Thursday's Meetings Ffos Las Flat 7 Races 1:00-4:10p.m. Chelmsford A/W 7 Races 1:45-5:05p.m. Carlisle Flat 7 Races 2:10-5:32p.m. Tipperary(E) Flat 8 Races 4:15-8:00p.m. Sedgefield(E) N/HRaces 4:45-7:50p.m. Lingfield(E) Flat 6 Races 5:10-7:40p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Where is Barney to give us the interesting insight into the Blake barns most recent recruit. CLEARANCE 7/1 Ffos Las 4:10 only ran for his last yard (Iain Jardine) 12 days ago. Its unlikely that the new connections will have had enough time to put their stamp on him but the old adage is that a change is as good as a rest. The really interesting factor is that Blake has secured the services off amateur jockey royalty Serena Brotherton and that is worth seven pounds in these events on its own. It will be interesting to see how it goes and regular readers will surely look on with bated breath.
A simple rule for amateur female jockeys races these days is, if Fern isn't riding, then move on to the next race.
Sedgefield 5.50 Snowed In Course form reads 32323P3231. Has won of 1lb higher in the past. Was unsuited by not being able to dominate (according to connections) at Cartmel last time out. Was in good form before that race. Today back on his favourite track in a race lacking depth I wouldn't be surprised if Snowed In runs well for each way purposes. Sean Quinlan always dangerous to dismiss at Sedgefield.
Snowed In is a non runner. Red Ochre in this race is another one who has often run well at Sedgefield in the past (without winning) and is on a career-low mark now. First run after a wind surgery today and Danny McMenamin an eyecatching jockey booking
First run after a wind op. can always be a bit 'dodgy' for a punt. Sometimes takes a race or two after this surgery. However, it certainly can go the other way. As an example, Tom George's good chaser, Writteninthesand, had had a wind op. not long before winning the top race at Market Rasen recently, (around 14th August, I believe), rider Jonathan Burke bringing his mount home with a well-timed run from the last fence, after the eventual second, More Buck's, had jumped like a stag all the way and had looked a certain winner. So, just a thought. I am going to keep an eye on Red Ochre myself.
Have been in God's own county, Devon, for the past week and a half, only getting back this afternoon. Otherwise would have loved to have given my opinions on a couple of runners at Ffos Las today. I've spoken about Clearance (and Relative who ran earlier on the card) in the past but was slightly put off both, somewhat, by there this morn, being a warm, and seemingly very difficult to beat, favourite opposing both. Haven't seen either race (just the reports) but it would appear that Clearance ran a race full of promise in just going down by less than a length. Certainly gives the Blake's something to work with. Although, personally, I suspect that Clearance may be better handicapped over hurdles (112) than on the level (78 today). Relative, in comparison, was absolutely woeful earlier in the day and went backwards rather than forwards following her debut earlier in the month. By the way to touch on the above mentioned Fergal O'Brien and amateur races. Did the Board boy (or anyone else for that matter) notice that last week Fergal O'Brien claimed a 3YO gelding - Dream Chaser. Initially I thought for juvenile hurdles but I note he has declared, the newly acquired, Dream Chaser in an amateurs heat, at Redcar (4.40), on Saturday. Fern O'Brien rides as well.
Surprised to see Pretty Gorgeous as 6/4 Fav this evening. It seemed pretty clear she hasn't trained on this year and although dropping in grade today I have noticed that she just hasn't been finishing off her races this season. Same story tonight as she dropped out of it 3F from home and finished in 8th place. She is rated 109 but that is nonsense and she finished behind fillies rated 91 and 90 this evening. I suspect she needs to go down to 104 now and on tonight's showing I would be dubious if she could win at Listed level.
