Qipco British Champions Day - full results

The results of the races at Qipco British Champions Day 2015, Ascot


12.45 Qipco Long Distance Cup
1st Flying Officer 6/1
2nd Clever Cookie 8/1
3rd Wicklow Brave 10/1


13.20 Qipco Sprint Stakes
1st Muhaarar 5/2f
2nd Twilight Son 4/1
3rd Danzeno 12/1


13.55 Qipco Fillies and Mares Stakes
1st Simple Verse 5/1
2nd Journey 7/1
3rd Beautiful Romance 20/1


14.30 Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes
1st Solow 11/10f
2nd Belardo 33/1
3rd Gabrial 66/1


15.05 Qipco Champion Stakes
1st Fascinating Rock 10/1
2nd Found 9/2
3rd Jack Hobbs Evs f


15.45 Balmoral Handicap
1st Musaddas 7/1
2nd GM Hopkins 10/1
3rd Master The World 14/1
4th Donncha 20/1

Qipco Champion Stakes

Going is good to soft and soft in places on the round course.

Betting:

Jack Hobbs Evs
Found 5/1; 9/2
Vadamos 7/1; 8/1
Fascinating Rock 11/1; 10/1
The Corsican 12/1
14/1 bar

Going behind
Loading

OFF


Maverick Wave pacemaker leads early
Jack Hobbs second

Found in rear

Order: Maverick Wave, Jack Hobbs, Vadamos, The Corsican


Turn for home
Jack Hobbs, The Corsican, Air Pilot

Pack waiting in behind - Found, Fascinating Rock, Air Pilot


FASCINATING ROCK WINS

Found second
Jack Hobbs third

1st Fascinating Rock (10/1) Pat Smullen
2nd Found (9/2) Ryan Moore
3rd Jack Hobbs (Evs f) William Buick

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Going is good to soft and soft in places on the round course.

Betting:

Solow 11/8; 5/4; 6/5; 11/10
Gleneagles 15/8; 2/1; 9/4; 5/2
Kodi Bear 7/1
Territories 9/1; 8/1
16/1 bar


Going down
Going behind
Loading

OFF

Elm Park early lead
Then Kodi Bear

Solow third, 3L back


Half-way point
Order: Elm Park, Kodi Park, Solow

Solow challenges

SOLOW wins

Belardo second


1st Solow (11/10f) Maxime Guyon 
2nd Belardo (33/1) James Doyle
3rd Gabrial (66/1) Paul Hanagan

Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes

Going is good to soft and soft in places on the round course.

Betting:

Candarliya 9/2
Simple Verse 5/1; 9/2
Covert Love 11/2; 9/2
Sea Calisi 6/1
Journey 13/2
12/1 Bar


Loading

OFF

Arabian Queen prominent on inside

Journey follows in second

Arabian Queen still leads

Coming to final turn
Order: Arabian Queen, Journey, Simple Verse


Arabian Queen folds
Journey leads
Simple Verse challenges

SIMPLE VERSE WINS

Journey in second
Beautiful Romance takes third


1st Simple Verse (5/1) Andrea Atzeni
2nd Journey (7/1) Frankie Dettori
3rd Beautiful Romance (20/1) James Doyle

Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes

Going is good to soft and soft in places on the round course.


Betting:

Muhaarar 5/2
Twilight Son 9/2; 4/1
The Tin Man 8/1; 7/1; 15/2; 8/1; 9/1
Strath Burn 8/1; 15/2; 8/1; 9/1; 10/1
Lightning Moon 20/1; 14/1; 12/1
Danzeno 14/1; 12/1; 14/1; 12/1
20/1 bar

Loading

OFF

Muhaarar fast away
Lancelot Du Lac up front

Muhaarar going well, strikes lead

Muhaarar goes away

MUHAARAR WINS

Twilight Son in second

Danzeno in third


1st Muhaarar (5/2f) Paul Hanagan
2nd Twilight Son (4/1) Ryan Moore
3rd Danzeno (12/1) Frankie Dettori

Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup

Going is good to soft and soft in places on the round course.

Betting:

Agent Murphy 9/2
Forgotten Rules 9/2
Flying Officer 6/1
Litigant 7/1
Clever Cookie 8/1
Pallasator 8/1
10/1 Bar

OFF
Amour de Nuit leads early on
Simenon in rear

Amour de Nuit continues to lead from Agent Murphy

Litigant in third

Flying Officer moves to third

Final turn

Rough and tumble in the pack

Flying Officer leads

FLYING OFFICER WINS

Clever Cookie finishes fast for second

Wicklow Brave in third


1st Flying Officer (6/1) Frankie Dettori
2nd Clever Cookie (8/1) Graham Lee
3rd Wicklow Brave (10/1) Ryan Moore

Qipco British Champions Day 2015 schedule

The schedule for the six races on British Champions Day 2015 at Ascot is as follows:

12.45 Group 2 Long Distance Cup
13.20 Group 1 Sprint Stakes
13.55 Group 1 Fillies and Mares Stakes
14.30 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Champions Mile)
15.05 Group 1 Middle Distance Stakes
15.45 Balmoral Handicap 

Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship 2015

The 2015 Flat Jockeys Championship comes to a close on Saturday 17 October 2015 on Ascot's British Champions Day.

Silvestre De Sousa (132 winners) will be crowned champion jockey and holds an unassailable lead of 36 winners over William Buick (96 winners) in second place.

1 Silvestre De Sousa (132 wins)
2 William Buick (96)
3 Paul Hanagan (95)
4 James Doyle (90)
5 Luke Morris (86)

Build up to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

A slick video promoting the 2015 running of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in which Treve seeks a third Arc crown.

Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship 2015

Latest standings in the Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship

1. Silvestre De Sousa (110 wins)
2.= William Buick (80)
2.= Paul Hanagan (80)
4. James Doyle (74)
5. Luke Morris (73)

British Champions Series - fantasy racing 2015

A very eventful running of the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday earned us a useful 99 points and moved our stable inside the top 250.

