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Rejuvenated Thomas Brown can make up for his Cheltenham nightmare
Kempton:
Twelve months ago Thomas Brown carried my hopes, dreams and readies as a NAP in to the Cheltenham Festival when he ran in the Albert Bartlett. Dreams quickly turned into disappointment as he was pulled up. His Aintree run was not great either.
He has been rejuvenated now over the bigger obstacles by trainer Harry Fry, who has been treading softly, softly with this tenacious, charismatic stayer. In his latest win he defied flat spots, which I’m hoping won’t count against him in the BetBright Chase at Kempton, a speedy course.
He only has to concede a pound to Theatre Guide, who I grant you, has competed in the top echelon of chases; third in a Listed race at Wetherby, second to Smad Place in the Hennessy Gold Cup and then third in the Cotswold Chase.
My thought process is that maybe Thomas Brown is on a mark that will see him competitive amongst his battle-hardened experienced rivals.
Thomas Brown receives my support, here’s hoping my dreams aren’t dashed too early.
Each-way terms at Cheltenham:
An early heads up if you are making the journey to Cheltenham for the Festival. When it comes to betting each-way in the handicaps and those that have 16 to 21 runners, it may be prudent to take a price the night before or in the morning with bookmakers that offer a quarter the odds as on course I’m afraid to say Sherlock Holmes will do well to find those terms!
It does not appear that many handicaps will have 22 or more, races in which the on-course layers have to offer those terms so be aware now.
I will remind you again closer to the time, but when the Pertemps Final only has 55 entries that might just be one race to fall in the category. Of course that applies also to the BetBright Chase today as well.
Money back if 2nd in Channel 4 races
at Lingfield and Newcastle
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Sunday:
Lil Rockerfeller has been a horse I wanted to back at the Cheltenham Festival maybe in the Coral Cup but I see he has popped up in the Totesport National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.
He and Trevor Whelan have never been out of the first three in nine starts and the race would be a deserved win for a game horse.
Later on Sunday all eyes will be on the Oscars, an event that has been kind to me in the past with regards to my wagers and this year I rely on Mark Rylance to capture the Best Supporting Actor Award.
His performance in Bridge Of Spies was compelling. Sicario got my vote for Best Film of the year, though it doesn’t get a look in. Next up for me would be Spotlight, though The Revenant could well sweep all before it.
Wimbledon dog track:
The shadow of closure has been cast across Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium for some time and news of its imminent closure on June 18 has filtered through.
It is too late to speculate whether twenty to fifteen years ago all this could have been prevented, as the doors will slam shut no matter how long that debate rumbles on.
The sport’s heritage will be consigned to memory; generations to follow won’t have the chance to appreciate the Derby roar, the thrill and buzz of greyhound racing, the raw, earthiness of a sport born out of devotion as much competition.
It is a sport where the improbable can be probable; those who witnessed Scurlogue Champ, Ballyregan Bob and more recently Westmead Hawk can vouch for that.
Though it was always going to be a big ask to appeal to those hypnotised by technology. And it’s not as if there are not other tracks, but in reality without a bit of TLC and proactive action all of them could well be flirting with extinction - the industry doesn’t want to flounder in denial.
What now for all those involved with Wimbledon? The staff, trainers, owners and, most importantly, the greyhounds. My thoughts are with them all.
Tanya Stevenson's Saturday tips:
3.35 Kempton: Thomas Brown at 7-1 generally available
3.20 Fontwell Sunday: Lil Rockerfeller
Best Supporting Actor Mark Rylance at 3-1.
Tanya Stevenson's Saturday pointers:
2.00 Kempton - BetBright #realfansonly Adonis Juvenile Hurdle:
Five of the last ten favourites have won
Eight of the last ten winners came from the first two in the betting
Nine of the last ten winners finished no worse than second on their most recent run
Over the last ten years Paul Nicholls has had 12 runners with three winners, three seconds and two thirds.
Nicky Henderson has won the Adonis Hurdle on four occasions in total
Five of the last 15 winners to go on to run in the JCB Triumph Hurdle in the same season have won
All of the last ten winners had run no more than twice previously in Britain.
2.35 Kempton - BetBright Best For Festival Betting Pendil Novices' Chase:
Paul Nicholls is trying to win his ninth Pendil Novices’ Chase in eleven years
The last ten winners came from the first two in the betting – six of those favourites
None of the last ten winners were older than seven
Nine of the last ten winners finished in the first two last time out
2.50 Newcastle - Eider Chase:
Kerry Lee has had four winners from her last seven runners
Nine of last ten winners carried 11-0 or more
All of the last ten winners had won over at least three miles
Only two of the last ten favourites have won the Eider Chase
3.05 - Kempton Dovecote Novices Hurdle:
Since 1988 Nicky Henderson has won the Dovecote Hurdle seven times
The last horse to win the Dovecote and go on to win at the Cheltenham Festival was Flown in 1992
Eight of the last ten winners were aged four or five
3.20 Lingfield - Coral Winter Derby:
Five of the last ten favourites have won
Grendisar has raced 15 times at the course winning five, second seven, third once
William Haggas has a 38% strike with four year olds and over at Lingfield
Charlie Appleby has a 36% strike rate at Lingfield
3.35 Kempton - Betbright Chase:
Richard Johnson has ridden in the BetBright Chase 16 times winning five, second three times and third twice
Eleven of the last 16 winners carried over 11st
Only one of the last ten favourites have won the BetBright Chase – 2008 Gungadu
Only two of the last ten winners of the BetBright Chase were aged 10 or over 2012 Nacarat & 2006 Innox
