Cheltenham’s commercial supremo outlines ambitions for UK racing Plc March 14, 2011 TODAY marks the start of the Cheltenham Festival – the jewel in the crown of the jump racing calendar and one of the biggest days of the year for Simon Bazalgette, chief executive of the Jockey Club, which owns and runs the sporting event. Over the four days until the festival reaches its climax with [...]
Recession Proof my tip to challenge Cue Card March 14, 2011 The first day of The Festival is my favourite day, when the tapes go up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle the crowd erupts – and we’re off. Cue Card is the hot favourite and if he wins Paddy Power will be refunding losing bets on any other horse in the race. I also like Recession [...]
That’s the Spirit Son March 14, 2011 CUE Card is aiming to do what Cousin Vinny and Dunguib couldn’t by becoming the first Supreme Novices’ Hurdle banker to win since Brave Inca in 2004. Colin Tizzard’s stable star has produced some tremendous performances over hurdles this season, but the stats are against him. Montelado in 1992 was the last Champion Bumper winner [...]
Menorah to land the Champion for Hobbs March 14, 2011 LAST year we thought we weren’t going to see Binocular run in the Champion Hurdle and his connections surprised us all by declaring him fit for the race at the last minute. Amazingly, 12 months on, they have surprised us all again at the final hour by not declaring the champion because of a medication [...]
King can be crowned Arkle champion again March 14, 2011 ALAN KING has a fantastic record in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy (2.05pm), winning it with Voy Por Ustedes and My Way De Solzen in 2006 and 2007. He is set to rely on MEDERMIT this year and the seven-year old looks to have a favourite’s chance. Although he’s never won at Cheltenham, he [...]
IN-RUNNING TRADING HINTS March 14, 2011 I am almost certain that Cue Card will travel like the winner for much of the opening contest (1.30pm), but there is a danger he won’t find an awful lot off the bridle. Therefore, it may pay to back him on Betdaq pre-race at around the 3.2 mark and then look to lay your stake [...]
Ferdy Murphy the man to be feared in the big handicaps March 14, 2011 IT’S been a disappointing season for Ferdy Murphy so far, but there have been some signs of late that his string is starting to hit form again. He has a formidable record at the Cheltenham Festival and punters should take notice when he says that DIVERS, in this afternoon’s Centenary Novices’ Chase (5.15pm), is his [...]
Touching distance March 13, 2011 ENGLAND (22) vs SCOTLAND (16) Grand Slam just one win away after England survive a scare to defeat tenacious Scotland ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson admits major improvement is needed if his side are to complete the Grand Slam in Dublin next weekend. Scotland put up brave resistance at Twickenham yesterday but eventually succumbed to Tom [...]
More cup woe for Grant March 13, 2011 STOKE CITY (2) vs WEST HAM UNITED (1) WEST HAM manager Avram Grant saw another promising cup campaign reduced to shreds – and then borrowed from samurai culture to explain his disappointment at decisions he felt cost his side a trip to Wembley. Danny Higginbotham’s second-half free-kick clinched victory in the FA Cup quarter-final after [...]
Mancini: We’re underdogs March 13, 2011 MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini is relishing his side’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, but insists his side will be considerable underdogs. Under Mancini City have suffered four agonising defeats to the men from Old Trafford, the latest coming last month when Wayne Rooney’s overhead kick settled matters. Mancini’s side have an opportunity to redress the [...]