YOUR DAILY RACING DIGEST – MONDAY

We take a look at some of the top racing stories of the day in our new feature and provide our experts’ racing selections on Monday, February 20, 2017.

Colin Tizzard has a stacked deck for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup after Cue Card (above) came through his Ascot Chase prep on Saturday with ease. Cue Card will join stablemates Thistlecrack and Native River in the March 17 showpiece following a foot-perfect display. Tizzard said: “I thought his performance on Saturday was as perfect as you can get. On all known form he deserved to win, but that doesn’t mean they will. He travelled and jumped and came away in his own time, so we were delighted. Every day will be a nervous day for the next few weeks, hoping something doesn’t go wrong.”
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/10774267/colin-tizzard-nervous-of-cheltenham-festival-build-up
http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49246/colin-tizzard-set-for-nervous-cheltenham-build-up

---

Identity Thief missed yesterday’s Flyingbolt Novices’ Chase at Navan and is likely to miss the Cheltenham Festival. Henry de Bromhead’s Grade 1-winning hurdler fluffed his lines in the Irish Arkle and it was hoped he would restore his reputation, but Michael O’Leary of owners Gigginstown House Stud explained: “He pulled out lame after pulling a shoe off himself in the box. The frustrating thing is that it probably rules out Cheltenham. We can’t get a prep race in before Cheltenham and we can’t go to the Arkle after pulling up and falling.”
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/10774182/identity-thief-likely-to-miss-cheltenham-festival
http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49248/cheltenham-off-the-agenda-for-identity-thief-following-setback

---

With Identity Thief missing from the line-up, the Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novices’ Chase at Navan was won by Ball D’Arc, who scored by 19 lengths after 4/5 favourite Ballyoisin fell three out. Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said: “We might look at the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse for him. Over two miles he definitely needs that ground, but I’d say he might be all right on a bit better ground over two and a half.”
Source: http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49247/ball-darc-bounds-to-flyingbolt-success-at-navan
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/report/762362/ball-darc-wins-flyingbolt

---

Gigginstown House Stud owner Michael O’Leary has again hit out at handicapper Phil Smith for framing the Grand National weights higher than his horses’ Irish handicap marks, while outlining his team for Cheltenham. He said: “Don Poli has run three times in Grade 1s (this season) and been beaten in all of them, and yet Phil Smith has him up at 165, 5lb less than Thistlecrack. I think if he runs against Thistlecrack in the Gold Cup he’ll be beaten two furlongs.” Of his Cheltenham team the Ryanair owner added: “If they all arrive fit and well it’s likely we’ll run Outlander and Don Poli in the Gold Cup and probably Sub Lieutenant and Empire Of Dirt in the Ryanair Chase. I think the Ryanair is the logical race for Empire Of Dirt to go in. I would love to win it, I’ve spent 10 years trying to without any great success.” Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/10774616/michael-oleary-plans-to-run-don-poli-and-outlander-in-the-cheltenham-gold-cup
http://www.racinguk.com/news/article/49251/don-poli-and-outlander-heading-for-gold-cup

---

The Sandra Hughes-trained Acapella Bourgeois may have booked his ticket for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham with an impressive all-the-way win in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan yesterday. “He’s in the RSA Chase and you’d have to say after today we would be travelling, but we’ll see what the ground is like. If it came up very good, which you never know at Cheltenham, he might give it a miss. At the moment if it was nice, soft ground we’d have to take our chance.” Acapella Bourgeois is still available at 16/1 with MyClubBetting.
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/report/762365/bourgeois-allowed-an-easy-time
http://www.attheraces.com/news/2017/February/19/all-the-way-acapella-bourgeois-enters-rsa-chase-picture-after-navan-romp
http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd?event_id=24049724&category=0

---

Vieux Lion Rouge is the new 14/1 favourite for the Randox Health Grand National with MyClubBetting after getting the better of Blaklion in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. Trainer David Pipe said: “He’s changed a lot, as he never used to find much at the end of his races. He’s going back to Aintree with experience over the fences and he proved today he doesn’t need soft ground. We can look forward to April now.”
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/report/760495/vieux-victory-in-national-trial

---

SIS agrees to acquire Newcastle and Sunderland greyhound stadia from William Hill. Picture and data from the tracks will be added to SIS’ existing portfolio of rights from Monmore, Crayford, Hove, and Romford. Hills’ retail MD Nicola Frampton says: “Newcastle and Sunderland greyhound stadia are among the best run in the industry and we would like to thank the teams at both tracks for all their hard work and success during William Hill’s period of ownership.” The tracks will be acquired by SIS subject to final agreement and the appropriate regulatory authority approvals.
Source:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/newcastle-sunderland-greyhound-stadia-set-12621406

