Equinties - modern day globetrotter

Sponsored by UK Meds.

Gm Equinauts

The newsletter had a very strong finish to last week with a near clean sweep on Thursday, a 20/1 winner Friday and good singles Saturday.

The bet of the week, SOUNDS OF HEAVEN, very nearly didn't go in the newsletter. Harrington's filly drifted all morning and questions about the yards intentions were warranted.

But her pedigree was too good to go unbacked so she took her place in Risk On and did this:

Let's press on and keep backing the good horses.

Playing the Fantasy today? Build your stable and add it to our League using code QHZ36G.

Now, let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

Mr Worldwide

The globetrotting superstar, MODERN GAMES, secured his first UK Group 1 on Saturday winning the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The four-year-old by DUBAWI had succeeded on the biggest days in Canada, USA, and France prior to Saturday’s one-mile contest and bagged top honours in Britain by reeling in the brilliant effort from our bet CHINDIT, dodging his viscous attack and coasting clear comfortably. The Charlie Appleby-trained superstar certainly stamped his authority on the division.

The Breeders’ Cup Mile is the long-term target for Saturday’s feature race winner with both the second, CHINDIT, and third, BERKSHIRE SHADOW, set to head to Royal Ascot and MY PROSPERO, the fourth, will head to the Prince Of Wales’ Stakes.

MY PROSPERO is the one who holds plenty of interest nto - he'll no doubt step back up to 1m2f and having run so well at RA last year, his Lockinge run will have done nothing to put him bang on for next month.

From Naas to Ascot

Sunday's Naas provided an eye-opening look into the strength Ireland could have at Royal Ascot next month as Aidan O’Brien released some very good horses.

The first of note came in the opening contest as RIVER TIBER, bought for 480k guineas, bolted up by two lengths at odds of 2/9.

Despite winning over five yesterday, it seems like the Coventry over six is on the agenda for him, as O’Brien said: “We thought he would be a Coventry horse. Ryan felt the quicker ground was no problem to him and he'll not get ground any quicker than that at Ascot."

He’s clearly got gears but was so green yesterday, one would want to see a bit more mental maturity from him before heading into RA.

As for his other charge at the Royal meeting, THE ANTARCTIC bounced back to winning ways in Group 3 Lackden Stakes by a head.

He came from the right side of the track and stuck on well but was neatly collared on the line - those first five could all by ones to keep an eye on, but especially the runner-up, OCEAN QUEST.

Irish raiders

It was Grande Steeple-Chase de Paris weekend at Auteuil this week, reminding us all that jump racing is still a thing even though we are in full Flat mode.

Despite the poor efforts from the British to throw runners in the mix, the Irish headed by Willie Mullins were, as usual, keen to go try pillage some prize money.

Despite the raiders there in force, Sunday's French Champion Hurdle was actually taken by the home side with foreigners KLASSICAL DREAM, HEWICK and FERONILY finished third, fourth, and fifth respectively.

As for the Grande Steeple-Chase de Paris, a similar case occurred as NOBLE YEATS could only muster seventh in the 3m6f contest, a full 15 lengths back.

The travelling efforts of Team Ireland were rewarded however as GALA MARCEAU, the Dublin Racing Festival-winning Juvenile, produced a brilliant performance in the French Triumph Hurdle to stake her claims for next season.

She was trimmed into 14/1 from 25/1 for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with ZARAK THE BRAVE a few lengths behind her in third having been in receipt of a stone cold ride from Paul Townend.

NEW FEATURE - YOUNG BLOOD

Notes on pedigree, attractive crosses and sales trends

There is an abundance of moderate horses out today making their debuts with most not worth even mentioning. Purely going off price tags, the most interesting 'young blood' is Middleham Park Racing's rep in the 14.00 at Carlisle.

MALC is by CALYX who has made a bright start to his stallion career, he cost 140,000gns at the Breeze Up Sale which is a big price for this outfit who normally manage to steal a few good ones at a good price. Costing 34,000gns as a yearling, it was a nice touch for the pin hookers. The dam didn’t win which is bearish but tbf she is an own sister to Champion 2yo colt in Germany HEARTS OF FIRE and has produced 3 winners from 4 runners.

13.50 Redcar

PERSIAN PHOENIX is by Irish 2000 Guineas winner PHOENIX OF SPAIN, this filly cost €19,000. She’s from a nice family, half sister to Irish Derby 4th KILIMANJARO. She's a May 7th foal, so it's interesting that she is out so early.

ARC SHADOWFOX is by Harry Angel and cost 12,000gns as a yearling. This lad has had a run, notably behind BOMBAY BAZAAR who has won at Beverly. His second dam is strong producing a couple of 100 horses.

STAMPER is by DANDY MAN and cost €22,000 as a yearling. Bred by Ballyhane Stud, his two full brother’s are winners but Ollie Pears is 0-16 in the last two weeks.

CHUMBAA is by Belardo from a deep 2yo family. She's run 3 times and has not shown a great deal of promise but connections will be hoping the 6 furlongs will help. One for a weak fillies maiden.

Verdict: ARC SHADOWFOX 6/1 has had a run and he ran on closely behind a recent winner - watch the market. This race really is not wildly exciting.

Risk on

Wouldn't put anyone off a small lunch money double (either win win or win and place) on the two aforementioned Young Blood horses but todays single is:

16.40 INVERLOCHY

Mentioned in Young Blood previously, she has a lovely pedigree and is a full sister to OTTOMAN FLEET. She raced remarkably well given her start lto and should be winning this today. Only playing a half bet as she's against an unexposed field.

We always encourage singles however if this one is too short, INVERLOCHY owners have a strong chance to double up with their other runner VESPASIAN. The double pays 6's. Maybe split stake, single on the first and then play the small double.

Staking and banking

You need to manage risk by limiting bet size to a fixed % of your bank. The reality is, if you have an edge that'll prove profitable over say, 100 trades, but there will be times when you have a string of losses - that could be 10 losing bets in a row, it happens.

To avoid blowing the account, managing risk to a fixed, low percentage is the only way to stay in the game.

There was a lot of positive feedback recently from people benefitting from our staking advice. Well, and general bank roll tips too. So we'll keep it here as a reminder.

If you want to take punting seriously and use racing as a value add to your life, keep a betting bank, protect it at all times (none of this 'ah we're on a bull run, I'll stick a few stupid bets on') and stick to risking the % stakes, upping notional as the bank grows. Betting banks will change your punting forever.

Help keep a healthy bank by betting less and using the TOTE Fantasy game to feed the chimp.

Create your stable and use code QHZ36G to join the BGP league here: