Tom Roper's Weblog

Hennnessy Gold Cup

I can't back Denman in the biggest race today. His health, his fall at Aintree in his last race, and his trainer Paul Nicholls' remarks in this morning's Racing Post force me to look elsewhere, and it seems to me that, in a race where one could make a convincing case for most of those showing at under 10/1 in the forecast, that Cappa Bleu has an excellent chance.
135 Newbury: Big Buck's
150 Newcastle: Binocular
205 Newbury: Or Bleu
240 Newbury: Cappa Bleu
325 Newcastle: Jass

Ascot and Haydock

Kauto Star has his first run since his Gold Cup victory at Cheltenham in the Betfair Chase at Haydock this afternoon. For a while I had my eye on the main challenger, Notre Pere, but I doubt that he can come back after his fall at Down Royal earlier in the month.

Today's selections:

205 Ascot: Master Medic
220 Haydock: Naiad du Misselot
235 Ascot: Katchit
255 Haydock: Kauto Star

Cheltenham Open Meeting: the second day

Undeterred by the weather, and with a strike rate of 50% from yesterday, I offer my selections for today, the day of the Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase.
12.50: Pistolet Noir
1.20: Toby Jug
1.55: Miko De Beauchaine
235: Chapoturgeon
310: Le Beau Bai
345: Dinarius

Cheltenham Open Meeting: the first day

The Open meeting at Cheltenham starts with Countryside Day, and the centrepieces of the six-race card are the paddypower.com Handicap Chase over two miles and the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase over three miles and seven furlongs. In the former, I see no real challenge to French Opera, in the latter, though the betting suggests a two horse affair between Garde Champetre and Silver Birch, I think the reality is more complex and, after considering some of the Czech and Scandinavian entries, I go for Mr Big.

115: Mister Apple's
150: Loosen My Load
235: French Opera
300: Mr Big
335: Lord Ragnar
405: Aigle d'Or

Wincanton and Down Royal

I steer well clear of the Breeders' Cup. I don't follow American racing closely enough to be able to make informed judgements. So I have stuck to today's racing at Down Royal and Wincanton.

Wincanton 215: Whiteoak
Down Royal 230: My Will
Wincanton 325: The Package

Ascot, Newmarket and Wetherby

There is no surer sign of the onset of winter than the first races beginning ridiculously early.

Ascot 150: Shining Gale
Wetherby 220: Star Wood
Newmarket 235: Plum Pudding
Wetherby 325: Fair Along
Newmarket 345: Saphira's Fire

Aintree, Doncaster and Newbury

It's one of those rare days when there's racing on BBC and Channel 4.

Aintree 215: Don't Push It
Doncaster 220: Rulesn'regulations
Newbury 235: All the Aces
Doncaster 330: Coordinated Cut

Cesarewitch Day

I title the post thus deliberately, because the Cesarewitch seems to me a far more interssting race than the headline event, the Champions Stakes that precedes it. So, today's selections, all at Newmarket:

150: Ouqba
225: Chabal
300: Fame and Glory
340: Darley Sun
415: Tabassum
450: Ave

Ascot, Chepstow and York

I haven't made a selection in a national hunt race since the spring. Today I've included a hurdle at Chepstow over two miles and half a furlong.

215 Ascot: Our Jonathan
255 Ascot: Mullein
330 Ascot: Opinion Poll
345 York: Green Manalishi
410 Chepstow: Any Given Day
440 Ascot: Azizi

Cambridgeshire day

It's a typical autumn racing day: grey, with a strong wind to blow the leaves off the trees. Going remains on the firm side, though there's rain around.

Newmarket 150: Lillie Langtry
Newmarket 225 Markazzi
Newmarket 300: Ghannati
Redcar 315: Angel's Pursuit
Newmarket 340: Wannabe King