31/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! the lay landed on dawn approach gave me a profitable day but no joy with the back selections im afraid & glorious goodwood is proving a tad difficult at the minute but hopefully a new month can see the end of the mini slump of the last few days however we do finish the month on a profit of 68pts to our advised bets.

2pts e/w ALTANO 3.15 goodwood (nap) 7/1 skybet

last years german st leger winner brings G1 form to the table & will be far happier on this easier surface than when just over 3l behind estimate in the ascot gold cup. he only has half a length to find with colour vision on there running there & the drop back to two miles looks perfect for him as the 2m4f at ascot may have stretched him a bit i think.

1pt e/w CRUCK REALTA 2.15 goodwood (nb) 25/1

i cant believe the price of this one if i'm honest, she was second to tha'ir as a juvenile at royal ascot & her second behind winsili at newbury in may is by far the best form on offer here in my opinion. she gets a six pound pull with tha'ir on there ascot run & she won't mind the underfoot conditions either.

0.5pt e/w double

for those that are that way inclined i will also be having a short price double on..

FIGURE OF SPEECH 2.45 6/4

ELIK 3.45 5/2

1pt win double

the double pays around 8/1 ish & i cant really see either horse beaten tomorrow & i may also be going in heavy on a single bet on ELIK as with the 3yo weight allowance she looks excetionally well treated by the race conditions & the step up in trip will bring about nothing but improvement.

now onto the midweek update of the stealing a living league & the boy rishi persad has gate crashed the party at the top of the table after today ending up doing an impression of tom cruise in cocktail on channel 4 racing but sundays leader charlie appleby fought right to the death to cling on to top spot when he clearly gave a pre-scripted interview on C4 when it was obvious he wasn't allowed to mention the still unsighted mahmood al zarooni. the mr magoo of newmarket did however saddle a group winner in the shape of cap o' rushes so he was just pipped on the line by persad.

full update..

10. emma spencer (C4 racing pundit)
re-enters the top 10 after being part of the persad cocktail fiasco.

9. jason weaver (resident ATR tipster)
i just don't like the bloke if i'm honest...

8. derek thompson (all round idiot & general baffoon)
maintains his place following his confusion in advising that a filly have the snip to connections.

7. simon mapletoft (slicker than the average racing uk presenter)
slick simon drops two places following some semi decent efforts recently.

6. angus gold (sheikh hamdans racing manager)
more inept placing from the shadwell team sees angus climb a place from sunday.

5. MAZ (who knows)
who cares??

4. hope powell (womens national football coach)
former number one whos still in there clinging onto past glories & a fat salary thanks to a ridiculously long contract handed to her by the FA.

3. simon crisford (we're still yet to find out his job title)
starting to run out of expletives for the man behind the godolphin mess..

2. charlie appleby (MAZ's former assistant...hmmmm...)
newmarkets mr magoo looked like a puppet on a string in todays interview & only a group winner has kept him off top spot.

1. rishi persad (complete toss pot)
our old friend persad comes straight back in at the top following the cocktail fiasco at goodwood today..allied with the fact on saturday he told us he'd spoken to trainer dean ivory..yet failed to reveal what he said then watched tropics win! and for those reasons young rishi.. you are quite literally.. stealing a living my friend!

many thanks for following, the next #stealingaliving update will be on sunday evening so if you have any nominiations please tweet me with the hashtag #stealingaliving.

regards
ian

30/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! little joy today & very disappointing if i'm honest & i really was expecting alot more than that i must admit. tomorrow sees us lock horns with our old foe dawn approach.. here are my thoughts..

3.05 GOODWOOD 1m Group 1 Sussex Stakes

WE'RE TAKING HIM ON!! is the simple answer & i'll be laying win & place and heres why.. whilst we can argue all day long wether toronado was unlucky in defeat at ascot its a debate that will eventually have no outcome, simple as that because we will never know the answer to what would have happened without the interference & we cant re-write history but what we can do is try & predict the future! lets move slightly leftfield & analyse his actual form in the book.. firstly the 2000 guineas.. ok garswood has come out & won a G2 today but he didn't stay in the guineas & also would of hated the ground so that form is dubious.. the only other two winners (dawn approach apart) to come out of the race are a newbury maiden & a C2 handicap at chester... not exactly outstanding.. so we'll look at the st james' palace stakes.. his main rival that day was seen to be magician but he got stuck out wide & used up far to much energy early on to get involved which left it a duel between him & toronado.. and we know how that ended up.. BUT! ever since i have watched toronado run i have been convinced he will be a far better animal with some give underfoot.. the ground was rock hard in the guineas & he hated it..there was slightly more give at ascot which is why i think he got closer & tomorrow will be the softest hes come across (on current reading but conditions are drying all the time) & i think with any rain he will get the measure of jim bolgers charge. however my selection in the race is the aiden o'brien trained declaration of war, which i know may surprise a few people given the weight for age allowance to take into account but quite simply he brings by far the best form to the table in my opinion. his victory in the queen anne stakes is turning out to be one of the hottest races at the meeting with the likes of elusive kate (dual G1 winner since) aljamaaheer (G2 winner since) in behind that day. he then ran second to al kazeem in the eclipse & thats top drawer stuff, simple as that although i dont think he fully stays the 1m2f trip so the return to a mile is just the job & hes also versatile regards the ground. the big question has to be though wether he can give 8lbs to the 3yo's but bare in mind hes only had seven lifetime starts..two less than dawn approach so he could well have alot more to come. i have dawn approach's last two victories @ 116 (ascot) & 112 (guineas) & i have declaration of wars last two runs @ 122 (ascot) & 120 (sandown) so there pretty much level pegging with the weight allowance but with the o'brien runner still open to more i'm going with him to prevail over the younger generation tomorrow. now thats the form side of it out of the way we come to the horses mental state..the theorists about tactics in the derby have long since come & gone, he didn't stay, plain & simple but what did attribute greatly to him not staying was him pulling so hard & i actually have a seperate theory about this. on all of his previous starts he was basically able to jump & run, simple. at epsom he was never able to get into any kind of stride pattern & it had nothing to do with anybodys tactics he just didn't like going up & down the cambers in my opinion and if i'm right i think the same thing could quite well happen tomorrow & if he shows any signs of petulance he'll get blown apart as this track doesn't take any prisoners i can assure you & they are turning for alot of the journey here. i know you can argue that ascot was on the round course but its very flat there & there was a split second there when he tossed his head about after a couple of furlongs & i'm sure he'll do it again in the future...and with a bit of luck hopefully it will be tomorrow!

LAY: Dawn Approach

BACK: Declaration of war (nap)

the handicaps look very difficult to crack tomorrow but i'll be making a start shortly & hopefully will have a few more selections up later this evening..

here are tomorrows full advised bets..

2pts win DECLARATION OF WAR (nap) 5/1 paddy power

1pt win SECRET NUMBER (nb) 11/2 stan james

1pt e/w BROCKWELL 12/1 

win doubles & e/w treble (2pts in total)

brockwell looks like he'll relish every yard of this trip & the more rain the better for him & his third in the northumberland plate is pretty much the best form on offer here. secret number was finishing like the proverbial train at ascot over 1m2f & hes another who will relish every yard of this extra trip tomorrow. whilst excess knowledge ran a cracker on his seasonal debut he was in reciept of lumps of weight in a listed contest.. the step up to G3 against his own age group will be a completly different ball game here.

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

29/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! crash bang wallop today folks!! firstly the nap goes in @ a tasty 7/1 advised last night closely followed by reginald claude advised @ 4/1!! we then got the nb placed @ 16/1 to give us a decent return on the e/w lucky 15 & we now sit on a very tidy 85pt profit to advised bets this month! if we can have a decent glorious goodwood the triple figure target could well still be smashed! speaking of goodwood its the latest in the summer festivals that is now upon us & we have previewed three of the races on the opening day...

2pts e/w BLUE SURF 1.55 goodwood (nap) 8/1 stan james

a trappy little contest to kick the meeting off but course form is imperative here & horses either take to the place or they don't in my opinion. if they do they tend to run well time after time there & this fella drops right into that bracket. i really hope the penny has dropped with connections as he clearly doesn't stay 1m4f on a plane & his record in handicaps at upto 1m2f reads.. 1-3-1-3-1-4. his record over C&D has seen him return a win & a place and the only two horses to beat him at goodwood over a mile plus are grandeur (G1 winner in the states & now rated 115) & pattern race performer chill the kite (now rated 108). i think the grounds pretty much perfect for him & pat dobbs is superb around here in my opinion & i'm expecting a massive run tomorrow. the joker in the pack has to be the haggis horse fast or free but all his forms on ground with give so it may pay to keep an eye on the weather but even so i cant have him on the back of a 404 day absence if i'm honest. fennel bay could be interesting & mark johnston has an unbelievable strike rate at this meeting but i cant help but feel the handicaper has his measure

1pt e/w SIR GRAHAM WADE 3.40 goodwood (nb) 8/1 coral

slightly in danger of becoming a cliff horse of mine but tomorrow surely has to be the day for him. a two pound drop in the handicap finally sees him drop a pound below his last win & he trounced a decent field at this meeting last year when galloping all the way to the line.hes had some respectable if not outstanding efforts in pattern company most notably when just over a length behind the very smart stayer biographer. i believe hes a far better horse on decent ground & with the first time blinkers fitted this really is the last throw off the dice where me & him are concerned as everything looks set for a massive run. the horse that worries me is cavaleiro as he finished in front of our selection last time out on his seasonal debut but he comes here on the back of an absence but a saver would be advised at his current odds of around 25/1 & the only thing that swung it in sir grahams favour was the fact we know he acts on the course. harris tweed is another at a price that could well run a big race if theres any rain.

1pt e/w LIBRANNO 3.05 goodwood 28/1 bet365

this is another who loves it here & his course record reads 1-4-1-2. you can scrub three of his last five runs as hes another that doesn't stay a mile on a bus but more importantly hes been dropped to listed and G3 level in between G1's this season meaning hes had to carry penalties in those races but back in a G2 with no penalties to carry on his favourite track he look superb value to me. if we get significant overnight rain red jazz would be of interest as hes a solid group race performer does need conditions in his favour. producer beat aljamaaheer comfortably at leicester & i cant see any reason for him to turn the form around & i think hes also better over a mile but at the odds i think libranno represents massive value to me.

e/w trixie (2pts in total)

a top class meeting in store for the week ahead & we will have previews every evening along with the now infamous #stealingaliving league update on wednesday evening so i hope the C4 team are on the ball or there could be some midweek gate crashing of the top 10 i think!!! :-) this week seen my blog reach 100,000 views for the time that ive been doing it & i do find it amazing that so many people are actually interested in my ramblings & what i have to say!!lol we've had readers in north america, canada, norway, cuba & new zealand this past week giving the blog a real international feel i must admit. i did have a look at galway today but irish racing really isn't my forte & i just couldn't get a handle on the form at all & i suppose thats two hours of my life i wont get back but fair play to anyone that did find a few winners there as i may as well read chinese writing for all the sense the irish form made to me to be perfectly honest. many thanks for taking the time to read my blog & as always i wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide for your money tomorrow & happy punting guys!! :-)

regards
ian

28/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well it would be easy for me to sit here & say the ground wasn't as soft as i thought blah blah blah but in all fairness todays selections where crap.. and performed accordingly! back on the quest for winners though whilst it isn't the best racing at wolverhampton tomorrow at least theres no worries about wether there is any rain unlike at ayr where amazingly i see there holding a precautionary inspection tomorrow! i've picked out an e/w lucky 15 on four that have fallen to/past there last winning marks & should give us a run for our money..

FATHSTA 4.15 wolves (nap) 7/1 ladbrokes

SPINNING RIDGE 2.45 wolves (nb) 12/1 bet365

REGINALD CLAUDE 3.45 wolves 4/1 bet365

BLAZING DESERT 4.45 wolves 14/1 bet365

e/w lucky 15 (4 pts in total)

now onto what i'm sure you've all been waiting for & its this weeks #stealingaliving league top 10!! we have a couple dropping out in the form of emma spencer (actually did a good job on C4 racing this week) & the sire hawk wing who managed to sire a winner this week! david redvers has also dropped out of this weeks top 10 after he did a very good P.R. job when interviewed in the paddock at ascot & actually came across as a decent chap who can take a joke after being quizzed about the horse redvers being named after him. its also all change at the top following the BHA's recent reports on the godolphin doping scandal.. here is the full run down..

