The Royal Ascot meeting is the most prestigious horse racing meeting, and attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year who are eager to see what horses are running in the event.

There are 17 major races at the event, including the Ascot Gold Cup, the Golden Jubilee Stakes, and the Royal Hunt Cup. Each of these top races will feature some of the best horses around, and the list of Royal Ascot 2009 runners is impressive.

Ascot Gold Cup

The famous Ascot Gold Cup will feature favourites such as Yeats, Geordieland and Patkai in 2009.

Golden Jubilee Stakes

The Golden Jubilee Stakes is open to thoroughbreds over 3 years old. This year it will have in-form horses like JJ The Jet Plane, Sacred Kingdom and Scenic Blast taking part.

Royal Hunt Cup

The Royal Hunt Cup takes place on the second day of the meeting. In 2008 it was won by Mr Aviator, and this year the early favourites are Forgotten Voice, Riggins and Roaring Forte.

The list of Royal Ascot 2009 runners guarantees that there will be some memorable racing at the event. Visit skybet.com for all the latest betting.

Click here to open a new account with Sky Bet!

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Royal Ascot 2009 Runners

Free Bet on Grand National

In Australia, they say the Melbourne Cup stops a nation albeit even if it is just a glorified handicap. The Grand National, on the other hand, genuinely does stop a nation, if not nations. From housewives to experts to the dogs on the street, people from all walks of life will have a bet on the race. A four and a half mile stamina sapping slog over thirty fences at Aintree. It’s a test of endurance and jumping ability like none other in the equine world. While we’ll try and guide you to the winners, throwing a dart at the racecard with all the accuracy of Ken Doherty on the final black for a 147 would prove more effective. (NB one of the worst misses since Ray Parlour’s wife). If you fancy something but the big price scares you, all you have to do is remember the story of 100/1 shot Foinavon in 1966. Anything can happen in the race.

First run in 1836, the Grand National has become known as the greatest steeplechase in the world. This year’s renewal will be no different and the quality of the field is exemplary. Conditions and final declarations will play a major part in deciding who to back, but there are significant pointers already, not least Paul Nicholls’ claim that his principal charge My Will is in “great shape and we have had this race in mind for 18 months” while he also adds “He jumps and travels and has a touch of class.” A ringing endorsement for the current favourite that is probably giving most an ear ache. However, since 1982 there have only been 4 winning outright favourites of the race. Funnily enough, they all returned a starting price of 7/1. Last year’s joint-fav Comply or Die was also sent off at the same SP. Many people use peculiar logic to pick a winner, so deciding to back My Will if he touches sevens is as good as any.

With the removal of lat year’s runner up King John’s Castle (wouldn’t have won anyway as only two greys have ever won the race), the gambled on War of Attrition’s claims have significantly improved. Irish punters have backed the 2006 Gold Cup winner to land the spoils in Liverpool on the 5th of April and his trainer Mouse Morris is one of the shrewdest trainers in the business. He has bags of stamina but will need to stay out of trouble, like the rest of them. He’s a strong each way claim given the confidence behind him. Apart from Hedgehunter in 2005, no horse since 1984 has carried more than 11 stone to victory. Michael O’Leary’s 10 year old gelding, even after the final declaration stage will certainly carry over 11 stone.

The JP McManus owned Butlers Cabin was seen as AP McCoy’s best chance to win his first Grand National in 2008. Like Champion jockeys before him John Francome and Peter Scudamore, AP, who rode his 3,000th winner this year, is a Grand National virgin. And there’s not too many of them around Liverpool, especially that weekend. McCoy has yet to decide whether he’ll go with the desperately unlucky Cabin who exited at Becher’s Brook in 2008 or the French bred L’ami.

Having won the Becher Chase in November, Black Apalachi is proven over the course’s stiff fences and stamina shouldn’t be a problem for the Irish trained gelding. Dessie Hughes’s 10 year old is off a good mark and will be a popular Irish winner if can cross the line in front.

You’re sure to hear the word Becher or Becher’s Brook during Grand National coverage so in case you’re wondering, the sixth and 22nd fence of the circuit were renamed Becher’s Brook after Captain Becher was unseated from leader Conrad during the first National at the big ditch and crawled into the brook for safety. He is reported to have said that he “never knew water tasted so foul without whiskey in it”.

Rambling Minster has proven stamina over long distances and has won well most recently at Cheltenham in January where he powered up the famous Prestbury Park hill. The 11 year old would like good ground and as long as Mother Nature doesn’t saturate the course the Keith Reveley trained horse has big chance.

