Moving this over from the 'old' site now because by the end of the week we'll (eight of us!) be off to bask in the hot sun, drink loads and eat loads and generally have a good time in a land far away, well four hours on a plane.
A blank day yesterday and only one runner today. This runs in the Irish 1,000 Gns having been 2nd in ours. Up against it today.
Thanks Pedro. She did the job well yesterday and I'm pleased about that. Two from the list today, both at Leicester. There's also one running today from last year's list that did so well and has already won this season. Clon Brulee goes for the Zetland Gold Cup up at Redcar, one of my favourite races as we used to go to this Whit Monday meeting every year way back in the Sixties before we got married.
Playbill ran well to take 3rd, but Secondo last all chance when being slowly away and losing around six lengths, eventually finishing 4th after non-too vigorous ride from jockey. A winner next time, maybe. Last year's list horse I mentioned, Clon Brulee, won the big race up at Redcar at a rewarding 9/2.
Three runners today, including one unraced as a 2-y-o.
No joy with yesterday's three runners, but they all ran well enough to suggest it won't be long before they're winning. The unraced Response ran green but was a good 2nd at 4/1 while the other two showed a lot of promise. Just one today, a winner last time at 10/1 at Doncaster on May 13.
Just got time to get these in for Friday and Saturday. They include a couple of runners in the Oaks (both fancied) and a couple in the Derby (one fancied, one an outsider). See you in two weeks.
FRIDAY
3.30 Catterick - King's Request
5.10 Catterick - Macaabra
4.00 Epsom - Secret Gesture AND Liber Nauticus
SATURDAY
1.35 Epsom - Space Ship, Fehaydi, Makafeh AND King Muro
Back again after great holiday - too hot last week though. Didn't even get to know winner of Derby until the following Wednesday! Looks like another year of moderate 3yos, with Dawn Approach the exception.Maybe Ascot will throw up a good 'un.
Just one runner today. It's from Michael Bell's yard, and he doesn't send many up to Carlisle - only two in the past ten years (one 2nd). His horse wears a hood for the first time today.
Thanks Josh. I'll try to avoid naughty words in future! So near yesterday with Tarikhi, neck 2nd at 33/1 (from 40s), and Space Ship 2nd 16/1 (from 20s).
Another big bunch at Ascot today with no less than SIX in one race with only eight runners. First choice has to be Battle Of Marengo, only horse from O'Brien's stable on the list. One runner also at Goodwood. This one has switched stables only in the past week or two.
Hillstar 15/2 (from 9/1) and Rhombus 7/2 managed to get their heads in front, with "listers" taking the first six places in the 2.30 Ascot.
Back to normal today with just three runners at three different meetings. There's also an interesting 2-y-o race at Newmarket (2.15) which should throw up some potentially useful 3-y-os for next season. Of particular interest to me are Ed Dunlop's Kinema (40/1), Hannon's Showpiece (9/4) and Saeed bin Suroor's Sudden Wonder (25/1).
They were trying on Saturday with Abated winning at 5/4, Veeraya beaten a nose at 6/1 and Response 3rd at 13/8. There was just one runner yesterday, Dare To Achieve won at 1/4. Great price, eh.