10. harry herbert (highclere racing guru)
whilst still stealing a living on old eatonian contacts old sherbert dip wasnt jumping around after telescopes win he actually kept a low profile which is very unlike him & i didnt even see him at the course on the day of the race... is he ill??

9. joe kinnear (director of football somewhere)
a new entry for the man whocouldn't direct traffic never mind a premiership football club.

8. jason weaver (small man on ATR)
still struggling to tip a wheelbarrow but he can take comfort in the fact that alex hammond has managed to clamber here way out of the top 10 so theres hope for the little fella yet.

7. angus gold (sheikh hamdans racing manager & all round arse licker) a few winners have come from the shadwell banner this week so angus gets a slight reprieve dropping from last weeks number three.

6. derek thompson (all round idiot & general baffoon)
the description says it all about a man who described a filly as needing the snip this week.

5. simon mapletoft (general greaseball)
no change at five this week for quite possibly the slimiest man on your television screen.

4. hope powell (now a disgrace to womens football)
the women who just will not budge from her post after the worse run of results in the womens national game history. very lucky the godolphin fiasco has occured or she could of been in for a bit of a brian adams stint in the top spot!

3. mahmood al zarooni (godolphin ghost)
clearly been paid off to take the bullet for the whole sorry mess & with possibly around 10 years salary in his back bin as compensation his job within the godolphin organisation has simply been changed from trainer to ghost as it seems like he now wears an invisibility cloak as he hasnt been sighted since.

2. simon crisford (still no one is actually sure of his job title)
been greasing palms for fun at the BHA this week in order to keep sheikh mo away from the bad press.

1. charlie appleby (new godolphin trainer)
so MAZ's assistant takes over the yard.. and we are led to believe he had absolutly NO IDEA what was going on?? if this is the case the man clearly has the observational skills of the legendary cartoon character mr magoo! yet he gets put in charge of a multi million pound operation?? and for that reason charlie... you are quite literally.. STEALING A LIVING! 

a late surge from the godolphin team in the later part of the week managed to seal the top three spots for the boys in blue following the disclosure of the BHA's report on the doping scandal at malton paddocks. an absolute disgrace is the only way i can describe the whole affair & for me it is simple.. the BHA dont want to go head to head with sheikh mohammed, simple as that. there scared of a newmarket without godolphin but at what cost? a sport without integrity is a sport on decline.. but i really hope i'm wrong..

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

27/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well we landed our NB selection @ a tasty 14/1 but unfortunatly we couldn't find anything to go with it which was quite disappointing if i'm honest but none the less seen us with another 9 point gain on our advised bets & as we sit on a profit of 89 for the month the triple figure target is now in touching distance!! hopefully tomorrow can see us crash through our target..

**WARNING**

i have based my selections on there being overnight rain in the pontefract area & that there will be some give in the ground. anyone placing there hard earned money down please check going reports in the morning.

2pts e/w ORBIT THE MOON 4.40 pontefract (nap) 16/1 bet365

last years winner comes here on the same mark & with a dream draw on the rail graham lee can follow the golden highway home. at first sight you may think the easy going to be a concern for him but his runs on easy ground where over a mile & as he doesn't stay further than 6f on a plane so i'm prepared to give him a chance as he has a half sibling that won on heavy ground on its debut.

1pt e/w CAPTAIN SCOOBY 5.40 pontefract (nb) 6/1 p.p.

now the rain is IMPERATIVE if hes to have any chance & the more of it that falls the more his chance increases, it really is as simple as that. has also dropped to his last winning mark & young justin newman is just about worth his 5lb claim so if he can drop onto the rail which he should be able to as hes normally pretty slowly away he can pick them off one by one as the last place you want to be here is stuck out on the wing in no mans land.

1pt e/w CARRAGOLD 3.30 pontefract 22/1 stan james

another dropping onto his last winning mark & whilst that was a C5 event he did win a C4 last summer off 3lbs higher than this. on closer inspection his fourth place off 3lbs higher three runs back in a C4 reads very well as two of the three horses that finished behind him that day have since come out & won & i've got a sneaking suspicion he might get an easy lead here if he wants it & hes the sort of horse with his quirks that may just like being out on his own leading them a merry dance.

e/w trixie (2pts in total)

theres been some big movers in the #stealingaliving league this week & we have a new number one with two people fighting it out at the top of the table but stay tuned tomorrow evening for this weeks full top 10!!

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

26/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well considering we didn't nail a winner today a return of 20pts to our advised bets was most welcome! all three selections placed @ 9/2, 14/1 & 8/1 advised to land our e/w trixie & put us back on a profit of 80pts for the month & the triple figure profit target is back in our eyeline!! :-)

2pts e/w ES QUE LOVE 3.15 ascot (nap) 14/1 betfred

i think mark johnston must have bought the handicapper a bottle of whiskey as hes gifted him a 6lb drop since his last run which now sees him back on the mark which saw our nap that day prince of johanne chin him on the run in at sandown over a mile. the drop back to 7f paid dividends when he ran field of dream to a length at newmarket off a higher mark & i think hes far more effective over this shorter trip. he now gets handy weight pulls with those two conquerors & he can land this under olivier peslier who rode a fine race on him at sandown.

1pt e/w SIRIUS PROSPECT 2.20 york 14/1 paddy power

will find this level far more to his liking after tackling lethal force & co. in the diamond jubilee stakes at the royal meeting. he's also finished behind the likes of society rock, pearl mix, eton rifles, maarek, hitchens & the mighty thunder from down under that is black caviar. theres nothing of that nature in this field & it really isn't the strongest C2 handicap to be run on the navesmire to be honest. quite simply a re-run of any of his last half dozen runs would be more than good enough to take this.

