Supreme Novices Hurdle

A fast pace was set by Champagne Fever just like he did when winning the Champion Bumper last season and again this proved to be perfect. Coming off the bridle just after the 2nd last Ruby Walsh kept pushing along and Champagne Fever kept finding for him. He held off My Tent Or Yours and Jezki up the hill and looks a smart horse.

With 2pts e/w on both Champagne Fever @ 6/1 and UnAtout @ 6/1 (at William Hill who paid 5 places) we made a fantastic start to the festival.

This race was actually ran quicker than the Champion Hurdle and so it probably felt further than 2 miles. We think that My Tent or Yours ran really well based on this and the Champion Hurdle looks perfect for him next year. Champagne Fever looks to stay really well and instead of going to the Arkle next year we think he should run in the RSA Chase as he looks a Gold Cup horse of the future. Jezki ran really well but looks like at Cheltenham he would have problems beating Champagne Fever and My Tent or Yours which ever way he went. If they send him Novice Chasing next season, a run in the Jewson looks the best option.

Arkle Chase

Simonsig was our Ante-Post TOP TIP in this race and he duly delivered in good fashion. He is a very quick horse but also has proven that he has a bit of stamina and a step up in distance looks likely with Sprinter Sacre likely to stay at 2 miles.  With this in mind he could be seen in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day before returning to Cheltenham to run in the Ryanair Chase as he has Sprinter Sacre in the Champion Chase and Bobs Worth and Long Run in the Gold Cup. If he appeared in either or both of these races he would be very tough to beat.

Champion Hurdle

TOP TIP Hurricane Fly won the Champion Hurdle from last year’s winner Rock on Ruby. Countrywide Flame and Zarkandar finished 3rd and 4th and these were well clear of the rest. Ruby Walsh appeared to kick on slightly early on Hurricane Fly and we think his winning distance could have been more than this had he delayed his challenge slightly.

My Tent or Yours is likely to be seen in this race next season and he looks the most likely danger to Hurricane Fly as the race isn’t likely to be run as fast as the Supreme Novices and he can use his turn of foot to better effect.

Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle

Ante-Post TOP TIP The New One was a very impressive winner of this race  who showed a devastating turn of foot coming into the last and ran away up the hill to win comfortably. Having appeared outpaced turning for home this small brave horse really picked up when Sam Twiston-Davies got to work and he powered clear. It remains unclear whether this horse will be better suited over shorter or further. Instead of coming back to Cheltenham next season for the Champion Hurdle or World Hurdle it may be better to wait for Aintree and run over 2m4f there.

RSA Chase

Our Ante-Post TOP TIP Boston Boblooked to have made a winning move when hitting the front turning for home. He had a narrow advantage when falling at the last but we know he stays really well and surely would have ran away up the hill to win by a couple of lengths. As it happened Lyreen Legend was left in front only for her to get caught on the run in by the fast finishing Lord Windermere. With Boston Bob falling the race seemed to lack any potential and I wouldn’t be backing any of those that stayed for races next season.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

The Queen Mother Champion Chase was turned into a procession by Sprinter Sacre which wasn’t what Coral wanted to see as they had allowed members (new or old) to have up to £20 on Sprinter Sacre at Evens. The amount of winners all logging on to the website caused it to crash so it would appear this stunt by Coral backfired.

Sprinter Sacre beat former Champion Chase winner and 14 time chase winner Sizing Europe in effortless fashion. It would appear for the time being nothing can beat him. The only horse who could possibly have a squeak is Simonsig and because he is also trained by Nicky Henderson it is highly unlikely the will race against each other.

Ryanair Chase

Cue Card showed his real class here and consistent course form to win here by a comfortably 9 lengths from First Lieutenant who himself had only been beaten by Bobs Worth at the course having previously beaten Rock on Ruby over hurdles at Cheltenham.

