Diary: September 3 2011

 

The big race tomorrow is the Sprint Cup at Haydock (3.35). Dream Ahead is the likely favourite after his win in the July Cup although he has disappointed since at Deauville. He has a 100% record over 6 furlongs and sets the standard. Bated Breath was runner up in the July Cup and has won both his previous starts over course and distance. Hoof It should have both trip and ground conditions to his liking. Of the trio I narrowly prefer Bated Breath with Hitchens my each way alternative at a bigger price.

karen davies1

I have 3 other suggestions at Haydock. Courageous (3.00) is on a long losing sequence but ran with promise last time, Ashbrittle(2.30) is slipping down the weights and Suhaili is a course winner with plenty of scope for improvement.

At Ascot Al Khaleej should give us a run for our money in the 3.15 while in the 3.45 the Luca Cumani pair of Fulgur and Spifer make most appeal.

At Kempton Modun should benefit from a drop in trip in the 2.15 where Harris Tweed is also respected.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.

Diary: August 29 2011

 

Plenty of meetings tomorrow. None of them look easy!

At Epsom Picture Editor has some form that would put him in with every chance. Forte Dei Marmi is the other one I would consider. He has been well below par in most of his races this season but on last year’s form he would go close.

At Newcastle the well regarded Warcrown looks good for the opener at 2.15.

Spinatrix has done really well for me this season and I will stay with him in the Newcastle 5.45.

Other selections; Ripon 3.35 Xilerator; Warwick 3.20 Inler

Diary: August 27 2011

A fairly ordinary looking day at the races tomorrow. At Newmarket there will be a hot favourite in the 2.30. It might be worth taking on the jolly each way with Balty Boys and Mehdi.

Mac’s Power ran well in the Stewards Cup last week and is my selection in the 3.30.

Leviathan likes soft ground and looks each way value in the 4.35.

Another that could be value is Distant Memories in the Windsor 6.40. He is a previous winner of the race.

Diary: August 26 2011

 

I start each season with a list of horses to follow and 3 from this year’s list are in action tomorrow.

Secret Witness has already rewarded me with a win at 9/1. He runs in the 3.40 at Ffos Las where he is 3 lbs higher in the handicap than when he won at Doncaster recently. He should be thereabouts and is worth a small each way interest at 8/1.

Spinatrix has been very consistent and should again be in the first 3 in the Newcastle 7.25. He would be value at 4/1.

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Lastly Jack Smudge who runs in the Thirsk 4.25. A multiple winner last year he should some slight signs of a return to form when 4th at Doncaster in June when wearing first time blinkers. No blinkers this time but might be worth a small each way wager at odds of 12/1.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Margaret Buchanan.

Diary: August 24 2011

 

I have a bit of a theory about the 7.20 at Kempton (I should probably get out more!) Junket has been running quite consistently without quite getting her nose in front. She has dropped a pound in the handicapper and he jockey tomorrow is able to claim a further 3 lbs. So 4 lbs better off, my maths cam just about cope with that, she should go close to winning. She has already shown that she handles the track and her pedigree suggests the distance should suit her. That’s the theory anyway.

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At the start of the season I was told that Sholaan was quite highly regarded by his trainer Willie Haggas. He makes his debut tomorrow at Kempton in the 7.50. The stable are in good form so I will burden him with my selection.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

Diary: August 20 2011

 

There are plenty in with a chance in the 2.30 at York tomorrow. Lyric Street is a lightly raced sort that comes into the equation provided he gets the trip. Whiplash Willie has won his last two starts and should stay this trip. He is suited by some cut in the ground. Motivado won at Ripon in May and is breed for stamina. The form of Communicator is as good as any and both trainer and jockey are in form. This quartet makes most appeal. If pushed to narrow it down I would go with Lyric Street and Whiplash Willie.

Harris Tweed looks the form pick in the 3.05 with Dandino perhaps worth a small each way saver.

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In the 3.40 there are 3 runners that I have been following this season; Harlestone Times, Fox Hunt and Modun. The latter has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and the form of his last two races looks rock solid. Fox Hunt was second over course and distance in July and has since finished 4th in the Goodwood Cup. Harlestone Times was a winner at Goodwood earlier in the season and has perhaps been a bit unlucky subsequently. Modun would be my pick from this trio. Of the rest of the field I have a quiet fancy for Saptadi.

At Sandown I would keep an eye on Music Show and Brevity in the 3.20 while at Chester Sadler’s Risk could run better than his price would suggest in the 4.10.

At Bath Desert Law and Secret Witness are two to look out for in the 6.40.

Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Joe Stockdale.

Good luck!