BUSH TELEGRAPH

JANUARY

 BUSH TELEGRAPH

SATURDAY JANUARY 17th 2009

A cracking day’s racing in prospect today – the best of the year so far. However, not every race promises to offer betting opportunities although the day is bursting with interest…

ASCOT RACING TIPS:

12.30: Price aside, Zaynar does not look opposable here, particularly after the win of Walkon at Chepstow. Apparently he is not the sweetest of horses at home, but Mike Tyson did not win prizes out of the ring either.

1.05: This is a typical tricky handicap. Working Title will be suited by this return to a shorter trip. He was travelling very well at Kempton before running out of stamina over 2m 5f last time. However, I am prepared to take a small chance with Group Captain who seems to reserve his best for this track. Although rated 142, with his rider’s claim, he only carries 10st 8lbs and is a sporting alternative to some better-touted rivals.

1.40: Calgary Bay has a small penalty to overcome and may find things happening too quickly for him in this with the flamboyant Free World in the field. I suggest it is a race to watch.

HAYDOCK RACING TIPS:

1.20: Snap Tie ought to confirm his improvement here but is not a betting proposition at the price and on desperate ground

3.00: One horse that will cope with conditions is Turkish Surprise. He created a favourable impression on his debut in this country at Ascot when second to Deep Purple. Said to be a possible for top honours later in the season, he will be better left-handed, has improved since Ascot and is capable of causing an upset.

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS:

1.50: Sunset Boulevard deserves another chance here. Posted wide last time when only beaten a little over a length, this was his second promising effort after a period on the sidelines. Dropped 2lbs since, this looks harder but he is worth an interest.

4.00: Ability has never been the problem for Titan Triumph. The twists and turns of Lingfield suit him as they seem to keep his mind focused. He plays his hand late, so will need some luck in running but, receiving 20lbs from Atlantic Story means that even from 6lbs higher than his last win, he is at the right end of the weights. He has been given a break and looks poised to register the five-timer.

That is all from me until February 2nd/3rd as I am off on holiday today. I hope this column has been of help and  I intend to return refreshed and ready for the challenging months ahead. Take it easy…

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FRIDAY JANUARY 16th 2009

Once again there is little to get enthusiastic about today. The ground is likely to be very testing at Chepstow and Catterick; so any chance we do have is at Lingfield or Wolverhampton.

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS:

12.50: Rapid City is in good form and should be capable of accounting for this step up in trip and his market rival, Ebert.

1.20: Theatre Street ran well enough on her debut to suggest she can get on the score-sheet here.

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING TIPS:

9.20: Spectait did us a turn last time and looks poised to follow up. Tonight’s opposition looks weaker than those he encountered last week and he should win. However, he displayed one or two issues that make one think he may not be a horse to take a short price about.

There won’t be any Track Notes today, but I shall be putting a Bush Telegraph on the site for tomorrow’s racing prior to a fortnight’s holiday.

 BUSH TELEGRAPH

THURSDAY JANUARY 15th 2009

Today’s domestic cards are frightful, at least to my mind. It is a little early to bet at Nad Al Sheba but without doubt they stage the best card of the day and a couple of runners are of interest.

5.30: Brave Tin Soldier has already opened his account in the desert this season. That was on dirt and being by Storm Cat it could be that is where his future lies. He returns to turf tonight which might compromise his chance. In any event, Estrela Do Oriente looks a potential blot on the handicap.

6.05: Royal Vintage returns to a theatre he excelled in last season. Although accused of being a weak finisher, he is more effective over this mile trip. We know he handles this surface and a couple of battles with Honour Devil last year puts him in this with a favourite’s chance. The one to keep an eye on is Happy Boy, who looked so good on his debut on this surface at last year’s carnival and is another returning to a surface likely to bring out the best in him.

6.40: If there is a bet there tonight it must surely be Sugar Ray. His form with Sixties Icon and Mad Rush stands out here, and this good ground will suit him admirably. He looks set for a good carnival.

BUSH TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 14th 2009

NEWBURY RACING TIPS:

The prospect of some excellent racing here today. First up in the 12.50 is Mount Helicon. An expensive failure at this course on debut, he reportedly blew up on the run-in when just caught and will strip fitter now. It is too early to dismiss this high class French import who looks worth another chance.

1.20: Planet Of Sound impressed with his jumping over this course and distance last time and should follow up. He is athletic for a big horse and held in high regard by his stable.

1.25: This looks like a dry run for Cheltenham, with a top class line-up promised. There is little to choose between Cockney Trucker and Shoreacres on a line through Dee E Williams and they look likely to test Mad Max. However, Mad Max was impressive at Ascot and although likely to be a short price today and therefor not a betting proposition, the manner of his victory suggests he could be something special.

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS:

2.20: Faithful Ruler was a staying-on third to Spectiat last time in a more competitive event and this extra trip may bring out the best in him. He races from the same mark and is taken to boost that form.

KEMPTON RACONG TIPS:

8.50: Rock Anthem could win this, but the worry is that all his best form has been achieved at Southwell. His narrow defeat by United Nations from the same mark is solid but, as a horse that has experienced training problems, there is a danger this much quicker track could find him out.

9.20: Cut And Thrust gets a chance to build on his latest success with the defection of Mr Willis.

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TUESDAY JANUARY 13th 2009

Nothing takes the eye today. The drums are silent!

 BUSH TELEGRAPH

SUNDAY JANUARY 11th 2009

There are no selections today…

BUSH TELEGRAPH

SATURDAY JANUARY 10th 2009

It is hard to be confident about anything on a cobbled together day like this:

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

Looks the best card where Commandingpresence ought to be good enough in the 1.45.

The 2.50 looks tricky. Turn On The Style will presumably make the running which could suit the fast-finishers, Aeroplane and Bonus. However, an uncomplicated sort, Turn On The Style may have too much pace for the other two, both of whom are coming back in trip. This does represent a step up in grade for Turn On The Style though, so it probably is a race to watch. Personally, I am not convinced this trip of six furlongs will suit Aeroplane but I am not about to pay to find out.

So no bet from me today…

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FRIDAY JANUARY 9th 2009

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS:

3.00: In a tight knit contest, Barwell Bridge is fancied and will be suited by the step up in trip.

4.00: Sunset Boulevard looks one of the most interesting prospects on the day. Shaping with promise in December [his first run since May] when fifth to Valdan and the in-form Epsom Salts, little improvement is required to win this. Successful over course and distance, he races from an all-time low mark of 63. He has the look of a potential gamble and is worth taking a small chance with.

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING TIPS:

3.05: Nightjar is in excellent shape at present and should win today. His current form is solid; but he is booked for favouritism here and undeniably his best form is at Southwell. For that reason I would advise against getting carried away.

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THURSDAY JANUARY 8th 2009

I am inclined to give today amiss, especially after yesterday’s success.   Silvanus should appreciate the return to five furlongs in the 1.55 at GREAT LEIGHS. However, he is not the most resolute of characters.

SOUTHWELL RACING TIPS:

At SOUTHWELL, I have had a silly side bet with my racing sidekick that in the 2.50 United Nations will beat Transmission. At stake (should that be steak?) is a meal. United Nations is in the peak of form, whereas I feel Transmission is only running to beat a reassessed mark that kicks in from Saturday. Beaten by Mambo Sun on Monday, Transmission may struggle even on revised terms to overturn form with United Nations. The presence of the Irish contender, Redwater River further complicates the race though. A winner on heavy ground, there is every reason to believe he will handle this surface.   So, not for the want of trying, no bet from this quarter today.

BUSH TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 7th 2009

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING TIPS

4.20: Everything seems to be in place for a big run from Spectiat today. Bought to go hurdling, he proved a non-stayer and with the exception of a his debut win at Aintree made little impact out over timber. Reverting to the Flat, he has gradually been finding his form. Last time he finished fifth at Southwell (a track that would not have suited) in a race that was unusually strong. Seventh placed Xpres Maite won yesterday, whilst the winner has won since and Councellor is a solid yardstick. Spectiat may not be as good as he was, but did win off 95 when with Sir Mark Prescott and is now racing off 78. On a fast surface and over a trip that is ideal, today is his day if he is to win a race of this description. William Hill’s price of 15/2 this morning looks generous.

