29/09/12 selections

A top day of racing on this Saturday, with another big day at Market Rasen and Newmarket playing host to various group races and the Cambridgeshire. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Dana's Present 8.20 Wolverhampton

2pts E/W:
Star Of Aragon 2.10 Market Rasen
Rebel Dancer 2.40 Market Rasen
Elusivity 3.15 Haydock
Diescentric 4.50 Newmarket

1pt E/W:
Neutrafa 5.35 Haydock

Good Luck and enjoy the racing.
Will

Listen at soundcloud.com/will-bowler-racing

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

The Cambridgeshire Preview - 29/09/12

Saturday at Newmarket is a fantastic day of equine sport, with the Royal Lodge and Cheveley Park Stakes for the two year olds, full of class. Then the fillies and mares take centre stage in the Sun Chariot Stakes at 3.00, with Beauty Parlour and Elusive Kate sure to be very popular in the market. But the biggest puzzle of all tomorrow is a puzzle that involves British, Irish and French runners, 3 year olds up to 7 year olds and 35 runners, the Cambridgeshire, a cavalry charge over a mile and a furlong of the world famous Rowley Mile course.
The purpose of this preview is to try and trim the field down to four or five, and find some value in the bigger priced runners.

Can a past winner go in again?: In my honest opinion, no. Although I would love to see Prince of Johanne win in consecutive years, he's a six year old off a 13lb higher mark, and despite young Brendan Powell taking 5lb off on what is his biggest Flat ride to date, he has his work cut out. As does Credit Swap, who hasn't shown any real form since his win in this in 2010, and seems a no hoper.

What about the three year olds?:  I think that a couple of three year olds are going to play a prominent role here, but not the current favourite Mukhadram. Although I saw him win his maiden here back in May, I think he is too short, and despite his shrewd yard, I think he will struggle to lay up with the early pace. Chil The Kite though, should be favourite after a good fourth last time in Listed company on ground that was probably a bit too fast at Haydock. Before that, he had shown improved form, winning two nice handicaps showing a good turn of speed on both occasions. Two slight doubts are his draw in stall 1, right on the far side, and his two defeats at this venue would also be a minor worry. Despite this, under Richard Hughes, I expect a very bold bid.
As for the other three year olds, Burano may bounce and is also a bit high in the weights for what he has achieved so far. Bronze Angel has claims, but is no certain stayer of this fiercely run nine furlongs and I'd rather leave him after the early Pricewise selection in the week. I quite like Rewarded at a price. He has a course win and is from a yard that is very capable and usually go under the radar a little bit. He has been running well in Group races, and back in a handicap off a very fair mark, is overpriced at 25/1. He was third behind Energizer, narrowly beating Mukhadram off level weights, it's the same tomorrow, Mukhadram 9/1, Rewarded 25/1.

What about the ones at the top of the weights?: Fury has had too many chances for my liking now, and even with the hood applied, I can't fancy him. Similar applies with Navajo Chief, who has had a lot of running as well this summer. Boom And Bust was ahead of Chil The Kite at Haydock, but a race like this doesn't play to his strengths that well. Despite this, he is game and is sure to run his heart out again. King's Warrior doesn't like the track I don't think, after looking very uneasy on it earlier on this season. Mijhaar is a monkey, but if he has a lucky/going day, he would be a danger to all.

Of the others?: I don't know much about the French challenger Talk About, who is a contender for a yard who have had plenty of success on these shores in the past. I like 3 at bigger prices. Start Right for Godolphin and Silvestre De Sousa has had a bit of hard luck on his last three starts, especially last time out at Sandown when getting blocked at least twice, before finishing sixth behind Labarinto. I think he is too big at 33's.
Swiftly Done is another that I like here, after a hopelessly unlucky passage at Goodwood, that resulted in his jockey hitting fellow jockey Jamie Spencer after the race. Jimmy Fortune is aboard tomorrow and is a very reliable big race jockey, and a rare booking for this shrewd yard (Declan Carroll). If they get a bit of rain, then he would have a big each way chance at 25's.
Jack's Revenge is another who must go well for the George Baker team. He is a quirky hold up horse who looked a shade unlucky not to win after being stopped momentarily before delivering a withering late run to snatch third, beaten two necks at Goodwood. He won at Windsor and on the July Course before that and is certainly going the right way. Gerald Mosse, the top French rider takes the ride, and will hopefully be produced late off a strong pace, and will be bang there by the end I'm sure.
Finally, the horse that finished a neck ahead of him that day, Bancnuanaheireann could run a big race for a yard in Michael Appleby having a great season. He ran a corker at Goodwood, but hasn't quite replicated that since in races not fully run to suit. But this will be run at a fast pace, which he can sit off the back of, and maybe sneak a place at huge odds.

