Two placed, one winner on Tuesday (good to see Baci back). If I've left anyone out, I apologise; please leave a message on this thread and I'll update.
I think that column of vehicles going round inside the course at Haydock is the biggest I have seen. I thought it must be President Biden's motorcade, or maybe a satnav diversion. Haydock isn't going to be carbon neutral any time soon.
Thanks to Harry for passing on some gen about Russell Ross. I'm not surprised by the gamble as he prob needs something like that to fund an operation with so few runners. All Consett means to me is Sadie the Bra Lady. One of life's questions, if you know Consett, an ex-mining community that is really pretty much just a street and whenever I drive through I wonder how such a specialist shop can pay its way there. SWMBO just puts me down as a pervert for my reflections.
Nap Hay 1437 Hullnback
who I reckon at about 2s is a very generous price and on a day of shorties I'm surprised isn't odds on.
It's more of a former steel industry community than mining - and with a population of 25,000 it's a bit bigger than you think. (You're not thinking of Tow Law are you?). The cooling towers were a huge landmark that really dominated the Derwent valley. It used to be known as Red Town for the red dust that covered everything - as the sun went down everything turned a vivid red like Ayers Rock. When the BSC works closed in the late 70s nearly 4,000 workers lost their jobs. Some of them were offered jobs in the Phileas Fogg crisp factory. Not quite the same as working in a blast furnace.
I'm sure that will be cracking - be sure and fall in Ullswater. I fell in Coniston once and those around thought it amusing rather than expressing any concern that I'd fallen from a yacht fully clothed.
I'm minded of an old story about a chap that got done for criminal damage after he had walked round a corner and stuck one on a threatening looking chap only to find it was his reflection in a shop window.
I worked at what was then called Consett Technical College for three years when the steelworks still existed. Generally, the local people referred to it as "the company" (though it had been nationalised for some time).
The red dust which came from the steelworks, (which Harry refers to) was indeed everywhere. Inside the College, were you to run your finger along a shelf that had not been dusted for a while, you would collect a line of red dust. A white car would gradually assume a shade of dark pink if it were not washed frequently. They did put filters in the chimneys, but this seemed to have little effect.
The town was hugely dependent on the steelworks which produced high quality steel. The College was perched a little way down the hill more or less opposite the huge chimneys of the works. The College was a very small one, later to be renamed Derwentside College (which still exists). There were panoramic views of the surrounding countryside as Consett is about 900 feet above sea level. If you could see the Cheviots, you could expect rain and if you could not, then it was raining (a local saying). It could get very cold indeed in winter with substantial snowfall. I had the most dangerous drive of my life driving back through snow to the other side of Tow Law when the College closed early on night when I had an evening class. I had never experienced the effect of snowdrifts across roads where there are field gates which form solid humps and which are invisible until you hit them in zero visibility in driving snow. The car leaps in the air!
On another occasion a man died at Tow Law going home from the pub and losing his way. He could not be found until the next day.
Much of the College's provision was dependent on the steelworks, as it provided technical, electrical and engineering courses up to a high level. It was a colossal blow to the community when Thatcher's attitude to nationalised industries (BSC) saw the works close in 1980 leaving unemployment in the town at 35%. (I left in 1978). At that time, the operation was not making a loss as BSC had pared back the staff substantially. I think some employees moved to Redcar, but I am not sure.
A large number of people left the town altogether and the population of Derwentside fell by over 20,000 over the following decade. I caught up on an article from 2015 in the Northern Echo when the Redcar steelworks closed. It's a pretty positive spin, I think, but what alternative was there apart from lamentation?
It's usually enjoyable to watch these Veteran races and it depends a bit on the horses mood on the day, I think. I think some of these may need the run, and as well as those already mentioned, Sporting Life also make a case for Burbank...
Agree with Harry - if Blaklion doesn't show some enthusiasm, surely earnt a decent retirement.
Well done, Luke. Richard Hobson has done well with this horse, going regualarly to France with him. Proper French heavy ground suits him, being by Saint Des Saints out of a Poliglote mare, and Haydock was pretty testing today.
Milton is making " slow progress " his words to me this morning but is out of I/C unit.
He suffered a pulmonary embolism on the flight out to Thailand last week.
LArgent of Tim's runs today , had a set back after his good debut run but is well thought of and was working with SIXFIVESEVEN prior to the Compiegne run. Looks a tricky event on paper but he's being backed.
I had a pulmonary embolism a few years ago.My father in law died the same week,my consultant would not let me fly to the funeral without taking blood thinners.I would expect the doctors in Thailand will make sure Milton is prescribed some before flying home.
Real wild pick today Another Emotion 15:07 Hay. Ew Nap. 40/1. Reason I am picking this is on its win at Carlisle last year winning by 9 lengths and leaving most of the rest of the field behind…..now let’s see what happens to the theory…any comments on the choice are welcome.
