midnight Sail may have something to find but is reported a stuffy individual who needs a run or two to reach fitness and improvement on his Warwick third is expected. He looks a solid each-way alternative.

2.30: Although he may just need the run, Turkish Surprise is held in very high esteem. In what looks a tight enough race as it is, despite being the outsider of the party, his presence makes an already complicated affair all the harder to solve. He is expected to run well.  

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING TIPS

9.20: This race seems a long way away and most of us will be watching Have I Got News For You whilst it is taking place. This is one of the problems with the current racing programme. Are we supposed to have no other life? That aside, Perfect Act did not get the best of runs last time and is taken to turn the tables on Aeroplane in a race not many can win. Aeroplane did not find too much last time and the suspicion is he may be feeling something as he came there to win his race only to curl up. He has the right man on top tonight but does not appeal as one to take a short price about, whereas Perfect Act looks a potential value bet.

Thursday 18th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

SOUTHWELL RACING TIPS:

Southwell Is fraught with imponderables. Blaise Tower should win the 1.00 but without experience on the track has to be considered a dodgy proposition. The same remark applies to Prairie Hawk in the 2.00 who, being by Hawk Wing, cannot be guaranteed to reproduce Monday's impressive performance so soon after that run.

Finally, in the 3.30, the step up in trip may not be ideal for This Ones For Eddy. These horses are not being advanced as lays but do not appeal as bets.  

EXETER RACING TIPS:

1.20: Back to hurdles, William Bonney, on a track and ground that will suit, is taken to recover the winning thread. He is a better hurdler than chaser and should appreciate this switch back to timber.  

GREAT LEIGHS RACING TIPS:

8.20: I know Matsunosuke is making a meal of winning, but the 6/1 offered by Ladbrokes this morning is too good to overlook. Faced with soft opposition, if he reproduces either of his last two runs he can win this. I may be asking for trouble in nominating him but at the price, I am prepared to look foolish. Failure to win tonight means he has to be disregarded in future. This is his chance!

NEWBURY RACING TIPS

12.20: Normally an informative novice hurdle, which often has a bearing on Triumph Hurdle betting. Hebridean and Zaynar are the interesting recruits, whilst Psi is another with credentials on French form. Unless you know better, I suggest this is a race to sit out, although I do know of one very well-connected judge that is backing Walkon. Unless the opposition is not as strong as it looks, surely Walkon faces a stiff task with his penalty.  

3.35: Shilpa is fancied here but cannot be recommended with so many unknown quantities in opposition.  

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

2.45: Epsom Salts had every chance of racking up the four-timer here eight days ago, particularly as the second-favourite went wrong, but was run out of it. I am inclined to think he has reached the buffers and feel Vinces (dead-heated with yesterday's narrow loser Azabu Juban last time) may be of interest despite the fact he is still a maiden. He has a good draw and the services of Hayley Turner.  

3.15: Watch for any market move for Bullet Man who is considered better than his last run.

SOUTHWELL RACING TIPS

12.40: First-timer on the track, Passage To India, looks the interesting contender. By Indian Ridge out of a College Chapel mare, the surface should suit and she comes from a stable adept at placing horses. She may be worth taking a small chance with.  

2.10: Azabu Juban could well improve for this step up in trip and if she stays, has little to beat.  

3.10: After such a long time kick starting a winning career, This Ones For Eddy won so easily last time he must have every chance of following up

More interesting stuff expected mid week and nothing excites me today so I will speak tomorrow.

Just one suggestion today:

Spellchecker 12.55 Musselburgh. After only two attempts over timber he looks less exposed than his opponents in the maiden hurdle. His connections should not leave this meeting empty-handed, but form a betting point of view it is Spellchecker that looks the most interesting.  

Racing today at Cheltenham is described as being long odds against. Standing water at a little after 9am combined with continual rain, means that only the biggest optimist could expect to see racing today. Should it go ahead, an updated bulletin will be posted but it goes without saying this is not a day to back horses at short-prices.  

Elsewhere there is little of interest.

Greenbridge is apparently fancied in the 12.30 at Doncaster.  

As I don't envisage having a bet, I am not going to waffle about horses with half-chances. The purpose of this piece is to keep you informed and point you in the right direction. That would appear to be away from the betting shop or racecourse on a day like this.

Possibly an informative card today but a difficult one:

12.10: Ballyfitz faces a serious rival in What A Friend who was impressive at Uttoxeter in a race he had won from a long way out. Tot O' Whisky has to be added to the mix, if only because he jumps and stays. Ballyfitz may win, although Big Fella Thanks did not boost the form yesterday (excuses can be forwarded), but you do not wasn't to be guessing odds-on shots.

