Tattersalls Millions Trophy: Fahey chasing big HQ pot

He's not been back with us long but I've not had to do a lot with him. I just had to keep him happy and give him a little blowout.

UAE Derby fourth Mickdaam returns to Britain for a crack at the £250,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy at Newmarket on Thursday.

The Dubawi colt, whose Timeform master rating of 116 means he heads the figures for the race, is now back with Malton handler Richard Fahey after running four times at Meydan under the care of South African trainer Mike de Kock.

Runner-up in the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas, he then won a listed race before staying on nicely to take fourth spot behind Daddy Long Legs in the Group 2 UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night.

"Mike (de Kock) did wonderfully well with him and the horse ran well out there. It wasn't a surprise that he did," said Fahey.

"The horse has come here in good form. He's not been back with us long but I've not had to do a lot with him. I just had to keep him happy and give him a little blowout."

Fahey also saddles Chapter Seven (Timeform Rating 97p), who faces his stiffest test to date but with prize money down to ninth place and just 14 runners he takes his chance.

"The owner was quite keen to run. It's a big pot," Fahey went on.

"He won over a mile at Musselburgh and is officialy rated 90. If he gets the trip he could run OK. He goes there in good form.

David Wachman is also double-handed with Alkazim (97) and Amira's Prince (100p).

Both are fit from a run in the last four weeks and the County Tipperary trainer expects the step up from a mile not to inconvenience them.

"The two of them are in good shape and they travelled over well. They are both entitled to take their chance and we'll see what happens," said Wachman.

"They are both stepping up to 10 furlongs, but I don't think it will be much of a problem."

In other Tattersalls Millions Trophy news, Richard Hannon, who had a 1-2 in the bumper first prize 12 months ago with Auld Burns and Measuring Time, is represented by Benbecula, Coupe de Ville, Rock Supreme and Rougemont.

"Coupe de Ville won four out of six last season, including the big sales race over course and distance, and he is BHA-rated 20lb clear of our other three, so would seem our number one hope," the trainer told www.richardhannonracing.tv.

"He was going away at the end of the seven when he won here, so you would have to think there was a chance he would stay this longer distance. He has already won at a mile.

"Like Dubawi Gold, Rock Supreme joined us from Michael Dods. He won his maiden at York and, though he will need to improve, he is a full brother to Yellowstone, so stamina should not be a problem there.

"Similarly, Rougemont who, though twice a winner last season, always looked like making a better three-year-old being by Montjeu, has no worries about stamina, while Benbecula, who completes the quartet, is certainly fit enough having had three runs on the all-weather this year."

Charlie Hills is looking for a decent performance from Ellaal, though the Lambourn handler does have reservations about the distance for the son of Oasis Dream, whose only two racecourse appearances to date came over seven furlongs on this track last autumn.

"He's a really likeable horse who has made good physical progress over the winter and is more than capable of running a big race. The only possible query could be the trip," the Lambourn trainer told www.charliehills.com.

The John Gosden-trained Ex Oriente won over a mile and a quarter at Lingfield in January, but takes a huge hike in class.

His jockey William Buick admits the Azamour gelding will have plenty on his plate.

"Ex Oriente ran better than his final place at Doncaster last time (fourth to Kingsdesire in a handicap) but it's a massive step up in the Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-0 Trophy where he's got 34lb to find with the top-rated horse Mickdaam," Buick told www.attheraces.com.

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Home And Away: Title chasing Bastia to add to Monaco's misery

Daily Tipping / Jonno Turner / 13 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Monaco's battle against another relegation looks set to last the season

Jonno Turner is backing Bastia to go top of Ligue 1 with victory at once-great Monaco, while he expects Napoli to recover some momentum against Chievo...

Well the African Cup of Nations 2012 came to an end last night with one of the dullest final 90 minutes ever recorded, followed by a gem of a penalty shootout which led to a Zambian victory.

Stunning and magical were some of the superlatives used to describe it - but enough about Gervinho's hairline.

We're off to France for our first pick of the week and Ligue 2, as struggling Monaco host Bastia at the Stade Louis II.

Monaco have featured a lot in this column over the last few months, and although Marco Simone's side have undergone a mini revival in recent weeks, they still find themselves rooted in the relegation zone, with time running out.

But although Simone seems to have managed to stop the rot of late, his side still can't turn that hard work into wins, and they have not taken three points on their home patch since September.

And this evening they welcome third-placed Bastia, who will jump to the top of the table if they can secure a win in the casino district.

Boss Frederic Hantz has seen his side win five of their last six league games, and that is the kind of form which will take them to the Ligue 2 title come the end of the season.

Two clean sheets in three away games show that Les Bleus are solid away from the Stade Armand Cesari, and the Corsicans have lost only once in their last four league games on the road.

Monaco really need to start winning their home games, and I think that could leave them susceptible at the back, especially against a side with as much quality as their opponents tonight.

Bastia hotshot Toifilu Maoulida has scored in his last two games, and with eight goals smashed so far this season, he is always a danger on the attack.

Bet 1: Bastia (AWAY) to win @ [2.86]

Note to self: Valentine's Day tomorrow. Last year I told my girlfriend I'd give her a ring - but she got really mad when she answered the phone and I was in Tenerife.

Over to Italy now, where Napoli will be looking to continue their excellent home record as they face Chievo at the Stadio San Paolo. The hosts have lost just once in their last dozen home games, and that impressive form has seen them to seventh in Serie A despite some mixed results on the road.

And boss Walter Mazzarri will be desperate for his side to keep their third clean sheet in a row at the San Paolo tonight. His side certainly don't have any problems on the attacking front, and have smashed 11 in their last five on their own patch.

