I have always admired those cricket commentators on the radio that seem to be able to come up with something to say in even the dullest moments on the pitch. Having looked ahead to the next two days of racing I need something similar!
Well, for starters you may have missed the news that a couple of old favourites have recently been retired. Connections of the mare Asian Maze have decided to call it a day. After finishing last in Auteil in May last year she never really recovered her form. Pretty useful on her day she won 9 races in all. The one I remember best was when destroying her field, including Hardy Eustace, to win the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last year. Old Quito has also been retired at the age of 10. He has apparently suffered from stiff joints all his life and it has been decided to call time on a career that saw him win 20 races from over 100 starts. He won a number of listed races but his biggest success came in the 2003 Ayr Gold Cup when he weaved through the field with a typical late run to land the spoils at 20/1.
On the subject of old timers I see that Smokin’ Beau is down to run in the 8.15 at Nottingham tomorrow evening. He is a 10 year old now and not exactly in the best of form as he has only beaten 1 horse in his last 3 runs. He has been a real old warrior in his time though winning 16 races often at big odds. In fact he has won at 10/1 or bigger no fewer than 7 times. He has been dropped 5 lbs since his last defeat and he has a good 5 lbs claimer on board in Hadden Frost. Add the fact that he is a course and distance winner and I have almost talked myself into a small each way interest just for old times’ sake.
Talking of horses than win at big odds Seafield Towers is dropped to selling company for the first time tomorrow. His 3 career wins have come at 4/1, 33/1 and 20/1. He is taking a big drop in grade and must go well if he retains any of his old ability. Royston Ffrench rides him for the first time.
I’m out at the footy tomorrow night so I will have a peek at Wednesday’s racing; two days for the price of one at no additional cost!
Another one of my old sprint friends, Bo MCGinty runs in the 3.10 at Beverley. He has been running well without winning and is probably in the grip of the handicapper. He has a bad draw tomorrow. He is owned by Paddy McGinty and Bo Turnbull, hence the name and he is related to a jumps winner in the Czech Republic.
Leptis Magna has paid his way as a horse to follow this year as he has already won at 7/1. He has tended to pull too hard in his races but if he can settled he should run well in the 3.30 at Salisbury.
Princess Valerina put in a much improved effort when a close up 3rd last time at Ascot. A repeat of that form would see her in with a chance in the 7.05 at Sandown.
The 8.10 at Sandown looks interesting as there are two runners from our list to follow. Duty Free is going for a hat trick and won over course and distance a couple of weeks ago and does not look that badly treated. Alleviate is beautifully bred and comes out again quickly under a penalty having made all to win at Haydock on Saturday.
Spume added to the “roll of honour” for my list to follow with a win at 8/1 at Thirsk tonight. Not that I gave him a very encouraging write up last night. This was his first run since leaving Sir Michael Stoute and gave a first winner to trainer Danny Murphy. Deserted Dane was a non runner in the 8.25.
See you on Wednesday evening.
ahorse 