The Thursday Titter

Paddy and his two friends are talking at work. His first friend says: "I think my wife is having an affair with the electrician. The other day I came home and found wire cutters under our bed and they weren't mine."
His second friend says: "I think my wife is having an affair with the plumber the other day I found a wrench under the bed and it wasn't mine."
Paddy says: "I think my wife is having an affair with a horse."
Both his friends look at him with utter disbelief.
"No I'm serious. The other day I came home and found a jockey under our bed."
As you may of gathered from the little joke above it is a fairly quiet day on the racing front with nothing much to get the teeth into but punters have been busy looking at the markets for both the Cambridgeshire on Saturday October 2nd and the Cesarewitch on Champions Day, October 16th, both of course at Newmarket.
Elsewhere Prince Khalid Abdullah has things to consider with the Sir Michael Stoute trained Workforce having a reported workout but as yet no decision having been made on where next for the Derby winner. Henry Cecil's exciting unbeaten juvenile Frankel, under the ownership of the Prince also, appears to have his immediate future more set out with the Juddmonte Royal Lodge and then the Racing Post Trophy being the most likely end to the colts two-year-old campaign.

Wednesday News Round-Up

Pentinent kept on gamely in the Fortune Stakes, Listed, at Sandown this afternoon in the manor of a game horse to add to his Lincoln win back in March. He looks one to follow as the ground softens in the autumn at around a mile.
Betting on the Cesarewitch was thrown into confusion with the withdrawal of ante-post favourite Motrice today, Admiral Barry is now the jolly priced at anything between 8-1 (Ladbrokes) and 12-1 (Paddy Power) at the time of writing.
Looking forward to the Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday, where it is reported that the ground is softening a little, Ted Durcan takes the ride on Hawkeyethenoo for Jim Goldie and connections of Genki are hoping for a good showing on what is a weight effectively 8lb lower than the colt will be running off on the future.
It is also reported that Ed Dunlop is keeping the options open for the nice two-year-old Native Khan. Winner of the Solario Stakes at Sandown his next race could be one of the Royal Lodge, the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere or the Dewhurst according to reports. Apparently the trainer would not consider running the colt should it come up soft.

Weekend Catch Up, Blenheim and Polocrosse

Not a bad day Friday with a couple of winners in Zebedee and White Moonstone with Jedi getting ever closer finishing this time in second place – still convinced he will pick up a handicap at some point this season. Unfortunately I got the two St. Legers wrong with Rewilding and Kite Wood finishing down the field at Doncaster and the Curragh respectively.
As I mentioned on Friday I have spent the weekend in Woodstock, Oxforshire at the Blenheim Horse Trials and was treated to some top class Cross Country and Show Jumping, the overall winner being William Fox-Pitt on Parklane Hawk . Whilst I was there I was introduced to Polocrosse, a wonderful sport with some breathtaking riding skills on show. Deatils can be found on the United Kingdom Polocrosse Association website - it is well worth a watch should you ever get the chance to catch a chukka or two.

Leger Festival - Day Three & Four/Blenheim Horse Trials

Another in and out day at Doncaster but I broke level with Wootton Bassett winning at 2-1. The bay had to battle to continue his unbeaten run having briefly been headed inside the final furlong; he is looking like a very good horse.
Audacious so nearly stole the each way money taking it up two out, but a bold bid ended in defeat as the colt ran out of steam and finished just out of the money in fourth. Dyna Waltz appeared to be going well for a long way but weakened quickly two furlongs out and ultimately finished last.
And so to Friday and a bit of a dilemma. I have tipped Meow, Zebedee and Dinkum Diamond on this site this season and all three line up in the Flying Childers Stakes, Group Two, 1.35. My preference is for Zebedee as the colt is in fine form and has won on good-soft, a small saver will be invested on Meow as the weight allowance for fillys could prove significant. Dinkum Diamond has been tried at the top level and the slight drop in class could see the Diamond shine and Iwouldn't put anyone off backing him each way.
One of my favourite handicapers Jedi takes his place in the 2.05. The Stoute trained gelding has been running well this year and I tipped him at Chester last time out where he finished third. He will win a handicap like this at some stage this year and I am sticking with him today.
White Moonstone puts her unbeaten run on the line in the May Hill Stakes, 3.15. She will be a short price but I strongly believe Godolphin have themselves a nice little filly on their hands.
As for the rest of the weekend the money is already down for Rewilding in the St. Leger on Saturday and I will probably give Kite Wood one last chance in the Irish St. Leger over in the Emerald Isle.
I am at the Blenheim Horse Trials over the weekend enjoying the Show Jumping, Cross Country and hospitality of several of the local watering holes in Woodstock - I am always impressed with the skills of the riders and the bravery and trust displayed by the horses as they tackle the varied challenges of the Cross Country course. As someone once said to me as a younger (and much lighter) lad learning to ride up at Havering-Atte-Bower stables - 'Riding is the art of keeping a horse between you and the ground.'
Be lucky

