BETS​​​​​​ and RESULTS​​​​

18/4/26

No strong bets today, but a couple of horses have caught my eye.

KING OF EARTH (3:45 Newbury) looks set to run well, and his connections clearly think a lot of this three-year-old colt. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by stable jockey Tom Marquand, he finished second in both starts last year and should put in another solid performance. At 7/2, he looks worth a small interest.

In the final race at Newbury, the favourite Valedictory is respected, but I’ve been keeping an eye on ARCTURUS FLAME, trained by Richard Hughes. He’s a big, imposing gelding who may still be improving and arguably performed better than his third-place finish suggests last time out. This is a tougher race, but at around 16/1 (and even bigger on the exchanges), he could be worth a very small each-way play.

SEET, from the Gosden yard, was disappointing yesterday, but I wouldn’t write her off just yet—there should be another opportunity for her to show her ability.

Patience is crucial at this stage of the season. As we approach the Guineas meeting, the form begins to take shape and trainers get a clearer idea of where their horses stand. I don’t bet for the sake of it—this is about staying disciplined and waiting for the right opportunities to make a profit.

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17/4/26:

SEET  2:32 at Newbury 4/1. This three-year-old colt, trained by John & Thady Gosden will be ridden by William Buick, is a well-bred son of Too Darn Hot with plenty of potential.

Although making his racecourse debut, he has reportedly been working well at home, and the yard is hopeful he can deliver a strong performance first time out. 

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All three of our interest bets performed well yesterday, including one winner and two further placed efforts at fair odds. Please note, these were not official selections, but stronger, more confident bets will be released shortly.

Today marks Day 3 of the Craven Meeting, featuring the Craven Stakes at 3:35.

The Appleby-trained Hidden Force is highly regarded and could be a special horse in the making. There has also been market support for the Gosden runner Oxagon, who was available at around 10/1 but is now attracting significant backing and stable connections really like this Frankel colt a lot. I am happy to just watch the Craven today,

Looking ahead, I expect to have a strong bet for Newbury on Friday, with another potential selection likely on Saturday.

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Day two of the Craven Meeting at Newmarket and I’ve got three horses of interest. I’ll be backing all three today, although none are professional bets

So Regal – 4:45 Newmarket (15/8) WON 6/5 advised 15/8
From the powerful John & Thady Gosden yard, with Ryan Moore booked, this Kingman filly looks a big improver. She shaped nicely on her only start at Chelmsford when finishing third after staying on late,  plenty of progress from that run is expected. 

Poseidon’s Warrior – 2:25 Newmarket (5/2) 2nd
Charlie Appleby’s colt could be anything this season. A dominant winner at Goodwood on his second start, he showed serious potential and has already been entered for both the Dante and the Derby — a clear sign of how highly he’s rated. Reports suggest he’s fit and ready, and a bold showing looks very likely.

Act of Kindness – 3:35 Newmarket (7/2) 3rd
Lightly raced and clearly well regarded, this filly goes straight into Group company after just two runs last season. Both came at Newmarket, so course experience is a plus, and the fact she’s pitched in at this level tells you everything about stable confidence.

These races may be stepping stones towards bigger targets later in the season, but all three are expected to run big races today and are well worth keeping on side.

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Saturday 11th April:

It looks like a solid card at Yarmouth today. Unfortunately, my main professional selection, Ottoman Express, is a non-runner, so it’s a case of relying on stable insights.

DEL MARO   stands out in the 2:37 race. WON  With a Derby entry, this is a race he should really be winning, although the current odds of 4/7 don’t offer much appeal from a betting perspective.

I’ve had positive reports from the Simon and Ed Crisford yard on two runners who are expected to perform well, without being bets for me. These are HARRIET QUIMBY in the 3:12 (9/2)  WON 4/1 advised 9/2 and ENEMY AGENT in the 4:25 (100/30). Both will be ridden by Harry Davis.

I’ll likely play a small win double on the pair, but otherwise I’m keeping things light today and looking ahead to Newmarket next week for stronger betting opportunities.

Wednesday 8th April:

Nothing too strong today, but once Aintree is done, the focus will fully shift to the flat season.

There is one horse I’ll be having a small interest in: Olympic Charter in the 1:47 at Nottingham WON 13/8 advised 9/4

He’s trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Connor Planas.

An unraced three-year-old by Kingman, he’s nicely bred and steps up to a mile and two furlongs on debut. Conditions should suit, and the rider’s valuable 3lb claim is another positive.

He’s been priced around 2/1, with some 9/4 available—enough to make him worth a small interest bet today.

 

Friday 3rd April:

All-Weather Championships Preview & Weekend Watch

The All-Weather Championships head to Newcastle today, with a card full of competitive racing. There’s one selection that stands out as a betting opportunity:

Dramatic Star – 3:12 Newcastle (Marathon Final)
At around 100/30, Dramatic Star looks a strong contender in the Marathon Final. Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Cieran Fallon, this son of Sea The Stars hasn’t found the winner’s enclosure since October 2024, but his recent form suggests he’s returning to his best.

The key factor today could be the step up in trip, which looks likely to suit him well. If he settles and sees out the distance as expected, he has every chance of going very close. He likes this track and could well make the running.

 

Saturday Early Note – Musselburgh

Looking ahead to Saturday, one to keep an eye on is:

Tricky Jenny – 4:12 Musselburgh
This two-year-old, trained by James Owen and also partnered by Cieran Fallon, has reportedly shown promise on the gallops and is currently priced around 4/1.

