For the first time in the 250+ years of Royal Ascot history, this celebration of racing and hospitality will take place behind closed doors for 2020 (Tuesday 16^th – Saturday 20^th June).

However, as an event which truly showcases the very best in food and drink, Ascot has launched the ‘Ascot Wine Club’ in association with Hallgarten & Novum Wines, the Official Wine Supplier, and Moët & Chandon, the Official Champagne.

As Ascot’s wine expert, The Wine Tipster is proud to have introduced this exciting new venture across social media.

 

Three very special wine cases, each of 12 bottles, can be delivered straight to your door in time for the Royal Meeting. 10% of all wine sales through the website will be donated across the Ascot Racecourse Supports Charitable Fund which, since its launch in 2017, has brought together Ascot Racecourse’s community and charity work to support small and local charities and community groups. At this difficult time, Ascot Racecourse is committed to supporting the local community, charities and, importantly, the NHS.

Each of the three cases is named after a famous Ascot Gold Cup Winner – fitting names for such special selections. The three cases range in price to suit different budgets, and each contain 12 bottles of 4 different wines to suit every palate.

They are:

The Yeats Case

A fine selection of wines and champagnes suitable for any box at Royal Ascot. Yeats made Ascot history becoming the first horse ever to win the Ascot Gold Cup four times in succession.

Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage was the first vintage Champagne I tasted on my wine journey and has remained a true favourite. As has rosé, with Group 1 pink like Whispering Angel showcasing all the elegance and style of the Provence region. There are two classics here with a top class Sancerre from the Loire and Grand Cru Bordeaux from the picturesque St-Émilion region.

The case features the luxury wines of:

• Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012 (2 bottles)
• Sancerre, Domain Gérad Millet, France (4 bottles)
• Château Boutisse 2018, Grand Cru St-Émilion, Bordeaux, France (4 bottles)
• Whispering Angel Rosé 2018/19, Provence (2 bottles)

 

The Sagaro Case

The perfect accompaniment for enjoying the spectacle of the races at home. Sagaro won in every season from 1974 to 1977.

I love this Sagaro case as I’m a massive fan of the Gérard Bertrand wines and his ‘Gris Blanc’ from Roussillon, which was a great discovery, is outstanding. Argentinian Malbec has become increasingly popular, and I recommend studying the form in terms of discovering the high quality, complex and beautifully balanced wines like Doña Paula from Uco Valley. Italian wines are a must in my book, like top class Gavi di Gavi, as is Champagne Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut NV.

The case features a top selection of:

• Moët & Chandon Impérial NV (2 bottles) 
• ‘Gris Blanc’, Gérard Bertrand, Pays d’Oc, France 2019 (2 bottles) 
• Gavi del Commune di Gavi ‘Fossili’, San Silvestro, Italy 2019 (4 bottles) 
• Malbec,’Estate’, Doña Paula, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2018 (4 bottles) 

 

The Fame and Glory Case

This lower priced case still delivers on taste and luxury, with an impressive selection of bottles carefully chosen for Royal Ascot. Fame and Glory had an impressive racing career winning 5 races and was the favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup in 2011, winning by three lengths.

Chile are now producing great value and very classy Sauvignon Blancs, like this Viña Echeverría. I love the soft, easy drinking style of Sacchetto’s Prosecco, which tastes great too when paired with Antipasti and Grana Padano at Aperitivo time or earlier during Royal Ascot! Sacchetto’s Pinot Grigio Blush is a real crowd pleaser, as is Merlot from Chile, where this world-class grape variety performs so well.

The case includes the quality wines of:

• Prosecco Brut, Sacchetto Vini, Veneto, Italy NV(3 bottles)
• Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Viña Echeverría, Valle de Curicó, Chile 2019(3 bottles)
• Pinot Grigio Blush, Sacchetto, Venezie, Italy 2019(3 bottles)
• Merlot, Vellas, Vallé Central, Chile 2018(3 bottles) 

 

Join The Wine Tipster in raising a glass and celebrating the Royal Meeting at home while supporting Ascot Racecourse’s Charitable Fund.

 

The QIPCO Guineas is a very special meeting as it marks the beginning of the season and the first two Classics for the three-year-olds, with the 2,000 Guineas for the colts on Saturday and the 1,000 Guineas for the fillies on Sunday. Establishing the best horses over these 4 days of racing make the Guineas one of the most exciting meetings across the world.

