Latest news with #handicap
Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Last year's runner-up Ndaawi out to go one better in Galway Hurdle
Clint Eastwood might argue that 'deserves got nothin' to do with it' but it would still be hard to begrudge Ndaawi success in Thursday's Guinness Galway Hurdle. Last year's runner-up is back for another crack at the big €270,000 handicap and leads Gordon Elliott's hopes of a first win in the Ladies' Day highlight. Elliott has been runner-up four times and was third back-to-back with Dirar in 2010 and 2011. He runs four in a typically competitive renewal this time, one less than his great rival Willie Mullins , who in contrast has a record six wins in the race. Joseph O'Brien has two chances as he bids to follow up Nurburgring's success a year ago and trend followers will be all over his Cheltenham Festival winner Puturhandstogether. READ MORE Having gone over two decades without a four-year-old being successful in the Galway Hurdle, Zarak The Brave and Nurburgring emerged on top for the young generation in the last two years. Puturhandstogether is the only four-year-old in the line-up this time. It is 15 years since a cross-channel success, but Fergal O'Brien tries his luck with Dysart Enos, a first Galway runner for the Tipperary-born trainer. Former British champion jockey Harry Cobden rides one of the Mullins team, Tounsivator. Perhaps the greatest popular sentiment will surround the admirable veteran Lord Erskine, still competitive at a very decent level for Harry Rogers on what will be his 71st career start. There's even a former Group One flat winner in the line-up as Helvic Dream has a 41st career start. In contrast, Ndaawi is more than half Lord Erskine's age but will have his own support hoping he enjoys a change of fortune. Having had to settle for second in this a year ago, he was also runner-up in last season's County Hurdle at Cheltenham, running into a Grade One mare in Kargese who had to concede him only 1lb. Ndaawi had an Ebor and County winner in Absurde behind him on that occasion. Ethical Diamond, subsequently a Royal Ascot winner, was fourth. Giving best to an apparent handicap 'blot' must have been tough for connections. No such blot is obvious in this Galway Hurdle. Ndaawi is 11lbs higher in the ratings compared to 2024 but looks to have been prepared specifically for this and is proven in the race's hurly-burly. He can make it third time lucky in a big jumps handicap. Gavin Cromwell runs Addragoole in the big race but will probably fancy his chances more in the Listed Corrib Stakes on the flat. Fiery Lucy has won just once in her career but has multiple placings in Group races and was only half-a-length shy of Red Letter at Killarney on her last start. She's the one runner in the field with a triple-digit rating and will be fancied to confirm that. The triple-chase winner Pied Piper must concede weight in the opening Grade Three and it could prove too much against Westport Cove. The Mullins team also has Cameletta Vega in a later novice hurdle. She won at last year's festival and impressed over flights at Cork in May.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Horse racing tips: Monday, July 28
Monday's UK and Irish racing Monday's UK and Irish racing (Flat unless stated) Flat Ayr (2.00-5.15, Racing TV) Yarmouth (2.15-4.55, Sky Sports Racing) Windsor (5.30-8.40, Sky Sports Racing) Southwell (5.50-9.00, Sky Sports Racing) Mixed Galway (5.10-8.20, Racing TV) Ron Wood's selections NAP Crown Of Oaks (4.05, Ayr) 1pt win @ 10/11 with William Hill ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Other Kelpie Grey (3.00, Ayr) 1pt win @ 11/4 with William Hill ⭐⭐⭐ Odds provided by William Hill and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (maximum five). If you already have a William Hill account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use on this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts 3.00 Ayr – Class 4 Handicap (7f; Racing TV) KELPIE GREY was as good as ever when second in a Class 3 handicap over a mile at Ayr on his reappearance, a fine effort after 302 days off. This drop in trip is no bad thing – he's a two-time course-and-distance winner – and he also drops in class. With the Jim Goldie stable in flying form, he has strong claims. 4.05 Ayr – Class 4 Handicap (1m 2f; Racing TV) The William Haggas-trained CROWN OF OAKS disappointed when 1/3 favourite for a Redcar maiden last time out, but he has since been gelded and now steps up in trip, and he was so promising on his first two starts that he still makes plenty of appeal on his handicap debut. It's fair to say the form of his reappearance at Newbury, where he finished third in a maiden, hasn't worked out. However, he went through that race like a good horse, shaping better than the bare result suggests, and he was entered in the 2,000 Guineas and the Dante at the time. Haggas had won the same Newbury maiden the previous year with the subsequent Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics, and in 2022 he won it with My Prospero, who went on to win a Group 2. Crown Of Oaks, a 260,000gns yearling, has an opening mark of 79, and he's a brother to English Oak whose peak official rating is 108. When is the next big racing festival? The week-long Galway Festival kicks off in Ireland today, and tomorrow it's Glorious Goodwood. Check out the latest Glorious Goodwood free bets and betting offers. The latter is a five-day fixture and is set to feature Field Of Gold, possibly the best horse in the world, in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday, one of three Group 1 races at the meeting. What does NAP mean? NAP is a word used in betting circles to describe a prediction that a tipster thinks has a particularly strong chance of winning. Many horse racing tipsters pick out a 'NAP of the day', which is their favoured selection from all the races across the different meetings. The term derives from the French card game Napoleon. When players of this game thought they had a particularly strong hand that they would win with, they would shout 'Napoleon'. Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence
Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Horse racing tips: Friday July 18
Ron Wood's selections NAP: Sourdough (5.20, Newbury) 1pt win @ 9/4 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Other: Star Of Light (4.45, Newbury) 1pt win @ 7/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐ Odds provided by Betfred and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5). If you already have a Betfred account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. 4.45, Newbury – Fillies' Handicap (Class 3, 1m 5f) STAR OF LIGHT is not straightforward – let's make that clear for starters. However, this John and Thady Gosden-trained filly is probably better than her rating of 82 now that she moves into a handicap for the first time. She was entered in the Group 1 Oaks. Although she has not built on her Wolverhampton debut win last December, not helping herself at times, she found 1m 2f too short in a Goodwood Listed race most recently. Star Of Light is now up in trip, down in class and gets to race against her own sex. She is by Frankel and her dam Star Catcher was a two-time 1m 4f Group 1 winner for the same connections in 2019, notably the Irish Oaks. Check out Betfred promo code July 2025 5.20 Newbury – Class 4 Handicap (1m 4f) There is little doubt that our nap SOURDOUGH is better than his mark of 76. He did not do himself any favours by hanging left when third at Nottingham on his handicap debut, which was his reappearance, when he was a well-backed 11/4 favourite. But he has had 100 days since that April outing for any problems to have been ironed out, and that contest has strong form. The winner, Great David, has gone up 27lb (and runs in a Listed race at Hamilton this evening), while the fourth horse has been raised by 12lb. This Wootton Bassett colt, representing Hughie Morrison, now goes up in trip. He is a half-brother to the same stable's Stay Well, a triple winner over 1m 2f to 1m 4f with a peak official rating of 97. Their dam Sweeping Up reached a mark of 105 for the Berkshire trainer. Selection: Sourdough 1pt win @ 9/4 with Betfred Today's UK and Irish racing (Flat unless stated) Killarney (NH) 1.25-5.25 Haydock 2.05-5.35 Nottingham 2.15-5.05 Newbury 2.25-5.20 Down Royal 5.10-8.30 Newmarket 5.15-8.40 Hamilton 5.30-8.50 Pontefract 6.10-9.00 What does NAP mean? NAP is a word used in betting circles to describe a prediction that a tipster thinks has a particularly strong chance of winning. Many horse racing tipsters pick out a 'NAP of the day', which is their favoured selection from all the races across the different meetings. The term NAP derives from the French card game Napoleon. When players of this game thought they had a particularly strong hand that they would win with, they would shout 'Napoleon'. What is an each-way bet? An each-way bet is a popular type of wager, particularly with horse racing fans. It is essentially two bets, both of which have the same size stake. An each-way bet features one bet on the selection to win and the other bet on the selection to place. So a £10 each-way bet will cost you a total of £20. There will be one £10 bet on the selection to win and another £10 on the selection to place. It's a popular bet because it offers punters the chance of a return, even if the horse in question fails to win. Bookmakers will pay out at a stated percentage of the odds for a place finish, for example one-fifth of the starting price (SP) for finishing in the first three. The more runners there are in a horse race, the more places will be on offer. In races that feature lots of runners, the horses will be available at bigger odds, making an each-way bet a wise choice. Ron Wood 2025 horse racing profit/loss Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence If you want to find more odds and offers, take a look at our list of the best betting sites and free bets Check out our list of the best casino bonuses in the UK
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Flemington is your Oyster: Ciaron Maher-trained colt to find fast Lane at Flemington on Saturday