With all 11 runners in this race unraced, it’s not a contest that screams strong betting confidence. However, Tricky Jenny is worth noting from an observational perspective. Market movements could be particularly telling, and any late support would be significant given the positive noises from the yard.

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A busy start to the Flat season, with plenty of news to note—though not many standout betting opportunities.

If there is further news I will update in the morning.

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Montassib – 1:50 Doncaster (4/1)
THIS ONE WILL BE MY BET FOR SATURDAY

 trained by William Haggas and ridden by Cieren Fallon, Montassib won this race in 2024 and is likely to use it once again as a stepping stone to bigger targets later in the season. I had hoped for a slightly smaller field, as he can occasionally fluff the start, but he has been working well on the gallops and should give a solid account of himself.

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One to Watch – Super Crown – 4:05 Doncaster
Another from the Haggas yard, Super Crown (ridden by Fallon) is an expensive Tattersalls Book 1 purchase making his racecourse debut. He is highly regarded by the stable and holds some lofty entries, including the Irish Derby. Regardless of the result, he is expected to improve for the run and is one to keep firmly on the radar.

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Lincoln Handicap – 3:32 Doncaster
Stable representatives here include Eternal Force (4/1) for Haggas and Shout (11/1) trained by Simon Crisford. This is never an easy race to solve, but both horses are reported to be working well and are well-liked by their connections. It may be a race best watched rather than wagered on.

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Also Noted – King’s Trail – 4:28 Kempton WON
Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by Billy Loughnane, King’s Trail has entries in both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby. While he is not a betting proposition at short odds this weekend, he is an intriguing runner to watch—particularly if connections believe he is up to Classic standard.​

 

 

The only stable news is is for a Michael Bell horse BLUES AND ROYALS  7pm WON 3/1 (advised much bigger price)

  Kempton, It looks a tough race to work out and I'm having a small interest only and waiting for the weekend for stronger bets​

 

MADAM SPEAKER  3:35 at Newbury - 7/1 E/W 2nd 

 

for Nicky Henderson and Sean Bowen, and after finishing a solid second at Wincanton last month without being given a hard time, she lines up here with no penalty and a handy racing weight of 10-3 thanks to the fillies’ allowance, so although it’s not a strong bet, the 7/1 appeals as a small each-way play on a quiet day ahead of the flat season kicking off next week.

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FIRST PRINCIPLE – 7:00 (11/4) Wolverhampton - WON 11/4 

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Trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand, First Principle is strongly fancied by connections to deliver a big performance this evening. A likely front-runner, he could prove difficult to peg back if able to dictate the pace.

Once considered a strong fancy for the Lincoln, connections now appear set to favour the all-weather route. A convincing win here could see him aimed at Finals Day at Newcastle, rather than lining up at Doncaster this Saturday.

 

INDEPENDANT LADY 3pm Hereford - WON 100/30

 

One solid selection for today is Independent Lady in the 3:00 at Hereford. Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, she hasn’t shown a great deal so far, but now finds herself on a very low handicap mark. This race lacks depth, and she could get an easy lead from the front. In these conditions, this looks like a good opportunity for her to break through and get a win.

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CALIFET EN VOL

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 is one to keep an eye on in the 3:18 at Kempton. The runner goes in a 2m4f handicap chase and arrives after a course win in February. From the yard of Nicky Henderson and set to be ridden by Nico de Boinville, the horse has opened at 9/4 but could well be backed into a shorter price.

 

 

Festival week is always competitive, but these runners have been working well at home and come here with confidence behind them. With the backing of their yards and conditions expected to suit, they look capable of running big races.

2 bets for Cheltenham  👀

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Cheltenham – Day 4  Friday🏇

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Panic Attack – 2:40pm (11/4)

Trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton. The overnight rain should suit, as Panic Attack is expected to enjoy the ease in the ground 🌧️. The trainer thinks highly of her and she looks capable of putting in a big run.

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Jango Baie – 4:00pm (Main Bet) ⭐
Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville. Jango Baie has a strong record at this track, having won the Arkle here last year. He looks to have a solid chance again today and is around 5/1 on another competitive day of racing.

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🏇 Two Bets for Thursday at Cheltenham Festival

It’s another big day of racing at Cheltenham on Thursday, and here are two horses worth keeping an eye on.

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KABRAL DU MATHAN – 3:20 Cheltenham
Trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton, Kabral Du Mathan impressed when winning at Cheltenham back in January. He now steps up in distance to 3 miles on Thursday, which looks likely to suit given the way he finished last time. With proven course form and a yard that knows how to target the Festival, he looks to have a strong chance at around 7/2.

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JONBON – 4:00 Cheltenham
Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, Jonbon is a consistent top-class chaser. He showed his quality when landing the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last year’s Festival and arrives here with another big opportunity. If he runs to his usual high standard, the 7/1 available could look very generous.

Two strong contenders for Thursday’s card. 

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Wednesday 

ACT OF INNOCENCE – 1:20

Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville. Owned by the same owner as yesterday’s Cheltenham winner Old Park Star, and there may not be much between them.

Since leaving Paul Nicholls he’s had 3 runs for Henderson, with the latest a solid win at Huntingdon where he showed both ability and stamina.

This looks a deeper race than the one stablemate Old Park Star won yesterday at the festival, but I’m sticking with just the one bet.

10/1 looks a fair price.

Follow on instagram or twitter for updates

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