The summer holidays wind to a close and I’m back at my desk for a while now, which feels pretty good. Lord Peter Flint made his debut last Friday and he ran well, finishing fifth of 13 in what may have been a decent maiden. He’s sure to improve for the run and he looks like a fine prospect. The …
York Day 3
It’s another excellent day’s racing at York today. The sales race at 1:35 is always an interesting heat. Brian (Meehan) has won this race in three of the last four years – he’s had a total of seven runners in the last two years – but he has no runners today. The favourite has won in three of the last …
York Day 2
Authorized did fantastically and I’m thrilled for Pete. I backed him but I was a bit cowardly and I should have had more on. It was nearly a very good day as Oasis Wind came close – the unlucky horse in that race was Hitchens, who ran behind Effingham and backs up that form. Day 2 of York brings the …
The Ebor meeting
I’m off to Malta tomorrow on Betfair business and I’ll miss most of the Ebor meeting. I’ve pored through the card tomorrow looking for value, but I can’t find anything at big odds that interests me – there are of course some serious races being run. The Juddmonte comes top of the list, and Pete was extremely positive over the …
The moment of truth
Captain Hurricane is napped by Tony Lewis in the 3.45 at Haydock today. He is also the spotlight selection, and Emily Weber describes it as “the moment of truth” after a long haul. It may be a fair description – if he can’t show up well today then it may be that he never will. I’ll be backing Strategic Mount …
Effing disaster
A very disappointing run from Effingham, who never got into the race and finished down the field at Ponty. The ground, which was good to firm in the morning, was changed to firm with G/F patches immediately after the race. Michael Hills reported that the horse wasn’t enjoying the ground at all. I guess it wasn’t a surprise given he …
The perfect wave
I wonder how much of my character has been created by fate. As a boy I had a lot of luck. My father took me to the races for the first time when I was nine – I was allowed one 25p bet on the big handicap of the day. I picked the horse I most liked out of the parade ring, …
Goodwood day 1
It’s a glorious day – perhaps summer is finally here. Goodwood starts and I have a early runner. Major Eazy goes today in the Betfair sponsored Molecomb at 4:00. It’s a pretty decent race – he’ll have to step up on his last run but I give him a respectable chance and he should go well. I’ll have a small bet …
Ho Hum
Shawhill ran well but never looked like being the winner. I don’t think there are any excuses – it was a decent run and she was fairly beaten by a couple of decent horses. I guess it was asking a lot to of a first season filly to see off these experienced handicappers over a trip like this – very …
A strong debut from Effingham
A fantastic result at Sandown today with Effingham coming second in his maiden. I’m extremely positive, for a number of reasons; He clearly needed the run and will come on a lot for it He ran green, missing the break a little and he lost ground jumping the walkway Sandown maidens are generally pretty good (although I’m not so sure about …