There are a few this afternoon that may tempt me in. At the short priced end of the scale I like Fitzroy Crossing and Conwyn Bay at Ayr and Scarlett Heart at Lingfield. I may back Miss Wedge at Lingfield – she’s clearly able but she doesn’t look to be the most genuine and she might be one to trade …
Disappointment
It was another very disappointing display from Thunderbolt Jaxon, and it highlights the folly of persevering with horses who don’t do it on the track. There’s no question that TJ has speed and some level of ability, but he’s not showing it and his runs if anything are getting worse. Pete has another 2yo running today, and I suspect he …
Thunderbolt
Mon Michel was pulled out on Sunday as we were unhappy about the ground. It was getting firmer by the hour and we didn’t want to risk him on it. He’ll probably come out on either Wednesday or Saturday. Thunderbolt Jaxon goes tonight at Wolverhampton in what looks a pretty low grade race. He goes well on the home gallops …
Thoughts for the weekend
A bad day’s betting today, perhaps stemming from the fact that I don’t have the time to do my research properly. I spoke to Pete in the morning – he thought Polar Circle had a great chance but he was concerned about her temperament. He said Declaration of War (Newm 4:40) also goes well, but currently isn’t quite the calibre …
Roll on the Derby
Authorized was stunning today and it’s going to take a very good one to lower his colours in the Derby. In the end I decided to back him, and the result was never in doubt – he could be a very special horse. No runners today but a couple on Saturday – Adam Eterno and Captain Hurricane are both declared …
Less is more
Dante day dawns, and with it some excellent racing, but for the most part I think I’ll be spectator rather than speculator. In the Middleton the highly touted Anna Pavlova takes centre stage and a strong run appears expected. In the Dante Authorized makes his seasonal bow amid high expectation – I know Pete thinks the world of the horse, …
Rock me Amadeus
Shawhill showed again what a game filly she is without getting her head in front. The ground was totally different to anything she had encountered to date, but she dealt with it well. She blew a lot more than last time and she’s due a rest. I’ve had a chat with Tom – we’ll give her longer breaks between races …
New Recruit
I claimed a filly called Shepherd’s Warning from Thirsk on Saturday night – the first time I have ever claimed a 2yo. She will be trained by Nicky Vaughan, who is training at Michael Owen’s yard – they will have their first runner in the next few weeks. Nicky reports her to be “sweet and good natured, but very light”. …
A long week
The end of a long week. King’s Head didn’t win, but after the rain I didn’t expect him to and I didn’t have a penny on him – for some reason he was heavily punted. Crimson Monarch didn’t stay. Ger Butler proved that he is very much in form, winning Highland Legacy’s race with a 20-1 shot and landing a …
King’s Head
King’s Head goes to Wincanton tonight to try to open his account over hurdles. We took him back to the flat last time, but there were technical reasons for doing that – if he had won a hurdle before May 1 (the beginning of the new jumps year) he would have lost his novice status, and that lasts for the …