---

Cheltenham Racecourse will unveil a statue of Sir AP McCoy on March 14, the opening day of the Festival meeting. The life-size bronze has been crafted by Dublin-based sculptor Paul Ferriter. The 20-times jumps champion said: “His dedication to getting it right was really outstanding, from measuring me to videoing me and when I was standing for him. I thought most people got a statue when they were dead! I guess it will give the birds somewhere to sit.”
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-39009453 http://www.itv.com/news/utv/2017-02-17/mccoy-statue-to-be-unveiled-at-cheltenham/
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/sir-tony-mccoy-statue-to-be-unveiled-at-cheltenham-festival-35459910.html

---

The winner of the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival will be in line for a £500,000 bonus in Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase on Saturday, May 13. The Challenge, an effort to re-establish the historical transatlantic racing rivalry, will be sponsored by private equity firm TVV Capital of Nashville, Tennessee. TVV Capital founder Andrew Byrd said: “That historical connection is strong, as is our longstanding relationship with the Iroquois. We wish to thank Mike Hankin and Brown Advisory, who first introduced us to the Cheltenham Festival and without whom the Challenge would have been impossible.”
Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/10774391/tvv-capital-to-sponsor-year-two-of-iroquois-cheltenham-challenge

---

Prolific juvenile Cliffs Of Dover has been ruled out of the Triumph Hurdle and for the rest of the season after “knocking his leg in a schooling session” according to trainer Paul Nicholls. He told his blog: “Cliffs Of Dover will have a nice long break now before he comes back into training in the autumn and we will aim to have him right for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.”
Source: http://www.attheraces.com/news/2017/February/19/blow-for-paul-nicholls-with-cliffs-of-dover-out-for-rest-of-the-season

---

Major sporting events such as the Grand National, Wimbledon, Olympics, FA Cup and World Cup will continue to be shown on free TV channels under government plans to safeguard the UK’s sporting heritage. Ministers will be given the ability to “future-proof” free-to-air broadcast for certain “at risk” events through a planned amendment to the Digital Economy Bill. “Sport loses much of its ability to deliver positive outcomes for the public when people do not have the ability to watch or experience it,” noted the bill’s author.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/19/government-moves-future-proof-british-sports-free-to-air-crown/

---

Dual American Classic winner and 1999 Horse of the Year Charismatic has died, aged 21. Trained by D Wayne Lucas, he won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but suffered multiple fractures in his left front leg just a few strides before the wire in the Belmont. The 21-year-old stallion had only returned to the US from Japan where he had been at stud since 2002, in December. The cause of death is unknown.
Source: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/219944/horse-of-the-year-charismatic-dies

---

The Irish Derby will remain at the Curragh during construction work with a much-reduced capacity of 6.000. “The shortage of sprint tracks, and that the Curragh can cater for up to 30 runners over distances up to a mile, meant that relocating the major Curragh races elsewhere would not be feasible,” explained HRI chief Brian Kavanagh.
Source: http://www.independent.ie/sport/horse-racing/derby-stays-at-curragh-during-facelift-35464364.html

---

Flintham, who was short-headed by Bigbadjohn in the Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot on Saturday, will be targeted in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival unless ground is too lively. Sara Bradstock, who trains the eight-year-old with husband Mark, said: “He was really just mugged on the line. The National Hunt Chase would be very much under consideration but the ground would have to be on the soft side of good. We jarred him up running him in the Pertemps Hurdle last year which is why he was off for the rest of the year.”
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/racing/article-4240272/Coneygree-absent-Cheltenham-Festival.html

---

The Irish Department of Agriculture has been called upon to suspend the sale of Harolds Cross Greyhound Stadium in Dublin until a review has been held into the finances of the IGB. Tipperary TD Alan Kelly was highly critical of the board’s accounts procedure and decisions being made on the basis of financial reports dating back to 2014.
Source: http://greyhoundstar.co.uk/igb-suspend-harolds-x-sale-says-td/
https://www.facebook.com/alankellytd/videos/719964601494721/

---

Today’s MCB British Racing selections – Wednesday, February 15, 2017

CARLISLE: 2.00 Front At The Last, 2.30 Strait Of Magellan, 3.00 Take The Cash, 3.35 Thyne For Gold, 4.10 Beg To Differ, 4.45 Midnight Request, 5.15 Flemenskill

