Betdaq Extra

IRELAND'S EYE on Sunday

Sunday 28 February

IRELAND'S EYE

On a busy Sunday we have a double header of meetings in England while Fontwell keeps the flag flying for the jumping brigade after the abandonment of Towcester this morning. We will be keeping faith with a promising novice chaser in a competitive event at Fontwell while a former point winner can land the opener at decent odds at Leopardstown.

Though we could only register a second placing with our nap Barneys Honour (10/3-11/4) yesterday we did nevertheless register another fine double courtesy of two of our Navan choices Coole River (3-5/2) and Mubrook (8/1) while one of our savers Schumpters Lad (7/4-5/4) managed to take third place behind the last named.

Three former point winners look likely to dominate the opening 2m 4f hurdle on the Leopardstown card with King Of The Refs, Kingsmoss and Session Or Ression looking to hold decent claims. The first named – a highly regarded son of Zagreb won his maiden point in workmanlike fashion at Dromahane and shaped with some promise on his hurdle debut almost six weeks ago. James Lambes Taylorstown point winner has to come strongly into the reckoning following his good third placing to Kerb Appeal at Navan but the one at bigger odds to side with may be the Liam Kenny trained Session Or Ression. A good winner on his point debut at Ballydarragh he has since not had much fortune in running – falling when travelling well two from home in a fair winners contest before being brought down at an early juncture over hurdles last time. Though he his not been really tested on a demanding surface the son of Shernazar should cope with the forecast soft ground and he can beat the Tony martin runner King Of The refs who may be suited by further.

It must be said that former pointer Chariot Charger has cost us cash of late but we will give the Emma Lavelle trained 6yo another chance to score at the fifth time of asking over fences in the Class 2 two mile and six novice chase at Fontwell at 2-30. Though this looks a strong contest with the Paul Nicholls trained Take The Breeze looking likely to go off at short odds the Jack Doyle ridden gelding can go one place better that when finishing second to three decent sorts in Bensalem, The Nightingale and Bakbenscher and in the hope that he is ridden with more restraint that on final run behind the last named. The trip and ground will suit and he gets 8lbs from the ‘jolly’ here and his main danger could be the King trained French bred Penn Da Benn who ran well when going down to a stable mate last time on his second chase start.

An open handicap and whilst Mick The Man has proved a ‘thorn in the side’ for his followers since his bumper days when he was a decent performer in that sphere with a string of seconds he may be worth supporting in this 2m 5f hc chase at 3-15 under Paul Townend. Though he had fortune on his side when landing a Down Royal 2m 4f novice chase (Corskeagh Royale fell at second last when looking likely victor) it was the 9yo first win for over a year and his first from five starts over fences. Soft ground will suit the Colm Murphy trained gelding and he looks on an attractive mark and though he cannot be described as a win machine and does not always find as much as he promises his pilot has proved himself a ‘dab hand’ at getting the best out of these types and at the odds he merits a wager. If the selection does not ‘do the business’ Conem rates a decent alternative with ground and a course win in his favour while the useful mare Bluesea Cracker is another to consider having finished third in the corresponding race 12 months ago and the James Motherway trained mare runs off an identical mark here.

Course winning form is often a prerequisite for siding with horses in competitive handicaps and though the former pointer The Sneezer has had only three runs over fences the Tom Nagle trained 7yo just gets our vote to land a 2m 4f handicap chase at Clonmel today at 4-40. This son of Topanoora has landed a couple of ‘punts’ in landing a brace of handicap hurdles over course and distance and over 2f further at Thurles on soft and worse ground and he has been placed in all three novice chases last summer and on final run earlier this year at Tramore. Interestingly he has not been tried beyond 2m 1f over the larger obstacles to date and though he races here off a reasonable if not easy mark in his first handicap he could still manage to land a career third victory under regular pilot and 2lb claimer Stephen Gray. There are several potential dangers and these include bottom weight Tooman Lane who has yet to register after seven efforts over fences and the game front runner The Flying Dustman.

1-40 LEOPARDSTOWN – 2m 2f hurdle

WON IN THE DARK showed that he can handle softer ground with an easy victory over ordinary opposition 1 days ago and the Davy Russell ridden 6yo can follow up here against stronger opposition in receipt of 5lbs from Bahrain Storm whilst the 10yo Wild Passion could pose the main threat.

3-30 CLONMEL – 2m 1f novice chase

Probably only three matter here and slight preference is given to Mervyn Torrens charge QAURTETTO who was well held when toppling last time after making most over 2m 4f at Down Royal in a stronger event and the drop back in trip looks likely to suit. The 6yo can beat Becolark.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win SESSION OR RESSION 1-10 Leopardstown
BET 2pt win (saver) KING OF THE REFS 1-10 Leopardstown
BET 5pt win (nap) CHARIOT CHARGER 2-30 Fontwell
BET 4pt win MICK THE MAN 3-15 Leopardstown
BET 1pt win (savers) CONEM and BLUESEA CRACKER 3-15 Leopardstown
BET 4pt win THE SNEEZER 4-40 Clonmel
BET 1pt win (savers) TOOMAN LANE and THE FLYING DUSTMAN 4-40 Clonmel