I hope this is a useful guide for you trying to solve the puzzle of the Cambridgeshire.

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

28/09/12 selections

A really nice day of racing on this Friday, as Stratford has a matinee card and it's day two of the Cambridgeshire meeting at Newmarket. Further analysis and in-running ideas on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Roll The Dice 12.30 Stratford

2pts E/W:
Classic Colori 4.35 Newmarket
Leviathan 4.45 Haydock
Dissent 6.15 Wolverhampton
Mohair 9.15 Wolverhampton

1pt E/W:
Trumpet Major 2.20 Newmarket

The race to watch is the 1.35 at Stratford.

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

27/09/12 selections

Four meetings tomorrow, as the Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting kicks off. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Havana Gold 3.40 Newmarket
Saint Luke 5.05 Perth

1pt WIN:
Ifandbutwhynot 2.45 Perth

2pts E/W:
Rainbow Beauty 2.55 Pontefract
Marmot Bay 7.15 Wolverhampton

The race to watch is the 3.20 at Perth (explained more on the soundcloud).

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

26/09/12 selections

Again, just three meetings on this Wednesday. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Bold Prediction 5.50 Kempton

1pt WIN:
Cadore 2.50 Perth

2pts E/W:
Soprano 5.05 Perth

1pt E/W:
Cardinal 4.50 Goodwood
Mushaakis 7.50 Kempton

Listen to the end of the soundcloud for an in running plan for the 9.20 at Kempton.

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

25/09/12 selections

Tuesday only has three meetings, two flat and one jump card. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Free Zone 3.10 Beverley
Dark Orchid 4.30 Folkestone

2pts E/W:
Myboyalfie 3.30 Folkestone
I Confess 4.10 Beverley
Bingo Des Mottes 4.20 Newton Abbot

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

22/09/12 selections

A very busy day of racing, with Ayr the centrepiece of the action. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN DOUBLE:
Twenty One Choice 7.50 Wolverhampton
Iceman George 9.20 Wolverhampton

2pts WIN:
Royal Bonsai 4.50 Catterick

3pts E/W:
Cheveton 1.45 Ayr

2pts E/W:
African Oil 4.55 Newbury
The Tichborne 5.05 Newmarket

1pt E/W:
Grissom 2.20 Ayr

The horse to watch Shahrazad in the Wolverhampton 7.50, the soundcloud has more info on him.

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

21/09/12 selections

Five meetings today and also Listowel go again for day six of their harvest festival. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

4pts WIN:
Martinas Delight 2.40 Lingfield

2pts WIN:
Novirak 2.30 Newbury
Right Result 7.00 Wolverhampton

2pts E/W:
Havin A Good Time 3.50 Lingfield
Variety Show 5.35 Lingfield

1pt E/W:
Kyle Of Bute 9.00 Wolverhampton

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

20/09/12 selections

A good days action on this Thursday, with three decent cards to entertain, plus more listowel in Ireland, where Back In Focus makes his chase debut.
Further reasoning on the matching
soundcloud.

AYR OFF


2pts WIN:
Primaeval 8.10 Kempton
Alnoomaas 9.10 Kempton

2pts E/W:
Saslong 6.00 Pontefract

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

19/09/12 selections

Four meetings on this Wednesday, plus day 4 of the listowel harvest festival. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud:

2pts WIN:
Whimsical 8.15 Kempton

2pts E/W:
Diamond Blue 3.40 Beverley
Bordoni 5.25 Yarmouth
Iron Butterfly 7.15 Kempton

1pt E/W:
Roxelana 5.05 Sandown

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

17/09/12 selections

Only three meetings today, and five selections as well. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Twenty One Choice 2.40 Musselburgh
The Bells O Peover 3.40 Musselburgh
(Double)