1pt e/w GRAMERCY 3.30 york 20/1 coral

has now slipped a couple of pounds below the mark he ran the improving 3yo van ellis to a length & a quarter over C&D last summer. the johnston horse has gone on to win in listed company & was second to the smart rerouted over in meydan giving the form a very solid look about it. he clearly has ability & will bounce off the quick ground & the booking of pat cosgrave is interesting.

e/w trixie (2pts in total)

a cracking days racing tomorrow culminating with the king george being the highlight on the ascot card & whilst i try & put up value selections if the forecast rain comes for cirrus des aigles then the rest may as well not turn up. he is at least a stone better on heavy ground but if it stays dry then the 3yo trading leather could well bustle him up in reciept of 12lbs from the fav. dont get me wrong im not saying lay cirrus if it stays dry & hes quite capable on a quick surface, hes just nowhere near as good as when the heavens open is my point. many thanks for taking the time to read my blog & as always i wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide for your money tomorrow & happy punting!! :-)

regards
ian

25/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! a blank day i'm afraid but in all fairness it really wasn't the greatest days racing considering there where six meetings. we still sit on a very tidy 68pts profit to advised bets for the month and hopefully i've found a few for tomorrow..

2pt win SEE CLEARLY 5.00 thirsk (nap) 4/1 bet365

has been knocking on the door lately & is only a pound above his last win over C&D. this really is a very poor race & i think the handicapper might have the measure of the favourite dartrix who looks the only conceavable danger as the 3yo's dont look great & the rest are a very mediocre bunch & this will be the lowest grade race hes faced in his career.

1pt e/w BEST BE CAREFUL 4.50 ascot (nb) 16/1 bet victor

last years winner comes here on a ten pound lower mark & she returns to ascot for the first time since. her sire exceed & excel has outstanding stats over the straight course here & he re-opposes last years third rowe park on eight pound better terms here. with young joey haynes claiming  seven pounds as well all looks set fare for a return to form here.

1pt e/w CRUISE TO THE LIMIT 5.25 thirsk 8/1 bet victor

has now dropped to his last winning mark & his second behind blanc de chine could well turn out to be very decent form. the handicappers helped him out a bit by dropping him a pound meaning he can sneak into this weaker contest & get back to winning ways.

e/w trixie (2pts in total)

many thanks for following..

regardsian

24/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well didn't we do well today with the nap landing at a massive s.p. of 22/1 but unfortunatly we couldn't find one to go with it so just the 20 point gain on the day i'm afraid.. ;-)

1pt e/w BRANDYWELL BOY 5.30 bath (nap) 16/1 bet365

the veterans have been doing us proud lately & this lad can continue the trend. he had some decent placed form at this venue last summer off higher marks & i cant help but feel connections have waited for his handicap mark to hit rock bottom before they return to land the booty. he was largely consistent at the end of his last a/w campaign & he always takes a few runs to get his eye in & with michael murphys claim he carries a featherweight here & with a decent draw he can pop out & hopefully follow the golden highway home like todays nap did...im so glad young connor followed my instructions to the letter!!lol

1pt e/w WHISKEY JUNCTION 5.10 yarmouth (nb) 10/1 bet365

the trip has to be a concern but i think it could be more of a case that with the majority of his runs being over 5f he has ran well here over C&D in the past & if the old boy can get on the front end which seems likely with there being little early pace elsewhere he can control it from the front, get a breather at half way then blow them off in the final furlong & if he gets rolling in front hes a hard horse to pass.

1pt e/w MARMALADY 5.00 bath 13/2 bet365

she starts off at the basement level & with the next highest rated horse being only 54 i'll be very surprised if she isnt good enough to take this off a mark of 60..which under current BHA rules means she actually recieves weight from some very exposed types & she was given a favourable mention when i went on a stable tour of the gary moore yard & was told to watch for her when she goes handicapping. ;-)

1pt e/w OCEAN LEGEND 4.50 sandown 12/1 bet365

has slipped to his last a/w winning mark & whilst hes arguably a better horse on the polytrack hes another that has had limited chances on turf but all his better turf runs where on a quick surface & alan kirby was the last jockey to win on him so the booking has to be a big plus.

e/w yankee (2pts in total)

the next update  on the stealing a living league will be on sunday then as of next week it will go out twice weekly, on a wednesday & sunday as it seems to be very popular with followers! :-)

many thanks for following...

regards
ian

23/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well a 12/1 place & a non runner from three selections isnt going to pay the bills & winners are what its all about so hopefully tomorrow can see a return to winning ways. 

1pt e/w ALMATY EXPRESS 4.30 catterick (nap) 12/1 bet365

the old boy has a decent draw & with connor beasley taking 7lb off his back hes gets in here on an absolute feather weight. he can jump out, grab the rail, then simply follow the golden highway home connor..well thats what i'm hoping anyway!! ;-)

1pt e/w HATTA STREAM 5.10 lingfield (nb) 28/1 bet victor

whilst we do have to go back a while for his previous win he is a far better horse on the polytrack than he is on turf & whilst he hasn't really set the world alight recently his better runs where all over this C&D off alot higher marks than this.if you really want to be lary why not try a r/f/c with avonvalley as i think hes in with a shout @ 25/1 as well but now 7lb below his last winning mark i think the selection looks cracking value to place at the very least.

1pt e/w TITAN TRIUMPH 5.35 lingfield 20/1 paddy power

another one that ive taken a bit of a punt with but mike attawater has now got a couple of runs into him so should know alot more about him & this is just the type of horse that will show a spark switched to another stable as he can have his own ideas about the game but even a repeat of his third behind copperwood (gone on to win & place again since of higher marks) at the end of may would be more than good enough to take this.

e/w trixie (2pts in total)

small stakes advised tomorrow but at the prices you dont need to go daft to set up a nice return if we get the rub of the green. 

with the stealing a living league proving so popular i think we may have to go to twice weekly updates, maybe on a wednesday & a sunday as there are a whole host of names pushing for a place in this weeks top ten so keep your eyes peeled for updates!