Cue Card was allowed to lead and settled really well, travelling well 3 out he forced a blunder from his main rival and closer First Lieutenant and never looked like getting caught after that. He should be a big player should he come back to defend his title, however I believe this could be the target for Simonsig.

World Hurdle

The World was probably the most disappointing Grade 1 at the festival with plenty of big fancies (Oscar Whisky, Peddlers Cross, Reve De Sivola and Get Me Out of Here) not running anywhere near their best. This left Solwhit and Celestial Halo to battle out the finish with the former coming out on top. The form of this race looks very weak especially with Celestial Halo finishing 2nd who is surely nowhere near as good as Big Bucks. If Big Bucks comes back to Cheltenham next season then he would only need to be about 80% fit to beat this lot. His only danger looks that of the Albert Bartlett winner At Fishers Cross whose form was franked by plenty throughout the festival including The New One, Salubrious and Inish Island.

Triumph Hurdle

Our Conor was a very impressive winner of this winning as he liked by 15 lengths however looking into this race in more depth has shown that the race wasn’t particularly quick and it could just be that he has beaten a very average field. We think he is likely to go the Champion Hurdle route but on what he has achieved he is too short a price right now. Other than Our Conor the rest of the Triumph look very ordinary and most will probably go into handicaps in the future when they take on their older compatriots.

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

3 Times TOP TIP At Fishers Cross was all the rage having previously beaten The New One who won the Neptune Investment Management Hurdle and duly won very impressively without really coming off the bridle. The race was very different to his win at the course when he beat The New One. That day it was a very strongly run race and he showed his stamina when outstaying The New One. A slowly run affair this time round didn’t prove any problems and he came there travelling on the bit at the last before running away up the hill. He should continue improving and looks World Hurdle in 2014 bound where he should run well but may not be good enough to beat Big Bucks.

Gold Cup

2 ANTE-POST TOP TIPS in this race and we came away with the winner Bobs Worth and the 3rd placed Long Run. Long Run was allowed to lead and jumped a travelled beautifully. Turning for home and with Silviniaco Conti falling it looked between him and Sir Des Champs with McCoy even looking between his legs to see where his rivals were. However after straightening up for home it was clear that both Bobs Worth and The Giant Bolster were finding their feet and finishing to great effect.  With 4 separated by a length at the 2nd last Bobs Worth showed his class and stamina to power past Long Run and Sir Des Champs and stay on up the hill best of all. With the ground being softer than ideal for Bobs Worth he was still too good for his rivals and a repeat next season looks on the cards already with only Boston Bob looking a danger and he has to prove that he is the class of these.

A successful Cheltenham for the RatingTheRaces TOP TIPS with an impressive 39.90 points profit. We are very pleased with this but this could have been even better had Caid Du Berlais @ 20/1, Meister Eckhart @ 20/1, Regal Encore @ 8/1, Kid Cassidy @ 14/1 or Boston Bob @ 6/1 won.

The post Racing Review – Cheltenham Festival 2013 appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.

You will have noticed that RatingTheRaces has implemented the use of a share function for free members to access the RatingTheRaces ratings.

First of all I would like to tell you why this has been implemented. You will notice that this function was brought in at the same time as the release of the highly regarded RatingTheRaces ratings version 3.0, the reason for this was two fold.

1. When distributing free content we have found multiple other tipsters using the spreadsheets to aid in their selections, we do not mind such services doing so, they are FREE on these days to everyone, however we feel by sharing our message such tipsters would at least be referencing what tool they used to make such selection.

2. Value of the content, since upgrading to version 3.0 we considered scrapping the level of free membership to protect the prices and the content for the premium members of this service. This means we value the Ratings significantly higher than before, as such we feel that this simple sharing of the message acts as a kind of “you scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours.”

Our hard-line approach; since we considered scrapping the Free membership level we will have no problems with blocking accounts and IPs that abuse the offer associated with the FREE content sharing. Essentially if you share the our message but then delete it, you will receive one warning before being having your RatingTheRaces account closed permanently.

