Uttoxeter & Warwick

As the saying goes “All good things must come to an end”, therefore today’s instalment is my last blog on the resident page and though there has not been a lot of racing to talk about in the final month, overall it has been a great thrill and I have enjoyed every day.  Hopefully the fog is not going to lie over the Midlands, and with Uttoxeter having passed their morning inspection, both meetings are set fair, though I would be wary of getting involved too heavily at the Staffordshire venue because the ground is likely to ride extremely testing.  The horses can almost hit a brick wall up the home straight.  There is a disappointing amount of prize money on offer and the final bumper, the final commentary of Graham Goode, has a first prize of just £1,301. 

As usual there are regular supporters of the course and Donald McCain sends a box load with three good chances in the first three novice events.  His first horse for Diana Whateley, Tornado Bob looks the best, ironically, his main danger is Herdsman trained by Philip Hobbs, responsible for the majority of the Whateley’s string.  A competitive card at Warwick, with a couple of runners for Lucinda Russell.  I remember reading when the snow was two foot deep at Kinross that she was planning to send a few to Michael Scudamore’s yard for the new year,therefore I presume Bear Dancing and Moscow Mischief are her first representative’s in the first two handicaps.  Perhaps Alverstone came up against a decent type in Sparky May last time, therefore I am prepared to give her another chance in the mares hurdle. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a healthy and profitable new year and a big thank you for all the support I have received in 2010.

Compliments of the season to you all and I hope you were blessed with all the gifts you were craving on Christmas Day.  I’ll never have to buy another pair of socks again, only trouble is those given to me were all of garish colours so I will stick to the subtle thermal ones for now.  I’m still rubbing my eyes from Wednesday as I was worried old age was creeping in quicker than thought and was relieved when I realised Newbury was shrouded in fog. 

Without leaving his stable, my confidence of Wymott’s chances in the RSA Chase were boosted yesterday when a major player Mikael D’Haguenet failed to fire. However in my opinion his destiny may now lay in a race against Big Buck’s. 

I know the majority of you like seeing bookmakers being taken to the cleaners but if it is done too many times then there are none of them left for you to bet with. Yesterday at Lingfield good luck to those who had their gambles come off – not a problem. What I despair about is the lack of questions being asked by the stewards.  There are hundreds of reasons why those horses could have shown improvement. It would have been nice to see the stewards ask the question. One day in a dream world they will ask connections as a horse is being gambled or drifting violently. To discover Barry Dennis had quite rightly gone to the stewards but to no avail was disappointing. 

Uttoxeter surviving the inspection today is good news as I’m going to be on Donald McCain jnr’s RAILWAY DILLON and GLENWOOD KNIGHT while at Warwick I’m going to have very small interests in PUYOL at 1.50 and KINKEEL at 3.20; both could be exceptional value.  It’s not a day to plunge in with the big heavy wedge – save that for tomorrow at Cheltenham.

For now all there is for me to do is to wish you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

POINTERS

Traphalgar has won three of his seven races at Lingfield and runs at the course at 1pm today

Yankee Storm is 0 from 7 at Lingfield

Desert Dreamer is 5 from 25 at Lingfield

White Shift is 0 from 5 at Lingfield, while Dualagi is 2 from 4 at the course

Monte Major is 0 from 7 at Lingfield while Metropolitan Chief is 0 from 11 at the course

Raimond Ridge has won four of nine races at Lingfield he runs at 3pm

Martin Lane has had 64 rides at Lingfield since he last rode a winner at the course

If you had the Racing Post’s iphone app you be able to uncover some blinding stats including Tim Weston has had four winners from his last 14 rides for Dr Richard Newland

Paul Nicholls has had seven winners from his last 19 runners

Robert Thornton has gone to Warwick for just one ride, that of Tales To Tell at 3.50

As 2010 draws to a close it is time for a little bit of reflection and of course a look ahead to 2011 here on the blog.

Workforce was a stunning winner of the Derby in record time. Some were still prepared to question the validity of the win even though he won so convincingly. We were soon to find out just how good he was when he slammed both his critics and those that do not believe in the clock, by winning the Arc. Best of all he will be back next season.

Harbinger was the best horse I saw all year on the Flat. He was running massive speed figures before he went to the King George. In that race he was simply sensational and ran the best speed figure of the year. We will not see him again, which is a shame, but he leaves us with a performance at Ascot that will not be surpassed for some while.