Aidan O'Brien and Bondi Beach (2/1f) won the race in the stewards' room after an enquiry which saw Simple Verse demoted to second place for interference, despite being first past the post. The reversal saw us earn 76 points as a result.

There are no more races in the series in September. Next month, after The Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, all attention turns to the finale - QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 17 October. With double points on offer, it can all be won and lost. Luckily we still have some transfers to use up.

British Champions Series - fantasy racing 2015

194 points earned in the Doncaster Cup on Friday saw us leap 200 places on the leader board, inside the top 300.

We selected the first two home in Pallasator (9/2) and Clondaw Warrior (7/1) and also had the jockey aboard each of them as well  - Andrea Atzeni and Frankie Dettori.

Neither trainer Sir Mark Prescott nor Willie Mullins are available in the game, so there were no points to be earned from them.

A useful 45 points were earned from Luke Morris and Graham Lee for their rides in the race.

Stobart Flat Jockey Championship 2015

Silvestre De Sousa (106) has extended his lead in the Flat jockeys championship to 29 wins over second-placed William Buick (77).

 Championship standings 

1. Silvestre De Sousa (106 wins)
2. William Buick (77)
3. Paul Hanagan (75)
4.= James Doyle (70)
4.= Luke Morris (70)

Sporting Life Pick 6 - Kempton and Haydock

This Saturday's Pick 6 takes in races at Haydock and Kempton:

1.45 Kemp Jack Hobbs
2.00 Hayd Sovereign Debt
2.20 Kemp Mutawathea
2.35 Hayd High Secret
3.10 Hayd Lexington Place
3.45 Hayd Magical Memory

Combined odds: 55,583/1

Jockey Turner announces her retirement

Back in 2013 when jockey Hayley Turner was on the sidelines with injury I wrote a couple articles on the importance of jockeys staying in the limelight.

I wrote at the time:

"one hopes that Hayley Turner does not drop off the radar after her recent injury (broken ankle) which will keep her out of action for 6-7 weeks. The injury comes shortly after she split from trainer Michael Bell, who gave her 157 rides in 2012 and more than 650 in the last five seasons. It is likely she will miss Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Day at Ascot in early August too, a high-profile, televised meeting. 

The combination of recent events, one on top of each other, means their impact is multiplied. Out of sight; out of mind."

Unfortunately, with the announcement of her retirement from racing at the end of the 2015 season, it does seem she has struggled to find the number and quality of rides she achieved in 2012 since that injury.


Jockeys need to stay in the limelight

http://turfaccounts.blogspot.com/2013/07/staying-in-limelight.html

http://turfaccounts.blogspot.com/2013/08/staying-in-limelight-part-2.html

Racing hacks bank holiday woes

Spare a fleeting thought for racing journalists who got stuck with the Bank holiday shift yesterday.

Probably already not feeling great after a Sunday session in the pub, what you really want when running a racing desk on a Bank holiday Monday is a quiet day when nothing really happens

Bank holiday's usually have a busy racing programme, so all that is required is a few nice stories for your race meeting review and then put your coat on as the "lucky last" goes off and you're out the door three strides after the winner has gone past the post.

Not yesterday, however.

First, there was the story of former Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton having her first ride as an amateur in the last race at Ripon. So you know that regardless of whether she wins or not, you'll have to wait around for some quotes to be filed and write up a more detailed review of the race than a Class 6 amateurs' handicap usually warrants. No dashing out of the door before the "weighed in" has been called.

On top of that there were the retirement announcements of two racehorses and a jockey in the form of Hurricane Fly, Telescope and Hayley Turner.

This means more quotes, more articles to file and all the while trying to remember how many races they won, which races and when.

Pendleton second on Ripon debut

Former-Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton was denied a win on her debut ride as an amateur jockey aboard Royal Etiquette (14/1) at Ripon on Monday afternoon.

Pendleton finished second in the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders' Handicap just beaten by the 33/1 shot Jordaura in a photo finish.

Her mount Royal Etiquette was slowly away from the stalls and was dropped in behind. But the very slow early pace meant Pendleton was quickly able to make her way to the head of the field. Turning for home she was actually battling for the lead with Chocolate Diamond and the pair was ahead of the field by five lengths with four furlongs remaining.

With three furlongs to go Pendleton and Royal Etiquette had a clear lead but the pack was closing. She was always battling for the lead but was headed on the line by Jordaura who came through late on to win.

Pendleton has the long term aim of riding in the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next March,

Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship 2015

The new format of the Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship means that the competition now runs from 2 May 2015 (QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day) until Saturday 17 October 2015 (QIPCO British Champions' Day).

There was a lot of fanfare at the start of the season about the revamped format with Stobart carrying the names of various jockeys in a launch at Ascot racecourse.

Stobart lorry launch at Ascot
https://vimeo.com/126433596

But as the season has gone on, interest in the title has not been sparked. Injury to Ryan Moore and the mid-season retirement of Richard Hughes have not helped the situation.

At the launch Hughes was quoted as saying some PR guff: “I have made it clear from the start that I
won’t be giving up my title without a fight and will doing my best to win it for a fourth and final time. I have backed the new format since it was first announced and we are grateful to Stobart for their sponsorship and support.”

This was all true until something more important came along - i.e. retiring to start a training career mid-season.

As August comes to a close the leader in the race is Silvestre De Sousa - whose name was not on one of the launch lorries, too long perhaps? - who has reached 100 winners from 489 rides. 28 wins behind in second place are William Buick and Paul Hanagan.

If the general public were asked to name the current top 3 riders in the jockeys championship, not many respondents would be able to name any, even if they were racing fans.

The jockey most people would guess, Frankie Dettori, is not even in the top 20. But he does lead the list if the championship were measured by total prize money. Dettori has amassed nearly GB£ 3.5 million in prize money, some way ahead of De Sousa's GB£ 1.6 million.

