Holland do the business; so following up with a tip from Earwig Corner at Lingfield

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

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.

Before the National I will watch Trumbo to even things up

There is a racing hiatus between Cheltenham and Aintree. The Lincoln excepted, nothing else appeals. The Dubai World Cup at Meydan is not really my thing. With Easter early this year there is the chance to take in the well-endowed (oh please - I'm talking prize money wise) all-weather finals at Lingfield. But the old Calvinist in me is still not entirely comfortable with racing and betting on Good Friday.
This pause does though offer the opportunity to catch up on some films. The choice this week though is not that great. High Rise does not appeal as, even though the original was composed by JG Ballard, it appears to have been hijacked into another lesson from highly paid luvvies to us plebs on the evils of capitalism, and besides I do not think I could cope with another viewing of Tom Hiddleston without his shirt on.
Being a coward, horror (or even remotely creepy) has no appeal, so that was The Witch, 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Boy all out (thank goodness). The Revenant is obviously worthy but just seemed too much like hard work. For Brexit reasons I could not watch the French movie about a middle aged woman who cannot sing (even if in that French way we all know is acceptable it might have included gratuitous female nudity) at the local Art House. I was tempted by London is Fallen but going to see a film just because it has annoyed Guardian readers is not enough.

In the end I settled on Hail Caesar, something that I had avoided up till now because I thought I probably would not get it.
Resisting the pop corn in the foyer (see the surreptitious fuzzy pic above) was not difficult, but despite my reservations, I found my resistance to Hail Caesar was overcome. I concede that as predicted I did not entirely get it. To me it was a series of sketches paying homage to the golden days of Hollywood, but no less enjoyable for all that.
I probably should have gone to see it with a film buff who could have explained all the in jokes. For once the commies, rather than the McCarthyites, seemed to be the baddies (although perhaps the Coen brothers were having a joke there as well - ok I'm confused).
To me Hail Caeser was fun. It was more affectionate than a send-up, in places it made me chuckle and in the end what is wrong with that?  I do though accept that I probably need to watch Trumbo, between today and the Grand National, just in case I have completely missed the point.

I blame the footballers

When footballers disgraced themselves at Cheltenham by peeing from the corporate boxes, I had assumed they were at least from the Premiership.

According to the Sun on line it turns out that they were originally from the franchise known as Milton Keynes Dons, but were actually on loan to Northampton Town. Instead of paying £2k plus  (what wages are these guys on?) to get into a box at the Festival they could have gone to their local track - Towcester - for free. Still at least it was possible to smile at the comment from one of the footballers involved. He said "I don't want to remembered as the player who urinated in a glass at the races", spoken just after he had urinated in a glass at the races.

This was going through my head as I made my way from Barnham station to Fontwell racecourse for the (2 days after) St. Patrick's Raceday. It takes about 7 minutes on the coach but one man declared, and proved, it's 'a 3-can journey'. He even added that he had 'wanker's arm' - as by drinking an odd number the remaining cans hidden down his sleeves produced a lopsided appearance.
There was a certain 'after the Lord's Mayor show' feel to things for us racing afficaincados at Fontwell. The 'Beer and Rugby' Tent did set the tone, and the proliferation of out of date St Patrick's Day Guinness hats was a worry.
Fields of Athenry played over the loudspeakers but the big crowd suggested there was maybe a chance to make some money on the Tote. 'Well refreshed' large crowds tend to back 'I like the name' horses in the betting. Sadly Three Barmy Men was a non-runner in the 6th race, but I was already guessing Paddy the Deejay was wilting under the pressure of the money from the drink fuelled punters.
Queues at the bar were lengthy, queues at the paddock were small, but great fun was had by the many pissed racegoers and the odd serious punter alike - and the dear old Irish record player came an honourable second.
Oh and on a serious note it was great to see Leighton Aspell

ride a winner. Fontwell was the birthplace of the Leighton Aspell Fan Club. He has never ridden a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, but there is a very real chance that Pulborough's own will be the first jockey to come first in the Grand National 3 years running, less than 20 days from now. 

