September Review - In Profit Again

It feels a little ‘after the Lord Mayors show’ following such a cracking August but GGG’s finishes September +1.22 profit to level stakes. That’s eight winning months out of nine in 2011.

Arc Declarations

The big race in France on Sunday draws ever closer and as of this morning nineteen charges remain engaged in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Market principals Sarafina, So You Think, Workforce and Galikova all stand their ground, Ed Dunlop's filly Snow Fairy and Godolphin's Casamento are also still in the race as well as St Nicholas Abbey.
Sarafina currently heads the betting at 7-2, So You Think 9-2 and Workforce is available at 6-1 best.

Cambridgeshire Day

Late update today as I am suffering from a terrible hangover and having watched the rugby at silly o'clock I fell back asleep!
Cambridgeshire day at Newmarket but as with most years I will be leaving the big handicap alone as I can make a case for eleven of the 35 runners.
I will be investing in a couple of two-year-olds in the shape of Farhaan in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes at 2.05 and Best Terms in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at 2.35.
The Group One Sun Chariot Stakes is a classy little affair and I fancy that John Oxx might have the winner with the improving Alanza.
Be lucky

A Little Poetry At My Place Later

Another day of top class stuff at Newmarket today and I will be having a little flutter.
We have two decent two-year-old filly heats at 1.15 and 3.00 but I will not be getting involved as I feel they are both better watched for future pointers rather than taking a risk on one this afternoon.
I tipped Poets Voice on his seasonal bow over in Dubai back in March when he finished second beaten a neck and then left the colt alone when favourite in favour of backing Dubai Gold who duly beat him in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood. Although far from his best there if at his peak today he should be too good for his opponents in the Group Two Nayef Joel Stakes at 2.25 and is worth a little investment at 4-1.
In the 4.10 Ted Spread and Dangerous Midge are now non-runners leaving the race at the mercy of Myplacelater to my eyes. The Elsworth trained filly has been running well in Group Company and a drop to listed class, and with William Buick back in the saddle she is fancied this afternoon at a best-priced 9-4
Be lucky

Newmarket Two

Some nice fair over at Newmarket this afternoon and I will be getting stuck in to a couple.
The Group Three Somerville Tattersall Stakes at 3.55 is an interesting race with with the Roger Varian trained Farraaj looking like the one to be on. The colt appears to be going from strength to strength and ran a good race here last week when defeating Tell Dad the form has been franked since by the runner-up winning on Saturday just gone.
Straight after at 4.30 Times Up has a chance in the Listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl. Having run with distinction in Group company on his last two outings the gelding will appreciate the slight drop in class, the penalty will not be much of a hindrance, and the distance should suit.
Be lucky

Good'un At Goodwood

The John Dunlop trained Tameen won like a very good horse over course and distance earlier this month and despite a 6lb penalty for that win looks like the one to be on in the 4.55 at Goodwood this afternoon. The going will suit, O’Shea is on board again, Dunlop has a respectable strike rate on the Sussex Downs and the stable has been in the winners this month; I will be having a bit of the 2-1.

be lucky

McCain and Jarvis Pass Away

What a sad week it has been with the untimely passing of two of racings best known trainers Michael Jarvis and Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain.
Jarvis, who this season had passed his training operation into the hands of his assistant Roger Varian will best be remembered for his association with Arc winner Carroll House and multi Group One winner Rakti. McCain of course will forever be associated with the great Red Rum, who famously was stabled behind a second-hand car showroom in Southport, and The Grand National in which Red Rum was triumphant in on three occasions. He also trained Amberleigh House to win the race in 2004.
McCain was a man that spoke his mind and was never afraid to ruffle a few feathers, once referring to female jockey Carrie Ford as ‘a broodmare’, whilst Jarvis has already been described by many as a ‘true gentleman’.
Very different in their style both were great trainers and will be sorely missed.

Green Blue Art

Top class stuff across the British Isles today and I will be getting involved with a few.
Over at Newbury we have the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial at 2.00. Green Destiny should enjoy the likely going and has shaped as though this trip will suit in previous outings. If Dangerous Midge returns to last seasons form after a lay off he will obviously be dangerous but a chance is taken with the Haggas trained gelding at 5-2.
The Dubai International World Trophy, Group Three, is a nice little sprint and I think even though Deacon Blues is unproven over a trip this short his form is superior to that of his rivals and he can take this before probably having a crack at Champions Day at Ascot next month; I have taken the 2-1.
It's Gold Cup day up at Ayr but I will be leaving the big Handicap well alone as I can make a case for nearly half the runners! Instead I will be concentrating on the Group Three Firth Of Clyde Stakes at 2.45. Miss Work Of Art looked to be back to form last time when second at York on good-soft going last time and she is fancied to take this and I have had a bit of the 100-30 early.
Be lucky

Worth The Wait?

