National Hunt jumps 2025/2026

[Onelife]

Onelife’s Saturday Bankers

Just in case Pompey has a couple of quid to spare I’m putting up “Teddy Blue” 3.45 Newbury as a good ew shot this Saturday. Currently the outsider of the field 20/1 a price which in my opinion doesn’t reflect the merits of his last run. Seeing that he took the scenic route round (4 wide of the field) and didn’t lose any ground on those in front of him at the finish (and having only got beaten 8 lengths). With a clear round I can see this one running a good race.

[Portsmouth]

As it happens, I do have a couple of quid to spare and I think you know I just love having a bet on an outside chance if I think it might get into the first three places.So yes Teddy Blue is of interest although checking on AI it says "he is known for being a strong traveller with a "mad" personality, often needing patient handling to deliver his best.

The question I'm wondering is.....will he really run at Newbury or will he run at Huntindon instead in the John Bigg 'Oxo' Handicap Chase at 2:45 on Sunday against Lounge Lizzard who won last year and a class 3 race rather than class 1 at Newbury ?
Also he is entered at Cheltenham in the Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase 10th March. could he still run in that race ?

[Onelife]

think it will depend on the going as good/good to soft would be his going…not sure he will get either with the predicted rain. Like you say the class 3 race on Sunday would be the easier option but the going there is softer than at Newbury so I think they’ll stick with Newbury. He is essentially a 2 miler hence the reason he is a bit head strong…he has a furlong less to cover than his last race which should suit ... .anyhows he looks the value bet at 20/1 so I’ve staked £5win £2 place at 18/1.

Not sure he'll make the cut for Cheltenham but with 10.6 he would have a chance....furthermore he'll more than likely get his going...there is of course the chance that Saturday/Sundays race might be a pipe opener for this race.

Horse racing is an intreging set of possibilities but the fact that they have entered him up for a class 1 race suggests that they think he still retains ability….We’ll know more about this on Sunday when Foxy put his head over the fence to tell me where it all went wrong

[oldbluefox]

In my expert opinion if it’s got four legs it stands a chance. Good luck

[Portsmouth]

Onelife, you have summed up very nicely....I agree the going can be unsuitable and I also got the impression this race might still be a furlong too far for him to win.....that said...he is a quirky horse and he might just decide to fool us all....so for a fun bet I'll throw in £1 e/way @ 20/1 later today

I was looking at the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase Doncaster 2:30 and just wondering if 12 yr old Moroder could possibly win it for a third time. He won in 2023 at 9 & then last year. Nice price @20/1 and has had a break since end of December. Last year he won at 33/1

[Onelife]

Onelife, you have summed up very nicely....I agree the going can be unsuitable and I also got the impression this race might still be a furlong too far for him to win.....that said...he is a quirky horse and he might just decide to fool us all....so for a fun bet I'll throw in £1 e/way @ 20/1 later today

I was looking at the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase Doncaster 2:30 and just wondering if 12 yr old Moroder could possibly win it for a third time. He won in 2023 at 9 & then last year. Nice price @20/1 and has had a break since end of December. Last year he won at 33/1

Moroder

As Foxy say’s…”if it’s got four legs it has a chance” the only thing I can see in his favour is that J Best (jockey) has a good win to ride ratio for this stable.

I never let the price of a horse stop me backing it….just imagine if you don't back it and it goes in at 20/1 ….its got to be worth 2 quid for the pain you might inflict on yourself.

[Onelife]

Onelife’s Saturday Bankers

On a day where form analysis has been difficult for me I’m going forward with four horses that perhaps give more value betting wise than going with more fancied runners ... .A bit like Pompey with his choice “Moroder”.

The veterans race at Newbury looks like an interesting race with plenty of old timers trying to turn back time, one of which is the 12 year old “Copperhead” 3.15 Newbury. If you can forgive his last two runs then this horse would have a chance if getting back to anywhere near the form he showed last year.

“Copperhead” £3 win £2 place (taken 14/1)

Moving onto the 3.45 we have “Teddy Blue” who may well outrun his odds if the ground remains on the better side of soft.. which looks unlikely as things stand…however the money is down so here’s hoping for the best.

“Teddy Blue” 3.45 Newbury £5 win £2 place (18/1 taken)

The 4.23 race at Newbury throws up a lot of “if only” horses so it will come as no surprise if this race throws up a big priced winner….with this in mind it could be “Yellow Star” who’s price probably reflects his chances, however, for those with money to burn the trainer is renowned for big priced winners so I’m taking a chance that this horse might be one of them.

“Yellow Star” 4.23 £3 win £2 place (33/1 general)

My last donkey runs at Kelso. “Bertie’s Ballet” is another big outsider but should like the going. Will need to show marked improvement to win but with a respected trainer on his side he wouldn’t be a forlorn hope.

Bertie’s Ballet 2.55 Kelso, £2 ew (33/1 taken)

50p win lucky 15

[Portsmouth]

So I managed to get 20/1 e/way on Teddy Blue in Corals & also got 20/1 for Moroder .....£4 total ( what a cheapskate I am )
You also went for Yellow Star in the 16:23 Newbury ...I hope you got the 33/1 as it's now down to 20/1....

Betting has also gone down on Berties Ballot but I think that Crackling Rhapsody has a decent chance of winning this three years running or at least making 2nd or 3rd.

For those reading this, who don't know...Constitution Hill is now only going to run on the flat....If they decide to send him to the Ebor Handicap and he wins, then he gets a golden ticket....free entry to the Melbourne Cup.

[Onelife]

Saturday Results

“Copperhead” 1st 14/1

“Teddy Blue” 3rd 12/1 (18/1 taken)

“Yellow Star” Fell 20/1

“Bertie’s Ballet” 12th 22/1


So what do we say in these situations…only two weeks till Cheltenham.

[oldbluefox]

£3 on Copperhead to win at 14/1 = £42. Time to celebrate
What time is the party?

[Onelife]

£3 on Copperhead to win at 14/1 = £42. Time to celebrate
What time is the party?

With my Lucky 15 and ew bet I actually cleared £50 but more importantly Pompey made a £1 profit on his bets….so why don't you pop round rto Pompey’s for two packets of crisps and ample amounts of tap water...Enjoy!

[Portsmouth]

I think Onelife will get a bit more with the £2 place bet as well + £2 place bet on Teddy Blue @18/1 will get an extra quid or two
Then he got a bit more for Copperhead as a single win on his Lucky 15 bet
Yes time to party

[oldbluefox]

The tightwad never mentioned that

[Onelife]

Onelife’s Saturday Bankers

Only two tomorrow as I’ve been preoccupied with picking Cheltenham winners.

Having finished nearer last than first in all of her last 9 races there won’t be many rushing out to back “Resdev Kisses” 5.00 Wolverhampton. ( come 5.10 I’ll probably have wished I hadn’t either) That being said, if you throw in a lot of “if’s” then “Resdev Kisses” might spring a surprise at big odds. Although having finished 11th of 12 in her last race the more optimistic might have seen a glimmer of hope in that she ran well up until the 5 furlong mark then faded badly (which is the case in most of her runs) but if we throw in a few “if’s” such as she breaks smartly - gets an easy lead - and the others fall over - It might just be kisses all round xx

“Resdev Kisses” 5.00 Wolverhampton £5 win.

Yes’ I have to Pompey…”Epictetus” 6.30 Chelmsford - must have a chance in what doesn't look the strongest of races.

“Epictetus” 6.30 Chelmsford £5 win

£1 win double

[Portsmouth]

there won’t be many rushing out to back “Resdev Kisses” 5.00 Wolverhampton.

I really can't see a win & I think that there's more chance of your hens growing teeth

I didn't know Epictetus was running and at first look it would seem the competition might be too strong ...but a closer look tells me that the race distance is 7 furlongs and the last race Epictetus ran at 7f was when he was a 2yr old and won it. Since then he has been running a mile or 10f so maybe a drop down in distance might be just what's needed to actually win again

Sandown has the Imperial Cup Hurdle and I was thinking of a couple of big outsiders for an e/way bet...I haven't yet decided between Nardaran 40/1 & Mr McLoughlan 80/1 who both ran against Constitution Hill at Southwell and came 4th& 5th with only a head between them ....Bet Fred are being tightwads with these two as Corals & Ladbrokes have the better prices. I did get an earlier bet @50/1 for Bubble Dubi 50p e/way same race as I thought as an outside bet it has a chance. So I'm not sure if I will bother about the other two horses. So far only £1 total spent.

[Onelife]

Hi Pompey, I looked at the Imperial Cup and thought anyone of six could win it with “Bubble Dubi” not being one of them…but having taken a closer look at your selection I can see why you think it might have a chance, not least because the trainer has a good strike rate with this jockey. Not sure the horse is up to class 2 handicap level but at 50/1…

If I were to have a bet in the race it would be on “Mondo Man” but with plenty others who have the right credentials I’ve decided to give the race a miss.

I’ll be shouting yours home for sure…good luck!

If you’ve got a few minutes to spare take a look at “First Confession” in the 5.20 Cheltenham (Tuesday) and give me a good reason why this horse shouldn’t run a competitive race. Have a look at his last race... he looks to me like the 3 mile 5 furlong distance looks right up his street. I haven't as yet backed him as Betfred are only going 20/1 whereas most bookies are going 25/1

[Portsmouth]

I'll take a look tomorrow but as it's Cheltenham just thought you might be interested in a couple of facts....you probably know them
Sean Bowen has never ridden a Cheltenham winner, though some say he might actually win a race this year.

JP McManus has his 75th birthday on Cheltenham opening day ( Tuesday ) and I'm sure he is hoping for a winner on that day.
He could get a win in the first race ( Supreme Novices ) with Mighty Park but he also has The New Lion running later

Sadly Galopin des Champs has been withdrawn from the Gold Cup after suffering a setback.
( thats the fourth horse not running in my ABC )

[Onelife]

Like you Pompey, the ABC competition has been a total disaster, what with four of my stable sustaining season ending injuries…at least we should both avoid the biscuits.

Next year my selection strategy will be to avoid Novice horses.

J.P's best chance would appear to be in the Champion Hurdle with “The New Lion” Fav…however, I’ll be hoping “Lossimouth” can put the boys in their place.

I’m hoping it stays on the softer side of good, in which case my Gold Cup horse “Spillane's Tower” might take his chance.

[oldbluefox]

Just choose one with a leg on all four corners

[Portsmouth]

If you’ve got a few minutes to spare take a look at “First Confession” in the 5.20 Cheltenham (Tuesday) and give me a good reason why this horse shouldn’t run a competitive race. Have a look at his last race... he looks to me like the 3 mile 5 furlong distance looks right up his street.

Hi Onelife, so these are my thoughts regarding First Confession....yes he should be fine with the distance. J Tizzard thinks he'll go well
However you might like to consider this..
Seems to have performed better in smaller fields
He seems to find tougher competition (like Grade 1Cheltenham last year ) challenging, particularly when the field size is larger.
Recent form makes me think he can get beaten when contesting a very fast early pace, by falling or finishing down the field when under pressure

He is not always able to sustain a high-speed pace throughout, especially against stronger competition
He appears to perform best when able to dictate the pace or in smaller fields where he can comfortably take the lead
However these are just my ramblings and I think maybe go with what you think & J Tizzard seems to think he'll do well

[Onelife]

Thanks for that Pompey…I wish I hadn’t asked

I agree with you about the pace angle and the hustle and bustle of a big field race won’t be ideal either, but that goes for all the runners. The one thing that I do like about this horse is that he attacks the fences and he looks to me to be a horse that will stay all day.

Its going to be £8 win £2 place

[Portsmouth]

Time to jump on the Yellow peril and have a nice bike ride to Leominster William Hill....@33/1 odds are better than Ladbrokes @25/1
Then time for a quick half pint at Wetherspoons close by & back home before it rains

[Onelife]

Saturday Results’

Resdev Kisses 6th of 7 66/1 - Unfortunately the other didn’t fall over.

Epictetus 2nd 17/2 - finished fast, beaten a neck…unlucky.

So what do we say in these situations…only three days to go.

[Portsmouth]

Haven't seen the race but maybe if Callum Shepherd had started riding more positively a few strides earlier, then Epictetus might have won
Maybe he was held up in the rear too long

Regarding the National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices on Tuesday, since you mentioned it I looked more closely at good priced outsiders
Silver Thorn caught my eye especially as trainer E Lavelle said he is looking at a step up in trip and she thinks he's a lively outsider however my preferences seem to be more with Holokea & Neo King who are both experienced with this distance and came 1st & 2nd over 3m 4f in January.
Just can't work out which one will have my e/way bet although I still haven't decided what races I'll have a small bet on.

[Onelife]

To be fair, I don’t think the jockey did a lot wrong other than needing a few extra yards…but hey! That's racing.

I’ll have a closer look at the horses you’ve mentioned, but let’s face it, trying to find a winner out of 18 runners is no easy task.

I’ve decided to take 20/1 about “First Confession” as I note it is now 16/1 with some bookies

£5 win online and will check it out on Monday to see what price he is