Cheltenham November Meeting 2024 (Sun)
12 hours ago
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury
Another good day of racing ahead. The Hennessy looks hard to decipher but I've decided to go for Emma Lavelle's Highland Lodge. Here's today's Irish Independent article:
Saturday, November 23, 2013
The Betfair Chase at Haydock 2013
Absolute cracker of a race! It's like having the Gold Cup in November.
Today's Irish Independent article:
Today's Irish Independent article:
BOBS WORTH
I WAS flicking through some science magazines in the local library last week, when I came across an interesting article about handedness. Apparently, around 92 percent of men and 90 percent of women are right-handed, but scientists are still unsure as to the exact reasons why. Most agree that genetics plays a part but it's also believed that the left and right sides of the brain divide up the body's tasks in different ways - with most brains preferring to delegate manual work to the right side of the body. There's nothing too startling about that but I did find it fascinating to learn that animals too are not immune to handedness. In animals, a preference for one side of the body over the other is called laterality and it can be seen in lots of types of creatures including horses. In the betting world, people often argue whether or not it's possible for a horse to have a preference for running at a left or right-handed racecourse. I used to be sceptical about this, but scientists have shown that if a horse's laterality is on the right-hand side, he will take bigger strides with his right foreleg. And if he takes bigger strides with his right foreleg, this effectively pushes him in a slightly left direction when running. If this is true, then today's Betfair Chase (3.0 Haydock) favourite Bobs Worth may well have a dominant right side, as his record around left-handed courses is seven wins from seven races. Right-handed, he's raced five times, winning two. Coincidence? Maybe so - but it does give me that bit of extra confidence as I back him today at 9/4 around left-handed Haydock. This year's renewal is arguably the best we've seen since the race was established in 2005 so it will take a lot more than the correct laterality for Nicky Henderson's charge to cross the line ahead of his seven rivals. But in my book, he's the best staying chaser in training and the eight-year-old showed true character and grit to win the Gold Cup, having looked well beaten three out. He also goes well fresh, so there's no concerns over the fact that he hasn't been seen since Cheltenham. Paul Nicholls' Silviniaco Conti was in contention when falling in the Gold Cup but whether or not he would have had the stamina to see off Bobs Worth is something we'll never know. He has a chance to prove himself again today but with the pace likely to be strong, I have my concerns. The seven-year-old's jumping was a bit sloppy in the Betfred Bowl at Aintree last time which is a slight worry - although he did win this race last year and if he gets around unscathed, it will make for one hell of a contest. For those looking for an each-way bet, I wouldn't put you off Cue Card around 7/1. He was disappointing in the Haldon Gold Cup Chase at Exeter last time but he was giving weight all-round and an early mistake scuppered any real chance of victory. Dynaste and Tidal Bay have claims too but Bobs Worth's consistency makes him something special and I'm confident he'll kick off this season's campaign with the best possible start.
I WAS flicking through some science magazines in the local library last week, when I came across an interesting article about handedness. Apparently, around 92 percent of men and 90 percent of women are right-handed, but scientists are still unsure as to the exact reasons why. Most agree that genetics plays a part but it's also believed that the left and right sides of the brain divide up the body's tasks in different ways - with most brains preferring to delegate manual work to the right side of the body. There's nothing too startling about that but I did find it fascinating to learn that animals too are not immune to handedness. In animals, a preference for one side of the body over the other is called laterality and it can be seen in lots of types of creatures including horses. In the betting world, people often argue whether or not it's possible for a horse to have a preference for running at a left or right-handed racecourse. I used to be sceptical about this, but scientists have shown that if a horse's laterality is on the right-hand side, he will take bigger strides with his right foreleg. And if he takes bigger strides with his right foreleg, this effectively pushes him in a slightly left direction when running. If this is true, then today's Betfair Chase (3.0 Haydock) favourite Bobs Worth may well have a dominant right side, as his record around left-handed courses is seven wins from seven races. Right-handed, he's raced five times, winning two. Coincidence? Maybe so - but it does give me that bit of extra confidence as I back him today at 9/4 around left-handed Haydock. This year's renewal is arguably the best we've seen since the race was established in 2005 so it will take a lot more than the correct laterality for Nicky Henderson's charge to cross the line ahead of his seven rivals. But in my book, he's the best staying chaser in training and the eight-year-old showed true character and grit to win the Gold Cup, having looked well beaten three out. He also goes well fresh, so there's no concerns over the fact that he hasn't been seen since Cheltenham. Paul Nicholls' Silviniaco Conti was in contention when falling in the Gold Cup but whether or not he would have had the stamina to see off Bobs Worth is something we'll never know. He has a chance to prove himself again today but with the pace likely to be strong, I have my concerns. The seven-year-old's jumping was a bit sloppy in the Betfred Bowl at Aintree last time which is a slight worry - although he did win this race last year and if he gets around unscathed, it will make for one hell of a contest. For those looking for an each-way bet, I wouldn't put you off Cue Card around 7/1. He was disappointing in the Haldon Gold Cup Chase at Exeter last time but he was giving weight all-round and an early mistake scuppered any real chance of victory. Dynaste and Tidal Bay have claims too but Bobs Worth's consistency makes him something special and I'm confident he'll kick off this season's campaign with the best possible start.
