Newbury is better than Nothing

Looking at the ratings as a guide couldn't be confident of having one winner today. One may pop up at a big price. If you bet with that attitude in mind won't go far wrong

Lusaka de Pembo 2:10 would seem better suited by quicker ground. When it actually starts to run well over here is open to question. This is not an easy contest

Harrycone Lewis 2:40 is fairly consistent but there a number of dark and improving horses in here.

No doubt that Quazar 3:15 is best on a quicker surface. Ran a stinker last time on testing ground. If it doesn't come return to form today, the race is wide open.

3:45, this looks a trappy wide open contest. Anticipating won well at Plumpton but this is the wide open spaces of Newbury. Tokala is unexposed. The slow pace and Fakenham didn't suit last time. There is still the likes of Predicament and Topkat to worry about.

In the 4:20 all seven horses listed below have shown much better form on the flat than what they have shown so far over hurdles. The quicker ground here will help.

4:55 Looks a match between Wichita Linesman and Pepporoni Pete. The latter put in the better time when winning easily at Wincanton. The Jonjo O'Neill trained runner looked at least one class above the rivals it beat at Newbury in November. Wasn't required to run any quicker to win that day, therefore time rating is probably irrelevant in this case.

Newbury

• 1:35 Leaving alone
• 2:10 Lusaka de Pembo 128. Lord On The Run 128, Notanotherdonkey 127, Ryders Storm 123, Rubberdubber 120, Magnesium 119, Magico 118
• 2:40 Harrycone Lewis 143, Parsons Legacy 140, Rodalko 140, Shalako 137, Desailly 132, Presenting Express 131, Florida Dream 131, Jakari 130
• 3:15 Quazar 161, Non So 156, Marcel 156, Redemption 155, Claymore 154, Chauvinist 153, Hors La Loi III 152, Made In Japan 152, Windsor Boy 151, Hand In Hand 151, Cornish Sett 150, Iznogoud 150
• 3:45 Anticipating 142, Tokala 138, Predicament 137, Topkat 135, Fandani 134, Goldbrook 133, Desert Quest 133, Pirate Flagship 133,
• 4:20 Champion's Day 129, Vengeance 129, Cold Turkey 127, Quarrymount 126, Shannon Springs 126, Wellbeing 121, Amnesty 120
• 4:55 Wichita Linesman 131, Pepporoni Pete 129, Mount Sandel 117, Kimi 115, It Happened Out 113, One More Step 108

Grand National

Hope to go through the weights in the next few days. The top rated is not necessarily the one I'm backing in the race. Had backed Hedgehunter before Christmas last year and kept on backing it till on the day of the race. Have already backed what I expect to win during the summer. It is too short to back now. So not going to get excited until the day of the race.

Cheltenham Badges

Were sold for over £500 which is a reasonable deal. Am sure both parties are happy.

A Pair of Members Badges with Parking on auction at eBay

Cheltenham Festival

Definitely plan to put ratings up. With only one meeting to concentrate on, will aim to have them up for 10pm the night before. Most of the racing is going to be tight. The ground is critical. I see there is rain forecast f

Gold Cup

Disappointed that it did not win at Haydock in the Betfair. Am satisfied that it was a case of it running below form rather than Kingscliff 166 and Beef Or Salmon 165, improving.

The King George win was not particularly exciting as it ran to the same level as in defeat at Haydock. Over a stone below its best of last season. Tom Taafe says it will be much better come March, Gold Cup time. It will need to be. No surprise to see Kingscliff run poorly at Sandown.

The news this week (early Jan) that Kicking King is out for the rest of the season is no surprise. Coming round the final bend was expecting it to win comfortably by five lengths. Scraping home in a photo from Monkerhostin was a surprise. Would not consider it as an idling in front type. Probably sustained its injury two out as it was never travelling sweetly after.

The race is up for grabs now. The going on the day will be vital. Am happy to wait.

Ratings Pages

Need to update them, having not done them them since before the Cheltenham Festival, so a job to before the end of the month. Just snowed under.

Links

Apologies, snowed under with about five weeks of ratings to key in. Therefore not going to be dealing with any requests for links in the forseeable future.

Betdaq

Imagine a world where there is only one pub group, where the price of a pint is the same everywhere and could be cheaper. Or only one supermarket chain with only one brand of coffee at a higher price. Would be frightening to me.

You want to back a horse early in the 2.00. Do you ring up the same bookmaker or do you look around to see who is offering the best price? Why then in the world of betting exchanges do you always use the same outlet?

Is it not time that you used another exchange as well and created some competition in the market place? Help to make Betdaq stronger and boost liquidity by putting the odd bet on there regularly. It may not seem like it in the short term but a stronger Betdaq will mean a better market place for all. Now is a good time to start with the Jumps Season proper about to begin. Click here. to join