UK Horse Racing Tips

Plantagenet failed in his bid for a five-timer when switched to fences at Plumpton earlier this month, but nevertheless made a highly promising debut over the larger obstacles and can open his account in that sphere in the Level Peakes Associates Handicap Chase (2.10) at Hereford on Wednesday. The Plumpton form has already been franked by the winner, Cucklington, who followed up in convincing style, off a 5lb higher mark, at Wincanton last Thursday, so Plantaganet must have every chance of regaining the winning thread off an identical handicap mark. Seamus Mullins’ 5-year-old has done all his winning on good, or faster, ground, so should be in his element and is far from fully exposed after just five starts for his current connections.

Selection: Hereford 2.10 Plantaganet to win   13/8

In the Betway Casino Handicap (3.40) at Newcastle on Wednesday, Tonto’s Spirit seems sure to be popular after winning his last two starts by an aggregate of 20 lengths. However, Kenneth Slack’s 5-year-old has yet to race on a synthetic surface of any kind and that lack of experience, coupled with an 8lb rise in the weights in a better race, is good reason to oppose the Authorized gelding on his Tapeta debut.

By contrast, Waiting For Richie won over course and distance on his penultimate start and was only beaten three-quarters of a length, off a 1lb lower mark, in a 0-90 contest at Newmarket 12 days ago. The form of his course and distance win has been franked by the third, Dominating, and Tom Tate’s 4-year-old remains unexposed at, or beyond, 2 miles, having only had three starts at that sort of distance. The son of European Champion 3-year-old Rail Link is clearly blessed with an abundance of stamina and represents a yard with a 7-15 (47%) strike on the Tapeta at Newcastle this season.

Selection: Newcastle 3.40 Waiting For Richie to win

In the Cumberland Handicap Chase (2.30) at Carlisle on Sunday, Templeross started favourite for a beginners’ chase, over 2 miles 4 furlongs, on his debut over regulation fences at Uttoxeter four weeks ago on the strength of a couple of decent placed efforts over hurdles last winter. Although failing to justify his position as market leader on that occasion, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 6-year-old was entitled to need the run – his first since February – and was far from disgraced, staying on at one pace from three out to finish fourth of the seven finishers, beaten 13 lengths. The Presenting gelding fell on his sole point start at Loughanmore two seasons ago, but didn’t make a semblance of a mistake at Uttoxeter and, while he has his stamina to prove over a testing 3 miles 2 furlongs, he did win over 3 miles, albeit on a flat, galloping track, over hurdles last season.

Helpfully, the handicapper has dropped him 3lb since Uttoxeter, so he can race off a mark just 1lb higher than when second, beaten 2¾ lengths, behind Modus in the valuable Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton last January. Modus went on to finish sixth in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, off an 11lb higher mark, so if Templeross can translate his form over hurdles to the larger obstacles he looks favourably weighted to open his account in his new discipline.

Selection: Carlisle 2.30 Templeross to win

Horse racing is often seen as much more than just a sport. It is a tradition, a status and a constant battle all at once. While many have tried to bet horses online or right at the racetrack bookies, the partnership of two living beings – the horse and the jockey – can turn up rather unpredictable.

The following list is a reminder of just that – the most incredible moments in horse racing history, some even making a mark in the sport’s record books.

Crisp vs. Red Rum

At the 1973 Aintree Grand National race, spectators were able to witness one of the impressive catch-ups. With a 20 lengths lead and just a couple of fences to go, Crisp was the definite champion in everyone’s eyes. However, in a stunning turn of events, Red Rum managed to pick up speed and not only level, but also surpass his dominant figure. Having won this race by a ¾ length against Crisp, Red Rum gained momentum and continued this trend in the next two Grand Nationals.

Grundy vs. Bustino

The ‘Race of the Century’ would have crashed traffic capabilities on most racebook software for bookies should they have existed in the distant 1975. In the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Ascot audience watched a live showdown between two Europe champions, three-year-old Grundy and four-year-old Bustino.

A tie dominated the 1 mile 4 furlong race result up until the end which saw Grundy push speed limits with amazing effort and win by ½ a length. Unsurprisingly, this also bought the winner a place in record books that stands until this day as Grundy managed to finish the race in 2 minutes and 26.98 seconds, 2 and ½ seconds faster than the previous record holder.

Mine That Bird

On a soggy racing day not too long ago in 2009, the Kentucky Derby went down in history as the race which saw the most amazing comeback. Mine That Bird was evidently not considered a success story, as the horse’s odds for that race were 50 to 1, and the start of the race seemed to prove that prediction. After being 8 lengths behind the rest, Mine That Bird and its jockey somehow transformed and achieved their goal to end victorious with nothing short of a 6 and ¾ length lead that even left commentators dumbfounded for a moment.

Secretariat

Secretariat is a well-known legend whose story even enjoyed success on the big screens, primarily due to the record-breaking achievement at the 1973 Belmont Stakes. This winner’s time of 2 minutes and 24 seconds still stands, but this horse refused to stop there. Many claimed that something about Secretariat made it destined for great things, which proved true as the horse went on to win the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the same year.
Such was the glory of Secretariat that some horse racing enthusiasts still hold on to their winning betting tickets from that day, unwilling to have them cashed in due to sentimental value.