2010 Guineas Tips

It’s the first Classics of the 2010 Flat Season at Newmarket this year with the runnings of the 2000 and 1000 Guineas. The races see the best three year old Colts and Fillies from the UK, Ireland and France go head to head to set themselves on the trail to becoming the best three year old thoroughbreds of the season.

Both races are run over a distance of one mile and the 2,000 Guineas, which is contested between the Colts, is run at 3:05 on Saturday with the Fillies equivalent, the 1,000 Guineas run at 3:20pm on Sunday, with both races are live on Channel 4. Last year’s winner was the John Oxx trained, Sea the Stars, who was the first horse in twenty years to win both 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby, before going on to win a further four Group One races including the Arc de Triomph.

It will take an exceptional horse to match the achievements of last year’s 2000 Guineas winner in 2010 but many are predicting that the Aidan O’Brien trained, St Nicholas Abbey, could be good enough to replicate Sea the Stars and go on to win at Newmarket on Saturday before heading to Epsom in five weeks time to land the Derby, a double which is as short as 5/2 with Guineas sponsor, Stan James.

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The unbeaten St Nicholas Abbey is currently best price 5/4 to win the 2000 Guineas but his price for the Derby double is not much bigger because it is thought that this son of Montjeu will imporve both for the run and step up in trip. Judge on his two year old form, none of these rivals should be able to come close to beating him, with second favourite, Elusive Pimpernel, needing to overturn a three length defeat in the Racing Post Trophy back in October.

Canford Cliffs, who was long time antepost favourite for this race before St Nicholas Abbey asserted himself on the market in the Autumn is available at 8/1, whilst another unbeaten Colt, the Michael Johnson trained Awzaan is a 10/1 chance. Of the bigger priced runners, the one time raced Inler (20/1)  and French Raider, Makfi (33/1),  make each-way appeal if you want to take on the favourite.

However, it is difficult to look beyond St Nicholas Abbey to win the race and we could well have another potential superstar of the Horse Racing world on our hands.

In the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, the race looks a much more competitive affiar with bookmakers offering 7/2 the field. The French trained Special Duty is the favourite but must bounce back after a disappointing seasonal re-appearance last time out. Kieren Fallon, who last won this race in 2005, teams up with Luca Cumani to ride second favourite, Seta, who is currently an 11/2 chance along with Music Show.

However, it could pay to side with Godolphin and Frankie Dettori who join forces on Hibaayeb who won a Group One at Ascot on her final start as a two year and with the chances of good improvement over the winter, could be a good each way alternative to the leading protagonists at odds of 20/1 with Stan James.

Guineas Tips

2,000 Guineas (3:05 Saturday 1st May) – St Nicholas Abbey @ 5/4 with Stan James

1,000 Guineas (3:20 Sunday, 2nd May) – Hibayeeb @20/1 with Stan James

2010 Bet365 Gold Cup Odds

The curtain falls on the 2010 National Hunt season at Sandown on Saturday afternoon with the running of the Bet365 Gold Cup, formerly known as the Whitbread Gold Cup and the Betfred Gold Cup in recent years. The Grade Three Chase, run over a distance of 3miles 5furlongs tradionally sees horses that failed to make an impression in the Grand National have a second attempt at landing a big prize over a shorter distance and this year’s race sees six of the 20 declared runners going under orders at Sandown after running in the Aintree showpiece just two weeks ago.

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The shortest price of those who ran in the National is The Package who was subject to good support at Aintree before unseating his rider half way round. The David Pipe runner is 10/1 to win the Bet365 Gold Cup and providing his Aintree exertions haven’t taken too much out of him, he should run his race. However, horses who did run in the Grand National don’t have a great record of winning this race with only one winner in the last ten years managing to do so.

The well backed favourite is Just Amazing, who represents champion trainer Paul Nicholls and judged on his winning re-appearance at Cheltenham last week looks to be well in at the weights off a mark of 139 and his current odds of 13/2  with Bet365 are only likely to get shorter. It is hard to see this seven year old not making his presence felt and looks the most likely winner.

