… to give up gambling. Actually I haven’t given up – I planned to but when I came back from holiday there was so much racing going on that I got stuck straight into it.
I went to Newbury yesterday – the third days racing in a week. Tom Dascombe had taken a box, and I also popped in on the Sangsters who were sponsoring and had a box. It was a good day out – Tom had a couple of winners and I had a fair day’s betting. Max One Two Three ran a respectable race – she got a little outpaced but was staying on at the end and would have been closer with a clearer path. Maybe next time will be the time for her.
I’ve had a quick look today.
Brian was planning to run his well fancied horse African Art, but he’s been pulled, presumably because of the soft ground. Delegator looked good in the Craven, and is now joint favourite for the Guineas – I like the horse a lot and I’m annoyed I didn’t back him ante-post. I’m hoping Cheddar George will be out soon – I still have high hopes for him.
Pete had a nice winner yesterday with Natural Flair, who won like a good thing. He runs Jaser in the Spring Mile today with Ryan Moore on board. I’ve always liked Jaser, particularly on soft ground – he’s drawn one, which isn’t ideal, but with the ground coming right for him he could be worth a look.
Henry Cecil had a winner yesterday, but he also had a series of short shots beaten in the week. I don’t think his string is quite firing yet, but he has a couple going today that caught my eye. Walking Talking is a three parts brother to Rainbow Corner. He’s clearly had his problems – only six races in three years – but he’s shown a little ability. On what he’s achieved he’s not good enough the John Porter at Newbury today, but the conditions look right and there are plenty of reasons to believe he may be better than his form suggests. Unnefer is a horse I like – he beat Bouguereau first time up last season. A friend of mine spoke to Henry before the race – he said the Unnefer is a very light framed type who is easy to get fit. He should be fit for his first run of the season today at Doncaster – it’s only over a mile but Henry knows what he is about.
Last two bets; Alan King has brought jumping improvers back to the flat before with success – Blazing Bailey comes to mind. Squadron is possibly thrown in in the 4:50 at Newbury, and the soft ground should play into his hands. Feels like a bit of a cert. James Fanshawe had a desperate year with his 2yos last year. They might be well handicapped this year and there are possible green shoots with his string – Incendo looks on a good mark for the 6:35 at Nottingham and this looks like a nice placement.