HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, March 18, 2020)

CHELTENHAM, England - Al Boum Photo became the second horse to win consecutive runnings of the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup in this century with a patient ride from jockey Paul Townend at Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday.

Always near the front through an undulating course over 3 5/16 miles, Al Boum Photo, the 10-3 favorite, reached the leaders in the final mile and ran with them until the final fence. Al Boum Photo and 10-1 Lostintranslation jumped the last fence side by side and were joined by 5-1 Santini for the uphill run through the final furlong.

Andrew Le Jeune:

R1: 8-5-3-2

R2: 5-10-7-4

R3: 1-8-13-6

R4: 4-3-12-6

R5: 2-1-7-13

R6: 9-6-7-1

R7: 6-4-9-8

R8: 11-1-6-7

R9: 1-12-9-2

R10: 3-8-11-4

Best: R6 N9 High Rise Soldier

Each/way: R7 N6 Racing Luck

Play: Q/QP 4-6-9

Tom Wood:

R1:  2 – 8 – 3 – 7

R2:  5 – 10 – 7 – 8

R3:  3 – 1 – 6 – 11

R4:  4 – 6 – 12 – 7
R5:  2 – 7 – 4 – 12

R6:  9 – 4 – 10 – 3

R7:  2 – 4 – 6 – 9

R8:  11 – 1 – 3 – 10

R9:  4 – 2 – 9 – 1

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Saturday, March 14, 2020)

When Harmony Victory won for the first time in six starts in a minor handicap at Happy Valley in February, the gelding raced closer to the pace than his typical stalking style.

The same scenario may unfold in Saturday’s Lung Cheung Handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. Harmony Victory should have a pace to follow from speedy runners such as Ka Ying Star, Encouraging and Good Standing.

:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, analysis, replays, and live streaming

CHELTENHAM, England – Al Boum Photo ended a career-long drought for top Irish trainer Willie Mullins with a 12-1 upset win in the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2019.

Six times, Mullins finished second in the Gold Cup from 1999 to 2016 before Al Boum Photo cruised to victory in England’s top weight-for-age steeplechase.

:: Click here to download free PPs for Friday

The 63-year-old trainer may have another Gold Cup trophy to take home Friday.

Alligator Blood, the Australian 3-year-old, is unbeaten in five starts since October. The winning streak has made Alligator Blood quite popular with voters, at least those who follow racing in Australia. When a public ballot was held to partially determine the field for Saturday’s $3.26 million All-Star Mile at Caulfield Racecourse near Melbourne, Alligator Blood won the “election” with more than 18,000 votes.

Alligator Blood is a strong favorite for the one-mile race, which is billed as the world’s richest mile race

CHELTENHAM, England - Maybe it’s the seven-race winning streak since the autumn of 2018. Perhaps it’s that he’s from a smaller stable or that his owner has been blind since birth.

With all that put together, Paisley Park is an immensely popular 8-year-old gelding, who just happens to be brilliant at running three-mile races over hurdles. Throw in a grueling uphill finish and Paisley Park is even more dangerous.

R1: 2-5-1-3
R2: 1-8-11-9
R3: 7-1-3-10
R4: 5-9-4-7
R5: 9-1-11-4
R6: 9-4-5-1
R7: 4-1-9-2
R8: 4-6-11-9

Bets: R6 N9 Everyone’s Elite
Each/way: R3 N7 Nunchuks
Play: Q/QP R3 1-3-7

Tom Wood:

R1: 2 – 1 – 4 – 5
R2: 1 – 9 – 11 – 8
R3: 1 – 4 – 3 – 7
R4: 4 – 5 – 7 – 1
R5: 11 – 1 – 9 – 4
R6: 9 – 1 – 5 – 4
R7: 7 – 4 – 1 – 9
R8: 1 – 6 – 11 – 5

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, March 11, 2020)