Opera Hat Chase: Warrior seals Naas victory

News / Timeform / 11 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Bog Warrior got back on track at Naas.

"I wouldn't be that bothered about missing Cheltenham this year as next year I see him as a Lexus horse..."

Bog Warrior justified cramped odds by winning the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase at Naas...

His task was made easier by the late withdrawals of Blackstairmountain and Donnas Palm, and Davy Russell dictated matters from the front.

He was very impressive when winning the Drinmore in December, pulling well clear of his rivals, but fell on his last start at Leopardstown.

Jumping safely rather than exuberantly, Bog Warrior never came off the bridle in beating Slieveardagh by 11 lengths and trainer Tony Martin can now look to the future.

"I'm very relieved and he's back on track," said Martin.

"There'd been no signs that his fall had affected him in his schooling. He jumped grand today. Davy thought his jumping was right enough.

"The ground will dictate where we go, he definitely likes to get into it, but once there's yielding in it I'd be happy to take my chance.

"Where next I don't know. We'll get him back and see how he is because he did put his back out when he fell.

"I wouldn't be that bothered about missing Cheltenham this year as next year I see him as a Lexus horse in soft ground. He's definitely a winter horse."

If heading to Cheltenham, Bog Warrior has a multitude of options including the Arkle, for which he can currently be backed at [15.0], the Jewson ([17.5]) or the RSA ([22.0]).

The highest Timeform-rated sprinter in the world, the unbeaten Black Caviar, posted a record equalling victory at Caulfield on Saturday, claiming her eighteenth consecutive success on a major Australian racetrack, and now looks set to raise her rating beyond 135......

A step up to seven furlongs proved to be no barrier to success for the incredible Black Caviar as she stretched her unbeaten record to 18 in the CF Orr Stakes at Caulfield......

Sponsors Betfair have made entry to Newbury's rescheduled meeting on Friday free to all racegoers......

Amazon Sports Center

Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Warrior spirit

Timeform Radio Tip / Stephen Molyneux / 26 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Stephen's backing Guilded Warrior to show some fight at Folkestone

"Captain Kolo should take some beating at current odds of [3.45] in the 15:20 at Ayr."

All eyes will rightly be on Workforce tonight as he makes his eagerly awaited comeback but there are three afternoon meetings to plough our way through first and Stephen Molyneux has a couple of bets to keep an eye on.

Front-runners can be very difficult to peg back at Folkestone and Guilded Warrior looks the one to be on at [4.0] in the 17:00. Both his runs this year have contained plenty of promise, going with all his usual zest at Ffos Las last time and finding plenty, no disgrace in finishing third behind Zebrano and Tariq Too, the latter a winner next time. He has actually been dropped 1lb for that which leaves him on a mark 2 lb lower than when successful at Windsor last June and he should be able to dominate this small field.

Captain Kolo only went down narrowly at Thirsk on Monday and as long as this doesn't come too soon, he should take some beating at current odds of [3.45] in the 15:20 at Ayr. The step up to 6f was the catalyst for his return to form that day and with doubts about several of his rivals regards either ground or trip, it will be disappointing if he doesn't go close.

I also came close to suggesting Lauberhorn as a bet at [7.2] in the 14:40 at Brighton. There are only three runners, all of whom are usually held up, but he seems by far the most straightforward of the trio and most in need of a stamina test at this trip. Filun and Celestial Girl are undoubtedly in good form at present but the former needs producing with exact timing whilst the latter hung away her chance at this course last time.

If Kieran Fallon decides to take the bull by the horns on Lauberhorn and make it a good test, then he could easily run the sting out of his rivals, and as such I will be waiting to see how things pan out in the first couple of furlongs, prepared even to take a point or two shorter if he is soon out in front.

Recommended Bets
Back Guilded Warrior @ [4.0] in the 17:00 at Folkestone
Back Captain Kolo @ [3.45] in the 15:20 at Ayr

Terry Norman turns his attention north of the border for a promising Tuesday afternoon runner......

In a world where many commentators claim to tell it like it is, Graham Cunningham is the genuine article. If there's little to bet on, he won't fudge. But will today's selection run the run like our man walks the walk?...

Rory Delargy is the Timeform Radio pundit on Monday for afternoon racing at Leicester and Carlisle but it's the evening fare at Windsor that is catching his eye...

Betfair website