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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!
 

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