Name dropping is never clever. I was reminded of this on Sunday at Plumpton when I was stood in the collect queue after the victory of Like Sully, behind the very clever and splendidly red-trousered Lord Baker (former Education Minister, 'star' of Spitting Image and inspiration behind modern Technology Colleges). To see he had only secured 9/4 for his wager, made my successful punt at 5/2 just that little bit more satisfying (he wrote smugly.)
The run has continued, with a recognition that the bookies had over-reacted to England's comeback against Germany, with their odds for the Holland game. A Dutch team inspired by the death of the truly great Johan Cruyff, and England's frailties in front of the home crowd at Wembley, duly delivered the goods for those who followed the advice on twitter. Gratifying, if a tad over the top, feedback as well, 'shrewd as a shrew from Shrewsbury.'
The cricket is going well, with wins for England and West Indies in the men's 20/20 cricket. I even ventured into the women's game, convinced that Australia's 'ladies' (as the commentators call them) were much better than England's. It was closer than I expected, and the standard of the cricket was in truth not that great, but Australia prevailed in the end. Mark Robinson (new England coach) criticised his team for being unfit, apparently the reason they could not run 2's. Not good enough I am afraid for cricketers on full time and pretty lucrative contracts considering the crowds the game attracts. From what I hear there is considerable justification for the observation of some of those close to the set-up, that it is all a bit too friendly - so much so that that is very hard to get dropped from the team, and difficult for those outside to get picked.
The only setback was a near-miss in the Placepot at Lingfield on Wednesday. It was looking good until the maiden. There was good money for the unraced Bargain Buy, trained by William Haggas. I though had heard a 'whisper' for Dream Voice, also based in Newmarket with the less high profile James Tate.
The favourite was Aldair, one of the prolific Richard Hannon's, and 4th in a maiden at Chepstow in his only race. I surmised that this form was not all that, and that if the murmurings for those making their first appearances were correct then the favourite could even miss out on a place. I therefore chose Dream Voice in the Placepot and stuck him in an exacta with Bargain Buy.
At this point the betting gods struck. Dream Voice reared in the stalls, threw off champion all-weather jockey Luke Morris, and had to be withdrawn. I knew the rules on non-runners in a Placepot so was aware my money went onto the SP favourite, Aldair. No problem as surely Aldair was good enough to finish at least 3rd with Dream Voice now out?
Adair led all the way until the final furlong (touching 1.37 on the changes in running*) before fading into (you've probably guessed by now) 4th, with Bargain Buy running away an impressive winner. My compensation for missing out on what would have been a fairly impressive Placepot dividend, was the return of my £5 exacta stake (one non-runner on an exit does not go on the favourite).
Will the good run continue on April Fool's Day at Fontwell? Probably not but it should be a good day's racing if there is not too much emphasis on the family fun day elements. My eyes will be on the 2.35 at Lingfield. Gay Kellaway's What A Party will be upped in trip (racing talk for running over longer distance) which my intelligence from 'earwig corner' suggests is just what the horse needs. I expect him to out run his price and at least be placed.
*Basically the observers/arbers on the computers thought he was going to win and bet accordingly
Showing posts with label Plumpton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plumpton. Show all posts
Friday, 1 April 2016
Monday, 28 March 2016
Plumpton or Dubai at Easter? No contest really
Boy was my report on Plumpton's Easter meeting going to be incisive, funny, informative and generally just brilliant. The jottings I had made in my reporter's notebook were spot on. Sadly between the 6th race and the last I lost my homework, which I am sure had nothing to do at all with the consumption of 2 pints of Hepworth Blonde in short succession a few minutes earlier.
This post is therefore from memories, albeit happy ones despite the traditional Plumpton weather.
The Brighton Station coach service to the course was busier than usual, 10 customers, including a family of four complete with toddlers getting their first introduction to racing. The Tote lady with the shopping bag on wheels greeted me as a long lost friend, but the man who told me last time how much he had lumped on The New One for the Champion Hurdle was sadly absent. I am sure he would have welcomed me doing a 'I told you so' by reminding him that I had considered Nigel Twiston-Davies' horse was 'in decline.'
Obviously I had considered going to Dubai for the world's richest race, but Plumpton in late March can be nice. The weather God had smiled on Lingfield for its Good Friday All-Weather Championships, which annoyed me a little bit as I am still a tad uncomfortable about gambling on the holiest day. For reasons I cannot entirely explain I am however ok with racing on Easter Sunday, although judging by the hail, rain and wind which greeted the first race this was a verdict the Almighty did not agree with.
Highlights of the meeting were the Sussex Champion Hurdle and the (rescheduled) At The Races Sussex National. The return to winter going meant there were (sadly) over 30 non-runners, but (gladly) it put a kibosh on the family fun fair/face painting in the centre of the course. By the second race parts of the infield looked more like a grass verge in Hangleton than the centre of a racetrack.
My betting morale had been boosted as I arrived by the news that Afghanistan had beaten the West Indies in the Cricket World Cup. This had given me the ammunition to follow up by judging that this was the day for trainer Richard Rowe's annual winner. My confidence was enhanced when I saw an old character Dennis (aka Yogi) the Demolition Man on a trip over from Naas in Ireland. Dennis has had connections with the Rowe yard for years, and if he was here, then the chances were that the horse, Like Sully, was on a going day.
