The Saturday Sermon – Sandown, Wetherby, Fairyhouse and some Football… Shabash!

Good evening from the Major who writes from a damp and cold Worcestershire scene.  Bitter cold rain stings the face, wind whistles in rising tones, a blackness lies over the land which is sodden, barren and desolate.

Indoors, the woodburner has been underway for several hours, the air flow restricted but in suffocation, there is no drama, instead the flame just licks gently at the contents, peaceful.

The Major has had another restless week.  Sleep comes in patches, unsure of my path through the night, leaping from one hour to another, not fully conscious but unable to make the long haul to the morning.

I have had a remarkably good betting week which grew from a seedling into a mighty redwood.  On Wednesday night, Bet365 sent me a free £5 bet – Unlike many of my twitter contemporaries, I am proud of the fact that I have never had an account restricted… no, sadly, bookmakers welcome with open arms, showering me with diaries, free bets and free spins.  I am a good customer.

Yet, that £5 free bet, doubled on an in-play Chelsea and West Ham draw (11/4) and an inplay Athletico Madrid win (11/2) scored me a tidy three figure return.  Fortunately, this was just the start of a remarkable run.  The next day, I scored a trixie win on an impulse and the outrageous slings and arrows of fortune even sought to conspire to get Forest over the line after trailing 2-0 after 50 minutes, to win 4-2.  I arrive at the weekend with an account buoyed by such fortunes and ready to invest.

The Major spent some time in London this week.  I enjoy time in the capital and have the privilege of doing so at my employers expense on an infrequent basis.  I like big cities, the masses, the heave, the sheer scale and breadth of everything you can access.  I am the sort that falls in love most days… Each new one is the best and wandering around our nations capital, my heart bounds.   The good lady need not know this, else she might balk at the notion of my travels.  Fear not too, none of these women, who fleetingly capture my heart, remain for long.  No, the Major cannot bear complication and so seek my enjoyment from only the increased beat of my heart.

Here is a question for you…. How many people would have to walk into a room before it is more likely than not that two share a birthday?  Don’t google it before you test your mental agility… Clearly you know the answer is low… Else why the purpose of posing the question… How low dare you go?  Tweet me if you were surprised… @tdl123

I wish I could travel more.  I would like to see the Ethiopian highlands – Green and pleasant, great black rocky outcrops, a freshness of air and starry nights.  The Great Rift Valley, tropical conditions but at an altitude to make it passable.  A land of coffee and gold.  More populous than Britain and with a median age of just 17.

In the 1860’s Britain engaged in a war with the Walla tribes over European hostages taken by Tewodros II.   The village of Amba Miriam, previously called Magdala still has the great mortar, Sevastapol, the biggest ever built (German technicians).  The history of it is fascinating… We took Indian troops to free the hostages… No doubt they were battle hardened from the Indian mutinies.  We had to build a road to get to Magdala, several hundred miles from the coast… Then, summons were issued to release the hostages but instead the numerically superior forces Tewodros met us in battle and were roundly defeated.. The Henry Martini rifle and naval gunners seeing to them, with deadly proficiency.

An Amba is a rocky plateau, on which great defences were built.  Tewodros may have fared better if he had settled in for a great siege.  Instead, he sent his men to the field, to meet us in battle, surely a judgement error.  Once defeat was apparent, he took his own life rather than the humiliation of capture and subjugation.  He relented his grip on life, rather ironically, with a pistol that had been gifted to him by Queen Victoria herself.  Alpha and Omega.

I am sure you find this fascinating.  I know my readership… you come not because I have some magic beans but rather, this is part of your weekly rhythm, your selection of sporting chance will occur when you have read this.  Some of my thoughts will pervade your own, shared freely amongst us good friends, you can select which lines of enquiry you find agreeable.  Some you will discard, casually throwing aside my own position in favour of your own strong cognition.  Either way is good for me.  As long as you come in friendship, harmonised with my standards and expectations.