Stobart is the sponsor on a one-year deal. The choice to take up the option to extend the association or not will be revealing as to the value the company places on the new format.

Stobart Jockeys Championship (as at 31 Aug 2015)

1. Silvestre De Sousa (100 wins)
2.= William Buick (72)
2.= Paul Hanagan (72)
4. Luke Morris (68)
5. James Doyle (66)

BHA Horseracing bettors forum

The inaugural meeting of the Horseracing bettors forum will take place on 4 September 2015. The nine members who will comprise the forum were announced on Monday 17 August and include its chairman Simon Rowlands (Timeform) and Tanya Stevenson (Channel 4 Racing).

The purpose of the forum is to "deliver proposals and recommendations to the BHA and the BHA Racing and Betting Group for developments to British Racing that would be of benefit to the wider community that bets on British Racing".

http://www.britishhorseracing.com/bha/horseracing-bettors-forum/ 

Judging by the BHA's response to its role in the Speculative Bid shambles at Ascot and the publication of the results of its internal investigation, the forum will have its work cut out to improve the punter's lot.

In that publication the BHA said:

"Rule (B) 10.5.2

The Rule itself is a relatively new one, established to protect betting operators and bettors in the event that a horse is denied a run in particular circumstances. The fact that this was a relatively new (and little-used) Rule certainly contributed to its failure to be delivered effectively.

The BHA will review whether Rule (B) 10.5.2 should remain in place, or is in effect unwieldy to operate even in straightforward circumstances. The Horserace Bettors Forum, set to hold its first meeting next month, will be asked for its views in this area, and in relation to associated on-course announcements."


http://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/bha-publishes-findings-of-internal-investigation-relating-to-speculative-bid-incident/

Sporting Life Pick 6 - Newmarket, Newbury and Ripon

The weekend's Pick 6 got off to a flying start with a winner in the opening leg. Bahaarah (8/1) showed good resilience to thwart the challenge of Sharaakah (8/1) in the Betway Fillies' Nursery at Newmarket.

But it was downhill from there was a series of disappointments, not least of which was Romsdal in the Betfred Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury.


1.40 Newm Bahaarah 1st
2.15 Newm Iseemist 6th
2.35 Newb Romsdal 6th
3.10 Newb Withernsea 3rd
3.30 Ripon Spinatrix 11th
3.45 Newb Breton Rock 3rd

Guru frustration turns to farce

Dishy Guru's starting stall problems plummeted from frustration to farce at Salisbury last week in the six furlong handicap.

Wearing blinkers and blindfolded in the stalls, Dishy Guru's jockey had trouble removing the blindfold as the stalls opened. Needless to say, none of this helped the six-year old make a better start than he usually does and he was again several lengths behind his rivals before they'd gone half a furlong. He was some 25 lengths behind the winner at the finishing post.

British champions series - fantasy racing 2015

A mixed bag of results for our stable at Goodwood last week.

In the Qatar Sussex Stakes trainer Richard Fahey did well for us by earning 220 points for Gabrial's (50/1) third place.

In the same race Andrea Atzeni and Arod (6/1) earned 43 points for their second place.

It was bits and pieces in the Qatar Goodwood Cup - Graham Lee 40 points aboard Trip To Paris (5/1) and 10s and 20s for our other jockeys and trainers.

The Qatar Nassau Stakes only yielded 35 points in total.

But going into August we have passed 2,700 points and are just outside the top 300. Next up are four races at the York August festival.

Sporting Life Pick 6 - Goodwood and Newmarket

Frankly, if you win the Pick 6 today you cheated somehow because it looks all but impossible with the 27-runner Stewards' Sprint Stakes (Goodwood), the 28-runner Stewards' Cup (Goodwood) and a 20-runner nursery at Newmarket just three of the races.

Selections (combined odds: 302,939/1)

14.00 Jan Van Hoof 14/1
14.15 Gretchen 7/2
14.35 Senrima 7/1
14.50 Dutch Mist 11/1
15.10 Legatissimo 7/4
15.45 Related 16/1


Gretchen (4/1) was a resolute winner of the Fillies' Listed Chalice Stakes at Newmarket. She did her own thing down the centre of the track, racing alone for much of the race. But she was always up with the leaders and battled on to win by a nose from the closing Sahrawi (3/1).

It was good to hear commentator Mark Johnson use the line that Strawberry Martini was being "shaken along" at one point. As Bond fans know, a Martini should always be shaken not stirred.

Guru the master of frustration

Sprinter Dishy Guru must be a very frustrating horse to train and own. The six-year old clearly has good speed but he doesn't like being in the starting stalls or coming out of them at the same time as the rest of his rivals.

His race notes frequently begin "dwelt", "slowly into stride", "restless in stalls" etc. But if his starting problems could be overcome he would be a very useful sprinter.

At Sandown on 22 July he was again slow out of the stalls and gave most other runners three lengths' headstart.

But two other runners were also slowly away alongside Dishy Guru - Pour La Victoire and Rocket Rob.

By the finishing post Dishy Guru was in fourth and over three lengths ahead of Pour La Victoire and more than nine lengths in front of Rocket Rob. He never challenged the leaders but was less than two lengths behind the winner, despite the lead he gave his rivals.

In a class 5 five-furlong handicap at Leicester in May Dishy Guru was eight lengths behind his five rivals with three furlongs to go but led inside the final furlong and won the race by two lengths.

Admittedly, it was not a high grade race but to turn around that deficit - reducing eight lengths in two furlongs - and then extending a lead of two lengths in less than a furlong still requires some talent.

It's just that in higher grade company you can't afford to give better horses a few lengths' advantage from the start.

Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival - Pick 6

The stakes have been raised for Friday's Pick 6 on York's evening card. There is now GB£ 10,000 to win for choosing the six winners.

