I have a runner today in the 6:10 at Kempton – Scrapper Smith looks to make amends for his poor first run at Haydock last time. Scrapper was fancied that day, and in a fairly competitive looking heat he was backed in to favouritism. It wasn’t the owners backing him – we were surprised to see the money coming in – …
Good weather for ducks
Shepherd’s Warning was disappointing yesterday, but I’m not too worried. She gets phased pretty easily, and we think that’s what happened yesterday – she’ll be back to her best in a small field going around a bend. More rain today and more expected on Thursday. Good going at Epsom is looking like a big outsider now and I’m told Bougie …
Having a laugh
Jane and I had a fun evening out on Saturday when we went to the final of Britain’s got talent. I had VIP seats (bought in a charity auction), which basically meant we were lumped in with the families of the contestants. We arrived at the very small studio a short while before the start, and we were hustled in …
Go Bougie go
I’ve been very busy this week with work – no time to bet and no time to blog. Annoyingly I missed out on backing a horse I’d been waiting for for a long time – Zaskar trained by Tom Dascombe is a lovely filly with a real turn of foot, and she went in in the week. Of course I’d …
The big rematch
The Irish Guineas comes around, and Winker is still on the sidelines. I’d love him to be taking them on, but he’ll have to wait a little longer. On paper it’s a rematch between New Approach and HenrytheNavigator, but the Irish Guineas doesn’t always follow the script. Last year the winners of the English Guineas, Cockney Rebel and Finsceal Beo both …
Mortgage job
I’ve been ringing around this morning and I’m feeling a sense of optimism from some of my trainers. Pete’s horses haven’t been going as well as usual, but I think they are picking up now. Brian is starting to have a few winners, and Tom’s horses seem to be in decent shape. I’ve decided to leave Bouguereau in the Derby …
Winker waits
We left Winker out of the Irish 2,000 today – he’s back in work but short of full fitness and it’s too soon for him. He’ll probably go straight to Royal Ascot now. It’s going to be a fairly quiet week runner wise. Scrapper Smith may come out towards the end of the week and he’s a lot better at …
Lockinge day
No luck yesterday with King’s Head. I spoke to Gary before the race – he thought the ground was slightly on the soft side of good rather than the fast side as I had originally thought. KH will win again whan the going is fast. One runner tonight – Parisian Gift goes at Doncaster. We had a good punt on …
Fit for a King
I had hoped for three runners today but I’m down to one after the two Maxes pulled out. He’s a good one though – King’s Head runs at Aintree tonight, and if the rains stay away I see no reason why he won’t go in again. He’s fit and well. Nine days break isn’t a lot, but I don’t think …
Stud duty
Jane and I had an excellent day out on Monday when we had a tour of a couple of stud farms in the Newbury area. We dropped the children off early and I gave the dog a quick walk. I’d ordered a driver for the day and we left home at around 9:30 – an hour later we met up with Guy …