Evening all,

The second part of my preview of the weekend’s big races. Yesterday I looked at Ascot today’s it’s the turn of Haydock.  But first I’m going to have quick look at the thorny issue of affordability checks.

Affordability Checks

I can’t really let the biggest talking point in the sport – affordability checks – pass by without comment. I looked at the topic last summer and it’s heated up again this week.

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/enough-is-enough-punters-detail-their-frustration-with-intrusive-checks/596241

The whole affordability checks saga came about through the UK Gambling Commission raising the possibility last year.  

“The Commission required operators to keep vigilant records to be able to provide evidence of customer interaction evaluation at all times. And take appropriate action to record indicators of at-risk players, all while ensuring that marketing materials will not impact at-risk customers”.

So, we went from the above, to the big bookmakers starting to carry out intrusive financial checks. Asking punters for sensitive financial documents such as bank statements, tax returns, domestic income, and expenditure etc. And if punters don’t provide what the bookmakers want, then their accounts can be frozen.

Funnily enough the bookmakers interest in a punters source of funds and levels of gambling seems to be occurring when a punter wants to withdraw funds.

Now you would think such concerns would be taking place when a punter is depositing rather than withdrawing. Or I’m I am missing something 🤔.

I know someone who was due to pick up a four figure sum from a major high street bookmaker Monday. Before getting his money, he was told he had to show proof of funds and until he did, he wouldn’t get his money or be able to bet with them He had no choice but to comply with their demands to get his money.  He went in yesterday with the required paperwork and was duly paid out.

Of course, the big bookmakers already knew who their problem gamblers were. They could have used their VIP list’s as a starting point. They had no need to use affordability checks against those who bet responsibly, within their means and as a hobby.

It’s a sad state we have reached but if when the Governments White Paper is finally unveiled it will include some form of affordability checks. The only question is how intrusive they will be?

We have must hope that on course bookmakers will be exempt from it. If they are, the silver lining could be a renaissance of betting on track.

I don’t have the time to discuss this further today. However, the case for Tote/ Pari Mutuel monopoly on betting on horse racing gets stronger by the day. It’s a topic I will revisit at a future date.

Looking Ahead To The Weekend – Part 2

Haydock

Although its set to be mainly dry few days at Haydock. it’s hard to imagine that the ground won’t be testing on Saturday. The handicaps on the card should be reasonably competitive but the Grade 2 contests, the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase aside, are likely to see small field sizes if the ground is heavy.

Going under the big race microscope today is the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase. A Limited handicap which means the top-weight will carry 11-10 and the minimum weight is 10-6.

Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (3m 1½ f)

A race which has an illustrious roll of honour since first run in 1981.  Subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Bregawn (1982),The Thinker (1987) and Jodami (1993 & 97) are all previous winners of race. More recent winners include Bristol De Mai (2017) and Royal Pagaille (2021 & 22). The latter won’t be going for the hat trick. However, Bristol De Mai was among the entries at Monday’s final confirmation stage as was Blakion. Now a 14-year-old, the old boy is a three time course winner. His legs may have gone for a race like this, but he can never be ruled out at venue he’s gone well at in the past.

Seven of the thirteen entries are double entered elsewhere this weekend. And another two French Paradoxe and Coppers Cross have entries in next Saturday’s Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster. The four with no other entries this weekend are: Blaklion, Fontaine Collonges, Empire Steel and Dr Kananga.

Some Contenders:

Empire of Steel was well fancied (4/1) for last year’s race. However, he never travelled or jumping with any fluency and was pulled up. Something was clearly amiss as he won his next start at Kelso a month later. Well suited to bottomless ground. The 9-year-old ran better on his seasonal return than his 4 ½ lengths 7th of 13 to Brave Seasca at Aintree suggests and he would be a big contender if running.

Fontaine Collonges won over C&D two starts back. Before finding 3m around Kempton on the short side when a 9 length 4^th of 14 to Remastered last time. The mare had looked an improving staying handicap chaser when winning here and would have a good chance of giving Venetia Williams a hat trick of wins in the race.

If top-weight Sam Brown comes here rather than go to Lingfield, seven of the 12 runners would be running from out of the weights.

French Paradoxe looked booked for the win when falling at the last at Ffos Las last time. The handicapper has raised him 7lb but looks ahead of the handicapper. On the negative side he will be 10lb out of the weights if Sam Brown runs.

Cooper’s Cross looks interesting for the step up to 3m+. Another capable of defying his present mark but like French Paradoxe he’ll be running from out of the weights.  

Verdict:  All in all, with all the double entries it’s a bit of a minefield for punters looking to have an early bet on the race. Connections of those at the bottom of the weights will be hoping that Sam Brown goes to Lingfield instead.

Rest of the Haydock card

Charlie Longsdon could saddle his Supreme hopeful Rare Edition in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle (1:30). I’m not sure he’ll run on heavy ground but the 13/8 available would look if he did.

Epatante is 4/5 favourite with William Hill for the Grade 1The New One Unibet Hurdle (2:05). The mare is another who may not run on heavy ground though.  On heavy ground Jason The Militant having his first start since switching to Philip Kirby and Metier 3-3 on heavy, would be of interest. However, those two also have entries in Sunday’s Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle at Lingfield. That race worth nearly 10k to the winner and was won 12 months ago by Metier. I suspect both are more likely to go there than here.

Thursday Racing

I looked the Wincanton card for an hour or so. It turned out to be time I will never get back as the meeting has been cancelled due to frost. Not much appeals at decent odds at the two remaining all-weather meetings.  

Wolverhampton

4:15 – The old boy Boom The Groom maybe a 12-year-old but he showed just three days ago that he still had plenty of fire in his belly, only caught close home, when a neck 2^nd of 11 over C&D.  Needs everything to fall right to win but has a handy low draw for a prominent racer.

Talented apprentice Billy Loughnane has gone through his 7lb claim like a dose of salts. A treble at Wolverhampton on Monday and another double back there yesterday. He’s now 11 winners from 45 runners in the past 14-days. Billy has five booked rides at Wolverhampton on Thursday including Apache Star in the 4:15 and it would be a brave punter laying his mounts on today.

Thursday Selection:

Wolverhampton

4:15 – Boom The Groom.

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John