It would be good to still be in the contest after the first race but it looks a tricky card, certainly more so than Sandown and Catterick earlier in the week.

18.00 Deerfield - 11/4
18.30 Mon Brav - 6/1
19.00 Mohab - 15/8
19.30 Pamona - 3/1
20.00 He's No Saint - 7/1
20.30 Luis Vaz De Torres - 11/2

Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival - Pick 6

On the face of it three winners, two second-places and a third looks like an excellent tipping performance on a single card. But the reality is there were barely any runners and our three winners were returned at 2/5, 1/6 and 2/1. On top of this, one of our runners-up was an 8/13 shot.

We are at least continuing our trend of have more winners each day.

There were apparently 50 players who picked all six winners on Wednesday but no-one got the tie-break winning distance spot on (3.5 lengths).

Curiously, the daily Pick 6 contest, as part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival, involves the Thursday card at Sandown Park, which is not in Yorkshire, rather the meeting at Doncaster, which is in Yorkshire.


14.20 November - 7/2 - 3rd
14.55 Munstead Pride - 4/1 - 5th
15.30 Raaqy - 100/30 - 3rd
16.00 Indelible Ink - 7/4 - 1st
16.35 Brutus - 9/4 - 3rd
17.05 Gannicus - 9/2 - 5th

Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival - Pick 6

Two winners in the Pick 6 on Wetherby's Tuesday card, so we are moving in the right direction. At this rate, by Saturday, we will get all six winners!

But the prize will surely be won by someone today at Catterick because there are only 30 runners in the first six races, including two four-runner events and one three-runner affair.

So it could pay to be tactical today and it could all go down to the tie-break question.

14.00 Early Bird 7/1 - 3rd
14.30 Cuppatee 1/2 - 1st
15.00 Montsarrat 4/7 - 1st
15.30 Johnny B Goode 8/13 - 2nd
16.00 Captain Dunne 5/4 - 1st
16.30 Iggy 4/1 - 2nd

Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival - Pick 6

Only one winner amongst our six selections yesterday (and it wasn't the 8/1 on shot!). So we're trying again with the Pick 6 on Wetherby's evening card.

Our selections come in at a more conservative 9,857/1 today, so we must have a better chance:

18.00 Munaawib - 7th
18.30 Zaaneh - 1st
19.05 Tihana - 8th
19.35 See Vermont - 4th
20.05 Zacynthus - 3rd
20.40 California - 1st

Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival - Pick 6

Sportinglife.com and Skybet are running a Pick 6 game every day this week of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival.

Pick the winners in each of the six races of the selected meeting and win GB£ 5,000. Easy as peas.

Monday's card is the evening meeting at Beverley and our selections form a 19,500/1 accumulator and that includes the 1/6 favourite White Bullet in the sprint at 18.10. GB£5,000 is going to look a little disappointing if they all come in!

17.40 Look Here's Al - 8th
18.10 White Bullet - 2nd
18.40 Tom Sawyer - 1st
19.10 Poolstock - 2nd
19.40 Mustaqbal - 2nd
20.10 Caroline Norton - 10th

British champions series - fantasy racing 2015

We have moved inside the top 300 after the Newmarket July Meeting, which is quite a jump.

The combination of David O'Meara and Amazing Maria (17/2) earned 153.5 points for their win in the QIPCO Falmouth Stakes.

But the big points were earned by Richard Fahey in the Darley July Cup. The trainer's Eastern Impact finished third at 50/1 and, as a result, Fahey earned 220 points. Another 60 points were earned by the winner Muhaarar at 2/1.

Overall, our stable earned 458 points in total across the two races.

Goodwood and York are on the horizon in July and August and we have plenty of transfers still to use.

Kauto Star dies after paddock injury

Dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star has been put down after a serious injury sustained whilst in his paddock.

Speaking on At The Races, his former trainer Paul Nicholls called it an "extremely sad day". Nicholls described the horse as a "champion of all champions" that was so good for National Hunt racing.

In a career record that included 23 wins from 41 starts, Kauto Star won the King George VI Chase five times and Nicholls said he "used to light up Kempton Park [at Christmas]."

Career highlights:

2 x Cheltenham Gold Cup wins (2007, 2009)
5 x Kempton Park King George VI wins (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
2 x Sandown Park Tingle Creek wins (2005, 2006)

BHA Handicapper's view of Royal Ascot

The BHA handicapper has published his thoughts on the performance of various runners and Royal Ascot 2015.

His thoughts can be found here:

http://www.britishhorseracing.com/royal-delights/

Racehorses are getting faster

Research published in June 2015 has concluded that average racehorse speed is continuing to increase but that historical improvement has "not been linear".

There was a period of "rapid improvement" from the late 1800s to 1910 and then several decades of "comparative stasis" until 1975.

The rates of improvement in average speed have also varied by race distance and "elite race winners improved more rapidly at shorter distances".

Data from the most recent decades show that "improvement is ongoing":

"Contemporary improvement is low for middle and long distances, but winning speed for elite sprint races actually exceeds estimated historical rates. A similar pattern emerges when all elite finishers are included, and if the wider population of non-elite performers is considered."

The research has been published in the Royal Society's Biology Letters and has been conducted by Patrick Sharman and Alastair Wilson.

http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/11/6/20150310

British Champions Series - fantasy racing 2015

Royal Ascot 2015 review

65 points was the rather measly return for Gleneagles' (8/15) victory in the St James's Palace Stakes with jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien earning just 6.5 points each for the win.

Much more healthy was the 325 points that trainer Robert Cowell earned for Goldream's (20/1) first place in the King's Stand Stakes.

Jockeys Graham Lee (164 points) and Frankie Dettori (94 points) also made good contributions to our tally for the week for their wins aboard Trip To Paris (12/1, The Gold Cup) and Undrafted (14/1, The Diamond Jubilee Stakes) respectively.

The next race in the British Champions Series' calendar is the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on 4 July 2015.

