Friday's Meetings Ayr........................Flat........................ 8 Races............1:30-5:20p.m. Newbury..............Flat..........................7 Races............1:50-5:10p.m. Listowel...............Flat 2:00-4:10p.m. National Hunt 4:45-5:50p.m. Newton Abbot....National Hunt.........7 Races............2:15-5:40p.m. Worcester(E)......National Hunt.........7 Races............3:50-7:00p.m. Racing Post Cards Good Luck
2.05 Ayr- Enlace -8/1 Looked decent and had a couple of decent performances to begin with the last 2 runs have been disappointing but can be excused and forgiven still has a lot of talent and is a big price
I saw Nina Ridge doing the weather on the lunchtime news the other day and she said that we have only had 7% of the average September rainfall so far this month and it has been 2°C warmer than normal. Who would have thought fast ground for the Ayr Western meeting? I think that Squats may be up to the step up in class after just snatching a valuable nursery at Ascot a couple of weeks ago; however, I do not expect that he will be great odds as the William Haggas yard does have its supporters. At Newbury, the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Stakes always throws up some juveniles for the notebook and this year’s running sees six face the starter, with Gibeon, Snoano and Best Of Times the three at the head of the market. My preference is for the last with the ground an unknown factor for the first. The following fillies’ conditions race looks like a fascinating race to watch with three promising prospects and a Sir Michael Stoute debutante. The ground may be against Absolutely So in the Dubai Duty Free Cup, so perhaps 4/1 Safety Check can make the step up from handicap company. In the last, 11/2 Balmoral Castle does not look to have been excessively treated by the handicapper and can complete the four-timer.
LIGHTSCAMERAACTION 3.45 Ayr 12-1 has been nailed close home in his last two runs, once at Deauville on awful ground and then by Mind Of Madness at York. They reoppose on 6lb different terms and if anyone has the strength to lift him home GLee does. Super value imho.
The H,H and C Stakes hasn't been as important a race as it used to be with the last really good winner being Nayef in 2000. Tregoning trained that one, and 4 others this century, and starts a nicely bred colt called Perceus. Owned by the Packenhams and not surprisingly by Sir Percy, but out of a mare who's from Nayef's family. Tregoning must think something of him and I'll expect him to get placed in the first three, but I have to stay with Gibeon. Won a race for previously unraced 2yos at Newmarket in pleasing style and by Cape Cross should handle the firmer ground this time (close relative Fame and Glory liked it soft but ran just as well on firm).
I like Snoano 3/1 in that Bustino, he was still very green at Sandown last time but looked a nice prospect. Gibeon looked good as well, had plenty to do and dont think he was touched with the whip, different conditions today and smaller field. Interesting wee race.
Best of Times withdrawn now, so we are only on 40% of the field. Gibeon is well named as it's the site of a large meteorite landing in Namibia, so being by Cape Cross (in Namibia) out of Gravitation some thought went into it.
List 2.35 Ballyorban 33/1 Has been difficult to train recently and not shown much for a while, the handicapper hasnt been quick to drop him too far but he would still be reasonably handicapped if anywhere near his best. Ran well here off 89 last year, off 82 today with a decent 3 pound claimer and first time after a break might be the best time to catch him these days. He was a likeable horse at one time but obviously risky now and most likely to blow out but at 33s hes worth a small bet to me today on the off chance.
Good day to all, A small patent to commence proceeding in the first three races. Money for Dodds, Lord of the Rock to get off to a flyer on first start, odds on fav, Foreign Diplomat at Newbury and over in County Kerry I like the look of Snap Click a 3 year old against some seasoned campaigners. It's raining here so an afternoon's punting is an alternative to an early start in the pub.
Fish Soup with a wholemeal roll and a small side salad (also containing a bit of fish in the form of tuna). 7/10. Good to see Jason Maguire back in the saddle today after his terrible injury - best of luck to him. I can see AP getting back into the swing of things today with a 4-timer at Worcester. A couple of shorties for Ferguson (El Namoose and My Direction) followed by a horse who really impressed me last time out (and looks to have enough to defy the penalty) in Marju's Quest and finally the Jim Best horse Saint Helena who won that "interesting" race last time out.
450 Ayr Miss Perratt has placed a very intresting claimer on DARK CRYSTAL who may find conditions to the liking, Dark looks weighted well and intrestingly Megan Carberry takes off 5lbs. Throw in the fact that Megan has a 40% win rate here and a 70% place rate also is 1/1here on Dark crystal . Then double figures with cor4l looks too tasty and ew friendly. good luck all
520 Ayr TRINITY STAR looks to hold ew value at 9s , Mulrennan is no stranger onboard they look nicely weighted also the drop back in trip could really suit .
440Newbury sirius prospect looks to big double figures but I will only have a small ew on the fact sirius is normally a let down especially after a long break
Just been working at Croome national trust site near Worcester and im very suprised to see the conditions down as good as we had 2hrs of constant heavy rain , im not sure if its still raining there as I made the Friday exit even sharper than usual but I would say they are boardering on good to soft at least. In the first at Worcester ANOTHER KATE looks way to big at 14s and may well outrun the odds with weight and conditions looking in there favour.
Jason Maguire wins on his first ride back, aboard Kim Bailey's 5/6F Bonne Fee (who completed the hat-trick) that'll do him the world of good
Trying my luck in the 3.05 at Listowel, Pat Smullen rides Lucky Pat. Backed from 7/1 to 5/1. "Form of his Galway bumper win last month has worked out well with the second, third and fourth all winning since; followed up in Kilbeggan maiden hurdle seven days later and trainer excited by him; future lies over hurdles and fences but interesting to see Pat Smullen booked for Flat debut; must give weight to everything but interesting nonetheless."