Road to Riches

Cheltenham is under 3 weeks away now and while all the talk is of Willie Mullins, Co. Meath will be making their own raid on the Cotswolds in the shape of Noel Meade, Gordon Elliott and Tony Martin. Noel Meade in particular has a few very exciting prospects including Very Wood, Apache Stronghold, Wounded Warrior, Monksland, Muirhead, Aengus and big Gold Cup chance Road to Riches, not to mention the handicaps. Recently married Meade could have a honeymoon period in Cheltenham. What a thrill it would be to see the man from the North East train the winner of the blue riband event on the Friday.

Kingbet are having up and coming jockey from the Noel Meade stable Ger Fox to a Cheltenham Preview evening in Gleesons in Drogheda on the 4^th of March at 8pm. He will be joined by Champion Chase winning jockey Andrew Lynch, form expert Tony Keenan and myself to hand out the free bets and enhanced prices! MC for the night will be Will Reilly. Do join us for an evening to look forward to the big races and try to find a few winners.

Dundalk seen its fair share of celebrations last Friday night with popular local winners Share a Secret and Headlong. A great cheer went up when the Dunleer trained and Dromiskin owned Headlong held on in the last. None of my selections are locally trained this week, but if I find a winner or two, we won’t mind where they’re from.

Tubeanie is a horse who’s had plenty of tries to break the maiden tag, 14 to be exact. But another chance is taken with the 4yo filly as her last run in France would be good enough to win this ordinary heat, the first at Dundalk. Amy Weaver trained her to be 2^nd in Chantilly with the application of first time blinkers and first start on all weather. The racing post gave her a rating of 79 for that effort which would be more than good enough for this. Before that she was twice second in England off 59; two starts ago edging out Bishan Bedi into 3^rd at Yarmouth. Denis Cullen now trains Tubeanie and if she is not tired from her travels, she may go one better than the trainer’s Whippers Boy here a fortnight ago. 

32 are entered for the 47-65 7f handicap on the card, only 14 can run. 2 darts are thrown to hit the winner. Lucky Boo has very poor form on paper. Rated as low as 44 now a leap of faith is taken with this 6yo mare. She’s had excuses for nearly all of her runs at Dundalk though, including when nearly falling early on here on the 30^th of January. Beat only 3l the last day behind Elusive in Paris; she came from last off a slowly run pace, was hampered 2f out and stayed on eye-catchingly to suggest a win soon is not beyond her. Doonard Prince ran in that same race and had an extremely wide trip throughout. The 6yo gelding wasn’t beaten far back in October here off 70 and now runs off 62. This course and distance winner is the type at a big price to go close if getting a nice inside draw.

Have a Nice Day remains on 73 after finishing 2^nd to a highly progressive Togoville on his last start over a mile. He now drops to 7f, the distance all his 4 wins have come over and the Sabrina Harty gelding could be value against some recent winners like Have a Great Day and past winners of this race Fastidious and Indian Landing. Lifting Me Higher ran a satisfactory race first time out here behind Arif under hands and heels riding. The well-bred Sea the Stars filly should improve plenty for the outing and her shrewd trainer won this maiden last year with American Girl.

There are two difficult handicaps and a Qualified Riders race to conclude the card. Asian Wing is one I liked in the 12f race. On his first start for J Feane at the end of January he ran an encouraging race, just letting the race develop in front of him turning in and stayed on well at the finish. His new trainer was 9/30 in 2014 while his old handler 0/10 at the track. Asian Wing was a course and distance winner in 2013 off 59 and now runs off 48. The 6yo showed himself to be in good heart the last day and the new trainer may spark enough life in him to win such a race. 

Carlingford Lough raises the roof

What more is there left to say on the greatest jump jockey the sport has ever seen. A P McCoy has rewritten the history books. I was lucky enough to be at Leopardstown on Sunday for what turned out to be the McCoy show and the crowd showed him the admiration of which he has earned in riding over 4300 winners. I’d advise anyone to make it to Navan or Punchestown or Cheltenham and see the greatest in action before he departs.