Oyster Lane has potential to go one better after doing 'everything right' for a first-starter but win. The promising two-year-old colt, trained by Ciaron Maher, hunted up along the rail at Caulfield on debut to find the front only to be mowed down late by the 'impressive' Sonofkirk. Jockey John Allen said favourite Oyster Lane would be better for race day experience on Saturday at Flemington in the 1000m Two-Year-Old Handicap. 'The winner was impressive that day (last start) but he did everything right for a first starter,' Allen said. 'Obviously up the straight will be a different experience again but I'd be confident enough he should handle it. 'He's got a pretty good temperament, a good relaxed demeanour, so he should be OK.' Oyster Lane is a $2.70 favourite from Shining Smile, an emerging Flemington straight specialist. Shining Smile sealed a Listed-race hat-trick last campaign, including two on the Flemington straight. The Group 3-placed colt trained by Lindsay Park is $3.60 second favourite. Phillip Stokes -trained Bold Secret ($4.80) should also go well after slick trial performances. Allen said Oyster Lane improved out of the Caulfield debut. Watch the Purple Cap! ðŸ'¥ It's a stunning late surge from Sonofkirk who comes from a long way back to slice through the frontrunners & nail his maiden victory ðŸ'° @FreedmanRacing @jyemcneil — (@Racing) June 28, 2025 • Hayes predicts Mr Brightside bounce-back following Hong Kong flop 'The experience (is important), generally two year olds, if they hold their form, they improve into the preparation,' Allen said. 'He seems to have come out of the race good. Allen has a strong grasp on Oyster Lane, having ridden the colt in multiple jump outs and education gallops. Allen has three rides at Flemington on Saturday including Arcora in the Byerley Handicap (1800m). The two-year-old emerging stayer has placed the past two starts behind the talented Buccleuch. @mj_payne @TheBeeegan — (@Racing) July 5, 2025 Arcora is a $3.70 second favourite on Saturday from Bayou Music ($3.30). Zuppa Inglese and Bermondsey round out the top four in betting. Arcora finished nicely from back in the field first-up to run second then led and stuck on for third second-up. 'He went good the last two starts,' Allen said. 'Probably made a bit of a blue going forward last start. 'It was a hard day to lead, so he did a good job to stick on. I think the 1800m will suit.'
Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Horse racing tips: Wednesday July 16
Ron Wood's selections NAP: Wheels Of Fire (4.30, Catterick) 1pt win @ 9/4 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐ Other: Stardancer (8.40, Yarmouth) 1pt win @ 10/3 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐ Odds provided by Betfred and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5). If you already have a Betfred account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts. 4.30, Catterick – Class 4 Handicap (6f) WHEELS OF FIRE still has improvement in him. He was sold for 70,000gn this month, a fair chunk of money for a Class 4 handicapper, but he remains with Richard Hannon. This three-year-old Mehmas colt has been running creditably in defeat in handicaps lately and he is a strong-travelling type who will be well suited by this return to a turning track, particularly a sharp course like Catterick. His sole previous win came at Lingfield, which is also a tight course. Slow ground would be an unknown, but he should move through the race quite easily. Check out Betfred promo code July 2025 8.40, Yarmouth – Class 4 Handicap (7f) The Clive Cox-trained STARDANCER shaped well when third in a Class 4 Doncaster event on his handicap debut. Seeing as this Dark Angel gelding had been off for five months before that outing, and this race comes another six weeks on, he should improve – and if so, he will go well. Selection: Stardancer 1pt win @ 10/3 with Betfred Go to site > Today's UK and Irish racing (Flat unless stated) Bath 2.20-4.53 Catterick 2.30-5.00 Uttoxeter (NH) 2.38-5.10 Killarney 5.20-8.20 Yarmouth 6.10-8.40 Ffos Las 6.30-9.00 What does NAP mean? NAP is a word used in betting circles to describe a prediction that a tipster thinks has a particularly strong chance of winning. Many horse racing tipsters pick out a 'NAP of the day', which is their favoured selection from all the races across the different meetings. The term NAP derives from the French card game Napoleon. When players of this game thought they had a particularly strong hand that they would win with, they would shout 'Napoleon'. What is an each-way bet? An each-way bet is a popular type of wager, particularly with horse racing fans. It is essentially two bets, both of which have the same size stake. An each-way bet features one bet on the selection to win and the other bet on the selection to place. So a £10 each-way bet will cost you a total of £20. There will be one £10 bet on the selection to win and another £10 on the selection to place. It's a popular bet because it offers punters the chance of a return, even if the horse in question fails to win. Bookmakers will pay out at a stated percentage of the odds for a place finish, for example one-fifth of the starting price (SP) for finishing in the first three. The more runners there are in a horse race, the more places will be on offer. In races that feature lots of runners, the horses will be available at bigger odds, making an each-way bet a wise choice. If you're looking for casino bonuses, we've ranked UK welcome offers Ron Wood 2025 horse racing profit/loss Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence If you want to find more odds and offers, take a look at our list of the best betting sites and free bets Check out our list of the best casino bonuses in the UK