And remarkably, considering my luck since Christmas, so it proved to be the case. Dennis looked pleased in the winner's enclosure
afterwards so I suspect the trip had proved worthwhile. It all brought back memories of a wonderful evening with him and other Irish friends in County Kildare some years ago. Dennis told some brilliant stories, including one about buying a second hand JCB in Kilburn and having to drive it backwards to Crawley (including on the M25) as it only worked in reverse gear, and another one involving a deaf builder, a spade and a portaloo which I'm afraid cannot be reported in a family blogpost.
With that and the lucky last coming up trumps the return coach journey was a happy affair, although the mum from the family of four did not seem entirely convinced. Her verdict - "Racing's boring if you ask me but at least I'll be home in time for The Night Manager."
And by way of a future tip I suggest following Butney Island, who finished third in the first race. He was given a very 'considerate' ride and will be of interest first time out in a handicap hurdle. I even missed Tom Hiddleston in order to add him (Butney Island not the nation's favourite shirt-shedder) to my great new 'horse-tracker' app which emails me when the horse is going to run next. The bookies are quaking I am sure.
This post is therefore from memories, albeit happy ones despite the traditional Plumpton weather.
The Brighton Station coach service to the course was busier than usual, 10 customers, including a family of four complete with toddlers getting their first introduction to racing. The Tote lady with the shopping bag on wheels greeted me as a long lost friend, but the man who told me last time how much he had lumped on The New One for the Champion Hurdle was sadly absent. I am sure he would have welcomed me doing a 'I told you so' by reminding him that I had considered Nigel Twiston-Davies' horse was 'in decline.'
Obviously I had considered going to Dubai for the world's richest race, but Plumpton in late March can be nice. The weather God had smiled on Lingfield for its Good Friday All-Weather Championships, which annoyed me a little bit as I am still a tad uncomfortable about gambling on the holiest day. For reasons I cannot entirely explain I am however ok with racing on Easter Sunday, although judging by the hail, rain and wind which greeted the first race this was a verdict the Almighty did not agree with.
Highlights of the meeting were the Sussex Champion Hurdle and the (rescheduled) At The Races Sussex National. The return to winter going meant there were (sadly) over 30 non-runners, but (gladly) it put a kibosh on the family fun fair/face painting in the centre of the course. By the second race parts of the infield looked more like a grass verge in Hangleton than the centre of a racetrack.
My betting morale had been boosted as I arrived by the news that Afghanistan had beaten the West Indies in the Cricket World Cup. This had given me the ammunition to follow up by judging that this was the day for trainer Richard Rowe's annual winner. My confidence was enhanced when I saw an old character Dennis (aka Yogi) the Demolition Man on a trip over from Naas in Ireland. Dennis has had connections with the Rowe yard for years, and if he was here, then the chances were that the horse, Like Sully, was on a going day.
And remarkably, considering my luck since Christmas, so it proved to be the case. Dennis looked pleased in the winner's enclosure
With that and the lucky last coming up trumps the return coach journey was a happy affair, although the mum from the family of four did not seem entirely convinced. Her verdict - "Racing's boring if you ask me but at least I'll be home in time for The Night Manager."
And by way of a future tip I suggest following Butney Island, who finished third in the first race. He was given a very 'considerate' ride and will be of interest first time out in a handicap hurdle. I even missed Tom Hiddleston in order to add him (Butney Island not the nation's favourite shirt-shedder) to my great new 'horse-tracker' app which emails me when the horse is going to run next. The bookies are quaking I am sure.
Monday, 14 March 2016
Sunny, freezing, PU and form - Plumpton and Cheltenham contrasts
Incredibly sunny at Plumpton today, so much so that I was forced to don my sunglasses underneath my trilby for the full on Rich Ricci look. Incidentally it was only yesterday that I finally confirmed for sure that Mr Ricci is actually balder than me - and he's 2 years younger! He might be £2billion richer, own the favourites for the Champion Hurdle, Supreme Novice, the Arkle and the Gold Cup, but I have (admittedly only just) more follicles. Take that #fatcatinahat.
The sun was deceptive though. I finally understand what the BBC's Tomasz Schafernaker is on about when he tells us about the 'chill factor'. The wind was blowing direct from Iceland, and rather like the small town in Trapped that has a murder rate higher than Midsomer, it was bloody freezing.
None of this put off the crowds. The gate for Plumpton's 'Irish Raceday' (it's quite near St.Patrick's Day) was swelled by many of us who had taken the week off for Cheltenham - albeit the coach from Brighton Station was still only full of the 5 regulars (the Tote lady, 'Any Luck' man, an old chap who wears blue desert boots, a very frail grey lady for whom racing is her reason to live and me).
The contrast between the horses on show at Plumpton and those engaged for the Festival could not have been greater, but it was still fun for all that. All you needed to do was ignore the incessant wittering of Colin Brown over the PA, close out the sound of the 'diddlee dee' band especially engaged for 3 day's from St Patrick's Eve Day, and concentrate on the form.
Fine in theory, but problematic when most of the runners had more letters against their name than numbers. Mind you it did not stop one man who managed to back Rocknrobin, the 25/1 winner of the second race.
"Easy that mate. I just looked at the form 00PU. Had to win again if he's Pissed Up last time."
Fortunately my favourite blacksmith, Paul Henderson, gave me my ammunition for the festival with his Talk of the South winning the 4th very easily. Not only can he shoe the horses, he can train them as well.
