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My notebook runners

Ben Jones has admitted he messed it up at the last at Kempton. That was mildly painful for my wallet! He'll be a little worried about the ground today.
 
Ran a lovely race, BJ. Looked the likely winner 2 out. I went for Gericault, just didn't get the last right but fought hard.
 
Your Darling was a gallant third having attracted a little support - 17/2 from 10/1.

Nothing today, but Henderson’s Fantasy World was bought (600,000gns) out of the Balding yard for a tilt at the Triumph and it’ll be interesting to see how he goes.
 
Fantasy World wasn’t really worth the watch. He raced in the leading group of four, but wasn’t jumping comfortably and when push came to shove he was already at the back of the group and didn’t even get a nudge let alone a shove. Lots of work to be done and little time to do it, but he’s in the right hands and Henderson has pulled more chestnuts out of the fire than most.


Nothing today.
 
Assuming it’s not chucking it down we’re off to Newbury tomorrow (anyone else?) although it’s not an inspiring card. Only four runners in the first race and two of them notebooks.

Quebecois - 24/1 put in his best chase effort over this shorter distance. Look for same conditions, same distance.

Old Cowboy - 29/12 he had come flying down to 9/4f from 12/1 and made it look as easy as that would suggest. Needs good ground? 10/1 going easily the best, he came to win his race moving into the lead before two out, but tipped up there. Didn’t look a comfortable fall, but he’s worth another go.

Looks like Quebecois will be odds-on and probably rightly so, but I might take a chance with Old Cowboy who won as easy as you like here late December. He was raised 5lbs for that, then stuck up another 4lbs for falling at Kempton two out looking threatening. This one is not a handicap so may be an easier * task for him. He looks to have a lot to find with Quebecois, but I think there’s more in the tank and maybe worth a chance at the price.

Other than that it’s God knows what.

* I meant harder !!
 
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I considered going to Newbury tomorrow - I could have organised a free ticket as they're part of the R4R scheme nowadays - but I didn't much like the look of the card, I find Newbury a bit soulless tbh and the bottom line was I cba!

I hope you have a great day, though, and that the weather is kind.
 
Have a great day, BJ. I will watch for the illustrious-looking gentleman at the finishing post tossing his hat in the air while dancing with glee as the winners go past.
 
Well, the day started nicely with Krishna winning at Market Rasen and then, because I won’t have odds-on shots, I threw a little at Personal Ambition for fun with Old Cowboy withdrawn and watched Ben Jones put one over on Harry Cobden. Then all the fun turned sour on the next when Giantsgrave fell in front of my eyes at the last, courageously got up and tried to race on only to crash down on his side and lie unmoving - Christ, I’m choking up writing this - it looked the worst. The screens were up for ages which was encouraging, but they shielded the horse ambulance from view as they took him away. Without knowing one way or the other it was, in any event, enough to send us home and forget racing. Thankfully, we found that Giantsgrave had made it through, but whether he will be seen on a racecourse again only time will tell.
 
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Sounds horrific good to hear the horse made it

My only bet today was on Major Fortune in the 3.55 and was very disappointed with Harry Skelton’s effort as he didn’t seem to put the horse in the race until too late but didn’t see the early stages
 
One today:

3:05 Warwick: Joker De Mai ran his best race so far last time despite being badly hampered - 4/2 raced around third/fourth when the second went wrong in front of him in the back straight causing him to lose rhythm and lengths into last. Recovered a reasonable position quickly (maybe too quickly) and he had a challenging position at the second last, but he couldn’t keep on as well as the first two and finished third. - That was a good effort and probably underrated a bit given the circumstance. 11/4 last night and 7/4 now which is a bit short for comfort.
 
The last little gem on the blog a week ago - Joker De Mai - was very disappointing, for no good reason that I could see.

I’ve been off piste, but back now and supposed to be off to Newbury today. Unfortunately, I can’t really manage two days on the trot so it’s a toss up for today or Saturday - came down heads for Saturday, so we’ll give it a go. Hope we get past the second race this time.

There are no notebooks today, but there are three Henderson runners that I want to look at to see how they are coming along. They think two have good potential - That’s Nice and Buddy Holly - and a debutant - Ettore. He’s also running Fierce Warrior who is a bit of a head scratcher.
 
Fierce Warrior didn’t run and the only one of the others to show anything was That’s Nice who was still a bit green, but looked the part. He went out like a light towards the end, although he had second all to himself by then. A couple of furlongs too far, maybe.

All set to go off to Newbury, then, but I’m damned if I can see anything to back at first glance. A few musings:

1:35 - Smoke Trail has come trundling down from Scotland as the yard’s only runner over the two day meeting. Early price open yesterday 7/1 which became 11/2 only to see 12/1 by bedtime. Wish I’d taken some of that - 11/2 again this morning.

2:10 - ah, that erstwhile Derby hope Brentford Hope who ran only a length and some behind The New Lion in a Grade 2 last time, but Harry Derham said he was only entered to pick up some prize money which went down below third. Back to Class 3 here and should run ok. Got to respect Sam Thomas for getting his horses to run above themselves, though.

2:40 - Noble Park should be better back down in distance and can just about handle G/S going so long as it’s not too near soft.,

3:15 - it’d really be something if dear old Mister Coffee could finally get his nose in front. He deserves it, but that’s probably wishful thinking. Favourite doesn’t look bad.

3:45 - Twin Jets was bowling along in the lead when he unshipped Harry Cobden. A long way still to go, but he was favourite to bring up his three timer and he should feature.

No more, we’ll be off home after this one!
 