Six years ago a small trainer from Cork saddled the winner of the national. Jimmy Mangan will bid to repeat the achievements of Monty’s Pass with 10 year old Himalayan Trail, winner of the 2008 Midlands National at Uttoxeter. He’s been exuding confidence in the media and is a massive price to win.

David Pipe really stepped out of his father’s shadow when winning the race last year with the well supported Comply or Die. He’ll need to emulate the likes of Reynoldstown, The Colonel and the legend Red Rum if he’s win the race for a second consecutive year. Timmy Murphy gave the horse an impervious ride last year and kept him out of trouble to win by a comfortable four lengths. Some useless information, Red Rum spelled backwards is Murder. If the handicapper hasn’t caught up with him and barring a Devon Loch moment, the David Johnson owned horse could be a serious contender again.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Grand National Preview

The Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the jump season and always provides plenty of thrills and excitement for racing enthusiasts. This is one of the biggest betting periods of the year, with punters hoping to strike it rich during some top quality racing. 

Cheltenham Festival is bringing together 400+ horses, competing for prize money in excess of £3m.

The pick of the action is the eagerly anticipated Cheltenham Gold Cup in which a rematch between last years winner Denman and Kauto Star is already capturing punters imaginations. 

Every race will be shown live on Ladbrokes TV so there’s no reason to miss the action. 

Ladbrokes are running THREE special promotions: 

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Cheltenham Festival – £200 Free Bet from Ladbrokes

The big race of the opening day is the Smurfitt Kappa Champion Hurdle. Ireland have been cleaning up in this two miler over the last decade but Katchit lead home a British 1-2-3 last year though he’s an outside shot this time round for a repeat though Binocular should mark another one up for Britain. The JP McManus owned horse will be making a first run of the year and is expected to win impressively.

Wednesday gets an extra race for the first time and the best of the seven is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Master Minded’s win in this one last year was so impressive that no one really expects anything other than the same again this year. Nothing’s guaranteed at Cheltenham and if there’s going to be an upset, who could it be?

Ladies Day is when we make all our fillies and whips puns but it also has two cracking races in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase. There’s no Inglis Drever this time round so Kasbah Bliss leads the betting to replace the three time winner. Voy Per Ustedes is a big favourite after winning in Ascot though there are many who believe an upset is on the cards and suggest you cast your eye a little further down the betting.

Denman and Kauto Star will be going at it again in the showpiece Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Friday, which just happens to be the thirteenth. One of them is going to be unlucky but could both. Neptune Collonges trailed them both in last year’s race and could improve upon that third placed finish and while a horse like Exotic Dancer could upset the odds it’s looking likely that Paul Nicholls will be celebrating another Gold Cup success. Will Denman make it a double though?

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Cheltenham Festival Preview

The current win fund rollover amount is just above the £2 million mark but with Saturday’s turnover to add to this Tote are estimating that the win fund will reach a staggering £3 million!

If you’re not accustomed to the totescoop6 bet, it’s basically a Tote-pool bet where the customer has to select six winners from selected raced every Saturday. A single line (picking one horse in each race) costs the customer £2. A customer can however select as many horses to win each race (permutations) but the stake amount will increase dependant on selections. As an added cheery on top Tote offering customers a 5% cash-back on all totescoop6 bets this weekend plus a lucky winner will get the chance to come back the following week to play for the bonus fund which will stand at an estimated £1.5 million.

Whilst the races haven’t been announced, we’re letting you know beforehand so you have enough time to prepare for this weekend.

Saturday Totescoop races:

LEG1 Lingfield – 2:10

LEG2 Lingfield – 2:40

LEG3 Haydock – 2:45

LEG4 Lingfield – 3:20

LEG5 Huntingdon – 3:30

LEG6 Lingfield – 3:50

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Highest ever Totescoop6 ready to be won this weekend

Of course you don’t need to buy a newspaper to get Free Horse Racing Tips – Simply join a website like Free Racing Tips, and you’ll get free tips sent to you every day.

Templegate

The Sun newspaper’s award-winning tipster Templegate is Ulsterman Phil Logan, originally hailing from West Belfast. His most memorable tipping achievement occurred on 10th March 2007. Templegate selected all seven winners at Sandown at prices of 6/1, 7/2, 11/4, 2/11, 5/1 and 4/5, giving cumulative odds of 14322/1. Templegate’s magnificent feat was a cause for great celebration by Welshman Archie Evans, who collected over £695k for a single £2 line on the Tote Scoop 6. The 59 year-old surveyor, from Newport in South Wales, a great Templegate fan, included four of Phil Logan’s selections in his winning bet.