So for my faithful follower this is where my hard earned will be going as part of the greatest 4 days sport anywhere in the world-
- Altior for the Supreme Novice
- Lil Rockefeller in the Champion Hurdle (already mentioned) with a saver on Peace and Co. Oh and lay Annie Power - 2/1 about Willie Mullins third choice is absurd
- John's Spirit in whatever handicap he runs
- Cole Harden in the World Hurdle
- Don Cossack for the Gold Cup
- And I think Victoria Pendleton will fall off - but don't bet on any of the markets the bookies offer on it.
As for 'Any Luck Man' he tells me he backed My Tent or Yours for the Champion Hurdle at 20/1. He's now best priced 13/2 and has been unlucky for the last 2 years. Sadly for ALM the bookies love 'unlucky' horses.
And this is dear old Goring Two who after 2 PU's came an honourable 3rd today.
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
Leap Year and Plumpton are hard to beat
Plumpton and it is almost Spring. Not only did Leap Year give me an extra day to go racing (the chances of someone proposing to me were limited) but the sun was out, there was a hint of warmth in the air and the going included the description 'good'. The hammering the course has taken over this wet winter did mean there was an awful lot of sand on the track, but it would be harsh to be too critical when all climate change factors are considered.
My chance to study the form had been somewhat hampered by a surprise personal appearance on LatestTV, giving my views on the EU referendum. There were perhaps too many 'you knows' (channelling my inner Frank Bruno) and the fence is still aggravating my Nobbies*, but I am told that the last 2 Conservative leaning voters in the Left Wing capital of England (Brighton and Hove) quite enjoyed my chat with the legendary broadcaster Mike Mendoza.
As usual I took the coach from Brighton Station to the course. Me and 4 other paying customers got aboard (including an elderly gentleman wearing some rather fetching desert boots of the type now worn by the younger generation) and set out via Pyecombe. We reached Clayton when a diversion led to the driver doing a rather alarming 'u-ey', and we retraced our journey back to the newly savaged Patcham roundabout, before eventually arriving 30 minutes late via Prison Crossroads and the Offham Filling Station.
It meant the old friend I was meeting (you know who you are) had already consumed a burger (large) and spilt the sauce down his fetching Timberland (or was it White Stuff?) coat.
As for the racing it was in all honesty so, so.
The Tizzards are my favourite racing family. Colin Tizzard trains Cue Card (most likely English winner of the Gold Cup) from his farm in Dorset. He - rumour has it - was born in a caravan and once bowled out Ian Botham. Fact is he speaks in a lovely west country burr and - despite his lack of a silver spoon background - does really know what he is doing when it comes to both dairy farming and training traditional old-fashioned staying chasers. Personally I could not support his horse The Cider Maker (appropriate name of course) in the 4th race at odds/on but it duly obliged. Colin was not there but his son smokin'* Joe Tizzard took charge and the horse ran out an easy winner.
Rather than the normal 'getting in deeper stakes', for once the 'lucky last' did prove to be my 'getting out stakes'. I backed the David Bridgewater trained Jot'em Down, who stayed on well under my new favourite jockey Tom Scudamore, to deny the locally trained (Suzy Smith at Lewes) favourite Clondaw Bisto. Yet again we all saw how difficult it is for a bumper winner to come first again under a penalty.
On the way back there were 6 people on the coach (somebody sneaked on?). The Ditchling diversion was still in place but no alarming u-turns from the driver this time. It simply took two hours to complete the journey as we waited at the Hassocks traffic lights. It might be easier to go the whole way by train in future.
NB By the way, stay tuned for my next post. I am off to London on Thursday for a Cheltenham Preview Evening in which arch villain, Rich Ricci #Fatcatinahat, is the star turn. My trilby and tweeds will be making an appearance at The Temple Walkabout to hear whether he thinks Annie Power will win the Champion Hurdle.
* Nobby Styles, piles etc
**Joe puffs a packet of Rothmans whenever one of the stable's fancied runners are competing. Come the Gold Cup in a fortnight he might spontaneously combust if Cue Card gets anywhere delivering.
My chance to study the form had been somewhat hampered by a surprise personal appearance on LatestTV, giving my views on the EU referendum. There were perhaps too many 'you knows' (channelling my inner Frank Bruno) and the fence is still aggravating my Nobbies*, but I am told that the last 2 Conservative leaning voters in the Left Wing capital of England (Brighton and Hove) quite enjoyed my chat with the legendary broadcaster Mike Mendoza.
As usual I took the coach from Brighton Station to the course. Me and 4 other paying customers got aboard (including an elderly gentleman wearing some rather fetching desert boots of the type now worn by the younger generation) and set out via Pyecombe. We reached Clayton when a diversion led to the driver doing a rather alarming 'u-ey', and we retraced our journey back to the newly savaged Patcham roundabout, before eventually arriving 30 minutes late via Prison Crossroads and the Offham Filling Station.
It meant the old friend I was meeting (you know who you are) had already consumed a burger (large) and spilt the sauce down his fetching Timberland (or was it White Stuff?) coat.
As for the racing it was in all honesty so, so.
The Tizzards are my favourite racing family. Colin Tizzard trains Cue Card (most likely English winner of the Gold Cup) from his farm in Dorset. He - rumour has it - was born in a caravan and once bowled out Ian Botham. Fact is he speaks in a lovely west country burr and - despite his lack of a silver spoon background - does really know what he is doing when it comes to both dairy farming and training traditional old-fashioned staying chasers. Personally I could not support his horse The Cider Maker (appropriate name of course) in the 4th race at odds/on but it duly obliged. Colin was not there but his son smokin'* Joe Tizzard took charge and the horse ran out an easy winner.
