Tag: Carlingford Lough

Bookies braced for McCoy factor

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

A busy racing weekend was completely overshadowed when Champion jockey Tony McCoy announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season.

Although there had been rumours of McCoy hanging up his riding boots for some time, the media seemed to be taken completely off guard following the victory of Mr Mole in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. Most eyes had been on former two-mile champion chaser Sire de Grugy who had blotted his copybook when unseating Jamie Moore. Even the day’s feature race, the Betfair Hurdle, was run in a strangely subdued atmosphere as racing tried to absorb the news.

McCoy, or “AP” as he is widely known, will be crowned champion jockey for the 20th consecutive time at the end of the season. Considering the high risk nature of his job, that is nothing short of remarkable. He has had his share of injuries over the years but has kept coming back for more. He has been part and parcel of the National Hunt scene for so long that he is bound to be sorely missed.

In the meantime, the bookmakers are bracing themselves for a surge of support for McCoy’s mounts for the rest of the campaign. His win on Carlingford Lough on Sunday gave us a taste of what to expect if, and when, he boots home a winner at the Cheltenham festival and Aintree. His Hennessy win was a vintage McCoy ride, recovering from a mistake to drive back up to his rivals and grind out an unlikely victory.

Carlingford Lough has already been cut to as short at 8-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup while he remains a more realistic 12-1 with William Hill. Shuttthefrontdoor is currently joint-favourite for the Grand National at 20-1. Trainer Jonjo O’Neill is planning on running him in the Gold Cup as well but Aintree is his number one target.

When McCoy ended his 15-year wait for a Grand National winner on Don’t Push It in 2010, bookmakers estimated that the champ had cost them around £50million. If Shutthefrontdoor gets to the National with McCoy in the saddle, he will almost certainly start favourite. Were he to end his career on such a high note, it would rate alongside the greatest racing memories like Dawn Run, Desert Orchid and Red Rum. It couldn’t possibly happen could it?

Carlingford Lough – Cheltenham Gold Cup @12-1 William Hill

Shutthefrontdoor – Grand National @20-1 William Hill

Lexus Chase Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The Grade 1 Lexus Chase is the feature event at Leopardstown on Sunday, assuming it survives the threat of freezing fog.

In the absence of any obvious rising stars in the three-mile chasing division, this race could well have be a good guide to the Cheltenham Gold Cup next March. Reigning champion Lord Windermere clashes with 2013 winner Bobs Worth, an impressive winner here a year ago.

When Bobs Worth scooted clear of First Lieutenant with Lord Windermere toiling behind in seventh, it seemed difficult to imagine the placings being reversed at the festival. There remains an element of mystery about the closing stages of the Gold Cup as Lord Windermere and On His Own (also taking part on Sunday) swept past Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth. Trainer Jim Culloty feels that the ground is the key to his horse so there has to be a doubt about him producing his best with the ground heavy.

Bobs Worth has not raced since and Nicky Henderson has freely admitted that his horses are all better for a run this season. On His Own has failed to reproduce that Cheltenham form, being beaten a total of 171 lengths in his two starts since. First Lieutenant has never quite shown that he has the stamina for a test in this sort of ground and a more likely candidate is Boston Bob.

He was a remote third on his seasonal reappearance but ran much better last time to chase home the race-fit Don Cossack at Punchestown. Lord Windermere was just half a length behind in third with Texas Jack fourth. Boston Bob has won on all types of ground and should be fit enough to do himself justice.

Sam Winner is admirably tough and has already won at Cheltenham and Aintree this winter. His battling effort to beat The Druids Nephew under a big weight entitles him to take his chance but he looked just short of top grade last season. He was a respectable fifth in the RSA Chase having chased home Smad Place at Newbury in heavy ground.

Carlingford Lough was sixth at Cheltenham and won at Punchestown in April. He is tough and consistent and could be in the money under Tony McCoy if he is sharp enough on his first run of the season. Road To Riches slammed Rocky Creek by eleven lengths in November and is progressive.

He holds several of these on that form including Boston Bob who has the best part of thirty lengths to make up. The bookmakers were divided on the merits of that race with there being a suspicion that the winner had slipped the field. We will know more about his Gold Cup prospects after Sunday’s race.

Boston Bob @5-1 William Hill