Dubai Prince was one of my ‘Dirty Dozen’ at the start of the season and the colt returns to the track fully one year and a day since his last run; it's been a long wait. Impressive in his two starts as a two-year-old the Shamardal colt had a setback in the Spring but if anywhere near fit he will be far too good for the opposition in the Dubai Duty Free Conditions Stakes, 3.10 today at Newbury.
Be lucky

Classic Saturday – Leger, Leger

I am actually at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials this weekend but will of course have one eye on the racing whilst watching the Cross Country and Show Jumping.
We have the St Leger at Doncaster and the Irish version over at the Curragh. I have already tipped and backed Census at 6-1 for the Doncaster race, off at 3.10, and will be sticking with the Richard Hannon trained three-year-old. Forty minutes later over in the Emerald Isle it is hard to get away from Fame And Glory who will no doubt go off odds-on but looks unbeatable on paper.
Be lucky

St Leger Meeting - Day Two

It’s Friday! Some good racing again today at Doncaster with several horses in with chances, I am avoiding a number of the races as I could make a case for three of four in most but I do fancy one in the 2.25. In the Group Two Doncaster Cup Opinion Poll holds several of his rivals on the form of his Goodwood and York victories and is likely to go very well in his hat-trick bid this afternoon.
I have taken a bit of the 2-1 this morning and hopefully he will have us dancing the night away at the cost of the Bookmakers.
Be lucky

St. Leger Meeting – Day One

There is some incredibly competitive stuff up at Doncaster today to get the big meeting underway.
I like the look of one in the Group Two DFS Park Hill Stakes at 3.00. Owned by the Queen, gawd bless her, Set To Music won three times over one mile two furlongs before the filly went in again when upped to one mile four furlongs in Listed company for the Galtres Stakes at York. The extra two furlongs today and step up in class shouldn’t hinder her and she looks likely to complete a five-timer.
Be lucky

Zero Tweed

Good start to the month yesterday and I have a couple of fancies today.
The front running Harris Tweed has been back by me before this season, didn't stay two-miles last time, but is fancied to get the job done today in the 2.15 at Kempton back at a mile and a half.
Up at Haydock in the 3.00 I like the look of Zero Money. Dropping down to the minimum for the first time I think the colt has plenty of speed and will be very hard to beat this afternoon.
Be lucky

Golden Waters At The Seaside

Seb Sanders goes to Brighton for just the one ride today, Golden Waters. The filly won here over course and distance in June and has generally run respectively all season, if you ignore her latest outing here in August. She is available at 3-1 this morning and it is unlikely Sanders has travelled all the way to Brighton just for a bit of sea air.
Be lucky

August Review - Cash! Dough! Wonga! Dosh! Lolly!

An absolutely cracking month with 11 winners from 24 runners and GGG’s finishing a big fat almost obese +18.05 profit to level stakes; the biggest profit this year.
That’s seven winning months out of eight in 2011; here's hoping for more 'Bookie Bashing' winners in September.

Maybe Five Out Of Five

Happy to report the Maybe made it five wins out of five yesterday at the Curragh winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes with some ease. The filly is now as short as 3-1 for next years 1000 Guineas, I advised her back in June and I am happily sitting on an ante-post voucher at 8-1.

Celebration Mile

I got it totally wrong yesterday but stay well in front for the month and hopefully can add a few bob more to the pile this afternoon.
The race of the day is the Group Two Celebration Mile at Goodwood and I am going to take on short priced favourite Poets Voice with Dubawi Gold. The Hannon trained colt was badly hampered when making his run last time but has solid form earlier this year and for me there has to be doubts about the Godolphin horse. If Poets Voice settles he might just stroll this but at 7-4 it's a big if, and my cash is with the three-year-old.
Earlier on the card at 2.15 Drunken Sailor is lining up in the Listed Windflower March Stakes. Reportedly has the Melbourne Cup as his big target later this year and I am convinced the gelding can take this little race for a second season before popping off down under.
Be lucky

Fly Me To The Moon

A day to have the notebook at hand over at Newmarket this afternoon with four two-year-old races and a number of untried three-year-olds lining up in the later races.
Moon Trip is out again quickly having won nicely at Leicester on Tuesday when tried at a mile for the first time and despite the 6lb penalty the Johnston two-year-old looks likely to go in again today.
Hopefully I shall be crooning the old tune 'Fly me to the moon........' later.
Be lucky

A Little Aperitif

Another good day yesterday with George Baker (horse, trainer, owner, jockey take your pick) doing the business.
Unusually for me I am having a little flutter on a summer jumps race today in the 4.40 at Worcester. Aperitif is not one to get too carried away with but the ten-year-old won well enough over course and distance eight days ago and is a whopping 10lb well in on the weights. Tom Scudamore gets the leg up from his brother Michael and I have taken a bit of the 11-4 this morning.
Be lucky

Triple Baked

The George Baker trained George Baker ridden this afternoon by George Baker - seriously I haven’t been at the sherry already - looks to have a good chance in the 4.30 at Leicester this afternoon. The gelding has been in good form recently wining three of his last four starts and at around 7-2 this morning is my pick of the day. Be lucky