End of an era at Warren Place

The end of the 2015 Flat racing season will close an illustrious chapter in UK horseracing. At the end of this season Lady Cecil will retire from training racehorses and Warren Place, the training base of her late husband Sir Henry Cecil, will be sold.

Lady Cecil said: "Training, for me, has always been about working with the horses and the team here at Warren Place. That has been a major factor in why I have continued since Henry died two years ago."

"Therefore, I confirm that at the end of the Flat season, I will stop training. Until then, the team and I will continue to work hard to achieve as much as we can with the horses."

Sir Henry took over at Warren Place in 1976.

Jump racecourses re-measured

The BHA has announced the results of the survey and re-measurement of every jump racecourse in Britain. The measurement involved a new methodology as explained by the BHA:

"Jump races were previously measured along the mid-point of the course using a surveyors wheel, but under the agreed new methodology have been measured along a line 2yds off the innermost running rail position and professionally surveyed to the nearest yard.

The result is that, as of the implementation date of 1 June 2015, all Jump race distances will be advertised using both the traditional description – rounded to the nearest half furlong – alongside a new, exact ‘baseline’ distance, described to the exact yardage."

From 1 June 2015 the new race distances will be stated "using both the traditional description – rounded to the nearest half furlong – alongside a new, exact ‘baseline’ distance, described to the exact yardage."

BHA Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation Jamie Stier explained:

“This project was instigated to bring the measurement of Jump races in line with the methodology already used to measure Flat races, and ensure greater accuracy of Jump race distances.

“This new methodology will improve the quality and quantity of data we provide our participants and the increased accuracy will be of benefit to trainers, jockeys, owners and betting customers. It has been an extensive project and not without cost to racecourses, so we thank them for their involvement.”


New jump racecourse distances:
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Jump-distance-changes-1-June-2015.pdf 

Top 10 horse races by betting turnover - January 2015

Top 10 races by betting turnover in January 2015, according to HBLB data:

1. Sodexo Clarence House Chase
2. William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle
3. 32Red Casino Handicap
4. BetBright Cup Chase
5. bet365 Handicap Chase
6. Skybet Chase Jump
7. Betfred Classic Chase
8. Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle
9. Dornan Engineering Hurdle
10. Betfred Mobile Heroes Handicap Hurdle


Source: HBLB

British Champions Series - fantasy racing 2015

Our stable had a good start to the new competition over Guineas weekend at Newmarket but despite selecting the winner of both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas we are already back in around 1,500th spot. Some others must have had a really good weekend.

Gleneagles, Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien scored 109 points in total for winning the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Legatissimo and Ryan Moore again earned a further 107 points for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas the following day.

GBR Fantasy Jumps Series 2014-2015

What a finale to the 2014-2015 Fantasy Jumps Series! Our season-long strategy of focusing on the jockey-trainer-horse combinations paid dividends with Leighton Aspell and Oliver Sherwood combining to win the Crabbies' Grand National 2015 with 25/1 shot Many Clouds.

The trainer and jockey each earned 480 points for their success and meant our stable accumulated a fantastic 1,180 points on the final day of the series. An excellent haul.

This meant our stable finished with just short of 6,000 points and comfortably inside the top 150. It looks like the competition winners finished with around 7,150 points.

Crabbies' Grand National 2015: race preview

The money continues to come for Shutthefrontdoor, the final ride for champion jockey AP McCoy in the Crabbies' Grand National. McCoy has hinted that if he wins a second Grand National he will retire that very afternoon rather than ride on until the end of the season. If he does win then a few bookmakers might want to retire too!

Shutthefrontdoor was 8/1 but is now 6/1 with Ladbrokes overnight on Friday. The 2014 winner Pineau De Re lines up to defend his crown at a similar price of 25/1 as he was last year.

An injury to jockey Robbie McNamara on Friday could mean a late spare Grand National ride for Katie Walsh on Lord Windermere (50/1).

GBR Fantasy Jumps Series 2014-2015

After six months, starting with the Paddy Power Gold Cup back in November, the GBR Fantasy Jumps Series comes to head with the Crabbies' Grand National at Aintree on Saturday 11 April.

Our stable goes into the final two races on the calendar placed just outside the top 200 with more than 4,800 points.

That position owes much to Thistlecrack (25/1) and Tom Scudamore winning the Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Friday.

That win notched up 235 points for our stable, a good chunk of our day's total of 485 points.

A big-priced winner in the Grand National finale could still shake up the final leaderboard.

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Friday summary

There was to be no farewell Festival finale for jockey AP McCoy on Friday. He could only finish fourth on Ned Buntline (4/1jf) in his final ride in the AP McCoy Grand Annual Handicap Chase.

• Coneygree (7/1) set a pace that his rivals couldn't live with in the Betfred Gold Cup and he got into a rhythm that produced a solid round of jumping to see him home by 1 1/2 lengths from Djakadam (10/1) and Road To Riches (8/1)
• Peace And Co (2/1f) led home a Nicky Henderson 1-2-3 in the JCB Triumph Hurdle
• Wicklow Brave (25/1) sulked at Sandown last weekend when he didn't get his way in the race but turned it round to win the Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle by eight lengths
• Willie Mullins ended the Festival 2015 with a record-breaking eight wins over the four days

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Thursday summary

A great afternoon of racing with some fine front running performances and big winning margins, including a winner for retiring jockey AP McCoy.

• Vautour (6/4f) was very impressive in the JLT Novices' Chase and his jumping was near faultless, bringing him home in front by 15 lengths - another winner for Mullins and Walsh
• AP McCoy made all aboard Uxizandre (Alan King, 16/1) to win the Ryanair Chase by 5 lengths from Ma Filleule
• Cole Harden also led from start to finish (14/1) to give trainer Warren Greatrex and jockey Gavin Sheehan a first Festival success in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle
• Trainer Kim Bailey was back in the winner's enclosure at the Festvial once again with Darna (33/1), who won the Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate (Handicap Chase)
• The veteran 12-year old The Package (9/1) popped up to win the amateur riders' chase by 12 lengths for David Pipe

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Wednesday summary

After Willie Mullins stole the show on Tuesday, it was the chance of a few other trainers to get on the scoreboard on Wednesday.

