The day began well, yesterday, with a well backed selection going in well in the opener at an advised 5/1, but then went rapidly downhill, leaving us in profit, but somewhat underwhelmed. Hope springs eternal and with four televised races from York on Channel 4 today we are ready to lace our punting boots once again.

1.45 – This race could boil down to the battle of the claimers, William Twiston Davies and Thomas Brown both claim five pounds on Jamaican Bolt and Judge n Jury respectively. The latter named racked up two course and distance wins last season, including the corresponding race last season. Those wins came off marks of 87 and 93, now officially rated 99, the five pounds off, put him on 94 and that could be good enough at 14/1 each way.

2.15 – If this event is run at a pace resembling normal, there can be one winner in Dalkala, head and shoulders above her rivals here based on her French form, particularly a Group 2 victory at Longchamp in October. The only fear here is the ten furlong trip, run at a crawl – but at 5/2 it’s worth the risk.

2.45 – The highlight of the meeting the definitive Derby trial, the Dante. Aidan O Brien has carried all before him in the trials and while his representative Indian Chief has reasonable claims, this trial may well go to the Mark Johnston trained Windhoek. Battle hardened in a competitive sales race, before graduating to Listed company this season, Windhoek has a progressive profile and gets the vote at 4/1.

3.15 – This has a look of a muddling handicap, with one entrant an exception. Fort Bastion was a highly talented horse at 2 and was twice a winner at 3, before injury curtailed his season. He looks in off a fair mark here and the assistance of Ryan Moore is noted, he could well be the answer at 5/1.

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Chester is but a memory as the season marches irrepressibly on and if it’s the middle of May, it must be York. The Yorkshire venue is a fair and galloping track and its long straight, places an emphasis on tactical speed and stamina. The highlight of the meeting is the Dante itself, the definitive Derby trial, but the support card boasts Group and Listed fare every day.

1.45 – A competitive handicap to open Channel 4’s coverage of the meeting. Sir Henry Cecil’s, Last Mohican, was developing a progressive profile, until running a shocker over a mile and a half in his last run of last season. Now returned to his optimum trip of ten furlongs, I can see this 5 year old running a big race. 11/2.

2.15 – The course and distance form of York Glory allied to his recent winning form at Pontefract, makes him potentially the form horse in the race. There are many with claims including Louis The Pious, from the all conquering David O Meara yard, but York Glory at 5/1 makes most appeal.

2.45 – Liber Nauticus is a short order in both this race and the Oaks betting and while her claims on breeding are obvious, she has yet to translate those impeccable credentials to the racecourse. There is value to be had elsewhere and in Indigo Lady, we have a horse which is officially rated 18 pounds superior to the favourite so as an each way proposition (to finish in first 2), she makes excellent appeal at 5/1.

3.15 – The mare’s concession of five pounds, almost swings the selection in favour of Mince here, who receives six pounds from main market rival Maarek, despite being rated one pound inferior officially. Maarek has won on seasonal debut and may just strip fitter and with the softening ground as well, could be the answer – there isn’t much between them in my book. 5/1

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Conditions yesterday were more akin to Fontwell in December than the famed meeting on the Roodeye in May, but that would not have dampened BragBetters enthusiasm as we had two winning selections and a placed each way shout.

So we move to day three and again focus on the televised races on Channel 4, on what looks an intriguing card.

1.45 – The start will be all important here, with at least three front runners in the field. The claims of Captain Bertie are obvious and I would suggest he is a shoe in to hit the frame, but Gandalak’s Musselburgh win last week was consummate and I reckon he’ll take all the beating from a favourable draw. 3/1

2.15 – An extremely poor renewal on paper for the Dee Stakes with no horse officially rated better than 101. We’ll side with Willie The Whipper, who will stay the ten furlongs and revel in the underfoot conditions at 4/1 he has a sporting chance.

