Author: Russ

When Merchant won at 5/2 on Thursday at York William Haggas horses were running at a 33% strike rate. In the following 72 hours the yard sent out 18 runners with just 1 winner who greatly benefitted from the withdrawal of a Charlie Appleby odds on favourite. This included 8 beaten favourites . I had…

The William Haggas trained Take A Breath reappears in the finale at Newmarket on Sunday and looks certain to go off favourite in the Class 4 fillies only handicap. She won a weak handicap at Doncaster on her reappearance in a race where the merit of the win has not been tested. She was put…

The defeat of Ides In March by stable companion Whistlejacket at Navan in April highlighted that the son of Wooton Bassett was a sprinter destined for Group 1 races this season. Had Ryan Moore been on Ides of March instead of the Group 1 winner Whistlejacket he would have been a clear winner. This is…

Full on Friday for the Haggas team with two maidens running at Newmarket, 3 runners at York including 2 potential future stars and 5 mainly dark horses at Newbury. it is a day to stick to the core principles that stand us in such good stead. Unraced horses and first time out for the season…

Firstly a quick look back at The Reverend – absolutely smashed in from 9/2 into 2/1 but was never travelling before staying on at one pace to finish 5th. It had worked very well at home. The obvious comment was the ground was too fast but I am of the opinion that this is a…

This time last season Haggas followers were dealing with a famine rather than a feast. The horses were struggling to find any sort of form and from 78 runners in May there were just 12 winners. 40 were sent off 1st and or 2nd favourite producing only 7 winners and from the 14 favourites only…

The dry warm spring has led to fast ground and consistent form lines. It is no surprise that the results have generally gone in favour of the race by race punters as well as from a pro gamblers point of view. The weather and fast ground looks likely to be with us for the foreseeable…

The opener at the Dante meeting due off at 2.10 on Wednesday has in recent years been targeted by the Haggas team. Two winners in the last 5 years both heavily backed 4yo’s making their seasonal reappearance. The only other two from the stable to contest the 12f event were Klondike who was poorly handicapped…

It is not uncommon for the Haggas team to withdraw horses from big races, if they are not spot on and that has been the case with Elmonjed ante post favourite for the Churchill Tyres Handicap 2.42 York Weds but not declared at the overnight stage. If drawn close to the far rail (low) he…

Although there will no bet on Monday and Tuesday is also unlikely I will be posting a bet for Weds at around about 12noon on Monday. The period from Weds through til Saturday will be potentially be as busy as any during the season. The continued sunny weather and fast ground looks assured and with…