Of the other runners, winner of this race in 2008, Monkerhostin, carries top weight and whilst age is against him, he does love Sandown and has proved he can carry big weights around the Surrey track and at 20/1 could be worth an each way flutter.

Bet365 Gold Cup, Saturday 24th April, 15:05, Sandown

Just Amazing 13/2
Fairoak Lad 13/2
The Package 8/1
Kilcrea Castle 10/1
Lacdoudal 12/1
Hoo La Baloo 14/1
Nostrinsattached 14/1
Hello Bud 14/1
Air Force One 14/1
Lothian Falcon 16/1
Tamarinbleu 16/1
Monkerhostin 20/1
Church Island 25/1
Alderburn  25/1
My Will 25/1
Killyglen 25/1
Irish Raptor 28/1
Nozic 28/1
Piraya 28/1
Martys Mission 50/1

2010 Scottish Grand National Odds

Just a week after the Aintree Grand National, all eyes will be focused on Ayr Racecourse, north of the border, for the running of the 2010 Scottish Grand National on Saturday afternoon where bookmakers will be hoping that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the space of a week. Last Saturday, Bookmakers got hit where it hurt when Champion Jockey, Tony McCoy, won the Grand National on Don’t Push It, costing them a fortune in the process having gone off 10/1 joint favourite having been a 22/1 chance on Saturday morning.

McCoy teams up once again with the trainer of Don’t Push It, Jonjo O’Neil, in the Scottish equivalent this Saturday and you can guarantee that punters will be queuing up to back him to land the double on Theatrical Moment who is a best price 14/1 shot with Paddy Power and is not without chance on the back of some good displays this season and on a fair mark of 138.

The favourite for the race is  Poker De Sivola who comes into the race on the back of his win in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, form which shows he will have no problem handinling the marathon 4 mile trip and could look well handicapped carrying 10 stone 11lb with more improvement possible.  The fact that his trainer, Ferdy Murphy, has won this race three times in the past ten years only fuels confidence in this horses chances and is sure to take plenty of beating.

Second favourite is Meanus Dandy, who represents champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls, who has surprisingly only won this race once before, back in 1997,  but his runner this year could be the one capable of ending that drought. A lightly race seven year old, Meanus Dandy could be anything in this field but the fact that he is 15/2 in the betting shows that bookmakers are not willing to take the risk that this Irish import is not thrown in at the weights. However, unlike his market rival, he must prove he has the stamina to stay this trip.

Scottish Grand National Tip

Poker De Sivola @ 7/1 with Paddy Power.

2010 Scottish Grand National Odds

Odds Courtesy of Paddy Power
Poker De Sivola 7/1
Meanus Dandy 15/2
Gone to Lunch 10/1
Theatrical Moment 14/1
Faasel 14/1
Killyglen 12/1
Mobaasher 18/1
Scots Dragoon 16/1
That’s Rhythm 16/1
Lothian Falcoln 16/1
Razor Royale 20/1
Merigo 20/1
Dom D’Orgeval 20/1
Halcon Genelardais 20/1
Out the Black 25/1
Chiaro 25/1
Himalayan Trail 25/1
Superior Wisdom 25/1
Others 33/1 or bigger

2009 Leopardstown Lexus Chase Betting

The Lexus Chase on Monday 28th December is the feature race of the four day Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse and the betting for the 2009 race looks like finding the winner is going to to be a tough assignment for even the most knowledgeable of form students. Irish Bookmaker, Paddy Power, go odds of 3/1 the field with just four points in the betting separating the top  five in the market.