Jim Bolger was one of Anthony’s first mentors and he has a few entries in Dundalk this Friday night. Family Pride is of interest in the 7f 3yo handicap for the Wexford man who also mentored Aidan O’Brien. The colt is 3lb lower than when beaten a length by Dalewari here in a Nursery in November, he was ran down in the final furlong that day after going too fast early and running out of steam. Ten days later over 7f he ran a mess of a race under Kevin Manning when slowly away, wide and keen for most of the way before finishing tamely. A good draw and a handy lead could see Family Pride taking this. Of the others Sea of Blue is bred to be better than a modest rating of 59 while Sixtyfiveroses remains of serious interest for J Levins but I’m guessing up in trip is the plan for a first win.

Catwilldo is given another chance in the first. The 47-65 5f heat is a drop in class for the Garvan Donnelly trained 5yo mare and she gets a 7lb pull on Boughtforasong from 2 starts ago. She won impressively the last day but a combination of down to 5f and the change in weights is enough to prefer Catwilldo at the likely bigger odds. The entry from England Salvado has looked tricky in headgear in the past and one to be against if short odds. Tony Carroll also has three entries in the 6f race and whatever he runs should be hard to beat.

The Elusive Pimpernel Race over 7f is the quality event of the night. 3 previous winners are entered in Charlie Bear, Five Claw and Song of Love. Maronella 3^rd first time out for Johnny Murtagh and a couple of unraced horses from Levins and Marnane the only other potential winners in the line-up. Charlie Bear has done the most so far form wise rated 92. Five Claw steps up to 7f; which on breeding should be no problem but looks a free going sort who doesn’t lack pace. Song of Love beaten by Five Claw over 6f enjoyed the step back up to a mile to win here last week. Maronella is in receipt of 6lb from the trio who’ve won a race. Prices will dictate but Five Claw looks one with bags of potential and class and is with the right trainer in Halford to settle and improve him.

25 horses are entered in the mile handicap and 2 are on my radar to win a race in this bottom grade. Share a Secret and Gold Tantrum are both rated 47 and have run well recently without winning. Gold Tantrum is an 8yo who travels noticeably well in his races and was a good 2^nd to Norville here last time. He waited for a run 2f down then and finished best; the 3^rd and 4^th, Fairy Foxglove and Mystical Past have both run well since in 2^nd to uphold the form. Share a Secret didn’t get the clearest of runs down the inside rail behind Elusive in Paris last week and was only beaten 2l, yet dropped a pound for her efforts. Up to a mile is no concern for her and both these hold up types should get plenty of cover with the likes of Stoichkov in the field to go a good gallop.

Colla Pier was an eye-catcher the last day finishing a flying 4^th behind Pepparpot from the rear in a race that suited to be up with the pace. Going up to 12f should be fine and the Hawk Wing mare remains feasibly handicapped off 58. In the last I’ll take a flyer with Tennesse Waltz.  Older staying maidens are dreadful races this time of year and don’t take much winning. This cheap purchase from a small stable ran well on debut coming from last turning in to finish 3^rd. Saga Diamond was 4l ahead then but I’m not sure she wants a step up to 10f like the selection. Of those that have ran there is nothing to fear and the price should more than compensate for chance taken on this gelding to improve on its second start with loads of stamina in the pedigree. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzDUi_L6MzA

Ballydoyle hard to beat

Spring has sprung but you’d be forgiven for not realising. All weather tracks serve a real purpose during cold snaps like this one where many jumps fixtures have been called off. Cheltenham anticipation is heightened through boring weeks for racing lovers. The prospect of four fantastic day’s racing in early March, some warmth and light keeps us going. Friday night at Dundalk never lets us down however.  

It’s only over a month to Cheltenham, and three months to the Guineas in Newmarket. That’s the timeframe Ballydoyle is working off. The battalion of blue bloods are sure to be going through their paces under the watchful eye of Aidan O’Brien, whatever the weather. The champion trainer has two significant entries this week; Song of Love and Bishan Bedi. It’s hard to imagine either of them beat after impressive recent displays despite not winning. Up in trip Song of Love should break the maiden tag while the tremendously unlucky in running Bishan Bedi should make amends with a clear run in the mile handicap. They will be prohibitively priced though and I’ll try and dig a little deeper to find a fair priced winner.  