KEMPTON RACING TIPS

4.25: Luckier, from a stable in form, has the profile of an improving filly and has apparently been working well. She is the one to beat here and can provide the second leg of an ambitious double today.

King Of Cadeaux (3.50 Wolverhampton), who will appreciate this step up in trip, and Wine N’ Dine (Kempton) may be worth including in multiple bets but essentially, on  what may have looked like a quiet day, SPECTIAT and LUCKIER are considered as bets you should not let run.

BUSH TELEGRAPH

TUESDAY JANUARY 6th 2009

KEMPTON RACING TIPS

3.50: Terminate is a guaranteed stayer against opponents that may struggle. For that reason he is taken to as the most likely winner.

SOUTHWELL

1.10: Mambo Sun last run behind United Nations may be misleading to a degree but it did receive a boost on Sunday.

3.40: Not many horses rack up three straight wins at Southwell (or any of the other all-weather tracks) but the right opportunity does seem to have been for Charles Parnell here.

BUSH TELEGRAPH

MONDAY JANUARY 5th 2009

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

Just one horse worthy of a mention from this quarter today:

2.45: Hellbender is in good form and looks the one to beat here.

BUSH TELEGRAPH

SATURDAY JANUARY 3rd 2009

LINGFIELD RACING TIPS

With racing looking increasingly doubtful at Sandown, and very difficult in any case, Lingfield looks like the meeting to concentrate on…

1.10: The last run of Slip can be excused as he patently failed to stay the trip. Dropped in distance and grade, he ought to win today.

1.45: Whistledownwind is taken to beat Premio Loco. The selection has had his career sabotaged by a ridiculous campaign that included races run over trips beyond him. Now with Jeremy Noseda, he has faced more realistic targets and he could be called an unlucky loser on his last run over seven. In the belief they will not crawl around this mile today, conditions should be ideal and this one time Classic aspirant can recover winning ways.

3.25: Pevensey is the best treated horse in this and is a selection to win a tight contest. Grande Caiman is in great form but faces a tough task from a mark of 104. Group Captain could provide the biggest danger.

KEMPTON RACING TIPS

4.40: A drop in grade should suit Jake the Snake who goes well for a lady rider.   Slip and Whistledownwind look the bets of the day

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FRIDAY JANUARY 2nd 2009

Little, of any interest today. Quite what cards like these are supposed to achieve as far as the betting public is concerned is debatable.

WOLVERHAMPTON RACING TIPS

More to demonstrate I have done some work than anything else, it may be worth keeping an eye on Fifty Cents in the 7.50 at Wolverhampton. A one-time possible for Listed events when with Roger Charlton, the horse has subsequently changed yards and not been seen for some time. The intriguing factor today though is that Steve Drowne, his regular partner when the horse was housed at Beckhampton, rides, suggesting perhaps the horse is expected to run well.

Not every day offers proper opportunities and this is the best I can come up with under the circumstances. Maybe a day to catch up on admin or do some shopping!

BUSH TELEGRAPH

THURSDAY JANUARY 1st 2009

CHELTENHAM RACING TIPS

1.05: After two excellent efforts at this track this year over trips short of his best, Alexanderthegreat gets his chance over a more suitable three miles plus. Such a fact has not gone unnoticed and his price is miserly.

1.40: Tartak is taken to beat two unconvincing rivals in Kicks For Free and Calgary Bay. On the assumption three miles stretched his stamina last time, Tartak has his chance at this level today.

2.10: This is a tough race but Private Be appears to be heading in the right direction and could be worth chancing.

3.20: The stable are confident Franchoek will regain winning ways today. I wonder if we saw the best of him last year. He does have to concede weight to the useful Five Dream and whilst respecting the message, it is not one I shall act on.

3.55: Similarly, Steptoe is fancied here but I am no lover of bumpers, believing you will lose by betting on them in the long run, and will be leaving this alone.

SOUTHWELL RACING TIPS

1.35: Back to 1m 6f will suit Dart who is taken to beat fully exposed types.

Not an easy start to the year: I suggest Tartak and Private Be, both at Cheltenham, may represent our best chance. For those considering multiple bets (where the price is not so crucial if a horse wins) then Alexanderthegreat could be included.