Each-way outsider
AT 33/1 and higher, bookmakers give Monetary Fund very little hope of winning the Betfair Cash Out 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock (2.55). With Grands Crus, Dynaste and Diamond Harry among the recent winners of this race, Monetary Fund does look a little out of his depth; yet he's consistent enough and rarely makes mistakes. A win looks unlikely but I'd be surprised if he runs as badly as those odds suggest.
AT 33/1 and higher, bookmakers give Monetary Fund very little hope of winning the Betfair Cash Out 'Fixed Brush' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock (2.55). With Grands Crus, Dynaste and Diamond Harry among the recent winners of this race, Monetary Fund does look a little out of his depth; yet he's consistent enough and rarely makes mistakes. A win looks unlikely but I'd be surprised if he runs as badly as those odds suggest.
DO THE DOUBLE
SOCCER: THE Premier League makes a welcome return this weekend and it's a big day Merseyside as Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park. Second-placed Liverpool have done precious wrong this term and are now odds-on for a top four finish but the Toffees have been holding their own too, losing just once away to City. If you ask me, this one has draw written all over it (12/5).
RACING: OF those horses which have a mark, Flashy Queen has a couple of pounds in hand in the 32 Free At 32Red.com/E.B.F. Stallions Maiden Stakes at Lingfield (12.20). She was a little one-paced when making her handicap debut at Wolverhampton back in September but she got herself back on track when runner-up in a maiden at Bath last time. 5lb claimer George Chaloner is a jockey to keep an eye on and early odds of 2/1 about the filly seem a little high.
SOCCER: THE Premier League makes a welcome return this weekend and it's a big day Merseyside as Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park. Second-placed Liverpool have done precious wrong this term and are now odds-on for a top four finish but the Toffees have been holding their own too, losing just once away to City. If you ask me, this one has draw written all over it (12/5).
RACING: OF those horses which have a mark, Flashy Queen has a couple of pounds in hand in the 32 Free At 32Red.com/E.B.F. Stallions Maiden Stakes at Lingfield (12.20). She was a little one-paced when making her handicap debut at Wolverhampton back in September but she got herself back on track when runner-up in a maiden at Bath last time. 5lb claimer George Chaloner is a jockey to keep an eye on and early odds of 2/1 about the filly seem a little high.
Today's selections
12.20 Lingfield: Flashy Queen
2.05 Ascot: Al Ferof
2.40 Ascot: Zarkandar
2.55 Haydock: Monetary Fund (e/w)
3.0 Haydock: Bobs Worth
12.20 Lingfield: Flashy Queen
2.05 Ascot: Al Ferof
2.40 Ascot: Zarkandar
2.55 Haydock: Monetary Fund (e/w)
3.0 Haydock: Bobs Worth
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Tony McCoy - 4,000 winners
Well done to an absolute legend. The greatest sportsman of our time if you ask me.
Here's Saturday's Irish Independent article, have a good one:
Here's Saturday's Irish Independent article, have a good one:
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Hello November
Good
afternoon folks. A quick hello as it's ages since I blogged.
A few
updates...
Book
The book I've written about trading is finished and I'm simply adding the final touches and doing some more editing. I've no date for it yet but it'll be quite soon now thank God. Writing a book is a hell of a lot harder than I thought it would be to be honest. I'm a librarian by profession so I've come across literally thousands of books in my time and I always wanted to write one. It really can be a hard slog though, especially so if you are writing non-fiction and trying to explain a topic to someone, get the right screen grabs and make sure the English is good but still readable. Having said all that, I've already got an idea or two for some other books so you never know. It's quite an achievement, and even if no-one buys it, I'm proud to have done it. I'll certainly wait a little while before doing it again though!