12.45: It is hard to be enthusiastic about those at the top of the weights. Pennek shaped with a good deal of promise behind Punchestowns over this course last time and, despite his inexperience, may not have too much to beat here in a race largely comprising of exposed horses.

1.55: For those mad enough, a case can be made for course winner, Irish Raptor. Again the opposition looks fully exposed.

2.30: They have found the right race for Shouldhavehadthat with his revised rating.

3.05: On a card that could have been devised by bookmakers, Gloucester, who was travelling well when brought down in a race won by Sunnyhillboy, looks a fair form selection. He makes little appeal at the 7/2 offered by Ladbrokes though and his win-to-run-ratio is a negative.

3.40: Mahonia and Karabak are the two protagonists here and one of them should win. The question is, which one. 

DONCASTER RACING TIPS

12.00: Being beaten eighteen lengths at Fakenham is hardly encouraging for a horse priced at 2/1 here. Laterly faces some potentially useful debutants.

1.10 The same remarks applies to Honest John who was beaten 25 lengths in a poor contest at Aintree. You would think something would be capable of beating him. 

1.45 Similarly, Calgary Bay has a history of finding little off the bridle and his chance may be compromised by his attitude.

TAUNTON RACING TIPS

1.20: Big Fella Thanks is obviously no betting proposition but the style of his assumed win will tell us more about his future and that of Ballyfitz, impressive when beating him last time.    

1.50: Thundering Star is another that makes no betting appeal. He is likely to be long odds-on but looks useful and should take another step forward.  

2.20: Kia Kaha may halt the Nicholls bandwagon. Herecomesthetruth does not look an easy ride.  

HUNTINGDON RACING TIPS

At present the meeting is not certain to take place. The feature, the Peterborough Chase, is tantamount to a Southwell handicap from my perspective. It seems you could run it four times and get four different results. I haven't got a clue what will win but have to question what Snoopy Loopy, a proven stayer, is doing in the line-up. I Suppose Mr Bowen knows what he is doing!  

GREAT LEIGHS RACING TIPS

7.20: Fresh from a promising first run when not beaten far, Major Phil looks primed to go close and the absence of Kingsgate Storm since Royal Ascot casts a doubt on his wellbeing

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Wednesday 10th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

SOUTHWELL RACING TIPS

1.30: Parnassian is weighted to beat Three Strings after a run on this surface. His liking for soft ground means he should be capable of being fully effective on Fibresand. The downside - there invariably is one here - is that he is eight-years-old, coming up nine. That is offset by a mark of 59. He ought to go close.  

3.00: Ladbrokes appear to have had a brainstorm yesterday as their betting on the 3.00 looks wide of the mark. Their favourite, Resplendent Nova, is unproven on the track and the second in was beaten in a claimer last time. Imprimis Tagula has achieved both his wins at this track and looks overpriced at 8/1. They have also taken a cavalier attitude over Spectait.  

KEMPTON RACING TIPS

 7.50: Global is the most interesting contender of the day. Lightly raced and therefore a horse the handicapper has been forced into guessing, it looks as if he may have been underestimated from a mark of 71. A winner last time at Lingfield over seven, an extra furlong on this quicker track should not offered as an excuse.

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Tuesday 9th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

SOUTHWELL RACING TIPS

SOUTHWELL can be the graveyard for many a well-thought out selection, but there are two interesting runners there today that warrant small stake involvement.  

1.00: At something approaching his best, Turn On The Style is different class to his opponents here. An all-important course winner who won a competitive Dubai event in February, he was also a somewhat unfortunate loser at Doncaster from a 10lbs higher mark in September. With plans afoot to return to Dubai this winter, he has to figure in the numbers today to justify such thoughts. Grossly overpriced and worth taking a chance with.  

2.30: Dart can regain the winning thread over this trip and on a track she has won on. She failed to see out the extended two miles last time and in all probability does not get two. Although a winner over that trip, the race she won was run at a farcical pace (eighteen seconds slow) and this trip of 1m 6f should be right up her alley. She only has the stiffly handicapped Pertemps Networks to beat. .

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Monday 8th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

3.00: Epsom Salts ought to record the four-timer, particularly aided by the 5lbs allowance of his rider. Not betting material but hardly a horse to oppose in his current form.  

WOLVERHAMPTON  RACING TIPS

4.40: River Kirov should follow up on a cosy win in a poor race. He looks the sort to attract plenty of morning money.  

MUSSELBURGH RACING TIPS

1.20: A race for the burglars! Red Moloney has Flat form that puts him in here with a ton in hand. However, there is the small matter of the obstacles - known to be a great leveller. The two alternatives are clear cut: Skylancer and King in Waiting. Skylancer would appear better on softer ground and on a more galloping track so King In Waiting, travelling okay in difficult conditions last time when unseating, could be the each-way value.  

