Saturday's Meetings Downpatrick N/H 8 Races 1:05-5:10p.m. Sandown Flat 7 Races 1:30-5:00p.m. Chester Flat 8 Races 1:35-5:55p.m. Bath Flat 7 Races 1:45-5:15p.m. York Flat 7 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Hexham(E) N/H 6 Races 4:17-7:00p.m. Uttoxeter(E) N/H 8 Races 5:07-8:45p.m. Leicester(E) Flat 8 Races 5:17-9:00p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Woodhay Wonder did me a favour at Newmarket last time but they have taken her out of the big sprint at York today, perhaps because of the going, so I will be giving the Knavesmire a miss (again) although I think that New Image should go close in the 2:25 having won three of five so far this term. Nothing catches the eye at Sandown as there are a couple of first-time-in-a-handicap horses that I won’t consider and I won’t do David O’Meara’s Nighteyes in the five furlong sprint as it has never run over less than six. So that brings me to Chester and the Roodeye Handicap (3:20). It looks very open but the draw can be used to eliminate a few, such as Expert Choice, drawn 13 and with a lowly Beverley novice his only career win; Lovely Billy Boy, drawn 11 but running off the same mark as when second at HQ two starts back; Princess Alex, drawn 10 but partnered by a 7lb claimer and winner of a modest handicap at Beverley on easy ground two starts back; and Witness Stand, drawn 12 but second over course and distance last time. Sailthisshipalone makes his seasonal bow and his eight draw is not too bad but he might need this against race fit rivals. Blue Prince has a good berth in four but since winning on New Year’s Day on the kitty litter he has not got his head in front in seven starts, four on turf. It is hard to make a case for Secret World or Misemarald on their recent form and I would want to see Pitney show some sort of form as his seasonal return was abysmal. Having won on the kitty litter in April, Purefoy was stone last at HQ last time with Pitney (15th) and Love Billy Boy (2nd) ahead, so he needs to show something before I would consider him. Teraabb was beaten favourite over a mile last time and drops back to seven furlongs here but as a hold-up horse he is unlikely to take advantage of the number one stall and might have to come round or through horses. Brunel Nation ‘won’ two starts ago (although he was awarded the race by the stewards) to set up a hat-trick bid last time at Goodwood. He finished fourth with Blue Prince in third; however, today I am going with the horse that finished fifth, MONFRID. He was unfancied in the betting that day (out to 20/1) but his placing was better than his previous win (under today’s pilot) in a Catterick novice. I think, therefore, that he may improve past both of those two Goodwood rivals on only his fifth start and make the most of today’s draw in two if he can get away near the lead or with it.
In the (15:20) at Chester, a Class-2 Handicap over an extended 7f. on good ground, a chance is taken with the Invincible Army gelding, Love Billy Boy. Negative is a car-park draw. Any rain would certainly help his cause (possibility, as rain showers forecast for the Chester region). Course specialist Franny Norton on board for the Richard Hannon stable. 11/1 top price early-doors, in many places on the ATR site. E/W best option, of course. Enjoy the day, folks, and every success if you have a 'go'!
Novice. Didn't think of that. Timeform should have spotted that though. Not what they used to be in the old days
I wouldn't want anyone to take any notice (sure they wouldn't anyway) but for me Giulietta at 10/11 is a wheelbarrow job in the 19.10 Uttoxeter. Go on, lay it; you know you should
Not saying Faha Belle is a good thing, but young Daire had a mare last time when the horse surely should have won. It’s quite a big ride for Burke in my book given that and his recent form. Of Course I Can is interesting in that. I would not lay Guiletta but I can see a few who could be good enough to make it a test.
Quick question on French racing - maybe @Ron knows the answer: How is racecard order decided in the French Oaks tomorrow? In the English equivalent it was just alphabetical - so number 1 was Caught U Looking and they went alphabetically down to number 12 You Got To Me. Looking at the Prix de Diane card tomorrow I can't recognise any system behind the racecard numbering:
Wow, he did it in spite of the car-park draw. Won by a neck at 13/2 SP. Good old Franny, the Chester specialist jockey. Nice win for the Richard Hannon team, and the horse's connections too!
Well done again Swanny I'm heading to Munich on Monday, is there any beer left after the Scots visit?
The vendors are probably restocking like mad! Wife had appointments on the Friday and Saturday (today) for instruction classes given by the Apple people covering the new i-Pad she has bought. Friday was hell apparently, she'd never seen anything like it. One couldn't move for the huge crowds in the city centre. It took all her knowledge of the city (she's a Munich lass, born and bred) to skirt around the Marienplatz area, and make her way to Marienhof to catch the tram home. The tram was on time and nearly empty! Wife and her sauna gang in the old days used to go out to dinner once-a-month to the Ratskeller Restaurant in the basement of City Hall. A friend told us that they ran out of beer completely on Friday! This morning she attended the final part of the instruction course, and things were much better in the city. Ony a few Scottish fans were around, complete with beer bottles, of course. Majority hadn't got up yet, I guess? So, she had no trouble getting home today.