Chievo travel to Naples keen to arrest a slump which has seen them crash to three defeats in four in all competitions - a worrying slide which has knocked them out of the top half.

Domenico Di Carlo's side are now just nine points above the drop zone, with a third of the season left to play, and the Flying Donkeys need a result to lift them from the mire.

Unfortunately, I don't think it will come at the San Paolo, and with five winless games from their last seven away from Stadio Bentegodi, confidence will be low in the visitors' camp.

I fancy the home win here, and with Napoli desperately needing three points in order to cling on to their diminishing hopes of a top-three finish, I think that the home side will oblige.

Bet 2: Napoli (HOME) to win @ [1.55]

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Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Catcher's rivals to be left chasing shadows

Tipping / Timeform / 12 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Gordon Elliot trains Shadow Catcher who is one of our Smartplays

"The second and third home that day have won subsequently so the form looks strong, and Shadow Catcher has all the makings of a sure-fire improver"

A cracking card at Leopardstown sees four Grade 1 races and a competitive cast of supporting races, and Timeform's Irish team have come up with two win SmartPlays and a lay......

The opening event (due off 13:05) is an interesting renewal of the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Willie Mullins warrants respect with Ut de Sivola and Gorgeous Sixty, the former in particular, but Gordon Elliott's Shadow Catcher (read the trainer's thoughts on the horse HERE) is the one who makes most appeal. A three-time winner on the Flat for Michael Dods in Britain in 2011, he was the subject of sustained support when making a winning debut in this sphere at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, and he did well to win at all given how long he took to settle. The second and third home that day have won subsequently so the form looks strong, and he has all the makings of a sure-fire improver.

As with so many horses down the year's, a move to Willie Mullins is proving a springboard for improvement with Catleen (13:35). An unlucky second on her first start for the yard she duly went one better at Limerick last month, cruising up to challenge the long-time leader in the straight and only doing the bare minimum once in front. A 9 lb rise significantly underplays the amount she had in hand and it would be disappointing if she failed to follow up.

The Hennessy Gold Cup looks far from a vintage renewal at this stage, but that still doesn't explain the price of Quel Esprit (15:45). He has been impressive in winning small-field events at Naas and Thurles last season, and is unexposed at three miles, but his jumping let him down badly in Grade 1 company last term, falling at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown, and he is by no means a standout on form, China Rock, Bostons Angel and even Follow The Plan having similar claims on that score.

Timeform SmartPlays

Back Shadow Catcher in the 13:05
Back Catleen in the 13:35
Lay Quel Esprit in the 15:45

Two backs and one lay and today they all come from Southwell. Over to you, Follow The Money crew....

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Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Chasing debutant gets my Goat

Timeform Radio Tip / Rory Delargy / 22 November 2011 / 1 Comments

Jumps action at Lingfield

"While Goat Castle was often found making a mistake or two over hurdles, he is sure to have been well schooled for his debut over fences, and a repeat of the consistent level of form he’s been showing over the smaller obstacles will see him go very close."

Jumps racing at Lingfield is an all too rare treat for Rory Delargy, who picks two bets from the card at the Surrey track ahead of a punditry stint with host Gina Bryce on Timeform Radio

The race which has the best betting feel to it today is the 14:20 at Lingfield. This underused circuit is always popular with diehard chasing fans, as it provides a fair test of both jumping and stamina, with plodders often struggling round the track's sharper sections, but short runners tending to get caught out in the straight with its three fences and longish run-in.

This 2m chase features several with questions to answer. Al Amaan spurned a good opportunity with a suspect attitude last time, while Tim Vaughan's new recruit Bankstair can be a weak finisher. Chestnut Ben appears to need the mud to show his form, and course winner Rosoff often looks unwilling. And with Royaume Bleu coming off a heavy fall last time, we're fast running out of options.

Luckily chasing debutant Goat Castle makes plenty of appeal. Nigel Twiston-Davies has an excellent record when switching his handicapper from hurdles to fences - in the last five full calendar years, he's sent out 15 winners from 82 runners who were making the switch from handicap hurdle to handicap chase for a healthy profit.

While Goat Castle was often found making a mistake or two over hurdles, he is sure to have been well schooled for his debut over fences, and a repeat of the consistent level of form he's been showing over the smaller obstacles will see him go very close. He's versatile enough tactically, but is likely to be ridden prominently, which will be a positive in a race made up predominantly by hold-up performers.

Bankstair, until recently a stablemate of the selection, is the obvious danger having moved to Tim Vaughan, but the improvement which the Welsh handler often finds with others' cast-offs isn't always in evidence at the first time of asking.

In the 15:20 Wide Receiver bids to defy the handicapper again, having won twice in easy fashion at Wetherby this autumn. The Charlie Longsdon-trained gelding has been raised a total of 34lb for those successes, but simply seems to have badly underestimated by the handicapper having gone the wrong way for Charlie Morlock.

He was never in the slightest danger of defeat when slamming Ngong Hills last time, and his latest hike in the ratings is fully justified. I respect a couple of his rivals, notably Goring One and Monbeg Dude, but the former is trying the trip for the first time and may not be allowed to dominate. I'm inclined to have a saver on the latter - a big, chasing type who's looked a little cumbersome in bumpers/over hurdles, but has been marking waiting to tackle fences, and is worthy of respect.

Recommended Bets
Back Goat Castle @ [4.8] in the 14:20 Lingfield (NAP)
Back Wide Receiver @ [5.8] in the 15:20 Lingfield (NB)

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