1pt WIN:
Sweet Liberta 4.20 Brighton

2pts E/W:
Kakapuka 3.30 Wolverhampton

1pt E/W:
Merchants Return 5.30 Wolverhampton

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

My day at Doncaster 14/09/12

Friday at Doncaster was the third day of the prestigious St Leger meeting, where the main attraction was the Doncaster Cup. For me though, it was an experience I won't be forgetting any time soon. Yes the racing was great, but me and my dad had got a behind the scenes day with the Channel 4 racing team.
It started off the previous week when I sent in a preview of the racing on Betfred Sprint Cup day to various members of the team, asking for feedback. Tanya Stevenson got back to me on the Sunday morning afterwards, giving me some great feedback and offering a day with them on one of three different dates, which I obviously couldn't miss.
We got there at 9 in the morning, the earliest I had ever got to a racecourse on a raceday in my life! After meeting Tanya, and getting our badges, we then proceeded upstairs to the production meeting. There, we met all the presenters, Mike Cattermole, who recognised me from when I shadowed him at Nottingham back in April, Emma, Jim, John and Simon, plus all the production team. We all read through the script, and tweaked it if neccesary, for example, changing to interviewing Ed Walker before Sound Of Guns ran in the Flying Childers instead of Michael Bell, because he was a smaller trainer in great form.
After a meeting full of laughs, mainly about how bad 'The Sweeney' was, which a few of the team had seen the previous evening, we then moved to the area no ordinary racegoer can go, which is the production trucks.
Firstly, we saw one of the video editing suites, where the all the walls were covered from head to toe in tapes, dating back eighteen months. As my dad said 'I could have lived in there with a telly to watch them, and not got bored'. We then went to the main nerve centre, the visual and audio truck. In the visual section, there was more TV screens in there than you've ever seen in your life, with various camera angles and hundreds of buttons all with individual roles to help piece together the coverage.
We were then let loose for an hour or so until they got my headset ready for later, so I could listen to all the talkback between the producers and presenters while the programme is going on. In that hour, it was time for a bite to eat, and a placepot session as we tried to pick our way through this high class and tricky card. After the deliberations and grafting through the form book, we went to collect the headset from one of the trucks which Tanya had laid on for us to share.
With headset on, we wandered towards the edge of the paddock, but on route, Jim McGrath saw us and offered us to have a look in the box by the paddock where Jim and John Francome look at the runners. John was on cracking form all day, and told us a great story from the old days at Southwell, where he rode the same horse in different divisions of the novice hurdle, under a different name. He said the marks of the whip could still be seen on his quarters from an hour or so earlier. And when a fellow rider missed out four of the five fences up the straight at Chepstow in the fog, while he jumped them, then he rejoined over the last and caught John for third close home, he was livid at the time!!
Before we knew it, racing was upon us, with Sir Prancealot winning the opener on his return to five furlongs, he could be an Abbaye horse either this year, but probably next year as a better option. Then it was the Mallard Stakes, where I strongly fancied Nanton each way, this dashing ten year old grey is still going strong, and so nearly got up in a finish where eight of them were split by two and a half lengths won by Sir Graham Wade. Caravan Rolls On looked a very unlucky loser in that race, and is one to watch in the rest of the season.
All the while, I was listening away to the production team frantically organising everyone with countdowns and cues to speak, it was fascinating.
It was big race time, the Doncaster Cup, where luckily for us, the perfect result occured. Times Up, a most fitting name for his trainer John Dunlop, who announced his retirement only a day previous. He scored narrowly over arguably a slightly unlucky High Jinx for Graham Lee, who had also just missed out on Nanton half an hour earlier. It was great to see John there as well, who looked a bit emotional afterwards, which is to be expected. Certify won in a great finish to the May Hill Stakes, beating Purr Along by a head, a horse that has gone a little under the radar, probably due to the yard who trains her. Then, half an hour later, in similar style, after being narrowly headed at one stage then winning cosily, Ashdan won for William Buick and John Gosden ahead of another smart horse; who'll be a sprinter I think in time, No Jet Lag, in the Rossington Hall Conditions Stakes. The next handicap was won in good style by Cape Classic, a horse who was very well thought of at the start of the season but hadn't delivered up until now. Diescentric ran an eye catching race and has been dropped two pounds as well, he could be one to watch in big field seven furlong or mile races in the next few weeks (Is entered in 7f Ascot handicap 06/10/12). Finally, my strongest selection of the day, Dick Doughtywylie held on really well to win the Classified Stakes for the Buick and Gosden combination at 7/2.
After dropping my headset back to the truck, we thanked Tanya, who was a brilliant guide and is a real hard-worker, working as Andrew Franklins' PA for fifteen years.
I would like to thank everyone at Channel 4 racing for being so accomadating to us both, and giving me some great advice and insight into the work required to make every broadcast go as smoothly as it can.

Will

15/09/12 selections

Saturday Sepetember the 15th is potentially a date that the racing world will always associate with history as Camelot bids for Triple Crown glory in the St Leger.
6 selections, with further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Hoarding 4.50 Doncaster
One Scoop Or Two 5.35 Chester

2pts E/W:
Ursa Major 3.40 Doncaster
Comedy House 5.10 Bath
Forty Proof 5.40 Bath

1pt E/W:
Doc Hay 3.00 Doncaster

Good Luck and enjoy
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

13/09/12 selections

Four meetings again on Thursday, with day 2 of the St Leger meeting being the main attraction.

