Having rung around this morning I’m not recommending Scrapper Smith now. I think he’ll run well enough, but Pete likes his a lot, and I very much doubt we’re the better horse at the moment. South Central is supposed to be something pretty special against Skid. I prefer Kensington Oval to Dr Faustus in the 4:55. I see my blog …
Skid and Scrapper
Having watched the first day on the telly I decided to get out of the house and go down to Ascot today. I got into my posh gear and headed down fairly late – I missed the first race but I had a decent bet on the winner before I left. I had Aqlaam down as one to follow throughout …
Bullydoyle
A good day’s racing today, but one that has left me more concerned than ever before about the state of the game at the top level. It seems to be standard these days for Ballydoyle to have multiple entries in every group one to be run in the UK, and this is a situation that needs to be monitored carefully. …
Tariq or not Tariq
… that is the question, and in my opinion the answer is a big yes. Tariq runs in the Queen Anne, and gets the nap vote for the first day. He’s in great form and he won at this meeting last year. He’s progressive, he’ll be happy on the ground and the stable may finally have hit true form. The …
Risk strategy
It’s been a busy week and I’m glad it’s over. It was my father-in-law’s funeral yesterday and we had all the guests back to the farm – it was a pleasant do in sad circumstances with a fair bit of work getting ready for it. It was also Betfair’s strategy week and I attended as much of that as I …
Ascot hopes
Unfortunately Winker now passes Royal Ascot – the next opportunity may be the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly next month. He worked on Wednesday with Al Qasi – he tired at the end of the gallop and blew the house down afterwards. It’s frustrating as he’s not far off full fitness, but he wasn’t quite going to get there in time. I …
A worthy winner
Derby day finally came, although the rain I’d been hoping for didn’t. It was a blow – I’d only kept Bouguereau in the race in the hope that the ground would come up on the soft side, but that wasn’t going to happen. Still a great day out beckoned. I got dressed in my fancy togs and headed off to …
The big one
Only a day away from a runner in the Derby, and although he’s a rank outsider I’m still pretty excited. The rain didn’t come for me, but there’s still a fair bit forecast and it might be enough to turn the ground at the last minute. Fingers crossed for a big run. Thoughts on the big race then; I can’t have New …
Scrapper
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 …