Pencil Hill is an interesting runner in the sprint handicap, the first race on the card. Tracey Collins has a fine record at Dundalk, Indian Landing obliging last week and her 10yo starts his 2015 campaign here. The acclamation gelding has a good record fresh; winning first time out, on his first start in 2012 and 2013 at Dundalk. Down to his lowest rating of 72 since winning here three years ago he appeals in a race where the form is starting to look stagnant between the winter regulars. Pencil Hill ran well last summer in defeat. An exceptional eye-catcher behind Tylery Wonder up the Curragh in August and only beaten a 1.5l on his last run when on the wrong side of the track off 76.  

The 6f maiden looks terrible race for those that have run and we don’t how good the unraced Halford entry is. Cutting Corners is the selection after her somewhat promising debut behind Dark Alliance here in November. A never nearer 3rd that day, the 2nd and 4th; Balmont Blast and Robin’s Choice have since won maidens here upped in trip. The Mulvany mare was slow away first time out, squeezed back on the run to the first bend but was noticeable coming home well from an unpromising position. Have a Great Day sets the standard but hasn’t been seen for a while and was regressive then. Cutting Corners may provide an each way alternative at a price.  

The 7f apprentice handicap looks very difficult to solve at entry stage. Horses I like may well take each other on up front in a pace duel include Alfaayza, Enigma Code and Tom Dooley and hence I’m not as keen on them. They all have ability to win a race like this if things fall right. The selection though is Elusive in Paris. So elusive is the 6yo he’s escaped the winners circle since 2012 though threatening to win on numerous occasions. Apprentice handicaps are ideal for this horse as he doesn’t really respond to a strong drive anyway. Pace to run at should suit this bridle merchant and a significant drop in class from the last day may be the necessary ingredients for a long awaited success.  

        

Song of Love will be near impossible to beat in the mile maiden. Hat Alnasar may be an each way alternative though after a fine debut for maiden maestro Mick Halford. The Moss Vale colt was slowly away and to the rear behind Charlie Bear on his only start. He did good late work down the straight under hands and heels riding finishing 6th to suggest that the next day he would improve a lot for the run. Halfords runners when weak in the betting first time out and run well strike me as horses that will improve a lot for the experience. He showed enough ability late on then to say he’ll get involved here, Sheeba and Period Piece has upheld the form since. 

Elsewhere on the card it will be interesting to see whether Ger Lyons works the oracle with Prairie Rose in the mile mares maiden. She looked a difficult ride in the UK, very keen sort who won’t be helped by front running Singapore Secret in the line-up. I’d like to see Maontri bounce back to form to give Bishan Bedi a race in the 8.35. The last provides a familiar match-up between Sharjah and Ned’s Indian, Dundalk’s answer to Grundy and Bustino.  

Form and Facebook 28-1-2015

Winning his last three races has confirmed his legend status. The track is sure to build a statue of him someday for his remarkable record. Every race is like a home game and no one dares beat the gelding on his patch. Head down, terrier like, his will to win earns him many fans. Backers trust him, even when things are going wrong during a race they believe he’ll find a way.

Anyway enough of Sharjah! This week is a run of the mill card. But one that probably appeals from a betting point of view if a few of the entries declare to run. Dundalk hosts an 8 race card with an earlier start time of 5.35pm.

The 6f 47-65 handicap is competitive with 4 or 5 making the shortlist. Burren View Lady is down to an attractive mark and is the type I can see running up a sequence when the trainer wishes. She won a handicap off 79 last January and now runs off 59. The jockey booking will be informative. Boughtforasong is the selection. The in-form George Pakidis trains and she had a lovely comeback run over 5f which was too sharp here last week, catching the eye at the finish. She’s won over 6f off 55 in the past here and carries a pound less on Friday.

The better 6f race is afterward and hopefully Pakidis will be looking to double up with Togoville. He’s top rated off 89 and up 17lb since winning his first of three races here in December. I will be with Grey Danube who beat Your Pal Tal here before Christmas, recording a fast time in the process. The 6yo gelding looks one to side with as Your Pal Tal (2^nd then) has won twice since, Fastidious who was back in 5^th also won subsequently. The grey only got 7lb for an impressive win and has an excellent record at Dundalk, 5 wins from 19 starts. Indian Landing strikes me as more a 7f horse and beat little last time out. Sassaway is respected but has yet to win on the surface.