DAQMAN on Sunday

Sunday 28 February DAQMAN  DAQMAN BEACHES ANOTHER FAVOURITE: The Daqman Bismarck scuttled yet another favourite at Kempton yesterday. He spelled out fact by fact why his big-race lay, Fistral Beach (fell 10-3 fav), would be beaten. BETDAQ-SPONSORED CARD AT KEMPTON: Today’s Kempton card is back on AW, with all six races sponsored by Betdaq, but there’s another lay for the Daqman bag and, in the big race at Fontwell, he opposes a Paul Nicholls’ favourite again.  There’s a bigger row of noughts than a bank boss’s bonus in the opener at Fontwell today: all the trainers bar one are without a winner for a combined total of 550 days, leaving Venetia Williams to pick up the prize with Buffalo Stampede. That’s simplistic. But, when you consider that Venetia had this beast in the big race at 3.35 at the five-day stage, and that he’s not even favourite (nor even second favourite) but a tempting 6.2 at the time of writing, well you’ve just got to have a bet. There’s little or no interest in Irish import Ravenclaw (out to 4.1 from a forecast 13-8), so the saver appears to be The Giant Bolster, who has the best of the exposed form. I can’t back a 14-year-old faller last time out (Murphy’s Cardinal) in the Foxhunters’ Trial, though laying hunter-chase favourites is a one-way ticket to Carey Street. On the very soft ground Holly Walk must be value for a place. David Pipe seems to get so many horses high in the handicap (Madison Du Berlais yesterday) with very few middle-range conditions races available to them: give him his due, as Lough Derg’s domination of this race goes to show, he does pick up some of these. Qozak failed when favourite to beat him at Ascot at a difference of 20lb and there’s no reason why he should reverse the form, getting only 8lb today.  You might have said exactly that about Souffleur and Lough Derg between Ascot and Haydock in January and February but Souffleur did it. However, there’s no Ruby Walsh around today and Qozak is just gaining race experience before he goes chasing. I had the answer to this race until we lost Treaty Flyer from the decs. I was going each-way Sway, getting all the allowances. Now, with only seven left in, I’m hesitating at 5.8. But the jockey sways me to have a go: it’s a certain A.P. McCoy and I can see them grinding out a finish in the Fontwell mud of the type the great man enjoys. 2.20 Kempton (Bet Carling Cup Final – Betdaq Maiden Stakes) With a brace of bridesmaids – Caramelita and Torres Del Paine are always on the premises without taking the main chance – facing two very strong stables, Haggas and Noseda, it seems probable that one of the newcomers to AW will win. Which one? Betdaq backers have plumped for Progress on stable ability first time up and on the strength of her having been pitched into a Newmarket maiden. But, on breeding, and for following in the future, I would want to be with Aqlaam’s half-brother, Madlool. You would expect Piccolo Blue to do better on one of the deeper surfaces. 2.50 Kempton (Bet In Running – Betdaq Handicap) A whole bunch of trainers on the cold list here, but three stables in form all have well-drawn horses: so far Turf Time has a much better CV than Roybuoy or Val C. Rightcar narrowly ran over early leader Turf Time when the pair were similarly rails drawn here at the start of the month; Turf Time should get the break again and the weights turnaround may be enough for him to hang on this time, in keeping with the way they finished at Wolverhampton in January. 3.20 Kempton (Betdaq The Betting Exchange Claiming Stakes) With Alan King (Sahrati) having had no Flat winner for 215 days, and with Escardo and State General doing moderately over hurdles, the pair in AW winning form, Hurakan and Sedgwick, seem the safer bets. Sedgwick won a higher grade of claimer at Wolverhampton than did Hurakan on today’s course; Hurakan is the likely improver, but it’s twice-as-old Sedgwick who so far keeps his form better and Ian Williams is hitting bull with five throws out of 10. 3.55 Kempton (Betdaq On 0870 178 1221 Handicap) Last Sovereign goes best when fresh; Ray Of Joy does well here, but over a furlong less; and the interesting one is Pritti Fabulous, who has shed a few pounds in sprints and now returns to his optimum trip on his favourite course.  Front-runner Kipchak (6.8 as I write) is a decent price for a back-and-lay but should set it up for a late charge from Pritti Fabulous. 4.25 Kempton (Bet Cheltenham Festival Betdaq Handicap) I can’t wait to find Betdaq value at Cheltenham, and Gary Moore is one of the trainers I’ll be looking out for in some of the handicaps.  Isle De Maurice, his penalized Lingfield-winning favourite in this, could have been better drawn, though running well out the back and taking a wide berth got him a win and a second at Lingfield.  But I don’t like to take amateur-race or plating form, and it was just such placings by the astute Mr Moore that got ‘Maurice’ in the money, albeit in between he managed to take a Fontwell hurdle. No doubt Alastair Down is already itching to ask Mark Prescott what his Cambridgeshire horse is, but right now there is very little activity from the maestro and putting the blinds on Try Cat looks like desperation rather than there being any nudge-nudge, wink-wink about it, though layers are playing it safe at around 6-1. The Kempton specialist is Coda Agency: three times a winner over the trip here, he had another CD scorer, Purely By Chance, behind him at Lingfield a month ago. Struggling in rear was the 11-4 favourite, Isle De Maurice. Say no more. 4.55 Kempton (Bet Multiples – Betdaq Handicap) Paul Howling, David Evans and Dean Ivory are high on the Kempton trainers’ list but that’s because they throw everything in here; hundreds of runners but a low strike rate, only half as good as Mick Easterby with his Northern raiders. But his 7f winner Istiqdaam has failed twice behind Hereford Boy over a mile, giving weight and receiving weight, rear running and front running.  Similarly, Hereford Boy and Pegasus Again have always held Gallantry in two runs apiece against him, and the clear indication from the collateral form is that Pegasus Again is the better horse and the obvious surmise from Istiqdaam’s stamina doubts is that he’ll leave Pegasus Again with an easy lead. Short already but looks sure to be long odds-on in running. Back and lay. TODAY'S BETS BET 3pts win and place BUFFALO STAMPEDE and 3pts win (saver) THE GIANT BOLSTER (2.00 Fontwell) LAY to win 4pts QOZAK and BET 2pts win and place SWAY (3.35 Fontwell) BET 4pts win PRITTI FABULOUS and 1pt win KIPCHAK (3.55 Kempton) BET 2pts win and place HOLLY WALK (4.05 Fontwell) LAY to win 3pts ISLE DE MAURICE and BET 3pts win CODA AGENCY (4.25 Kempton) BET 3pts win PEGASUS AGAIN (4.55 Kempton)
	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More

Alan McInally's Carling Cup Preview

 

BETDAQ has teamed up with Sportsvibe – the website which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the personalities and players involved in the world of sport – to give the nation’s celebrities and sports stars a £20 charity bet each fortnight. 

CELEBRITY PUNT - PART 7  

It is round seven of Betdaq and Sportsvibe’s Celebrity Punt.
 
It's the turn of our very own ALAN MCINALLY this week who has looked at this afternoon's Carling Cup Final.