ITV racing must ensure someone speaks up for punters

Rich Ricci has done a lot for the finances of jump racing in Ireland, enabling it to recover from the collapse of the Celtic tiger. He - or technically his wife - owned 5 of the winners at Cheltenham this week. Fair play to him, for spending lots of money does not guarantee even one win in what is effectively the world championships. He has obviously spent his share of the profits and bonuses from Barclay's Capital wisely, even if some of the shareholders who lost out may have misgivings.
The Ricci openess with the racing public has been welcome as well, but obviously we discovered at the beginning of this week that perhaps he is not so open about his horses and the plans as we thought. Indeed many punters felt that the #fatcatinahat had 'put them away' and treated them as mugs.
At the Cheltenham preview evenings in the run up to the event, including one organised by Ricci's own betting company BetBright, the American in the trilby and sunglasses told us all about how his horses were going and where and when they would run. In the case of one of his best, Vautour, Ricci was on the record repeatedly that the horse would run in the Gold Cup; "it's the Gold Cup or nothing."
As a result the price for Vautour was short for the Gold Cup and his price for the Ryanair (a less prestigious race over a shorter distance than the Gold Cup and his only other possible option) drifted out to 4-1 plus.
On the night before the festival the odds on the betting exchange dramatically changed, with Vautour's odds for the Gold Cup drifting, and him coming into odds-on for the Ryanair. Clearly some people in the know (i.e. connected to Ricci or the Mullins stable, where the horse is trained) had information not available to the ordinary punter and were taking advantage.
The inevitable then happened on Channel 4's Morning Line the following morning when their guest, the great man himself, announced to the awe-struck panel of Channel 4 presenters, that Vautour would be declared for and running in the Ryanair, thereby missing the Gold Cup which we had been told would be the target all along.
What then followed was the most lamentable and feeble sports journalism, which those involved with Channel 4 Racing must surely be embarrassed by. The chairman of the panel, Alice Plunkett, seemed completely out of her depth and none of the highly paid pundits made the slightest effort to challenge Ricci on the way punters had been misled repeatedly.
There was a bit of storm on racing related social media - I even had a little Mr Angry go myself - which presumably prompted Channel 4 to invite Ricci back on to the main programme in the afternoon to explain his action. On this occasion he was interviewed by national treasure, and the normally excellent, Clare Balding. She though proved to not be up to the job either, allowing Ricci to turn the whole debacle into a brilliant publicity stunt for his betting company. He promised to pay-out on Vautour, as if the horse had won the Gold Cup, to all punters who had backed him with BetBright for that race. Clare's reaction to this was an almost awe-struck, "Oh wow, how generous of you Rich, you are going to payout even though he is not running?".
She completely missed the point that it was not those who had backed Vautour who had really lost out, as most of those punters would have received their money back as a result of the 'non-runner no-bet' conditions now widely available.
No the punters who had really done their money were those who had backed the other horses due to run in the Ryanair, whose odds were much lower as a result of the firm commitment that Ricci's horse would not run.
The inevitable happened and Vautour won the Ryanair easily. This was despite him only "being 90%" (yeh, right), one of the weakest excuses offered by Ricci and Mullins for the change in plans.
On reflection my criticism of Rich Ricci - and also Willie Mullins - are muted. They are perfectly entitled to run - or not run - their horses as they choose. They have hopefully learnt their communication lessons, and either will stick with their announced plans or be more equivocal in future.
No it is the Channel 4 racing team that come out of this worst. Their journalism was feeble at best. You have pundits on - including sadly AP McCoy - who promote bookmakers during the ad breaks, which in any other sphere of life would be considered a conflict of interest. The professional journalists appeared to not know part of their subject, and are more keen to suck up to their racing pals than to speak up for those people who ultimately fund racing, the betting public.
John McCririck, for all his many faults, would never have allowed this to pass by, and would have been all over Ricci. Sadly his descent into pantomime sexism meant he had to go, and his replacements come from a training/bookmaking background instead and just carry out cosy interviews, often simply giving bookmakers' PRs the chance to plug their products.
There is though a chance for this to change, with ITV winning the contract to broadcast UK horse racing from 2017. With the exception of the peerless Nick Luck, none of the current Channel 4 presenters deserve to transfer over after their performance this week. To retain credibility with the betting public, ITV must make sure that at least one of the new presenters come from a background of placing bets rather than bookmaking, and speaks up for the hard pressed punter. My choice would be Dave Nevison or Eddie Fremantle, although of course if they are unavailable I would be willing to do my bit!  