• Three winners for Paul Nicholls (the first two ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, the third by Nick Scholfield): Aux Ptits Soins (9/1), Dodging Bullets (9/2) and Qualando (25/1)
• A double for jockey Davy Russell: Windsor Park (9/2) and Rivage D'Or (16/1)
• A winner for the David Pipe-Tom Scudamore partnership in the Champion Bumper - Moon Racer (9/2f)
• Willie Mullins notched up another winner in Don Poli (13/8f) in the RSA Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Tuesday summary

Surely one of the most dramatic opening days of a Cheltenham Festival for a long while.

• Four winners for trainer Willie Mullins: Douvan (2/1f), Un De Sceaux (4/6f), Faugheen (4/5f), Glens Melody (6/1)
• Mullins saddles the first three home in the Stan James Champion Hurdle: Faugheen, Arctic Fire and Hurricane Fly
• Three winners for jockey Ruby Walsh and a double for Paul Townend
• AP McCoy draws a blank on Jezki, Jollyallan et al.
• Annie Power falls at the last flight in the OLBG Mares' Hurdle when leading and on her way to a sure victory
• The Druids Nephew (8/1) wins the Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase - a first Cheltenham Festival winner for trainer Neil Mulholland
• Owner JP McManus has a Festival winner on his birthday in the form of Cause Of Causes (8/1)

Bookies fearful of Mullins mauling

Bookmakers could take a battering on the opening day of the 2015 Cheltenham Festival if all four of the Willie Mullins-Ruby Walsh combination of favourites are victorious.

Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen Annie Power have the potential to get the Festival off to a winning start for the punters.

Ladbrokes' David Williams explained: "The Ruby Walsh 'acca' [accumulator] has the potential to do untold damage."

"It's going to be the most popular accumulator bet we've ever known. If all four horses win we'll never have known a day like it at Cheltenham. It could run to tens of millions of pounds."

"We'll be desperate to see one of them beaten. Anything more than that will be a luxury but we dare not dream."

"We simply want to get through the opening day in one piece and there's no guarantee it will happen."

Bookmakers' bleatings about how much they stand to lose (or have lost) should always be taken with a large dose of salt. In any case, they have three further days to win it all back.

Turf notes 9 March 2015: Cheltenham Festival updates

Mark Bradstock said he was "edging towards" the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup as the preferred race for Coneygree at this week's Cheltenham Festival.

Speaking on At The Races Bradstock said that he will inspect the course early on Tuesday morning before having to make a decision before 10am, when declarations are due for his other option, Wednesday's RSA Chase.

The decision will be influenced by the ground conditions and rain is forecast over the course of the week before the main event on Friday.

Green Party seeks to ban commercial horseracing

The Green Party has been holding its conference in Liverpool this weekend. But the party might not be welcome back in the city if the Greens were ever able to implement one of their policies - banning the Grand National at Aintree.

More broadly, the Green Party also seeks to impose an ban on "the exploitation of animals in horse racing ..".

The full policy statement is set out below:


AR425: The Green Party will end the exploitation of animals in horse racing, greyhound racing and all situations where animals are commercially raced. There would be an immediate ban on the use of the whip in horse racing and in jumps racing, and on the use of a non-linear track in greyhound racing. A single regulatory authority would be put in place for each sport, tasked with establishing and enforcing strict welfare standards. There would be a requirement for full traceability of all animals involved in racing  throughout their lives (using microchip technology where applicable) and full publication of injury and  death statistics. These statistics would be used as evidence to close dangerous tracks and ban trainers with poor records. Breeding and import of animals for racing will be tightly regulated and monitored to  improve welfare and prevent over-breeding. There would be regulation on the conditions and times of  transportation of animals used in sport as well as the housing of all animals. A high level of compulsory levy  would be imposed on all betting, to be used solely for welfare improvements.

Turf notes 7 March 2015: Cheltenham Festival updates

Rock On Ruby has been taken out of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle after "working poorly" on Saturday morning, according to his trainer Harry Fry.

Fry now hopes to have Rock On Ruby back fit for Aintree in April.

Turf notes 3 March 2015: Cheltenham Festival update

Cue Card has been ruled out of competing in the Ryanair Chase at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival.

Cue Card won the race in 2013 and was 6/1 second favourite for the 2015 running.

Trainer Colin Tizzard has said the horse should be fit for Aintree in April.

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Betfred Gold Cup

Solving the puzzle of the 2015 running of the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup partly revolves around the emphasis that is placed on Cheltenham form versus current season form.

Silviniaco Conti (Paul Nicholls) is the clear 3/1 favourite and has had a strong season but his record at the Cheltenham Festival reads 3F4, with the last two runs being in the Gold Cup itself. So, with a win record of 0/3, there has to be a strong argument made that something is different this time around.

In recent history, no horse has come back to win the Gold Cup having failed to win it in a previous year.

Kauto Star won the race in 2007, was defeated in 2008, and then returned to win again in 2009.

The argument that it will be third time lucky in the race for Silviniaco Conti is based in the claim that the horse was suffering from gastric ulcers last season – although he was able to win at Aintree a month after losing at Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls has told Sportinglife.com: “What he’s doing this year, which he didn’t do last year, is finishing off his races strongly. We found out after he won at Aintree last year that he was suffering from gastric ulcers. We’ve been on top of that now and it’s obviously made a difference, along with the cheekpieces which have got him jumping sharper and stopped him being lazy.”

