tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25292190.post2779284239833034266..comments2024-03-24T15:26:37.931+00:00Comments on PG's Tips: Haydock's Swinton Hurdle & the Lingfield trialsGeeDeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09834633278297488704noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25292190.post-78912390250477131592009-05-09T22:32:00.000+01:002009-05-09T22:32:00.000+01:00I picked the wrong one from Alison Thorpe's two ru...I picked the wrong one from Alison Thorpe's two runners - Ellerslie Tom (12/1) tried to make all and looked as though he might well succeed; Joe Jo Star (16/1) fought hard after the final flight to secure a half length advantage at the post. Dishdasha (33/1) raced midfield for much of the race but was left behind three out and finished ninth. The story of this race was the money for Caravel; available at 14/1 in the morning, he was sent off 5/1 favourite, despite his apparent lack of handicap hurdling experience. Like a number in this, he weakened from the third last - he crossed the line in twelfth position.<br />Before the Lingfield Derby Trial the Channel Four team were all pretty sweet on Age Of Aquarius (8/11f), to such an extent that I'm sure those of us with an interest in the other runners must have wondered why we'd bothered. In the end the favourite obliged, but not without a fright. He beat Montaff (16/1) and Father Time (11/4) a neck and a head. In all honesty the selection, Father Time, never looked like collecting, but Montaff certainly did - Murtagh, who wasn't top of everyone's Christmas card list after two defeats on short-priced favourites at Chester, did well to win this, and it took the jock an absolute age to pull his mount up. There could well be more to come from Age Of Aquarius but was that the Derby winner we'd seen there? I didn't think so but bookies are divided. Betfred go just 12/1 this evening while Skybet stand out with a quote of 25/1 - I'm half-tempted to have some of that on grounds of value alone.<br />Henry Cecil's Midday (5/2f) won the Oaks trial in convincing fashion and is now a best-priced 9/1 shot with totepsort for the Epsom showpiece. Current market-leader Fantasia (6/1) runs in the French 1000 Guineas tomorrow.GeeDeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09834633278297488704noreply@blogger.com