Leger Festival - Day Two

Mediocre start to the Leger meeting yesterday. Having ploughed a lone furrow on the stands side for the first three furlongs Dubawi Gold stayed on at the same pace inside final furlong and was beat about a length and a half. To my eye it looks as if a little further might be the answer. Enabling duly obliged at odds-on over at Epsom taking it up at the three furlong marker and kicking clear at the two pole to win by a comfortable three and a quarter lengths. Odds-on shots aren’t going to make you a rich man though so here’s hoping I can find a better priced beast this afternoon.
At Doncaster today Audacious has an each way chance in the first race running for the Queen. The Motivator colt showed some promise on his debut though he did run green for most of the race and the slightly longer trip might help.
Unbeaten Wootton Bassett lines up in the 3.10 and should be able to continue his unbeaten run. He will be a short enough price for a sprint but had three of these behind at York and is the one they have to beat.
I spoke of my admiration for Dyna Waltz back in May following the Lingfield Oaks Trials and of my disappointment at her injury. I have been waiting for her return since so she must be the bet in the 3.45. Hopefully the Gosden trained filly will get the extra distance and she is still open to improvement if all is well following her four months on the sidelines.
Be lucky

Leger Festival - Day One

Bit of a damp and dreary day for the start of the Leger Festival, hopefully I can find a winner or two and lift the mood.
I tipped Dubawi Gold in the Woodcote Stakes on Derby day where he finished a credible second. He has looked a little out of his depth the last twice in Group Two company, visibly eased by Fallon when his chance had gone over one furling out at York in August. The drop in class for the Conditions Stakes at Doncaster in the 2.35 could see the Dubawi colt back to winning ways today.
Over at Epsom Ryan Moore has a couple of rides and I like the look of Enabling in the 2.45. The High Chaparral colt has posted three promising efforts so far, improving each time, and he should be able to register his first win today.
Be lucky

Weekend Of Near Misses

Close but no cigar at the weekend. So very nearly got the O’Brien treble home Lillie Langtry having got it off to a nice start and even though Cape Blanco beat Rip van Winkle it would have still counted but Starspangledbanner let me down; I can’t really complain about that horse as it owes me nothing.
Elsewhere I had a bit of seconditus with Secrecy and Measuring Time both finding one too good for them in their respective races.
Bit of a slow start to the week building to the big meetings at Doncaster and the Curragh at the weekend where it looks as though there should be a couple of decent bets to be had.

Secretly Waiting On Time

I talked of the O'Brien treble on Thursday and the bet is on, Lillie Langtry, Starspangledbanner and Rip Van Winkle. I have had the small saver on Music Show.
I have also had a little double of Secrecy in the 2.00 at Haydock, I am not convinced Awzaan is the same horse we saw last year and the Godolphin beast looks to be improving, and Measuring Time in the 4.45 at the same track. The Hannon two-year-old went close in a Group Three last time and should be capable of winning this Listed contest.
Be lucky

Fearless At Lingfield

Bit of a late note today. I have been looking and looking and I can't get away from Fear Nothing in the 2.50 Lingfield. The chestnut gelding has proved expensive to follow and got turned over at odds-on last time but surely he has nothing to fear today.
Be lucky

O'Brien Saturday Group One Treble

I don't usually get involved with bookmaker 'specials' but I have taken a bit of the 14-1 treble Stan James are offering that Aidan O'Brien makes a clean sweep of all three of Saturday's Group One races.
The trainer has 7-4 shot Starspangledbanner in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock and odds-on jolly Rip Van Winkle as well as Cape Blanco and Beethoven in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. The bet kicks off with the weakest link of the the three at 2.40 with Lillie Langtry taking on Music Show in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. I personally believe the two are very closely matched and a little saver on Music Show, who I have been following all season, shall be invested just in case.
Here's hoping Irish eyes are smiling come Saturday evening.
Be lucky

Sprinting, Dieting And A Bit Of An Improver!

Scanning the news today a couple of stories caught the eye.
First of all Golden Jubilee Stakes and July Cup winner Starspangledbanner is expected to line up at Haydock on Saturday for the Betfred Sprint Cup, a final decision on his participation will be made early today (Thursday).
It has been announced that the BHA are looking to implement a rule change limiting overweight to 3lb – that’s my chance of a spare ride ruined then!
The new rule will apply to Flat and Jump racing, and to professional and amateur jockeys alike and will finally bring Britain into line with most of the major racing nations across the globe. Under the new rules a jockey who is more than 3lb overweight at the time of weighing out will be replaced by a rider of similar status. A final decision on when to implement the ruling is expected later this month, with October 1st 2010 looking to be the most likely starting date. Best I get down the sauna.
I also noted that the massive gamble on Am I Blue winner of the Wyvern Ices Handicap Hurdle on Wednesday at Hereford is to be investigated. The beast was backed from 25-1 down to 5-1 during the day and duly romped home by nineteen lengths! It does appear to be quite an improvement in form with the filly having never won in sixteen previous starts and having finished last of twelve beat eighty-eight lengths last time out – the step up to two and a half miles certainly seems to have done the trick.

