Otters! Snoring! In Lisbon! Cute alert…
It’s a classic – there’s big horse action this weekend
Popbitch Guide To Flat Racing pt 1
**UPDATE** We’re liking Coral’s Pipped At The Post promotion this weekend* (see bottom)
Win stakes on Green Tick win only bets refunded if your selection finishes second by less than ½ a length (Nose, Short head, Head or Neck).
2000 Guineas Update: It’s all about the ground… Camelot might not like it
1000 Guineas Update: Frankie Dettori is on Lyric of Light rather than Discourse. Moonstone Magic odds keep shortening.
Well, we’ve taken you through the Cheltenham Festival. But it’s time to talk about Champions Series – everything you need to know and follow for the summer’s flat racing. Next month is Royal Ascot – when you get to see photos of Amanda Holden and Jackie St Clair wearing hats.
This weekend at Newmarket sees the first Classic races of 2012.
If you’re curious about horse racing but not sure about watching those fences – this could be for you. The horses are beautiful. And they get to run very fast for a minute or so with a little fella on their back, before being taken back to a life of luxury in their stables.
Horses start running when they are two years old. The following year – when they are three – the big races are called the five Classics.
First up we have the 1000 and 2000 Guineas (raced over a mile, the former for girls only). Then next month they try 1.5 miles – in races called the Oaks and Derby. Then at the end of the season there is the longest race, the St Leger.
Last year you may remember we got ourselves a two year old filly, and named her Superinjunction.
In her first race, last June, she competed at Newmarket against some of the best horses of her generation. And she was pretty good, finishing not far behind a horse called Discourse, from the famous Godolphin stable, for whom Frankie Dettori usually rides.
Sadly this was the high point of Superinjunction’s career. She won’t be lining up on Sunday in the 1000 Guineas.
But Discourse is one of the favourites for this race, alongside Maybe, whose Dad Galileo is superstar Frankel’s Dad too.
Frankel, left. Maybe, right
If you fancy a bet, Coral have special money-back offers on their win only (green tick) market.
If it carries on raining, a horse called Moonstone Magic might not be a stupid bet, because she likes the soft ground, and we don’t yet know what Maybe or Discourse will think about having muddy feet.
Check out the betting and the racecard here
First up, on Saturday we get the boys in the 2000 Guineas (and Frankel will be galloping in public at the racetrack before the racing starts).
A horse called Camelot is the big favourite (trainer Aiden O’Brien is known to think very highly of him) but Trumpet Major is a good bet with the soft ground. As are the French horses, Abtaal or French Fifteen. Caspar Netscher is fancied by many each-way.
The Guineas Meeting marks the start of Qipco’s Champion Series, which culminates in Ascot’s briliant Champions Day in October.
There’s a preview of the weekend’s Classics here if you’d like to know more.
We like the Guardian’s horse racing coverage – it’s a good place to check out.
Racing Post too
>>>>>>>> Popbitch Racing Club 2012 <<<<<<<<<
The time has come – we’re about to get our new horse!
* Want to choose a racehorse?
* Name him/her?
* Swan around the Owners and Trainers bars?
* Win absolutely loads of prize money**?
Email pophorse@popbitch.com to find out more.
** Er, this is unlikely btw
For last year’s Racing Club microsite click here
******************************************************************
*
Pipped at the Post Races 5th / 6th May
Saturday 5th May
2:00 Makfi Suffolk Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m1f CH4
2:30 Qatar Bloodstock Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 1m4f CH4
3:10 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (204th Running) (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Colts & Fillies) Cl1 1m CH4
3:45 Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 5f CH4
4:20 Al Rayan Handicap Cl2 6f
4:55 Qatar Racing Newmarket Stakes (Listed Race) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 1m2f
5:30 Qipco Supports Racing Welfare Handicap Cl2 1m
Sunday 6th May
2:05 Qipco Supporting British Racing Stakes (Handicap) Cl2 1m4f CH4
2:35 Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 1m1f CH4
3:15 Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Fillies) Cl1 1m CH4
3:50 Qatar Racing Handicap Cl2 6f CH4
4:25 Makfi Future Stars Maiden Stakes Cl4 5f
5:00 Tweenhills Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies) Cl1 1m2f
5:35 Al Rayan Handicap Cl2 1m2f
It’s a fit-up! Pigs blame otter for crime
The police are quick to lay the blame on anyone nearby, aren’t they..
