Something different this week
We have no big race blog this week but instead we have a blog going over this weekend’s action.
She’s back!
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome back Cathryn Fry (CF Tips) who is back working for Tipsters Empire after taking time away from the game because of health reasons. She will start tipping live next weekend for the Cheltenham Open Meeting.
We are happy to confirm Cathryn is now back to full health and we are all over the moon that she is back in the tipping fold.
We are going to do things a little different with Cathryn this time round. She will now become our resident Weekend Special and Festival Special Tipster during the National Hunt Season. This means she will only offer her service on weekends and Festivals such as Xmas Special, Cheltenham Festival, Aintree and Punchestown.
Her background
For those of you who were not with us or on our newsletter Cathryn worked for Tipsters Empire between 01/01/16 – 18/05/16 where she rattled up 60 points profit.
Cathryn is a National Hunt Specialist who is respected within the industry. Her knowledge is excellent and she has worked in the industry for a number of years. Her CV is pretty impressive having previously worked for William Hill Radio, Bet Racing Nation and BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
When Cathryn worked for us at the start of the year she fit perfectly into the team and it was sad to see her depart company with us but health is always a priority.
We have been in regular contact with Cathryn and it is great to see her back to full health and back in the fold doing a job she clearly has huge talent for, that is tipping winners.
She is a very shrewd tipster who doesn’t bet for the sake of it and remains disciplined. Her 60 points profit was just from just 200 bets which is a decent Return On Investment (ROI).
When can I get involved?
Cathryn will have her first day live next Friday for the Cheltenham Open Meeting and will be tipping for the full 3 days.
Because it is her first Festival Special back, we are going to offer the Festival Special at a 33% discount, thats £4.00 instead of £6.00 for the full 3 days at Cheltenham 11th November – 13th November.
Check out the profile of CF TIPS via Tipsters Empire, check out the results and get involved as you will not be disappointed. All information can be found at www.tipstersempire.co.uk
Onto the Weekend Preview
Cathryn has provided us with a blog this weekend of whats going on around the UK and Ireland.
The clocks have gone back, the pumpkins were carved and lit and there’s that wonderful smell of winter in the air; the National Hunt Season has begun in earnest. You could call this coming Saturday’s action a curtain raiser for what is to come over the next few weeks but in itself it’s a great supporting act. We have action from Aintree, Down Royal and Wincanton.
Across the sea in Northern Ireland it’s the JN Wine Chase at Down Royal, in which Ruby Walsh is set to ride Don Poli. The pair were last seen in action together at Punchestown in 2014. It’s no secret that Don Poli needs a trip, I actually think he’s a future Grand National winner and I hope he goes that way. There’s no doubting his class or ability but he’s just a bit slow. I hope a bit of rain falls to make it a bit more of a stamina test as I would love to see him win this. Paul Nicholls has Silviniaco Conti entered in this, a race he has won four times previously. Hopefully this can see the throughly likeable ten year old return to form. I thought the decision to run him in last seasons Grand National was madness seeing as he cant really stay past 3miles. Noel Meade has reported Monksland to be in good order ahead of the race. It’s well known that the horse is fragile so Mr Meade has worked wonders to get him back on the track several times. For me though, he has some way to go to match the aforementioned duo.
Also at Down Royal Zabana holds an entry in the Grade Two Belfast Chase. He won the Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival which was redemption for the starters idiocy in the JLT which resulted in Davy Russell getting unshipped from Andy Lynch’s exciting chaser. I’m looking at Zabana with the Ryan Air in mind so I’d like to see him win this. Paul Nicholls has Le Mercurey entered but I think he is best with a little bit more cut in the ground so a weather watch is required for him; he gets 2lbs from Zabana. The Galway Plate winner Lord Scoundrel is also engaged, he won the summer showpiece off a very low weight and hasn’t been at his best since.
Back in Merseyside, Aintree host a decent card which features a Pertemps Qualifier. Remember, a horse needs to finish in the first six to qualify for the final at the Cheltenham Festival. These races can be an amusing watch if you focus on the fifth and sixth places. Corrin Wood is entered in this and should he run, it will be his first start for Dan Skelton having previously been in the care of Donald McCain. It was only two years ago that this horse looked like a future superstar until the wheels dramatically came off the bus in the 2014 RSA Chase. He has shown glimpses of still being interested and the switch in stable could well be the best thing to happen to him.
Looking further at Aintree, the Cheltenham Festival winner Un Temps Pour Tout has an entry over hurdles in the 2:40; his old rival Zarkandar is also engaged. Both are previous Grade One winners and are set to receive weight from the rest of the field.
Moving South West to Wincanton, we have the Badger Ales Chase supported by the Elite Hurdle and the Rising Stars Novices Chase.
The Young Master was disqualified after winning the Badger Ales Chase last year so he seeks redemption for that. He hails from team Mulholland and they couldn’t be in better form. They also have Carole’s Destrier and Fingerontheswitch entered. The interesting horse for me is Roc D’Apsis, given the current stable form.
Sceau Royal last seen pulling a train up the Cheltenham Hill is entered in the Grade Two Elite Hurdle. His path to the Champion Hurdle starts here. Joining him is Zubayr, last years Adonis Hurdle winner who has previously scored over course and distance.
The Rising Stars Chase is simply mouthwatering and I hope the trio of Shantou Village, Aux Ptits Soins and As De Mee are declared. Shantou Village overcame a fair bit of trouble in running at Cheltenham last time to win by four lengths. Aux Ptits Soins looked fabulous in the racecourse gallop at Chepstow and he certainly wasn’t disgraced to finish fifth in the World Hurdle on his only run last season. As De Mee has had his wind attended to and kicked off his season by winning a Beginners Chase at Fontwell.
Enjoy the weekend action, be lucky.
Thanks for reading.
Cathryn – CF Tips