Accept that neither of us are right before the event.  Allow the spirit in which thoughts are shared to please you.  All I have is this, some opinion.  I expect nothing in return either.  Should you win, there is no need to offer thanks if I helped (either by my advocacy or your decision to take a successful contrary position).  Your decisions are yours alone to make.  Neither shall I accept your criticism.  Like Buddha, I do not have to accept such gifts… not that you send me any, I cannot recall criticism for poor performance for some time, despite the burgeoning readership…  The Major has followers who empathise rather than criticise, welcome…

Let us land the mothership.  Find the treble you feel passionate about and weaponise your stakes.  It is time for the sports.  Daub thy warpaint young warrior, we shall meet them in the passes, stone walls forcing our will and bayonets fixed, each man gritting teeth and praying.

To the racing…

Now I oft select a card and run through it, I enjoy that, it allows me to chance an angle on an entire days racing.

Sadly, the three NH races in the UK are subject to morning inspections and as such, with all meetings in doubt, I elect to jump quickly from race to race, not caring for the usual order of things.

Of course it is a shame that a Grade 1 chase only attracts three runners.  The Scilly Isles will surely be won by Oscar Whiskey with the only threat Benvolio probably not up to the same standard.

The veterans chase looks interesting mainly because only a few of them look comfortable in this mudbath.  Tatenen, the favourite, has raced on soft (or worse) 11 times and won once.  Not that he has a great strike rate, back to top form?  Unreliable in my eyes.  Fine Parchment has a great track record but I have concerns.

I favour Aachen who is well in on old form and loves it on heavy ground.  5/1 is available generally and this horse is one that will surely come on again (don’t revolt at his age) from his reappearance.

At Wetherby, they might have been trying Shutthefrontdoor on better ground but his heavy and soft ground form suggests he has no problem with these conditions.  In fact, I imagine he will improve for them.  Ely Brown is the concern, representing the superb Longsden yard.  Double that up with Flemeson on the same card – He is a progressive sort who was involved in a hot race last time and this is lesser company.  I am also a fan of Ice ‘n’ Easy a Fehily ride, trained by Longsden… The 5lbs he was penalised for the last run might well be extremely light.

At Ffos Las, I am sure they would get a better running of the West Wales National, if they ran it after the national weights came out.  Still, to be fair, it is a good show, especially with Welsh National winner Mountainous rocking up.

Without doubt, the best race of the day is the Welsh Champion Hurdle.  Whisper has always looked a light horse to me but gets on very well in the mud.  Saphir de Rheu is still a World Hurdle player and may well be able to exceed his mark in this.  The Major however chances his arm on Alaivan at 7/1 who is entitled to run better than reappearance – County Hurdle form reads well enough in this field and 3/5 on heavy provides confidence.

De La Bech is my pick in their feature chase – Assured of acting in conditions – Load up!

At Fairyhouse, in their 2.30…. Competitive Edge makes a great bet at the right side of evens.  Shrapnel might yet come good but his runs have been poor and a watching brief is in place for the Major.

and at the football…

@TJHeezy pointed the absurdity of the 13/10 about Swindon, they are a strong team at home.  I would also be a massive buyer of QPR at home to Burnley… evens… Shabash!  I thought about Spurs away but feel Hull are strong and Hull are galvanised.

The big double I would urge your investment in is a Wolves (8/13) and Man City (17/20) play.  Wolves may have sold a few but they are coming good and will play well.  As for Man City, I think they will win the league by ten clear points… This game will signal intent.

I hope yours business is conducted in sober, solemn and patient terms… May your dinner be served on the finest china.  Tip well, after all, the bulging pocket suggests  you finished at some pace.

The Martin Hill advice… I owe him. Competitive Edge, Shutthefrontdoor and Wolves…. Trixie – The last leg might sting but will pay.

Courage…. roll the dice.

KABOOM The Majors Saturday Service – Horseracing Tips – Racing Post Chase, Kempton; The Eider at Newcastle – Lingfield – Premier League Tips

Good morning from wet Pershore where the pluviometer indicates significant precipitation yet the warm coffee musters good feeling.  The Major is ready for Saturdays action.

