Saturday Race Previews uploaded - Ante Post Focus uploaded - Andy Richmond’s Beating The Bias uploaded - General Sports uploaded - Aintree Day 3 uploaded - Aintree Day 2 uploaded - Aintree Day 1 uploaded
29/3/16
It’s fair to say that we have had a very good last few days.
Fairyhouse went particularly well with four winners strongly highlighted from six races covered and although my ante-post fancy of Bonny Kate didn’t live up to expectations in the Irish Grand National, my each-way selection, Folsom Blue, finished fourth at 20/1. In fact, we were a little unlucky not to draw on all six races as my 25/1 each-way fancy for the Ryanair Gold Cup when there were eight runners the day before, Blair Perrone, finished third but there were two non runners the next morning. This, on the back of California Chrome, Postponed, Vazirabad and Euro Charline e/w (2nd at 25/1) at Meydan and highlighting 3/3 winners at Kempton.
My selection at the semi-final stage of the World Match Play, Jason Day at 11/5, also won meaning that we have now been in profit for the last five golf tournaments. The next golf event I will cover is the big one, The Masters, next week. I’ve had three players in mind for the event for the last month or so. In addition, Paul Smith put up Virat Kohli to top score versus Australia at 11/4 in India’s victory which at the same time saw the Aussies eliminated at the Super Tens stage which he advised at the start of the event at 11/10. Paul is back to cover the two semi-finals on Wednesday and Thursday.
I finally got there and last night uploaded the Cheltenham Festival Review/End of Season Preview which, at 12,800+ words, weighed in as my longest ever single article. Hopefully you will find a few pointers for the remaining big days this jumps season from all 28 races I looked back on and also into next season.
At 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday I will be covering the Grand National and Lincoln in Big Race Focus and maybe a couple of other races for next week’s Aintree meeting too. The two-day Lincoln Meeting on Saturday and Sunday has been a bonanza time for blind backers of Richard Fahey’s handicappers (ten such winners in the last three years but zero in the non-handicaps) so expect his handicappers to be properly revved up again. Last season he bagged handicap winners at this meeting at 12/1, 17/2 and 8/1 following up on from 10/1, 7/1 and 7/1 in 2014 and four more handicap winners in 2013 at 14/1, 11/2, 4/1 and 7/2. Fahey had a bad year in 2012 with just one handicap winner at the meeting, however that was Brae Hill at 25/1 in the Lincoln itself, so maybe not! You may also want to note David O’Meara at the Lincoln meeting and especially in the maiden races after his successes in the last two years in such races at 6/1 and 11/4.
England play Holland tonight and I won’t make the mistake of underestimating them this time! I went to this fixture when Graham Taylor was manager and Dennis Bergkamp equalised with an exquisite goal after John Barnes struck early on. As good as they were to come back from 2-0 down to beat Germany 3-2 last week, it’s an over-reaction and a half that they were scythed in places from 12/1 to 8/1 for Euro 2016. Increase that original 12/1 further still if Rooney starts. Come on Roy, have the guts. Germany’s record in recent friendlies has been moderate to say the least but, with Holland in such turmoil and England with their backs up and the crowd expectant for another good show, they should win again and will be keen to impress so I see goals. Odds-against for Over 2.5 goals is a bet for me.
Finally, a very fond au revoir to the remarkable Cirrus Des Aigles whose retirement was announced yesterday at the age of ten after amassing over £6.1 million in career earnings. The best example of not going for the snip I can think of.
