Thursday July 27th 2023

(bit late in the day) Does anyone have strong feelings about the Racing League?

I just feel there are enough imponderables, with picking a winner, without the extra dimension of TV 'celebrities' 'teams', and plots that may be planned for bonuses, for me to want to avoid it.

I dislike the Shergar Cup more, but it doesn't light my fire....

Fanfaron Dino won at 13/2.

Zarinsk won 11/5.

War Rooms won 11/2

The winner's closeup in the first at Doncaster: "midfield early, briefly dropped to last well before halfway but still in touch, soon making headway and went into share of second before 2f out, chased leader inside final furlong, ran on strongly when led just inside final 110 yards, ran on strongly near finish, slightly eased final strides, comfortably". It should really be divided into chapters and have an index.

NAP EW No Mean Feat 5.00 Limerick. Big price.

Gars and Co - worcester 14.50

Hostelry 17:20 Donny Nap.

I've dated a few in my time.

Expensive Queen ew in the 15:15 at Sandown Park.

Zarinsk, again, 6.22L.

Need a double carpet winner! Won't get that today with Certain Lad in the 20.30 at Yarmouth, but he's got a chance at the weights IF he can regain the level of form shown earlier in the season. He's the selection.

Championship here I come!

Regal Empire 8.30Y nap

Relegation looms, which sprouted an idea. How about having 2 divisions with promotion and relegation? Most points could still be overall winner but it could add a bit of fun for those, like me, on a poor run.

Nap Donny 1540 War Rooms

won the toss up with Alrashka in the next

Yantari 7.00 Yarmouth is the nap,well done yesterday's winners, with top marks to EGS for his 14/1 stunner.

Fanfaron Dino - 15.25 Worcester

4.20 Sweet Reward

If I had laid the last fortnight’s selections, I’d be a millionaire Rodney. I ignored 2 tracker horses yesterday in anticipation of a mid-season clear out. Both won (9/2 & 11/10). Undeterred, I sat down last evening and took apart today’s 1m2f handicap at Sandown (I’m still in the London office & I’ve booked the afternoon off to pop down there later). I had Mark Prescott’s Flyawaydream way ahead of a decent field and I had intended to have a decent punt. Just checked and he’s a NR.

The novice event could be informative – The Gosden colt, Reliant, is a half-brother to Mishriff by Frankel. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Soprano copes with the tight bend and 7f in the listed fillies race. Karl Burke’s Fallen Angel shouldn't be underestimated. She has some lofty entries and won with plenty in hand last time. Hopefully the Tom Jones fans didn’t wreck the joint last night and they’ve cleared the course of discarded knickers.  

4.20 Sandown park thebeautifulgame ew

A proud Beth ( who gave up her weekend off again to take Uggy ) and Meg at Cartmel . The ground was riding a full 8.32 secs per mile slow which equates to genuine heavy so the little horses run was even better than first thought .

Ryan Moore has had a couple of hard decisions to make at Leopardstown this evening.

My nap is Carracci in the 19.22.

In the earlier 18.22 there is a Race called Romanised Minstrel Stakes.

How can you put 2 Horse's Names together in one Race?

It was always The Minstrel Stakes.

Romanised won it twice but so did Order Of Australia who arguably has the better C.V.

Gordon Lord Byron won it twice and at least The Minstrel Gordon Lord Byron Stakes has a ring to it.

I can accept a name change to 'ACME Pest Control and Ear Wax Removal' (registered as The Minstrel Stakes) for commercial reasons but not another Horse.

What next?

Sea The Stars won the Eclipse so could it be changed to Sea The Stars Eclipse Stakes.