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

22/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! so close to nailing the double today & i'm still not so sure the jockey on west leake hare wasn't trying to be to clever & it certainly wasn't his finest hour to be honest but we'll wipe our mouth & move one & hopefully we've found a few gems tomorrow..

2pts e/w CYFLYMDER 5.00 musselburgh (nap) 12/1 ladbrokes

has now slipped 4lb below his last winning mark over C&D last summer & lucy alexander returns to the saddle for the first time since his last win. he gave a far better showing last time out & looks primed & ready for a massive run.

1pt e/w ROYAL STRAIGHT 2.00 musselburgh (nb) 10/1 p.p.

another that has slipped to his previous winning mark & with the opposition all having questions to answer he can take this & hes also weighted to turn around recent form with tectonic.

1pt e/w GRAND ART 4.30 musselburgh 14/1 bet365

another C&D winner who has slipped to a very dangerous mark & the booking of duran duran fentiman catches the eye & this race won't take alot of winning.

e/w trixie (2pts in total)

this is a bit more like it some double figure prices!! i do really like these three tomorrow i have to admit & hopefully after two blank days of returns we can put the old enemy to the sword. the stealing a living league is proving very popular i must admit & anyone with any suggestions for sundays top 10 please tweet me with hashtag #stealingaliving and it does seem like this weeks leader hope powell might be on her last legs... once they hit the top spot in the stealing a living league they dont last long!! #fact. many thanks for taking the time to read my blog & good luck with whatever you decide for your money tomorrow & happy punting!! :-)

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

21/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! a pathetic attempt at finding winners on saturday not returning a single point to our advised bets & we need to stem the tide before any rot starts to set in to be honest. unfortunatly tomorrow sees small fields owing to the firm ground but ive got quite a strong double for us..

WEST LEAKE HARE 2.30 ayr (nap) 2/1 william hill

this a weaker race than he won last time out & he looked to have a bit in hand there to be honest but its his penultimate start that really catches the eye..of the horses in behind that day mitchum, adams ale & teds brother have all come out & won since & dhhamaan, holy angel, maggie mey & bang tidy have all been placed from the seven out of the eight that have ran since giving the form a cast iron look to it & the only thing keeping him from b eing a top rated nap is the fact theres a 3yo lurking in the race that could put a spoke in our wheels but i dont think it wants the ground this firm to be honest but its previous form behind subsequent sandringham runner up auction is top notch so an air of caution is needed. 


SOMEONES DARLING 4.15 ayr (nb) 11/10 william hill

yet another 3yo that gets lumps of weight from her elders & the goldie stable have been banging the winners in lately. the form of her last couple of runs could have worked out better but i think she should have to much for these on these terms.

2pt win double (pays just over 5/1)


well i just hope the evening cards throw up a bit of value but i wont be starting those til later so time will tell but at first glance im not holding my breathe.

onto more pressing matters & we have a new leader in the stealing a living league!! here is this weeks top 10..

1. HOPE POWELL
some people said i was harsh having her in last weeks top 10 but if anything she should have been far higher! as much as shes brought the womens game on shes now making it an embarresment by hanging round like a bad smell after englands pitiful exit from this weeks euro championships. the massive contract given to her by the FA means that unfortunatly hope.. you are quite literally.. STEALING A LIVING!!

2.SIMON CRISFORD
still not sure what his job title is but was last seen with a very brown nose following a recent meeting with sheikh mo.

3.ANGUS GOLD
no change at number 3 this week as sheikh hamdans racing manager continues to amaze those around him with the size of his salary.

4.RISHI PERSAD
last weeks table topper drops out of the top 3 after channel 4 wisely gave him the spanish archer from this weeks coverage so he could chance his arm at golf this time... p.s. dont rush back rishi!

5.SIMON MAPLETOFT
a new entry at number 5 the ATR frontman is so slippery he could grease a frying pan on his opening lines alone!!

6.HARRY HERBERT
the highclere guru drops a few places this week after telescope finally made it to the track & actually impressed in his racecourse gallop! ;-)

7.JASON WEAVER
ATR pundit whos still struggling to tip a wheelbarrow.

8.HAWK WING (the sire)
should be banned from impregnating any more mares due to how awful his offspring are.

9.GRAHAM CUNNINGHAM
channel 4 pundit who sits there with not a single note in front of him during broadcasts yet consumate professional jim mcgrath has piles of them.. take note young graham...learn from the master..

10.EMMA SPENCER
another channel 4 pundit who not only was teetering around in her heels again she now throws in a chanel belt for good measure..must be getting increased maintenance off frank on the back of his qatari contract.

that concludes this weeks top 10 but if you think theres anyone that deserves consideration please tweet me with the #stealingalivingleague hashtag & we'll be pleased to give them consideration!!

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

19/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! in went the nap today at a very tasty 9/2 advised last night to keep the current run going & the #teamchoochoo express is well and truly in overdrive at the minute. hold on tight as we try & crank up the pressure on the bookies even more tomorrow..

2pts win SHEBEBI 1.50 newmarket (nap) 4/1 paddy power

the 3yo's are wiping the floor against there elders at the minute & i see no reason for it to change here so make hey whilst the sun shines folks!! askaud, who has won his last two runs & is rated 8lb lower than our selection.. has to race off levels here thanks to those good people at the BHA! another 3yo snowboarder brings some strong form to the table but he may need this on his first start since wintering in dubai & our lad certainly wasnt disgraced in the brittania at royal ascot & the mark johnston team are quite literally on fire at the minute & i expect this one to pop out & make all tomorrow & the step back up in trip will help him as well.

1pt win SOUND HEARTS 2.25 newmarket (nb) 7/1 paddy power

the step up to 1m 4f is just what this daughter of sir percy needs & shes also by a zaminder mare so the further she goes the better to be honest. she was touched off by tomorrows rival la arenosa in the warwickshire oaks but the godolphin filly now has to carry a 3lb penalty & allied with the step up in trip roger varians filly can turn the tables here & a return to a sound surface is also in her favour.

2pts win ARSAADI 2.05 newbury 5/2 skybet

this is a very weak C2 to be honest & its very simple.. a repeat of his hunt cup third will be more than good enough to take this. the 3yo in the field looks exposed & he should take this with the minimal of fuss.

