Richard Dunwoody - Winning Tips From a CHAMPION

By Richard Dunwoody

THE Totesport Trophy has always been a big betting race. Ever since the race's inception in 1963, it has been associated with some famous gambles.

Gary Moore has trained the last two winners and he’s double handed again. The Horsham-based trainer saddles Harry Tricker and Numide, with the former holding the better chance of following up the victories by Heathcoate (2007) and Wignman (2008). When the market was first opened, Harry Tricker was a general 15.0 chance but he’s been well supported in recent days, and is now around 7.0 favourite, alongside the long-time ante-post jolly Spirit River, who is trained by Nicky Henderson. Backing Harry Tricker is

Has three entries for the Totesport Trophy Hurdle David Pipe

taking a leap of faith, not in his trainer’s obvious ability, but in the weight he has to shoulder. It seems a little unfair that a horse who won a handicap off an official mark of 121 at Sandown in November, should race off 138 this time. The reason for the hike is a very decent effort in chasing home Champion Hurdle-bound Khyber Kim at Cheltenham in the Great wood Hurdle. Moore is as confident as he can be – the horse has had an uninterrupted preparation and he is a horse that runs well fresh – but the 17lb rise on official figures is a lot to ask.

Nicky Henderson has won this race three times since 2000 and as well as saddling Spirit River, he has Stravinsky Dance, Fairyland and First Point in the race. Interestingly, Totesport offer Henderson at 4.5 to train the winner. They also offer 5.5 that David Pipe saddles the winner.

Pipe sent out his 400th winner in the week and he could celebrate that milestone in style, should either Mamlook, Mutual Friend or RONALDO DES MOTTES (Newbury, 15:05) come home in front in this £150,000-added Grade 3 race. Ronaldo Des Mottes beat First Avenue by five lengths on his last appearance at Kempton on December 27 and Timmy Murphy, who gave him a patient ride, renews the partnership today. He disappointed twice at Cheltenham before that, and if it is a case of not handling the undulating track there, rather than showing a dislike of left-handed tracks in general, he could well be in the shake-up.

Alan King’s Manyriverstocross didn’t look to get home over 2m5f last time and the drop back to an extended 2m is sure to help. A case can certainly be made for him. And in what looks a wide-open affair, it would not be a surprise to see Howard Johnson’s cosy Wetherby winner FUSHE JO, a half-brother to the smart Arcalis, in the money. He has a light weight and the very capable Ryan Mania takes 3lb off his back. He looks a fair each-way bet at a massive price.

At Warwick, the Kim Bailey-trained SONNY MULLEN (14:50) looks an interesting each-way bet in a competitive handicap hurdle. He was well held by Radium at Cheltenham last time but took a big drop in trip there. He’s back to a more realistic 3m1f today and will love this soft ground.

I also think the blundering GANSEY (Ayr, 14:10) can make up for unseating  Richard McGrath at Warwick last time by landing the 2m4f novices’ chase.

It should be a great afternoon and it will be interesting to see how AP McCoy gets on with Denman for the first time in the Aon Chase (Newbury, 14:30pm). It may not quite be a case of point and shoot, because Denman, according to his co-owner Harry Findlay: “Can be a bit of a character and a bit quirky”. But nonetheless, Harry says he’d be very disappointed if he doesn’t win and win well. “I’m expecting him to put up a really good performance,” he said. “And if Denman comes through at Newbury, I’d make him favourite for the Gold Cup.”

Dual Champion Chaser Master Minded makes his return to action after a rib injury and a three-month break in the Game Spirit Chase (Newbury, 15:40pm), and exciting RSA Chase prospects Diamond Harry (Newbury, 13:30pm) and Long Run (Warwick, 14:15pm) will be out to enhance their credentials. But it would be a brave man to stick that quartet in a short-priced Yankee!

Richard's selections:

15:05 Newbury Ronaldo Des Mottes 1pt win at SP

15:05 Newbury Fushe Jo 0.5 pt ew at SP

14:10 Ayr Gansey 1 pt win at SP

14:50 Warwick Sonny Mullen 1 pt win at SP

Richard Dunwoody


About Richard Dunwoody

One of the greatest jockey’s in British racing history, Richard Dunwoody broke the previous record for the greatest number of career wins for a jump jockey of 1678 when Yorkshire Edition won at Wincanton. Richard went on to ride a career total of 1699 winners. That mark was finally beaten by Tony McCoy in August 2002. As an amateur jockey, he rode his first winner on Game Trust at Cheltenham in May 1983, and the following spring rode a four-timer at Hereford as a 7lb claimer. He was champion jockey for three seasons and is one of only four post war jockeys to have captured the illusive triple crown of the Gold Cup (Charter Party 1986), the Champion Hurdle (Kribensis 1990) and the Grand National (West Tip 1986 and Minnehoma 1994). Richard also rode more than 100 winners in ten consecutive seasons.  His best season saw him ride 197 winners in 1993/94. Yet, to most, he is most well known for his partnership with the iconic Desert Orchid. The pair won seven races, including the King George V1 Chase in 1989 and 1990.

Richard has undertaken various expeditions since hanging up his boots, including a 350-mile cross-country ski race to the Magnetic North Pole and in January this year completed an amazing 673 mile trek to the South Pole, something he considers his greatest ever achievement.

He joined the BBC racing team at Aintree this year, writes a column for the Daily Mirror pull-out section on Saturdays and is a consultant to the British Racing School at Newmarket, where he coaches young and up-and-coming jockeys.

Richard Dunwoody also runs his own highly successful racing service. Recent winners include Wayward Prince 4/5, Ginger Grey 9/4, Grey Command 11/10, Dvinsky 11/8, Clear Sailing 11/10, 'Shadows Lengthen 11/4, Gargano 11/8, Milans Man 11/10, Qozak 2/1, Oiseau De Nuit 2/1, Clear Sailing Evs, Wunder Strike 2/1, Ere Alfie 100/30, Doctor Pat 9/4 & What A Friend 11/2.