One bet for me today: Royal Reviere at Bangor in the Juvenile hurdle 11/1 this morning now 11/2 should go close for Curtis and AP! My best racing moment of 2011 was probably Buena Vista at the festival mainly because I didn't back it and was mocking everyone who had; I'd studied the form for months and that's what I love about the festival any horse that turns up you can make a case for.
Oddy: Very good. You know, the language doesn't lend itself to horserace commentating, often sounds very comical? Think about old Overdose now and again, and what a terrible shame it was when he was fundamentally robbed of that big French sprint on Arc day two or three years ago. A disgrace, really.
Agreed Swanny, they have been very unlucky with him really. He did manage to land a G3 under Frankie Dettori at the back end of November though so he still retains some enthusiasm.
Year Highlights . . . Tuesday At Cheltenham - This was my first day at the Festival as well (I went all 4 in the end too!). It was a long time coming because it typically fell either during school or when I was busy with my own horses. At University it was the final week of term so very easy to get along. I brought some of my mates for their first day racing and it far exceeded their, and even my own, expectations. It was helped along the way by tipping up the first and second in the Supreme in the Paddy Power money back offer against Cue Card, backing Captain Chris for the Arkle at 9/1 with Finian's Rainbow as the danger, Bensalem for the 3m Handicap with Sunnyhillboy (fell) and Caroles Legacy (2nd) next best, then advising Peddlers Cross EW at 7/1 and Hurricane Fly as the danger, Maljimar looking the winner and then stopping in the XC race, Quevega hacking up for a 3rd Mares Hurdle, and Quantitiveeasing EW in the Centenary Novices Handicap. It was as near to a perfect day as it comes and a brilliant first experience of the Festival. I had spent ages analysing the races that day because the grief I would have got if I couldn't find a winner would have been unbearable. In the end it more than paid off and we returned far wealthier than we were when we left. One of our group was determined to prove that betting was all luck and picked horses at random. Needless to say he fared less well than the rest of us. After 5 losing races he changed his tune and ended up lumping on Quevega and Quantitiveeasing EW to actually recoup some of it! One that will live long in the memory. Gold Cup - Funnily enough I think this is the forgotten race of 2011. It might not have been the fairytale result but it was a magnificent race with Kauto and Denman flying down the hill together. It's just a shame that they couldn't come back up it as one, but Long Run was a worthy winner. It was a special race and there appeared unanimous agreement in the Grandstand immediately afterwards. Frankel - He lit up the flat season from beginning to end and was superb all the way. His 2000 Guineas was breathtaking and I count myself privileged to have been there. The changing emotions in the stand were phenomenal. All the way from realisation, through incredulation, panic and finally adulation and astonishment. It really was magnificent and scarcely believable. We will not see another performance like that for a very long time. Champions Day - Tied in with Frankel but I really enjoyed this initiative. It might not find favour with all quarters but I think the day was a great success. I can only hope that it continues to thrive in the coming seasons when it might not have the wondrous Frankel and unseasonal fine weather to rely upon. Betfair Chase - What more can you say, but it was absolutely fantastic to see the King back on top once more. It was a great performance and he really put the young guns to the sword with a display of fluent jumping and travelling. My huge regret for the year is that I decided not to go.
I see that the horse who earlier this year won the same maiden as Frankel did in 2010 (Harvard N Yale) is to be campaigned from here on in with the Kentucky Derby in mind. He’ll run at Wolverhampton on St Stephen’s Day as the first tentative steps to this ultimate prize. ‘The Guardian’ at the weekend made a serious case for him to go close and with Jeremy Noseda behind him and granted decent luck he would not be without a chance. Should he obliged that Newmarket maiden next term will be hyped beyond hyped.
Morning men starboard 10 could not postfor some reason at weekend, but was on 606 refs, nowt for me today but i do like ceeto's double looks money in the bag may have some of that stay frosty
If any of my regular readers are wondering what to buy me for Christmas let me just point out that my old fave, Oldjoesaid, is running in a seller at Kempton Park tomorrow afternoon!
Don’t know Oddy as not due there for another 10-15 minutes! There aren’t even any rumours about what’s on offer either!
I have the choice of: 1) Bean Stew 2) Chicken with Roquefort sauce 3) Something which sounds like a huge Cauliflower Pakora or the salad bar
Afternoon all. Highlights of the year for me were the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Tingle Creek and 1,000 Guineas and going to York with Rainbow View and meeting cats at Ascot.
News Flash: SCOUSERS JOIN FERRARI "The Ferrari F1 team fired their entire pit crew yesterday." This announcement followed Ferrari's decision to take advantage of the British government's 'Work for your Dole' scheme and employ some Liverpudlian youngsters. The decision to hire them was brought about by a recent documentary on how unemployed youths from Toxteth were able to remove a set of wheels in less than 6 seconds without proper equipment, whereas Ferrari's existing crew could only do it in 8 seconds with millions of pounds worth of high tech gear. It was thought to be an excellent, bold move by the Ferrari management team as most races are won and lost in the pits, giving Ferrari an advantage over every other team. However, Ferrari got more than they bargained for! At the crew's first practice session, not only was the scouse pit crew able to change all four wheels in under 6 seconds but, within 12 seconds, they had re-sprayed, re-badged and sold the car to the Mclaren team for 8 cases of Stella, a bag of weed and some photos of Lewis Hamilton's bird in the shower.
Morning chaps... Although its nearly the birthday of little baby jeezus it dosnt feel much like xmas, or his birthday at the moment... Not much cheer coming from the race cards either and its a day to maybe reflect on the year gone... Highlight has to be, and prob becasue its still so fresh in the mind, the King that is Kauto Star... A truly memorable performance, and one in which this punter and others were doubting he had it left in him... Never have the scenes at Haydock been witnessed before. Not with such affection and pure heart felt warmth from the assembled mass of people... Like Zenyatta i didnt go, dont know why as Haydock is only 25 miles down the road from me, and that will be something i wish that i had done before the legend is retired from the racing circuits... Will he be fighting fit for Boxing Day and the King George, of course he will... Can he win it...??? Well i didnt give him a chance at Haydock but i wont be too hasty in writing the legend off this time... Win or lose a truly awesome horse and one that will live on in the memory for a long, long time... The retirement of his biggest adversary, Denman, was also a highlight in a funny way... This Tank of a horse will be also fondly remembered for being involved in some of the best races weve seen for a long time... I hope he enjoys all the freedom of retirement and as many carrots he wants... My other highlight was with Zarkandar in the Triumph Hurdle. It was one i had spotted early in the market and low and behold it came in... Its a pocket talking moment but it was the biggest win i have had from any race before, and likley to have again. I put money down on him for a couple of weeks or so before the race and just kept topping the bet up as the days went by. Zarkandar came in at a very nice 13/2 but i got a bit more than that and it paid for a very good week away with my better half, and some change... And finally, even if your into racing or not, you surely have to be amazed, stunned and watch with disbelief at what Frankel has done. It still boggles the mind at how much speed, strength, grace and sheer class that horse has... Another truly remarkable horse... And just as a side issue Oddy that Chicken and Roquefort dish sounds good... If i have any weakness, and i have a few, then a real stinky, smelly cheese and a good glass of wine is one of em... That is xmas to me in a nutshell... Have a good one...