Fistral Beach, named after the legendary Newquay surfing mecca

Our February profits have sunk to just 8%.  A few things to remember.  The Major is transparent, you can see everything I advised by following the tabs in the menu bar above.  As a man that has to work full time, I am proud to return any profit, my goal is 20%.  If you include the bookmakers over-round, that puts me 40% ahead of the market at any given time, a worthy and challenging target.

It is also a sign of what life is like for an amateur punter.  It shows why you have to keep perspective about winning and losing.  Returning those profits, if I stay disciplined will mean that not only do I get to enjoy my horseracing tipping hobby but it will be profitable over time, even to the slim margin I suggest.

Consider the roulette table, playing straight numbers the house pays 36/1.  Yet there is a 37th number.  This gives the house just a 2.7% advantage.  As Einstein, who had a lot to say about roulette commented ‘No one can possibly win at roulette unless he steals money from the table while the croupier isn’t looking’. 

I am aiming for my own judgement / pricing supremacy over the enemy to be 30-40%, thats a serious improvement in judging sporting outcomes, a significant house advantage to the Major.

Should you wish to criticise or congratulate my performances, you can leave your comments, I welcome them, encourage them and enjoy them.  Should you wish to know the very moment a post is issued, then sign up to the email service in the left hand column or twitter @tdl123.  Should you wish to complain that most of my tips do not come in, please do not read on, the Major writes for those who understand the principle of value.  The messages I get tell me the mysterious readers (150 last Saturday) are a positive bunch, generally encouraging me back to the fray when things go wrong. 

In return, I will not butter up my results or advice, I will not offer aftertiming or over celebrate a result, I also ask you not to expect too much.  Be there to celebrate the 22/1 winners as well as to understand that 4 from 5 bets will not come home.   Rest assured however, that considered punters like ourselves are the enemies scourge.

Once more we saddle our chargers, sheepskin cover and blinkers and prepare to face the devious enemy on the field of battle.  He has priced his markets, I have researched my angles into the value.  I offer to you, free of charge, no strings attached, my version of the Saturday value tips. 

To war, my friends.  Let us return to the breach, or we shall be clogging up the walls with our gambling dead.

3pm – The Racing Post Chase – Kempton

Just as the football kicks off, so does the race of the day.  This looks like a cracking renewal of the race with many of last years protagonists sizing each other up again.  Conditions will play a part (Newcastle goes ahead, Chepstow might not) but Sandown will get a dousing mid to late morning and then dry up, I am going to assume soft but sticky.

The Major has been a long-term follower of Fistral Beach and the horse continues to cost me money.  That said, I expected his chances in todays race to be better advertised but seemingly, he has become a little friendless.  The money is piling in for Nacarat, (who is the Pricewise selection) and this must offer some value elsewhere, including the Majors selection.  This is the thinking…

The RP Chase is one of the better handicaps at this stage of the season.  We have seasoned King George placers, young up and comers as well as a few old monkeys trying to revive some sort of form.   The winner is normally an already known strong performer.  As it a handicap, we are looking for one either improving or on the career plateau.  This has not gone to a true outsider in some time. 

Nacarat has probably shown the best class in the field.  As a result he gets top weight.  He is well weighted though if you consider his efforts in the 09 and 10 renewals of the race.  Pricewise has to be well-respected, he is certainly better than me.  That does not mean that you changes your mind though when your line of thought was different though.  It is these differences that you need to exploit to find the elusive value.  I cannot help but think that at age ten, we know everything about Nacarat and I am not sure rain is going to suit his chances, he would be fine on genuine soft but I think the likely tacky stuff Kempton will serve up may not suit.. 

Remember, we are looking for something rated just short of very good.  Perhaps 145ish.  The horses that brings into focus are:

Tatenen, Free World, Quinz, Bakbenscher, Razor Royale and I am going to throw in my personal horse to follow, Fistral Beach.