LINGFIELD PARK: 1.50 Take To Heart, 2.20 Lac Scare, 2.50 Capilla, 3.25 Hitherjacques Lady (nb), 4.00 Finish The Story, 4.35 Groundunderrepair, 5.05 Big Fella Thanks

WOLVERHAMPTON: 2.10 Sweeping Rock, 2.40 War At Sea, 3.10 Leonard Thomas, 3.45 Judicial, 4.20 Head Space, 4.55 Indian Affair, 5.25 RUTHERFORD (NAP), 5.55 Hochfeld

Today’s Lucky 15 Selections: Rutherford (Wolverhampton 5.25), Hitherjaques Lady (Lingfield Park 3.25), Thyne For Gold (Carlisle 3.35), Lac Sacre (Lingfield Park 2.20)

NAP and Next Best won on Friday.

Bet via Bet4Causes, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood and World Horse Welfare.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsibly http://www.gambleaware.co.uk

Horse racing Lucky 15 – Saturday’s top selections

It is the calm before the storm of Royal Ascot, although with 10 British and Irish meetings on Saturday, there is plenty of racing to keep us busy.

Each day Bet4Causes will provide you with a preview of the day’s racing, offering what the experts feel will be the value bets of the day.

Take a look at our Lucky 15 selections (four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold) for the British and Irish meetings on Saturday, June 11, 2016…

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

ARAB POET (Sandown 1.40) can spark what may turn out to be a decent afternoon for Ryan Moore. Sir Michael Stoute’s three-year-old was a close-up fourth to the progressive Oh This Is Us in a decent 7f Goodwood handicap last month, staying on nicely and stepping up from his return at Beverley. He only goes up 1lb but is clearly still going the right way and may be able to take this 7f 0-95 handicap off a mark of 86.

LADY MACAPA (Sandown 3.20) has speed to burn and sometimes too much of it, as when tiring late in a hot 5f York Listed event last time. William Knight’s representative, officially rated 94, will need to be dropped in and get some cover if she is to settle. However, she is a talented filly who is worth following this summer regardless of what happens here. There may be a nice prize for her and she is a big price, so each-way punters take note.

MINSTRELS GALLERY (Sandown 5.05) is a 129-rated handicap hurdler but was given a mark of just 61 when returned to the Flat to easily defy that mark at Wolverhampton. Lucy Wadham’s seven-year-old easily followed up over the course and distance of 1m5½f with a 7lb rise, but was denied a hat-trick by Stonecutter at the same venue last time off a mark of 75 when tackling an extended 2m trip. The seven-year old returns to the turf today and runs off the same mark, with a drop back to 1m6f looking ideal.

CAIUS MARCIUS (Hexham 2.40) looked in need of the experience on his hurdling debut at Newcastle in March, but he obviously came on for that run when scoring by two lengths from Sakhee’s City at this track over 2m in April. The Nicky Richards-trained five-year-old also appeared to appreciate the better ground and should find further improvement over course and distance.

OTHER SELECTIONS

YORK: 1.50 Nayel, 2.25 Mujassam, 3.00 Mindurownbusiness, 3.35 Udontdodou, 4.10 Auspicion, 4.45 Cajmere, 5.20 Red Tycoon

SANDOWN PARK: 1.40 ARAB POET (NAP), 2.10 Chester Street, 2.45 Kings Pavilion, 3.20 Lady Macapa (nb), 3.55 Pour La Victoire, 4.30 Autocratic, 5.05 Minstrels Gallery

CHESTER: 2.15 Amlak, 2.50 Modernism, 3.25 Morando, 4.00 Discreet Hero, 4.35 Desire, 5.10 Straightothepoint

BATH: 1.45 Man Look, 2.20 Giennah, 2.55 Free To Love, 3.30 Van Huysen, 4.05 Knight Of The Air, 4.40 Showmethewayavrilo, 5.15 Andar

MUSSELBURGH: 2.00 Red Savina, 2.35 Sweet Selection, 3.10 Merhoob, 3.45 Green Door, 4.20 Bell Heather, 4.55 Gabrial The Tiger, 5.25 Surround Sound

HEXHAM: 2.05 Go On Henry, 2.40 Caius Marcius, 3.15 Reverse The Charge, 3.50 Beyondtemptation, 4.25 Mr Witmore, 5.00 Sharivarry, 5.35 Black Ivory