Despite the move to racing behind closed doors and the need to remain virtual, the 2020 QIPCO Guineas Festival, running from 4^th-7^th June, is no less of an occasion than in previous years. This year, the chance to enjoy the meeting from your own home and bring a touch of the Newmarket elegance and sophistication to your weekend is not to be missed.

Along with a plethora of ways to watch the races over the four days, The Wine Tipster here details how to celebrate the Guineas #AtHome as well as his 4 selections for Friday’s race card.

The Wine Tipster’s Friday Race Card Selections

Newmarket’s Friday card is very classy, with the top race the Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup Stakes (Group 1) at 3.35, which features stars like Stradivarius, Defoe and favourite Ghaiyyath. Ghaiyyath always look to head off in front and I wonder if 1 mile 4 furlongs is his best trip so the brilliant Stradivarius can come out on top here with Frankie Dettori in the plate.

Selections:

1.50 Handicap (Class 2) 6f

Dazzling Dan 9/2 (nap) win with Unibet. Very progressive, won at Newmarket last season

3.00 Paradise Stakes (Listed Race) 1m

Momkin 9/1 each way with Unibet. Trip of one mile will suit, will love the ground.

3.35 Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup Stakes (Group 1) 1m 4f

Stradivarius 11/4 win with Unibet

4.10 Heed Your Hunch Handicap (Class 3) 1m 4f

Chesterfield 16/1 each way with Unibet. Well known as a classy hurdler, runs occasionally on the flat. Will love the ground and trip. Won at Newmarket in 2012 as a two-year-old!

To hear The Wine Tipster’s selections for the Saturday and Sunday races, read his Unibet Racing Blog.

Drinks

Stocking up your home bar for the weekend is a must, and The Wine Tipster has ideas on how to do so for every budget.

 

 

The Wine Tipster’s top fizz selections for celebrating wins or splashing out on a bit of the Newmarket luxury include the wonderful English wines of Coates and Seely, especially the Brut Reserve NV and the Rosé NV which are both listed at The Jockey Club.

 

A glass or two of the official champagne house of The Jockey Club racecourses, Moët and Chandon Rosé Impérial, or the wonderful Moët and Chandon Grand Vintage 2012 is another way The Wine Tipster will be celebrating the return of racing this weekend.

 

 

 

His selection of 6 wines under £10, as featured on The Jockey Club website, are a great way to get the weekend started, and include some fantastic wines that deliver on taste and experience despite their low price tags:

• Prosecco DOC Alberto Nani Organic NV Treviso £9 at Asda 
• Dr Loosen Slate Hill Riesling 2018 £9.49 at Majestic 
• Castellore Italian Pecorino 2019 £5.49 at Aldi 
• Cellier des Dauphins, Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2018 £9.99 at Waitrose
• Dark Horse Chardonnay 2018 £8.50 at Tesco 
• Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 £8 at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Co-op and Waitrose

To pair with these wines and the weekend of racing, a delicious chocolate tart goes well with any selection, and a fabulous recipe is provided by Frazer Wilson, Director of Culinary at The Jockey Club. A perfect accompaniment for the races and wines.

For mains, the world famous Newmarket Pig sausages from Powters, who have supplied Newmarket for over 50 years, makes a great stew which The Wine Tipster will be enjoying between races.

 

The Guineas at Home

Even though you won’t be at Newmarket in your best suit or dress, there’s no reason why you can’t still dress up for the event at home! The Wine Tipster will be enjoying the races from the safety of his sofa in a three piece suit from Clements and Church.

Some more ideas for enjoying the Guineas at home:

• Share pictures of your race day outfits across social media with The Wine Tipster and The Jockey Club to join the huge community of at-home punters.
• Why not celebrate with family and friends virtually and download a Guineas backdrop to really bring the experience to life!
• You could decorate your home with The Jockey Club bunting before hosting an Après Racing party with The Jockey Club Spotify Playlist. 
• The event can be a family affair at home – get kids involved in designing their own jockey silks or have a go at The Guineas wordsearch. 

For more ideas and information for how to enjoy the Guineas Festival at home this year, explore The Jockey Club website.

 

Watching at Home

RacingTV are offering a month’s free watching of over 80 live meetings, including the Guineas Festival, right to your phone, tablet or TV. If you miss any of the action, replays can also be watched on RacingTV Player.

