Horseracing Betting Briefing: January 18 - 24

General / Andrew Hughes / 18 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Hughes draws on his astrological nous to rise to a short priced challenge before previewing the week in racing...

It was during the recent Racing Post Cheltenham preview that Alastair Down opined that since there is more public analysis of racing and racehorses these days than there has ever been, there is a greater range of opinion from the absurd to the downright silly. No matter how great the performance there is always some faceless conspiracy theorist ready to pick holes in it. The horse he was discussing at the time was Master Minded, a staggering [1.49] antepost favourite to retain his title as Champion Chaser. After his scintillating performance at Ascot yesterday, surely only the most misguided fool would attempt to crab his Cheltenham chances?

Well, I've been called worse things than foolish and misguided. Never one to shy away from a pointless task, I took the bejowled one's dismissive words as a personal challenge. Can we find a way to get Master Minded beaten? As the President Elect would say, Yes we can! And I think I've got it. I've been studying the books all night and I've found the chink in his armour. Master Minded is an Aries. As I'm sure you're aware, March will not be a good time for this particular sign, what with Mars coming into conjunction with Venus and the moon in its second phase. And Aries males are notoriously quick-tempered and high maintenance. [1.49] is far too short a price about a horse who may well be sulking on the day. Oh and he's never won on fast going. Pick the bones out of that, Mr Down!

Sunday 18th January

Some muddy action at Fairyhouse with the Normans Grove Chase being the highlight of the Sunday card. A selection of decent chasers such as Mansony, Thyne Again and Watson Lake will be turning up for a two mile slog in the quagmire.

Monday 19th January

There's a Class Two Handicap Hurdle at Hereford today which should be competitive. A fairly large field should go to post for the testing three miles and two furlongs around this square course.

Tuesday 20th January

Southwell doesn't usually feature prominently in this column, but the Class Two Handicap on today's card is a decent seven furlong contest for some good handicappers around the Fibresand.

Thursday 22nd January

A good card at Gowran Park. The Thyestes Handicap Chase is a three mile race likely to feature a big field and some solid stayers. The Galmoy Hurdle is a classy three mile contest for which Aitmatov and the horse which beat him at Navan last time, Shakervilz, head the entries.

Friday 23rd January

Another decent all-weather contest, this time in picturesque Wolverhampton. The last race on the evening card is a Class Two Conditions race over a little further than a mile and likely to include some horses verging on Listed class.

Saturday 24th January

Cheltenham dominates proceedings today with one of the best cards you are likely to see outside of the Festival itself. With the big week less than two months away, it is inevitable that the races today will be seen as trials for their Festival equivalents. The Cleeve Hurdle for instance is the likely meeting place of a number of World Hurdle contenders whilst the equally prestigious Cotswold Chase is sure to be packed with Gold Cup entrants. There is also the Classic Novices' Hurdle, a key trial for the staying novices events at the Festival and the Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, staging post for many a Triumph Hurdle bid. And you shouldn't miss the Trophy Chase, a good old fashioned weekend handicap with plenty of betting action.

Up north, there is a pretty good card at Doncaster too. Top of the bill is probably the Mares' Only Hurdle, a Grade Two contest and a pretty good rehearsal for the David Nicholson Hurdle at the Festival. There is also another staying test for novice hurdles in the River Don Novices' Hurdle and the race that used to be the Great Yorkshire Chase, a competitive handicap over three miles featuring a big field.