Morning all! (he said, mimicking the tone of Jack Warner).
Well, here in Norwich it rained yesterday form dawn until well into the night and we need a torch during the hours of 'daylight', it's so grim. Still, if sems to go well enough for National Hunt racing and after the long dry periods we encountered during the summer, it's just as well to get all that missing water replenished.
I'm relieved/delighted that our three NH meetings have survived and look forward to seeing them slogging around the various tracks. Of course, the racing takes on the qualities of a lottery, in a way: you buy your ticket and hope that the Gods are smiling on you. I, for one, will be just happy for my horses not to be pulled up, to be honest.
I share my picks on this blog simply because I've been neglecting it of late, not because they have anything special about them; they're 'picks' and that's all.
The Cheltenham races are always difficult, aren't they, especially the handicaps. The big one is the Paddy Power and well done to anyone who's able to pick the winner.
Ballycamus - 1.10 Cheltenham 18/1 5 places
I think he'll handle the ground, will stay and looks like there may still be more to come.
Stencil - Cheltenham 1.45 13/2
They've wasted no time at all in turning this one to chasing, have they. I think he'll go in the ground and I like a French trainer sending out runners in this country.
Starcrossed Lover - 2.00 Wetherby 20/1
Related to Martaline and Coastal Path, NH sires of some note, I think the 20/1 looks possible value in this novices handicap chase. The thing that struck me is that most of his rivals here look like they'd benefit from longer, staying trips over fences so it's definitely a chance worth taking, given the price.
The Company Sergeant - 2.20 Cheltenham 12/1 4 places
He's rated only a pound more than when second here at the festival over 2.5M. I suppose I have a niggling concern over the going but I see that: "He'll handle soft ground" - (Denis Hogan, trainer). They more or less preserved his mark since that festival run and I'm hoping he'll acquit himself well.
A couple more:
The Big Breac - Wetherby 12.15 2/1 win
Bretney - Uttox 1.17 50/1 win
2 x win singles
Win Double
I hold out no strong hopes for any of these but small stakes so no bother and I'll enjoy the sport.
Have a good one.
Well, here in Norwich it rained yesterday form dawn until well into the night and we need a torch during the hours of 'daylight', it's so grim. Still, if sems to go well enough for National Hunt racing and after the long dry periods we encountered during the summer, it's just as well to get all that missing water replenished.
I'm relieved/delighted that our three NH meetings have survived and look forward to seeing them slogging around the various tracks. Of course, the racing takes on the qualities of a lottery, in a way: you buy your ticket and hope that the Gods are smiling on you. I, for one, will be just happy for my horses not to be pulled up, to be honest.
I share my picks on this blog simply because I've been neglecting it of late, not because they have anything special about them; they're 'picks' and that's all.
The Cheltenham races are always difficult, aren't they, especially the handicaps. The big one is the Paddy Power and well done to anyone who's able to pick the winner.
Ballycamus - 1.10 Cheltenham 18/1 5 places
I think he'll handle the ground, will stay and looks like there may still be more to come.
Stencil - Cheltenham 1.45 13/2
They've wasted no time at all in turning this one to chasing, have they. I think he'll go in the ground and I like a French trainer sending out runners in this country.
Starcrossed Lover - 2.00 Wetherby 20/1
Related to Martaline and Coastal Path, NH sires of some note, I think the 20/1 looks possible value in this novices handicap chase. The thing that struck me is that most of his rivals here look like they'd benefit from longer, staying trips over fences so it's definitely a chance worth taking, given the price.
The Company Sergeant - 2.20 Cheltenham 12/1 4 places
He's rated only a pound more than when second here at the festival over 2.5M. I suppose I have a niggling concern over the going but I see that: "He'll handle soft ground" - (Denis Hogan, trainer). They more or less preserved his mark since that festival run and I'm hoping he'll acquit himself well.
A couple more:
The Big Breac - Wetherby 12.15 2/1 win
Bretney - Uttox 1.17 50/1 win
2 x win singles
Win Double
I hold out no strong hopes for any of these but small stakes so no bother and I'll enjoy the sport.
Have a good one.
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