To get ALAN's views on the big match at Wembley CLICK HERE

To view the BETDAQ market for the ASTON VILLA v MAN U match - CLICK HERE

---

DAQMAN on Saturday

Saturday 27 February DAQMAN  BETDAQ SATURDAY VALUE: Thebes (won 11-2), tipped by Daqman yesterday at 9.0 morning offers, is an example of Betdaq value. Today he’s found more, describing some of the offers as ‘amazing’ and ‘a jaw-dropper’. BETDAQ SPONSORED RACES: As always, Daqman goes through the form and facts of Betdaq-sponsored races, which today are at Lingfield and include the Winter Derby Trial. ANOTHER DARING LAY: Yet again, the lays expert with currently an 86% success rate opposes the obvious. It’s another daring lay from weekend-wizard Daqman. He describes his choice as ‘a hard horse to win with in a hard race to win.’ How do you find a lay? Answer: look for a hyped horse that is poor value in the market, in particular a false favourite. Example: Fistral Beach. Result: Win or lose today, ‘good things’ like this fellow get turned over often enough to make a regular income from them. The first rule is that, once you recognize one, you don’t flinch or waver, because you know you are betting for the ‘long run’; you don’t necessarily want this one ‘beat’; you want enough like him beaten to win overall. My target is 75%; my overall is 76% (current form 86%). The second and third rules are: you must have flaws in this favourite’s make-up and you must have strong ammunition against him from among the other runners. First the nature and shape of today’s race: the Racing Post Trophy (3.05) is won by class horses high in the handicap, class 1 and 2 winners. Fistral Beach has won only a class 3 and is out of the handicap proper; no horse rated below 10st has ever won it. Seven times in the last 10 years, the winner had already won over 3m or further. Fistral Beach is a 2m 4f winner, outstayed at 3m as a novice and deliberately dropped back half a mile last time out. Today he is 11lb higher and he’ll have plenty of company up front and in the van to make this a real stamina test, particularly with more rain forecast: Atouchbetweenacara, Madison Du Berlais, Nacarat and Ollie Magern all like to see daylight. The biggest Fistral Beach negative is his defeat as beaten favourite eight times in a row; a layer’s dream. So today, he is a hard horse to win with in a hard race to win. What has he beaten? Second to him last time out was Heathcote, who has since finished only sixth to Piraya, yet Piraya is 17.5 as I write and Fistral Beach 4.7. How’s his jumping? In his last three races: pecked 10th; blundered 11th; blundered 2 out.  Positives? Fistral Beach is trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh which, in terms of hype, are also negatives; their horses are inevitably overbet. Nicholls has a poor record in the race for a champion trainer, missing strike four times (placed) for one win in 10 years. So what’s in the arsenal? I’ve given you four horses for the infantry, but we have no tanks: none in the race with stamina to bulldoze through tired horses on testing ground. That’s Ruby Walsh’s best chance: to conserve Fistral Beach and use his featherweight. What’s the likely outcome: that Fistral Beach will be thereabouts but will falter as he’s done so often – and did last time but Ruby outbattled a tired rival – and class will have its say. Last year’s winner, Nacarat, is 11lb higher but ran well in the King George, even better than the result suggests; three of the past six winners were top weights and Madison Du Berlais is blinkered for the first time; Kilcrea Castle, a fine jumper, ran second in a Grade 3 at Punchestown and has had a warm-up yet has only 10st 6lb here; Oedipe is dangerously weighted on his old form; Private Be and Piraya were ‘bridesmaids’ – always frustratingly placed – like Fistral Beach but, just as he did, Piraya finally came good; unlike him, Piraya is penalized only 5lb; unlike him, Private Be was second in two grade 3s. Verdict: Private Be beat Nacarat at levels last year but, at age 11, he should have done well over 3m by now, to be able to win here; Kilcrea Castle is the top novice in this, much better than Piraya and Fistral Beach on form, though they cannot be denied scope for improvement at age 7; Oedipe (17.0 on the Daq, as I write) has slid 22lb below the mark of his Hennessy Gold Cup run behind Madison Du Berlais; he received only 4lb that day and is still only eight, the winningmost age for today’s race. Apart from the obvious, the best Nicholls’ bet today is River D’Or (1.30) at 5.0 this morning; he’s never really been put in a race in this country yet and will love the rain. However, you’ve got to get into the race with Helpston, a front-runner at a huge 8.4, dropping back in trip and, hopefully, seeing off the van, in which Stow and Cabinet Minister should be chasing their lungs out and leaving it for River D’Or.  So each way River D’Or, back-and-lay Helpston. But, for my tired accountant, I’ll charge the pair to the account as dutched at 5.0 and 8.4. I couldn’t fancy anything else: the rest of them are so in and out. With Mille Chief out, the King yard is relying on an earlier paper favourite, Salden Licht (2.00) but Grey Soldier is an Irish gamble this morning, around 2-1 from 9-2. Both these animals love soft ground, both are on the upgrade and both have had their form franked subsequently. 2.10 Lingfield (Bet In Running – Betdaq Maiden Stakes) Who’s this K. Fallon? The magic man is back. Who’s this D. Elsworth? I can’t get a take on his winners, to save my life (you come off even worse if you watch the gallops with him; take my word for it). What’s this in the market? Atlantic Tiger is odds on but has already been beaten by Christmas Coming? All questions answered, then. 3.15 Lingfield (Bet Six Nations Rugby – Betdaq Handicap) You know that one about the No 6 bus; how you wait for hours, then two come along together.. Well, if you back-and-lay boys have been looking through the cards for front-runners, here you are: six of them, and all in one race of eight declared. All we can guesstimate, based on past meetings, is that Glamorous Spirit or Total Impact are likely to win the battle for the lead, and all we can surmise is that, given this whirlwind clash of front-runners, Even Bolder might come late and, giving them all a wide berth, and get up in the last 50 yards, as he did over CD a month ago. 3.50 Lingfield (betdaq.co.uk Cleves Listed Stakes) Here’s quality, or should be, but only three of these have won a Listed before, including Jaconet, who’s a shade of odds-on as I write. He was well ahead of the two other Listed winners, Arganil and Green Manalishi, over CD in November but only narrowly holds Ebraam – they were one and two – though Ebraam is hard to win with. Another way of looking at it is that Green Manalishi was jaded that day (it was his third race in 21 days) and you might be right since he’d beaten Jaconet twice on turf and has proved his AW ability, winning easily on today’s track over a furlong shorter.  If you do take this view, then the market is a jaw-dropper: 1.96 Jaconet and 7.0 Green Manalishi (K. Fallon). As far as value goes, it’s no contest: incredibly, in Betdaq offers, Green Manalishi is the same price to place as Jaconet is to win! 4.20 Lingfield (Betdaq The Betting Exchange Winter Derby Trial Listed) A gamble by the Botti yard was landed by a neck with Re Barolo in this last year and, seemingly, the stable is taking no chances this time, Mesa Marauder setting the pace for stablemate Gitano Hernando. But Mesa Marauder is down as a soft-ground rear runner in my form book, and the same ‘good book’ tells me that Suits Me will go off like the proverbial bat out of hell (what is hell these days? Being forced to read Katie Price instead of the racing paper?) Suits Me suits you, sir: 5.0 for a back-and-lay about a horse that’s already won a Listed against the Botti beast who couldn’t win a class 3 at Wolver? Gimme, gimme. Ok, Gitano Hernando won a Grade 1 in Santa Anita but this is a prep run for the Dubai World Cup; how often we’ve seen them beaten in such preliminaries and, win or lose, you should get your win stake back with a lay in running Suits Me. 4.55 Lingfield (Try Betdaq For An Exchange Handicap) The quality continues with six horses showing a dozen wins in their last-six form figures. But Ishiadancer and Seek The Fair Land are up in class, and Tourist, who wins on the deeper surfaces at Southwell and Wolver, is still high in the ratings. Left with three to choose from, I’ll drop Elna Bright as having had his share (it’s rare for horses to land hat-tricks) and I’ll back the strong finisher Kyllachy Star – a value 9.0 on the Daq this morning – and save on Mahadee, trained by can-do-no-wrong Clive Brittain (five wins from 15). The difference in weights should be decisive. 5.25 Lingfield (Bet Carling Cup Final – Betdaq Conditions Stakes) In theory, paper favourite and clear top-rated Abbondanza needs the run after 147 days off and in practice he’s drifted to third in the market, Dalradian deservedly taking top spot: three out of five on the surface and saddled by everyone’s favourite trainer here. In the mix is Advanced, a Group performer who likes wide open spaces and big fields but is today on AW, in stall one, and running over 1m with K. Fallon up. I think my mouse will be in bed by this time. TODAYS BETS DUTCH 3.5 pts win RIVER D’OR and 2pts win HELPSTON (1.30 Kempton) BET 5pts win SALDEN LICHT and 2pts win (saver) GREY SOLDIER (2.00 Kempton) LAY to win 6pts FISTRAL BEACH plus WIN-50 JACKPOT: 3pts win and 1pt place OEDIPE and 2pts win KILCREA CASTLE (3.05 Kempton) BET 2pts win and place GREEN MANALISHI (3.50 Lingfield) WIN-40 JACKPOT: 5pts win KYLLACHY STAR and 2pts win (saver) MAHADEE (4.55 Lingfield).
	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More