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The joint favourites for the race are the Paul Nolan trained Joncol and the Jim Dreaper trained Notre Pere. With the former a slight favourite at quote of 5/2 and 11/4 with other bookies. Joncol comes in to the race on the back of an impressive win at Punchestown earlier in December which followed a solid second to Tranquil Sea in October, who is well regarded and followed up that defeat of Joncol with victory at Cheltenham’s Open meeting. Notre Pere was the impressive winner of the Welsh National last Christmas in what turned out to be a excellent season for the Kilsallaghan based runner. His campaign this season started unluckily when falling when looking the most likely to win at Down Royal on his reappearance before being found wanting in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. He will need to bounce back from that disappointment if he is to win the Lexus Chase and confirm his credentials as a realistic Cheltenham Gold Cup hope.

What a Friend represents the best English hope in the race and his trainer will be looking to add to his tally following Denman’s win here in 2007. The Sir Alex Ferguson owned runner was an impressive second to the aforementioned and stablemate in his last run, The Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, where, despite coming up short of the winner, was  far from disgraced and this six year old could have the makings of a very useful performer and is sure to be well backed at 5/1 by the growing band of punters who follow Paul Nicholls given his success rate at the top level of chasing. However, What a Friend will have to prove he has improved enough to reverse the form of his 30 length Royal and Sun Alliance Chase defeat at Cheltenham in march, at the hands of Cooldine who also runs in the Lexus Chase.

Cooldine was a mightily impressive Novice Chaser last term where he was soon touted as the one to challenge Kauto Star and Denman’s monopoly on the Gold Cup, however, doubts were cast when he was a disappointing odds on favourite on his final start at Punchestown in April. If you are willing to risk ignoring that blip, together with this being his first run in eight months then the 11/2 on offer could be cracking value about a horse clearly stacked with ability and is our tip for the race.

The other huge danger in the race is Voy Por Ustedes, who like What a Friend, heads over the Irish Sea for trainer Alan King. A solid performer who is never disgraced and proven at Grade One level looks over priced at 8/1 but the bookmakers clearly think that some of the younger horses in the race may have a bit too much for this runner but don’t forget, he has no fewer than five Grade One wins to his name.

Lexus Chase Tip
Cooldine to win @ 11/2

Lexus Chase Betting Odds – 2:35 Leopardstown, Monday 28th December 2009
Joncol 11/4
Notre Pere 11/4
What a Friend 5/1
Cooldine 11/2
Voy Por Ustedes 8/1
In Compliance 12/1
Money Trix 12/1
Schindlers Hunt 14/1
Aran Concerto 16/1
Cloudy Lane 25/1
Jy Vole 33/1
Cane Brake 50/1
Odds courtesy of Victor Chandler

Kauto Star Odds on to win fourth King George VI Chase

All eyes will be on Kempton Park Racecourse on Boxing Day (Saturday 26th December) as the odds on favourite, Kauto Star, aims to win the King George VI Chase for a record fourth consecutive time. Only the great Desert Orchid won the race on four occasions but only managed three back-to-back, a feat achieved by Kauto Star last year and a win in the 2009 renewal of the race would firmly establish the Paul Nicholls trained nine year old as contender for the greatest steeple chaser of all time and when you consider that two of Desert Orchid’s four triumphs in the race came aged 10 and 11, it only adds to the excitement surrounding the two times Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

Coral are the bookmaker offering the biggest price about Kauto Star with a quote of 8/13, which goes some way to reflecting his chances of victory but it’s a price that, whilst likely return a profit, is only attractive to big hitting punters! However, it is very difficult to advise backing against Kauto Star, with all rivals seemingly having plenty to find.

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Imperial Commander is the 5/1 second favourite behind Kauto Star following his second to the King George favourite, beaten only by a nose, in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month. However, it is expected that Kauto Star will improve following that first run of the season and when you consider the distance between the two in this race last year was 76 lengths, it is hard to see the Nigel Twiston-Davies causing an upset.

The David Pipe trained Madison Du Berlais finished third in the Betfair Chase and should improve for that run and has form for causing an upset at Kempton after beating Paul Nicholls’ other stable star, Denman, at the Middlesex track in February and is sure to have his backers at 8/1. However, it could be the improving Deep Purple who represents excellent each way value at 12/1. Following a solid Novice campaign last year, the Evan Williams trained runner has started the season with two wins and is open to further improvement and whilst it may not be enough to reel in kauto Star, it should at least see him in the top three.