Additionally, ITV Racing will be showing 21 races across 3 days this weekend so you can enjoy the festival from your sofa.

Keep up to date with exclusive content and the digital race card with the free The Jockey Club app.

For a detailed overview of how to watch racing at home, visit The Jockey Club website. 

 

Don’t forget to keep up to date with The Wine Tipster on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Linked In throughout the festival as he shares his favourites from horses to wines, and share your experience of The Guineas At Home.

 

The Wine Tipster had another successful Instagram Live event with Cheng International and #AtHomeWithWuliangye this month. Talking with QiQi Cheng, The Wine Tipster introduced audiences to this highly sought-after Baijiu and its rich cultural history.

First created during the Ming Dynasty, Wuliangye is type of Baujiu that comes from the Sichuan province of South West China. This white spirit is still made in the original cellars that it first was over 6000 years ago, making them the oldest distilling cellars in China. Today, Wuliangye is a modern enterprise that has the world’s largest brewing facility of around 50,000 employees. Over 90% of Baijiu is consumed in China, thus it is The Wine Tipster’s great privilege to introduce UK drinkers to Wuliangye, especially as it has been listed as one of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritages. It is available to buy from Harrods and Selfridges.

As a highly prized spirit, Wuliangye’s laborious and ancient fermenting and distilling processes bring a quality to the drink which befits its high price tag. Unlike other types of Baijiu, Wuliangye is made from the grain sorghum along with rice, glutinous rice, wheat and corn, which give it its unique characteristic sweetness.

 

 

In the #AtHomeWithWuliangye on Cheng International’s Instagram Live, The Wine Tipster talked audiences through three Wuliangyes. The following tasting notes recap his tasting session for those who were unable to tune in:

Firstly, Wuliangye Crystal 42% has a clean nose that brings notes of papaya, banana and rose with undertones of earthy savouriness and top notes of aniseed. The bright palate of this Wuliangye leads to an umami smokiness that leaves a lovely sweetness of pineapple on the finish. Overall, this extremely fine taste experience makes this Wuliangye a beautiful spirit to enjoy neat.

Secondly, Wuliangye Blue Elegance 50% brings warm, clean notes with a top note of aniseed when consumed neat. This Wuliangye brings strong pineapple, mango and tropical notes which come through on the palate with a sweetness and a tang. The complexity of this Wuliangye makes it a perfect addition to cocktails. Try The Wine Tipster’s take on a Piña Colada, the Piña Wuliangye, which brings out the pineapple notes of the drink perfectly.

In a cocktail shaker combine:

• 20ml Wuliangye Blue Elegance 50%
• 60ml White Vermouth
• 80ml fresh pineapple juice
• 120ml coconut water

Shake to mix and serve garnished with a slice of fresh pineapple.

Finally, The Wine Tipster’s notes on Wuliangye 1618 52% highlight yet another fantastic drink from Cheng International. This Baijiu has soft vanilla and warm grain notes, with a peppery edge. The beautiful intensity of this spirit brings a subtle tropicality with a complexity of spices that open up over the palate. Overall, served neat, this Wuliangye is a lovely balance between savoury, herbal and tropical flavours which result in great harmony.

These luxurious and historic Baijius prove to be an immensely satisfying and rewarding tasting experience, both neat and in more modern mixes. Keep up to date with more in the #AtHomeWithWuliangye series on Cheng International’s Instagram, as Enrico Gonazato gets ready to show you more fantastic Wuliangye cocktails to try. For orders, contact order@chengintl.co.uk and consider giving this ancient drink a place in your drinks cabinet.

On Saturday at a minute past 4pm we heard the news that we had started to doubt, that racing would recommence for the first time since March behind closed doors at Newcastle. The BHA have done a really good job in reassuring all interested parties with an excellent briefing document that demonstrates horse racing has covered all the minute detail to ensure that all protocols will be effectively followed behind closed doors, ensuring horse racing continues safely.

At Newmarket the first two classics take place with the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday and the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, which will be the climax of their four day card.

At Deauville this afternoon they have their 2000 and 1000 Guineas Classics, with two excellent fields here. Check out my selections below on an exciting day. Cheers!

2.50 Deauville 2000 Guineas Emirates Poule d’Essal des Poulains (Group 1) 1m

The race seems to revolve around whether Victor Ludorum is the horse he was last year, and a defeat at prohibitive odds on his return at Longchamp hardly boosted his claims here. However, in retrospect, plenty of Andre Fabre’s needed the run first time out this year, and it would be foolish to write him off on the back of one run. Nevertheless, odds of 13-8 hardly set your reaching for your wallet.