ED CHAMERLIN'S Weekend Sporting Preview

Saturday 27 February

Join Sky Sports Pundit ED CHAMBERLIN in his regular Weekend Sports Preview below. Simply press play below to tune into Ed's exclusive DAQCAST - covering a whole host of betting opportunities on the DAQ starting with the racing at Kempton.....

---

IRELAND'S EYE on Saturday

Saturday 27 February

IRELAND'S EYE

The Racing Post Trophy at Kempton is the highlight on the jumping scene today while punters also have two decent meetings to choose from at Chepstow (in some doubt) and Navan and BETDAQ are once again the main sponsors on the all weather at Lingfield. A former Luca Cumani trained maiden is taken to land a maiden hurdle at the Meath venue today while an Irish challenger can land a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kempton for an in form trainer.

Baby Run (10/11-8/11) made it four from five in the last week for the EYE when running away with the hunter chase at Warwick yesterday from and we also managed another winners courtesy of saver Let Yourself Go (7/2-3/1) at Thurles while our choices in the feature event on that card Taravada (12s morn-13/2) and Jagoes Mills (6/4-5/4) both in the frame.

Once raced and placed pointer Wolf Moon has done the Michael Keighley yard proud since transferred to England and the 7yo can continue his upward spiral by landing a competitive Class 3 hurdle at Kempton at 1-30 today. Already a winner of two novice and two handicap hurdles the Warren Marston ridden gelding recorded his second win over 3m in Cheltenham handicaps two months ago in comfortable fashion and though he is now upped 4lb in the weights and has to run off near top weight here he should have the necessary progression to give the weight away to obvious danger River D’Or.

The ex French trained Grey Soldier was well fancied to make a winning impression for the Gordon Elliott yard in a couple of decent Leopardstown maiden hurdles but came up short when chasing home two decent sorts in Prince Of Fire and Rite Of Passage. However the four time flat scorer made amends at the third op when landing short odds at Navan three weeks ago and the aJason Maguire ridden 5yo can make the step up in class a wining one by landing a decent Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kempton this afternoon at 2-00 where the former Dermot Weld trained 103 rated flat racer Ghimaar can provide the main threat. A three time winner for the Irish trainer th now Nicky Henderson handles son of Dubai Destination showed that he can handle soft ground by landing a competitive 2m handicap at Galway last year off top weight and with his yard firing in the winners he should go close despite his lack of hurdling experience.

Barneys Honour did us a favour when snatching victory from certain defeat in a Fairyhouse 2m hc chase three days ago to open his account over fences at the eight attempt under Davy Russell and the former point winning 6yo can ‘do the business’ again in the 2m 1f hc chase at Navan tomorrow at 3-45.

Admittedly the son of City Honours has taken his time to make a telling impression over the larger obstacles and indeed he was not entirely foot perfect in victory on Wednesday but he looks to be suited by the minimum trip (scored over 2m over hurdles at Fairyhouse) and he also appreciates testing ground. Fourth on only start at this venue in a bumper 15 months ago he was given a 6lb penalty for his last win but that burden is more than nullified by the claim of the competent Declan Bates and he can steer the Phillip Rothwell trained gelding to his second chase win at the possible expense of the frustrating ex point/dual hurdle scorer Clarkey who has yet to deliver in ten efforts over fences. The lightly raced and former promising pointer Mighty Bob is another to consider strongly as the dual chase winner remains open to plenty of improvement despite going up 10lbs for his most recent success.

2-05 NAVAN – 2m novice hurdle

Charles Byrnes Triumph Hurdle hopeful Pittoni will be fancied to make it four from four over hurdles following impressive wins at Punchestown (twice) and Leopardstown on demanding ground but a better betting option could be the older Charlie swan trained COOLE RIVER who put up a fine performance when beating the highly regarded Quel Esprit over admittedly 4f further at Leopardstown in a Grade 2 a month ago and ge can give 10lbs to the likely favourite here.

2-35 NAVAN – 2m maiden hurdle

Former Luca Cumani maiden flat racer MUBROOK showed decent form in taking second money on four occasions (including a narrow defeat to subsequent useful hurdler Cape Tribulation at Nottingham over 10f) and though the Edward O’Grady trained 5yo showed little on his hurdle debut on New Years Day at Tramore he should improve for the experience and account for useful pointing maiden Schumpters Lad who would have obvious claims on his third in a decent Cork maiden on debut over ‘sticks’ but the Pat Colville trained grey could be suited by a stiffer test of stamina.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win WOLF MOON 1-30 Kempton
BET 4pt win GREY SOLDIER 2-00 Kempton
BET 2pt win (saver) GHIMAAR 2-00 Kempton
BET 3pt win COOLE RIVER 2-05 Navan
BET 4pt win MUBROOK 2-35 Navan
BET 2pt win (saver) SCHUMPTERS LAD 2-35 Navan
BET 4pt win (nap) BARNEYS HONOUR 3-45 Navan
BET 2pt win (saver) CLARKEY 3-45 Navan

IRELAND'S EYE on Friday

Friday 26 February

IRELAND'S EYE

This evening sees the start of the Irish all weather season when Dundalk kicks off with a couple of bumpers on a card which is predominately free of handicaps while its day 2 of a double header at Thurles where there are some fine contests on a seven race card which features a deferred Grade 2 novice chase. BETDAQ sponsor the entire card at Wolverhampton this evening and are the major sponsor at Southwell this afternoon while Warwick remains the only National Hunt meeting in England following the cancellation of Sandown. The market in the Thurles feature revolve around two horses but we will be siding with a once raced longer priced sort while a winning pointer can open her chase account at the age of 9 at the same venue.

