Good morning.
Norwich is visited by that grey blanket cloud , unbroken ( I believe they call it stratus)and the temperature is moderated by that flippin' wind. I just hope we don't get a repeat of last spring where that NEasterly stayed with us for a solid month.
It was lovely to see my two girls over Easter. As they've got older, with jobs and homes of their own, meetings between us tend to be more of a snapshot and, believe me, this can be a chastening experience ,reminding oneself of the quickening pace of the years going by.
Do you remember going on holiday for two weeks when you were young? The first week seemed to last forever and the second week flew past and you were home again? Well, I reckon that the first week of our 'holiday' on Earth is up to the age of forty. Lol.
The horses: one of the challenges for punters this time of year is working out who's knackered for the season and who will be fit, fresh and fancied. It's a challenge that can lead us to the booby hatch if we're not very cautious. Today there is a veritable feast of racing on offer yet very few races that I'd be backing in. The flat's barely at a glimmer and the NH fire is now down to embers. The trick is to find some glowing coals in amongst the ashes.
At Fairyhouse, I am loath to get involved since my knowledge of the Irish game is limited at best. Of course, I'll love watching the Irish Grand National but I really cannot remember the last time, if ever, I backed the winner. However, puzzle though it is, I'll always have a wee go and today is no exception.
For what it's worth I've three selections I'll be trying with but, really, it's the equivalent of a blindfolded blind man, with three balls at the coconut shy (remember those?)
My three are :
Now Is The Hour is bred to go a trip and was underlining that when unfortunately coming down at the second last in the NH Chase at Cheltenham. I think he may have been distracted as the eventual winner jumped left at the fence. Today's going will definitely suit NITH better than the last day and this might have been the plan all along.
I suppose on their running behind Three Card Brag, we might reckon that Kinturk Kalanisi is the selection, being better off today but I'd need to be convinced hat he needs the distance: the jury's out.
My other two ew shies will be Panda Boy and Malina Girl. The latter is based upon her breeding, which really does look like stay, stay material. I suppose the question whether the ground might be too heavy but she's on t'soft before. Panda Boy is just at three runs this term and it's noticeable that they've chosen this National rather than Aintree, which he contested last year. As a novice, he ran in this race where he was a credible 8L fifth. With extra experience, I'm hoping he'll put in a fair show.
There you are: three to avoid, probably. Ha.
Mint Boy looks like a 'lurker' to me.
Elsewhere I'll be doing this for mini-shekels:
JPR One - Plumpton 2.35 9/2
El Muchacho - Chepstow 2.59 9/2
Cinnodin - Kempton 6.20 9/2
Ew Patent
Here's hoping that you have all the luck today, whatever you pick.
Norwich is visited by that grey blanket cloud , unbroken ( I believe they call it stratus)and the temperature is moderated by that flippin' wind. I just hope we don't get a repeat of last spring where that NEasterly stayed with us for a solid month.
It was lovely to see my two girls over Easter. As they've got older, with jobs and homes of their own, meetings between us tend to be more of a snapshot and, believe me, this can be a chastening experience ,reminding oneself of the quickening pace of the years going by.
Do you remember going on holiday for two weeks when you were young? The first week seemed to last forever and the second week flew past and you were home again? Well, I reckon that the first week of our 'holiday' on Earth is up to the age of forty. Lol.
The horses: one of the challenges for punters this time of year is working out who's knackered for the season and who will be fit, fresh and fancied. It's a challenge that can lead us to the booby hatch if we're not very cautious. Today there is a veritable feast of racing on offer yet very few races that I'd be backing in. The flat's barely at a glimmer and the NH fire is now down to embers. The trick is to find some glowing coals in amongst the ashes.
At Fairyhouse, I am loath to get involved since my knowledge of the Irish game is limited at best. Of course, I'll love watching the Irish Grand National but I really cannot remember the last time, if ever, I backed the winner. However, puzzle though it is, I'll always have a wee go and today is no exception.
For what it's worth I've three selections I'll be trying with but, really, it's the equivalent of a blindfolded blind man, with three balls at the coconut shy (remember those?)
My three are :
Now Is The Hour is bred to go a trip and was underlining that when unfortunately coming down at the second last in the NH Chase at Cheltenham. I think he may have been distracted as the eventual winner jumped left at the fence. Today's going will definitely suit NITH better than the last day and this might have been the plan all along.
I suppose on their running behind Three Card Brag, we might reckon that Kinturk Kalanisi is the selection, being better off today but I'd need to be convinced hat he needs the distance: the jury's out.
My other two ew shies will be Panda Boy and Malina Girl. The latter is based upon her breeding, which really does look like stay, stay material. I suppose the question whether the ground might be too heavy but she's on t'soft before. Panda Boy is just at three runs this term and it's noticeable that they've chosen this National rather than Aintree, which he contested last year. As a novice, he ran in this race where he was a credible 8L fifth. With extra experience, I'm hoping he'll put in a fair show.
There you are: three to avoid, probably. Ha.
Mint Boy looks like a 'lurker' to me.
Elsewhere I'll be doing this for mini-shekels:
JPR One - Plumpton 2.35 9/2
El Muchacho - Chepstow 2.59 9/2
Cinnodin - Kempton 6.20 9/2
Ew Patent
Here's hoping that you have all the luck today, whatever you pick.
