Woodford County and Highland Lodge, on the back of a 20/1 second in the Hennessy and the strongly mentioned winner have ensured that my ‘tipping’ National Hunt season is up and running. The systems continue to tick along but it was about time I added to the party. As one notable commentator on these here pages has quite rightly reminded me from time to time (and time to time again) when I ‘tip’ I am supposed to be bringing a level of insight to the fore and adding a level of knowledge that should in theory lead to profits over time, and that may add something different/interesting to your own thinking/views on a race. So, it is nice to contribute!
Anyone who has followed this blog since I first ‘tipped’ Many Clouds in last season’s Hennessy, or Oscar Time (33/1) in last season’s Becher chase, or Wayward Prince (33/1) in the Scottish National will know to savour winners like Highland Lodge. There were a few decent enough winners during the flat season but a few short of what I would have hoped for. I have a habit of picking big priced winners in big races every now and then, and they help pay for a lot of losers (and help come out in front)- of which there can be many in big races where I invariably look at those priced north of 16/1.
So, the message is to enjoy that win if you were on and to look forward to the next one! In the meantime my normal ‘tips’, as opposed to big race previews, can hopefully kick on after Woodford County. They should provide a more steady stream of winners and profits over time.
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As you know I always like to reflect on my tips. Highland Lodge ran as I hoped (and a bit of me expected) he would and after they jumped the first three I was getting excited. He was in a great rhythm, was travelling well and enjoying himself. Stamina wasnt going to be an issue and it was rather enjoyable from there on in! (minus that little wobble up the home straight – may have just been battered by a gust of wind) He is one to follow if they can keep him sweet as he clearly has ability. Hennessy form (even from 2013) should always be noted because for me it must be the strongest 3m+ handicap chase run all season.
Portrait King looked sure to place – well I am as certain as you can be that he would have placed given his assured stamina) had he not took an unlucky tumble, jumping into the back of one as he landed. He is getting on a bit now but maybe his time will come over these fences in the next few months.
Mwaleshi never really looked comfortable and Bennys Mist was setting a pace he couldnt really handle to my eye. He fell so we will never know but I don’t think anything was beating that winner, who bounced back to form. Those fences, and his liking for them, must have perked him up. A notable performance from Liam Treadwell who also rode the second in the Becher and is of course a Grand National winner – he clearly rides those fences well and his booking on horses in future races over those fences should be noted as a positive.
Rigadin DB ran well at Chepstow for a long way and turning in I thought he may have them at it. But, he emptied quite quickly and just plugged on. I read the main danger correctly and NTD produced another stunning training performance to win with TDC after 600+ days off. The proximity of Firebird Flyer makes me wary about the form, but he could still be progressive and clearly stays very well. One to watch for the remainder of the season. He was a graded level animal, and could be again.
Count Guido Deiro looked good for the first circuit and I was rather excited. He was travelling well and jumping well. I am not sure what then went wrong but he was ridden for a time before dropping away. I can only assume all was not right. There will be other days for him and I dont mind when a tip is PU when it is that early – too early to say it was a shocking selection!
Nick Williams had one of the easiest winners you will see all season at 4/1 with Agrapart- some animal to go what looked a ferocious pace for the whole race and win with his head in his chest. It will be interesting to see how far he will go. That micro system has started the month very well and hopefully a good sign for the next few weeks.
All in all, a very good day and it is nice that the bank is looking healthy again after a few turbulent weeks, and arguably a mediocre few months on the tipping front. I need to update results but I think the shortlist/tips/big race previews are somewhere between +35 and +40 points now since the start of October. Something to build on.
I hope you had an enjoyable day. I always have confidence that I will find these winners over time in 3m+ handicap chases especially, but I was due one, and was probably more relieved than anything when he crossed the line. It was also nice being the only punter in the stand cheering the winner! 🙂
TIP
2.50 Muss
The Bishop – 1 point win – 9/1 (SJ), 8/1 (bet365) , 7/1 (general) UP 8/1
8/1 felt too big for a horse who is the only one in the race who is really doing something different, against quite a few disappointing types and quite a few who have questions to answer over suitability for race conditions (soft ground looks a problem for a few in here)
The horse..he is a point winner and is unexposed. The step up in trip caught my eye and based on that point win and visually LTO (outpaced over 2m4f) there is every chance he could relish 24f here. He also gets cheekpieces for the first time, and after Highland Lodge’s victory they must be my favourite new piece of equipment!
The trainer does well here with his handicap chasers (4/20, 6 places as at time I wrote guide) and importantly he is in form. From his last 7 runners he has had 2 winners and a thirds.
All in all, if he improves for the step up (and it is an educated guess as to whether he stays) he will make 8/1 look a silly price. Those odds allow that chance to be taken.
The two ahead of him are the main dangers. Itstimeforapint is unexposed enough but has been well fancied on his last two runs without doing too much. Now, if the selection doesnt stay/complete, a repeat of his last start may be enough, but I think he needs to step up a tad and can see no obvious reason why he would do that, making 7/2 look ok, but nothing more than that. Benefit in Kind is also a bit similar and is consistent in placing 1/9, 4 places over fences. Ground is a big unknown with his win on good and this is his 3rd start for the trainer. But again, he needs to step up but is a CD winner. He doesn’t jump out at me at the prices.
The rest have plenty to prove. Shadie Sadie is interesting at a price but doesnt like winning that often 1/13, 4 places chasing. He is another where ground is also a big question mark. The rest I have crossed out for one reason or another, ground, class, distance – they have all proven they cannot handle one or more of those conditions so far in their careers.