2pts win OCEAN WAR 2.40 newbury 3/1 paddy power

the biggest thing in this fellas favour is he wears the godolphin whire cap!lol only joking but the famous white cap does seem to be making a regular appearance in the winners enclosure & the godolphin team really are in fine form at the minute with 8 wins & 8 places from there last 20 runners. this son of dalakhani last ran in pour moi's derby prior to royal ascot but he ran a race full of promise before blowing up in the final furlong in a listed handicap but off his current mark hes going to be far better plying his trade at pattern level & he really only has the other godolphin runner to beat as the rest dont look up to much at all. black spirits G3 win here was a very weak race & the 3yo at the bottom deoesn't look like hes trained on to me but i may be wrong.

win yankee (3pts in total)

well another 5pts gained today puts us on a profit of 81pts to advised bets for the month so far so lets see if we can hit triple figures before the end of the month. not the normal selections we usually go for i must admit tomorrow but with no big handicaps to get stuck into we can only work with whats in front of us im afraid but i do fancy these strongly i must admit.i must tell you about something that happened to me this week though.. i recieved a tweet from a gentleman asking for my e-mail address so i passed it on.. he preceeded to tell me he was disabled & had put a 10p e/w lucky 15 on four of my selections which returned him over 200 pounds & because of this he was now able to afford to go on holiday for the first time in over ten years. he went on that he would like to buy me a drink as a return favour but i pointed out to him that i make more than enough money backing my selections myself & dont expect any reward from followers. after reluctantly agreeing he then transferred 3.99 into my bank account for me to buy myself a drink.. this really touched my heart as it really is the thought that counts & the fact that this elderly gentleman went out of his way to buy me a drink i found very heart warming. as i sit here now drinking a cold can i raise a glass to you thomas.. a gentleman & a scholar & enjoy your holiday mate. :-)

many thanks for following..

regards

ian

18/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! two winners landed in the trixie & another ten point gain to advised bets which sees us surge past the 75pt profit mark for the month. the #teamchoochoo express is gathering speed at a rapid rate of knots at the minute & its fly by the seat of your pants stuff for followers after also landing our recent max bet. lets see if tomorrow can continue you the surge..

2pts win CONOR ZUR 5.30 haydock (nap) 9/2 bet365

we napped him three days ago & the old warrior battled all the way to the line only to be denied by a neck in the end @ a tasty 11/1. the price isnt so nice tomorrow but he goes in a weaker race & the most important thing with him is he gets on the front end & leads & he should be left alone tomorrow to make all & he can gallop this lot into submission.

1pt e/w TYFOS 3.50 haydock (nb) 20/1 paddy power

this lads like a rocket from the gates & if the truth be known he probably only just gets 5f but hes another that can seize the initiative from the outset & put his rivals to the sword. he wears his heart on his sleeve & will be all guns blazing & he if he gets on the front end & rolling he is now 3lb below his last winning mark & he cud well give these the slip but be warned...that final furlong will seem like an eternity!!

1pt e/w ART SCHOLAR 4.10 nottingham 18/1 bet365

our old friend arts scholar.. will always have a special place in my heart as hes the highest priced winning nap we've ever put up on the blog when he went in at a massive 25/1 for us last season but this isnt a case of heart ruling head.. his record here at nottingham over C&D reads.. 1-1-2 in fact the only horse to beat him here is the now lady cecil trained first mohican who has since won a york handicap off a mark of 100 so that tells you how strong the form is & last years november handicap winner  will make these all go i can assure you.

many thanks for following & i hope you've all enjoyed a couple of pints on me over the last couple of days basking in the sunshine. :-)

regards
ian

17/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well the maximum bet landed & its champagne & caviar at chateau mallard this evening! it also takes us to over 60pts profit to advised stakes this month & hopefully we can keep it going. i thought we might of had another maximum bet tomorrow but with doubts about the jockey & the fact its alot shorter than i would like i wont be putting it up but it would of been most unusual to have two max bets in a row after waiting four months since the last one!!lol

here are tomorrows selections..

2pts win CHANT 4.00 hamilton (nap) 4/1 paddy power

1pt win ST IGNATIUS 5.55 brighton (nb) 7/2 bet365

1pt win EXCELLENT AIM 4.50 brighton 7/2 skybet

0.5pt win trixie


1pt e/w BLUE DEER 2.50 brighton 8/1 bet365

1pt e/w DISTANT SUN 4.30 hamilton 20/1 bet365

1pt e/w DIVERTIMENTI 5.10 leicester 12/1 bet365

e/w trixie (1pt total)

its far to late for me to go into detail but i will do a write up in the morning of all my reasons for selections.

many thanks for following

regards
ian

16/7/2013

Evening sportsfan! well at first glance todays cards look absolute drivel but after further investigation ive actually got a max bet today.. something that hasnt happened in nearly 4 months! :-0

5pts win MISS TIGER LILY 3.00 ling (max bet nap) 7/2 skybet

the 3yo weight allowance is giving the younger horses such an advantage at the minute it would be folly to ignore & this is simple as on my figures shes got about a stone in hand here & needs only run to mark of around 50 to take this with minimal fuss. lump on & pay for your holidays now folks! the step up in trip can only bring about further improvement & im fully expecting a head in chest victory here.

2pts win MONTAFF 3.30 ling (nb) 5/1 coral

he now has the look of a very well handicapped horse & with his opponents having questions to answer he can outstay them all here.

1pt win double


well we where a tad unlucky yesterday with the nap engaging in a final furlong duel to the line & only getting chinned on the line but we still managed over a 15 point gain to advised bets.

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

15/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! unfortunatly times against me with the night racing going thro til after 9pm every night but ive done the beverley card upto now & ive got a nice looking e/w lucky 15 for us..