The post RatingTheRaces FREE RATINGS Sharing appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.

Over at Doncaster our former TOP TIP AaimTo Prosper stepped up in distance as we had hoped and duly won a handicap hurdle in great style just beating the well handicapped and gambled Cockney Trucker.

RatingTheRaces TOP TIPS made a profit of 6.05 points with an ROI of 27.50% This now takes our record to +124.40 in just 16 tipping days with an ROI of 42.03%.

Newbury

Betfair Supporting Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

The better ground was the key to this race with the initial forecast favourite and in form Dream Again Boys having won his last 2 races on heavy going this was never going to suit and so it proved with him dropping out early and being pulled up.

One of our TOP TIPs Bygones Sovereign showed up well for a long way and came into the straight just about in the lead before appearing to get very tired very quickly, this was his first run on better going for a long time and he may come on for this run.

Buck Magic was our other TOP TIP in the race and despite sweating up badly pre-race and nearly missing the start he travelled really well during the race. Turning for home with many of his rivals struggling he dived to the stands rail which was probably a race winning move. With the rail to run against he battled on well to win by 3 1/4 lengths. A similar race at Cheltenham or Aintree could be on the cards and if he doesn’t sweat as much pre-race he could still be well handicapped on better ground.

Barbury International Supporting Greatwood Veterans’ Handicap Chase

Once again we had 2 TOP TIPS in this race and we were delighted to see jumping 3 out our 2 were the only horses in contention, with both horses being backed e/w we simply hoped that both remained on their feet over the last fences.

Both Hey Big Spender and Michel Le Bon had travelled really well towards the back of the field and started to make their move 5 from home.  After a cracking duel up to the last Michel Le Bon forged clear to win by 9 lengths. Hey Big Spender did make a mistake 2 out but this probably didn’t cost him the race and both should win races in the near future on this better ground.

Ladbrokes Supporting Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

Meganisi was given a fantastic ride by Patrick Corbett to beat the unexposed pair of Cry of Freedom and Tango De Juilley and looks the type that could follow up.

Both our TOP TIPS The Pier and Turn Over Sivola were well backed in the market after being advised at bigger odds and both travelled quite well during the race. Turn Over Sivola didn’t pick up very well and may need further now and The Pier might still be in the measure of the handicapper. If the Pier drops another couple of pound he could get involved in a big handicap, maybe at Cheltenham.

StanJames Supporting Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Pacha Du Polder won this very impressively from the front and repaid the faith Paul Nicholls had in him. It was a great front running ride from Ryan Mahon and on this better going good be much better than he had previously shown.

Our TOP TIP Pepite Rose was in the process of running a massive race, having travelled into contention and probably going best of all when falling 3 out. She looked destined for a place at the very least and was one of our biggest e/w singles on the day so was very frustrating. A return to Newbury over this distance in a similar could see her win next time if she jumps round.

Charlton Baker Supporting Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

A very poor looking race on paper turned out to be just that with nothing really standing out and looking like they could go on to bigger and better things. The winner Arctic Wings was having his 55th run and winning his 5th and had been up and down the handicap lots of times emphasising the disappointing nature of this race and result.

Our big priced TOP TIP Gay Sloane looked like one of only a few that could be progressive on this better going but he laboured round to a disappointing 8th.

Balreed Supporting Greatwood Novices’ Handicap Chase

With no bets in the Bumper this was our last race that we had a TOP TIP in and it didn’t let us down. Marie Des Anges under her new pilot Charlie Huxley was given a fantastic ride.

Tracking the leaders for most of the race our selection moved into 2nd coming into the straight and was kicked clear before the last. After a slowish jump there was some worrying moments that the momentum of her challengers would get them past but our selection had plenty more to give and won by an unflattering 1 1/4 lengths. She is value for more than this and can win again.

So another great day for the RatingTheRaces TOP TIPS with a profit of 6.05 points. Staking just 22 points to achieve this meant we achieved an ROI of 27.50% which isn’t bad for one day and could have been a whole lot better if Pepite Rose had stayed on her feet. This now takes our record to +124.40 in just 16 tipping days with an ROI of 42.03%.