It seems somewhat strange that the winners of the trial races for this, The Summit and Shinning Ocean, can be backed at 9-1 and 22-1 respectively. The Summit made all in the Prix de Fontainebleu, beating Ecrivain and Victor Ludorum in the process, but Longchamp was very much favouring front runners at that time, and others will surely be more aware of those tactics here. However, whilst Shinning Ocean has to step up, he looks sure to progress and is a big price.

Ecrivain is very interesting. He looked in need of the run before Longchamp, from the pictures we saw anyway, and ran well in the circumstances, picking up very well once extracting himself from a bit of traffic. The way he hit the line running suggested he would benefit greatly from the experience, and a bit of drying ground wouldn’t bother him.

Reshabar sprang a major surprise when taking care of Celestin in Prix du Belvedere, but that form looks a little shaky, and a bigger threat might be Alson, second to Victor Ludorum on Arc day last year. The worry would be a lack of a run, but he cannot be discounted either.

Unibet Ecrivain 3/1 win

Unibet Shinning Ocean 22/1 each way

 

3.25 Deauville 1,000 Guineas Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) 1m

Tropbeau (nap) brings strong credentials to the table here, particularly as she was one of the few Fabre runners to perform well in the week racing was finally restarted in France. Although her winning margin was only half a length over Dream And Do in the Prix de la Grotte, she responded well to a reminder and found plenty for pressure. She gave the impression she had a lot left in the tank, and will be hard to beat if in the same form.

Simeen’s win over Golden Crown at Chantilly was a little less impressive, but she remains unbeaten and may have more to come.

Dream And Do ought to run her race again, but whether she can find that bit extra to reverse form with Tropbeau has to be open to question, and Tickle Me Green, just behind the pair of them in third in the Grotte, looks better each-way value. That was her first start for Fabre and she may well have needed the run. It’s not hard to see here reversing form with Dream And Do, and for those looking for something at a bigger price than the favourite, she may be the one.

Unibet Tropbeau (nap) 6/4 win

Unibet Tickle Me Green 13/2 each way

As part of Cheng International’s #AtHome Instagram series, their range of Baijiu spirits have been showcased by The Wine Tipster and other expert guests including Enrico Gonazato, Andrea Dionori and QiQi Chen, highlighting how to enjoy the spirits both traditionally and in modern ways. Here, The Wine Tipster discusses four Fenjius that have become contemporary luxury lifestyle spirits with a rich history and cultural background which are available to buy in the UK from Harrods and Selfridges, although are sometimes, incorrectly, referred to as ‘Fen Chiew.’ 

Over 90% of Baijiu is drunk in China, making this an exciting new addition to the European drinks market. Baijiu is an established and ancient drink, with an undeniable popularity which has only increased as the versatile spirit has been experienced in new ways. Traditionally enjoyed neat, Baijiu’s ancient fermenting and distilling processes of the sorghum grain give the three Baijiu styles their distinctive aromas: light aroma, sauce aroma and strong aroma. In recent years, Baijiu has increasingly been used as a focal spirit in cocktails and long drinks, proving itself to be a hugely accessible spirit and one that can be savoured in a wide range of ways.

Fenjiu is the oldest Chinese Baijiu in existence. This light aroma Baijiu has been produced in the same ancient and handmade way in Fenyang City in the Shangxi province of North East China for over 6000 years. The intense labour and time required to make the spirit, along with Fenjiu’s advanced quality testing and control systems, result in the product’s unique and outstanding quality and taste. The nose and palate of each Fenjiu offers a wonderful spectrum of aromas and flavours and, just like premium wine, single malt whisky, Vintage Port or the finest cognacs, Fenjiu offers a fascinating and exceptional multi-layered tasting experience.

Fenjiu’s delicate and light aroma starts from its ingredients of the finest organic sorghum and karst water from 840 metres underground from the virgin forest. Fenjiu is also set apart from the sauce aroma and strong aroma Baijius through its traditional double fermentation and distillation process that uses earthen cylinders. The burying of these cylinders underground, covered with stone slabs and sealed with fresh grain for 28 days provides the optimal environment for fermentation and produces the highest level of fragrance, purity and quality. The distillation of the fermented grain is achieved by the manual addition of cornhusk before distilled grains go into second fermentation. The distilled alcohol is then stored in ceramic jars to mature for 1-50 years, a key step in the developing of flavour.