2pts e/w CONOR ZUR 3.30 beverley (nap) 8/1 bet365

1pt e/w MUJAADEL 4.30 beverley (nb) 14/1 bet365

1pt e/w SEE VERMONT 2.30 beverley 8/1 bet365

1pt e/w BODY LANGUAGE 3.00 beverley 6/1 paddy power

e/w yankee (3pts in total)

many thanks for following & i will try & put selections up from the other meetings as & when i finish the cards.

regards
ian

14/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! apologies but i was unable to blog on saturday as someone had decided to play around with the password, what they get out of this i have no idea but only they can answer that im afraid & a little tom foolery will not stop us in the quest for winners! not a bad month so far showing a profit of 43 points to advised bets so hopefully it can continue..

2pts e/w DUBAI DYNAMO 5.00 ayr (nap) 7/1 bet365

this isnt the strongest C2 race that will ever be run by any stretch of the imagination but the dury is out as to wether hes been unlucky lately or hes just a hound that doesnt want to win but im prepared to give him one last chance as there is bags of pace in the race & they may just cut each others throats on the front end & set it up nicely for this lad to come through & mug them all off on the line. with the likes of suits me & able master going hell for leather from the outset today might well be the old boys day.

2pts e/w ORIONS HERO 4.30 ayr (nb) 13/2 bet365

the 3-y-o's can pretty much write there own meal tickets at this time of year as the weight for age allowance is massive & if im honest could probably do with looking at as any 3yo with improvement in them are just killing the older horses stone dead at the minute. now theyve finally put to bed sending this oasis dream gelding over further the sires offspring love to hear there hooves rattle & his three runs on good/firm ground have resulted in his three best runs (all runners up spots) but now he steps up against his elders for the first time he can make the weight difference tell here and break his maiden tag.

we havent had an update on the stealing a living leaderboard for a while but we have a new entrant pushing for a place in the top three spots currently occupied by..

1. simon chrisford
godolphin employee who even he doesnt actually know his job title.

2. angus gold
sheikh hamdams racing manager who with access to the worlds finest bloodstock wouldnt know a colt from a filly to be honest.

3. david redvers
billions of arab pounds at his disposal yet seems incapable of buying anything above a C4 handicapper for less than 100k.

however channel fours racing pundit richie persad is really pushing hard to break into the top spots after his awful efforts at wimbledon.. i know NOTHING about tennis.. therefore i dont really comment on it.. and young persad would do well to do the same although as you can write on the back of a postage stamp what he knows about racing im not sure where the lad goes from here but if he continues to steal his living you can rest assured he will be named & shamed!!

many thanks for taking the time to read my blog & as always i wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide for your money tomorrow & happy punting!! :-)

regards
ian

11/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well a cracking day was spoilt by the nap running dismaly after our first two selections hit the frame at s.p.'s of 33/1 & 20/1!! still a massive 25pt gain to advised bets & i'd take that everyday i can assure you! onto tomorrows selections..

1pt e/w MUTAZAMEN 3.15 newmarket 28/1 bet victor

right then forget anything hes done this season so far & i'll explain why. he doesn't stay further than 6f on a plane so you can scrub the last three runs, prior to that the soft ground undone him at salisbury which brings us to his early season 2yo form where he was very progressive after running second to ashdad (subsequent winner & G1 placed) on debut. he then took a mickey mouse race at kempton over 7f where his stamina wasn't tested & i really believe hes had excuses since & paul hanigan doing 8st 1lb has to be noted.

i haven't previewed the races as i did yesterday as theres short priced favourites that will pretty much take the spoils but my plays will be as follows..

2.10 
back fig roll e/w on the chance that the favourite might struggle with the penalty but its clutching at straws really but this C&D winner looks nailed on to hit the frame at the very least.

2.40
i expect sky lantern to take this but my play on the race will be to lay elusive kate. she was sent over to france on numerous occasions last term in search of soft ground as connections think she needs a bit of cut so tomorrows lightning fast surface has to be a concern & whilst we tipped her up at royal ascot where she just missed the frame in fourth that was nothing more than a listed race in reality & she struggle to cope with the hannon filly although last years winner giofra isn't out of it by any means.

advised bets:

sorella bella 1.40 20/1 bet victor

fig roll 2.10 15/2 bet victor

mutazamen 3.15 28/1 ladbrokes

small stakes e/w patent (0.25pts e/w 3.5pts in total)

we are taking a bit of a punt on a couple here & there is always the chance that mutazamen hasn't trained on so very small stakes are advised as i'm not as confident on tomorrows selections as i was on todays & i know there are many of you that put your hard earned down & follow blindly so i think it only fair i air some caution.

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

10/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! tomorrow see the start of the newmarket july festival & we have a preview of the three group races on the card..

1.40 newmarket 1m 5f Group 3

all bar three of these ran at ascot & we'll swerve those & see if we can find some value elsewhere in the shape of clive brittains jathabah. shes by singspiel so the extra distance can only bring about improvement & theres plenty of stamina on the dams side. the form of her chester oaks run hasn't really been boosted but elik did run very well at royal ascot & banoffee wasnt disgraced last time out either so at a nice price we'll take her to hit the frame at least with her fillies allowance also a big plus.

1pt e/w JATHABAH 28/1 stan james


2.10 newmarket 6f Group 2

trappy little 2yo contest this but i'll be looking to take on the favourite sir john hawkins here as whilst he ran a decent race at ascot he looked all out in the final stages & i cant help but feel the effects might linger a bit longer than the short break hes had. however in the same race was the mick channon trained jallota & thats who we're taking to turn the tables. the stables runners thrive on there racing but more importantly he was stuck on the wing at ascot with no cover so to finish as close as he did was a cracking run & another 100yds & he'd of caught the o'brien runner in my opinion & i really cant work out the betting if i'm honest as the channon runner looks cracking value to me & he wont mind the quicker ground either.

1pt e/w JALLOTA 16/1 bet365


2.40 newmarket 1m 4f Group 2

the group races come thick & fast on a quality card tomorrow & again i'm looking to get the favourite beat here. the key form race here is the jockey club stakes at HQ back in may where wigmore hall had to give universal 5lb & was beaten 2.5 lengths where as tomorrow michael bells runner has an 8lb turn around with the johnston runner & that can make the difference here. allied that with wigmore halls 50% strike rate at newmarket & hes my banker bet of the day.. and after a 60 plus day absence hes only ever been beaten at Group one level so the break will have also freshened him up nicely for this.

