Richard Dunwoody - Winning Tips From a CHAMPION

By Richard Dunwoody

SATURDAY'S racing is as competitive as ever with the Victoria Cup at Ascot a fiendish puzzle for punters to solve. The 7f cavalry charge features 29 runners declared with MABAIT (Ascot, 15:25) a live fancy for Luca Cumani.  Middle to high numbers have tended to hold sway in the race in recent years and the progressive four-year-old looks perfectly berthed in stall 16.  Still a colt, he quietly improved with every run last autumn but really burst on to the scene this year, with an impressive display in a respectable Class 2 race at Sandown on his seasonal bow two weeks ago.  It may not have been the best race for the prize money on offer but he left the field trailing in his wake, with Kieren Fallon peering round for non-existent dangers.  He looks a smart prospect this year and perfect Royal Hunt Cup material back next month for the Royal Meeting.

LOVELACE (Haydock, 14:00) looks a rejuvenated horse since joining his new shrewd yard for what could be a bargain £34,000.  The Nicholls' magic certainly worked at Newcastle 12 days ago as the six-year-old overcame trouble in running to hold off the persistent challenge of Dream Lodge, the next horse a distant four and a half lengths in arrears.  That was a decent effort considering his recent record and the aim, if today's race goes according to plan, is to head to Royal Ascot next.

The Pipe yard has won the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in three of the last five years and with their horses in such good form at the moment, MOUS OF MEN (Haydock, 15:00) can go close.  This trip is unknown territory for the seven-year-old but the way he stayed on to score at Sandown last time, indicates that it will not be a problem. 

Richard's selections:

15:25 Ascot 1 point e/w 1/4 1,2,3,4  Mabait at SP

14:00 Haydock 1 point win Lovelace at SP

15:00 Haydock 0.5 point e/w 1/4 1,2,3,4 Mous Of Men at SP


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 Admission 10/1,Activate 9/4,Mabait 9/4,Quick Reaction 5/2,Bathwick Bear 2/1,Captain Chris 2/1,Avow 3/1,Buona Sarah 2/1,Sophies Trophy 3/1,Buxted 5/2,Fred Bojanjals 7/2,Mister Pete 5/2,Bothy 2/1,Gansey 9/4,Ginger Grey 9/4,Shadows Lengthen 11/4,Qozak 2/1,Oiseau De Nuit 2/1 & Wunder Strike 2/1.