Rather than the normal 'getting in deeper stakes', for once the 'lucky last' did prove to be my 'getting out stakes'. I backed the David Bridgewater trained Jot'em Down, who stayed on well under my new favourite jockey Tom Scudamore, to deny the locally trained (Suzy Smith at Lewes) favourite Clondaw Bisto. Yet again we all saw how difficult it is for a bumper winner to come first again under a penalty.
On the way back there were 6 people on the coach (somebody sneaked on?). The Ditchling diversion was still in place but no alarming u-turns from the driver this time. It simply took two hours to complete the journey as we waited at the Hassocks traffic lights. It might be easier to go the whole way by train in future.
NB By the way, stay tuned for my next post. I am off to London on Thursday for a Cheltenham Preview Evening in which arch villain, Rich Ricci #Fatcatinahat, is the star turn. My trilby and tweeds will be making an appearance at The Temple Walkabout to hear whether he thinks Annie Power will win the Champion Hurdle.
* Nobby Styles, piles etc
**Joe puffs a packet of Rothmans whenever one of the stable's fancied runners are competing. Come the Gold Cup in a fortnight he might spontaneously combust if Cue Card gets anywhere delivering.
Monday, 15 February 2016
At Plumpton the New Bumper Betting Plan Falls at the First Hurdle (so to speak)
I had intended to spend today ironing, cleaning, cooking and catching up on the final episode of Deutschland 83, oh and finishing season 5 of the Good Wife.
That was until I bought my Racing Post from the Co-Op to find that Arkle Chase 3rd favourite was running at Plumpton. Pretty quickly the iron was turned off and the recipe book back on the shelf, and I was off to Brighton Station to catch the coach to my favourite local course.
It was an interesting move by trainer Gary Moore to run his two mile novice chaser at Plumpton with just 4 weeks to the festival. As far as I could gather it was to find out whether Ar Mad could actually run anti-clockwise. Strange as it may seem horses are right/left handed in the same way - although not necessarily in the same proportions - as humans. Some prefer running right handed, and some prefer running left handed. With Ar Mad it has been obvious he prefers running clockwise. The performances which have led to him being high in the betting for the novice 2 mile championship have been at right handed tracks. When he ran left handed he was disappointing.
In the paddock Ar Mad looked great.
His two opponents in The Novices Limited Handicap Chase were substantially inferior to him on all known form, and that is basically how the race turned out. Joshua Moore sent his mount off in front, he was 20 lengths up by the first fence, and it stayed that way till the end. Ar Mad won easily. It was effectively a schooling round, for which he received a £5k first prize. Plus also - and this may have been another factor as to why the shrewd trainer ran him here - the chance to go for a £50k bonus by winning this race and a race at the Cheltenham Festival. This is part of a commendable scheme, sponsored by SIS (the racing TV people), to encourage trainers and owners to run good horses at gaffs such as Plumpton.
My verdict, for what it is worth (see later to understand this may not be worth much in tipping terms), is that Ar Mad deserves to take his chance in the Arkle at Cheltenham. I cannot though see him winning. Today he still jumped right at most of the fences. If he is taken on for the lead by quality horses I can see this tendency becoming more exaggerated. In short if the Cheltenham Festival were run at Sandown or Kempton (hopefully you know what I mean) then I would make him as low as 2/1 to win it. Sadly though, as the name suggests, it is run at Cheltenham and I would not want to back him at any price less than 20/1.
By way of a bonus this unexpected trip to the races gave me the chance to test out my new theory on how to make money betting on bumpers. Before the race I had assessed it all carefully. The one horse with any form - Lord Bryan - did not look all that and could be dismissed. I had a sneaky feeling for Mickieblueeyes, trained by Di Grissell. I have always had a soft spot for this trainer, for both sentimental and practical reasons. She has a lot of winners in point to points and trains not that far away in deepest East Sussex countryside near Hastings. The operation used to run by her husband, Gardie, a real character who once very nearly had the winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Royal Stag, owned by Lady Harmsworth-Blunt (of Daily Mail fame). He came agonisingly close to winning me a considerable sum when second in the 1989 running at odds of 66/1. Gardie also used to employ the legendary iron man* jockey Ray Goldstein with considerable effect at Plumpton, Fontwell and the now sadly closed Folkestone.
I also thought Richard Rowe's Remember Forever would be worth a look, having been bought for a considerable sum after finishing second in an Irish point to point.
Looking at the betting before the race I was torn. The only money - see my theory - was for an unraced horse trained by Harry Whittingham. Trouble was his well-fancied runner earlier in the day had run appallingly.
It therefore came down to a straight choice between the Grissell and Rowe horses. Remembering that towards the end of his time as a jockey Richard Rowe 'never gave up the outside to anyone', and with the advice that as a trainer he 'could not train ivy up a tree' ringing in my ears, I was leaning towards the Grissell gelding.
But the money, such as it was, was for Rowe's Remember Forever; 16/1 in places, into 14's and then 12's.
As for Grissell's Mickieblueeyes, it was drifting like a barge. Opened at 12's, then 14's, 16's, 18's and finally 20/1 at the off.
My new clever theory demanded I back Rowe's animal, and the rest is down to the punting gods.
