UK Horse Racing Tips

British businessman Trevor Hemmings, 83, who owns Blackpool Tower and Preston North End Football Club, became a billionaire for the second time in 2018, according to the Sunday Times’ Rich List. Aside from his business interests, which are many and varied, Hemmings also owns dozens of racehorses. By his own admission, he treats horse racing as an “expensive hobby”, but he is the most prolific winning owner this century and, jointly, the most prolific winner of all time, in the history of the Grand National.

Hemmings developed an interest in racing through his association with holiday camp tycoon, Sir Fred Pontin – whose company, Pontins, he later bought, and sold – and after meeting Noel Le Mare, owner of Red Rum, and his trainer, Donald “Ginger” McCain, was inspired to win the Grand National for himself.

So far, Hemmings has owned three Grand National winners, Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs (2011) and, most recently, the ill-fated Many Clouds (2015), who collapsed and died after suffering a severe pulmonary haemorrhage at Cheltenham Racecourse less than two years later. Only the grandly-titled Captain James Octavius Machell, who owned Disturbance (1873), Reugny (1874) and Regal (1876), and, of course, Noel Le Mare, who owned Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977), have owned as many Grand National winners.

Prior to the 2018 Grand National, Hemmings told the Northern Media Lunch at Aintree Racecourse, “The Grand National is extra special. No-one can describe the feeling when your horses cross the line and win. It’s been very special to win the Grand National three times and each race is special.”

The Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap (Div. II) (2.40) may well be aptly named, because the only recent winning form on offer is that of the 3-year-old Liberisque – Latin for ‘Children’, if you’re interested – who made all to win a lowly 0-50 handicap, over 1 mile 2 furlongs, at Chelmsford on his penultimate start. However, he was soundly beaten in a similar race to this one, off today’s revised mark, over the same course and distance last month and, trying a mile-and-a-half for the first time, is not difficult to oppose.

In terms of a likely winner, Luna Magic has been beaten on all six starts since winning at Yarmouth in April, but was only beaten a head in a 0-75 handicap, over a mile-and-a-quarter, at the seaside track in August and ran her best race since on his return to Polytrack, over course and distance, 18 days ago. On just her second attempt over a mile-and-a-half, Lydia Pearce’s 4-year-old filly was denied a clear run in the closing stages but, once in the clear, kept on inside the final furlong to finish seventh, beaten just 2½ lengths, behind Your Band. Much like when you’re hoping for a big roulette win, you’ve got to be in at to win it, perhaps at the Online Casino Deutschland.

Luna Magic has been dropped 2lb in the weights, to 2lb below her last winning mark so, with winning form, albeit over a mile, on this course, she appeals as well-handicapped, with the distinct possibility of a little further improvement to come. She’s by no means prolific, but is more than capable of winning this on the pick of her form and should, at the very least, give us a decent run for our money.

Selection: Lingfield 2.40 Luna Magic to win – 14-1

Little Jo couldn’t quite make the transition from winning a 0-75 affair on the Tapeta surface at Newcastle to winning the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket three weeks later, but was only headed in the dying strides when beaten two necks in the latter contest and can make amends in the WSG Sports Signage Handicap (4.00) back on the Rowley Mile on Friday. Brian Ellison’s four-year-old is 5lb higher in the weights on this occasion, but eased slightly in grade, so a fourth win in five starts would be no surprise. The Major Cadeaux gelding has clearly benefited from a wind operation in March, completing a hat-trick within the space of four weeks in August and September, and may still have more improvement to come.

Of course, Little Jo has already officially improved by 28lb since making his seasonal reappearance in a lowly 0-60 contest at Newcastle in July, but while it’s inevitable that the handicapper will catch up with him in due course he may not have done so just yet. He’s had a five-week break since his Silver Cambridgeshire effort, so should be fully recovered from his exertions and looks a decent bet to round off his, already successful, season with another victory. Jockey Callum Rodriguez has ridden him just once, steering him to victory at Newcastle on his penultimate start, and looks to have every chance of maintaining his 100% record.

Selection: Newmarket 4.00 Little Jo to win 7/2

Introduction

Sea the Stars is one of those horses with an iconic name, one that is very easy to remember. The fact that the majority of its successes as a racehorse came in a single year, too, is pretty impressive. Having appeared on the scene in 2008, it went on to win a glut of trophies from 2008 to 2009. Proving itself to be among the finest in the business, the incredible Sea the Stars became a horse well worth remembering for years to come on the horse racing circuit.

Career Summary

It’s first season as a two-year-old was hugely impressive, seeing it pick up impressive finishes at the likes of Curragh and Leopardstown. However, it’s main 2-year-old achievement was to come away with the Beresford Stakes in 2008. This was to be the start of the next year of success that made Sea the Stars become a sensation among racing fans and casual observers.

In 2009, it picked up an incredible range of successes after riding a suitably perfect campaign as a three-year-old. With six Group I races won within a six-month stretch, it took the likes of the English Classic and the French Classic among others.

Indeed, it’s described by many as being the finest modern racing season in recent history. Such was its precision and utter dominance for that single year, that afterward things came to a relative halt for the horse.

Afterward, it was rated with a Timeform rating of 140 – the 7^th highest in the history of the entire sport. In 2009, it was retired and moved into a successful studding career.

Achievements & Highlights

Wins – Beresford Stakes (2008), 2000 Guineas (2009), Epsom Derby (2009), Eclipse Stakes (2009), International Stakes (2009), Irish Champion Stakes (2009), Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2009).

Associations – Christopher Tsui John Oxx.

Earnings – £4.4m.