Hardly an inspiring day on the betting front but, as always, possibilities there for those inclined to take a chance

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Sunday 7th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

LINGFIELDS RACING TIPS

With Warwick and Kelso already victims to frost and Punchestown inspecting later, LINGFIELD looks the only safe venue.    

2.30: Whistledownwind may not make a great deal of appeal on paper, but he has been set tasks that were beyond him all season. It was clear after the Sandown Classic Trail he was no stayer yet, despite a pedigree that suggested what the eyes confirmed, he was campaigned over trips in double figures, even contesting the St Leger! New trainer, Jeremy Noseda, seems to have cottoned on to this not desperately hard to grapple with fact. After a reasonable turf effort over a mile, he looks an interesting contender. He is an alternative to form horse Markab.  

3.00: Winner of this last year, Grande Caiman, is 8lbs higher despite a period in the  wilderness since. All his wins have come at Lingfield. It appears he only has War Of The Roses to beat. .

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Saturday 6th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

SANDOWN RACING TIPS

A great card by any standards:  

12.50: I am informed Blazing Desert is better than his last run indicates. He would need to be to get involved today, but this may not be that hard a contest. There is a chance Blazing Desert may be a morning glory but include him in any perm-like or miracle-bet selections.  

1.25: There is plenty of confidence behind Earth Crystal in a very difficult race to fathom.  

2.00: Free World skipped round here last time in impressive fashion and is hard to oppose.  

2.35: All about opinion! Master Minded did beat below-par opponents at Cheltenham and for those looking to oppose him, the time was slow. Tidal Bay is the only logical alternative.  

3.05: I can pass on a good word for Sunnyhillboy here. Main danger would appear to be Tchico Polos but, on what could be a big day for Tony McCoy, Sunnyhillboy is taken to provide a big fillip for his connections.  

GREAT LEIGHS RACING TIPS

3.30: A mark of 100 is pushing it for Diriculous, but he faces opponents similarly nailed by the handicapper. His determination and record on Polytrack should make him hard to beat in a race likely to be set up by Maltese Falcon.  

WETHERBY RACING TIPS

Fabalu may kick off the Wetherby card and

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING TIPS

Convivial Spirit is overdue a win and may open proceedings at Wolverhampton tonight for those still in the game by 6.20.

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Friday 5th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

SANDOWN RACING TIPS

12.50: Tuanku is fancied by his yard to beat Helium.

1.25: Rustarix is seen as the stable's best chance today by connections. I was looking for something to oppose this horse with on the basis it was a poor contest he won last time. This may be weak and I am not sure what will win it but have no inclination to back Rustarix. Opinion is what this game is about!

2.35: Nothing clever about nominating Roll Along but they have chosen this event from several alternatives and his beating of Air Force One needs no endorsement.  

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

12.10: Kings Destiny did well to go so close from his bad draw last time. A tendency to pull too hard (evident at Newbury) seems to have been curbed. He ought to get favourite backers off to a flying start.

1.50: Noverre To Go should be up to winning this.

2.25: This is a tight race but with his poor draw and penalty, Internationaldebut looks plenty short enough this morning with Ladbrokes at 2/1. He may be getting on in years, but Flipando shows little sign of decline. He has run well all season on unsuitable ground. This surface equates to a firm surface, which is more to his liking and he looks overpriced.  

EXETER RACING TIPS

1.00: Franchoek may struggle to concede weight to a progressive Hector's Choice

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Thursday 4th December

A selection of free racing tips and comments

Today's National Hunt racing has to be of limited interest as weather conditions are surely going to further complicate difficult cards.  

MARKET RASEN RACING TIPS

1.00: Circus Of Dreams looks the one to beat, although I have had a word for Fabalu here. No bet for me.  

LEICESTER RACING TIPS

3.10: Fences and this extra trip may bring out the best in the so-far disappointing Phaoudamour.  

WINCANTON RACING TIPS

2.50: Matcho Pierji looks an interesting contender in the same ownership as Phoudamour.  

GREAT LEIGHS RACING TIPS

6.50: Hellbender was narrowly touched off last week and has every chance of making amends tonight against similar opposition. He really ought to win.  

7.20: This Ones For Eddy - ostensibly withdrawn on a vet's certificate on Monday when badly drawn - makes a Lazarus-style comeback tonight. He is a serial-loser so any confidence has to be tempered, but is well handicapped and the fact he was withdrawn on Monday gives rise to the theory he is poised to run as well as he can. This is a race for monkeys. Rabbit Fighter is another who could win if consenting to put his best paw forward. This Ones For Eddy however is likely to be the horse for money.  

7.50: A handicap that looks between the hard to asses Incarnation and Weybridge Light.  

8.20: Any money for Yellow River should be heeded. She would not have to be much to win this and her form in France suggests she should hold her own here. This is her first run for two months however. .