Betfair Official Blog

Top racing at Clonmel, Chester and Ascot has got my punting senses tingling

Click here to view market

Wayne Bailey's looking forward to the next three days of racing. Read his suggested bets here

Have you ever noticed how the good weather seems to lift everyone's mood? I don't know why, but sunshine always makes racing seem like more fun, and we've plenty to look forward to over the next few days.

The hot spell of weather is expected to continue this week, which always sees the ladies dress in the finest which, these days, means minimal attire. Those of us at the track won't be complaining, and I've a feeling that the binoculars won't just be used for spotting horses this weekend!

Anyhow, enough of the small talk - we must distract our attention from the ladies, and get to work on the serious issue of betting. We've a bit of a mixed bag this weekend, but plenty of good quality races on offer...

Thursday, Clonmel

I noted recently, that favourites at Clonmel have the highest win rate than at any other track in Ireland, so if the money comes in for your selection, you can feel that extra bit of confidence.

There are a couple of stand out horses that will carry my money as twilight racing resumes once again. In the maiden at 6:55, Mon Champion look like the obvious bet, having impressed as a two-year-old. Both his runs showed plenty of promise, and I distinctly remember making a mental note to watch out for the colt in 2008. However, whether a two-year-old will perform again the following season has become a bit of a guessing game, and John Oxx usually has a trick or two up his sleeve in this contest. I believe that Kharsya may be his ace today. She came sixth on her debut, and I hate to use the Hackneyed phrase 'she'll have come on for the run' but I truly believe this to be the case here. The word on the street is that she's fully fit and all guns will be blazing today.

In the 7:25 Handicap, topweight Blueberry Tart looks like she can follow up her recent win at Dundalk's all-weather track. She kicked on easily when asked, and the opposition looks like a fairly mediocre bunch. Blaze Trailer looks about the best of the rest, and I'll keep him on side in the place market should there be any decent prices floating about.

We've another handicap later on at 7:55, and it's interesting to see Kerryhead Windfarm switching to flat here after a fairly successful jumps career. Back in February, he beat King John's Castle at this track, and the latter subsequently managed an impressive second in the Grand National. Kerryhead Windfarm often made mistakes over hurdles and fences, but otherwise was a reliable performer. A flat race might just be the trick and I'd be surprised if he's not in the placings at the very least.

Friday, Chester

Aidan O'Brien rarely shows his emotions, and it's often hard to gauge his true feelings for his horses. Indeed, he held a mobile phone to his ear, and never flinched as his horse won the 2,000 Guineas last weekend!

I won't even attempt to get into the head of the Master of Ballydoyle, but I'd hazard a good guess that Macarthur has been bugging him for some time now. I've backed this horse a few times, and something always seems to go wrong. He irritates punters like an itch that can't be scratched, but O'Brien may have found the right race for him here in Chester's Group Three Ormond Stakes at 2:45. He won on his debut, and has gone somewhat downhill since, but a step back from Group One racing shows that his trainer is taking a more realistic approach. Gosden's Raincoat looks a real danger, and Dettori is sure to pull out all the stops for this. This race rarely goes to an outsider, so if you're having a bet, you can save yourself time by focusing on the top four in the betting only.

Saturday, Ascot

Al Khaleej has a cracking turn of foot, and looks a great bet in Ascot's Victoria Cup Handicap at 2:20. While this race is rarely won by favourites, I think Dunlop has been very shrewd in the races he's picked for his gelding, and his ante-post favouritism is very much justified. He's running off a lenient mark all considered, and he showed his liking for the trip with his emphatic win last time out at Kempton. King Of Dixie is a horse that has shown great promise, and I'm definitely keeping him onside with a bet in the place market.

* * *

As usual, we welcome your comments, so feel free to post your thoughts.