Letters of Note sets a high standard in the 7f fillies maiden. She was a good fourth behind Tamadhor in Leopardstown on debut, now rated 94. The 2^nd and 3^rd; Stellar Glow and Bocca Baciata are now 101 and 92, while the 5^th Plus Ca Change won here since and is rated 87. The Callaghan filly was green that day, travelled like a good horse before tiring and was supported in the market. She flashed her tail in the straight which is a worry but still should be good enough for this.

Sixtyfiveroses is the nap on the night. I nearly choked on my cornflakes when I saw this filly only rated 59 for her handicap debut. There are two reasons why I fancy the J Levins filly in the 3yo handicap. 1 her run behind Unorthodox suggest she has more ability than her rating but 2 because of the regard her trainers holds her. Some modern day trainers like to keep followers informed on social media, a noble idea. Most is run of the mill stuff but the odd nugget is found. Before her third run to qualify for a mark Levins reported, ‘Sixtyfiveroses is a filly I love’, ‘she will need the run badly’, and ‘a filly I look forward to’. After the run; ‘ran as well as could be expected’, ‘needed the run badly fitness wise’.   She is a half-sister to Catchy Lass and her trainer I’m guessing believes her to be a fair bit better than a rating of 59, a rating the assessor may have judged her on when not fully fit.

Five horses entered in the mile handicap won last time, none quite like Bishan Bedi. The O’Brien runner is up a stone but I don’t see that stopping him.  He may even improve for his first start in 5 months and up to the mile. The Dancing Lord may have been flattered the last day due to a collapsing pace where he picked up the pieces. The recent maiden winners, while impressive, their form isn’t worth a whole pile.

She’s No Joke is my idea of the winner of the rated race while in the last I’d like to see a front running ride and a set of blinkers on Fairy Court. Forgiven his latest poor run as first run in 3 months and Miss Ahern riding, if returning to front running tactics employed when winning and 2^nd here last January, he may be a big price back to a workable rating of 59.

Leopardstown have got the Fly. Dundalk’s got Sharjah. A great game that can have both.  

Win and you're in

Seven weeks to Cheltenham. The countdown is well and truly on. We've left all the Christmas and New Year targets behind us and every conversation consists of four days at Prestbury Park in March. Will he make it? What will Willie run where? Will she (Annie Power) go the mares route etc.

Good news this week meant Dundalk will have a big night of its own in March, Friday the 6th before Cheltenham. Two twenty thousand euro races over a mile and 10f are to be run as Fast Track Qualifiers to the AW Championships at Lingfield on Good Friday. The AW Champs consist of 7 races and 1.1m prizemoney to act as the AW season finale in Britain. It's win and you're in and should make for a cracking aperitif to Cheltenham. 

Friday night is a typical seven race card. Typically we start with a tricky sprint handicap were cases can be made for many of the runners. Boughtforasong and Bussa are back to winning marks but would prefer further. Strategic Heights and Majestic Timeline are standing dishes here over 5f and are sure to play a part, especially the latter Joyce trained mare, as she hasn't gone up to much in the weights, the market will not miss them however. Sylvan Mist is respected as has a 6lb pull on Strategic Heights for a 2l defeat in November but I would like to see the Lynam stable in better form. The selection Catwilldo is sure to be a price on recent form. The Garvan Donnelly trained mare was carved up early here a fortnight ago over 5f, lost lots of ground early as a result and was wide into the straight. Though an ordinary race she stuck at it well making plenty of ground in the straight to suggest the interference early cost her and she may be back in a bit of form. Down another pound to a rating of 60, Catwilldo won here off 61 last April and if on a going day has the ability. A nice draw would help. 

The 6f 3yo maiden is an interesting race with representatives from the big yards and a clash of form, recent vs summer. Five Claw is a horse I got to grips with purely by watching back the tape of his first run at the Curragh. 15th beaten 13 lengths looks nothing to write home about on paper. But the Jeremy colt showed plenty of ability leading the field to the two furlong pole where he got tired and was let come home in his own time. The well backed winner that day from Ballydoyle was subsequently  second in a G2 at Leopardstown, the 2nd Jacobean was 4th in the Racing Post Trophy. It looked a very strong 22 runner Curragh maiden for October. A faster surface and a drop back in trip should be ideal for the Halford runner. The leading trainer at Dundalk had a 20% strike rate last year, 35% for 2yo and showed a level stake profit at the track. His maiden runners are always to be feared. The dangers may lie in last week's second Song of Love, Ripped who ran in two good maidens during the summer showing some promise and Mayakoba who ran an eye catching race here before Christmas but all look to want up in trip and not down to 6f. 