 

The Cheng International #AtHomeWithFenjiu Instagram events have been hugely popular, and The Wine Tipster has introduced audiences to the versatility of this luxury spirit. Having taken Instagram Live viewers through the history, heritage and tasting notes of four different Fenjius, here, The Wine Tipster also shares his advice for enjoying the spirits alone or as cocktails.

Fenjiu 30 year old 53% provides an incredible drinking experience when neat, with an intense and concentrated palate of multiple fruit and savoury flavours complementing its umami undercurrent and smokey top note. In terms of food matching, the possibilities are immense due to the combination of flavours here. For The Wine Tipster, rich savoury dishes cooked with a fragrant spice or rich fruit element – such as slow-cooked pork in sweet ginger or duck in plum sauce – would complement the spirit well. Alternatively, a rich fruit cake would bring out the candied peel, cherry and cinnamon elements of the Fenjiu 30 year old 53%.

Fenjiu Bamboo 10 year old 38% makes a great base for a contemporary cocktail. The infusion of bamboo leaf, honey and herbs in the spirit give it its clear and bright appearance, as well as its sweet and elegant palate of citrus, vanilla and floral tones. The Wine Tipster’s Fenjiu Honey Tang Cocktail brings out all of these amazing characters:

• Into a High Ball glass filled with plenty of ice, pour 20ml Fenjiu Bamboo 10 year old 38%.
• Add 80ml of a good quality dessert wine, ideally with honey and citrus tones such as a dessert Riesling from Australia or a Sauternes from Bordeaux.
• Add 40ml of fresh lemon (or lime) juice
• Top up with 160ml tonic water

Garnish with a slice of lemon and enjoy your perfectly light and refreshing summer cocktail.

Fenjiu Bamboo 10 year old 48% is a pure expression, with no infusions, giving it softly sweet and spicy notes, and alluring savoury and herbal notes. This balanced and complex Fenjiu brings immense depth to the short and zesty cocktail, the Fenjiu Orange Charmer:

In a cocktail shaker, combine

• 20ml Fenjiu Bamboo 10 year old 48%
• 40ml Campari – a perfect match for the Fenjiu’s orange notes
• 80ml fresh orange juice
• Top up with 20ml ginger ale and use a long spoon to stir until well mixed

Serve in a martini glass, garnishing the glass with a slice of fresh orange before enjoying.

The Wine Tipster’s final Fenjiu cocktail uses Fenjiu Panama 20 year old 42% with its amazingly velvety coffee and mocha aromas and flavours. On the palate, this Fenjiu is rich and spicy, with a tangy and complex dark chocolate and cigar elegance that makes it a perfect serve on its own or in a cocktail. The Wine Tipster’s take on a classic Espresso Martini utilises this sublime spirit for his very own Espresso Fenjini:

In a cocktail shaker, combine

• 40ml Fenjiu Panama 20 year old 42%
• 120ml double espresso – a top quality one like Nespresso
• 20ml pure cane sugar syrup

Serve in a coupette glass garnished with coffee beans. What a perfect finale to any evening!

The versatility and dexterity of all four Fenjius highlight what a great addition they make to a drinks collection. As a first foray into Baijiu, Fenjiu makes for an accessible and highly sophisticated experience.

For more information and orders, contact order@chengintl.co.uk, and look out for upcoming Baijiu events on Cheng International’s Instagram.

Racing recommenced behind closed doors in France on Monday for the first time since March, with a stellar card, attracting interest not only in France but internationally too. There were four Group races and lots of surprises, with plenty of rain overnight, leaving the ground very soft.
The Wine Tipster kicked off in style in his Unibet Racing blog with his nap Batwan obliging at 10/1 in the Prix De Saint-Georges Group 3. Way To Paris at 28/1, looked overpriced in the Prix d’Harcourt, given he had finished second to Arc winner Waldgeist last September and was going to thrive in the ground. He finished second to reward each way backers in style in his Unibet Racing blog.
Thursday’s card at Longchamp has two Group races and three Listed contests on a ten-race card, with plenty of quality on show this meeting has been overlooked. Unlike Monday’s meeting, conditions, whilst soft, look likely to provide results nearer to the top of the market, hence my selections.
Have a good day.
Cheers!

