Nigel Twiston-Davies – My Runners 18th and 19th March

Poor Nigel did not have the best of Cheltenham Festival though Wholestone did run well to finish third in the Albert Bartlett for each way supporters on Friday afternoon, Nigel told us that Ballyandy may head to Aintree and could step up in trip, while The New One will probably try three miles at the same meeting which could be interesting. Bristol De Mai ran well in the Gold Cup but found the going that bit too quick for him, though more importantly all the big guns came back safe and sound and live to fight another day.  The stable have a few runners this weekend so time to get down to business…….

Nigel’s Charity Bet

As always, we’ve given Nigel a £50 charity bet to place on a horse of his choice – and this weekend the money will be on…..

Kempton 3.15pm
Ballybolley to win at 9/2 best odds guaranteed

Nigel told us “He ran really well at Newcastle over this sort of trip after a bit of a break and will have improved for the race which has to be encouraging. The better ground is very much in his favour this afternoon and I have no hesitation in making him the charity bet this week, I think he arrives here with a very good chance of landing the money.”

If Ballybolley wins, we’ll donate the winnings to the Injured Jockeys Fund!

Saturday’s Other Runners:

El Terremoto  – 2.40pm Kempton

“As you will know this is a consolation race for those balloted out at the Cheltenham Festival and I think my charge can put up a bold showing this afternoon on going that ought to suit him admirably. The two miles five should be right up his street after he failed to get home over close to three miles on heavy ground last time, andI think he will put in a good run despite his huge price this afternoon.”

Benbens/Cogry  3.35pm Uttoxeter

“Admittedly this is a big ask for any horse after over a year off the track but I have Benbens as fit as I can get him at home and as he will love the trip he may surprise a few and out in a solid enough effort with a place a possibility. He looks to have an equal chance with Cogry who finished third in this race last year off of three pounds higher and in a prefect world I would get the one two this afternoon!’ 

Ballyarthur 4.10pm Uttoxeter

“I am happy to suggest that he is the best horse in the race but he does have a seven pound winners penalty after scoring at Leicester in January before failing to see out the two miles seven furlongs in a Grade Two Novice at Haydock last time out. He will be happier over this trip and on better ground but I have a nagging worry that the penalty may stop him, though hopefully he can prove me wrong and come home in front today”

Margaret’s Rose  – 5.20pm Uttoxeter

“I have put a visor on the seven-year-old in the hope that will bring about some improvement, but she needs to do better than we have seen so far to get involved in the finish here. She seems a late maturing sort and may well win a race with a bit more experience, but this race looks that bit too strong for her for the moment.””

Sunday’s Runners:

Woodfort 2.30pm Ffos Las

“I’m rather hopeful I have found him a race he can win at last, and if he repeats his February second at Doncaster then he ought to take all the beating. It isn’t the strongest race ever seen and he may well go off favourite, so fingers crossed he can get off the mark over hurdles at the sixth attempt.”

Verygoodverygood 3.35pm Ffos Las

“There is a good chance the going could be that bit too soft for him this afternoon, but the owners wanted him to run here so here we are! He is decent enough having won over course and distance and then at Chepstow this season but they were on good and good to soft and he may come unstuck on this surface, though hopefully not!”

Jabulani 5.15pm Ffos Las

“I had hoped I had found an easy little bumper to start him off in, but it has attracted some decent looking sorts who all have the benefit of racecourse experience. I do like mine a lot and he ought to win races, but this looks tough on his first ever start and he will imorve considerably for the experience.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies will be back each and every week with his thoughts exclusively for myracing.com as well as every day over the major meetings (including Cheltenham)! To see what our tipsters are backing in all today’s races, check out our Cheltenham tips or our horse racing tips!