Racing

Hi all. It is painfully dull living in this village, roll on October. Despite being totally skint, I’ve done another “fuck it, let’s go racing tomorrow” but basically there’s very little on. Catterick is the closest meet to me, an hour and 45 minutes on the train and then a thirty minute bus ride. Still, gets me out of the house and assuming I don’t find a job by Thursday, the taxpayer will be part funding it anyway!

Before I kick on looking at the ponies, let me say this (I’ll say it now cos I know no cunt will read any further than this). Scott was asking me about Sheffield United’s chances tomorrow – don’t do it boys. There’s history between United and Udders and there’s history between the managers. Blackwell once punched Ternant after being accused of spying at the door of a team talk, when Warnock was in charge. They WILL raise their game, we WILL make changes (I can see 7 or 8 reserves coming in easily) and they did beat us at their place in pre-season. Scott – stop looking at poor value away bets or you will never get rich. Even if we win, 5/4 (Scott’s quote) is no value, it’s just not worth it.

Nag time. I don’t know anything about Catterick and I’ve certainly never been before. Google is my friend however and I’ve discovered that it’s left handed and sharp, so I’ll be trying to avoid gangly, long striding types that like going right handed, basically. Easy, this game. I’ll also be looking to avoid higher drawn horses, as the low numbers have an edge, up to 6 furlongs. Apparently on soft ground over 5f, higher numbers are the way forward, but the forecast going is good, so I’ll ignore that fact.

The opening two races are maidens and if I bet on these at all, it’ll likely be down to a market move. I really hate these types of races, will probably just watch and learn. There was one in the opener that tickled me due to my Indian chef connections, called Call Me Naan and the trainer is in form, but I recently learned that his nags do better on their second time out (backing all his two year olds £1 to win on their second start over the last five seasons would have made you nearly £100) – as I say, it’s going to need a market move.

15:20 - 1m 7f
Sorry to be the favourite backer, but it’s very hard to oppose the top weight and overnight 3.7 shot (Betfair) Let It Be. It’s won three on the spin, two in better company and although it’s up a stone and a half since it’s last win at the grade, the very useful Fromanangle Gillies has been drafted in, 7lb claim and all, which should help offset that. He’s won four of his last ten races, by the way. Mind you, that’s all jumps, he’s little form to speak of as a flat jockey, but he’s obviously capable and that claim will be invaluable.

Verdict: Let It Be - 2pts

15:50 - 7f
Dancing Maite looks to have strong e/w claims at a good price (9.0 Betfair at time of writing) and off a featherweight, the run at Wolverhampton a grade lower than this looks a nice piece of form. This looks a close race on paper and as I can’t choose between the market leaders, I’ll have a small e/w punt. If that price isn’t there in the morning, I’ll likely just watch.

Verdict: Dancing Maite - 0.5 pts e/w

16:20 – 5f
Trappy with a capital ‘T’. Loads look to have chances and I think the safe play seems to be Darcy’s Pride at a decent e/w price (9.6 at the time on Betfair). It’s well drawn, it’s not too high up the weights, it’s won over C&D, at a better grade and off a higher mark. If the price isn’t there, I’ll probably leave it alone. I may even leave it alone anyway.

Verdict: Darcy’s Pride - 0.5 pts e/w

16:50 - 1m 4f
I really liked the idea of China Pink in this one. Mark Prescott’s horses are known for being put in races at two that are far too short before being stepped up to a fairer distance at three, before knocking out a series of quickfire wins. It’s last was a touch too much and I feel this race is there for the winning. When he’s only sending one horse, you have to like it. BUT, it’s listed as doubtful by the RP and that means it’s probably withdrawn already. Gah! In her absence, I will have to go with Sabancaya. The overnight favourite looks like it has a chance in this weak race, but it’s never won at this distance and is 7lbs worse off than it’s last victory. Two starts ago it ran at this grade and off a lower weight and was beaten a length by nothing special. Sabancaya is still a maiden but has run quite well at a better grade and lost last time out by a length and a half to a horse that went on to cut up a better class of race by 11 lengths and is only marked up 2lbs for that effort.

Verdict: Sabancaya - 2pts

17:20 - 6f
Winthorpe made initial appeal as it’s last win (May) was only by a head, to a horse that’s done okay at a better grade than this but it’s getting on a bit now and hasn’t won a grade 5 since 2003. Turn Me On seems a consistent sort but has no 6f form to speak of, it’s only decent result was losing by not much last year, to nothing special at all. Mandalieu is fancied by ATR but I can’t get on with that view at all, it’s a troublesome ride who won last time out at a grade lower, but didn’t really beat that much. Guest Connections seems the pick of this close contest, with a plum stall #1 draw, off a career low mark, three wins over the minimum trip this summer and a return to 6f sure to suit. It’s also got some solid 6f form, winning a class 4 race (albeit in 2006) with three 2nds over 6f this year alone.

Verdict: Guest Connections - 2pts