LEICESTER: 6.10 Ventura Blues, 6.40 Brasted, 7.10 Quantum Dot, 7.40 Hawatif, 8.20 Tikthebox, 8.40 Jacob Cats, 9.10 East Street Revue

LINGFIELD PARK: 5.50 Frivolous Prince, 6.20 Lady Lunchalot, 6.50 Paco’s Angel, 7.20 Lightning Charlie, 7.50 Crystallographer, 8.20 Kenstone, 8.50 He’s My Cracker

LIMERICK: 6.00 Gunner Mcgregor, 6.30 Do Na Paisti, 7.00 Sweet Little Lies, 7.30 Master Of Verse, 8.00 Seyouallincoppers, 8.30 He Rock’s, 9.00 Innocent Verdict

NAVAN: 1.55 King Electic, 2.30 Kasbah, 3.05 Sweetest Taboo, 3.40 Star Of Kings, 4.15 Lambeau Field, 4.50 Spirit Of Time, 5.25 General Macarthur

Get your club, however large or small, its own tailor-made betting service – FREE – and start benefiting now! See myclubbetting.com for details.

If you are not affiliated to a club, you can bet via Bet4Causes, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood, World Horse Welfare and StreetGames.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsibly http://www.gambleaware.co.uk

Horse racing Lucky 15 – Saturday’s top picks

Each day Bet4Causes we will provide you with a preview of the day’s racing, offering what the experts feel will be the value bets of the day.

Take a look at our Lucky 15 selections (four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold) for the British and Irish meetings on Saturday, May 28, 2016…

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

GIFTED MASTER (Haydock 3.45) can land the feature race of the afternoon, the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes, for trainer Hugo Palmer and jockey Pat Smullen. Winner of his last five races, the three-year-old has already taken the £100,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint at Newmarket (above) and the Group 3 Pavilion Stakes at Ascot with some ease, despite conceding weight all round. He won on good to soft ground last time and conditions are expected to be the same, although he will handle faster ground. While the 6f trip is sharp enough, he stays 7f and a crack at the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot could be on the cards next.

DESTOTO COUNTY (Cartmel 3.50) makes his chasing debut for Gordon Elliott in an extended 2m1f beginners’ event and should take a good deal of beating. A high-class handicap hurdler, his last win came at Thurles in deep ground in December, before an unlucky third in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown in January. Champion jockey Richard Johnson is booked to ride in a race that should not take a lot of winning.

HAVELOCK (Chester 1.45) finished runner-up on his Bath debut and clearly knew his job until running around a little bit in the closing stages in a race win by Kreb’s Cycle. Mark Johnston’s representative has the added assistance of William Buick aboard this afternoon and he gets weight from Ripon winner Cupacoffee.

THE GRADUATE (Salisbury 7.50), a son of Mastercraftsman, tackles a 1m4f trip for the first time and that is more in line with his breeding than the lesser trips he has been running over previously. His second at Bath was a fine effort over 1m2f on his handicap debut for Andrew Balding and better ground tonight is sure to help him.

OTHER SELECTIONS

HAYDOCK: 2.00 Ghinia, 2.35 Journey, 3.10 So Beloved, 3.45 GIFTED MASTER (NAP), 4.20 Mustallib, 4.55 Justice Grace, 5.30 Showing Off

CHESTER: 1.45 Havelock, 2.15 Secret Hint, 2.50 Gabrial’s Kaka, 3.25 Yorkidding, 4.00 Edward Lewis, 4.35 Gunnery, 5.10 Lord Franklin

BEVERLEY: 1.50 Coronation Day, 2.25 The Last Lion, 3.00 Spin Doctor, 3.35 La Superba, 4.10 King Of The Celts, 4.45 Save The Bees, 5.20 Briyouni

CARTMEL: 2.05 Kilronan Castle, 2.40 Desert Cry, 3.15 The Backup Plan, 3.50 Desoto County (nb), 4.25 Ballycool, 5.00 Sky Khan, 5.35 Theatre Act

CATTERICK: 2.20 Peacey Carnehan, 2.55 Incomparable, 3.30 Energia Flavio, 4.05 Sherman McCoy, 4.40 Beardwood, 5.15 Manatee Bay, 5.45 Hyland Heather

FFOS LAS: 6.05 Hannibal The Great, 6.35 Louis Phillipe, 7.05 Ninepointsixthree, 7.35 West Torr, 8.05 Rose Revived, 8.35 Curious Carlos, 9.05 The Draconian

SALISBURY: 5.50 Leontes, 6.20 One Big Surprise, 6.50 Gunmetal, 7.20 Doesyourdogbite, 7.50 The Graduate, 8.20 City By The Bay

NAVAN: 1.55 Magnification, 2.30 A Likely Story, 3.05 Sweetest Taboo, 3.40 Next Bend, 4.15 Sea Of Blue, 4.50 Sing For Me, 5.25 Ringside Humour, 5.55 Cockatoo Island

Get your club, however large or small, its own tailor-made betting service – FREE – and start benefiting now! See myclubbetting.com for details.