10.40 Longchamp Prix La Force (Group 3) 1m 1f
Both Pao Alto and Ocean Atlantique have the potential to do much better as 3yos, but the former isn’t proven on the forecast very soft ground and the latter’s yard (Andre Fabre) have been slow to start the season. That comment applies to Freddie Head as well, so his once-raced winner Another Sky may be best watched too. With no stamina or ground doubts about MKFANCY, take him to make all in this small field.
Unibet 5/2 win

11.10 Longchamp Prix Vanteaux (Group 3) 1m 1f
Emoji is unbeaten in two starts and could be a tough nut to crack if fit, and the fact she has had a run before the lockdown started can only help in that regard. However, FLIGHTY LADY’s third in last year’s G1 Prix Marcel Boussac is form right out of the top drawer and given her pedigree she can only improve for this extra furlong. Proven on ground with plenty of cut too, she can come out on top.
Unibet 6/4 win

11.40 Longchamp Prix Zarkava (Listed) 1m 2½f
This looks quite open. Wonderment never really went on from his Group 1 win at Saint-Cloud in 2018 but would be a big threat if returning to that sort of form, but he may want better ground regardless. Queen did nothing but improve throughout last year and her close second to Fanny Logan at Newmarket on her final start reads well enough, but the trip here is a concern. Grand Glory’s third in the G1 Prix De Diane is the best bit of form on show but preference is for BOLLEVILLE, who relishes soft ground, is a proven stayer and rounded off last year with a 4½l thrashing of Dariyma (reopposes here) at Saint-Cloud.
Unibet 9/2 each way

What a super Saturday it will be at Newbury, with Altior drawing the crowds for his appearance in the Game Spirit Chase, followed by Native River and Might Bite in the Denman Chase and one of the difficult betting heats of the season with a full field of 24 in the Betfair Handicap Hurdle.
At Warwick, it is Kingmaker Day, which with their Classic Chase in January are their two super Saturdays. A good card ahead as ever with the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novice Chase, a Listed Mares’ Hurdle and strong handicaps too. There is always plenty going on at Warwick between races and the team at the course do a great job of making ideas happen. I’m a big fan of Warwick and well done to all the team, headed up by Andre Klein General Manager for The Jockey Club and Ryan Bronger General Manager for Jockey Club Catering.
Look out for Tommy’s tips too.

Go racing!

1.15 Newbury – Novices’ Hurdle 2m ½f
Tremwedge went into plenty of notebooks after his third to Cerberus and A Wave Of The Sea at Fairyhouse in December, form that’s been well franked since but has since changed yards and now finds himself in the care of Alan King. Interesting that he goes for a novice rather than a juvenile race with him, as his target is surely either the JCB Triumph Hurdle or the Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle. A very interesting contender.
Unibet 9/1 each-way

2.05 Warwick – Agetur Kingmaker Grade 2 Novice Chase 2m
Nube Negra trained by Dan Skelton is a horse I have followed since his juvenile days when third in the Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle in 2018. He was favourite that day and has always indicated that he would be a horse to watch, with his switch to chasing this season paying dividends.
Nube Negra has won here at Warwick, ahead of following up at Fakenham before stepping up to Grade 1 company in the Henry V111 at Sandown when second to Esprit Du Large in December. On that occasion the ground was soft, and today’s conditions will suit more, whilst returning to a left-handed course may suit.
Dan Skelton’s charge has the best form in the race and his jumping will see off the others.
Unibet 6/5 win

3.15 Warwick Castle Handicap Steeple Chase 2m 4f
Most of these are right at the top end of their marks with no wriggle room, but Two Taffs is now just a pound higher than when taking a Listed chase at Ayr two years ago. Since then he’s only been seen out three times, and whilst neither of his starts this season have been under his ideal conditions he did run well for a long way over a longer trip before fading behind De Rocher Counter in the big chase feature at Newbury in November. Today, conditions look sure to suit and with fitness not an issue from Dan Skelton’s yard, Two Taffs can strike here.
Unibet 5/2 win

Newbury – 3.35 Betfair Handicap Hurdle 2m
Stolen Silver for Nigel Twiston-Davies will make a good chaser next year, however in the meantime you couldn’t fail to be impressed with his attitude in the finish when coming with a very late charge at Haydock to win the Grade 2 Rossington Main last month on heavy ground. Stolen Silver will face better ground here, but this will be fast-run and that will help counteract that. Bottom line, young improving horse with a lot going for him.
Unibet 16/1 each-way