The book I've written about trading is finished and I'm simply adding the final touches and doing some more editing. I've no date for it yet but it'll be quite soon now thank God. Writing a book is a hell of a lot harder than I thought it would be to be honest. I'm a librarian by profession so I've come across literally thousands of books in my time and I always wanted to write one. It really can be a hard slog though, especially so if you are writing non-fiction and trying to explain a topic to someone, get the right screen grabs and make sure the English is good but still readable. Having said all that, I've already got an idea or two for some other books so you never know. It's quite an achievement, and even if no-one buys it, I'm proud to have done it. I'll certainly wait a little while before doing it again though!
Other writing
I'm still doing my weekly piece for the Irish Independent which I love. Had a nice winner at 7.15 already for today's column so fingers crossed the rest of the day goes as well :-)
I'm still doing my weekly piece for the Irish Independent which I love. Had a nice winner at 7.15 already for today's column so fingers crossed the rest of the day goes as well :-)
Financial trading/Betfair trading
Haven't done much lately to be perfectly honest. I simply haven't had time. I sold up all positions and went to cash a couple of weeks ago to pay for some stuff and haven't dipped back in yet. Financial trading is not something I can pop in and out of successfully when I feel like it - I need to get in the zone for a couple of weeks and get a feel for it. Going to start dipping the toe in the water again soon. The same goes for Betfair trading. I've had very few full days off lately to give it my all. When I try to trade a race here and there it never works out so I now don't do it unless I can dedicate some decent time to it. As always, it's a question of making more time for myself! But I intend to be trading in the next week or two.
Haven't done much lately to be perfectly honest. I simply haven't had time. I sold up all positions and went to cash a couple of weeks ago to pay for some stuff and haven't dipped back in yet. Financial trading is not something I can pop in and out of successfully when I feel like it - I need to get in the zone for a couple of weeks and get a feel for it. Going to start dipping the toe in the water again soon. The same goes for Betfair trading. I've had very few full days off lately to give it my all. When I try to trade a race here and there it never works out so I now don't do it unless I can dedicate some decent time to it. As always, it's a question of making more time for myself! But I intend to be trading in the next week or two.
Betting
Going pretty well. I'm making some decent money from my place lay handicap system which I posted here some time back and it's now up 53pts for 2013. My regular place lays are well in profit for the year too although September was a tricky month where a lot of money was lost. It's great to be able to finally make some money from the place markets though, as I'd struggled in those for years.
Going pretty well. I'm making some decent money from my place lay handicap system which I posted here some time back and it's now up 53pts for 2013. My regular place lays are well in profit for the year too although September was a tricky month where a lot of money was lost. It's great to be able to finally make some money from the place markets though, as I'd struggled in those for years.
Running/fitness/health
I went to the doc last month and found out that I had high cholesterol (6.3). Initially, this was quite a shock as I am quite light and exercise quite a bit. But looking back, my diet was full of saturated fat. I love my cheese and dairy and all that and would always use stuff like real butter etc. I'm on a cholesterol diet to get it down and it's a bit tough but that's the way it goes. Nothing too serious he said as I don't smoke and am fairly fit so he said it should come down handy enough soon with some diet changes. Now I know how the women feel going on diets and it ain't fun. As regards running, I'm doing 5K twice a week which isn't too bad. I've signed up for Hell and Back tomorrow which should be interesting! Looks mental to be honest, I'll report back if I make it out alive.
I went to the doc last month and found out that I had high cholesterol (6.3). Initially, this was quite a shock as I am quite light and exercise quite a bit. But looking back, my diet was full of saturated fat. I love my cheese and dairy and all that and would always use stuff like real butter etc. I'm on a cholesterol diet to get it down and it's a bit tough but that's the way it goes. Nothing too serious he said as I don't smoke and am fairly fit so he said it should come down handy enough soon with some diet changes. Now I know how the women feel going on diets and it ain't fun. As regards running, I'm doing 5K twice a week which isn't too bad. I've signed up for Hell and Back tomorrow which should be interesting! Looks mental to be honest, I'll report back if I make it out alive.
Ciao for
now,
Wayne
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