Richard Hughes and Paul Hanagan fought out a tense and exciting battle for the jockeys’ championship. In the end the no-frills grafter beat the tactical stylist, and Paul deserves all the accolades he has received. As for Richard Hughes he had some magical moments in defeat and his win on Canford Cliffs at Glorious Goodwood was race riding of the highest order.

Richard Hannon had an amazing year and his big wins are too numerous to mention here, but he deserved to be champion trainer and if I could afford to have a two-year-old I would send it to him. Who else would you want to train for you?

Snow Fairy cannot win the Oaks as she surely she will not stay. Palpable nonsense from yours truly as I discussed the big race with a mate. She proved me and others wrong and has gone on improving all season. Her recent win in Hong Kong was a fine way to end the year and is testament to the fine touch with fillies that trainer Ed Dunlop has.

Ryan Moore landed the Oaks and Derby double and I learnt that he is only a man of few words if you ask him stupid questions or if you ask him about his emotions. For you and I, he does not do emotion but he will talk about horses and how to ride and how to win as much as you want. With Ryan it is all about pushing the right buttons.

Tony McCoy was BBC Sports Personality of the Year after a concerted campaign from the racing industry. He deserves the award and racing needs to garner recognition from outside its own entrenched camp and this was a start. Long way to go though!

For McCoy, winning the National on Don’t Push It would have been more important than any other achievement in 2010.

Imperial Commander silenced the Kauto and Denman fans in the Gold Cup to the obvious delight of jockey Paddy Brennan. There was no fluke in the win. Maybe next year people will be waving scarves with the Commander written on them.

Binocular was a brilliant winner of the Champion Hurdle and I say so through gritted teeth having backed the runner up Khyber Kim at 144/1 on Betfair. No new conservatory at McNae towers for another year, instead another great training performance from N Henderson. Why Jim Bolger got so much stick for running and winning the Derby with a horse he said would not run (New Approach) and Henderson who did the same with Binocular got away with it will remain a mystery to me.

For me Ruby Walsh was once again the best Jumps jockey out there and by some way. That Paul Nicholls was champion trainer again is in no small part of the fact that whether in success or defeat Walsh always looks after the horses he is on and there is always another day.

It was a bad year for the industry with problems over funding and low levels of prize money dominating the headlines. Racing for Change came along and was met with predictable cynicism, but something has to be done folks and perhaps we should try to work with them rather than put up the barricades. Without the industry behind RFC they will make mistakes. In partnership they have a chance. Surely the dinosaurs have to pull their heads out of the sand soon, but don’t count on it.

Nick Luck was robbed of the Broadcaster of the Year award.

Those are just a few thoughts pertaining to the year that has just passed. As for 2011, I am looking forward to marching on with Racing UK to bring you the best possible coverage of horseracing from our tracks. I also hope Leeds get promoted to the Premier League, that St Helens win the Super League and the Challenge Cup and that Wigan win nothing.

I hope I can find you more winners here on the blog than I did in 2010 and that I can have as good a Cheltenham as we did this year. But above all and God willing I hope to be writing here on the blog at the same time next year. Have a great night and I will be back with Blog one of 2011 tomorrow.

All the best to you all and here is the final selection of the year.

2.10 Uttoxeter – Ban Uisce 11/4 Betfred

I am going to be out and about today running a few errands. Principally I have to go birthday shopping for my other half whilst she has few friends around for tea and cake. I am not exactly sure what I am going to buy or where I am going to go, but I know I am going to head out shortly. I will try and make it a stress free trip by having a coffee or two and also maybe some lunch but I fear that ultimately stress will be the winner.

I am sure you tuned in to watch all the Racing from Newbury yesterday, if you did you would have been aware of the quality on show even if you could not see much of the action. The fog was dense and made viewing impossible. In the circumstances therefore I must give the racecourse commentator Mark Johnson a mention. He managed to seamlessly take us through all the races even though he could not see much more than us. He never hesitated, was never lost for words and kept us as informed as he possibly could. It was the best foggy commentary stint I have ever heard, well done to Mark. Unfortunately he described our selection coming home in third place in the Challow hurdle. I cannot give a reason for the defeat because I could not see anything, but I have a suspicion that Al Ferof is a fast horse who may benefit from coming back in trip, he may even prove to be a fancy and lively outsider for the Supreme Novices Hurdle in March, but that is mere speculation on my part. As for the rest of the action, Big Bucks did the business as expected and Timmy Murphy was at his sublime best on Ghizao in the opener, at least he looked good in first 300 and last 300 yards. Is it just me or is Timmy Murphy massively under used by trainers. He would surely be the answer for Paul Nicholls given the absence of Ruby Walsh and Noel Feihly. He rides patiently like Ruby does, looks after horses like Ruby does and is strong like Ruby is, a no brainer as far as I am concerned, but I am not the champion trainer and what has it got to do with me anyway!

