Looks like I picked the wrong month to resume in the naps fray, with EGS napping a 41/1 winner at Longchamp: brilliant work. Luke was the only one to select the Arc winner Alpinista: well done. I was delighted for Mark Prescott winning an Arc in the twilight of his career. He seems to be a man who personifies the old Kipling maxim about defeat and victory. He's a fine storyteller too, but most of all I admire the confidence he has to pick a non superstar jockey and stick with him through the ups and downs of life. I'm sure other trainers have a strong degree of loyalty to their jocks, but I doubt anyone could beat Mark Prescott. And he's just generally a nice man; I sent him a book a couple of years back and within a couple of days I got a lovely handwritten card from him.
If I've left anyone out, I apologise; please leave a message on this thread and I'll update.
Roundhay Park 4.50 Pontefract won SP 20/1.
A query for Joe - what price do you go with for overseas runners?
I think we've had an SP on the odd occasion (given on Sporting Life results) for a French winner in the past, but RP lists the Pari-Mutuel (and similar with other tote style systems, I guess).
Makes almost no difference to me, with Alpinista 33/10 or 7/2, but with EGS EW winner, it's 41/1 or 66/1.
Whatever is easier for you, I guess - thanks for your continued time and effort doing these tables Joe - I certainly enjoy it 😀
I wouldn't say Pride before a Fall as I knew my nap trained by WJ Austin and starting at 80/1 would finish Stone last.
Tomorrow I will nap his Runner at Galway.
I think it is 18 months since his last winner and longer since his last Confession.
On days like this when the Racecards don't suit me I look for his name.
I'm with RobJ and against Joe I'm afraid...
3.05P Wynford nap
(abandoned Knight of Honour at last minute)
i'll going to try and be a bit more adventurous this month...EGS will take a lot of catching.
Today that stretches only to picking Borderline in tjhe Straford 4.30. but ive not much time/ability/luck to tease out a 40 to 1 winner!
Sky Defender in 3.12 at Windsor ...e/w please
Well done EGS…must feel nice to get the month of to a good start…no time to relax
Do I Dream 14:30 Ponte EW Nap
3,12 Windsor - Wahraan
Well done EGS.
EGS in sight of victory 2 days in...I'll oppose Rob today with flat white 3.05P.
Well done EGS. Victory already in sight after two days!
No winners yet for me this month and no vowels today. Rhythm in the 16.50 at Pontefract is today’s selection.
Anyone who bets on Skybet will have noted that it has added a further profit margin by hiking its weekly £5 free bet criterion from £25 stakes to £30 stakes. I use Skybet as it's one of the few which allows betting from France. (W Hill and Unibet are the others. W HIll's website is a catastrophe of non functionality on a PC). I have been looking at their quoted odds vs SP. When they quote an extra place, my opinion (at present) is that it better in most cases to take SP.
Good personal anecdote, Joe, about Mark Prescott. Personal letters are, I think, a welcome sign of a real person who is prepared to give time to others. His loyalty to his jockeys is really commendable.
Roundhay Park 4.50 Pontefract is todays nap.Well done yesterdays winners.Very well done EGS I would think you are odds on already to be this months champion.💥
Wynford nap (ponty, 15:05). Well done EGS!
Kirilenko. Windsor 5.32.
Great pick EGS !
When is twilight of a training career?
Probably when you cite your Assistant Trainer in a post-race Interview when he mentioned someone I never heard of called William Butler.
I don't like this rigmarole about back stories concerning Sir Mark Prescott anymore than Kevin Prendergast when he trained Madhmoon in 2019 when in his mid-80s (Chris Cook napped that Horse for the 2019 2000 Guineas).
Every Article mentions the age of Older Trainers but not the age of younger Trainers.
I am not not sure whether it is Aidan or Joseph or Donnacha who are permanently aged 14.
Twilight is when your vision gets dim and as Prescott is demonstrating clear vision maybe this William Butler Lad should seek another yard.
My nap today is in the 13.45 at Tipperary. Fidanka. e.w.
John Berry's Dereham returns to Pontefract (3.05) the scene of his last victory. He should be sharper for his recent run (after a 3 months break) will like ground and trip, and is my nap.