Crecora is a horse I've been looking forward to since I seen him run here on the 3rd of October. Last turning in as the winner sat in front, he made remarkable ground to finish a flying 2nd. The break and drop to 10f is a worry as stamina seems his forte but wouldn't put me off backing him. The break might have something to do with being sold for 25k on the 29th of October and moving yards to Eoin Doyle. A leap of faith is taken on fitness and whether Friday is the plan. The 4yo gelding looks well handicapped on the back of being placed on his last 3 starts, 2nd off 60, 3rd off 63 and 2nd off 63, and now has been generously dropped 2lb to 61. Crecora doesn't look an easy ride but if he gets a good pace to run at, watch him finishing. Eloge and Peppapot are sure to be hard to beat while in a rich vein of form, but they've both been penalised four pounds for finishing second last time out, the selection dropped two. 

Elsewhere on the card Tennessee Wildcat and Sharjah are readily opposed, I don't like the formers attitude and I still think 12f is not Sharjah's  trip despite winning last time. Catalpa, Eye of the Tiger, Eloge and Have a Nice Day were all ridden by young female apprentices last time out. They are all entered Friday. On each of their respective last runs I heard complaints post race of the rides after all going close to winning. We all know who rides the horses pre race and often the jockey is factored into the price. The only one to blame is yourself. I wouldn't be surprised if one of the quartet obliged Friday. 

All Aboard 13/1/2015

A look at the five day entries for Dundalk Races on Monday left me feeling cold. Conditions outside don’t help the situation. Friday’s card does not warm the heart and nor does it look an easy set of puzzles to solve. We plough on though in the hope of finding a winner or two, even though some of the races left me thinking, can anything win it?

Studying entries can be a futile exercise. Possible runners are released five days in advance and it’s hard to gauge what may be a bet on the day or if they will even be declared to run. At the time of writing their draw, jockey, whether fitted with headgear and what price they will be is all a conundrum.  It is of course no harm looking at the entries 5 days out but I’m just getting the excuses in early!

The best race on the card is the 7f handicap but has only attracted 8 entries.  Last week’s impressive winner Nini OK is in there though takes a rise in class and carries 7lbs extra. Marble Statuette blotted the copybook behind Captain Joy here last time, before that won twice readily. It is no disgrace running behind Captain Joy as we found out Saturday; the Tracey Collins runner a smooth winner of a conditions race in Lingfield, as a result qualifying for AW Championships Finals Day on Good Friday. Sassaway could be interesting at a big price after a fine run behind Grey Danube after 3 months of the track. The 8yo mare is just overlooked however as she may prefer 6f and has yet to win on the surface. Have a Nice Day is a stalwart here while I hope Elusive in Paris, who is doubly entered lines up in the lower grade mile race later on. Wishyouwerehere hung badly for Eddie Lynam last Friday, looks tricky and Artistic Integrity hasn’t showed much form recently. That leaves me with the selection Fastidious. The Michael O’Callaghan trained 6yo ran a cracker here over 7f two starts ago behind the aforementioned Captain Joy, only beaten a length after 4 months off the track. I believe the gelding ‘bounced’ the next week as he ran flat. The 6f trip probably didn’t suit either but when a horse has a big effort after a long layoff, if returning to the track quickly often they don’t run their race. Fastidious is a straight forward type who often leads, loves the intermediary trip of 7f and looks well weighted to win this.

Your Pal Tal is a sprinter bang in form. I find when one is in such good heart as this you don’t get off the express till it stops. Up 7lb for a fine win over the minimum distance over Strategic Heights and Majestic Timeline, I think the Johnny Levins 5yo can manage the extra burden as he could be better over 6f and won with a degree of authority last week. Levins has had 2 winners from last three runners and in general his small string are in good form. His 2^nd behind Grey Danube was in a very fast time and may prove to be excellent form. Draw is important over 6f so an inside berth would give more confidence. Annie Irish is worth consideration in her first handicap off a lowly rating of 58, the Elizabeth Doyle filly has shown promise in maidens.

Tony Carroll from England has only one entry and if Dusty Blue makes the trip across for the 3yo 6f handicap, he’s bound to be well supported with people latching onto the significance of coming over.