King George VI Chase Odds
Kauto Star 8/13
Imperial Commander 5/1
Madison Du Berlais 8/1
Deep Purple 12/1
Nacarat 14/1
Barbers Shop 16/1
Albertas Run 20/1
Tartak 33/1
Our Vic 25/1
Master Medic 40/1
Racing Demon 50/1
Roll Along 50/1
Ollie Magern 100/1
Sandymac 500/1

Tingle Creek Odds Set to Shape Champion Chase Picture

The feature race at Sandown on Saturday (5th December) afternoon is the Tingle Creek Chase, which down the years has become one of the best trials for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. This year’s renewal of the Tingle Creek sees only five horses go to post with four of the runners seemingly holding  realistic claims of winning the race.

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The favourite for the race is the 13/8 (bet365) chance, Big Zeb, who seems to be on an upward curve after finishing second to dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded two starts ago before making a promising seasonal re-appearance last time out. The Irish Raider, trained by Colm Murphy is already well fancied in the Champion Chase Odds at Cheltenham in March and is justifiably the one to beat on most recent forms at Sandown. However, he must overcome 2007 winner of the race Twist Magic who represents the Paul Nicholls yard and is the highest rated runner in the race and is sure to be in the shake up if putting his best foot forward, whilst Well Chief, who has shown so much promise in an injury ravaged career can also make his presence felt if he continue his return to full fitness. The David Pipe runner returned from almost two years off the track in March to finsih second in the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind Master Minded before making a return to winning ways at Cheltenham in November and could well represent the best value in the betting.

Forpaddydeplaster is another one who cannot be ruled after a very impressive Novice campaign last year, culminating in victory in the Arkle Chase. However, he must show that he can make the step up to beat these opponents, which is not out of the question. Given the competitiveness of this year’s Tingle Creek, whichever horse wins  is sure to be moved in the market for the Champion Chase as they’ll have seen off at least three useful rivals.

Ting Creek Tip
Well Chief @ 3/1 with Bet365

Tingle Creek Odds

Big Zeb 13/8
Twist Magic 9/4
Well Chief 3/1
Forpaddydeplaster 13/2
Mahogany Blaze 25/1

Denman the one to beat in Hennessy Gold Cup Odds

Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and runner up in this year’s renewal of the race, Denman heads the betting odds for the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup Chase at Newbury on Saturday, 28th November. The Paul Nicholls trained chaser won this very race two years ago off top weight and the bookies obviosuly believe that he can repeat that performance carrying the same 11st 12lb around the Berkshire track, which he did in some style, winning by an impressive 11 lengths in 2007.

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Since then, he has gone on to prove that he is amongst an elite band of styaing chasers, winning the Gold Cup in 2008 before finsihing second to stablemate and possibly the only horse better than him, Kauto Star. The biggest question mark that Denman must answer is that he is well over the heart problems that put him out of action for the majority of last season. However, noise from his owner Harry Findlay suggest that is very much the case and his supporters can expect a return to the Denman we saw demolish the Hennessy field in two years ago in 2009/10.

The best odds quote of 4/1 (Paddy Power) about Demnam is short enough and bookmakers aren’t taking any chances but if he is on song, he will take all the beating, depsite there beign several promising chasers also in the field. None moreso than another Paul Nicholls trained runner, What a Friend. The Sir Alex Ferguson owned runner is set to make his seasonal debut follwoing a very promising Novice campaign last season., he looks a horse vey much on the ugrade and is sure to make his presence felt if Denman puts a foot wrong. The Queens horse, Barbers Shop, is another one that poses a big danger to Denman whilst winner of this race in 2006, State of Play, runs of just 3lb more than what he carried three years ago and at 16/1 makes cracking each way appeal.

