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Final declarations are through for the big Saturday meeting at Sandown.   It would have been a strong candidate for Race of the Season had all those entered for the Celebration Chase gone to post but the proximity of the Punchestown Festival (starts next Tuesday) always meant that was unlikely. It's still a decent race with seven runners but it looks between just three with EL FABIOLO, JONBON and EDWARDSTONE looking to dominate. EDWARDSTONE was closer to JONBON in the Tingle Creek here than he had been in the Schloer at Cheltenham but I'm not sure JONBON is now as well suited by 3200m as he was - indeed, his performance at Aintree strongly suggested 4000m and points onward might be where his optimum trip now lives. EDWARDSTONE was very good in the Game Spirit at Newbury but was going to be second best in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham when falling two out. In truth, EL FABIOLO should beat them both (indeed has done) but the mistake at Cheltenham last time weighs on the mind and 4/6 probably isn't a price to take on what is arguably the second biggest jumping test in UK racing after Cheltenham but he's the one they all have to beat.  The Grade 2 Oaksey Chase also has seven runners over the specialist 4400m trip. In truth, this isn't a strong renewal. The favourite is HITMAN and he'll love the better ground. THE REAL WHACKER beat GERRI COLOMBE in the 2023 Brown Advisory but has had a moderate campaign and pulled up in the Gold Cup. Again the hope will be the better ground will spark some improvement. There's some good ground in 2022 which puts EASY GAME in with a chance but he was pulled up in the Melling at Aintree. G A LAW was pulled up in the Ryanair and AL DANCER isn't without hope albeit he's mainly a Grade 3 horse. HITMAN is the percentage call but it's a race I'll be avoiding from a punting perspective. Eight go in the Select Hurdle over 4250m. IMPAIRE ET PASSE edged out BOB OLINGER at Aintree and there's a little evidence he'll thrive on this better ground so 5/6 might not be a bad price. LANGER DAN won a warm handicap at the Cheltenham Festival and was a short neck back in third behind IMPAIRE ET PASSE at Aintree so has real claims though I'd fancy him more if this race were over the full 4800m. BALLYADAM has a 10 lb turnround for three and a half lengths from the aforementioned Cheltenham handicap and that's significant. He's very consistent and is going to be there or thereabouts. At a bigger price I've had an each way interest on BREWINUPASTORM who did what few British trained horses have done last season and went to Ireland and won one of their Grade 2 races. I remember him winning the National Spirit at Fontwell on decent ground and at 25s I'm hoping he can run to his best. Looking ahead, the Punchestown Festival kicks off on Tuesday and the ground is currently Good to Yielding. It's a five day meeting and a mixture of championship races and four cross country races including the famous La Touche over 6600m. The opening day has three championship races. The Champion Novices Hurdle over 3250m has attracted both novice hurdle winners from Cheltenham with BALLYBURN, the Gallagher winner, 5/4 against Supreme winner SLADE STEEL at 3s. Both JONBON and EL FABIOLO have been left in the Champion Chase but they will more likely turn up at Sandown. Champion Chase first and second CAPTAIN GUINNESS and GENTLEMEN DU MEE re-oppose buy both my struggle against the improving mare DINOBLUE. The Champion Novices Chase over 4850m features Brown Advisory runner up MONTY'S PASS and a number of more unexposed Irish novices. We'll know more after final declarations on Sunday.

Even from here, I hope you're wrong but all I hear are echoes of Joni Mitchell.

Star router Next and the speedy No Nay Mets are among the top contenders in two of Churchill Downs' featured stakes races May 1 leading up to Kentucky Derby (G1) weekend.View the full article

Sorry historian I think you are fighting a losing battle...I think its a lost cause...this year maybe 1 more if we are lucky.

And I am telling it as it is I would stop pissing me off...just telling it like it is...

It'll pick up... it always does. It's only April. Plenty of old and new jumpers popping up at the trials and highweights in the North.  Losing Ellerslie was a bitter blow but with Te Aroha and Te Rapa there is still plenty for northern trainers to plan around. Jockeys are the issue, as always. Last season, about a dozen was the ma available once Phelan went down injured.

I don't like the man as he's not my type ....(he is ugly and full of shit) Scooby .....but he did a better job than Biden is doing  and will again this next term when he gets back in. Give me Melania any day .....don't ya love those 'cats eyes' of hers......ahhhhhhh they make my knee's tremble. FF ....Just telling it as it is.

I also can not stand the lying POS...I hope for Americas sake he does not get back in...you should go to Main Street cafe you would find alot of friends there.

So you like him then Ohoka.😀.....I know one thing the USA went forward when he was in the White House unlike 'Sleepy Joe'. And make no mistake .....he will win again this year as well.....even if they throw him in jail he will rule the country from there......it will be a hoot. FF ...Just telling the truth.

A little more involved than “paying off a hooker” mate. Already $80m in the hole for defamation, Add Financial corruption, Fraud, Election interference, Insurrection incitement….he is scum.