I was right in that Harry Whittingham's horse run just as badly as his earlier runner. The horse with form, Lord Bryan from the Bowen yard, flattered to deceive as I had anticipated.
As for Rowe's nag, it was going ok at half way before dropping out tamely on the final bend.
The winner you will have guessed by now, was Mickieblueeyes, trained by Di Grissell, and in an agonising twist of fate, ridden by Marc Goldstein (son of the legendary iron man Ray himself). The price 20/1 - it could have been caviar but instead it's fish fingers for dinner tonight. If it had won I meant even have purchased a Pride of Plumpton paving stone there and then.
To add salt into the wound the dulcet tone of the PA announcer said goodbye to us all as we left the course, especially "those members of Sussex County Cricket Club who had enjoyed free admission on production of their membership card". I, as a life long member of the club, had known nothing of this and had therefore paid £16 to get in.
Oh well to Fontwell on Thursday to make amends - although I may give the bumper a swerve!
*So called not because he ran triathlons but because of his bravery round the southern tracks. Ray had so many injuries that he was rumoured to be made of iron by the time he retired.
That was until I bought my Racing Post from the Co-Op to find that Arkle Chase 3rd favourite was running at Plumpton. Pretty quickly the iron was turned off and the recipe book back on the shelf, and I was off to Brighton Station to catch the coach to my favourite local course.
It was an interesting move by trainer Gary Moore to run his two mile novice chaser at Plumpton with just 4 weeks to the festival. As far as I could gather it was to find out whether Ar Mad could actually run anti-clockwise. Strange as it may seem horses are right/left handed in the same way - although not necessarily in the same proportions - as humans. Some prefer running right handed, and some prefer running left handed. With Ar Mad it has been obvious he prefers running clockwise. The performances which have led to him being high in the betting for the novice 2 mile championship have been at right handed tracks. When he ran left handed he was disappointing.
In the paddock Ar Mad looked great.
My verdict, for what it is worth (see later to understand this may not be worth much in tipping terms), is that Ar Mad deserves to take his chance in the Arkle at Cheltenham. I cannot though see him winning. Today he still jumped right at most of the fences. If he is taken on for the lead by quality horses I can see this tendency becoming more exaggerated. In short if the Cheltenham Festival were run at Sandown or Kempton (hopefully you know what I mean) then I would make him as low as 2/1 to win it. Sadly though, as the name suggests, it is run at Cheltenham and I would not want to back him at any price less than 20/1.
By way of a bonus this unexpected trip to the races gave me the chance to test out my new theory on how to make money betting on bumpers. Before the race I had assessed it all carefully. The one horse with any form - Lord Bryan - did not look all that and could be dismissed. I had a sneaky feeling for Mickieblueeyes, trained by Di Grissell. I have always had a soft spot for this trainer, for both sentimental and practical reasons. She has a lot of winners in point to points and trains not that far away in deepest East Sussex countryside near Hastings. The operation used to run by her husband, Gardie, a real character who once very nearly had the winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Royal Stag, owned by Lady Harmsworth-Blunt (of Daily Mail fame). He came agonisingly close to winning me a considerable sum when second in the 1989 running at odds of 66/1. Gardie also used to employ the legendary iron man* jockey Ray Goldstein with considerable effect at Plumpton, Fontwell and the now sadly closed Folkestone.
I also thought Richard Rowe's Remember Forever would be worth a look, having been bought for a considerable sum after finishing second in an Irish point to point.
Looking at the betting before the race I was torn. The only money - see my theory - was for an unraced horse trained by Harry Whittingham. Trouble was his well-fancied runner earlier in the day had run appallingly.
It therefore came down to a straight choice between the Grissell and Rowe horses. Remembering that towards the end of his time as a jockey Richard Rowe 'never gave up the outside to anyone', and with the advice that as a trainer he 'could not train ivy up a tree' ringing in my ears, I was leaning towards the Grissell gelding.
But the money, such as it was, was for Rowe's Remember Forever; 16/1 in places, into 14's and then 12's.
As for Grissell's Mickieblueeyes, it was drifting like a barge. Opened at 12's, then 14's, 16's, 18's and finally 20/1 at the off.
My new clever theory demanded I back Rowe's animal, and the rest is down to the punting gods.
I was right in that Harry Whittingham's horse run just as badly as his earlier runner. The horse with form, Lord Bryan from the Bowen yard, flattered to deceive as I had anticipated.
As for Rowe's nag, it was going ok at half way before dropping out tamely on the final bend.
The winner you will have guessed by now, was Mickieblueeyes, trained by Di Grissell, and in an agonising twist of fate, ridden by Marc Goldstein (son of the legendary iron man Ray himself). The price 20/1 - it could have been caviar but instead it's fish fingers for dinner tonight. If it had won I meant even have purchased a Pride of Plumpton paving stone there and then.
To add salt into the wound the dulcet tone of the PA announcer said goodbye to us all as we left the course, especially "those members of Sussex County Cricket Club who had enjoyed free admission on production of their membership card". I, as a life long member of the club, had known nothing of this and had therefore paid £16 to get in.
Oh well to Fontwell on Thursday to make amends - although I may give the bumper a swerve!
*So called not because he ran triathlons but because of his bravery round the southern tracks. Ray had so many injuries that he was rumoured to be made of iron by the time he retired.
Monday, 4 January 2016
Optimism triumphs over sense at Plumpton in the New Year
In common with every other passenger I said to the driver, "Still on?"