Analysis of Tipsters’ Performance

The Racing Post Naps Table provides an analysis of all the tipsters’ “best” selections. The number of winners, losers and non-runners selected by each is given, along with details of longest winning and losing sequences. The Naps Table also gives the monthly and seasonal profit / loss achieved by staking £1 on each nap.

The Racing Post Press Challenge is perhaps a better guide to tipsters’ overall performance. Competitors begin with a theoretical bank of £1,000, from which £1 is staked at starting prices on all a tipster’s selections. The ratio of wins to tips, strike rate, percentage of favourites selected and monthly / yearly profit or loss are all included.

“Tipster Analysis” is an excellent feature of the Racing Post site. It allows a breakdown of a tipster’s selections into Flat or National Hunt, type of race and the profits or losses achieved in each category.

Templegate – 2008 Performance

For the 2008 season, as of 29th October, the Racing Post Naps table shows Templegate in 16th position (of 52) with 55 winners, 149 losers and 15 non-runners. £1 staked on each nap shows a loss of £20.08. His longest sequence of winning naps is 4, with a longest losing sequence of 14. The Racing Post Press Challenge shows Phil Logan to have tipped 1930 winners from 7588 selections, representing a strike rate of 25%. However, 48% of these tips have been favourites, resulting in a loss of £30.31 for 2008. Individual analysis of Templegate’s selections was not available, but analysis of all the Sun newspaper’s racing tipsters gave some interesting results.

The 2008 Flat season to date shows a loss of £606, with losses in all race types. 2 year-old races have produced 271 wins from 948 selections (28%) for a loss of £33.36. 3 year-old races gave 493 winners from 1899 tips (25%) for a loss of £222.45, while the biggest loss of £350.19 came in races for 4 year-olds+ with a strike rate of just 21% (497 wins from 2334 tips).

National Hunt (jumps) tips for 2008 produce far better results, with a yearly profit of £39.09. Steeplechases show 122 wins from 409 selections (29%) yielding a profit of £41.56 to £1. A further 107 selections finished in the first three. Hurdle race tips have produced 172 winners from 592 runners (29%) for a small profit of £1.09. National Hunt flat races was the only category to show a loss, with 21 winners from 74 selections (28%) showing a small loss of £3.56.

These statistics are well worth bearing in mind when contemplating Templegate’s selections in the Sun. It is recommended that Flat race selections are ignored, with attention paid to tips for National Hunt racing. It is worth remembering that Phil Logan’s “Magnificent Seven” at Sandown in March 2007 (see above) came at a National Hunt meeting. Keeping an eye on the Racing Post stats will alert all punters to the performance of Templegate and all the other newspaper tipsters.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
Image Credit: The Sun

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Templegate – Free Horse Racing Tips from the Sun’s tipster

We offer two types of Free Horse Racing Tips, the “Little Earner”, which is usually an outsider (reflected in the odds) that you should have a small, each way place bet on, and the “Premium Tips” – These are horses that we expect to win, and so far this month, the horses have certainly not let us down! Both types of tip are completely free – we do not charge for any of our tips.

As we do not want too many people piling onto the Premium Tips (and reducing the odds we get paid) however, so we password-protect all our Premium Tips. To get your password, you simply need to join one of our Partner Bookmakers, and we’ll send you your password. It’s as simple as that – no credit cards, no premium rate phone lines – No charges at all – ever!

Not only are the tips free, but they’re pretty darn good too – Recently, we have seen some outstanding tipping, including a 21/1 double last Thursday, and in the last week we’ve also had winners at 3/1, 7/1 and a placer at 7/1. All without charging a single penny for the tips, so don’t delay – sign up today for your free tips at Free Racing Tips, and start winning – It won’t cost you a penny!

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Free Horse Racing Tips for September

The Moet Hennessy Fillies Stakes (registered as Lillie Langtry Stakes) takes the Group 3, Class 1 horses on a 1 mile 6 furlong race. The horse which is favourite to win this race is Folk Opera, which also sees many tips. Currently the best odds are 11/4 available from Sporting Bet. 2nd Favourite, High Calypso is being ridden by Ryan Moore, and has odds to match Folk Opera at most bookies, however Sporting Bet are offering slightly better odds at 14/5.

As to which of these horses is likely to win, I think based on form alone Folk Opera will take the win. High Calyso’s form has been weak of late, and the wins she has under her belt were from last season.

