Racing Review – Page 2 – The A

Watch the Grand National!

Anyone with even a passing interest in horse racing (or not living under a rock!) will be aware that the Aintree Grand National 2021 is fast approaching. A little under a week away now, in gearing up to the event Katie Walsh has given Betway her take on women’s achievements in the race over the years – something that is certainly no stranger to her (she placed third with Seabass in the 2012 event).

This year will feature three women jockeys and so let’s see what they can do this time around. They’re up against it in 2021 mind you, as this year’s Grand National features one of the shortest prices favourites in a long time; the Jonjo O’Neill trained, Cloth Cap. At time of writing now just 7/2 with several bookmakers and so is certainly heavily favoured by punters. As we well know though, so much can happen over the 16 Grand National fences (14 of which are jumped twice) so it’s best to take nothing for granted. With Becher’s Brook and The Chair to deal with, only a fool would look at any horse in the race as a nailed on ‘sure thing’. On 10th April we can see for ourselves. ‘Place your bets now please!’

News

Are you Cheltenham Ready?

It’s once again that time of year where racing fans from all around the country (and indeed the world!) brim over with excitement and anticipation. That’s right,it’s the the start of the Cheltenham Festival. This prestigious four day festival, which began way back in 1860 and has gone from strength to strength ever since has prize money second only to the Grand National, and features races we know and love such as the Queen Mother Champion Chase (given the title at the time of the Queens 80^th birthday) and of course the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Festival draws in casual watchers and purists alike and with that in mind there can be no better introduction to it than this laugh out loud Betway Cheltenham quiz featuring West Ham players Jesse Lingard and his teammates. I wonder how good they are at drawing a horse?

Racecourses

Who’s Your Pick for the Melbourne Cup 2020?

The Melbourne Cup is surely one of the most prestigious horse races, not only in Australia but the world as a whole. Taking places on November 3^rd at Flemmington Park race course in Melbourne Victoria every year, and with prize money that is up there with any race across the globe, all eyes are on this Group One affair, and the cream of the racing crop from horses and jockeys to trainers and owners are all in attendance and looking to grab themselves a little piece of racing history. Being that the 2 mile race dates back an amazing 159 years it’s no wonder that those in the racing world want to stake a claim to a prize held in such high regard by those involved in the sport, as well as those watching on TV.

And what history this occasion has had over the years. There hasn’t been much that hasn’t happened in the Cup over this time, glass ceilings and records alike have come crashing down. In the early days of the race in 1876 we even saw a twelve year old child, riding on Australian thoroughbred Briseis, managing to achieve victory in the race. Equally noteworthy wins include Legend of the sport Phar Lap winning his first Melbourne Cup in 1930 (while at ‘odds on’, the shortest odds for a favourite in Melbourne Cup history). And last but not least one of the aforementioned ‘Glass Ceiling’ moments, namely in 2003 when the first Australian female jockey rode in the Melbourne Cup (Clare Lindop on Debben). Opportunity clearly breeds success, as it was a mere twelve years later when the first woman jockey won the Cup (Michelle Payne on Prince of Penzance ).

So with such expectation and the prospect of watching history in the making, what does the 2020 Melbourne Cup have in store for us and what questions are waiting to be answered from those in with a shot of victory? Does favourite Tiger Moth have what it takes to win the cup? (he made easy work of the Kilternan Stakes recently, beating Lloyd Williams’ Buckburst, who himself finished mid-field in the Caulfield Cup). Or perhaps Sir Dragonet, whose owner is no doubt relishing the prospect of winning the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year. (he’d be only the 8^th horse to do so). When it comes to making the history books its all on the line in the Melbourne Cup and every horse, jockey and trainer will be going all out on the day. Don’t miss it.

This information was brought to you by https://www.sportsbet.com.au/

Trainers

Trainer Andrew Balding hopes for Derby Success

Credit: Betway

Trainer Andrew Balding was beaming with pride when Oisin Murphy rode Kameko to an impressive 10-1 victory this June in the 2000 Guineas. No doubt part of the reaction on the day was down to the possibility of a future Derby win, which would match the achievement of his retired horse trainer Father Ian Balding – who took the title with the legendary Mill Reef in the 70s.

Being linked to, or indeed part of Mill Reef’s success, is a matter of pride in its own right, as the champion thoroughbred is one of racing’s greats, winning not only the Derby but a whole host of high profile races such as the King George VI, Coronation Cup, Eclipse Stakes, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. His career may well have been ended by injury, but his place in the annals of horse racing history, alongside Ian Badling, is secured. In racing terms, Andrew Balding ‘is his Father’s son’.

Here Balding candidly discusses with Betway what the Investec Derby victory would mean to him and whether Kameko, with one classic win under his belt already, has the beating of his talented Derby rivals. Kameko is currently second favourite in the betting behind the Ed Walker trained English King. Walker himself will be looking for a victory to mark his 10th anniversary of becoming a trainer. With a will to win across the board, who will come out on top on the day?