Racing Post spotlight on Soft Power for 5.50 race at the Curragh. "Impressive winner of a weak 7f maiden at Dundalk on her debut; two starts since have been poor but mark of 70 looks manageable and Wayne Lordan booked; less exposed than most of these; watch market." Backed from 14/1 to 9/1 early doors. But it's a very open race.
If you have a Bet365 account, get on there before 2:40 and snap up the 9/4 The Fugue for next weekend’s Eclipse Stakes. The sponsors only go 7/4 and they do not have Noble Mission – who is slated to run in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud this afternoon – in their betting. Once Bet365 adjust the market the front three’s odds will shorten. Yes, the Eclipse has a poor record for the fairer sex – just two winners – but she is clearly the best horse in the race, the weather forecast suggests that she will get her ground; so the real risk is that John Gosden will decide that the race is too soon after her Royal Ascot exertions. Today, I will be playing up my Colombia winnings on Even money Holland (their opponents Mexico have lost their last five World Cup knockout stage games); and I may have a couple of quid on the “Robin van Persie to score and Holland to win” at 13/5.
charlie Hills has always thought a lot of Just The Judge, 4.20 Curragh. Hasn't set the world alight since winning the Irish 1000 Guineas here last May, but if back to that sort of form on her return to the Curragh, she could outrun odds of 7/1 in a very open looking Pretty Polly Stakes. The trainer seems to think the trip will suit.
Very decent card at Uttoxeter today, the prize money has even tempted Mr Henderson to send 3 raiders with Barry Geraghty in the saddle Just off to rustle up a Roast Chicken dinner, no doubt be watching the action from Uttoxeter on the laptop. Superb goal from young James last night btw ...................
Good afternoon all, not even into July and not only are the national team home and unpacked but my World Cup bet is spent. The plucky Chileans were a tad unlucky in extra time and then out on pens but having said that I couldn't see much wrong with the disallowed Brazil goal. Should be thankful that we (England) didn't get to meet Columbia in the last 16 cos our back 5 might have struggled against those fellas. And to think that a number of their best players are out injured too. Anyway a nice card at Uttoxeter this afternoon and I would echo Red's sentiments regarding the returning Red Merlin. Was looking like a progressive handicapper before injury caught up with him. Whether McCain has him fully tuned up this afternoon would be a concern plus giving weight away all round. However he'll like the ground so will be happy just to watch him today. In the very competitive listed chase I can't resist a little ew thievery on Carlito Brigante. Seemed to have lost his way after his Coral Cup success a few years back. Has changed ownership/trainer now and his first couple of runs for new connections indicate he retains ability and enthusiasm. At 33s he's worth a punt I reckon. Good luck all.
17:25 Uttoxeter - Safari Journey (Certainly does not win too often, but 2m on good ground possibly his best conditions? A few front runners in this, and so maybe come-from-behind tactics might work?).
What a shame that the winning post came just a yard too late for Noble Mission at Saint Cloud. Doyle managed to get an uncontested lead, rode a great race but he just tied up in the last twenty-five yards. No disgrace in losing to Spiritjim, a horse that is now unbeaten in five. I was surprised that they let Flintshire run as we know he does not want any give. I wonder if they will go for the King George where Telescope, the horse he beat twice over ten furlongs on soft ground, might get his revenge; or will they drop back to ten furlongs.
Just the one this year Janabelle. A repeat mating that produced Romeo (if you remember that one). She is due on July 14th
It wouldn't surprise me if she won. Wasn't suited by the courses last time out when just 1¼ lengths behind Thistle Bird. This more galloping track should suit and if it brings about an improvement of a couple of lengths that should just about be enough. Spencer never wins for me so I won't tip it
I think Mexico could surprise the Dutch today who generally throw in a rank performance somewhere around this time! Harmony in the camp this time may make them more consistent though. The other game Costa Rica v Greece looks the dullest of the second round games. Only 14 games left of the World Cup. How do we all fancy at this stage? I tipped and backed Argentina and it's fair to say they've been unspectacular to say the least. Brazil don't look great at the back but are being carried by a tidal wave of support in every game and Neymar is winning games on his own. The Germans are looking very German! Netherlands have been impressive on the main but as stated above there almost sure to bottle it somewhere along the way. Looks exceptionally open to me at this point.
Same, Spencer is my least favorite jockey i'll always think twice of backing something if he's on it, in longer races he's class, but in shorter races he's terrible because he's style of riding is sit sit sit and wait and then he always dwells on it too long and leaves it too late, or he leads from the front then just holds it too long and gets over taken and then can't get the horse going again, and he's a dodgy ****er. Curragh race earlier was perfect example where he came 3rd, another inch he'd have won but he left it so late to release it and it was clearly the best horse in the race
So close great e/w price though thanks to the drift, well done and unlucky with the win m8, good comeback run
That Ismail Mohammed horse New Story that I put up on first two starts ran out an impressive winner today at Salisbury. Think he's got a really nice future ahead of him.
What a cracking performance from Red Merlin. Just failed to give the winner 24 lbs after a 2 year absence. Friendless in the market too! Hope you were on Red - I wasn't!
Educate due to return on Friday in a Listed contest at Sandown. Looking forward to that. Thought he ran two nice races at Meydan on his first two starts before being ridden stupidly on his final start.