For the first time in a number of years we have been invited to a new Years Eve party and no sooner had one invite arrived by text another one rocked up. Yes like buses two rocked up at once. I think we will go tot he one nearest the house so we can walk home. A practical decision I know, but one we will be pleased we made when it comes to new Years Day. Of course at this time of year everyone begins to reflect on the year gone by and I am a bit of a softie for that sort of thing so I will be doing just that here on the blog tomorrow. Bet you can’t wait! Time to go shopping. Have a good one.

Today’s Selection

2:45 Lingfield – Gallantry (100/30 Boylesports)

Taunton & Leopardstown

As per usual there is some decent money on offer at Taunton with the day starting with a seller and then a couple of decent novice hurdles, one for mares featuring some good types.  I thought Mizzurka would improve for her Exeter debut a fortnight ago, and with A.P. retaining the mount, I would expect the daughter of the staying chaser Miss Diskin to go close today.  Three real competitive handicaps to close the card, a valuable conditional jockeys event for the penultimate event with Grafite lurking at the bottom of the handicap, I realise Towcester form can be misleading but the way he bolted up that hill a fortnight ago suggests he is on the upgrade, he could be worth chancing at a decent price with the excellant Richie McLernon on board.

On the final day at Leopardstown all eyes will be on Mikael D’Haguenet as he bids to land the grade one novice event over two miles.  Not quite certain what his optimum distance is likely to be, but he is one exciting individual and though it is a no bet race, I hope he puts up a flawless display.

The Ashes have been retained and Australia look like a battered and dejected side who will struggle to avoid a 3-1 series defeat when the teams move on to Sydney. We have played extremely well against a sub-standard Aussie team and in truth have bolted up. I had planned to stay up and watch the boys finish the job last night but I am afraid the eyes started to drop around 10.30pm and there was no way I was going to be able to stay up and watch the last few wickets fall. Never mind, there are endless highlights on Sky today and I will be settling down to them as soon as I finish here.

Racing returns with a bang on Racing UK today with a stellar card at Newbury. The thaw has well and truly set in and we are glad to be able to bring you some quality action this afternoon. The feature event is the Long Walk Hurdle which will surely go to Big Buck’s barring accidents. He is the best hurdler in training and this is surely going to be another facile win and excellent preparation for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. I will be having one bet today and it will be on Al Ferof in the 2.10pm.

He was all set for a comfortable success at Cheltenham last time on his debut in this country when he took a bad fall. I liked the way he went about his job; the zest he showed and quick hurdling technique were signs that he could be top class. His fall three out came about because of that zest as he took off too early attacking the hurdle. He will be hard to beat today and with some decent horses in opposition we may get a reasonable price. All in all, the card is an excellent one and you can enjoy it all with us here on Racing UK.

I do not have too many plans for today although we are going to head out for a walk later and I need to think about buying a replacement for my broken laptop. Then this evening we will be settling down for some more Tungsten magic from the Ally Pally. I am really enjoying this year’s tournament and the great Phil Taylor is playing tonight. With a three-dart average of over 100 last time out, he will be worth watching tonight. I believe he will win this tournament again. A lot of people are writing him off, but that would be foolish given his record and the bookies are certainly taking no chances with him.

Enjoy your sport and all the best.

Today’s selection

2.10 Newbury – Al Ferof (9/4 various firms)

Just four days left in 2010 and todays card at Ffos Las is only the eleventh to be run on turf this month,it has certainly been a barren spell and the novice hurdles have both attracted maximum fields, with A.P. venturing across the Irish sea,Richie McLernon steps in for some decent rides for his retaining stable, that of Jonjo’s.Irish import Viking Visitor makes his debut for the yard in the opener, a tough opponent could be another ex Irish horse State Benefit for the Nicky Henderson yard, who in the other novice hurdle run the well fancied Master Fiddle out of the same owners staying mare Fiddling The Facts. There is a decent handicap chase with J.P. McManus supplying a third of the twelve runner field. The Leopardstown meeting gets under way two days late and the highlight of the day is the Lexus chase, it must have every chance of staying on home soil, and I like the look of Notre Pere,in the prevailing conditions and the 20-1 available price.