If you are not affiliated to a club, you can bet via Bet4Causes, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood, World Horse Welfare and StreetGames.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsibly http://www.gambleaware.co.uk

Horse racing Lucky 15 – Sunday’s top selections

Each day Bet4Causes will provide you with a preview of the day’s racing, offering what the experts feel will be the value bets of the day.

Take a look at our Lucky 15 selections (four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold) for the British and Irish meetings on Sunday, May 15, 2016…

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

RAINBOW MIST (Ripon 2.00) looked a nice prospect when winning on his Thirsk debut by four lengths, powering down the stands’ rail – which is always the place to be over the minimum trip at the Yorkshire track. He was friendless in the market that day but it did not stop him and, in a race with very little form to go on, may well be able to follow up despite having to give away 4lb to likely favourite Top Score.

PAWN STAR (Stratford 2.50) was made favourite for a 2m4½f novices’ handicap hurdle at Southwell last month, but kept on well from off the pace and looked as though a bit further would suit, so Emma Lavelle steps the lightly-raced six-year-old up to 2m6f today. He looks on a favourable mark of 104. The yard has been hitting the post with a few recently and should soon be in full stride.

FLAMING GORGE (Market Rasen 4.55) has been running well in decent hunter chases and Lawney Hill’s 11-year-old may well take some catching in the 2m5f handicap chase off what looks a fair mark of 117. He was not beaten far by Grandioso at Kempton last time and the winner has scored twice since, so that form stands up.

WASHINGTON DC (Navan 1.45) won the Windsor Castle stakes at Royal Ascot last year and then finished runner-up to Air Force Blue in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old opened this season with a victory in a Listed 7f contest at Dundalk, but was a well-beaten favourite a couple of weeks ago in a Group 3 at Ascot. However, the ground appeared to be too soft for good-actioned colt and with conditions more to his liking now, he can get back to winning ways over a trip 38 yards sort of 6f.

OTHER SELECTIONS

RIPON: 2.00 RAINBOW MIST (NAP), 2.30 Vaux, 3.00 Springforth, 3.35 Avon Breeze, 4.10 Edgar Balthazar, 4.45 Lilly Vega, 5.15 Hit The Lights, 5.45 Amazement

MARKET RASEN: 2.10 For Goodness Sake, 2.40 Lady Clitico, 3.15 Baku Bay, 3.50 Midnight Shot, 4.25 Dineur, 4.55 Flaming Gorge, 5.25 Cougar’s Gold

STRATFORD: 1.50 Miss Williams, 2.20 The Barbury Queen, 2.50 Pawn Star (nb), 3.25 Lakeshore Lady, 4.00 Horsted Valley, 4.35 Sleep Easy, 5.05 Devil To Pay

KILLARNEY: 2.05 Sound Money, 2.35 Missy Tata, 3.05 Oighear Dubh, 3.40 Plinth, 4.15 Sizing Tennessee, 4.50 Sandymount Duke, 5.20 Hard Bought, 5.50 Cesar Et Rosalie

NAVAN: 1.45 Washington Dc, 2.15 Edgar Allan Poe, 2.45 In Salutem, 3.20 Bondi Beach, 3.55 Elm Grove, 4.30 Tasty Ginger, 5.00 Kid Malibu, 5.30 Twilight Payment

Get your club, however large or small, its own tailor-made betting service – FREE – and start benefiting now! See myclubbetting.com for details.

If you are not affiliated to a club, you can bet via Bet4Causes, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood, World Horse Welfare and StreetGames.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsibly http://www.gambleaware.co.uk

Racing Lucky 15 – Sunday’s top selections

Each day Bet4Causes will provide you with a preview of the day’s racing, offering what our experts feel will be the value bets of the day.