I ruled out Mostly Bob who is interesting but Johnson deserted in favour of Quinz and although he said it was a tight decision, I think Mostly Bob might find things happening a bit too quickly today, although O’Brien in the saddle is a favoured jockey for the Major and he looks like he will appreciate a right-handed track, this seems to be too much of a step up at this stage. 

Both Quinz and Mostly Bob also get lines through them due to trainer form.  Just 1 win from the last 25 runners for Hobbs does not convince you that his string are in top-notch form, thus they are overlooked.

Ringaroses looks suspiciously well handicapped but you need more than that for a RP chase win, you need proven quality and recent form and that is not there for Ringaroses.

The horses well suited to conditions in the Majors view are Hey Big Spender (who I think will struggle to cart weight just 1lb short of Nacarat around), Fistral Beach and Bakbenscher. 

Before I make comment on the couple I have it down to, a word for Razor Royale.  Twiston Davies will have him tuned up and I am sure this is his possible moment in the sun this season.  That said, I am unsure a repeat of the previous battle with Nacarat is certain.

For the Major, there are two of clear interest in the market.  Bakbenscher and Fistral Beach.

Followers of Fistral Beach have lost a lot of money backing him to win races – He has been a beaten favourite more often than anything else in the race.  I find it interesting then that champion trainer Nicholls still comments today that ‘I think Fistral Beach has a lot in his favour, he has a nice weight and is on a fair mark.’

It is not often that Mr Nicholls proclaims he has one in and the Major has listened. 

Fistral beach is 2 from 4 on soft and I think that is where the ground will go.  Although he has only tried 3m once, I think he will get it well and the breathing op he had in the summer seemed to have worked wonders.  Nicholls looks set tot have this as the target, this looks like a champion trainer special to me.

Bakbenscher is 3 from 5 on soft and I cannot ignore him either.  He could be the fly in the ointment.  I just don’t trust his jumping enough for this although if King has straightened that out, he could be a major threat.

Fistral Beach for the Major and I really like this one, so lump in for the win.  13/2 at the moment with Hills but I suspect with Nacarat clearly fancied everywhere but here, that price may drift.

3.15pm The Eider, Newcastle

4m 1f around Newcastle when it is bottomless is more than a stamina test it is an insane non stop energy sapping war of attrition.  This really will be a race that will suit a careful deliberate jumper.  We might only get two / three finishers so a huge priced outsider that would definitely get round may not be the worse selection ever either… 

That said, there are only two horses in the race who have won at the distance.  Comply or Die, the Murphy national hero horse who was the Majors first ever Grand National winner; is one.

The other is the selection, Belon Gale.  This sort fits the bill perfectly and to be honest I would take a slice of the National antepost too .  11/2 is generally available.  The Northumberland National it won last time stepping up beyond 3m for the first time was a significant step up in form, this looks like the National plot horse for the Howard Johnson team. 

Minella Boys could be a threat but the Sussex National while requiring a staying type, is not the same extreme test as this. 

Have a slice and send me the postcard.

The Other Horseracing Tips

With the two big races out of the way, let us review a couple of other fancies. 

Back to Sandown, the Majors betting resolutions dictated that you should not get too stuck in to novice / juvenile types. 

That said, the Henderson horse, Molotof, looks very interesting in the opener at Sandown (1.55).  It is second favourite to a Nicholls horse, Tonic Mellysse, but incredibly the ownership is the same.  The Munir clan look to have sourced two good sorts from France.  The reason I like the second of the two is that Henderson clearly targets some of his better novices (from his embarrassment of riches) at this race.  Previous winners include two of Hendersons Champion Hurdle sorts in Punjabi and Binocular.

That must be a good indicator that this is one of the better novices in an outstanding yard and thus, 10/3 Bet365 is a must bet price for the Major.

3.35 Kempton – Pullyourfingerout could win this grade 2.

Toubab has been the subject of a talking down from the yard and while I really respect Celtus (again a Munir owned horse), I think there will plenty here trying to cut each others throats.  If AP McCoy can get pullyourfingerout to settle, it is well worth a bet that he can pick these off in the home straight.  10/1 generally available.  The Powell horses are in fine order (31% strike rate the last two weeks).  Smash into this one.

