Sunday's Meetings Hereford N/H 8 Races 1:40-5:10p.m. Fontwell N/H 7 Races 1:50-4:50p.m. Naas N/H 8 Races 2:00-5:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Going to chance this double tomorrow. Street Value 3/1 - Nass 2.30. Mount South 5/4 - Fontwell 4.50 Street Value is in a good looking contest but he's improving and the ground seems a big factor in his running well. Mount South was sold after an encouraging 3rd on debut. Makes his stable debut and with Harry Skelton booked to ride I am hopeful he can improve upon his opening run. Double pays 9/1.
I'll be heading down to the "17th of June Street" here in Berlin at around the time of the first race at Hereford for a rally organised by Amnesty International calling for the protection of civilians in Ukraine. This street was named after the uprising which took place there in 1953. Construction workers in the newly formed East Germany protested against Soviet enforced work quotas and were brutally crushed by Russian tanks. The result was widespread arrests and over a hundred people killed. This echoes through history to present-day Kiev where once again Russian brutality is being used to repress. Ironically, the last time I went to a mass rally in this street, it was in 2008 when Barack Obama, in a pre-election speech, proclaimed "yes we can". I've been truly inspired by President Zelensky in the face of this onslaught and just want to show my support in this small way.
Afternoon all, don’t normally back many Irish runners but thought I’d have a lazy treble on W Mullins at just over 18/1 and a single on an outsider for a new stable. 3.00 Nass Ha Dor 7/2 4.00 Nass Micro Manage 5/4 4.30 Nass Bring On The Night 10/11 5.00 Nass Prengarde 18/1, has won 5 times over in France and runs here for a new stable. Can that form continue? Also backed Sticks selection at 10/1 last night, Sea Village. Good luck all
Tricky cards today but a couple I like: 14:20 Fontwell - Concrete King (Morozov gelding won P2P's in Ireland over 3-miles a number of times. Improving all the time under Rules. Has a good chance to open his account today. Distance & ground should suit. Brendan Powell on board for the Neil Mullholland yard. 7/2 best price generally-available at time of writing) 14:50 Fontwell - Darver Star (Well-bred gelding for NH racing. Can put in a good run in this Grade-2 "National Spirit" Hurdle. Winner of six Hurdle races and a Chase in Ireland, so is no slouch to the winners' enclosure. Ran at Lingfield 35-days ago at distance similar to today's but on heavy going. Keith Donaghue takes the ride for Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell's yard. 4/1 is the best price available at time of writing, and is the price on every Oddschecker slot!) Have a good Sunday everyone!
Four of those five races were Cross Country, he comes here to "stretch his legs" and prepare for Cheltenham. I don't think he'll be pushed too hard today over a trip very short for him, although he won in France over hurdles 2m 1f in 2020.
Do the stewards bother much with schooling in public in England or is it just the same attitude as Ireland have here? Allmankind for the Skelton's was a horse who had zero interest in the race and was all about getting that fitness work into him in an actual race. Wonder will he go back over fences or are they plotting up a big hurdle pay day for him...
Bad day, shouldn't work on Sunday! Concrete King ran a fair sort of race but well-beaten by winner, and Darver Star ran an absolute stinker! (Hmm, George Moore and sons were heavily-criticised on here yesterday, they're not that bad at all, and just love the Fontwell track). Joshua is a very brave lad too after suffering that awful back injury in a fall, and back in the saddle in double-quick time. )