Novices have a great record in this contest in the last decade, with Ecco for Paul Nicholls looking a good each-way shout. He is not been overburdened with a rating of 138 on his first handicap and is the type to appreciate a fast-run big-field handicap on drying ground, as he doesn’t always find much off the bridle. Following two wins and a third he was giving 8lb to the winner Fred (who has gone in again) at Kempton on Boxing Day and possibly found the ground a bit against him there.
Unibet 25/1 each-w

What a Saturday of racing with a cracking card at Sandown, including the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase and the Dublin Festival, with four Grade 1’s on today’s card. There is more top action tomorrow at the Dublin Festival.
Today there is also racing at Kempton, Musselburgh, Wetherby and Lingfield.
Have a great Saturday and check out my selections below. Cheers!

1.50 Sandown – Contenders Hurdle (Listed Race) 2m
Call Me Lord will be a warm order to win a race that his trainer has pretty much farmed with Buveur D’Air in recent years, and this hardy sort has stacks of good Sandown form to call upon, most of it in ground similar to today’s, too. In fact, it’s been a long-held belief among many punters that he simply had to go right-handed, but he put that theory to bed with a game win in the International at Cheltenham back in December, and he will be hard to beat.
However, the concession of 6lb to the improving novice Eldorado Allen certainly gives the latter a chance. He impressed when only going down by less than a length over C&D last time out, travelling nicely and pulling clear with the winner from two out. He gave the useful Severano a beating here back in 2018 as well and although he’s clearly not been easy to train, he now looks back on track, and can topple Call Me Lord and cause a minor upset here.
Selection: Eldorado Allen win 9/4 Unibet

3.00 Sandown – Handicap Hurdle 3m
Plenty you can give some sort of chance to including Bold Plan, who was an early casualty at Ascot last time but had looked impressive when scoring at Haydock the time before and could easily get back on track. The unexposed Big Shark still has plenty more to offer, as does the David Pipe trained Remastered, who went down fighting at Chepstow, with Welsh National winner Potters Corner just proving too good for him.
However, at a much bigger price the vote goes to Captain Tommy, from a yard going great guns at present, that of Harry Whittington. His third in the Huntingdon Pertemps qualifier last time out looks a very solid piece of form, and despite the fact the handicapper nudges him up a couple of pounds for that, that still leaves him on a mark well below what the handicapper first thought him capable of, and he now looks to be going the right way. If he’s designs on running in the Final at the Festival, he’ll need to be either winning this, or going close, as he needs a rise in the weights to get in.
Selections: Captain Tommy each way 28/1 Unibet
Bold Plan each way 7/1 Unibet

1.25 Leopardstown – Dublin Chase Grade 1 2m
A terrific race for the money that’s probably only missing Defi Du Seuil, and you’d have as good a race as what the Champion Chase itself promises to be.
A Plus Tard and Chacun Pour Soi met here over Christmas in a Grade 1 chase, the former coming out on top after the latter just landed a bit flat-footed over the last. It’s entirely possible that form will be franked again, but Min is a class act and might have too much for the pair of them anyway.
His performance over 20f in the Melling Chase last April was one of the highlights of the season, and although he found Un De Sceaux too good for him in the Irish Champion Chase subsequently, he lost little in defeat. He didn’t have to be at his best to win here in December, but that should have put him spot on for this, and he can win it again before going on to Cheltenham.
Selection: Min win 9/4 Unibet

3.10 – Champion Hurdle Grade 1 2m
Cheltenham might not be the happiest of hunting ground for Sharjah (yet?) but Leopardstown certainly is, and he can come out on top in a fascinating Champion Hurdle that should answer a few questions.
The first is whether the drop back to 2m will bother the unbeaten Honeysuckle, who looked outstanding when beating Bacardys in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December, and the way she travelled there suggests she’ll have the speed to cope with the drop back. But that is still a question, whereas with Sharjah we know this is his trip, his track and ground, and he was every bit as impressive when defeating Petit Mouchoir in the Matheson, recording a huge speed figure in the process. He has to give 7lb to the mare, but I think he’s more than capable of doing so.
Selection: Sharjah win 6/4 Unibet

2.45 Wetherby – Towton Novices’ Chase 3m
All six can be given some sort of chance, but the improving Boldmere makes the most appeal. Useful over hurdles, he’s proving himself even better over fences, with ready wins at Leicester and Doncaster, and given there’s still room for improvement with his jumping, it’ll be a surprise if we’ve seen the best of him yet.
Selection: Boldmere win 2/1 Unibet

@TheWineTipster

This weekend Newmarket, the HQ of flat racing, hosts the first two classics of 2019 with the Qipco 2000 Guineas on Saturday and Qipco 1000 Guineas on Sunday.