Otter news from Dumfries and Galloway Police press release this morning
Correction – Theft – The Heck
After careful examination of the scene by a Wildlife Crime Officer, of the theft at The Heck, Lockerbie, (Release 0156), it now transpires that the 40 Koi carp fish which were thought to have been stolen, have been taken by an animal, and probably an otter. As such no crime has been committed.
Badger enlists help from friends now he’s found out baboon can read
So baboons can now read English, and presumably will be heading down the gun store, working out how to load, then heading back to the countryside to find his badger adversary…
But look, is badger making a bid for reinforcements?
Otters. And Sherlock.
Thanks to everyone who sent this
(Which one of you is behind the site??)
Otters wot look like Benedict Cumberbatch
We see this fella isn’t up there yet…
Or this scary one…
Popbitch goes Cheltenham – Gold Cup Friday
From Coral/Weatherby’s festival guide – we’ll try a more scientifically put together run-down of the field than choosing Kauto Star cos he’s nice.
Only one of the last 18 winners was 10 +
No Winning novice since 1974
Last 12 winners have won a grade 1 race
12 of the last 13 winners had won earlier in the season
9 of the last 11 winners had won or finished second at the festival before
10 of the last 20 winners were in their second season
9 of the last 12 winners contested the King George V1 chase
7 of the last 10 winners had not run in the same calendar year so far
10 of the last 11 winners had an official BHA rating of 166+
CLOSEST MATCH FROM THIS WE CAN COME UP WITH… LONG RUN
Bet with CORAL
Popbitch goes Cheltenham – Thursday. Sporting history to be made today?
This is Big Buck’s.
He’s the one on the left. His trainer, Paul Nicholls, is the one on the right.
Today he attempts to make history. Not since the 1950s has a horse won 16 consecutive races. And today, if he wins the World Hurdle, 3.20pm at Cheltenham, for the fourth time in a row, he will have won his 16th consecutive race.
We’ve yet to see a horse look like they’re getting close to him near the finishing line. And he’s going to start odds-on (i.e the bookmakers think he’s much more likely to win than lose). However, there’s a growing feeling at Cheltenham this week that he’s not going to do it.
Next in the betting is a horse called Oscar Whisky. He’s trained by Nicky Henderson who is having the most amazing run this week. He’s considered the most likely to make the upset.
Yesterday there was a winner called Champagne Fever. Could this be the boozy double?
We very much want to see Big Buck’s do it. But at 4-1 Oscar Whisky is a great bet.
Click on the Coral sign to open an account or make a bet. And if you’ve placed a bet on the race, you can watch it at your desk on Coral’s online TV. Don’t forget Coral’s 4 x £50 free bet offer for new account holders.
TIPS – OK they haven’t been entirely successful so far but we’ve got these:
1.30 Peddlers Cross
2.05 Pineau de Re and Sergeant Guib’s – EACH WAY. Coral have a brilliant offer – money back if your horse finishes second to OUR FATHER.
2.40 Coral’s offer is enhanced odds, 1/3 of each way for 1-2-3. Somersby to win, Capt Chris e/w
3.20 Big Buck’s v Oscar Whisky
4.00 Divers
Popbitch Goes Cheltenham – Wednesday
Today’s tips: 130 Teaforthree, 240 Join Together, 320 Sizing Europe.
You’ve still got time to open a new account with Coral and enjoy 4 x free bets up to £50 each.
The Guardian’s photo gallery from yesterday has some amazing images.
There were some amazing races yesterday, and watching Sprinter Sacre live was so special it gave you good bumps.
But a sad outcome in one, with two horses not making it through the race held on the cross country course. Personal opinion is that such odd and confusing courses, such as this cross-country one, are not a good idea for a sport. Why add difficulty to a race where the conditions involve jumping over fences, while running up and down hills?
Popbitch goes Cheltenham – Tuesday Tips
Top Tip – Irish trainers do well at Cheltenham. Backing the trainer Willie Mullins is generally a good move.
He’s got the favourite for Tuesday’s big race, Champion Hurdle – Hurricane Fly. We wouldn’t bet against it.
Next tip: 2.40pm JLT chase Baile Anrai (12-1)
Open an account with Coral by clicking here
and get up to 4 free bets – you can read about how right here
National Hunt racing originated in Ireland. Early races were mainly two-horse contests known as “pounding races” that became popular in the early 18th century. These involved long trips across country where horses were required to jump whatever obstacles the landscape threw in their way. The start and finish were marked by the church steeple in each town, hence the term steeplechase, which is still used today to describe the races.
Other tips and things to look out for?
* If the horse has been voted “best turned out” (ie looks prettiest) pick someone else!
* If you look at the betting market, and the odds seem to be going down a lot, maybe some people have worked out the horse looks/seems particularly right – it’s often a good sign to back it
* Do you like the colours the jockey’s wearing? It’s often as good a guide as any other.
* Does the horse look hot, bothered and really sweaty? Hmm, maybe he’s used too much of his energy already.
Popbitch Goes Cheltenham – tips and more pt 1
CHELTENHAM Tues-Fri
Mindenao, Phillipines, might be the place to go if you want to see horse fighting, but the Cheltenham Festival is the biggest and best horse racing festival in the world.
Because of the sport’s Irish roots – and because the racing usually coincides with St Patrick’s Day – a lot of Irish horses and spectators turn up. It is held over over four days and features eleven Grade One races (ie the top level of race) and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Friday is the most prestigious Jump race in the world. The Grand National may be more famous but the horses who compete in the Gold Cup will be the best horses. The start of the first race is marked by a lot of noise from spectators, known as the Cheltenham Roar.The Cheltenham Festival is home to four of the biggest races in national hunt racing – the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the World Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle.
Five reasons why Cheltenham rocks.
1. It is perfectly acceptable to start the day by drinking champagne/cava/prosecco for breakfast on the train.
2. It is extremely unfashionable when you arrive at Cheltenham Spa station if you don’t stop in the station pub for a beer.
3. You get such a great mix of people – from incredibly friendly Irish racing enthusiasts to amusingly posh country folk in tweed jackets and raspberry coloured cords – that it feels like a very special day out.
4. It’s usually really sunny and a great place to be outdoors in March.
5. You are guaranteed to see some of the finest races the sport has to offer. What other sport brings you the best it has for only £22 ticket price?
Tuesday is Champion Hurdle Day.
Hurdles are mall fences – up to 3 1/2 ft high, generally made of thin bits of wood you can push over. The races tend to run from 2 miles to 3.5 miles.
The Champion Hurdle is for the best hurdlers in the sport. Hurricane Fly is the big favourite.
Don’t forget you can open an account with Coral and get some fanatastic free bet offers all week!. More info on Coral offers and tips for Tuesday coming right up in the morning…
Odds/Betting
These show how likely it is for the horse to win the race.If you are at the track thet are usually in the form of a fraction – eg 5-1Which would mean the bookmaker think it has got 5 times as many chances of losing as winning.”Evens” – means its got as good a chance of winning as losing1-5 means it is thought to be very likely to win. (five times as likely to win as lose)The favourite is the horse that the bookies/people think has most chance of winning. He will have the shortest odds.
e.g if you bet five pounds to win at 5-1 – if it wins you win 5 x 5 pounds – 25 pounds – plus the fiver that you bet (or “staked”) back
Each way – You can bet on a horse to finish in the first three of the race – you get 1/4 of the oddse.g if you bet five pounds each way on a 8-1 horse. you have to give over ten pounds total – 5 pounds which backs it to win, and 5 pounds to back it for a place(In some races you will win an each way bet if the horse finishes fourth or fifth – it depends on the number of horses in the race.)