He also views the horse’s record at Cheltenham as “unlucky”:

“He’s been very unlucky at Cheltenham in a lot of ways. He ran very well once there in the Bula, was going very well when he fell at the third last in the Gold Cup two years ago and last year he jumped the last in front, so you can’t say he doesn’t act there.”

By contrast, Lord Windermere’s win record at the Festival is 2/2 and is 14/1 for this year’s Gold Cup. But his form this season has been lacklustre – although this is no different to his performances before last season’s Gold Cup - and reigning Gold Cup champions have struggled to retain their title in the following season.

The money this week has been for Djakadam (Willie Mullins), who is in from 16/1 to 12/1. He won a foggy running of the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January 2015 but was beaten a long way in 8th in the Hennessy Gold Cup behind Many Clouds (8/1 for the Gold Cup) in his seasonal debut in November 2014. He is only six years old, however, and there has been only one winner of that age since 2004 (2009: Long Run).

Turf notes: 27 February 2015

Jockey David Crosse survived a series of jumping mistakes from his mount Kadalkin (16/1) to remain in the saddle and win the BetBright Cheltenham Festival Fund Novices' Chase (3.45) at Doncaster on Friday.

One jumping error close to home left the jockey with his foot out of the stirrup and perilously close to falling off the nine-year old. But Crosse recovered very well and composed himself to mount a challenge that saw him take the lead at the final flight and come home in front by eight lengths from Pure Oxygen (11/8).

This was only Kadalkin's sixth race under rules and was his first win. Trainer Nigel Hawke admitted he had been a "nightmare" to train but that his connections had also been waiting for the right ground for him (good).

The horse has no further entries at the moment.

GBR Fantasy Jumps Series 2014 - 2015

Our combination strategy had not been proving itself over the last few races and our stable had slipped outside the top 100 as a result.

But the plan came good again at Kempton Park in the Betbright Chase. Paul Nicholls' Rocky Creek (8/1) was a comfortable winner under the jockeyship of Sam Twiston-Davies and earned nearly 150 points for the trio.

With more than 230 points earned on the day our stable moved back up to just outside the top 100.

The races come thick and fast in March, with 13 races in the series and the week of the Cheltenham Festival will be central to the stable's success in the season.

Turf Notes 24 February 2015: Cheltenham Festival update

Jonjo O'Neill's More Of That has been ruled of the Cheltenham Festival 2015 and will not be able to defend his Ladbrokes World Hurdle title.

His participation was thrown into doubt a few weeks ago when he was reported to have bled after a workout and today's news confirms that the Festival will come too soon after that setback.

Paul Nicholls' Hinterland has also been ruled out of Cheltenham 2015 and will not run in The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. His trainer set Sandown in April as a possible target for a return to the track.

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Betfred Gold Cup

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Betfred Gold Cup

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: JCB Triumph Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015: JCB Triumph Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: World Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015: World Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Ryanair Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Ryanair Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: JLT Novices' Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015: JLT Novices' Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Champion Bumper

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Champion Bumper

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Queen Mother Champion Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Queen Mother Champion Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: RSA Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015: RSA Chase

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Stan James Champion Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Stan James Champion Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Racing Post Arkle

Cheltenham Festival 2015 race preview: Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival 2015: Skybet Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Prime Minister visits Newmarket

Prime Minister David Cameron made an early morning visit to Newmarket's Warren Hill today and highlighted racing's contribution to the UK economy and employment.

Video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut6ZYU8LKns&feature=youtu.be

Crabbie's Grand National 2015 - weights

Crabbie's Grand National, Aintree, 11 April 2015

The weights have been announced for the 2015 running of the Grand National, with its GB£ 1 million total prize fund.

Currently, joint top weights are Carlingford Lough (trainer: John Kiely) and 2014 Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty). Both horses have been allocated 11-10.

Oliver Sherwood's Many Clouds is next in the weights with 11-09.

Last year's Grand National winner Pineau De Re (Dr Richard Newland) is given 11-00 to carry this time around.

A maximum of 40 runners can face the starter on 11 April. Shuthefrontdoor (11-02) is already as short as 9/1 favourite for the race.

BHA Head of Handicapping Phil Smith discusses the weights here:

http://www.britishhorseracing.com/bha-head-handicapping-speaks-2015-crabbies-grand-national-weights-lunch/

McCoy confirms Gold Cup ride

AP McCoy will ride Carlingford Lough in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup, which could be the jockey's last ride in the race if he retires at the end of the season as stated.

Carlingford Lough, owned by JP McManus, won the Irish Hennessy at Leopardstown earlier this month and is currently 10/1 for the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (13 March).

Newmarket rejigs autumn racing programme

Newmarket racecourse has tried to sort out the muddle of the autumn Flat racing programme by announcing a new Dubai Future Champions Festival to be held on Friday 9 October and Saturday 10 October 2015.

Prize money for the festival has been boosted to more than GB£ 2 million and will include GB£ 500,000 each for the Group 1 Dubai Fillies' Mile and Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes and GB£ 250,000 for the Betfred Cesarewitch Handicap.

In a further alteration, the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes has been moved to an earlier date and will be part of the Cambridgeshire meeting on 26 September 2015. This creates a break of two weeks between the Middle Park Stakes and the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, rather than being run on the same day.

Perhaps because there are a few races for fillies on the first day, the marketing department has decided that "the Friday will be promoted as Newmarket Racecourses’ Autumn Ladies Day, while the Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket will become the Official Fashion Partner for the two-day festival."