The post Racing Review – Saturday 2nd March 2013 appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.

What are the RatingTheRaces Ratings?

RatingTheRaces ratings are a unique set of ratings which calculate the most likely winner in any given race, applying statistical regressions of over 80 different criteria. Each criterion is taken into account automatically to by the RatingTheRaces algorithm in order to rank the horses in order of likelihood of winning.  The ratings also display other statistics that could prove advantageous to those punters who enjoy the gratification of picking through the form themselves.

How do the Ratings work?

The Ratings work by taking into account all of the different criteria that can be statistically evaluated, jockey’s performance, trainers performance, the horse’s capability, the difficulty of the track, strike rate of course and distance winners, strike rate of course winners, the horses capability on the ground and much more.

How will the ratings give me an edge over other punters?

The problem with the human psyche is that it is strongly influenced by recent correlations.If three previous CD winners (Course and distance)win on the bounce at a given track the standard punter will naturally give too much influence to a CD winner in subsequent events at the course. This is one area where the ratings will stand strong, since they are not prone to following an observed short term correlation. Furthermore every punter has their own methods for making selections; some will give more influence to a horse’s performance at the track or more influence to a horse’s performance on the going, whilst others will give too much or too little merit to CD form. Using CD winners as an example the RatingTheRaces ratings are designed to know exactly how much merit is deserved for CD winners at each course, and apply the correct weighting to this statistic, in fact it does this for all of the statistics used, to provide you with a mathematically objective analysis of each race in UK and Ireland.

There are other less comprehensive ratings available on the internet some of them are completely FREE, and some are not. However there are a few things that every punter needs to know when choosing and comparing the different ratings services available. There are some ratings services out there who claim to make “X” points per month to Betfair SP, however they do not take off the 5% commission! Over the course of a month, this accumulates to a staggering amount. A system which appeared to be +100 points could now only be +30 points, or possibly not positive at all. So watch out for the way they present their results.

Secondly the easiest method I find to demonstrate the accuracy of any given set of ratings is get hold of both of them on the same day (or several days.) The sum of their rated winners will give you a strong indication as to how reliable any one set of ratings are, i.e. if a day’s races were won by their 1^st ,2^nd, 5^th ,1^st& 3^rd top rated horses, sum these numbers and compare. The set of ratings with the lowest ‘sum’ produces the most reliable ratings. As a means of quality control of course our team has made such comparisons with any of the rivals out there, to date none have proved a match, if in the future a service arrives with a better set of ratings than our own, we will take our hat off to them, but this is currently a big if.

Lastly when looking for a helping hand in selecting your horses, ask yourself how exclusive the service is. Does it offer the ratings free to thousands of people? If yes, then the likelihood is that all the value out of their methodology has gone, and backing their top rated would produce significant losses. Furthermore some of the services out there won’t even tell you their winning strike rates let alone the profit and loss achieved by using the ratings. You may be wondering why we tell you how to compare all the services out there? The reason is the RatingTheRaces team have spent a lot of time in an effort to make sure the ratings are more objective, more holistic and more comprehensive than all the other ratings available on the net, as such our confidence in both the methodology and the results is extremely high.

How do the Ratings perform?

As is probably apparent here at RatingTheRaces HQ we have the utmost confidence in the ratings that we produce, we believe these are ‘THE BEST’ objective ratings available anywhere on the internet for highlighting the most likely winner in any race across the UK and IRE. And of course the results speak for themselves, over an extended comparison period of 6 months RatingTheRaces ratings produced by the version 1 algorithm had 1,919 Top rated winners, for that same period RatingTheRaces ratings produced by the NEW version 3 algorithm had 2,057 Top rated winners. This is a significant 138 more winners in the same time period. Now after all the efforts the team went through in order to improve the algorithm 138 winners may not appear that large an increase, however considering the version 1 ratings were arguably already the most accurate horse racing ratings available on the net, then a 7.19% increase in the number of TOP RATED winners is quite remarkable. We thank all our subscribers for their continued belief in the ratings, and hope the new and improved version as useful as the RTR team has over the 2 month testing period prior to today’s release.

The post RatingTheRaces –Ratings version 3.0 release appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.

Kempton

Rewards4Racing Handicap Chase

This looked a very tricky race to work out and the race panned out like this with many travelling into contention before dropping away. Midnight Sail for Alan King was eventual winner who took it up turning for home. He battled on well and the winner and Lexicon Lad pulled clear of the running on Milarrow.

Our TOP TIP Mickleson showed up well for a long way despite never really jumping a fence. He faded tamely in the final straight and a return to hurdles looks on the cards if they want to get him back to form.

Racing UK Subscribe for Cheltenham Adonis Juvenile Hurdle

Our TOP TIP Irish Saint was made to work for this win with Vasco Du Ronceray probably running a career best. The sharp track and fast pace eventually played into the hands of Irish Saint who clearly stays really well as turning for home he looked in trouble with Ruby Walsh pushing along. He rallied under driving to join Vasco Du Ronceray who travelled really well throughout at the last and just outstayed him.

On strict formlines this puts Far West clear of Vasco Du Ronceray, Rolling Star and Irish Saint and our advised bet on Far West in the Triumph Hurdle looks a good bet.

racingplus.co.uk Pendil Novices’ Chase

Paul Nicholls won this race for the 7th time in 8 years with Grandioso outstaying Molotof who tried to make all. Grandioso however may well have been beaten by our TOP TIP Theatre Guide had he not fallen at the last. He was picking up really well at the time and his momentum would have probably seen him go past Grandioso on the run in. This 2 1/2 mile around Kempton really suited and he should be given another chance over this course and distance.

William Hill Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle

Our TOP TIP Forgotten Voice was a very impressive winner of this race. A classy flat performer he had been very keen in his 3 previous races and despite winning two he came with questions to answer.

Brick Red set off in the lead which allowed Forgotten Voice to settle much better and turning for home there only looked one winner. Forgotten Voice still hard on the bridle used his superb flat speed to quicken away after the last and win comfortably. Whether Cheltenham will suit though is another matter.

The eyecatcher of the race was probably Lac Fontana who clearly needs a strongly run 2 mile race and could be saved for Aintree where there is a 2m4f race which would suit.

Racing Plus Chase

The Racing Plus Chase was all about the potential of Wyck Hill who had been bought by JP McManus with a tilt at the Grand National in mind and they were hoping for a big run here. Unfortunately he disappointed but has since been reported that he injured himself and that the Grand National is still very much his long term aim.

Our TOP TIP Nacarat who was having his last run before retiring made a shuddering blunder at the 7th and lost his prominent position. Trying to rally he made another mistake at the 14th and he was soon heavily eased by Paddy Brennan.

This left Rolling Aces for Paul Nicholls and Opening Batsman for Harry Fry. Rolling Aces was kept wide throughout and looked like he was going to go on and win jumping the 2nd last only to get outstayed up the run in by Opening Batsman who had saved ground the whole way.

Opening Batsman is in 4 handicaps at Cheltenham and is definitely on the upgrade and not one to discount in whatever race he appears in at Cheltenham.

Soccer AM Handicap Hurdle

A fantastic finish to this race with 2 necks separating the front 3 with our TOP TIP Baby Shine just coming out on top (advised @ 20/1). A race where they appeared to go a sensible pace which probably didn’t suit both the winner and runner up who were both held up and probably wanted a faster pace. Jumping the last there were 5 or 6 who had a chance and Baby Shine just picked up the best and won by a neck from the potential handicap blot Katkeau.

So a fantastic day for the RatingTheRaces TOP TIPS with a profit of 34.25 points. Staking just 15 points to achieve this meant we achieved an ROI of 228.33%. This now takes our record to +118.35 in just 15 tipping days with an ROI of 43.20%.

