My mate’s annual birthday p*ss up today, cunningly disguised as a day at Beverley races. Last year we got pies for a quid before the last race as the caterers had obviously done more than they could sell. When Jezza is in charge, presumably the pints and pies will be free.

There is a strong wind in deepest darkest East Yorkshire today – and we have not started on the beer yet.
Depending on the scheduling it is always either the penultimate or final meeting of the season and offers the typical midweek Class 5 sort of dross that I would not normally give a second look. When I saw the original five day entries – 30+ in every race – I was expecting them to split something and create an eight race card. They have but I never expected them to split the closing apprentice jockeys’ race, so now there are two races at the end of the card not worth a bet.
In the 3:25, I like the hat-trick seeking
WEATHER FRONT, raised 6lb for his most recent victory having won on the course over ten furlongs the time before. The main danger looks to be
Matewan, raised 7lb for winning an eight runner ten furlong handicap last time.
The sprint at 4:30 is numerically the most competitive race and several of the field have form ties from recent races: veteran
Bondi Beach Boy was second to
Musharrif and
Arnold in his last two races; and
Sky Gypsy was third behind runner-up
Entertaining Ben on the all weather last time; however, only the last named has a single figure draw. Given the value of a low draw around the dog-leg five furlongs up the Westwood, the mare
DAVID’S BEAUTY off bottom weight and drawn four will be cursed with my cash, although she is on a 6lb higher mark for her win as she is out of the handicap.
I will have to go in the course betting shop and keep an eye on the Sandown races. I will be interested to see
Laafy and
Walkinthesand in the 2:40 but my bet of the day is in the 4:20.
DAWN DANCER was just touched off over course and distance last time after a layoff and is now reunited with William Buick who won on him in June. Off just a 3lb higher mark, he will take some beating. By then
Saaheq should have won the opener but as a handicap good thing, it will be no price.