Best Odds for the 2.15 at Glorious Goodwood

At 2.50 we have the Audi Stakes (registered as the King George stakes) which is another Group 3 class 1 race, this time over 5 furlongs.

The favourite is Dandy Man which is being ridden by Dettori. Best odds for Dandy Man are 5/2 currently with Sporting Bet or Ladbrokes. For me, he is inconsistent, which is putting me off, if he puts in a good performance he should win, however this is not guaranteed with this horse.

Not dismissing Masta Plasta (9/2 at Paddy Power), but my money will be going with Befortyfour (12/1 at Sporting Bet), it’s had a good series of runs this year so far, and will favour the ground this time around.

Best Odds for the 2.50 at Glorious Goodwood

The feature race for today’s meet is the 3.30 Goodwood Cup. A Group Two Class one Race over 2 miles. The field has narrowed a little for this race with two non-runners announced (Allegretto and Mad Rush). The favourite is the powerhouse horse Yeats (best odds 4/6 at Sporting Bet). Not only on top form, but has real staying power for this massive distance. Other horses to watch out for are Honolulu (5/1 Sporting Bet) could be a contender if it has a good run; Distinction is the other one to watch, improving form, and being ridden by it’s favoured jockey, Ryan Moore.

Best Odds for the 3.30 Goodwod Cup

The 4.05 Marjorie and Bernard Benham Emerald Anniversary Stakes sees Military Power trying to continue his excellent form. Best odds for this horse is currently with Sporting Bet at 11/2. Khateeb, 2nd favourite is running at top weight for this race, however has been lightly raced, and has more to give, so shouldn’t be discounted. For me, I think Indian Days is worth a punt. Indian Days has been showing much improved efforts, and is likely to turn out another bold race, it seemingly enjoys the distance and is not troubled by the going. The best odds for Indian Days is currently 10/12 with skybet.

Best Odds for the 4.05 at Goodwood

The final races of the day are the 4.40, 5.15 and 5.50. The best odds for these races can be found on our best odds pages.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Thursdays Betting at Glorious Goodwood

Yesterday’s action was fantastic, though our tips started off a little shaky with our horses failing to make a place. The second race was a little better as the favourite stormed home. The 3.30 was another wash out for us, howeveer in the 4.05, our tip of Finjaan came in as the favourite failed to make a place.

The 4.40 went to Sanbuch, one of horses to watch. Whilst in the 5.15 and 5.50 races we cleaned up as Yamal won at 5-1 amd Gyr came in at 4/1. So how will we fair today? Let’s take a look at the races:

The first race of the day get’s underway at 2.15 and is the Invesco Perpetual Goodwood Stakes, a class two race run over 2 miles and 5 furlongs. There are currently two horses which are fighting for favourite status, and they are Som Tala and La Vecchia Scuola. Looking at the best odds for these two, you can get odds of 7/1 on Som Tala (Bet365) and 8/1 on La Vecchia Scuola (VC Bet). The horse that is getting my money though for this race is Tomina (11/1 BlueSq). Tomina has the capacity to win at this distance, and if ridden well, could well make the place.

All odds for the 2.15 at Glorious Goodwood

Next up is the 2.50 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes, a group 2 race run over 7 furlongs. The favourite is Sayif, which is a little bit of a surprise given the experience, however Sayif is already on form, and is a strong contender for the win. My money would have gone on Westphalia, if it hadn’t been withdrawn from the race, so I am favouring Orizaba, who showed promising signs at the maiden in May having thrashed the competition, however had a poorer run on it’s last outing, though for me, still shows a good chance at 4/1 (VC Bet)

All Odds for the 2.50 at Glorious Goodwood

At 3.30 we have the BGC Sussex Stakes, a Group 1, Class 1 race over 1 mile. The favourite and for me the most likely to win, is Henrythenavigator. Trained by AP O’Brien and being ridden by Murtagh, this horse is on cracking form. If Henrythenavigator handles the course well then this one should be a banker. If you’re looking for an each way outsider bet, then Winker Watson could be the ticket. Ridden by Ryan Moore, this horse had a really flying start to it’s career, until it suffered an injury, since then it has found it hard to return to winning ways. Maybe today will be the turning point? At 20/1 (Sporting Bet) it is worth a punt.