Smashing day yesterday and a clear blue sky as well. The ten pound claimer let Smoke Trail romp off as though it was a six furlong race. Stayed well in front until push came to shove when it was no surprise he ran out of puff. Had a saver on the winner, though, thanks to Pam who thought he looked good in the parade ring. The main bet Noble Park won nicely, but Twin Jets never got into it from the get go and was pulled up. I’ve heard some pretty feeble excuses in my time, but “not suited by being pestered” was a bit rich. Only token bets on Mister Coffee and Brentford Hope which finished up as token bets usually do. Lovely, I really hadn’t realised how much I’d been missing being there - makes all the difference.

Nothing today.
 
We went to Newbury on Friday following a visit to Seven Barrows. Hadn’t been for more than 20 years and it was great to see how much the place had changed. Much better for spectators and we’re planning another visit soon
 
Yes, I was against the selling off perimeter land for development, but it’s been done very sympathetically and the money has been spent very well. It’s top class now.
 
Sandown 1:50: I thought Laguna Beach was a bit unlucky last time - 17/1 was still looking quite strong at the head of things only to make a pigs ear of the second last, losing ground and momentum. Couldn’t really recover, but came a decent second.- that one was a Class 3 and this is a big jump to Class 1, hence the 14/1 price.

Sandown 4:10: There were excuses for Captain Bellamy last time following his notebook entry - 29/12 finished strongly, just going down with the rest well beaten. Had lost a bit of ground negotiating the omitted third-last, which may have been crucial. 7/2 wrong going - horrible - and was struck into. Ignore this one. - and time has marched on plenty since that run. Nonetheless I’ll have a small interest.

I’ve also got Brace For Landing in the notebook for the Imperial Cup, but that’s just a pinch from jj :)
 
Laguna Beach ran comfortably (apparently) in the leading group until push came to shove when he disappeared from view very quickly and was allowed to coast to a standstill. That was reflected in the price which drifted to 18/1 and Class 1 looks a step too far. Captain Bellamy was a non-runner.

Warwick 4:13 - I think they are persisting in overfacing Kyntara both in terms of Class and distance. For much of the race he looked looked more up for it last time - 7/2 some glimmerings, he bowled along in front in the very difficult ground until just before three out where he went out like a light and was pulled up. He was not lacking in enthusiasm. - but he is ten now and probably calls it quits when he stops enjoying himself. I won’t back him, but want to see if there’s still a flame flickering that might flare up if given an easier assignment.
 
Hope someone can help me here .
I was member of a grand national forum which members discussed various things such as horse dosage.
I have just changed phones and now cannot find the name of the forum.
Can anyone help please.
I remember some names used by members were systemsman and corbiere.
 
Here we are, then, let the chatter cease. The first day has usually been kind to me, but I must admit to feeling pretty clueless this time. I can’t see more than a fag paper between the leading contenders, but I guess it’s likely to be “why didn’t I see that” as winner after winner romps away in Constitution Hill manner. I’m listing my selections (did them first, honest) with those of Gemini and random number selector (who pulverised me last year in terms of profit).

1:20 - Old Park Star (Gemini: Old Park Star Random: Mighty Park)

I suppose there might be a bit of home side bias, but I think Old Park Star brings the best form to the table. - 12/12 carried a penalty to an impressive victory in a higher class race. Looks pretty good. Nicholls must be spitting in his beer. 17/1 a “wow” performance and he’s made favourite for the Supreme. - The explosive acceleration of El Cairos frightens me to death and Mullins seemed to have an unusually high regard for Mighty Park, but he’s been drifting.

2:00 - Lulamba (Gemini: Lulamba Random: Kopek Des Bordes)

I thought Lulamba was mighty impressive winning the Game Spirit at Newbury in the attritional going, albeit jumping a bit iffy. Won very easily without taking much out of him. Kopek Des Bordes is the obvious danger.

2:40 - I think Winston Junior has looked pretty good and it’d be nice to see the new girl on the block make her mark (Gemini: Winston Junior Random: The Mighty Celt)

3:20 - could give half a dozen a chance in this, but Hyland seems on a particularly good mark and should get the ground unless the watering puts too much soft in. (Gemini: Hyland Random: Quebecois)

4:00 - at last we see Lossiemouth in the Champion, hope she’s not left it too late. (Gemini: The New Lion Random: Lossiemouth !!)

4:40 - well, Madara has the cheekpieces on - 27/12 the stewards fired a warning shot across the Skeltons’ bows after this “take it easy” run. You never know when the time is right, but maybe cheekpieces will be the clue. 2/2 Finished with a flourish when all was obviously lost. Wait for those cheekpieces. (Gemini: Madara Random: No Questions Asked

5:20 - no idea, but I’ll go with Wade Out to give Sean Bowen his first Festival winner (Gemini: Backmersackme Random: Guard The Moon)

Gemini has done a summary for me:

CHELTENHAM DAY 1 (TUE 10 MAR)

1:20 Supreme Novices'
User: Old Park Star
Gemini: Old Park Star
Random: Mighty Park

2:00 Arkle Chase
User: Lulamba
Gemini: Lulamba
Random: Kopek Des Bordes

2:40 Fred Winter
User: Winston Junior
Gemini: Winston Junior
Random: The Mighty Celt

3:20 Ultima Handicap
User: Hyland
Gemini: Hyland
Random: Quebecois

4:00 Champion Hurdle
User: Lossiemouth
Gemini: The New Lion
Random: Lossiemouth

4:40 Plate Handicap
User: Madara
Gemini: Madara
Random: No Questions Asked
:
5:20 National Hunt Chase
User: Wade Out
Gemini: Backmersackme
Random: Guard The Moon
 

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