Hennessy Gold Cup Tip
Denman @ 4/1 with Paddy Power

Hennessy Gold Cup Odds – Compare the best odds from leading bookmakers for this year’s race.

Staurday’s Breeders Cup Tips

The highlight of Saturday’s Breeders Cup Card is the ‘Classic’ but the other seven races on the card all promises to make this a fantastic meeting, which includes a total of no fewer than six Grade One races.

The Free Bets Blog Racing experts have once again been studying the form of both the European and American horses to bring you the best advice if looking for free tips ahead of this year’s meeting.

Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf - 6:45 (GMT) Live on At the Races & Racing UK
A tough looking race which sees the best two year olds from both sides of the Atlantic go head to head. The American trained Interactif and John Gosden’s British trained Pounced head the betting and bookmakers report both have been popular in the lead up to the race. However, it could be another European Raider in the form of Viscount Nelson, trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien who can land this. This son of Giant’s Causeway has improved with every run so far this season and more can be expected in the opener at Santa Anita on Saturday and the 4/1 with Bet365 looks a good shout.

Juvenile Turf Odds

Breeders Cup Mile - 9:28 (GMT) Live on At the Races/Racing Uk
Whilst an obvious choice, Goldikova is certainly the one to beat in the Breeders Cup Mile. A course and distance winner after winning this very race twelve months ago, this French super Filly can land the spoils once again. She can be excused for getting beat last time out at Longchamp and we fully expect her to return to winning ways at Santa Anita. Snap up the 6/4 with Ladbrokes.

Breeders Cup Mile Betting

Breeders Cup Turf - 10:57 (GMT) Live on At the Races/Racing UK
The Sir Michael Stoute trained Conduit looks sure to take plenty of beating with undoubtedly the best form in the book, finishing third and fourth behind Sea the Stars on two of his last three starts (winning the other). Was it not for Sea the Stars dominance over 1m 4f this season, Conduit would surely have seen the winners enclosure more often. However, with the John Oxx trained superstar now retired, Conduit can confirm his place as a top class middle distance runner. The 5/4 with Boylesports looks a sure fire win bet.

Breeders Cup Turf Betting Odds Comparison

Breeders Cup Classic - 11:45 (GMT) live on At the Races & Racing UK
The feature race of the two day Breeders Cup meeting looks set to be a two horse battle between the unbeaten American trained mare, Zenyatta and the Aidan O’Brien trained Rip Van Winkle, who makes the trip to Santa Anita from Ireland. Rip Van comes in to the race on the back of two wins over one mile whislt his only effort over this trip of 1m 2f saw him finish a one length second to Sea the Stars, form which could suldum be any better. the ratings suggest that he is better than his female rival, who is stepping up to this trip for the first time. However, thirteen wins out of thirteen suggests that she should not be discounted. However, Summer Bird, could upset the odds to land this race. With proven quality at the very highest level after winning the Belmont Stakes in June, the Tim Ice trained runner has shown signs of improvement over this trip since then and can make his presence felt at more appealing odds of 8/1 with Victor Chandler.

Breeders Cup Classic

Friday’s Breeders Cup Tips

The two day Breeders Cup meeting gets underways on Friday 6th November at Santa Anita, California, as the best thoroughbred racehorses from both sides of the Atlantic contest to win some of the most prestigious and richest races in the World. The meeting hosts a total of nien Grade One races over the two days, starting on Friday night at 20:35 (GMT) with four top class affairs dominating the six race card.  The Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, Breeders Cup Filly & Mares Turf, the Filly & Mares Sprint and the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic are the highlights on Friday’s card and with such quality for punters to enjoy both in Europe and the United States, tips are very popular for the meeting and Free Bets Blog’s racing experts have had their heads in the form book to mark your card.

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Breeders Cup Filly & Mares Turf – 22:23 (GMT) live on At The Races
British Raider, Midday, sits at the top of the betting in this race, an 11/4 favourite with Stan James and represents one of the best chances of European success at the whole meeting. The Henry Cecil trained Filly has never been out of the frame in Group One company throughout the season, including a win in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. This form alone put her in with a great chance and really should be the one to beat.