We managed another double yesterday with Ad Idem (8/11-4/6) proving our third winning nap from four and saver Red Basil (6-4/1) landed the lady riders handicap at Thurles. Burntoakboy (5-10/3) had to give best to Gentle George in the hunter chase at Huntingdon while we also landed one of our back up selections Western Leader (4/1) beat our next best Premier Victory (10/3-3/1) in the featured hurdle at the Tipperary venue.

Grade 1 Arkle winner An Cathaoir Mor and the progressive Jagoes Mills looks set to dominate the market in the deferred Grade 2 chase over 2m 4f at Thurles at 3-20 but the value could lie in opposing the pair with a Jessica Harrington trained runner. The horse in question is the 126 rated hurdler Taravada – a dual bumper winner and hurdle scorer who ran well in defeat on his chase debut when going down eventually by over a length in an average Gowran novice almost a fortnight ago over 2m 2f on soft. The Barry Geraghty ridden 7yo acts well on soft ground and the Kayf Tara gelding was not beaten that far in a handicap hurdle on only try at this trip at Punchestown last year and he could have the edge in terms of progression against two useful rivals here. An Cathaoir Mor must give away 7lbs to his opponents here as a result of landing a top Graded chase at Leopardstown over 2m 1f a month ago and though he is trying this distance for the first time it could be the concession of the weight that could be his main stumbling block and it is the Thomas O’Leary trained Jagoes Mill who can give the selection most to do. A lightly raced 8yo the son of Dr Massini has taken well to fences and he boasts a 2 from 2 record at this track and there was plenty of merit in his last couple of wins in Thurles (3m) and Fairyhouse (2m 5f) chases and on the latter occasion he accounted for recent winner Becauseicouldntsee. 

Nine year old Kind Oscar can open her chase account at the third attempt over the obstacles by landing the 3m mares novice chase at Thurles at 4-30 today under 7lb claimer Dinny Spillane. A Dromahane point winner and a Punchestown mares maiden hurdle scorer a year ago the Ian Hannon trained lightly raced mare has shaped well in a Grade 3 against her own sex when beaten less than five lengths by this weeks good winner Moskova on her chase debut over 2m 4f though she was soundly beaten by the useful The Midnight Club last time over the same distance over a week ago. A sound leaper she could have most to fear from former maiden pointer Karinga Queen who put up a much improved performance on her fifth chase start when chasing home Jagoes Mill over course and distance over 5 weeks ago. By The Hour and Parknakyle are others to consider with slight preference for the latter.

Baby Run does have to contend with giving weight away to all his rivals and lacks a recent run in the concluding 3m 1/2f hunter chase at Warwick at 5-25 but the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained 10yo is still taken to open his seasonal account here. Since returning from a lengthy absence the former 140 rated three time chaser has taken well to the hunter chase sphere and he followed up a fine third to Cappa Bleu in last years Christies Foxhunter at Cheltenham by landing an ultra competitive renewal of the Champion hunter chase at Punchestown last May. Though he failed to land another ‘major’ (hunter chase terms) when losing out by a a length and a half at Stratford when last seen where faster ground did not aid his cause and the son of Baby Turk does boast a good record first time up and with soft ground forecast here he can open his seasonal account under regular promising pilot and 3lb claimer Sam Twiston-Davies. Here’s Johnny proved a disappointment when returned from an absence last week but the Dartnall trained runner looks the main danger nevertheless.

Dundalk opens its gates this evening at 6-30 to start a brand new season and there is almost a National Hunt feel about the card with a couple of bumpers as the curtain raisers while the 2m maiden at 7-30 sees several jumpers in the line up. Whodoyouthink will start at short odds to open his flat account on his debut in this sphere but the Declan McDonagh ridden 5yo 2m 2f Leopardstown maiden hurdle winner would be ideally suited by further and though he is sure to make a bold bid from the front here we will side with 7 time National Hunt winner Deurs here on his first start for a couple of months. Though the 8yo has not finished in the frame in three starts on the flat he has run well in a couple and his last run on the flat which saw him beaten about eleven lengths by the useful Drive Time over an inadequate 1m 6f at Leopardstown gives him decent prospects of springing a minor surprise here for the Paul Magnier/Kevin Manning combination.

2-45 THURLES – 2m 2f chase

An interesting chase and though the returning Let Yourself Go could make a bold bid from the front after a more than four month absence demanding ground may just hinder his prospects here and the narrow vote goes to the ‘jolly’ DOONEYS GATE a course winner over 3m here a year ago despite the fact that the trip could be on the short side for the 9yo.

7-00 DUNDALK – 2m 2f mares bumper

Shuil Dearg will be all the rage here on here placed efforts to date in bumpers but the manner of her defeat at short odds 16 days ago (tended to take a hood hold) is somewhat off putting and a safer option is the twice raced Charlie Swan runner STEP RIGHT UP who has run well on both starts to date – including a decent mid field effort at this venue a year ago.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win DOONEYS GATE 2-45 Thurles
BET 2pt win (saver) LET YOURSELF GO 2-45 Thurles
BET 4pt win TARAVADA 3-20 Thurles
BET 3pt win (saver) JAGOES MILLS 3-20 Thurles
BET 4pt win KIND OSCAR 4-30 Thurles
BET 2pt/1pt win KARINGA QUEEN and PARKNAKYLE 4-30 Thurles
BET 5pt win (nap) BABY RUN 5-25 Warwick
BET 3pt win STEP RIGHT UP 7-00 Dundalk
BET 4pt win DUERS 7-30 Dundalk
BET 2pt win (saver) WHODOYOUTHINK 7-30 Dundalk

