UK Horse Racing Tips

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Kayley Woolacott fills us in on the struggles she’s faced in and prior to her first year as a National Hunt horse trainer, as well as her Arkle Chase Cheltenham Festival hopes for potential star of the stable Lalor.

Who doesn’t love National Hunt racing? There are numerous unmissable races during the season including the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup and the one and only Grand National.

Aside from the confusing-named National Hunt Flat Race, National Hunt racing in Britain involves jumping obstacles, known as hurdles or fences depending on the construction, height and rigidity. In simple terms, hurdles are shorter and more flexible than fences, but that’s not the whole story.

Hurdle

Traditional, timber hurdles are constructed from light, portable, cut brush panels, measuring not less than 3’ 6” from top to bottom. However, the panels are driven into the earth at an angle, such that when positioned on the racecourse the top bar is 3’ 1” above the ground. Each single line, or ‘flight’, of hurdles must be at least 30’ wide and there must be eight such flights in the first two miles of a race, plus one additional flight for every succeeding quarter of a mile.

Plain Fence

Steeplechase fences are permanent or portable fixtures, traditionally constructed from a wooden or steel frame stuffed with real or artificial birch. A ‘plain’ fence must be at least 4’ 6” in height and, in a steeplechase, there must be twelve fences in the first two miles, plus six additional fences for every succeeding mile.

Open Ditch

As the name suggests, an open ditch is a plain fence preceded by a ditch on the side take-off, making it a more difficult obstacle to negotiate. Of the six fences in every mile of a steeplechase, one must be an open ditch. On the Grand National Course at Aintree, the fence known as ‘The Chair’ is not only the tallest, at 5’ 3”, but also has a 6’ foot ditch on the take-off side.

Water Jump

Only one obstacle on a steeplechase course can be a water jump and the fence can be lower than a plain fence, with a minimum height of just 3’. The fence must, however, be succeeded by an expanse of water at least 9’ feet wide and at least 3” deep throughout.

Godolphin ‘castoff’ Rock Warbler is on a losing run of 16 and has his first run for new trainer Michael Mullineaux after an absence of 116 days. However, the son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Raven’s Pass has won four times on the Tapeta surface at Newcastle, including over course and distance, and could be potentially well handicapped if rejuvenate by his change of surroundings. His last win, albeit 15 months or so ago, came in a 0-75 contest over 7 furlongs at Gosforth Park, off a handicap mark of 73, so he is undoubtedly well treated if capable of reproducing anything approaching his best form.

Indeed, he was beaten favourite in a similar contest when last seen in September, on his final start for previous trainer Oliver Greenall, off a handicap mark off 67, but ran by no means badly. Ultimately, Rock Warbler could only keep on at one pace to finish sixth of 22, beaten 3½ lengths by the winner Mudawwan but, having been held up, made eye-catching headway with just over a furlong to run. Callum Rodriguez, who rode him on that occasion, retains the ride and the drop back to 6 furlongs may well prove to be a shrewd move on the part of his new handler.

It’s been a while – in fact, over two years – since Rock Warbler tackled an out-and-out sprinting distance, but his record over 6 furlongs, from limited attempts, stands close inspection. If he’s fit and well after his layoff, he should give us a decent run for our money at a shade of odds in the Betway Casino Handicap (7.45).

Selection: Newcastle 7.45 Rock Warbler to win 6/1

Derek Thompson goes full Alan Patridge in confusing a man for a ‘beautiful lady’ during a recent At The Races broadcast!