The 2000 Guineas Celebrates its 210th running on Saturday, the first winner back in 1809 being Wizard. The racing world will be watching intently hoping for the magic of another wonder horse to appear on the scene. Four of the last ten Derby winners ran in the Guineas to emphasise the class fields that assemble for the Guineas each year.

With the weather looking set fair for the majority of the week, good fast flat ground can be expected.

Not unsurprisingly the front of the market is dominated by the ever powerful O’Brien stable. Magna Garcia currently heading the market at 7/2, already proven over a mile winning the Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes last October, and looking all class.

Ten Sovereigns next in the market at 5/1 arguably has the best form in the book going into the race. All wins last year were over 6 furlongs, but with a mixture of speed and middle distance angles to the pedigree, and O’Brien rarely one to tilt at windmills, the assumption is that staying a mile will be within scope for Ten Sovereigns. Which ever horse is chosen by Ryan Moore sure to go off favourite.

Royal Marine from Godolphin a 2 year old Group one winner in France over 1 mile, albeit on slower ground, is currently an 8/1 shot, and can be marked up for his run in the Craven where he wasn’t seen to best effect.

Demonstrating long term profit from betting on horses is found from being a contrarian and looking for angles less seen by others, whilst accepting missing the obvious more frequently (and I wouldn’t put anybody off backing either of the O’Brien pair).

However, and with that in mind, a horse that interests me at huge odds of 40/1 is Emaratty Ana from the Kevin Ryan stable. A late foal by the sire Shamadal (who was a Newmarket Group one winner himself). Emaratty Ana during a light 2 yo campaign showed his class winning the Group 2 Gimcrack at York over 6F, and I’m happy to forgive his subsequent fifth at Newmarket behind Ten Sovereigns. Sharmadal came into his own when he tackled a mile plus, and the dam also brings stamina to the fore. There is good reason to believe we may see a stronger, more developed, and altogether different horse now going over 1m and at 40/1 each way makes for an interesting bet at such huge odds.

Monday morning saw Godolphin supplement Al Hilalee for the race at a cost of £30,000, following a key racecourse gallop in Meydan that clearly impressed connections. A Derby entry this unbeaten son of Dubawi described by trainer Appleby as “a unit” who handled the undulations on the July course last season, he should feel right at home on the galloping Rowley Mile come Saturday. At odds of 16/1 the hint should be taken each way.

On Sunday the 1000 Guineas takes centre stage for the fillies with Qubala heading the market at 7/2. The favourite winner of the key trial The Nell Gwyn in taking style, drawing right away from a good field. The Roger Varian filly looks sure to go very well.

Skitter Scatter from the John Oxx stable who trained the imperious Sea The Stars to 2000 Guineas success 10 years ago, is expecting a big run from this Scat Daddy offspring. Strong market support over the last 48 hours into 6/1 second favourite only further adds to the confidence behind this filly and is an interesting selection.

Iridessa from the up and coming Joseph O’Brien stable looks very interesting based on her Group 1 Fillies mile win over course and distance last October. Her seasonal appearance on face value might be viewed as slightly disappointing, however the soft ground may well not have suited as well as the fast ground she’s shown her best form on so far. At current odds of 8/1 she makes fair each way value against rivals whose prices have contracted more over the past days.

For those looking for a lively outsider likely to outrun her odds then Star Terms from the Richard Hannon stable looks sure to be suited by this testing mile, a strong gallop, and should run well.

Selections:

Saturday Qipco 2000 Guineas
Emaratty Ana 40/1 each way
Al Hilalee 12/1 each way

Sunday Qipco 1000 Guineas
Iridessa 7/1 each way
Star Terms 25/1 each way

Have a great, profitable, and enjoyable Guineas weekend.

Follow Jamie Beighton on twitter @TheWineTipster1

 

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