Friday 9th October 2015

1.      5f 2y Group 3 Dubai Cornwallis Stakes £80,000

2.      7f 2y Group 3 Dubai Oh So Sharp Stakes £80,000

3.      7f 3y+ Group 2 Dubai Challenge Stakes £150,000

4.      8f 2y Group 1 Dubai Fillies' Mile Stakes £500,000

5.      12f 3y Dubai Old Rowley Cup (Heritage Handicap) £140,000

6.      7f 2y Dubai Fillies Maiden Stakes £25,000

7.      10f 3y+ Listed Dubai Pride Stakes £50,000

Friday total prize money: £1,025,000




Saturday 10th October 2015

1.      7f 2y EBF Fillies Nursery Handicap £60,000

2.      8f 2y Group 3 Dubai Autumn Stakes £80,000

3.      7f 2y Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes £500,000

4.      18f 3y+ Betfred Cesarewitch Heritage Handicap £250,000

5.      10f 2y Listed Dubai Zetland Stakes £50,000

6.      6f 3y+ Listed Dubai Boadicea Stakes £50,000

7.      9f 3y+ Group 3 Darley Stakes £80,000

8.      The Bearstead Perpetual Challenge Trophy (The Varsity Race)


Saturday total prize money: £1,070,000

Cheltenham Festival 2015 preview evenings

For anyone looking for a Cheltenham Festival preview evening to attend in 2015, the bettrends site has compiled a page with all the details of the various events.

Bettrends Cheltenham Festival Preview Evenings
http://www.bettrends.co.uk/cheltenham-festival-preview-evenings-listings/

There are currently more than 70 events listed in the UK and Ireland, so no doubt the eventual winner of every race at the Festival will be mentioned by someone at some point in one of the previews!

Newcastle racecourse ends picnics

Health and safety concerns have caused the management of Newcastle racecourse to issue a ban on picnics at all fixtures except for the Blaydon Races.

The course's executive director David Williamson explained:

"The decision has been made purely for the comfort and safety of all racegoers. The amount of people bringing in chairs, rugs, picnic boxes etc. caused space to be limited for the number of people attending the race days due to picnickers spreading out."

"The added furniture was a potential trip hazard and a few people reported to first aid because of this. People are under no obligation whatsoever to purchase food while in the racecourse grounds."

"For those who wish to have a picnic before coming into the racecourse, we will have a designated area within the estate where picnics can be had if they so wish."

At The Races Rich Ricci feature

At The Races' Matt Chapman hosts a feature which profiles Rich Ricci, the owner of National Hunt stars Faugheen, Vautour, and Champagne Fever.

At The Races Rich Ricci feature
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJLuHg6nuC0

Champion Jockey AP McCoy announces retirement

Champion jockey AP McCoy announced his retirement from the saddle at the end of the 2014/2015 season on Channel 4 Racing this afternoon (7 February 2015).

The jockey was being interviewed after winning the The Game Spirit Chase at Newbury aboard Mr Mole (7/2). The ride brought up his 200th win of the season and McCoy told Channel 4 Racing presenter Rishi Persad that it would be the last time he achieved that feat because he would be retiring at the end of the season.

AP McCoy has been champion jockey 19 times (consecutively) and he is on course to retire at the end of the season as a 20-time champion jockey.

"I want to go out at top. I want to go out as champion jockey and it will be my 20th year if I can win the jockeys' championship [this season]," McCoy explained.

He has won more than 4,300 races in his career and has been awarded an MBE (2003) and OBE (2010) for his services to horse racing.

GBR Fantasy Jumps Series 2014 - 2015

The combination strategy paid dividends again in Saturday double-header from Cheltenham in the latest round of races in the GBR Fantasy Jumps Series.

172 points were earned through the combination of Many Clouds (4/1), jockey Leighton Aspell and trainer Oliver Sherwood in the BetBright Cup Chase. This was followed up later on the card with the trio of Saphir Du Rheu (3/1), Sam Twiston-Davies and Paul Nicholls earning over 90 points in the Cleeve Hurdle.

So, with nearly 300 points earned overall from the two races, our stable has moved inside the top 100.

The practical realities of in-running betting

A link to the Racing Post's special report into the realities of on-course in-running betting operations and the pursuit of "as live" racing pictures:

Boxed in but ready to strike
http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/special-report-boxed-in-but-ready-to-strike/1802313/

GBR Fantasy Jumps Series 2014-2015

Paul Nicholls and Unioniste (5/2) earned us 75 points for their win in the handicap chase at Sandown Park on Saturday. We missed out on the jockey's points because Noel Fehily was in the saddle and not Sam Twiston-Davies.

But a third place for Nicky Henderson's Triolo D'alene at 16/1 was also clearly a popular selections and our stable slipped around 50 places after all the points were totted up.

The series rolls on to Warwick next Saturday and the Betfred Classic Chase.

Horseracing - sport or just a good day out?

In the New Year's newspapers one sports journalist listed his 10 hopes for sport in 2015.

One of the items on his list was the hope that "racing promotes itself as sport, not just a good day out."

He stated the statistic that the Jockey Club estimates "80% of racegoers have little or no knowledge about what they are seeing."

There was more to a day's racing than a few beers and bets.

It's an admirable hope but one that is likely to go unfulfilled this year. Getting fully immersed in horseracing takes a lot of time and effort: understanding the different types of races, the peaks and toughs of the racing calendar, the terminology, the equine form, the characters (equine and human) etc.

The fact that there is racing nearly everyday of the year makes it difficult and time consuming for all but the most dedicated enthusiast to keep up with daily racing developments.

In addition, unless you subscribe to the satellite racing channels, it is also hard to watch racing on a regular/daily basis (even if you weren't at work during the day) as a means of improving your understanding when you go to the racecourse.

It is, therefore, inevitable, that most racegoers will be at the racecourse for a good day out rather than a passion for the sport of racing. They maybe visit their local track a few times per year, seeing completely different horses (and possibly jockeys) on each occasion and perhaps watch one or two other days of racing on television (Grand National, Epsom Derby) throughout the rest of the year. Under these circumstances it is hard to improve one's real appreciation for the nuances of the sport of racing or build up an affinity for certain horses, jockeys or trainers.

One suggestion: display information around the parade ring at racecourses as to what to look for in a fit and healthy racehorse, such as suggested in the article below.

http://turfaccounts.blogspot.com/2013/11/go-racing-and-get-edge.html