Dutifully, and with only a hint of resignation, he replied, "It was when I checked 20 minutes ago."
Some misguided folk even suggested it would have been preferable to have been sitting in the sun in Cape Town, watching Ben Stokes flay the South African bowlers to Table Mountain and back. No the South Downs are just as good a backdrop, and Castle Lager is horrible.
It had been raining steadily all morning in Brighton, but judging by the water in the fields around Plumpton Agricultural College it had been more than steady in East Sussex.On arrival at the course, and having paid the £18 (on the day) entrance fee, the stewards announced that racing was on after a 'precautionary inspection.'
I am not sure what they inspected but it looked clear to most observers that conditions were pretty much unraceable. Cynics round the track were heard muttering that the determination to run the first race was in order to avoid giving a refund.
As it turned out 3 races were
There was only one thing left to do before catching the bus back - a consoling pint of Harvey's and dry out in the on course betting shop which, without a hint of irony, was showing bloody 'virtual' dog racing from 'Rainham Park'.
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Communist Racing Tips
'Why Farringdon?' was the question asked of me by a fellow racegoer at Plumpton yesterday. The answer can be found in Jeremy Corbyn's favourite newspaper.
It may no longer be funded by the KGB but the Morning Star still preaches class war and can be bought every day for £1 from the Co-Op. This represents excellent value for money, not for the news or the reports of the meetings of the Southern and Eastern trades council, but for the racing tips provided by Farringdon on the back page of the paper.*
The communist racing tipster has always had a place in my heart since he napped Beech Road to win the Champion Hurdle in 1989. I had seen Beech Road win unexpectedly at Fontwell a month earlier, turning over the locally trained Champion Hurdle prospect Vagador. It was an impressive performance but I had not believed the form. In a superb piece of judgement Farringdon had got it right. Beech Road romped home (see it on youtube) at Cheltenham priced 50/1, clinching the hurdle championship and Farringdon another Sporting Life naps competition.
Ever since then I have followed Farringdon's tips over the jumps (he seems to have a better record in the winter), chalking up every successful nap as a blow for (or maybe against?) capitalism.
I have already reviewed Plumpton on here but I need no excuse to visit my favourite local track. This time I joined the regulars who catch the direct coach service from the back of Brighton station to the course.
The weather forecast predicted fog. This prompted a rerun of the almost certainly apocryphal stories of various old lag jockeys in the novice chases taking advantage of the zero visibility to swerve all the tricky fences in the back straight, and only jumping the obstacles still visible to the stewards in front of the stands.
Actually the sun came out and it must have been the most glorious November day ever seen at Plumpton. Men wearing shorts (standards are slipping - only postmen should wear shorts anywhere other than the beech) were buzzed by wasps, and the horses received cooling wash downs from buckets of water after each race.
Punters were not convinced by the description 'in form' (yes really, 3 winners form his last 6 runners) for Paddy Butler as his horse in the second race went off at 50/1. Normal service was indeed resumed as poor old Generous June received what the commentator quaintly and euphemistically called 'reminders' (i.e. a hit from the whip) after the second and finished tailed off.
My betting went rather well as it happens. I did not think the race won by the Paddy Butler (that man again) trained Killabraher Cross at the last meeting was up to much. This allowed me to put a line through him and Dancing Dik (the horse he beat), and therefore back the third favourite Ball Hopper. It was great to see this Devon trained veteran, in the words of the Racing post reporter, 'cruising to the front round the final bend and pull further and further clear.'
I wisely avoided the last which looked and was impossible. Conditional jockeys with a mixture of weight concessions, and 5 9/2 co-favourites in a field of only 9. The winner was one of those co-favourites and had no form. Obviously he was fancied a bit but only won because one of the other co-favorites dodged out when coming to take the lead at the last.
The icing on the cake punting wise was provided by Smad Place at the away meeting at Kempton. The classy Smad Place was available at a generous 6/4 and duly obliged - and yes he was napped by Farringdon that morning.
See previous post for Plumpton review score.
Punting success - profit!
*I have been asked to request that you pay for the paper, and do not pop into Smiths and look at Farringdon's double while pretending to browse.
The communist racing tipster has always had a place in my heart since he napped Beech Road to win the Champion Hurdle in 1989. I had seen Beech Road win unexpectedly at Fontwell a month earlier, turning over the locally trained Champion Hurdle prospect Vagador. It was an impressive performance but I had not believed the form. In a superb piece of judgement Farringdon had got it right. Beech Road romped home (see it on youtube) at Cheltenham priced 50/1, clinching the hurdle championship and Farringdon another Sporting Life naps competition. Ever since then I have followed Farringdon's tips over the jumps (he seems to have a better record in the winter), chalking up every successful nap as a blow for (or maybe against?) capitalism.
I have already reviewed Plumpton on here but I need no excuse to visit my favourite local track. This time I joined the regulars who catch the direct coach service from the back of Brighton station to the course.
The weather forecast predicted fog. This prompted a rerun of the almost certainly apocryphal stories of various old lag jockeys in the novice chases taking advantage of the zero visibility to swerve all the tricky fences in the back straight, and only jumping the obstacles still visible to the stewards in front of the stands.
Actually the sun came out and it must have been the most glorious November day ever seen at Plumpton. Men wearing shorts (standards are slipping - only postmen should wear shorts anywhere other than the beech) were buzzed by wasps, and the horses received cooling wash downs from buckets of water after each race.
