Horse Racing Tips – 19 January – Lingfield

Well I believe it was someone in Hamlet who said something was rotten and I have to say I felt that way by the end of yesterday afternoon, with one bet falling when about to win, and the other drifting like a barge from about 5/1 favourite overnight all the way out to 8/1 before running appallingly. As a punter/writer/journalist that provides yet more evidence that last minute punting is the way to go whenever possible but most of us have other things to do than stare at the betting all afternoon and I freely admit that had I seen the odds, my money would have stayed firmly in my pocket!

As for Grumeti, he fell two out when looking all over the winner and as then shortened in the ante post betting for the Triumph Hurdle, giving the bookies a double whammy of not paying out today, and reducing their risks for future Cheltenham bets – nice work if you can get it eh?

Four cards await us punters this afternoon with three over the jumps plus Wolverhampton in the evening, but as I am still sulking, I am less convinced about finding too many winners, though that only makes me triple my efforts so may not be such a bad thing?

Odds are, as witnessed above, little more than second guesses until race time, but surely David Pipe has found a pretty easy opportunity for Poole Master to follow up his recent victory at Uttoxeter in the 1.00pm at Lingfield? He won with a bit in hand that day and although he is penalised and thus has to give weight away all round, none of his rivals her have really looked like winning over hurdles and he ought to add another £2700 or so to his owners wallet.

Now I may have it hopelessly wrong (nothing new there, some would say), but Becausewecan was rated only about four pounds below Il De Re on the flat, yet the early betting for the Lingfield novice hurdle at 2.00pm suggest Il De Re as odds on favourite and 9.5 or thereabouts for Mark Johnston’s runner. I confess that Ian Williams’ six year old has more experience and has placed twice, whereas my each way selection only has one hurdles run under his belt when fifth at Catterick but should b e better over this longer trip and at least hit the frame for the ever popular straight talking Scottish trainer.

Looking forward to the summer, I notice Royal Ascot have changed the dress code for this year and will be far more strict. Not only will I need to buy a new suit (boo) and a tie but worse than that, mini skirts are banned (double boo), and it will be interesting to see if the crowds go down with such draconian measures.  As one arm of racing looks to attract the next generation, others hark back to the dim and distant past, and whichever you think is the correct stance, surely racing should be pulling together in one direction or another – some things never change?

Thursday Suggestions:

Sensible bet for Punters

2pts Win POOLE MASTER 1.00pm Lingfield

Silly bet for dreamers:

Half point each way BECAUSEWECAN 2.00pm Lingfield