Mutayaser Money

The money has come for Mutayaser in the 2.10 at Leicester today.
The Stoute trained colt has a middle distance pedigree, by Shamardal (Prix du Jockey Club and St James’s Palace Stakes winner) out of Borgia (ran credibly in the Arc twice as well as the Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Turf) and it could pay to take the hint and back him to make a winning debut - get on quick as the price is going down faster than a Romford birds G-string on a Friday night ;o)
Be lucky

Time For Bed

Regressing back to childhood today and the old Magic Roundabout (what the feck was that all about?) and backing Zebedee in the 3.55 at Newmarket.
Over at Goodwood the much talked about Date With Destiny lines up in the 3.40 and the filly is fancied to take this on the way to bigger things.
Be lucky

Taking A Dip At Bath

It will be very difficult to find winners at Newmarket today with so many unexposed two and three-year-olds and the racing there is best watched rather than punted on.
Over at Bath I like the look of Minikin. The Montjeu filly won well at Folkstone and with further improvement to be expected she is fancied to win the Rajpoot.com Handicap at 5.45 despite having to shoulder a penalty.
Be lucky

Wash-out, Non-runner, King and VIP's Only

Bit of a wash-out today, literally down at Goodwood where by all accounts the jockeys would need a rubber ring and the meeting is cancelled.
I was thinking of having a little investment on Daniel Thomas at Lingfield but the gelding has been declared a non-runner.
Elsewhere Richard Hannon appears to be plotting a trip to France for King Torus, 20-1 for next years 2,000 Guineas, with the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc Lagadere at Longchamp on Arc weekend likely to be the colts target rather than the Racing Post Trophy and the Dewhurst Stakes.
Victor Chandler is shutting their Gibraltar based telephone betting service. The company are now taking ninety-seven per cent of all bets via online or mobile services according to reports and only VIP punters will be able to place bets by phone – I shall have to ask if my regular Saturday 25p Yankee makes me eligible for the ‘Elite’ service?

St. Leger Entries

Sixteen horses remain in the St Leger field at the latest forfeit stage with current 7-4 favourite Rewilding standing his ground. Dual Oaks heroine Snow Fairy is second favourite with Midas Touch, Artic Cosmos and Dandino next in the betting. Cape Blanco is also listed but O’Brien has stated that no decisions have been made yet and the stable are looking at the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes as a possible alternative for the Irish Derby winner.

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

I had a slightly disappointing York with Sariska refusing to race and Starspangledbanner finishing second sandwiched between two 100-1 shots in the craziest Nunthorpe result for years. There has apparently been only two 100-1 winners of Group One races in Britain the other being a horse called Hittite Glory who won the Flying Childers in 1975. When your luck is out your luck is out!
So I am looking to get back to winning ways today at the Variety Club Day at Sandown.
In the first Long Lashes lines up for Godolphin. I backed the filly at Goodwood and she looked as though she needed the run. the filly had looked a good prospect last year and with cheek pieces for the first time on today I shall be giving her another chance in the Listed event. Seta is the big danger.
Native Khan can put himself into contention for next years Derby by taking the Group Three Solario Stakes at 2.35. The grey won his debut nicely at Newmarket and may well mature into a very nice horse.
Up at Chester one of my favourite handicapers Jedi takes his place in the 2.50. The Stoute trained gelding has been running well this year, the soft going will suit and as is all important with a track like Chester he has course form having won here back in May.
Be lucky

Ebor Festival - Day Four

I was unable to write this morning but no-one who reads this site would have had to ask which horse I was backing in the big sprint, and I can confirm tonight that I am starspangledstunned by the result at York.
Sole Power recorded the biggest upset of the Flat season by a country mile with an amazing win in the Nunthorpe at 100-1. I had of course backed Starspangledbanner and for a while it looked as though he might reel in the Edward Lynam trained colt but it was not to be. Another 100-1 shot, Piccadilly Filly, finished third.
Some days the formbook doesn't just get torn up it is torn into a million pieces, set on fire and the ashes scattered to the four corners of the world.

Ebor Festival - Day Three

I am at the Oval hopefully watching Anderson, Broad and Co. giving the Pakistan team another lesson in swing bowling; the teams batting on the first day having resembled the Recorder Select XI when we played Old Parkonians XI last year and lost by 76 runs.
Beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks at odds-on last year I expect Sariska to make amends for that today. It should be a cracker of a race with Midday an obvious danger but the Breeders’ Cup Fillys & Mares winner hasn’t been able to get the better of Sariska in three attempts. Dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy represents the Classic generation and is also a big threat. This should prove to be one of the highlights of the week if not the season. The dvd recorder is set.
The Lowther Stakes sees some nice two-year-olds lining up. Maqaasid ran a big race at the Royal meeting when winning the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes (beating my tip Meow) and is expected to take this despite having to give three pound to her rivals.
Yours truly from Silly Mid-Off
Be lucky

Ebor Festival - Day Two

A couple of really difficult handicaps again today at York, including the Ebor of course. I was planning on backing Ask in the Lonsdale Cup but he has been declared a non-runner.
In the 4.05 it is difficult to get away from Face The Problem, though at 6-4 Barry Hills' colt is short enough. He has won his last three starts, including a course and distance success, having finished third on his debut and to my mind is open to further improvement still.
Be lucky