Not a bad day yesterday, although it didn’t work out so well in the evening.  I was wrong on Paco Boy and I sensed that before the race – his frame and his daisy cutting action weren’t as I remembered.  Canford Cliffs might be a phenomenon –  time will tell but there were several highly touted horses in that race and they …

Still no luck with the horses.  Bea Menace ran ok and would have been placed but for being squeezed in the final furlong.  Tikka Masala ran no sort of race – Richard wasn’t able to get her tucked in from his wide draw and the race never panned out for us. On to Ascot; I’ve been on the phone all …

A busy spell, and not a lot of success – I’m feeling a bit cursed at the moment.  I had a decent bet on Midday in the Oaks – she couldn’t have come any closer, beaten only a head after a little interference in running.  In the Derby I was on Rip Van Winkle and I needed him to come in the …

A winner!  Tikka Masala hit home on Tuesday to give my colours their first win of the flat season.  She’s not one of the leading lights of the string at the moment, but she might be progressive if she learns to excercise a little restraint. If there’s a horse out there with the wrong name then it has to be One Cool …

Another poor day on Saturday.  Marine Boy ran no sort of race – Tom’s on his stag weekend so I haven’t had the chance to talk to him.  Major Eazy ran a pretty decent race in 5th.  In the evening Pansy Potter ran poorly, but Bea Menace ran a great race finishing second to the hot favourite. My bets fared …

Four runners today – Major Eazy goes at Goodwood, Marine Boy goes at York and both Pansy Potter and Bea Menace go at Newbury tonight.    I’ll be disappointed if I don’t get something out of today’s lot.  Major Eazy carries top weight in a handicap – he’s big enough to shoulder top weight and there’s a general feeling that he’s …

Quaker Parrot ran a fair race, finishing in the pack – stepping up to that level was a big ask.  Tom won the race with ease with his other runner, Don’t Tell Mary.  Tom tried to buy this filly at the sales but was outbid by David Redvers – he went up to Redvers after the sale and said he …

A nice run yesterday from Peintre D’Argent, who looked like the winner a furlong out but failed to get home – she traded 1.53 in the win market and 1.01 in the place market.  When she emptied she emptied quickly and finished fifth, but there was plenty to build on there. David Probert took the ride.  I didn’t go, but …

A runner at Chepstow today as Peintre D’Argent comes out for the Pro-claimers. I saw her a couple of weeks ago when I went up to Manor House Stables.  When we claimed her she was very skinny – Nicky thought she might have an ulcer and we put her on the course of anti-ulcer drugs.  She’s filled out a lot …

More disappointment yesterday as Max came nowhere in her listed race.  For her it was a case of going from one extreme to another – two weeeks ago she ran on firm and found it too quick, whereas she appeared not to handle the heavy at Haydock yesterday.  Again I’ll shrug and draw a line through it – it was …