2pts e/w WIGMORE HALL (nap) 7/1 bet365


0.5pt e/w trixie


many thanks for following & hopefully we can find a few winners..


regards
ian

8/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! bit disappointing today if i'm honest as i expected a better showing but i've decided to have a pop at the wolverhampton polytrack meeting for tomorrows blog..

2pts e/w UNLIMITED 5.15 wolves (nap) 7/1 bet365

the old man of the party at eleven years of age but he holds his form well & ran a promising race last time out under tomorrows claimer. hes got placed form off higher marks recently & hopefully the drop of a few pounds can work the trick.

1pt e/w NOVALIST 1.45 wolves (nb) 10/1 bet365

looks on a decent a/w mark & a repeat of his third place run behind yungaburra on his last visit here would be more than good enough to take this.

i've not covered any other cards as yet so hopefully i will do a blog update tomorrow morning..

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

7/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! back after a short break & a cracking 22/1 winning nap on saturday!! unfortunatly we couldnt find one to go with it but it was a winning day none the less. onto tomorrows selections..

2pts e/w COSMIC SUN 4.00 ayr (nap) 7/1 ladbrokes

the return to C4 company can work the oracle for richard faheys gelding & he'll also relish the quick conditions.


1pt e/w ORPSIE BOY 4.30 ayr (nb) 20/1 paddy power

taken a bit of a stab with this one but the old boy is starting to look dangerously well handicapped & he wont mind the underfoot conditions either.

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

5/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! its coral eclipse day at sandown park tomorrow & as with all the big meetings we have a full preview..

2.05 sandown (coral charge) 5f 6y Group 3

i'm happy to take the forecast favourite on here in lady cecils tickled pink, i think shes far better over 6f rather than a sharp five but the horse it will suit down the ground is the mick channon speedball bungleinthejungle. he had both spirit quartz & kingsgate native behind when running creditably in the kings stand stakes at the royal meeting & he gets all the allowances here.

BACK: 1pt e/w BUNGLEINTHEJUNGLE 14/1 bet victor


2.40 sandown (coral challenge) 1m 14yds Class 2 Handicap

we're going to stick with our old friend prince of johanne here. he ran a blinder when second off this mark when we napped him at yorks dante meeting & this is the mark he won last years royal hunt cup off as well. the big danger is from the al kaazeem team with trader jack as everytime i look at his form his second behind grandeur at goodwood last year sticks out like a sore thumb but i think he may want it softer. the favourite wentworth i could't back with stolen money. don't confuse being unlucky with ungenuine & wether he was unlucky or not at ascot he has still risen in the handicap as a result.

BACK: 1pt e/w PRINCE OF JOHANNE 22/1 bet victor


3.15 sandown (coral distaff) 1m 14yds Listed

far more questions than answers here & another favourite i'll be taking on, she didnt look to be enjoying the quicker conditions last time at ascot and all of her earlier form is on a softer surface. i'm going to stick with the gosden filly to carry on her progression here.

1pt e/w WOODLAND ARIA 6/1 888sport


3.50 sandown (coral-eclipse) 1m 2f 7yds Group 1

now this race is where i have a problem & i think al kazeem has had a couple of hard races recently in top group ones & the effects could take there toll. however, i have a few "golden rules" when it comes to gambling & one of them is when i'm laying i NEVER lay C&D winners.. and on that premis i cant put him up as a lay i'm afraid. the one i think that looks the value play to me is the german raider pastorius. the prix ganay winner brings frankel form to the table & as we all know thats just about as good as it gets & he ran well in a top international race last time. of the home raiders i think the fugue will strip alot fitter this time out after blowing up slightly on her seasonal bow but ran a blinder to finish third behind al kazeem & it wouldn't surpise me in the slightest to see her turn the form around.

1pt e/w PASTORIUS 11/1 ladbrokes


e/w yankee (2pts in total)


many thanks for following & hopefully we can find a few winners..

regards
ian

3/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! no joy with the blogged selections today but tonights lucky 15 has got off to a flyer so fingers crossed!! :-)

here are tomorrows selections..

2pts e/w WEAPON OF CHOICE 5.50 haydock (nap) 12/1 p.p.

1pt e/w WHISKEY JUNCTION 3.40 yarmouth (nb) 12/1 bet365

0.5pt e/w double

both selections look on decent marks & can hopefully land us a nice return.

many thanks for following..

regards
ian

2/7/2013

Evening sportsfans!! well didn't we do well today!! winners @ 10/1 & 13/2 the highlight & we also had a 6/1 place leaving only captain scooby who ran on all to late to finish 4th to deny us a massive payout. hopefully tomorrow follows suit..

2pts e/w LIGHT THE CITY 5.00 catterick (nap) 15/2 bet victor

Ruth Carrs multiple C&D winner has now slipped 5lb below his last winning mark & showed he was coming back to the boil last time out when tiring late on over an inadequate trip & he does seem to save his best for the yorkshire track.

1pt e/w SOLAR SPIRIT 4.00 catterick (nb) 14/1 bet victor

another one who loves it here & he was staying on over a trip which will have been plenty sharp enough last time out & he'll be far more at home here.

0.5pt e/w double

an absolute belter of a day today showing over 25pts profit to our advised bets & hopefully we can keep the run going tomorrow. i haqven't covered the evening cards yet but i will try & get my selections on line before lunchtime along with the days lays.

many thanks for following..

regards

ian

1/7/2013

Morning sportsfans! hopefully today can spring a few winners for us..

2pts e/w CAPTAIN SCOOBY 5.00 hamilton (nap) 6/1 bet365

1pt e/w THE STRIG 2.15 brighton (nb) 13/2 bet365

1pt e/w EXCEEDEXPECTATIONS 6/1 bet365

0.5pt e/w MANDALAY KING 5.30 hamilton 10/1 bet365

e/w yankee (2pts in total)

all look primed & ready to run big races to me, the old boy captain scooby has done us a few favours in the past & now hes down to a workable mark he shud give the youngsters something to think about here. the strig won last years race off a higher mark & he loves the south coast track.

many thanks for following..

regards
ian