The post Racing Review – Saturday 23rd February 2013 appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.

Navan

Red Mills Chase

Chicago Grey was the outsider of 4 in this race but won it relatively comfortably and this was a fantastic run from a horse who is being aimed at the Grand National. He travelled very nicely the whole way and whether he just ran the race of his life or the others were somewhat disappointing we will never know.

The Grand National looks the perfect race for this horse who possesses plenty of stamina as he showed when beating Beshabar in the 4 mile race at Cheltenham a few seasons ago who then went on to frank this form by winning the Scottish National.

Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle

On His Own was a surprise winner of the Boyne Hurdle with odds on shot Thousand Stars running no race whatsoever finishing last. Willie Mullins has said Thousand Stars probably didn’t handle the holding ground but even that wouldn’t account for such a poor display.

On His Own is likely to have one more run before heading back to Aintree for another tilt at the Grand National where he was still going really well when falling at Becher’s Brook 2nd time round. If he gets round at Aintree he will surely have a big chance.

Flyingbolt Novice Chase

Buckers Bridge and Twinlight were involved in a great battle in this Grade 2 novice chase the former rallying to get back on top at the line from the front running Twinlight.

Twinlight made the running and was clear for most with only Buckers Bridge able to close him down. After initially being passed by Buckers Bridge, Twinlight battled back to lead again on the run in only for the lead to change again close home with Buckers Bridge winning by a head.

Both Twinlight and Buckers Bridge are probably above average with only one defeat each over fences now and should both win races in the future.

Wetherby

theconistonhotel.com Ideal For Business and Pleasure Novices Hurdle

Whispering Gallery was probably the most impressive winner on the day in any race across the 4 meetings and made it 2/2 over hurdles in effortless fashion. This former very smart flat horse who won a Group 3 at Meydan for Godolphin has made a very impressive and professional transition to hurdles and will in time probably need 3 miles. After winning both his races on the bridle he surely must be heading the Cheltenham festival next with the Neptune Investments Hurdle or the Albert Bartlett Hurdle his target.

Wetherby Racecourse Family Sunday 28th April ‘Newcomers’ Open NH Flat Race

Diamond King was another very impressive winner in the bumper which was ran surprisingly for a bumper at a reasonable pace and Diamond King seemed to relish this. Travelling well throughout he was allowed to move to the front 3 furlongs out and very quickly had pulled 20 lengths. When Jason Maguire looked around at the 1 furlong pole to see he was a distance clear he eased down dramatically. His winning distance of 16 lengths is very unflattering and he looks a horse with a huge future on the back of that.

The post Racing Review – Tuesday 19th February 2013 appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.

Our TOP TIPS had a good week at Ascot with 4 winners from 7 races and a tidy 9.45 points profit were achieved. All 3 of our losing TOP TIPS have gone into our notebook as they should all go close when they run over more suitable distances.

Ascot

Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle

Up and Go was a very easy winner of the novice hurdle making all the running and the opposition never getting close to him. This was a step up on his previous form and he could well run a big race in a race at Cheltenham, maybe the Neptune Hurdle (although he has now been taken out of this race).

Aaim To Prosper, our TOP TIP ran really well for 2nd despite being outpaced a long way from home. He now qualifies for a handicap and could be seen in the Coral Cup over 2m5f. This should really suit as he should run even better over further.

Sodexo Prestige Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase

Our TOP TIP- Rocky Creek was a good winner, despite not jumping the last great and idling as soon as the runner up came along side Rocky Creek stuck his head out again and ran on to win a shade comfortably. I’m not sure whether this is good enough form to be a challenger in the RSA Chase but his form is very strong.

Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Chase

Vino Griego was a very good winner here following up on his recent victory but surely the handicapper is going to raise him significantly for this win and his chance at Cheltenham will surely be less as there are likely to be well handicapped horses running in whichever race he runs in.