After a winning Saturday nap and next-best, take a look at our Lucky 15 selections (four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold) for the British and Irish meetings on Sunday, April 17, 2016…

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

BEST IN THE WORLD (Navan 3.05) will be out to keep up the good record of the favourites in the Listed Salsabil Stakes, part of high-class card at Navan this afternoon. Three of the last four jollies triumphed in the 1m2f race for fillies, including last year’s heroine Bocca Baciata, who went on to win in Group company late in the year. Today’s selection had two runs last season, following-up a debut second at Gowran Park with a win over a mile at the Curragh in October. A sister to the top-class filly Found, she looked like a high-class middle-distance filly in the making and this step up in trip should tell us more about her Classic potential. Currently 20/1 for the Oaks with Bet4Causes, those odds could shorten considerably should she win here.

KNOCKLAYDE SNO CAT (Wetherby 3.10) has yet to win a race and was going well enough when coming to grief in a decent race at Ayr a month ago. She has never looks short of speed and was a close-up second in a mares’ novices’ hurdle at Newcastle prior to her fall. This looks a very ordinary mares’ maiden hurdle and it is over a similar 2m3½f trip. She might be a bit of value in this company.

MR FENTON (Wincanton 5.40) has been a little keen on both his starts at Chepstow and Huntingdon, where he was fourth both times in competitive bumpers. The second of those was over 1m5½f, which proved a little too sharp, but he was significantly nibbled at in the market beforehand. The question is whether he will settle a little better and a decent pace looks guaranteed, which will help. Tomorrow, trainer Emma Lavelle and husband Barry Fenton move into their new training base, Peter Makin’s former yard, at Ogbourne Maizey in Wiltshire. A win for the selection would be a lovely way to end 18 years at Cottage Stables.

RED TORNADO (Wetherby 4.20) receives 10lb from his only serious rival in the 2m novices hurdle and that may well make the difference for Dan Skelton’s runner. The selection was a decent Flat performer and was fourth in the Lingfield Derby Trial last May. He opened his account over hurdles with a deal of authority at Ludlow earlier this month and although he had stamina limitations on the Flat, they were not apparent last time. Any rain would help his main rival Flashjack, so the selection does come with something of an asterisk. Either way, he is certainly one for the notebook when the ground firms up.

OTHER SELECTIONS

WETHERBY: 2.05 Never Up, 2.35 Roxyfet, 3.10 Knocklayde Sno Cat (nb), 3.45 Streets Of Promise, 4.20 Red Tornado, 4.50 Drumlister, 5.20 Seelateralligator

WINCANTON: 1.55 Antiphony, 2.25 Zubayr, 2.55 Sonny The One, 3.30 Bishops Court, 4.05 Bun Doran, 4.40 Railway Storm, 5.10 Movewiththetimes, 5.40 Mr Fenton

NAVAN: 2.20 Charlies Missile, 2.30 Oh Grace, 3.05 BEST IN THE WORLD (NAP), 3.40 Dewdrop, 4.15 Onenightidreamed, 4.45 Crem De La, 5.15 The Gurkha, 5.45 Prussian Eagle

Get your club, however large or small, its own tailor-made betting service – FREE – and start benefiting now! See myclubbetting.com for details.

If you are not affiliated to a club, you can bet via Bet4Causes, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood, World Horse Welfare and StreetGames.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsibly http://www.gambleaware.co.uk

Racing Lucky 15 – Saturday’s top selections

The Lincoln Handicap is staged at Doncaster this afternoon – a 22-runner cavalry charge to whet the appetite for next week’s Grand National meeting at Aintree.

Each day the experts at Bet4Causes provide you with a preview of the day’s racing, offering what our experts feel will be the value bets of the day.  

Here is the preview of today’s big race, complete with all Saturday’s selections and our idea of a Lucky 15 (four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold).

RACE OF THE DAY: LINCOLN HANDICAP

2.45 Doncaster (1m)

FORECAST: Lord Of The Land (9/2), Mutarakez (7/1), Bravo Zolo (8/1), Express Himself (8/1), Udododontu (8/1), Storm Rock (12/1), You’re Fired (14/1), Birdman (16/1), Man Of Harlech (16/1), Ocean Tempest (16/1), Battle Of Marathon (20/1), Farlow (20/1), Secret Brief (20/1), Beach Bar (25/1), Heaven’s Guest (25/1), Lat Hawill (25/1), Rene Mathis (25/1), Stipulate (25/1), Emell (33/1), Fire Ship (33/1), Ingleby Angel (33/1), Sirius Prospect (33/1)

ANALYSIS: With the Lincoln this Saturday and Grand National next, these are arguably the most difficult back-to-back big-race handicaps to predict. It is traditionally the time that the bookies fill their coffers after what they invariably tell you was a ‘disastrous’ Cheltenham.