DAQMAN on Friday

Friday 26 February DAQMAN  TEN BETDAQ SPONSORED RACES: Betdaq sponsors 10 races today, following 11 yesterday at Southwell and Kempton. DAQMAN RACE-BY-RACE ANALYSIS: Daqman takes you race by race through today’s cards at Southwell and Wolverhampton. 2.00 Southwell (Bet Premier League – Betdaq Claiming Stakes) A line through yesterday’s winner Dunaskin gave the grey Doubnov the edge over Boundless Prospect (now a non-runner) and he holds Resplendent Ace on 1m 4f form.  2.30 Southwell (Bet Six Nations Rugby – Betdaq Handicap) You’d think: how can a plate and claimer winner (Castle Myth) complete his Southwell hat-trick in a class-5? A similar animal in the race, Heathyards Junior, was on a maiden-then-seller roll but failed to progress into a handicap. The paper favourite for today’s race was Provost, on the grounds that the stable does well with first-time-blinkered AW runners, and they could be right but he was easy to back (11.5) at time of writing. Top Southwell jockeys Stephen Donohoe (Fandango Boy 26.0) and Greg Fairley (Sadeek 16.5) have their only rides of the meeting in this, but they, too, were big offers. General Tufto seldom runs a bad race and is dropped back in distance to the CD of his last win when he narrowly caught Hypnotic Gaze; snag is, both were drawn on the rail that day, and Hypnotic Gaze is now badly off with Sadeek (Fandango Bay held) on Wolver form.  3.05 Southwell (Bet Super League – Betdaq Selling Stakes) Since winning at Hamilton in 2004, Bo McGinty has failed 38 times at all trips beyond 5f; Tournedos (13 defeats) and Handsinthemist (six) also find it impossible to score beyond the minimum. Bastiman (189 days), Dickman (172), Berry (165) and Balding (123) are all trainers on the cold list without a winner for at least four months. I’ll pick Sea Land: goes well after a break and has some fresh headgear.  5.40 Wolverhampton (Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap) They don’t want Billy Red this morning; he’s a dog on a raft, heading into betting oblivion at 10.5, yet that makes him a tasty back-and-lay. At the forecast 5-1, I was doubtful because there are other front-runners in the field but around double figures for ‘Billy’ means he’s the first nibble of the race for your hungry mouse. Gask horses don’t usually win two races together (New Leyf) and Rocket Bob seems to prefer 5f. Both Flowing Cape (best when fresh) and Thebes have won in a higher grade, if only you knew either one of them would bounce back today. Thebes (I took 9.0) is the ‘one most likely to’ since he’s won a grade higher here (Wolver form-figures 2110). 6.10 Wolverhampton (Bet In Running Betdaq Handicap, Div 1) Stuart Williams has a terrific level-stakes record at Wolver and he gave his new charge, Wreningham, a ‘sighter’ over a furlong too far in January; it’s a worry though that he’s been claimed off, worn blinkers first time and eyeshields first time, all failing to get him into the frame. This is not the right trip for Divertimenti; First Order’s stable can’t train a winner at the moment; and Spic N Span is a plater (holds Lucky Art and Dodaa). From the four that are left, I’m going back-and-lay Sir Geoffrey. After he led a long way when unfancied (28-1) at Newcastle, connections thought he was a good thing at Kempton but he was just run out of it. Dropped to the minimum today, I can see Freddie Tylicki engaging the overdrive early, with every chance of outrunning this lot. 6.40 Wolverhampton (Bet Multiples - Betdaq Classified Claiming Stakes) The ratings say Sedgwick but they refer to 10-furlong success; Alf Tupper is another doubtful at this trip, having never won beyond a mile.  The rest are from stables showing very little form. If I were betting, I would probably plump for the potential improver – he’s only five – who has just struck form, but I wouldn’t be betting in any Magnitude of cash. 7.10 Wolverhampton (Bet Six Nations Rugby - Betdaq Handicap) Formidable Guest looks a formidable favourite – three wins from four -  since his rating was raised only 2lb for a small-field 12-furlong win and then not at all after his last success, because it came in a boys’ race. There’s plenty or collateral form about but it’s inconclusive, the more so because there are no pace horses to be found. Just Bond is put up as the front runner with some confidence in the trade paper, but he’s led on this track only three times in 36 appearances (eight wins). Scamperdale is also seeking his ninth Wolver success; in fact, only Sand Tiger has failed to win on the course, soon struggling in a claimer on his first run outside France. 7.40 Wolverhampton (Betdaq On 0870 178 1221 Handicap) Take an essential low draw, a jockey who’s showing 170 points profit here at level stakes, and a CD winner, and they all add up to Taboor, back to form last time, so nearly belying his years (Cocktail Party, Sir Loin and Woodcote behind). However, he has no chance with Admiral Bond on their last two meetings on this course (Truly Divine beaten). Against very moderate opponents today, the only blip on these collaterals is that Admiral Bond was well beaten by Mr Funshine at Southwell in December, though Mr Funshine has so far shown nothing on the Wolver surface and the terrain was slow and sludgy that day. 8.10 Wolverhampton (Bet In Running Betdaq Handicap, Div 2) Despite an abundance of course form among these runners, Decider and Monte Major are the only two 5f AW handicap scorers in the field. The Wolver turf winner Monsieur Reynard is now well in with Monte Major on form of a fortnight ago but has flattered before and they could claim off Monte Major successfully again. ’Major’ stablemate Rabbit Fighter prefers another furlong but Love You Louis drops back from six at Kempton (Norse Warrior well behind) and is 11lb lower than his last success over the minumum. If only his Wolver form (two runs) wasn’t last of seven and 12th of 13.  8.40 Wolverhampton (Bet Premier League Football - Betdaq Handicap) Clive Brittain is already dancing his paddock jigs with the Flat season a month away and the experience of Muwalla may count for a lot here. Musical Mark has drifted on the layers’ raft with not a backer in sight to pull him in; Dubai Moonlight is the only one attracting support against an odds-on favourite, as I write. TODAY'S BETS BET 1pt win and 1pt place on each SADEEK and PROVOST (2.30 Southwell) BET 2pts win and 2pts place THEBES (5.40 Wolverhampton) BET 2pts win and 2pts place SIR GEOFFREY (6.10 Wolverhampton) BET 6pts win (nap) ADMIRAL BOND (7.40 Wolverhampton) BET 4pts win MONTE MAJOR (8.10 Wolverhampton)
	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More

IRELAND'S EYE on Thursday

Thursday 25 February

IRELAND'S EYE

Ayr failed an inspection this morning to see if racing will go ahead but Huntingdon keeps the ‘flag flying’ for jumping enthusiasts in England today while BETDAQ sponsor the entire twilight card at Kempton and three on the other all weather meeting at Southwell. 

