I have had a busy week so we have precious little to talk about (some will be pleased to read), though naturally the Gambling Act Review rumbles on in the background.
This is the part where I usually go into some complicated details but no, this week I am getting up close and personal after receiving e-mails from 10Bet asking for Passport, driving license or proof of age card, a proof of address such as a utility bill (less than 6 months old) and a screenshot showing the account number of the Neteller account and your names; closely followed by a request for “a photo of yourself holding your identity document next to your face”. Now my understanding is that bookies are in fear of getting huge fines for one of two reasons – either anti money laundering or problem gambling – perhaps someone can explain how an account with less that £170 turnover in the last six months fits either alternative and if not, why am I being asked for such sensitive information from a company with zero evidence that they can keep that information protected from prying eyes?
Moving on (otherwise known as rant over), and straight into the racing this weekend with something a little different – less TV races and more winners with a bit of luck!
Saturday
Just for something that little bit different I have steered clear of some (most) of the TV races this afternoon with other options that I hope can bag us all a profit. First up we head off to headquarters otherwise known as Newmarket, where I am happy to take a risk on the long-absent Pure Dignity, who is potentially well-handicapped ahead of the 4.35pm. Now a four-year-old, the daughter of Dubawi has only raced twice, winning first timer out here on the July course, and then finishing a two length second to Laurel at Kempton when giving the winner 3lbs. Obviously the winner that day has improved since with a second in the Sun Chariot last Autumn and a win in Listed class at Kempton but she is now rated 112 – which makes my suggestion look thrown in off a mark of 86 ahead of her handicap debut – assuming she is fit enough to do herself justice, of course.
Up North to Catterick next, starting at 5.15pm when Darbucks looks to have plenty in his favour. Last time out at Carlisle he tried to make most of the running over the mile before being outgunned close home to go under by half a length, but he drops back a furlong here and may find he has an easier time on the front end in this field. Add winning form on the soft ground predicted this afternoon and one win off a higher mark and you can hopefully see why I think he is a value each way call, provided he gets the rub of the green as always.
Here’s hoping for a bit of luck in the lucky last (5.50pm) at Catterick when Spartakos looks all set to go well under jockey Ryan Sexton after winning by close to three lengths at Musselburgh over this trip earlier in the month. The five-year-old does have to carry a 5lb penalty for that success but Ryan claims three of those back from the saddle, and as he is already a course and distance winner on soft ground, he ticks an awful lot of boxes for me.
One for me from The Curragh to round off my Saturday suggestions when Colin Keane gets the ride on Grosvenor Square in the Beresford Stakes at 2.30pm, a race won by Aidan O’Brien in nine of the last 10 renewals. He does have three of the six runners here with Frankie Dettori on Navy Seal but I was taken with the winning debut of the son of Galileo at Galway when he scored by over two lengths despite looking as if the experience would do him the world of good. A half-brother to Irish Derby winner Santiago, he may be even better over further and as a three-year-old but he may still prove good enough to win this, with current favourite Stromberg an obvious danger after wide margin successes in lesser company.
Newmarket again for my last bet (they are in no kind of order, just like my brain) and Noel Meade sends Sheishybrid for the Cesarewitch trial (4.00pm) as he looks for his first ever winner at headquarters. Admittedly he hasn’t exactly been a regular visitor (and he won’t be there on Saturday with his wife Derville “on duty” instead), but he seems to feel the track and trip will suit his mare ideal as will the better ground, and with 50 years of experience, he should know best.
Sunday
Uninspiring was the first word that came to mind when I looked at the racing this afternoon and I for one am fully supportive of anyone at the BHA who may decide to up the quality of the racing on the one day of the week when plenty of people are at a loose end. Small fields abound, making value a difficult concept, but we may have ourselves a winner if Aconcagua Mountain is in the same form as last time out when winning by a length and three quarters at Ayr last Thursday. He is turned out quickly in the 2.50pm at Hamilton under a 5lb penalty before the handicapper can reassess the five-year-old, and dropped I nc lass here he looks to have every chance – though I doubt we get much of a price.
Next up at Hamilton I will be siding with Archie Watson’s improving filly Love Lies ahead of her handicap debut in the 4.00pm. Fourth on her debut at Salisbury she has won her two starts since with a maiden at Ayr followed by a novice stakes at Newcastle by over three lengths, but a mark of 78 seems fair enough as she moves on into better company. Danny Tudhope rides for owners Clipper Logistics and if she handles the softer going, she may have the edge over Isle of Dreams and Irish Dancer.
Just the one horse over the jumps from Plumpton this afternoon when Gary Moore rarely leaves the track without at least one inner. Today he has three runners that I can see at first glance, but it is Icare Grandchamp that catches my eye despite the burden of 12 stone in the handicap hurdle at 3.10pm. He arrived from France pretty much a year ago after a second place at Compiegne but nothing went right in three starts last season with a fifth at Warwick before he was pulled up at Lingfield on his other two starts. Gary obviously worked with him over the summer as he was sent off a 5/2 chance on his return to action at Fontwell when he ran on into second over a furlong shorter than he faces here, and off the same mark in a lesser contest (two grades lower to be exact), he has to have a rock-solid chance.
Sean Suggestions:
Sheishybrid each way 4.00pm Newmarket Saturday
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