Breeders Cup Filly & Mares Turf Odds

Breeders Cup Filly & Mares Sprint - 23:02 (GMT) Live on At The Races
American trainer Robert Frankel saddles last year’s winner of this race, Ventura and the winning Course & Distance experience of this filly is sure to make her hard to beat but the odds reflect this. However, there is a lot to like about the Godolphin trained Sara Louise. The stable are in exceptional form back in Europe and with a progressive profile this Filly cannot be ruled out from at least makign the frame and the 10/1 with Paddy Power makes plenty of each way appeal.

 Latest Breeders Cup Filly & Mares Spint Betting

Breeders Cup Ladies Classic – 23:45 (GMT) live on At The Races
Rainbow View is not a straightforward Filly having only won one from seven starts in 2009. However, that should not detract from the fact that the John Gosden British trained runner is top class. She has never left Group One company all season and was unbeaten as a Juvenile last term. She has yet to live up to her early season billing as the top three year old Filly around but the first try over this 1 mile 1 furlong trip could well see her prove her credentials as a superstar and 6/1 with Bet365 looks a fair price.

Breeders Cup Ladies Classic Odds

St Nicholas Can Confirm his place at the head of the 2010 Derby Odds with Racing Post Trophy Win

The Aidan O’Brien trained St Nicholas Abbey is a best priced 2/1 favourite for Saturday’s Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, a  Group One race for two year olds that is synonymous with providing future Derby prospects. The race has  thrown up three  Derby winners in the past ten years and the Ballydoyle representative could well add to that statistic if the betting for the 2010 Derby is anything to go by.

St Nicholas Abbey already heads the betting for next year’s Epsom Classic after two wins from two starts, the latter of which was the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last month, the same race Sea the Stars won last season. The 8/1 quote  in next year’s Derby suggests big things are expected for the son of Montjeu and he is half of the odds of his closest rival, Coordinated Cat, who also takes his chance in the Racing Post Trophy.

There are big risks associated with backing two year olds antepost for any of the Classics but after tomorrow’s race, the 8/1 on offer with Bet365 could look like exceptional value.  However, the same could be said about several other of the runners in the Racing Post Trophy, the majority of whom also hold entries in the Guineas and Derby and with nine of the twelve runners having only seen a racecourse on three or fewer occasions, further improvement can be expected from most.

Last year’s winner of this race was Crowded House a result which saw him sit aloft of both the Guineas and Derby betting throughout the winter before disappointing runs in just his two starts this term. Trainer Brian Meehan will be hoping that his entry in Saturday’s renewal, Dancing David, is not to go the same way. The unbeaten duo of Elusive Pimppernel and Al Zir sit behind St Nicholas Abbey in the bookmakers lists, with the latter of the pair a convincing winner at Doncaster last time out and trained by Godolphin who are showing signs of returning to Flat Racing’s top table in 2010 with several exciting prospects in training.

With so little form to go on for the Racing Post Trophy, much has to be relied on reputation and excpecation and nobody can cast doubt Aidan O’Brien’s credentials wehn it coems to trainer top class Colts over 1 mile and 1 mile 4 furlongs and with St Nicholas Abbey seemingly the stable’s next superstar, it will take a brave man to oppose the favourite with any confidence.

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Racing Post Trophy Tip
St Nicholas Abbey 2/1 with Ladbrokes

Racing Post Trophy Betting – 3:30, Doncaster, Saturday 24th October 2009
St Nicholas Abbey 2/1
Elusive Pimpernel 7/2
Al Zir 9/2
Coordinated Cat 6/1
Shakespearan 14/1
Dancing David 16/1
Morana 16/1
Mussafer 20/1
Al Ghazal 25/1
Elusive Award 33/1
Hanson’D 40/1
Big Audio 50/1

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