In Ireland there is an interesting 8 race card at Thurles where most of todays selections will come from and we have high hopes of landing a double courtesy of a couple of former point winners in a maiden hurdle and a bumper while we will be siding with a long priced selection in a lady riders handicap hurdle.

We managed another brace of winners on Wednesday with Barneys Honour (9/4-7/4) asserting where it mattered in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse while saver Emperor Concerto (7/2-morn-11/4) scored at the third try over fences at Doncaster. Also our saver in the Fairyhouse opener Playboy Luke (4-7/2) did manage to finish in the runner up berth while in our back up service Ossmoses (5/2-2/1) stayed on to take the same berth in the hunter chase at Doncaster.

Pauline Gavins ex pointer Ad Idem failed to deliver for us last time when chasing home another former pointer in Mr Cracker at Navan over 2m 4f a month ago but the 6yo can finally repay our faith by registering his first Park win on his third attempt over hurdles in the 2m 6f maiden hurdle at Thurles at 2-55 today.

Winner of a competitive Belharbour maiden point last year the son of Kayf Tara just went down in a competitive point to point bumper subsequently at Fairyhouse before finishing a close third to yesterdays hurdle winner Hellyhunter in a similar Galway bumper. With the form of his initial fourth placing to Ballymak boosted by a big race victory for the runner up (Puyol) in the interim the Andrew McNamara ridden gelding is suited by testing ground and the step up in distance should be considered as plus and he should have the beating of course winning mare Lady Roberta who was not disgraced behind a useful sort at Ffos Las last time. One at a bigger price who looks worth a small interest is the former all the way Dromahane point winner Crash Ball who showed decent form prior to that success in decent company ‘between the flags’ though the Mouse Morris trained 6yo is returning from a lengthy absence.

There is a decidedly open look to the lady riders 2m handicap hurdle at Thurles today (4-00) with most if not all of the field opposable on one or more grounds. Our vote goes to the Caroline Hutchinson trained Hu Ha Jo whose last couple of runs were over fences but the dual 2008 handicap hurdle winner (over this trip) boasts decent form on a soft surface and the 9yo is 1lb lower than when finishing a fair third in a Roscommon handicap over this trip last August and she has the assistance of a capable 7lb claimer here on his first start for some two months. The two who can profit if the selection does not run up to scratch are the unexposed Red Basil who is returning from a lengthy break having just shown glimpses of ability over mainly further in the past and the former flat winner Max Almighty.

Willie Mullins charges invariably start favourite to land Irish bumpers and the Carlow trainer supplies the debutant 7yo Octavin in the concluding 2m bumper at Thurles today at 5-05. Though he has obvious claims the fact that he is seeing the course for the first time at a relatively advanced age can hardly be described as encouraging and we will take on the ‘jolly’ here with the former point winner Viking Splash despite the fact that the 7yo is making his first start in a year. However the Stowaway gelding has shown a fair level of form in two heavy ground bumpers at Gowran and Navan around this time last year when not beaten that far behind a couple of fair bumper types in Cadspeed and Lead The Parade under his owner/rider and the combination can open their account at the third attempt in bumpers here at the expense of the once raced Volkis O Blue who shaped reasonably well in taking a fair fifth behind the well regarded Sizing Mexico in a Fairyhouse bumper over 10 weeks ago.

Former Paul Nicholls trained Ofarel D’Airy will be a warm order to take the 3m hunter chase at Huntingdon at 5-10 today and the now Richard Barber trained 8yo can go close to landing his sixth chase and fourth success in this sphere under Oliver Greenall. 

However the French bred has always shaped better at trips short of three miles despite gaining a win over an extended 3m at Warwick about a year ago and we will just give the nod to the veteran Burntoakboy.

The 120 rated chaser (high of 140) may have only recorded one success over the larger obstacles but the former Coral Cup hurdle winner and now 12yo has shown that he retains much of his old sparkle with three wins from his last seven starts ‘between the flags’ and with ground/trip to suit and in receipt of 11lbs (riders claim included) here from the warm favourite he could rate the better value.

1-55 THURLES – 2m 4f novice hurdle

A decidedly tough race to predict with most of the 8 strong field boasting a progressive profile the narrow vote goes to the ‘Shark’ Hanlon trained WESTERN LEADER who may follow up his Leopardstown win from a subsequent scorer at the expense of the useful front running mare Premier Victory who is returning from a short ‘break’.

2-00 HUNTINGDON – 2m 5 1/2f mares novice hurdle

Though Alan Kings CHILLI ROSE has finished runner up in her last three starts (including a bumper) the ‘Choc’ Thornton ridden mare can finally make the breakthrough here for her in form yard.

ADVICE
BET 5pt win (nap) AD IDEM 2-55 Thurles
BET 1pt win (saver) CRASH BALL 2-55 Thurles
BET 3pt win HU HA JO 4-00 Thurles
BET 1pt win (savers) MAX ALMIGHTY and RED BASIL 4-00 Thurles
BET 4pt win VIKING SPLASH 5-05 Thurles
BET 2pt win (saver) VOLKIS O BLUE 5-05 Thurles
BET 4pt win BURNTOAKBOY 5-10 Huntingdon
BET 3pt win (saver) OFAREL D’AIRY 5-10 Huntingdon

