Mick Stone is my racing manager, and he’s going to start contributing to my blog. I think this is a good thing – I go through long periods when I can’t find the time to post and Mick will help keep it fresh. He’ll be making stable trips and reporting back, and no doubt he’ll find a lot more to …
My sweet lords
I have a few interesting runners coming up. Shepherd’s Warning runs over a mile tomorrow at Ayr – she is carrying far more weight than she would do in a handicap and will no doubt be a very big price but could run well. Lord Snooty finally comes out on Friday at Newmarket and I’m excited about that – he’s …
A Grand National
Another poor and slightly unsatisfactory day yesterday with Bouguereau not helped by traffic problems. I don’t agree with the Racing Post writer’s opinion that we were beaten “fair and square in third” – I’ve watched the race several times and I’d say the interference almost certainly cost us second place and it’s perfectly possible we could have got up. I’m …
Blame it on the Bougie
Bouguereau runs in the 4.40 at Goodwood, and anything other than a win will be a disappointment. His came fourth last time in the Criterium du Fonds, a listed race at Deaville which is a group race in all but name. The prize money for this race is greater than that for the Flying Childers yesterday which is a group …
Bad day
A frustrating day. A few bad selections and some bad luck as well – two losers in photo finishes, both of which traded long odds on in running and one that had no luck in running. The good news is that I’ve gone through the cards tomorrow and I can’t find a thing I like. I’ve had a big backlog …
Betting update
I advised Angel Rock in the first last night – I’m hearing that he is a decent animal but will probably need the run, explaining the long price. Probably but not definitely – he could still be value for a place. I’m also hearing that there is considerable confidence behind Rochfort, and with Gosden’s 2yos going well this year he may …
Winker waits
Pete called us after Winker‘s work this morning and said he is still running a bit flat and needs more time. We could have run him over the weekend in group company but he’s too good a horse to take liberties with. The Middle Park is only three weeks away and that is his next target – he should be …
Back at my desk
I lasted about two hours at the WSOPE. After a reasonably breezy start I limped along for a while before blowing my stack in two hands in the space of five minutes. We start with £20k of chips. I am down to £18k when I pick up 10-6 suited on the big blind – a raise of £300 is called …
Catch up
I’ve been short on time and have a fair bit of catching up to do. No runners last week but a few this week. I’ve been to Newmarket, and the Comic Strip Heroes have bought another three yearlings (possibly four) in the sales. The main event at the WSOPE starts today, and I’m playing in it. Shepherd’s Warning was targeting …
Baldy rides again
A poor day yesterday, and the end to a bad week of betting. I’m going to take a break from betting fairly soon – it’s too time consuming and too much of a distraction. Baldovina makes her hurdling bow today in a pretty uncompetitive maiden. On the face of it she has a lot going for her – she has …