Eight of the last 10 winners of the Lincoln had 15 or more previous starts and nine of the last 10 had won over 1m or further. Eight of the last 10 winners had also won a race worth 11k or more, but nine of the last 10 winners had won no more than three handicaps.

It is worth noting that eight of the last 10 winners were officially rated 95 to 104 (nine of the last 10 winners shouldered between 8-9 and 9-4).

There has only been one winner aged six or older in the past 10 years.

There are no strong draw trends, tough the last four runnings at Doncaster on ground described as soft were all won by horses drawn in stalls 1 to 3, while the last seven runnings on good to soft ground saw the winner come from stall 9 or higher.

Richard Fahey’s runners are always to be respected. He won this in 2012 and 2015, and also saddled two placed finishers in 2013. Likewise, William Haggas trained the winner in 2007 and 2010. He had the third home in 2012.

David O’Meara trained the third and fourth in 2014 and also the runner-up last year. He has the ante-post favourite for this year’s renewal in Lord Of The Land, who makes his British debut. The ex-French five-year-old won an 11k race at Fontainbleau on good to soft ground last September for Andre Fabre and has not run since. He won over 1m1f as a 3yo and tick plenty of the right statistical boxes. He is drawn in stall six, which is not a bad draw.

Fahey runs a trio, headed by Farlow, who was not beaten far in a Class 2 7f heavy-ground handicap here when last seen in November. He is up 1lb for that but the trip is question mark. Rene Mathis, a soft-ground winner at Goodwood last August, and top weight Heaven’s Guest, winner of a 93k soft-ground handicap at Ascot last July, are his other representatives.

Brian Meehan has had a couple of quiet season by his lofty standard but MUTARAKEZ showed plenty of ability last season, winning the Esher Cu at Sandown and the valuable Silver Bowl at Haydock, both over 1m on good ground. He was a bit disappointing in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot in his bid for a four-timer when quite well backed, and was not seen thereafter. There appears to be plenty of confidence behind him for his seasonal debut, however.

The runner-up in the Britannia was the Richard Guest-trained Udododontu, who has since been snapped up by Godolphin. He has improved since in Dubai over the winter, easily landing a 1m good-ground turf handicap before upped in class at the Carnival and only going down narrowly off an 8lb higher mark. He should not be far away.

Express Himself, Storm Rock and Bravo Zolo are others to consider.

SELECTION: MUTARAKEZ

EACH-WAY: HEAVEN’S GUEST

Fox Appeal: Drop in trip sure to help

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

ASTON CANTLOW (Uttoxeter 2.05) has shown improvement in each of his four hurdle runs for the Philip Hobbs yard, including when a decent two-length third to Canadian Diamond at Sandown in heavy ground over 2m last time. He was understandably keen after almost a year off and the pace of the race did not help him there. He should strip fitter for this and the former point-to-point winner goes up to 2m4f today, which looks certain to suit.

ROAD TO RICHES (Navan 4.40) looks to have a favourite’s chance of landing the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase, despite running over a 2m4f trip that might be a little on the sharp side. The soft ground is not such a concern as he won on heavy at Clonmel in November. According to trainer Noel Meade, he has come out of the Ryanair Chase, in which he was six lengths behind Vautour, in good shape and the former Lexus Chase winner should take a good deal of beating.

BELARDO (Doncaster 3.55) won the Dewhurst in 2014 but was a little unlucky not to score last season. In his last two starts, he was touched off in a 7f Group 2 at Newmarket and over 1m at Ascot in similar god to soft ground. The Listed Doncaster Mile, which represents a significant drop in class, looks an ideal season opener for Roger Varian’s runner.

FOX APPEAL (Newbury 3.05) hardly knew he’d had a race when he got left behind in a farcical start to the Grade 3 Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and that form can be written off. However, connections feel he does not truly get 3m and so this tough-as-teak handicapper takes a drop to 2m4f and runs off top weight, despite the handicapper dropping the nine-yea-old 4lb to a mark of 143. He is now nicely handicapped on some of his old form and a bold bid is anticipated.