DAQMAN on Thursday

Thursday 25 February DAQMAN  NOW IT’S FOUR NAPS OUT OF FIVE:  Daqman brought his February naps tally to four out of five yesterday, via Cedrus Libani (won 6-5). ELEVEN BETDAQ-SPONSORED RACES: Today he spots some of the stats and facts for the 11 Betdaq-sponsored races at Southwell this afternoon and on to Kempton in the twilight zone. 2.10 Southwell (Bet Europa League – Betdaq Median Auction Maiden Stakes) Among the older horses, Irish Music, and among the youngsters, Lady Brickhouse, are both professional losers. Yet Irish Music has a higher official rating than anything other than Rain On The Wind, a free-going sort but drawn in 10. You’d have to wonder whether Verinco will be better for first-time visors, and Fair Passion has been given a break after showing improvement between runs at Kempton and Wolver. Dean Heslop has three wins from his last four rides, with all three successes at Southwell, and all for David Barron, trainer of AW-bred debutante Bird Call; the yard currently has a 50% strike rate. Lee Newnes, second in the  Southwell jockeys’ table on percentage success, has his only mount of the day on Bahamian Bolt, dropped two classes from his Doncaster turf debut but the outside of the party in the Betdaq market at 32.0, as I write. Maybe they are looking for a handicap mark later on. 2.40 Southwell (Try Betdaq For An Exchange Selling Stakes) Dunaskin’s CV tells it all: 34 places but only nine of them wins from 84 starts, and seven of those seconds and thirds have been here at Southwell (no wins). Davana’s doing her best to match him, with four thirds from six races. Dream In Blue would have to be my choice (Southwell form figures 131342); he’s ideal for Southwell in that he’s keen: but it can sometimes work against him; and he’s often used himself up when it comes to the business end. At odds-on Dunaskin, there is little to lose in a lay , but I am going up a gear and betting on Dream In Blue to complete me a double whammy. 3.15 Southwell (Bet Six Nations Rugby – Betdaq Handicap) Whether chases, hurdles or Flat, the old codgers have had a great run in the last year or so, and it seems to me more are being kept in training and more switching codes. There isn’t one bad servant in this field: Boundless Prospect has won or been placed in 40% of his 101 races (though never over this far); Victory Quest can beat that with a fabulous 51% record in 57 AW races; Dan Buoy, a youngster by comparison and comparatively unexposed with only 36 starts, is 01210 at Southwell and a CD winner to boot. Nakoma has the best record of all: 52% win and place in a relatively short career (23 races). Even the rag, Super Ross, has a record the others can never beat - he’s one from one at Southwell – though he’s 8lb out of the handicap here. With Brian Ellison leading percentage trainer with runners today, I’d side with Nakoma but the market was too tight for me at time of writing. 5.40 Kempton (Bet Europa League– Betdaq Handicap) The booking of Richard Hughes and the return to a double-figure draw has made Clever Omneya a popular trade. He was dropped a pound after failing to add to his January win five days later into the early days of this month. A place bet will give me full insurance on my win stake, so all each way. 6.10 Kempton (Bet Six Nations Rugby – Betdaq Median Auction Maiden Stakes) It couldn’t happen to Demo Jo but four of the five others have already been gelded, one of them, Bohemian Melody, before he’s even seen a racecourse.  Swift Return is a stone clear in the ratings but I’ll have my pound on Fancy Star: Michael Hills record this month is 113 and dad Barry has figures of 11013. Fancy Star has been well beaten in turf maidens but in much better company. 6.40 Kempton (Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap, Div 1) The name on every punter’s lips on AW used to be Eddie Ahern but he’s currently down to a 7% strike rate, two from 29 this year. Look deeper and you find a ‘missing strike’ story of 11 minor placings, so a near-50% record of reaching the first four but with only two successes. His ride, Sign of The Cross, is a winner over further but was only just pipped for a place behind Diane’s Choice over today’s trip last time after 111 days’ off and is quickly out again, well drawn in nine almost adjacent to the likely stall-11 tearaway, Music Box Express. Dianes Choice is in 10, but will find it hard to win off the revised ratings, and Pipers Piping, two wins in four days last week, has a big weight to worry about now. Turning to the market, the opening assault on the race must be to back and lay Music Box Express, with a tempting 8.4 available for your first move; sure to be shorter in running to lay off your stake, maybe so short you can make a profit. 7.10 Kempton (Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap, Div 2) Only the clerk of the course has set foot on Kempton more times than Jessica Wigmo in the last couple of years. Her form figures here are: 100201130001400420.  She’s overdue for some success, her wins having come off 44, 50, 54, 50 but this is her fourth face back off 50. Hart of Gold (stall 10) is now down 6lb below the mark off which he was able to beat Muktasb last season and Boldinor is born lucky: he’s got the rail again, having won over CD from stall 10 a fortnight ago. Top weight and stall five combined to put me off Tamino; the open race and class 6 combined to put me off a bet. 7.40 Kempton (betdaq.co.uk Claiming Stakes): A clash of track specialists: Lord Fidelio is three times a CD winner and, after an easy success for Andrew Balding dropped to this level last time, could go on from there for Ollie Pears. Alqaahir is two out of three on the course but this is tougher than the claimer he won last time. The ratings urge a different view: ignore them both in favour of Seasider, the ex-Stoute gelding dropped from grades 2 and 3 on turf, is clear on the official figures, has been pitched into this claimer off a decent mark and with an apprentice allowance to boot. Hard race. 8.10 Kempton (Bet Cheltenham Festival – Betdaq Handicap):  Marcus Tregoning has a 100% win-and-place record this year (133 figures from three runners) after opening his account a fortnight ago with his first starter, Harting Hill, who does duty back over CD but with Hayley Turner taking the reins from Martin Dwyer. Dwyer is now on old-timer Idle Power - the partnership is 100200 - for only the seventh time in the gelding’s 116-race career, in which he’s finished second twice here. Dinner Date is, theoretically, running with 10lb up his sleeve: he is 3lb higher in future handicaps and is being claimed off to the tune of 7lb. Stays well if the girl can do the business. What’s her name, now? Don’t tell him, Pike! 8.40 Kempton (Bet Multiples – Betdaq Handicap):  Kings Salute tried to ‘do a Johnston’ but his bid to make all at Lingfield failed against a better horse. He’s got the draw here to rail around the turns for Joe Fanning and looks something to bet on. 9.10 Kempton (betdaq.co.uk Handicap) Highland Bridge’s success here a month ago, Orsett Lad’s at Lingfield a fortnight past, and Chocolate Cookie’s in November were all over 7f. Only Dr Mathias has won over the distance, though Pastello was leading at that point when just outgunned at Wolver over 9f. Tamtara is only the second runner of the year for Amanda Perrett; Red Yarn is on the upgrade but still has to get his head in front; jockey in form Pat Cosgrave drives down from Southwell for one ride here (Barastar); and Egyptology could be transformed by blinkers, though transformed it must be. I’ve never seen a horse down tools as quickly as he did last time out; blinkers aren’t an option, but mandatory. If this is the getting-out stakes, I’ll hide in the bar until the next meeting. On second thoughts, I’ll stay at home and put the hungry mouse to work with a back and lay Pastello for Richard Hughes. That’s where I came in at this meeting. TODAY'S BETS LAY to win 3pts DUNASKIN and BET 3pts win DREAM IN BLUE (2.40 Southwell) BET 2pts win and 2pts place CLEVER OMNEYA (5.40 Kempton) BET 4pts win FANCY STAR (6.10 Kempton) BET 6pts win (nap) HARTING HILL (8.10 Kempton) BET 4pts win KINGS SALUTE (8.40 Kempton) BET 1pt win PASTELLO (9.10 Kempton) DAQ MULTIPLES: 3 x 1pt win doubles Fancy Star (6.10), Harting Hill (8.10) and Kings Salute (8.40), all at Kempton
	Try a BETDAQ Multiple today and enjoy better value odds. New to Multiples? Click to Learn More