2.45 – This is a toss up between last year’s scorer Memphis Tennessee and Mount Athos, given connections, its on the side of Mount Athos we fall and at 6/5 v Evens there isn’t much between them, but the selection should be the slightly stronger stayer in the conditions.

3.15 – At the risk of sounding repetitive, the draw is so crucial over the minimum trip and Storm Moon holds all the aces, from the one slot. A winner on Monday, he is obviously in form, this is more difficult, but as we have seen all week, so few get into these heats around the bends over five furlongs. 4/1.

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One winner from 4 yesterday was a disappointing return, particularly as we had hit the ground running with a 5/1 scorer in the opener. Nonetheless, we didn’t lose cash and we head to Day 2 with renewed optimism.

1.45 – There is no accounting for course and distance form and Beaumont’s Party has that, with a good draw in Stall 2 and is coming here off the back of two good wins. Do I think he is the best handicapped horse in the race, no, do I think he is the most likely winner yes and more importantly can’t see him out of the frame. 9/2 EW

2.15 – I was highly tempted to put up Highland Knight, who is the best of these on official ratings, however Gabrial’s performance when winning at Doncaster at the Lincoln meeting was visually very taking and he had Highland Knight well behind him that time. Gabrial is short at 11/4 but its worth taking.

2.45 – It’s hard to see beyond the obvious claims of short priced Ruler of the World. Aidan O Brien has farmed this race in recent seasons and while 4/5 is a skinny enough price about a horse with one maiden victory, he should be good enough.

3.15 Here Comes When, could just be the answer in a tricky heat. The selection, showed marked improvement last back end, but has a good draw and has been backed this morning and has the beating of market rival Ribaat on Newbury form last time out. 5/2

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Four races live on Channel 4 today, including the Chester Cup and the competitive spring meeting will burst into life given that the recently resigned Sir Alex Ferguson has a runner later in the card.

1.45 – Questions marks about a few of these being able to translate all weather form to Turf, so we’ll take a chance on a reasonably well drawn horse that has decent Turf form in Quator. Tom Dascombe’s filly was an impressive winner at Windsor and if given a clear run can score here at 7/2.

2.15 – Salhooda makes most appeal and has the best juvenile form on show here including a taking display last backend at Leopardstown. The selection’s pedigree suggests a trip will suit and handler Weld tends not to travel unless he has more than a sporting chance. 3/1

2.45 Countrywide Flame is the obvious, if predictable selection. The horse appears to be improving and when last seen on the Flat was only just touched off in the Cesarewitch. At 7/2 there isn’t much value around, but he is the most likely winner.

3.15 Stakes to the minimum over this minimum trip handicap and while Gatepost is making his seasonal reappearance, other factors give him a chance. A crucial low draw, a stable in form and the assistance of J Spencer, who rides this track very well makes him value at 5/1.

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A week at the races, what could be better to get the pulse racing?  How about a week at the Punchestown Festival with five of Ireland leading racing journalists competing against each other to prove who knows horses best?

Well last week that’s exactly what we did at BragBet.  Not only were we enjoying the BragBet.com Handicap Hurdle but we were also celebrating our partnership with Punchestown by inviting some of Ireland’s leading horse experts to put BragBet through its paces with their teams.

Each of the journalists was tasked with assembling a team of trusted colleagues and friends. The challenge? To see whose team would perform best over the course of the Punchestown Festival.

There was highs and lows, wins and losses, but once the dust settled on the final day of the festival, Niall Cronin of the Evening Herald and his team, County Town, were the clear winners.

After a good start on Tuesday with a significant punt on bumper winner, Very Wood, Niall went into an almost unassailable lead on Thursday, by punting hard on the Willie Mullins mare duo of Quevega and Upsie and both horses strode to success with consummate ease.

Friday and Saturday saw stern challenges from representatives for The Sunday Times, Irish Racing.com , Sports News Ireland and the Racing Post, but Niall’s team had “done enough” to hang on.

A big congratulations to Niall and his team on their victory, it’s was a tough field they had to beat.

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