Sunday 16 November 2008

Cheltenham Paddy Power Meeting


The three day meeting marks the beginning of the jump season, with an unusual occurrence soft ground and a cracking meeting.

This week has already had a good start with a Lenny Lungo treble at Sedgefield and a cracking winner at Carlisle Skippers Brig. Its fantastic to see Wilson Renwick riding winners, cracking lad with great talent.

Cheltenham sees the start of the big guns and I am looking forward to seeing Tatenan, Numide, Bible Lord, Razor Royale and the potentially top class Giergio Quercus. The best bet of the three days is Numide on Sunday and with my past Cheltenham record will be my only winner (NUMIDE wins in style, above).

A quiet week abounds with Kelso the next stop on Friday.

Sunday 2 November 2008

the 4 day trip


The four day trip to the Northern Tracks of Newcastle, Wetherby and Carlisle is over and a lot has been learned. The first is don’t stay at the Golden Lion in Leyburn , it is a shocker and I mean a shocker ! and the second is that four days is too long !

Day 1 - Newcastle

Enjoyable days racing with no real stand out stars on show, with the novice MILLSTREAM looking like a horse to follow.

Day 2 - Wetherby

The best of the Northern tracks, with a good set of horses on show, it is quieter day than the Saturday and I like the freedom to rome around. The horses to follow from the day is YES SIR, back to his best on fast ground will win again if the handicapper doesn’t murder him.

Day 3 – Wetherby

A few hefty price tags on show and yet again a Howard Johnson horse gets beat on his debut when backed as if defeat is out of the question, the nicest horse on show was the mare MY PETRA and the small STATE OF PLAY has won is only race of the season. PYSCHOMONDO is a top class horse from the Ascot meeting , he has a huge engine and will be seen to better effect going left handed. Missed a big price winner in the shape of SENTRY DUTY that signalled a retreat to the bar and more money down the drain !!!

Day 4 – Carlisle – a day to far for The Adman

I don’t like the card, I am cream crackered after a huge lack of sleep due to the rampaging children on the corridors of the Golden Lion and I should just watch and learn or back SHOREACRES at the away meeting. I lose a few quid and am that tired that I am not even that bothered !!! TIDAL BAY wins, but didn’t impress me in his physical looks and the way he carried his head – he would need to improve to win at Cheltenham for me.