OTHER SELECTIONS

DONCASTER: 2.15 Keystroke, 2.40 Mutarakez, 3.20 Shared Equity, 3.55 Belardo, 4.30 Crucial Moment, 5.05 Mahfooz, 5.40 Shaw Ting, 6.10 Aneedh

NEWBURY: 2.00 Ozzie The Oscar, 2.35 Tour Des Champs, 3.05 Fox Appeal, 3.40 Rene’s Girl, 4.15 Jaboltiski, 4.50 Sportsreport, 5.25 Cash Again

KELSO: 1.45 Superior Command, 2.20 Top Wood, 2.50 Trust Thomas, 3.25 Dormello Mo, 4.00 Quill Art, 4.35 Sean Ban, 5.10 Pena Dorada

KEMPTON: 1.55 Dusker, 2.30 Brigliadoro, 3.00 Yeeoow, 3.35 Marenko, 4.10 Kyllachy Queen, 4.45 Ennaadd, 5.20 Castilo Del Diablo

UTTOXETER: 2.05 ASTON CANTLOW (NAP), 2.40 Kayf Charmer, 3.10 Ballywilliam, 3.45 Oscar Sunset, 4.20 Good Vibration, 4.55 Ratify, 5.30 Calling Des Blins

NAVAN: 2.25 Msmilan, 2.55 Craiganboy, 3.30 Spacious Sky, 4.05 Heathfield, 4.40 Road To Riches (nb), 5.15 Tipped Up Harry, 5.45 Dixie Lee

Get your club, however large or small, its own tailor-made betting service – FREE – and start benefiting now! See myclubbetting.com for details.

If you are not affiliated to a club, you can bet via Bet4Causes, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood, World Horse Welfare and StreetGames.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsibly http://www.gambleaware.co.uk

Racing Lucky 15 – Sunday’s top selections

Your club’s new betting service comes complete with an extensive suite of horseracing markets and every day we will be providing you with a preview of the day’s racing and offer what our experts feel will be the value bets of the day. Here is Sunday’s Lucky 15…

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

ROLLING DYLAN (Exeter 2.10), runner-up in a 3m point-to-point last March, made a winning debut under Rules when taking a nine-runner Wincanton bumper in December. Making his novice hurdle debut at Taunton last month, the Philip Hobbs-trained five-year-old was sent off at odds-on and was beaten a nose by Fionn Mac Cul, with the pair 23 lengths clear of the third home. The strength of that race is open to question, but he looks a likely improver and can get off the mark in this sphere.

MIDNIGHT PRAYER (Exeter 3.40), winner of the Terry Biddlecombe Chase at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival, shoulders top weight in a valuable 3m Veterans Handicap Chase this afternoon. The Alan King-trained 11-year-old retains plenty of ability, as he showed when finishing a close-up runner-up in a Grade 3 handicap at Warwick last month, despite not getting a clear run when it mattered. That was over 3m5f in heavy ground and while today’s trip may be on the sharp side, this is offset by a drop in the quality of opposition.

ENGLISHWOMAN (Southwell 2.20) got off the mark at the sixth attempt, landing a low-grade 5f handicap on this track on Tuesday. David Evans is in the habit of attempting to strike whilst the iron is hot and the three-year-old Acclamation filly returns over 6f under a penalty. She was not beaten far over C&D on her penultimate start and should be able to follow up.

PHANTOM FLIPPER (Southwell 4.20) has been a little unlucky and the hope is that luck will turn at the 13th attempt in the 7f maiden. Runner-up on his last three starts, including when short-headed by White Bullet here over 6f last time, he has been in the frame on his last two attempts over today’s trip and runs off a fair mark of 70. One of these will fall his way before too long, perhaps today.

SELECTIONS FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

EXETER: 2.10 ROLLING DYLAN (NAP), 2.40 Buveur D’air, 3.10 Salmanazar, 3.40 Midnight Prayer (nb), 4.10 Fingal Bar, 4.40 Southfield Vic, 5.10 Frankly Speaking

SOUTHWELL: 1.50 A Little Bit Dusty, 2.20 Englishwoman, 2.50 Imjin River, 3.20 Apache Storm, 3.50 Patriotic, 4.20 Phanton Flipper, 4.50 Northside Prince

NAVAN: 2.00 Stuccodor, 2.30 Tell Us More, 3.00 Lieutenant Colonel, 3.30 Quantitativeeasing, 4.00 Black Hercules, 4.30 Isleofhopendreams, 5.00 Blow By Blow

Get your club, however large or small, its own tailor-made betting service – FREE – and start benefiting now! See myclubbetting.com for details.

If you are not affiliated to a club, you can bet via Bet4Causes.com, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood, World Horse Welfare and StreetGames.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsiblyhttp://www.gambleaware.co.uk