Arif was very unlucky to be poorly positioned on debut in what turned out to be a sprint after the pace being farcically slow early. The Nayef colt was the moral winner and was flying at the death finishing nearest at the finish. His Highness the Aga Khan should enjoy a winner Friday night as the step up to a mile is sure to suit and with Halford runners, improvement can be expected from first to second run. It does however look to be a decent maiden and you never know what the unraced horses will be capable of.  Niall’s Rory may be a huge price and could be worth backing to place as he missed the break by 10l on debut and showed some ability behind Arif.

Elsewhere Settle for Red back to Ireland off a mark he won before, Glasson Lad who had a wide trip in the 2m race here last week and Saga Diamond in an awful 10f concluding maiden would be horses to keep an eye on. 

Roll the Dice

Sharjah won the feature last week making it 3 wins from his last five runs over the 10 furlong trip. The Shamardal gelding has been 1^st or 2^nd in 7 of its last 8 outings at the Dundalk venue, a remarkable record. 4 of the 5 handicaps run last Friday were won by previous course winners, the other Sister Slew in first time blinkers had won at Laytown in 2014. It seems to be no harm to have form at the track, on fast turf or indeed at the beach.

Togoville is another horse who won at Laytown in 2014 and went on to win at Dundalk. The George Pakidis trained grey won well here in December beating The Dancing Lord who turned the tables then on the last meeting before Christmas. The 5yo gelding went too fast to early that day and was just run down in the final strides when getting tired. This rated race is capped at 75 which Togoville is rated so a combination of already setting the best standard and currently being bang in form is case enough to merit being the nap on the night.

The Greek born County Armagh based trainer also saddles Pivy’s Pride in the first. A drop to 5f is worth a shot with this imposing chesnut. On almost every start he has travelled supremely well until emptying out a couple of furlongs from home. His form looks nothing on paper but the way he travels in his races suggests there is ability. The lightly raced 5yo drops to a career low mark of 59 now and may be worth chancing at a big price. Acroleina would be the alternative after an unlucky 3^rd last time out.

The Elusive Pimpernel maiden has received many entries and looks competitive if the majority take their place. The pick would be Period Piece who was green here behind Sgt Rock on debut and should improve a tonne for that. Yulong Xionfeng is also interesting after three promising starts for Eddie Lynam. The Showcasing colt has run well last twice staying on in Galway and Listowel behind two smart types of Aidan O’Brien in Jamaica and Smugglers Cove, while not really handling either track. I’d expect a better run for the benefit of experience and a consistent flat surface here. 

Alfaayza is worth taking another chance with in what’s sure to be a competitive looking 7f handicap. She ran too bad to be true last time out for Pat Flynn. Before that the filly beat Tsar Paul before it went on to won two races on the spin. That race she won despite going hard in front and was value for her win, she is only 2lbs higher and if healthy is sure to give a bold show.  The dangers look to be the consistent Fairy Foxglove, the class-dropper Nini Ok and the revitalised Sister Slew in blinkers.

Eye of the Tiger was part of the famous Barney Curley gamble back in January of last year and is entered in the 12f race for Johnny Murtagh. He has the ability but I wouldn’t like to be 2^nd guessing what the plan is! Havelock Ellis and Rose Angel remain in sparkling form and should fight out the mile heat.

Good things come to those who wait as Moon Dice could be the best value on the card in the last. The 10yo is unexposed on the flat.  I know how daft that sounds. In a 2m qualified riders race there are a few important attributes necessary; Ability to carry the heavier weight, must stay the trip well and with this on the AW being able to handle the surface. Moon Dice has been dropped 5lb for a perfectly satisfactory run over a trip too sharp here in November. At Galway he ran an eye-catching race when last coming down the hill, the jockey pulled him widest of all turning into the straight and he finished off well in a far better race than this. The Paul Flynn gelding ran well here in a 2m maiden last March and the handicapper has given him a chance here. That’s Ours could be worth a saver as forgiven last few poor runs.

All eyes will be on the High Court Friday as the dispute between the bookies from the old track at Dundalk is settled. The 30 bookmakers expect to receive a verdict on costs and damages after the judge ruled in their favour last February, though the Stadium has filed a counter-claim. Mark Costello wrote in the Irish Field that one bookmaker is seeking €48,000 in damages but that his legal costs may run into six figures.