Our TOP TIP Tatenen ran well for 2 1/2 mile but faded like a non stayer. His prominent racing style means he can’t really be ridden to get the distance and a drop back in distance is needed.

Runner up Cappa Bleu ran a really good Grand National trial, his jumping was foot perfect and a return to Aintree should now be his next run where he is trying to improve on his 4th place finish last season.

Betfair. Don’t Settle For Less Handicap Hurdle

Kuilsriver made it 2/3 in handicaps with his only defeat coming in the Lanzarote Hurdle in 2012. This is very clever handicapping and he was given a great ride by youngster Thomas Garner. He is likely to be raised for this effort but apparently he was more prominent than what was planned so may do just as well at Cheltenham in one of the handicaps.

Hold Court was our TOP TIP selection and in a slowly run race he was held up before making late headway. A stronger pace and a he could be a big player off his current mark.

Bourne was very eyecatching in this race as well, he was held up by Jason Maguire before being ridden along to try and get involved. He finally consented to get running and was finishing really well down the final straight and may even won but for a bad mistake at the last. His likely target is the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle where he was sent off the 9/2 favourite and slightly disappointed finishing only 9th. Donald McCain won this race last year with Son of Flicka and we think he may be trying to win it again with Bourne.

Betfair Ascot Chase

Our TOP TIP Cue Card was perhaps a fortunate winner of this race as Captain Chris was certainly challenging when he blundered 2 out. The pair would have beaten the rest out of sight and both have further big race victories in them.

Cue Card is likely to run in Ryanair Chase but on soft going the 2m5f trip probably stretches Cue Card and a drop back to Queen Mother 2mile trip would really suit and he could once again chase home Sprinter Sacre as he did in the Arkle last year.

Captain Chris has a tendency to jump out to his right and so Cheltenham doesn’t really suit and he could be saved and sent to Punchestown.

Ironspine Charity Challenge ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle

Our TOP TIP Far West showed his versatility when winning this slowly run race with an impressive turn of foot. He now has 2 wins under his belt in slowly run races and 2 in truer run races showing that however the Triumph is run at Cheltenham he should have a great chance and still looks the one to beat.

Follow AscotInsiderOn Twitter Standard Open NH Flat Race

Our TOP TIP Red Sherlock won this relatively slowly run bumper but did show signs of being reluctant to go past the runner up. Flashes of his tail is a real concern and should he run at Cheltenham his attitude will really be brought into question. The Skyfarmer split 2 very impressive bumper winners and surely will win next time out if he doesn’t run in the Cheltenham bumper.

Haydock

Betfred Grand National Trial

Well Refreshed showed he is still ahead of the handicapper winning this competitive handicap in relatively easy fashion.

Former TOP TIP Rigadin De Beauchene is probably somewhat unlucky to have bumped into a well handicapped horse but may still be able to win a similar event next time out. The Welsh National could be his target for next season.

This year’s Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude was very eyecatching here having been outpaced and last turning into the straight before running on past all his beaten rivals to finish 3rd. The Scottish National or Grand National look ideal races for him for the next few seasons. A run in the Bet365 Gold Cup Chase at Sandown could also be a possible target.

Wincanton

Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle

Zarkandar was a reasonable winner of this race although will need to improve on this to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. Cheltenham really suits this horse however and he should be able to improve for a return to Cheltenham.

Khyber Kim ran a credible race after a lay off and a return to Cheltenham should also see him run a big race. I’m not sure whether the Champion Hurdle or a handicap is the best option for this horse, although if he did appear in a handicap he could be very much underestimated.

The post Racing Review – Saturday 16th February 2013 appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.

Here we will be posting pre and post race analysis to complement our other services and give you all the tools you need to make a smarter bet.

What to expect from the blog?

• The detailed
• The statistical
• The outrageous
• The musings

Stay tuned for the first meeting analysis!

The post Introducing the blog appeared first on Horse Racing Ratings.