All odds for the 3.30 at Glorious Goodwood

The Sir Peter o’Sullevan Voice of Racing Stakes gets underway at 4.05. In favourite position is Colony, a Sir Michael Stoute horse. Currently available at 9/2 from Sporting Bet, Colony is enjoying his current form with two wins in the three races this year. He’s put on a little weight, but should still manage to lead the field this time around. The only horse, in my mind which could maybe win this race is Savarain, who came a close second to Colony in their last race. Savarain doesn’t have to make much progress to take the lead in this one. You can get 7/1 at Ladbrokes if you favour Savarain to win this race.

All Odds for the 4.05 at Glorious Goodwood

At 4.40 the Weatherby’s Bank E B F Fillies Stakes gets underway. In favourite spot is Lee Miller (5/1 Porting Bet), whose performances have been improving. However, she still struggles to make the win. My money has gone on Algarade (8/1 from Bet365), this filly has had a few good races, and the going here should play to her strengths. An outside each way bet could well go to Perfect Star (currently 14/1 with Sporting Bet), she hasn’t run for 10 months, but last term was on excellent form, an unpredictable performance, which could be worth a punt.

All Odds for the 4.40 at Glorious Goodwood

The other two races of the day are the 5.15 and the 5.50, you can see the best odds for these over at our Odds site.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Wednesday – Betting at Glorious Goodwood

Today sees a variety of races, starting at 2.15pm and the last one getting the off at 5.50pm. The first four races of the day will be shown on Channel 4, whilst all the races can be seen live on Racing.tv

The first race of the day is the 2.15 Bank of Scotland Investment Service Heritage Handicap. There are 18 horses in the field with the favourite Caravel looking to continue his current form. He managed to win five races last year, and has come in third place for his first outing this year. We are seeing however a different horse taking most of your bets. Monte Alto is taking 15% of all your bets at the moment, whilst the tip for this race is an each way bet on Championship Point.

Current odds for the above horses are:
Caravel – 11/2 William Hill
Monte Alto – 10/1 Paddy Power
Championship Point – 16/1 Sporting Bet

All odds for this race –

The next race is the Betfair Gordon Stakes at 2.50pm. This is a group 3 race over 3 miles. In the field we have six horses, and Conduit is the favourite, with 8/11 available at totesport. The rest of the field have considerably longer odds. Hebridean (currently 5/1 with Stan James) has yet to show true potential, is comfortable with the distance, and the going too.

All odds for this race – Betfair-gordon-stakes">Best Odds for 2.50 at Glorious Goodwood

The 3.30 at Glorious Goodwood is the Betfair Cup, a group 2 race. With nine horses you’d think the field would be a bit more open, but favourite by far is Infallible, current odds of 13/8 available at Ladbrokes. Il Warrd is the next placed horse at 7/1 with skybet however King of Dixie is taking a fair few bets as are Dunelight and Paco Boy.

All odds for this race – Best Odds for 3.30 at Glorious Goodwood

The 4.05 Betfair Molecomb Stakes is a 3 mile group three race. With fifteen in the field, it is a little harder to call. Favourite as decided by the bookies is Spin Cycle, which is availale for 7/2 at Sporting Bet, however most of you are backing Finjaan to win. Fijaan has a 50% win rate, but more interesting a 100% place rate which leads itself to a nice eachway bet. You can currently get 7/1 with Sporting Bet for Fijaan.

All odds for this race – Best Odds for 4.05 at Glorious Goodwood

The 4.40 at Glorious Goodwood is the Detica Summer Handicap. Milne Graden is the favourite to win this race, with Sporting Bet offering the best odds of 14/5. Milne Graden has only raced in thrree races, each time winning, this gelding has won at this course and at this going, so stands a great chance of winning again today. Other horses to watchout for are Sanbuch (ridden by Ryan Moore) who is worhty of a place in this race, and Players Please who is seeing a fair amount of tips, and at 9/1 is surely worth an each way punt.

All odds for this race – Best Odds for 4.40 at Glorious Goodwood

The penaltimate race of the day at Goodwood is the 5.15 Tatler Summer Season Handicap which has the largest field today with 20 horses. Sitting in Favourite spot is Swop with the best odds of 21/5 coming from Sporting Bet. However some of you and the tipsters are prefering Yamal (15/2 Sporting Bet), who last run 3 days ago, and put up a good run. If Yamal runs as well, Swop could be beaten. Kavachi is the horse that most of you are backing though, some 38% of the bets taken are for this horse. Kavachi is being ridden by Ryan Moore, and has won at the course, and over the distance at the current going. Kavachi is currently 12/1 (at Sporting Bet) and looks good for an each way punt.

All odds for this race – Best Odds for 5.15 at Glorious Goodwood

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Tuesday Betting at Glorious Goodwood