Hmm, maybe you know something about this, TheFlash? Or is it just the Flicker reference? The form book says that last time out it was beaten a total of 62 lengths, admittedly in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. It's three wins prior to that came in a Class 5 and two Class 4 hurdles. Today it runs in a Class 3 race and is 10 lbs higher in the handicap than for the last of it's three wins. On the information in the public domain, I'd prefer OSCATARA of Donald McCain's, which is top on Timeform ratings and looks to have more scope for improvement. Oscatara receives 5 lbs from Flicka Williams. Flicka Williams was trained until the end of last season by McCain, before transferring to Tony Coyle, so Donald presumably has the measure of Flicka. For those suicidal enough to follow me in, I'll also be backing NASSAU STORM in the 2.30 at Lingfield. If you want to ensure that your last bet of 2013 is a winning one, look no further than BANDIT COUNTRY (3.50 Warwick) and the incomparable AP McCoy. Will be a shade of odds on but will not be beaten.
9/1 is a big price for Flicka, but the ground is probably against him. Oscatara been off for a year and drifting in the market. Will be interesting if there is late money. Had a good win on Clondaw Flicka last week!
Well I hope no one has followed Orsenkaht's tips today. Could have barely made 3 worse selections - and he sounded so knowledgable!
Oh no worries. Looked a decent thing. Altho was thinking at 3.50 pm they would be running with headlights on...
(With some temerity, after yesterday!) Musselburgh 2.10 New Year's Eve 6/1 (John Ferguson trains classy Godolphin cast-offs to go over the jumps. Retained jockey Denis O'Regan goes up to Musselburgh to ride this instead of going to the big New Year's Day meeting at Cheltenham, where the stable also have a runner.)
This is Pricewise in the racing post - you'll do well to get better than 9/2 now. Hope you haven't jinxed it!
Got a bit of the 6's, TheFlash. It's also tipped up by Spotlight in the Post and by Timeform on their free tips site. I tend to follow the Ferguson stable a bit though - purely because of the class of horse he gets to work with. Good luck with yours!
Strange ride from O'Regan. Yours unlucky Flash - Quealley seemed to think he was back on Frankel there when it looked like the race was Kirby's. Nil desperandum!
Very suspicious from O'Regan. Never have the horse a chance. The bookies will have cleaned up in that.