Saturday Newsletter – 29th December 2018

Saturday Newsletter – 29th December 2018

 

Firstly it must be congratulations to jockey Richard Johnson who has received an OBE in the New Year Honours list. The three time champion…and well on his way to his fourth, described it as ‘a huge honour and has come as a complete surprise’. He’s already ridden a winner for us through his partnership with Philip Hobbs and hopefully we can nab another when they’re down in our grade. They’re back out with that winner, Reikers Island in the (14.25) at Newbury this afternoon who is hiked a monster 13lb for that and we’ll see how that one goes with little value at 3’s.

Today’s cards have cut up quite badly for a Saturday….perhaps the drying going is contributing to that but there’s enough cards with over 8 to find three members selections below and Timeform coming from the Newbury feature.

At Kelso, Last weeks winner Treshnish is back out quickly in the (13.25) – it’s gone a 7 runner and offers no EW price though there’s no reason he shouldn’t improve for that run. It’s a competitive race with James Ewart’s Charmant a warm order and we’ll leave alone based on value.

 

Yesterday we had a better than wipes yer face paying 2nd home with Achill Road Boy at Catterick.

 

For those on the new £1k to £10k, current stakes are now £12.23 EW and the bank stands at £978.28

Anyone wishing to contact us direct, please use the email address alwaysbackwinners2018@gmail.com or at feedback@ always-back-winners.com……any FREE SERVICE MEMBERS looking to receive the latest premium service selections and join the next £1k to £10k quest.……just follow the UPGRADE link.

 

BOL (Best Of Luck!)

ABW Team

Here’s today’s free Timeform and the assist for the Newbury card from the ‘speedmeisters’…..click on the highlighted link to take you through to your Betfair account……

12.05 Betway ‘Farewell To Richard Osgood’ Juvenile Hurdle (3) 2m69y

Timeform Top Rated:
138 1. SONG FOR SOMEONE Tom Symonds James Nixon (7)

Analyst’s Verdict:
Song For Someone has already garnered plenty of experience in this sphere and a hold-up ride around Fakenham’s tight track is a valid excuse for a disappointing run latest. He has to concede 6 lb (albeit partnered by a conditional) to a trio of interesting Flat recruits in Legal History, Running Cloud and Praeceps but he may well be up to the task.

12.40 Betway “Introductory” Hurdle (4) 2m69y

Timeform Top Rated:
136P 1. CHAMPAGNE PLATINUM Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty
124p 13. THE WOLF Warren Greatrex Gavin Sheehan
119p 5. HOWLING MILAN Samuel Drinkwater Bryony Frost

Analyst’s Verdict:
Champagne Platinum looked the part when making a winning hurdles debut at Newcastle and is evidently held in high regard (also entered in a listed race at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day). He is taken to maintain his unbeaten status, at the chief expense of potentially useful Flat recruits Reverend Jacobs and Twin Star. The Wolf should do better in time, a remark which also applies to Manvers House.

1.15 Betway Chase (Novices’ Limited Handicap) (3) 2m92y

Timeform Top Rated:
140p 4. ANOTHER CRICK Noel Williams Wayne Hutchinson
139 1. SWIFT CRUSADOR Alexandra Dunn Adam Wedge

Analyst’s Verdict:
Another Crick has made an encouraging start to his chasing career, going close at Chepstow and Southwell, and can go one better. Swift Crusador bounced back to form when making a winning return for his new yard at Sandown and is feared most.

1.50 Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap Hurdle (2) 2½m118y

Timeform Top Rated:
154 4. COEUR BLIMEY Susan Gardner Lucy Gardner (3)
153 7. SUBCONTINENT Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch
152 2. I’M A GAME CHANGER Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson

Analyst’s Verdict:
Coeur Blimey jumped with more fluency and posted a career best in the process when a ready winner at Hereford a fortnight ago and a 7 lb rise is lenient if he avoids mistakes again. Dragon d’Estruval will find this trip more suitable than last time and he has a bigger performance in him, while Subcontinent should give it another good go.

2.25 Betway Handicap Chase (3) 3m1f214y

Timeform Top Rated:
147 5. AURILLAC David Pipe Tom Scudamore
146 7. SANDY BEACH Colin Tizzard Harry Cobden
145p 1. REIKERS ISLAND Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson

Analyst’s Verdict:
Although he’s up 13 lb, Reikers Island‘s success last time was not only emphatic, but fully backed up by the clock, so this unexposed, highly-promising chaser looks to boast excellent claims in his follow-up bid. Vice Et Vertu can’t be ignored in his current mood and Ballydine should come on for his recent reappearance.

3.00 Betway Challow Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (1) 2½m118y

Timeform Top Rated:
160p 2. CHAMP Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty
151p 7. ALSA MIX Alan King Wayne Hutchinson
150 3. COOLANLY Fergal O’Brien Paddy Brennan

Analyst’s Verdict:
A fantastic race in prospect and Champ can continue his improvement with a fourth straight win. His stay in handicaps didn’t last long after he tore apart a good field here at the start of the month and he looks a novice out of the top drawer. None of the others can be totally dismissed, with Kateson, also a C&D winner last month, perhaps the chief danger.

3.35 Betway Novices’ Handicap Chase (3) 2¾m93y

Timeform Top Rated:
160p 2. POLYDORA Tom Lacey Richard Johnson
158p 1. WENYERREADYFREDDIE Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
157 6. DE RASHER COUNTER Emma Lavelle Adam Wedge

Analyst’s Verdict:
Polydora has taken very well to fences and looks capable of winning again in what is probably not the most competitive of class 3s. Hat-trick seeking Wenyerreadyfreddie is the obvious threat, while his new stablemate Onefitzall needs keeping an eye on.