No they kept quiet you kept going.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha ......Why me Scooby??? ....you said NOTHING to Ohokaman and Turny Tom who started this thread supporting Weiry .... but somehow I am the big bad Wolf for agreeing with them both! 😡....a little bit of favourtism me thinks here Scooby-Doo. I will let you run your race and get myself back to normality. PS.... jiggers just have a couple of little A4 batteries in them .....its more a tickle than a shock......If I hit you on the arse with it you would probably just laugh....and then the joke would be back on you haha 🤣🤣🤣. FF ...Just telling the truth.

It happens on all NZ races, you can hear it just watching Trackside, but seems far more pronounced when coming through car radio system.

How can you feel sorry for a bloke who used electricity on his horses..not just once but many times  for nothing more than greed...if you think that is ok then it is you who are the joke.

If you think its a joke then you laugh Scooby ....I prefer not to. FF....just telling the truth.

Friday @ Alexandra Park ⚓️ I've found a couple that i believe are bringing in solid form and they are well worth a dig individually and are also a great option to multi together! R2 Seaclusion  (Dylan might not be happy with me tipping his horse 😅😁) I've always had a soft spot for this horse and she ran a solid 2nd fresh up last week amongst the boys after working from the 2nd row and ending up 4 wide turning for home.  Draws better tonight, will only be fitter and the sprint trip suits!  I actually think she's overs. $4.80 and $2.00 R3 Irish Whispers  He brings solid form coming in to this race and was 2nd to Hail Lucius at Cambridge on The Race By Grins night. Keep in mind, he drew 7 and worked hard off the gate to sit wide the race. That night Hail Lucius couldn't have been more impressive winning in 2.37:3 and Irish Whispers was gaining on him hitting the line going down by a length to finish 2nd. If he produces something similar he wins! $3.50FW A $10 spend taking both to win could return  $168.00 Good luck! 🙂 🍻

Poor Wiery what a joke .... what about the poor bloody defenceless horses he terrorised...??????

Another 52 horses have been exported, from 25/March to 22/April, this included 3 racehorses returning to Australia and 21 horses going to China, including the stallion Johny Rock. I am not sure whether it was last month or the one before that had over 60 exported. At the same time as we have these high export figures, we have a 10% reduction in breeding numbers and now HRNZ/Entain also want to increase the number of race meetings by 20%, and who do they want to give these meeting to? well of course most of them are to the two clubs that already have the lowest field size in the country at 8.5, ATC & Manawatu!! ATC - 45 Meetings up 14        Manawatu - 19 Meetings  up 7 ATC  =            GBR as a %  T/O  17.8%          GBR as a % of Funding  57.7% Manawatu  =                               11.5%                                                    42.9% It is a recipe for losing more money than they already are, and with a number of Premier meetings coming up in Auckland their % figures will go down even more!  

CJC got rid of all jumps but National & only hanging by thread for the $$$. don't even waste my time going down any more as had done every year,  BEST part of the season for 50+ of my yrs but sad decline, sold off hill so no Great Northern etc karma seems to be visiting there lol, Dr McGregor Grant be mortified.  Shame they listen to not only the Peta nutters & cohorts but those on boards trying to shut jumps racing down.  Be at their peril as many I know have now turned backs on racing & spend $ elsewhere.  Don't think Troys that desperate to go back over sticks, not last I chatted with him  Shaun will pick his mounts, a few overseas jumps jocks may return, Emily may also, time will tell, without Myers, Ken Duncan & a few stalwarts few have jumpers any more & those in Sth Is who do want the odd one now have to send it north.  Long gone are the likes of the great Kumai. Grey Ways etc.  Can only hope the choice picnic meetings who DO get great public attendance do do same way some are trying to shut. sorry state of racing it's become 

Thursday @ Cambridge. Here are 4 I've been keeping my eye on and I think they are all winning chances tonight!. ⚓️ R3 Gladys Greenland  Fresh up tonight and has done the majority of her racing at Alexandra Park. Comes to Cambridge tonight for her resumption and has gate speed to burn which will make her tough to beat over the 1700m!  🔸️ $2.30FW ⚓️ Shez The One  Won her maiden 3 starts ago and backed that up with 2 tidy 3rds. One of those was against Leo Lincoln and she went 2:40.3 so she can get along nicely and has enough gate speed to be handy. Broke last start in traffic on The Race By Grins night here after drawing 10. Her last 3 races they have gone sub 2:41.4 so she has been having to fight! 🔸️ $6.00 and $2.30 ⚓️ R6 Sheza Mermaid  A maiden I've been following and alot of the time she has been unlucky or has done it tough but normally super consistent! She should go close in this feild tonight!  🔸️ $4.00 and $1.70 ⚓️ R9 Lincoln Cove Has the ability to be breaking maiden status but manners have been an issue! He gets his chance tonight in a small feild and if he behaves he can definitely take this out! 🔸️ $3.60 and $1.45 Although i think they are winning chances,  a nice multi option might be taking them all to run top 2. $10 to return $175.56 Good luck (: