National Hunt jumps 2025/2026

[Portsmouth]

Just a quick post to my many thousands of followers

Minella Missile” 1.15 Haydock…. whilst it hasn’t won or even got placed this past couple of years, I do think it’s worth draining the grandchildren’s money box of a few quid for this one.

Yes a couple of years ago was a good horse....I believe he might not be the easiest horse to train hence the long gap before he raced again.
If he can get back to how he was in 2023 then yes I agree he would be a lively contender. Also I read he has a preference for soft ground and it looks like a bit of rain Saturday morning....so that should help.

[Onelife]

Hi Pompey, you are right in saying “Minella Missile” isn’t the easiest to get right, as quoted by his trainer Evan Williams.

Looking at it’s bare form you might think he still has a long way to go in recapturing his form of two years ago. Having watched his last run where he finished 12/20 beaten 25L this isn't the credentials you would be looking for in such a competitive race as he’ll be tackling Saturday (should he run) However, the reason I think he is worth a small wager does revolve around his last run where in my opinion he was given a very tentative ride, and it could just be the case that this race was just a prep race for Saturdays race (it won’t be the first time Evan Williams has used these tactics) With only 10-2 on his back (and if in good heart) I can see this one finishing fast and late at a very tasty odd.

[Onelife]

Onelife’s Saturday Bankers.

There’s some good racing to be had this weekend both here and in Ireland but I’m sticking with Haydock for 3 of my 4 fancies’.

As already advised “Minella Missile” runs in the 1.15 and whilst he is currently trading at 16/1 I’m still quite keen for the reasons I’ve stated in my previous post.

“Iroko” runs in the 1.50 and is up against a red-hot fav but at 5/2 I can see this horse giving the fav something to think about should the Fav have an off day.

“Joyeux Machin” is the horse I’ve been talking up for the past couple of weeks and I’m still in his camp. The fact that the stable jockey has opted for another out of the same stable is a little concerning but I think this is most likely a tactical choice by the trainer who will be putting up a good 7lb claimer which won't do Machin’s chances any harm in what is a very competitive handicap. Joyeux Machin was touted as being something special a couple of years ago and whilst he hasn’t won since that time, he has run some very respectable races and his last outing left me with the impression that he still retains this ability even though he was beaten over 11 lengths, that being said his jockey wasn’t over hard on him once his chance had gone….I think the extra distance and weight advantage should see him go very close.

Moving up to Newcastle for my last selection “illusionist” 6.40 wouldn’t be on most people’s radar as a likely winner but on his best form, and given that this will be a drop in grade and being allocated a good draw he won’t get many better opportunities.

Minella Missile 1.15 £9-win £3 place 16/1

Iroko 1.50 £5 win 5/2

Joyeux Machin 2.25 £15 win 12/1- 11/1

Illusionist 6.40 £5 win sp

50p win Lucky 15 = £7.50

Total stake £44.50

[Portsmouth]

Hi Onelife, Lets talk first about your Newcastle entry Illusionist....I remember you betting on him in his two races in September
Firstly he has never won on all weather and come 3rd a couple of times in 11 races.
No I don't think he will win but I'm hoping that I'm proved wrong

Minella Missile ....your reasons about supporting him are quite compelling and I'm in two minds whether to follow your suggestion & go out tomorrow and make a small e/way bet.
Iroko came 2nd in this last year
You will be pleased to know I have followed your tip and made a £2 e/way bet on Joyeux Machin @11/1
However I'm kind of bothered that Harry Skelton has chosen Ace of Spades.

You may remember mentioning a horse called Rapper...it's running tomorrow at Ascot 2:05
I've made a 50p e/way bet @33/1 should have no chance oldest horse ...but you never know he could scrape in 3rd with a bit of luck.

[Onelife]

Hi Pompey, just to let you know I won’t be contactable tomorrow as I’ve a ticket out of the country …should it be needed.

It’s going to a big ask for “Rapper” to be competitive in tomorrows race but I will never forget him winning at Cheltenham (if you get the chance take a look at that race) it was as if he had joined the race at the last fence.

Just out of interest Henry Daly stable is but 5 miles from where I live and have been to a couple of his open days.

Just so we can shout Rapper on together I shall also have a small £1ew

Keep smiling, whatever the results.



Btw, managed to get back on the Yellow Peril today, first time in over two weeks.

[Portsmouth]

Of course it's a big ask for Rapper ( price is already drifting 50/1 but with a couple of them falling and maybe one losing a stirrup who knows he could be up there in the mix

I'll be taking an interest also at Punchestown 2:10 where Mullins horse Lossiemouth runs with only 3 others. Should win without trouble but sometimes big favourites lose.
Also be looking at Punchestown tomorrow at the big race John Durkan Memorial 3:00 FacttoFile taking on some big names including 2 grand national winners and Mullins has entered about 6 horses

[Portsmouth]

Well sadly Minella Missile failed to make the first three but at least Iroko came second.
The big hope Joyeux Machin also failed to deliver & to be honest I thought he might do better than 8th
My outside 50p e/way fun bet on Rapper at Ascot was a dud as suspected as he got pulled up

I'm posting before Onelife's other horse Illusionist runs because I feel it doesn't matter...He can't win can he

We shall see what Onelife has to say in the morning

[oldbluefox]

He’ll not be a happy bunny

[Onelife]

There’s no place to hide when you put up horses that for the most run abysmally.

Not a good day at the races with only Iroko running any sort of race with illusionist disapearing out of sight

So, what do we say in these situations…sorry! Pompey, but that’s racing.

Pleased to see you are off the mark in the ABC competition.

I’m just off out to shoot some bunnies

[Ray B]

OLs luck is so bad that if he bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.

[Portsmouth]

OLs luck is so bad that if he bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.

Funny funny

[Onelife]

OLs luck is so bad that if he bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.

Now just bugger off

[Onelife]

The aftermath…. firstly, do any of you know how you can break into a pre-payment coin meter…asking for a mate who has fallen on hard times.

When reflecting on yesterdays Donkeys I always like to take the positives and negatives out of their races, so with this in mind I am still in the camp of both Minella Missile and Joyeux Machin… taking Minella’s race first, once again I didn’t think the horse was given a hard ride and will improve for the run. I thought the ground was on the softer side of what he likes and given the way the race was run it would have been hard to make up ground from his race position, especially off what was a fast pace…

Joyeux Machin, no real excuses but I think we’ll see a better running on better ground…perhaps a drop-in class might be of bennift…. I’ll be on next run.

Iroko, ran a very good race, running on strongly towards the finish…his target will be the Grand National for which he is now Fav…must have a good chance next year.

Illusionist, A shadow of its former self….

Today’s interest revolves around the John Durkan chase (Ireland) looking at the betting it would appear that this is a two-horse race despite there being some very useful horses in the race…. Fact to File and Gaelic Warrior look to be the principal betting options…I’m not having a bet but from a competition perspective I would like to see Gaelic Warrior win but there’s little to choose between the two.

[oldbluefox]

OL is the only one I know whose horse would come second in a one horse race

[Onelife]

Gaelic Warrior beats Fact to File in a thriller. Brilliant tactical ride by Paul Townend/Mullins… Pompey?

[Onelife]

Gaelic Warrior beats Fact to File in a thriller. Brilliant tactical ride by Paul Townend/Mullins… Pompey?

And you wonder why I love horse racing....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoaYnkF6l7g

[Portsmouth]

Gaelic Warrior beats Fact to File in a thriller. Brilliant tactical ride by Paul Townend/Mullins… Pompey?

Yes agree, you were of course absolutely right predicting it was a two horse race in your earlier post
yes the final two fences made the ending exciting to watch
( OBF & Ray B take note....Onelife got this one completely right )

I was pleased Gaelic Warrior won as its a good result for your ABC

[oldbluefox]

At last

[Portsmouth]

Hi Onelife,
I don't know if you are aware of this but apparently the distances they show for races at Market Rasen might not be accurate
This is because at each meeting I've read the railings are moved
All will be revealed tomorrow including the actual race distances the horses run if the information I've read is correct.

[Onelife]

Hi Onelife,
I don't know if you are aware of this but apparently the distances they show for races at Market Rasen might not be accurate
This is because at each meeting I've read the railings are moved
All will be revealed tomorrow including the actual race distances the horses run if the information I've read is correct.

Hi Pompey, the distance is measured by the shortest way round, therefore any movement of rails will ultimately increase the distance of a race, this happens quite frequently at several race courses, however if I am reading you post correctly you are right to say this doesn’t get advertised in the racing papers.
I don’t know the statistics for moving rails out but several feet must make a difference on a round course…however, most courses only move rails out on small sections of the course so any extra distance would be negligible in most cases.

[Portsmouth]

I'm told this happens every race meeting at Market Rasen. They alternate moving the bend turning away from the stands for one meeting and then move the rails on the bend turning for home at the next meeting. There have been meetings where over 200 yds have been added to the distance of the race because of rail movements that's a furlong

If you look at some racing news results section they only show the advertised race distance not the actual distance raced but the form book always states the extra yardage

So let's look at the races at Market Rasen today....if this information is correct theses are the extra distances
12.20 is over an extra 140yds.
12.50 an extra 180yds
1.20 an extra 240yds......that's an extra furlong
1.55 an extra 180yds
2.25 an extra 240yds......that's an extra furlong
2.55 an extra 240yds......that's an extra furlong
3.25 an extra 140yds.

So Onelife, you suggested in most cases the extra distance would be negligible.
Do you still think the same after the above information ?

[Onelife]

Hi Pompey, in most cases I would say yes, but in the case of Market Rasen clearly no. Those stats are really interesting and I will in the future take this into consideration when making selections. I think the same could be said about flat racing whereby they move starting stalls from one side of the course to the other which can have a big draw bias to those in favourable stall positions.

It is also the case that distance travelled during a jumps race can also be influenced by the starter who can at his discretion let them go well before the starting tape, in some cases 100 yds or more.

[Portsmouth]

Yes agree with you about flat racing as well...I've heard about a race a Southwell as well where the distance was an extra furlong and guess what ... there is also racing there today

[oldbluefox]

That’s where Keefy is going wrong with his tips. Sneaky blighters!!!

[Onelife]

That’s where Keefy is going wrong with his tips. Sneaky blighters!!!

It’s nice to know that you appreciate the challenges your forum tipster has to face…you’re all heart Foxy