The Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes run over a mile is the highlight on tomorrow's Newbury card. Most tipsters have put up Paco Boy who proved he stayed the trip when winning with something in hand at Sandown last time out. That day Dream Eater and Virtual finished second and third and are on six pounds worse terms here. The underfoot conditions will suit Paco Boy but could stretch his suspect stamina while Dream Eater may be better on better ground. On handicap ratings Paco Boy is well ahead of his rivals but this evening his price is drifting on the back of the stamina worries. I've decided to look for something bigger each-way and the two that have caught my eye are the Peter Chapple-Hyam pair, Tariq and Winker Watson. Last July Winker Watson was beaten less than four lengths by Henrythenavigator in the Sussex at Goodwood, with Tariq a further six lengths behind that day. The fact that Winker is priced up at 40/1 for tomorrow's race tells you things haven't gone to plan since. Andrew 'Bert' Black owns a share and reported on his blog that Winker has worked well on the gallops; having said that, the horse disappointed badly at Warwick last time out for no apparent reason. Subsequently I heard Chapple-Hyam saying the horse had a mind of his own these days; he was considering blinkers (not applied tomorrow), and if they didn't work, scissors. This quote was taken from the trainer's web site earlier today: "I'm just hoping that Winker can reproduce his home work at the track. He has been working well." Stablemate Tariq is priced around the 16/1 mark and was third in this last year, three quarters of a length and a neck behind Creachadoir and Phoenix Tower; of this charge the trainer states: "Tariq has really started to come to himself in the last week or so and I am happy with him. He won’t mind the rain that Newbury has had." I haven't given up on Winker Watson - 40/1 would look silly if the horse put his best foot forward - but the percentage call has to be an each-way interest in Tariq. Twice Over has received treatment for a corn on his foot and connections will make a final decision on his participation on Saturday morning.
Geordieland has been re-routed to the Aon Stakes (2.05) after missing the Yorkshire Cup earlier today on account of the going. There must a fair chance he'll miss this as well if significant rain falls overnight. I'm tempted to take a chance on an old favourite of mine, Yellowstone, on his first appearance for the Paul Cole yard. He's the Racing Post top-rated, will handle the ground although obviously I'm taking fitness on trust.
For those who can't bear the thought of watching the Eurovision Song Contest, Uttoxeter offers alternative entertainment with its 'James Bond Evening' (whatever that might entail). Prowling through the runners for an appropriate bet I considered Doctor Foxtrot, Stayclosetome, Midnight Diamond, Classic Chic and Sapphire Night but in the end had to go for Great Hero in the finale.
Showing posts with label winker watson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winker watson. Show all posts
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Long shorts
Trinity Mirror has sold The Racing Post to a private equity operation based in Irealnd for £170 million, some way below the £200 million asking price. The Times reports that, as part of the deal, £10 million will be given to racing charities and several million spent on developing the online product.
Top two year old Winker Watson has suffered a setback on the gallops and will miss the rest of the season. An ambitious plan had outlined his taking in the Middle Park on Friday followed by the Dewhurst.
The Arc build-up has started in earnest, with Dettori telling all who will listen that Authorized is the best horse in the race and he simply needs luck in running. Peter Chapple-Hyam's bullish comments about the horse following a recent piece of work appear to add weight to the jockey's claims.
At the five day declaration stage fifteen horses are left in the Arc, the Aidan O'Brien stable accounting for seven of that number. Most commentators are envisaging soft ground at Longchamp which may account for Dylan Thomas, the mount of Kieren Fallon, drifting out to 8/1 in Blue Square's ante-post book.
Mrs Tips keeps telling me Christmas is just around the corner; with that in mind, a book which may be of interest to some racing fans is Aintree's Queen Bee, Mirabel Topham and the Grand National, written Joan Rimmer and published by SportsBooks Ltd. This review in The Liverpool Daily Post gives a good feel for the content.
Top two year old Winker Watson has suffered a setback on the gallops and will miss the rest of the season. An ambitious plan had outlined his taking in the Middle Park on Friday followed by the Dewhurst.
The Arc build-up has started in earnest, with Dettori telling all who will listen that Authorized is the best horse in the race and he simply needs luck in running. Peter Chapple-Hyam's bullish comments about the horse following a recent piece of work appear to add weight to the jockey's claims.
At the five day declaration stage fifteen horses are left in the Arc, the Aidan O'Brien stable accounting for seven of that number. Most commentators are envisaging soft ground at Longchamp which may account for Dylan Thomas, the mount of Kieren Fallon, drifting out to 8/1 in Blue Square's ante-post book.
Mrs Tips keeps telling me Christmas is just around the corner; with that in mind, a book which may be of interest to some racing fans is Aintree's Queen Bee, Mirabel Topham and the Grand National, written Joan Rimmer and published by SportsBooks Ltd. This review in The Liverpool Daily Post gives a good feel for the content.
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