Wednesday's Meetings Cheltenham N/H 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Beverley Flat 7 Races 2:00-5:30p.m. Newmarket Flat 7 Races 2:10-5:40p.m. Kempton(E) A/W 8 Races 5:50-9:20p.m. Racecards At The Races Racing Post Sporting Life Good Luck
TTF engaged at present MIGHT BITE (IRE) (also engaged Saturday) SPLASH OF GINGE (also engaged Thursday)
HOORAH Just as the year is starting to turn to the flat - Cheltenham makes an appearance to easily wind down the jump lovers for one last proper meeting before the summer at the home of jump racing (ok yes I know they have the hunter chase but still ...)
While I'm at it: 3.35 Cheltenham Wishfull Thinking. Good ground, fresh, will make mincemeat of this lot
Not much joy on Day 1 of the Craven meeting. Have the search party found First Victory yet? Why did they change the tactics and not let her bowl along? Given that Nathra was slammed by the Guineas’ favourite over the Classic course and distance last fall, no surprise that the bookies shortened both in the market. With dismal underfoot conditions almost guaranteed at Newbury, this year’s Guineas trials could leave more questions than answers. Wednesday’s Newmarket card presents no strong betting candidates with a couple of odds-on shots, a less than fascinating Free Handicap and the ground currently described as soft. Ordinarily, I might have been interested in the Earl of Sefton as the betting is fairly open but it looks like a watching brief, hoping that the track dries out a bit for Thursday. Hopefully we are not set for another summer of miserable weather or they will forget who I am in the bookies!
While You Wait 25/1 4.10 Chelt He might be worth a go on his third start for his current yard. He broke a blood vessel last time out so is not without risk. However he gave his running late on on debut for this yard over two miles on soft ground. He ran to finish third that day. The horse that finished second that day has gone on to win twice since. He is stepped up to three miles which could bring an improvement out of him.
This really is my favourite couple of days racing of the year. Do I go down the road to Newmarket, or do I head to my spiritual home. No contest, I've got the rest of the summer to enjoy Newmarket. Cheltenham is like an illicit affair, you know you should walk away but you just keep going back for more. Even better vautour is picking up the tab, so have fun, I will. Wishful thinking will probably be retired after this, he's been a great servant and deserves to finish on a high.
Any Currency 2.25 8s According To Trev 4.10 25s Thane of Cawdor 5.50 11s Noble Deed 8.50 12s Daqeeq 5.05 6s 6s
A dry start in Newmarket and I understand the course has seen no rain since 6pm last night, so with the sunny skies overhead it is drying out all the time. Today's Blueblood of the Day goes to AMAZING RED, a Teofilo half-brother to Red Cadeaux, who will make his debut in the 3yo Maiden at HQ this afternoon (5.05pm). The same race will also see the reappearance of SATISH, a Dansili half-brother to SARISKA, who finished 4th on his only start last year.
Cor bally blinkin' blimey is there any chance of that quote of 11/2 materialising again?!? No bet for me, although I hope Might Bite obliges before going on to take top honours (a year later than planned) over the big 'uns in 2016/17, as I maintain that anyone wagering at either Cheltenham or Newmarket today is merely Guessing with a capital 'G'. One thing re Cheltenham today though what does the Stick boy think of our mutual pal, Vosnee Romanee, reappearing in the 'lucky last' after almost a year on the sidelines?!? Good luck, troops.
Not quite sure what you mean here. Are Punchestown, Ayr, and Sandown not proper meetings? They are in my book.
In the first Mulk is an interesting animal and bred on the same lines as the Oaks winner Talent: both being by New Approach. Mulk is out of the really good filly Nannina (Coronation Stakes and Fillies Mile winner) who is a great, great grandaughter of the Ribot mare Ripeck. Talent is the great grandaughter of Ripeck's Oaks winning daughter Bireme. Mulk has been showing up well on the gallops and as Hanagan has passed up the mount he might be worth taking a look at. Dane O'Neil takes the ride.