4pts WIN:
Excuse To Linger 7.20 Wolverhampton

2pts WIN:
The Gold Cheongsam 2.20 Doncaster
Novirak 3.40 Epsom

2pts E/W:
Kunzea 3.55 Chepstow
Goldream 4.05 Doncaster

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

12/09/12 selections

On this fine Uttoxeter Twitterati day, three other flat cards take place too, with the opening day of the St Leger meeting the main attraction. Further analysis on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Swedish Sailor 4.10 Doncaster
Dana's Present 9.15 Kempton

1pt WIN:
Alazan 4.20 Uttoxeter

2pts E/W:
Goodwood Starlight 2.40 Uttoxeter
Oxford Charley 4.30 Carlisle

1pt E/W:
Solway Star 3.50 Uttoxeter

Good Luck and enjoy
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

11/09/12 selections

A quiet day, with only three cards and trappy racing as well. A few speculators involved, with further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Chandlers Cross 2.40 Worcester

2pts E/W:
Sea Soldier 4.50 Leicester
Come Hither 5.30 Redcar

1pt E/W:
Self Employed 4.00 Redcar
Tresor De Bontee 5.40 Worcester

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

10/09/12 selections

A quiet and low grade Monday, with Newcastle, Bath, Newton Abbot and Galway playing the hosts. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Aleksandar 5.20 Bath

1pt WIN:
MacBeth 6.05 Galway

2pts E/W:
Italian Lady 4.00 Newcastle
Whenever 5.10 Newton Abbot

1pt E/W:
Jawaab 3.00 Newcastle
Cockney Fire 3.20 Bath

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

09/09/12 selections

A quiet Sunday, with Fontwell, York and the Curragh to keep us entertained. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Gigondas 2.05 Fontwell
Gabrial's Star 4.00 York

2pts E/W:
Dubai Glory 2.35 Fontwell
Montebell 5.25 Curragh

1pt E/W:
Makena 3.40 Fontwell

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

08/09/12 selections

A busy day of racing as ever on this Saturday. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Cantal 5.20 Kempton

1pt WIN:
Ginger Monkey 5.40 Thirsk

2pts E/W:
Chapter And Verse 3.05 Kempton
Flashman 5.05 Haydock

1pt E/W:
Excellent Guest 3.45 Ascot
The Cayterers 3.50 Stratford

Enjoy and good luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

07/09/12 selections

Again, four meetings on this Friday, but all flat cards today. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Semeen 2.40 Brighton

1pt WIN:
Sandbanks Sizzler 9.20 Kempton

2pts E/W:
Piddie's Power 4.10 Haydock
Final Drive 6.20 Kempton

1pt E/W:
Barista 4.30 Chepstow
Bobby's Doll 5.25 Brighton

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

06/09/12 selections

Four meetings for investigation today, one jumps card from Sedgefield and flat cards from Salisbury, Haydock and Kempton under the lights. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
If So 9.10 Kempton

1pt WIN:
Mr Red Clubs 2.20 Sedgefield

2pts E/W:
Archie's Wish 5.00 Sedgefield
Snooker 5.30 Sedgefield

1pt E/W:
Arlecchino 2.30 Haydock
Emmuska 5.20 Salisbury

Good Luck and enjoy
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

05/09/12 selections

Jumps and flat on the menu for Wednesday. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Labiemus 2.00 Lingfield
Tarara 2.50 Bath
Bet Lynch 4.40 Hereford

1pt WIN:
Pindar 3.10 Hereford

2pts E/W:
Comedy House 4.50 Bath

1pt E/W:
Volcanic Dust 3.20 Bath

Good Luck and enjoy
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

04/09/12 selections

Only three meetings on the flat today, and five selections for me. Further reasoning as ever on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Firstkissoflove 3.05 Leicester
Tiger Webb 4.25 Musselburgh

2pts E/W:
Mystery Star 4.40 Goodwood
West Leake Hare 5.20 Leicester

1pt E/W:
American Impact 3.50 Musselburgh

Good Luck and enjoy
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

02/09/12 selections

Only two meetings to look through today, and Hamilton already off tomorrow as well. Further reasoning on matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Special Account 1.40 Newton Abbot
Basilica 3.00 Folkestone

2pts E/W:
Like Minded 3.10 Newton Abbot
Makena 4.10 Newton Abbot

1pt E/W:
Merchants Return 4.30 Folkestone

Good Luck
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter

01/09/12 selections

A slightly more low key Saturday before the sprint cup at Haydock next week. 6 selections across five meetings. Further reasoning on the matching soundcloud.

2pts WIN:
Underwritten 4.45 Mkt Rasen

2pts E/W:
Polish World 2.40 Beverley
Indian Jack 4.00 Sandown
Ballylibert 6.00 Killarney

1pt E/W:
The Thrill Is Gone 2.15 Sandown
Red Baron 5.30 Chester

Good Luck and enjoy
Will

or @willbowler2k12 on Twitter