Much debate on this race on the old whatsapp this AM, I'm a fan of Chambard, and owes me nothing after the Kim Muir at 40/1! A friend is going with Siant Xavier. The other obvious one being Coo Coo. I've left Coo Coo, have the other two in different multiples and now a small EW on Another Emotion. They can't all win, but I've some cover!!
Yesterday’s 2nd at 9/1 probably ended of any chance of an honourable placing in this month’s contest. So, I’m having to go big with a long shot.
I’ve got 2 in the tracker today at Haydock: Nemean Lion and Djelo. Both were very easy winners on debut and are now upped in grade. Djelo’s mark of 114 looks extremely generous, even with a 7lb penalty.
I had a weird piece of luck whereby Bet 365 gave me a payout on The Big Doyen at Punchestown despite being DQ on the 2 Winner Rule. I then had a payout on Hoodwinker at Deauville who came 5th. I hadn't done enhanced e.w. but by lucky accident didn't know the Betting Rules in that Race.
The 14.05 at Deauville in the Listed Race today is a Catholic Affair with Voice Of Angels, Sistine Madonna, Nano Nagle (a Cork Nun) and Purple Bling all in action.
I am keeping it simple for the last day of the Month.
APOB has wanted for some time either Cyclamen or Engagement Ring to retire as Race Winners despite the ignominy of sending them to Dundalk.
Saint Xavier won at 3/1 today
Some great contributions today from the community 😀
Hullnback won 5/4
I think that column of vehicles going round inside the course at Haydock is the biggest I have seen. I thought it must be President Biden's motorcade, or maybe a satnav diversion. Haydock isn't going to be carbon neutral any time soon.
Nice theory but unfulfilled..
NAP Fortified Bay 3.07 Haydock..........a tad of a longshot but, hey............
Barnard Castle 3.15 Ludlow is the nap,well done yesterdays winners.
Thanks to Harry for passing on some gen about Russell Ross. I'm not surprised by the gamble as he prob needs something like that to fund an operation with so few runners. All Consett means to me is Sadie the Bra Lady. One of life's questions, if you know Consett, an ex-mining community that is really pretty much just a street and whenever I drive through I wonder how such a specialist shop can pay its way there. SWMBO just puts me down as a pervert for my reflections.
Nap Hay 1437 Hullnback
who I reckon at about 2s is a very generous price and on a day of shorties I'm surprised isn't odds on.
15.07 Haydock - Fortified Bay
Loup De Maulde Ludlow 15.15 today, juggled between a few, settled on that...
On the last day of the month I’m going to be Positive (each way) - 14.25 Lingfield
Saint Xavier 3.07H nap
It's usually enjoyable to watch these Veteran races and it depends a bit on the horses mood on the day, I think. I think some of these may need the run, and as well as those already mentioned, Sporting Life also make a case for Burbank...
Agree with Harry - if Blaklion doesn't show some enthusiasm, surely earnt a decent retirement.
Syndicate news .
Milton is making " slow progress " his words to me this morning but is out of I/C unit.
He suffered a pulmonary embolism on the flight out to Thailand last week.
LArgent of Tim's runs today , had a set back after his good debut run but is well thought of and was working with SIXFIVESEVEN prior to the Compiegne run. Looks a tricky event on paper but he's being backed.
Real wild pick today Another Emotion 15:07 Hay. Ew Nap. 40/1. Reason I am picking this is on its win at Carlisle last year winning by 9 lengths and leaving most of the rest of the field behind…..now let’s see what happens to the theory…any comments on the choice are welcome.
2.55 Lingfield Kanuhura
Post chaise 1.05H
Some stratospheric prices at Tattersalls. Thought provoking about the nature of horseracing. Perhaps it's always been like this.
https://www.theirishfield.ie/sales-saffron-beach-sell-for-3-6-million-guineas-737561
NAP: 1.55 Lingfield - Bowman
Yesterday’s 2nd at 9/1 probably ended of any chance of an honourable placing in this month’s contest. So, I’m having to go big with a long shot.
I’ve got 2 in the tracker today at Haydock: Nemean Lion and Djelo. Both were very easy winners on debut and are now upped in grade. Djelo’s mark of 114 looks extremely generous, even with a 7lb penalty.
Three excellent naps yesterday. Congrats.
I had a weird piece of luck whereby Bet 365 gave me a payout on The Big Doyen at Punchestown despite being DQ on the 2 Winner Rule. I then had a payout on Hoodwinker at Deauville who came 5th. I hadn't done enhanced e.w. but by lucky accident didn't know the Betting Rules in that Race.
The 14.05 at Deauville in the Listed Race today is a Catholic Affair with Voice Of Angels, Sistine Madonna, Nano Nagle (a Cork Nun) and Purple Bling all in action.
I am keeping it simple for the last day of the Month.
APOB has wanted for some time either Cyclamen or Engagement Ring to retire as Race Winners despite the ignominy of sending them to Dundalk.
I nap the latter in the 17.00 at Dundalk.