Placepot landed but it's not Barbados

Me smirking, "That was a good day. I even backed the winner of the Gold Cup."
Reply, in that disinterested going though the motions voice, "Oh well done. Who was it?"
Me, proud voice, "Don Cossack. I even gave him as my nap earlier in the week."
"Oh right. Is he a Russian jockey?"

It probably is a good thing to be reminded every now and again that horse racing is a minority sport, and not everyone is transfixed by the drama played out at Cheltenham this week.
Sadly I could not get to Prestbury Park to watch the Festival in person. I prefer viewing with a crowd. One option is to go to a pub which puts the racing on, but from experience I have learnt that betting and beer is not the wisest mix.
Instead I took the opportunity to watch Cheltenham from other racecourses hosting the lessor meetings, wonderfully charming Towcester on Thursday and the 'home of Asian weddings' (as their advertising banner proudly announces), Lingfield, today. Both tracks made the effort to show Cheltenham on their big screens, and the bookies sensibly priced up each of the 'away' races. Not the same as being there, but the next best thing.
Knowing that the placepot* has a history of paying big dividends at this time of year, I duly made my selections for both Lingfield and Cheltenham. I was even praised by the Tote lady for writing 'Chelt' and 'Ling' on my tickets - the little things help!
My Cheltenham placepot crashed at the first hurdle, literally, but as the day wore on the Lingfield punt looked increasingly promising - for more of which read on.
The only other problem was the big clash - Victoria Pendleton v Hattie (aka Expect Nothing).

Our dog was due to run her second race in exalted A3 grade just as VP tackled the Cheltenham fences. I had not heard from Claude, Hattie's trainer, in the morning, which could mean she's got no chance, or (cynical hat on) she's a good chance and no mug is going to lump on and affect the price. The third, and ultimately, accurate explanation, that a message had been left on my home phone which I had not been able to pick up, was far less glamorous.
I will not bore the readers with all the details as the VP effect means that the national media are putting racing on the front pages and you can read all the copy from observers far more skilled than me. Suffice to report my nap of the week, Don Cossack (yes the horse), won the Gold Cup with some ease. 
Victoria Pendleton went round the back during the 'Amateurs' Gold Cup' and finished a fast finishing 5th on Pacha Du Polder. She will receive much, to some extent, deserved praise for this. But I cannot help but be reminded of another lady jockey, one Rosemary Henderson, who rode her horse, Fiddlers Pike, also into 5th place in the 1994 Grand National. In both cases a top jockey on board would certainly have got the horse placed.
After that my day headed towards maximum excitement. My two favourite tipsters, Rob Wright and Paul Kealy, had both put up Ibis Du Rheu, in the 6th race at Cheltenham. This 14/1 shot, under an inspired ride from conditional jockey Jack Sherwood, duly obliged from an unpromising position. 
An already profitable day could only get better if I landed the placepot at Lingfield. Somehow my choice in the final leg, World's Greatest, did not exactly live up to his name in but remarkably he sneaked into third place. Yes...... all that was needed was for me to collect and then it's down the travel agents to join JP in Barbados.
I handed in my winning ticket. 
"Oh dear love only £9.50 I'm afraid." 
Still Bexhill can be nice this time of year.

NB - As for Hattie (Expect Nothing) she got mullered at the first bend and finished last. Expect a good price next time though.

*A bet on the nanny where you have to select a horse to get placed in the first 6 races

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.