Racing
Horse Racing Betting
This weekend’s two big races come from Ascot and Haydock. The Ascot Cup has 7 entries with Planet of Sound looking likely to go off favourite. At Haydock, the Blue Square Gold Cup is being run and looks a lot more competitive then the Ascot race. At the moment 15 horses have stood their ground, including joint favourites Silver By Nature and Le Beau Bai. Both meetings are to hold precautionary inspections, let’s hope they get the go ahead.
Firstly to Ascot - with the ground being given as heavy, soft in places, Ascot is going to take some getting. Heavy ground and stiff fences is sure to find out a few. There are only 6 runners but this is quite a competitive little heat. For me, there are 3 horses to certainly rule out, Albertas Run, Monet’s Garden and The Saywer. Albertas Run won’t enjoy the heavy ground. Monet’s Garden is past his best and won’t get his own way up front and finally The Sawyer has up to a stone to find with today’s rivals. It boils down to three runners, Herecomethetruth, Oh Crick and Planet of Sound.
The outsider of the 3 at 13-2 is Oh Crick. He has only had two runs this year but they have been to a decent standard. The first of which, he finished 5th to Plant of Sound in the William Hill. His second run was in the Victor Chandler, behind this year’s big improver, Twist Magic. He was beaten 13 lengths in total but ran on very nicely after being badly out paced 4 out. The step up in trip looks to be a huge plus but I’d be slightly worried about the soft under foot conditions. If the leaders kill each other up front, he could pick them off in the straight.
Next in line is the favourite, Planet of Sound. He is the class horse in the race and is the top rated. Third in last years Arkle behind Forpaddyteplasterer, this year hasn’t exactly gone to plan for the Philip Hobbs trained horse. He was second to Albertas Run in the Amlin Chase, beaten 3 lengths. That was a good run considering he was giving 6 pounds. He is a good horse but I don’t think he has really progressed this year. At 7-4 he is way too short and I’m willing to pass him over.
Double the favourite’s price is Herecomesthetruth. He is part of the powerful Paul Nicholls/Ruby Walsh team and must have a great chance of turning over the favourite. The key to the horse seems to be the ground as he likes it soft. However, he also has the form to back up his credentials. He was running a super race in the Peterborough before unseating at the last. That day he jumped superbly as he led them round Huntingdon at a great gallop. Further to his cause, he turned over last year’s Arkle winner in his previous race. Conditions are ideal for him today and at 3-1, he’s is a decent price. The only negative I can see is that there are a number of front runners in the race but with Ruby on board, he’ll know what to do.
Haydock is going to be very testing with the ground described as heavy. Haydock’s fences aren’t the easiest fences to jumps, so you’re going to need a horse that stays and jumps well. Step forward last year’s national winner Mon Mome. Many think this race will just be a prep for Aintree but I’m not so sure. I think if they can win with him, they will. He ran very encouragingly the last day over an inadequate trip, getting outpaced early before staying on nicely to finish 4th. The step up in trip should aid his cause not to be out paced again. If he can race up with the pace, I think he will grind them down in the straight. At 16-1, he is good value for an each-way bet. A horse grossly over priced is bottom weight Oscar Park. He has form linking him with some of the favourites but is 3 times their price. With a good jockey booked in Ryan Mania, I expect a big run at a big price. For value, I’d probably back the later but both should run well.
Horse Racing Betting - Horse Racing Results