The new dirt track at Santa Anita has been well received by Horsemen and punters alike. Gone is the pro-ride that so favoured turf horses and was plagued with drainage problems. Now in its place is a traditional fast dirt surface where the best horses usually win and where sectional times and speed figures are meaningful again. No longer do dirt horses have to learn to crawl for half a mile and then sprint, now they can go to California and race hard from the off and the fastest horses will win the races which is how it should be. What of the attritional nature of a dirt surface, well so far so good, no horse has had to be vanned off yet and trainers seem to be adamant that the surface is a safe one. The hall of fame trainer Bob Baffert has always maintained that a properly looked after dirt surface is a perfectly safe one. Well this theory will now be put to the test with this brand new dirt surface. The knee jerk reaction after the death of George Washington in the Breeders Cup Classic a few years ago was to reach for synthetic surfaces, this was understandable, but whilst there is no doubt that synthetic surfaces are safer than old and tired dirt surfaces are they really any safer than a properly maintained dirt track? I doubt it and with Santa Anita now racing back on dirt this theory is going to be put sternly to the test. I for one welcome back this surface that has brought us so many champions, not just champions in the eyes of the collateral form merchants but champions on the clock. Synthetic surfaces do not lend themselves to this and there is no better example than Meydan where the new tapeta surface has already rendered the Dubai World Cup a crawl and sprint lottery. The many Nad Al Sheba winners of this great race such as Cigar and Dubai Millenium may not have won on a synthetic surface because of the tactical nature of racing on it and to never see the like again would be a travesty, now at Santa Anita we will see the like again and that is good news for all those who like races to be won by the best horses not just those who are ridden to gain the best tactical advantage.

Things are looking good for jump racing over the next few days. The thaw has well and truly set in and we should be back in full flow on Racing UK over the next few days. I am due back in the studio on Thursday for the jumps card from Haydock which is subject to an 11.00am inspection today. I suspect they will decide to have another look on Wednesday and at this stage you would have to be hopeful of the meeting taking place. There is of course all weather action to keep us up and running on RUK with a couple of kempton fixtures this week , but it will be good to have jump racing back on our screens.

We are going to be taking it easy today although we are heading out for some lunch with family and then tonight as per last night we will be watching the World darts championship on SKY. There have been a few mutterings around the darts circuit about Phil taylor not being the force of old this year. This is palpable nonsense to my eyes and if there is one man in the sporting world you should not write off it is him. He played pretty well last night and his average is improving and surely he is the type of man who will reaact positively when the doubters squirm their way out of the shadows. This man should never be doubted and I would love it if he couild become World Champion again.

Our selection yesterday was a non runner so no damage done. With a bit of luck we can end the year with a few winners starting today.

Enjoy your day.

Todays Selections

12.35 Lingfield – Batchworth Blaise (each way 7/1 William Hill)

2.30 Southwell – Best prospect ( each way 14/1 32Red)

I managed something of a lie in this morning which means that I do not know what happened in the Ashes last night, but I am about to settle down with my breakfast to the highlights on Sky Sports. As far as today is concerned that is all that I have got planned, although we are planning to go for a walk at some point this afternoon just to get some fresh air. The trouble with Christmas is that you tend to get marooned in the house surrounded by turkey and wrapping paper and you really have to make an effort to get out an about to avoid cabin fever setting in. Unfortunately there is no Racing at kempton for us to enjoy today, but if the mood takes you there is some deep and dirty fibresand action takong place at Southwell later today.

We should congratulate everybody concerned in moving the King george and Christmas Hurdle to later in January. Such an effort requires co-operation from many parties and the speed with which a decision was made yesterday was commendable. The big race will now take place on the 25th January at kempton and of course will be live on Racing UK and Kauto Star will probably win just as he would ahve done on B oxing day or the day after. The date of the race may change but the result is highly likely to remain the same!

Of course as soon as Christmas is over the sales strart indeed in the case of some stores sales began online on Christmas day. I do not usually care much or give a thought to any sales but just before Christmas I managed to crack the screen on my laptop and now need another one which is not the type of expense you need just after Christmas, so the sales may well come in handy this year. My better half also has a birthday in January so they may well help me in that regard as well.

Southwell is my favourite punting track on the all-weather, but I am not sure I will be getting involved today. A few days away from the punting scene will do me no harm and I needc to get out of the house as well and take in some fresh air. If you are punting then stick to horses with course specific form that like to race prominently and also those with soft ground turf pedigrees, those angles should see you through the day without doing too much damage.

Time to bid you farewell for another day. All the best.

Todays Selections

12.10 Southwell – Even Stevens (evens Victor Chandler)