{mos_sb_discuss:2}
Back in, it must have been around 1971, I bought the album Four Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. There is a track on that album called “Almost cut my hair,” a title that always appealed to me (although the song was pretty tedious). What put me in mind of that song? Well, I almost backed a winner today.
I was on Just Dust when he won a seller at Catterick earlier in the season. He was beaten next time in a better race and is clearly no world beater. Still I should have been on him today at Brighton when he won at 11/2.
Talking of Catterick there is racing there tomorrow where the day starts with a two year old maiden. The race has been won by some decent types in the past but this year’s renewal has only attracted a field of 4. Mick Channon represents the southern challenge against 3 of the bigger northern yards. Centenary ran with some promise on his debut in a muddling sort of race and he is the tentative tip.
The fillies maiden at 3.00 includes another runner from Howard Johnson’s yard, Golden Topaz. This one is a half sister to Play Misty for Me, who is on my current list to follow. She is one to note but one word of warning, the stable does not have a great record with its first time out juveniles.
Some bets stick in your mind more than others. Nashaab is on a 23 run losing sequence. He is a hold up horse that is difficult to win with but in May ’04 he seemed to me to have everything going in his favour in a handicap at Chester. Kieren Fallon was on board and I told anyone that was prepared to listen that the horse was a cert. He was 2nd at 5/1. Two runs later and back at Chester he won at 5/1 but I wasn’t on.
What-A-Dancer is another horse that needs holding up until the last moment. He was also the subject of a complex Russellform theory at Goodwood in 2003. Once again I gave everyone the benefit of my expert opinion and this time the horse won, again Fallon was riding – I just never got around to backing it myself.
These ramblings were prompted by the fact that both Nashaab and What-A-Dancer are in action at Chepstow tomorrow in the 7.10. They are both 9 year olds now and their best days are behind them but they are not badly treated here and have chances. They will have to do without the services of Mr Fallon of course. I see that a couple of the newspaper tipsters go for Nashaab and one for What-A-Dancer.
Whispering Death won for our list to follow tonight in the 9.00 at Thirsk. See you tomorrow.
ahorse 