Punters were not convinced by the description 'in form' (yes really, 3 winners form his last 6 runners) for Paddy Butler as his horse in the second race went off at 50/1. Normal service was indeed resumed as poor old Generous June received what the commentator quaintly and euphemistically called 'reminders' (i.e. a hit from the whip) after the second and finished tailed off.
My betting went rather well as it happens. I did not think the race won by the Paddy Butler (that man again) trained Killabraher Cross at the last meeting was up to much. This allowed me to put a line through him and Dancing Dik (the horse he beat), and therefore back the third favourite Ball Hopper. It was great to see this Devon trained veteran, in the words of the Racing post reporter, 'cruising to the front round the final bend and pull further and further clear.'
I wisely avoided the last which looked and was impossible. Conditional jockeys with a mixture of weight concessions, and 5 9/2 co-favourites in a field of only 9. The winner was one of those co-favourites and had no form. Obviously he was fancied a bit but only won because one of the other co-favorites dodged out when coming to take the lead at the last.
The icing on the cake punting wise was provided by Smad Place at the away meeting at Kempton. The classy Smad Place was available at a generous 6/4 and duly obliged - and yes he was napped by Farringdon that morning.
See previous post for Plumpton review score.
Punting success - profit!
*I have been asked to request that you pay for the paper, and do not pop into Smiths and look at Farringdon's double while pretending to browse.
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Did Paddy get the priest in again?
With due apologies to friends from Brighton and Fontwell, I visited my favourite local racetrack this week.
Plumpton Racecourse has the advantage for a committed user of public transport of being next to the railway line. Access to the track for car drivers has become unexpectedly difficult in recent weeks, with a dispute between Network Rail and Lewes District councillors resulting in the railway crossing being stuck shut. This means that for anyone travelling from the north, there is an 8 mile detour. The argument goes back over 30 years to the days of British Rail. The crossing was one of the last to be operated by hand, and councillors have resisted all attempts to modernise it. Childlike stubbornness on both sides has resulted in this stalemate, and there is no sign of it being sorted in the immediate future.
Prior to the real racing at Plumpton on Monday there was a Shetland Pony Gold Cup. Obviously we all have to approve of this because it is a good cause (raising funds to look after retired racehorses) but forgive me for my lack of enthusiasm.
The jockeys look frankly comical.
They are nearly all related to trainers or owners (if you want to be professional jockey it is a huge advantage to have a dad who is a trainer). The ponies were paraded around the paddock. Flat jockey Seb Sanders - he of recent riding in his socks fame - was walking one round with a slightly embarrassed grin on his face. Some of the ponies even had cheekpieces fitted.
It was possible to have bet on the race but with an overround of 400% plus (16 runners with the outsider of the field priced at 7/1!) even I was able to resist.
Plumpton is another At The Races track, which meant this time the TV presenter was Derek 'Ho,ho,ho' Thompson. It is fair to say that Tommo's enthusiastic style of presenting does not always endear him to racing fans. I suspect he really does love the game but even I concede that he is so over the top that it can appear insincere. And I confess I have always been a little bit prejudiced against him since his premium service tipping line featured his voice declaring a horse to have 'been flying up the Newmarket gallops' when Tommo himself was actually in Dubai at the time.
There really is lots to like about Plumpton. It has a country feel but is easily accessible (not withstanding the railway crossing) from London and Brighton. There has been considerable investment in new facilities, the race card is informative and free and the viewing excellent. You can see almost the whole track from the stands, and they now have a permanent big screen.
For a small course it attracts some very decent horses, which suggests the top trainers like the place. For example, Uxizandre, won the handicap chase on the identical card two years ago, and then went on to win the grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival the following season.
This thought did not immediately come to mind when Paddy Butler sent out his annual winner (at 25-1) with Killabraher House, in his first run for the yard. Even the ultimate optimist would not have Cheltenham on the agenda for him, but it was great to see Paddy have his win. He trains next door to the course, and even Tommo would struggle to suggest his horses are ever flying up the gallops.
Some years ago Paddy had gone even longer than usual without a winner and being the good catholic he is, he called in the priest to bless the horses. I couldn't see the successor to Father Sean in the winner's enclosure on Monday, but it was great that the owners included two yellow-jacketed car park attendants. I gather they told the winning jockey, Marc Goldstein, that he could leave his motor wherever he liked at future meetings.
There were a few fallers during the day, happily all uninjured. Somehow the favourite managed to win the first (phew), despite being cannoned into at one hurdle, and having to dodge loose horses and the second favourite running out into the wings. As I experienced the relief of my selection passing the post, one fellow punter turned to me and said, 'Bollocks. Still at least it's just the first race. I was so unlucky once that I backed fallers in the first 4 races, and then my horse ran out in the 5th.'
And it's not only good horses you see here, there are also some celebrities who visit. I thought I saw the actor John Hurt, but I gather he is ill, so it may have been just a doppelgänger (oh to be mistaken for John Hurt). There was no doubt, I'm sure, that Sussex's best ever fast bowler, John Snow, was in the paddock.
Finally Jeremy Kyle may have made an appearance Stars Royale is owned by the 'Friends of Jeremy Kyle' and was running in the novices handicap, sixth race on the card. Some cruel people may have unkindly suggested that the animal therefore had no owners. It is trained by Nick Gifford, who one normally shrewd observer had told to me 'couldn't train ivy up a wall.' Nevertheless the horse managed to plug on into second place, winning £1,240.20 for the great man's friends.