At Lingfield, the 2.10 Blue Square Sprint Series Final is a 6f affair that is a tasty conundrum.  nothing appeals more than Qadar whose change of home seems to have lit up the horse.  I am certain a 5lb rise will not stop this one … 6/1 Bet365 is a serious mistake.  While Qadar may have fallen from grace, the new stable seem to have resparked some passion and he is still 23lbs inferior to the height of his racing mark.  Artic Lynx is a danger to all looking for a hat-trick and 100% record at Lingfield.

Duff is the class act in the Lingfield 3.10 and the Major has backed Hitchens many times in quality races like this listed affair.  I have to say that Anne of Kiev would have carried the dough but stall 1 is a nightmare.  The one the Major plumps for is rank outsider, Elna Bright.  33/1 with Bet 365,   trainer form a slight concern but visor fitted and a sharper effort last time out give this one a small shout, 33/1 it is not.

To the sports fields of Britain…..

I always seem to back teams against my own club West Brom, I promise it is not some sort of self-abuse, I just think Albion are there for the taking.  The last two home games, our opposition has been 3/1 for the win and both ended in score draws.  I maintain this line on Albion being lesser value to Stoke today where you can back the home team at an incredible EVENS with Hills.  Get stuck in, load the large cannon and KABBBOOOOOOOMMMM! Although the Major will not celebrate, it is like scoring against an old club, it is not the done thing – Martin I promise this is not a wind up.

Victor Chandler have lost their minds offering Nottingham Forest at 2/1 to win in south London.  Millwall are alright but nowhere as good as Forest who are quietly going about their business in an impressive style.  The squad is big enough to cope with the current injury list, I want them on my side today.

Bolton look overpriced too at 14/5 to win at St James Park. Sturridge has added an extra dimension to Bolton who are in with a far better chance than that of picking up three points.

Equally Sunderland at 4/1 to win at Goodison is a must bet for the Major.  Everton may be missing Cahill too which is a significant blow, they are a really hot and cold team where Sunderland have earned their Europa League chasing position.

In the Rugby, I think the French will hunker down and make it a tight game at Twickenham.  This makes the first try scorer bet on Ashton a no bet despite the appeal that the young gun clearly has. 

I prefer to back Italy with a plus ten handicap mark against Wales at evens (Bet 365) – This is normally a close encounter and despite the drubbing last time out, I think this is a decent Italy team, home advantage could see them win today without the need for the handicap reassurance.

Being smacked around the pitch by the Dutch is not a good warm up when your next ODI is against Tendulkar and Sehwag.  1/2 on for India who should beat England comfortably.

The NAP has to be Fistral Beach at 13/2 – He has carried my money too often without return, he will come good today.

The lucky 15 will be Fistral Beach, Molotof, Belon Gale and Notts Forest – That should pay for Christmas!

William Hill Offer

Now before you start thinking, has the Major sold out, please understand that I have no affiliation to any bookmaker and earn no income from this site.

However, a word must be said today for William Hill.  they are offering a £25 free bet on sign up (fairly standard I hear you say) PLUS a £30 free bet for using the Racing Post Iphone / Android app.

This must be a go for it scenario.  Sign up an account with £30, you know they are going to give you a £25 free bet.  then go for the app too and place your bet through it.  You have to email in to confirm it but you will get £55 of free bets to your original £30 stake. 

Hills are best price on the NAP too!  Have a chunky slice of that and thank me at tea time.

Tonight, I suggest Game Pie.  A hearty ale to accompany.  Try the Butty Bach from the Wye valley – Light, tasty and refreshing.  Throw a log on the fire as the evening draws in, sit content, take your dog to the pub and allow him to lie on the flagstone floor, throw him the odd scratching. 

When you feel that wad of notes in your pocket, smile and order the good brandy, the Major is happy for you.  Don’t consider this the comeback, we were never gone.