So, we are banking on an improved show from the step up in trip. He is unexposed, from a yard in form that does well at the track and gets headgear. The opposition all have questions to answer. For me 8s was generous.
Good Luck.
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THE SHORTLIST
4.10 Chelm – Kalon Brama – 11/1 (bet365/Lad/BFsports) UP 16/1
While he will go down as a win only bet in the records (as all Shortlisted horses do, 1 point win) I have backed him EW, as he looks a solid place contender here, with at the same time having a winning chance. Anyone with a stats guide will see why I like him from a trainer perspective, and I won’t repeat that here – just buy the guide 🙂
He dotted up in a C6 race over CD and you could make valid excuses for his next few starts. He then ran in this class but was held up and had to make a challenge wide. That wouldnt have helped and he wasnt beaten far. He then races in C4 where again he ran with credit, over 10f where he probably didnt stay and finally his last run, in a C3 – probably just not at that level. He is still unexposed and if he can get out and track the pace, there is every reason to think he can out run odds of 11/1 – that seems massive to me – which makes me think something may be up – but I will take the chance. I would be disappointed if we didnt get a run for our money here.
The fav could be hard to beat but they remove the hood which is odd, and add a tongue tie, which is odd – given he has won two on the bounce. Maybe he is a tricky customer, and maybe these changes may improve him further – but, they could have a negative affect and evens is short enough – albeit he clearly looks likely to go very close. (a ‘saver/interest’ ‘forecast bet?- although that would be adventurous for me!)
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That is all for today. Good Luck. Signing of 10.10.
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MICRO SYSTEMS
December Trainers
12.30 Ling – Hearmenow (7/1<) WON 7/2
Jumps Handicappers
2.20 Muss – Silver Shuffle (12/1<) UP 7/1
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15 Responses
Could I kindly point out a blind spot?
You have written ‘weary’ a couple of times when meaning ‘wary’.
Perhaps it’s because you’re tired 🙂
Ah yes. My English could be better at times! Noted. Cheers!
Dont yu worrie about the speling Josh just stik to wat you are good at!
hats off to you josh your site is a wealth of info with your trends stats and micro systems and your monthly trainers to look out for and sound big price tips as well not many people would do it for free for what its worth I had a look at the 2.50 muss made it out of benfit in kind and shady Sadie went with Sadie as not run on this ground before so might be okay on it benfit probably don’t like the ground and Sadie was 7/1 as opposed to 7/2 benfit
good luck Antony, can see why you would look at Sadie at the prices – he hasnt proved he cant handle ground as he hasnt raced on it. He just doesnt get head in front too often and that run last time out, in what could be classed as ideal conditions, was a tad underwhelming. But, it has an open enough feel with 4 or so in with a chance – and he was on my shortlist of 4.
Well done ..excellent tipping …did say a few days ago you where due a big priced winner …
Yes thanks Harold,I did see that,much appreciated. You were right,and it did feel like it was on its way! Nice to get one on the board,but will be working hard to find the next one!
Hi Josh,
Congrats for the good work. really enjoying your site and The NH Trainers list I purchased from you. Do you include 2 yo nurseries as hcps? And on the NH do you include novices in the hcps?
Hi Roy, many thanks and good questions…
In the All-Weather guide there is a separate section for 2yo only handicaps. And then, when there are general handicaps (like the top 5 trainers,and when broken down by distance) YES, these will include all handicap runners, and as such 2yo only. Numbers/sample sizes are arguably small enough to not break further –
Likewise, with the jumps guides, YES again, all handicaps will include stats for Novice Handicaps. I personally don’t like betting at all in Novice Handicaps if I can help it, but that is just me. And that is an area of research I have on my list to dive into – trainers who do well in novice handicap races.
Hope that helps
Thanks, Josh I think you are right about novice hcps and will just use hcps with the older horses. I am lucky here living in Thailand and I am retired so have 7 hours in advance to go through the races. I don’t bet under 3/1 I enjoy betting in hcps. Can’t seem to get V Williams right at the moment.
No problem. We/blog followed Venetia during november with certain rules and she made us +45 points with her handicap chasers – that is the only month she is predictable. But, they do continue to run in fine form – hard to follow systematically now, but still worth a very close second glance. dont think i have backed any of her chase winners this month, and she has had a few!
I did tell a couple off weeks ago keep doing the right things and it will come good this game is all about ups and downs I for one am glad for you as I could see that you were doubting yourself well done mate
Cheers Joseph, yep, you have to keep going and doing what you know to work! Yes I was at times, more so final decision making etc – but always had cushion that systems were pulling in profits which reduced pressure when seeing ‘tipping’ bank go up and then down. In general the big race preview horses were running ok, with plenty of placed efforts at decent prices.
And I hate being wrong, I have mindset that every horse I tip should win, and will be critical in working out what put me off a winner if it went in at a decent price etc.
Thanks for support, hopefully can add a few more points to the satchel!
Don’t usually touch trainers winless for last fortnight but Royal McNab was just to big a price to pass up each way,already a 3 times chase winner one at course added to trainers course record,especially if he led as he did,great start to week
Yes don’t rub it in Gerry haha – I would rather not think about him bolting up at 12s, missed him. Didnt look at race at all really, focussed on 2.50 – but that was a silly price, and valid excuses for recent poor form as he had been held up – likes to front run and only one really proven in soft, + trainer stats. Bugger. Glad you had him.