My only real complaint about Plumpton, is that they feel the need to employ not just a commentator during the race but also an ex jockey, Colin Brown, to tell us what is going on rest of time. The man just never shuts up. Nearly every horse in the paddock is described as a 'good walker', he tells us what a wonderful value bet the Quadpot is (no it isn't) and every now and then tells us a horse looks fit. Actually it might be interesting if he told us a horse is not fit, but I suppose he is afraid to upset his friends in the training ranks by doing that. Surely it cannot only be me who finds this endless wittering on somewhat wearing?
Plumpton marks (out of 10)
Welcome/friendliness 6
Atmosphere 7
Betting ring (size, competitiveness) 5
Racecard (cost, quality) 10
Queues for bar 7
Viewing 8
Standard of racing 7
Total (out of 70) 50
Punting success - profit!
Plumpton Racecourse has the advantage for a committed user of public transport of being next to the railway line. Access to the track for car drivers has become unexpectedly difficult in recent weeks, with a dispute between Network Rail and Lewes District councillors resulting in the railway crossing being stuck shut. This means that for anyone travelling from the north, there is an 8 mile detour. The argument goes back over 30 years to the days of British Rail. The crossing was one of the last to be operated by hand, and councillors have resisted all attempts to modernise it. Childlike stubbornness on both sides has resulted in this stalemate, and there is no sign of it being sorted in the immediate future.
Prior to the real racing at Plumpton on Monday there was a Shetland Pony Gold Cup. Obviously we all have to approve of this because it is a good cause (raising funds to look after retired racehorses) but forgive me for my lack of enthusiasm.
The jockeys look frankly comical.
It was possible to have bet on the race but with an overround of 400% plus (16 runners with the outsider of the field priced at 7/1!) even I was able to resist.
Plumpton is another At The Races track, which meant this time the TV presenter was Derek 'Ho,ho,ho' Thompson. It is fair to say that Tommo's enthusiastic style of presenting does not always endear him to racing fans. I suspect he really does love the game but even I concede that he is so over the top that it can appear insincere. And I confess I have always been a little bit prejudiced against him since his premium service tipping line featured his voice declaring a horse to have 'been flying up the Newmarket gallops' when Tommo himself was actually in Dubai at the time.
There really is lots to like about Plumpton. It has a country feel but is easily accessible (not withstanding the railway crossing) from London and Brighton. There has been considerable investment in new facilities, the race card is informative and free and the viewing excellent. You can see almost the whole track from the stands, and they now have a permanent big screen.
For a small course it attracts some very decent horses, which suggests the top trainers like the place. For example, Uxizandre, won the handicap chase on the identical card two years ago, and then went on to win the grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival the following season.
This thought did not immediately come to mind when Paddy Butler sent out his annual winner (at 25-1) with Killabraher House, in his first run for the yard. Even the ultimate optimist would not have Cheltenham on the agenda for him, but it was great to see Paddy have his win. He trains next door to the course, and even Tommo would struggle to suggest his horses are ever flying up the gallops.
Some years ago Paddy had gone even longer than usual without a winner and being the good catholic he is, he called in the priest to bless the horses. I couldn't see the successor to Father Sean in the winner's enclosure on Monday, but it was great that the owners included two yellow-jacketed car park attendants. I gather they told the winning jockey, Marc Goldstein, that he could leave his motor wherever he liked at future meetings.
There were a few fallers during the day, happily all uninjured. Somehow the favourite managed to win the first (phew), despite being cannoned into at one hurdle, and having to dodge loose horses and the second favourite running out into the wings. As I experienced the relief of my selection passing the post, one fellow punter turned to me and said, 'Bollocks. Still at least it's just the first race. I was so unlucky once that I backed fallers in the first 4 races, and then my horse ran out in the 5th.'
And it's not only good horses you see here, there are also some celebrities who visit. I thought I saw the actor John Hurt, but I gather he is ill, so it may have been just a doppelgänger (oh to be mistaken for John Hurt). There was no doubt, I'm sure, that Sussex's best ever fast bowler, John Snow, was in the paddock.
Finally Jeremy Kyle may have made an appearance Stars Royale is owned by the 'Friends of Jeremy Kyle' and was running in the novices handicap, sixth race on the card. Some cruel people may have unkindly suggested that the animal therefore had no owners. It is trained by Nick Gifford, who one normally shrewd observer had told to me 'couldn't train ivy up a wall.' Nevertheless the horse managed to plug on into second place, winning £1,240.20 for the great man's friends.
My only real complaint about Plumpton, is that they feel the need to employ not just a commentator during the race but also an ex jockey, Colin Brown, to tell us what is going on rest of time. The man just never shuts up. Nearly every horse in the paddock is described as a 'good walker', he tells us what a wonderful value bet the Quadpot is (no it isn't) and every now and then tells us a horse looks fit. Actually it might be interesting if he told us a horse is not fit, but I suppose he is afraid to upset his friends in the training ranks by doing that. Surely it cannot only be me who finds this endless wittering on somewhat wearing?
Plumpton marks (out of 10)
Welcome/friendliness 6
Atmosphere 7
Betting ring (size, competitiveness) 5
Racecard (cost, quality) 10
Queues for bar 7
Viewing 8
Standard of racing 7
Total (out of 70) 50
Punting success - profit!
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