Two John Smith's for York...

Can you have too much of a good thing? Tomorrow's racing includes the Darley July Cup at Newmarket, the John Smith's Cup at York, the Weatherby's Super Sprint at Newbury and the chesterBET City Plate at Chester.

I've decided to focus on the two long distance races at York - the John Smith's Silver Cup at 2.25 over 14 furlongs and the John Smith's Stayers' Handicap at 4.45 over two miles. Both races pick up strands of form from the Northumberland Plate run at Newcastle two weeks ago; on that occasion I highlighted runners with previous NH form and I'm going to do something similar here.

The going is currently described as good to soft, soft in places.

Crackentorp runs in the Silver Cup and ran a cracker to finish second at odds of 16/1 in the Northumberland Plate; he carried nine stone off a handicap mark of 93 on that occasion but this time has been raised eight pounds and has 9-7 on his back. Motivado was beaten a distance in that same race while Blue Bajan, Lyric Street and Kiama Bay were all withdrawn on the day on account of the heavy ground; the last-named has since posted a decent effort to finish seventh, beaten four lengths, in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock. Michael Bell took the honours last year with Tactician - this time he saddles the only three-year-old in the field who is marked up favourite in the tissue.

I think Cesarewitch winner Never Can Tell would prefer better ground, a comment that also applies to Mount Athos who was fourth behind the aforementioned Ces winner and was withdrawn from the Coral Marathon at Sandown last Saturday where the ground was described as good to soft. The mare Western Pearl ran third in this last year at a big price and ran creditably to finish fifth behind Simenon in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting while High Jinx doesn't have too many miles on the clock and apparently has the Ebor as his target so he'll be expected to show up well here. The one that catches my eye is the appropriately-named Stormy Weather. Formerly with Howard Johnson, the grey was highly tried on his first two runs over hurdles for Brian Ellison, in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last December. On his subsequent four visits to the track he has finished in the first two on each occasion and rates reasonable each-way value at around 14/1.   

In the Stayers' Handicap, those with previous NH form are Orsippus, Herostatus, Pokfulham, Bruslini, Jonny Delta, Mica Mika, Swinging Hawk and Red Jade. Brian Ellison's grey Bruslini has raced from the front in recent hurdle races before finishing third behind Cloudy Spirit over two miles two here in May. Orsippus was behind in fourth that day before going on to finish second at Ripon and then collect the Pontefract Cup three weeks ago (beating French Hollow who ran a stormer in the Northumberland Plate). Bruslini looks weighted to confirm the York form with Orsippus. Pokfulham looked to have a hard race when beating Rock Relief a nose on the heavy ground at Newcastle just over a fortnight ago while Herostatus had a long slog in the Catterick mud a mere three days ago.

Jonny Delta is an interesting one - as a four-year-old he finished seventh behind Steps To Freedom in the Aintree bumper - in front of subsequent Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Cinders And Ashes. That form reads well - last time out Jonny was fourth behind Getabuzz (Fallon up) beaten just two lengths (with Red Jade further behind in seventh); he's two pounds better off here so the pairing look closely matched but jockey bookings are noted... Fallon rides Orsippus while Neil Farley claims five aboard Jonny Delta. A difficult race but I'll follow Fallon on Orsippus (Bruslini feared) and will consider a small rach-way interest in Jonny Delta if priced up around the 20/1 mark.

To finish, a dreamer's double - what price Brian Ellison's two greys, Stormy Weather and Bruslini...?

Eclectic thoughts on Saturday's cards....

With so many cards on offer tomorrow, it's difficult to know where to concentrate the effort...

The 51st running of the John Smith's Cup takes place on the Knavesmire at 3.05; twenty are set to face the starter. I used to think a single figure draw was an advantage not to be sniffed at in this but over the past ten years the winners have been drawn wide on four occasions, Sirvino taking the spoils from stall sixteen last year. The last three-year-old to win was Sir Mark Prescott's Foreign Affairs in 2001 which doesn't bode all that well for the well-touted Wigmore Hall who appears to have been tipped up by the world and his wife and now has a price to reflect that fact. Four-year-olds have won six of the last seven runnings - Sir Michael Stoute's Imposing will be popular and another with a price to match. Demolition is one of five from Richard Fahey's stable - he ran well behind easy Haydock winner Dangerous Midge last weekend but this may come a bit quick. Tom Tate runs two - I'll take a small each-way interest in Kings Gambit (14/1) with Jamie Spencer up. This one was noted doing his best work at the business end to take second in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot three weeks ago.

Northumberland Plate form gives a pointer to several in the Silver Cup at 3.40. Drunken Sailor ran second, Deauville Flyer (backed as though defeat was out of the question) fifth, Chiberta King tenth (and likely to appreciate the drop back to 14 furlongs) while Sabotage finished seventeenth of the nineteen runners. At the prices on offer I'll take a chance with Chiberta King at 5/1 (or bigger). It should be noted that although Richard Hannon's horses are in fine form at the moment, this season the handler hasn't managed to get to grips with The Queen's horse, Free Agent; I imagine Her Majesty is far from amused...

At Ascot Paco Boy won't take his chance in the Summer Mile and as a result we're left with a field of ten in what looks a very trappy affair. Dream Eater stayed on at one pace to take third off Zacinto in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot but doesn't make much appeal while Premier Loco can be a tricky ride. Two-year-old nurseries over six furlongs are well out of my comfort zone but earlier today I saw a word for Major Conquest in the 2.20.

The feature at Chester is the listed City Wall Stakes at 3.20. Last year's winner Borderlescott looks the one to beat again this year and he has a plum draw in stall one. Blue Jack is of interest having finished behind Equiano and Kingsgate Native in Group races this season. Owned by Andrew 'Bert' Black and Michael Owen, the gelding is highly regarded and many will think worth a second look at 10/1. There are reservations though - a poor draw (stall nine), quiet stable form and in a review printed earlier in the season, the handler expressed concerns as to how his charge would take to Chester's tight turns. In the opener Ashram looks a play against short-priced favourite Lord Shanakill.

Noted this weekend

The two star performances over the weekend were St Nicholas Abbey winning the Racing Post Trophy and over in Ireland Dunguib taking the maiden hurdle at Galway. This evening St Nicholas Abbey is generally 3/1 and 7/2 for next year's 2000 Guineas and 3/1 for the Derby, but Stan James go as short as 2/1. Dunguib is generally a 5/2 shot for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.

Paul Nicholls may have come away from Chepstow without a winner yesterday but it was no surprise to see his Pepe Simo (5/2) take the Paul Nicholls Racing 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Wincanton today, beating the 13/8 favourite Henry King a length and a quarter.

During the BBC's coverage from Aintree on Saturday Clare Balding mentioned the John Smith's marketing campaign which is set to offer drinkers a share in the people's racehorse, a three-year-old called Smithy. Viewers were encouraged to check the John Smith's website for details. I've just had a quick peek - there are 'bogof' offers to several interesting meets but finding details of Smithy wasn't easy. An article from Marketing informed us we can register our interest from January 2010, and it was that article that pointed me in the direction of the link to Smithy's Yard, Home of the People's Racehorse.

With Christmas creeping ever closer, two more books of interest - Marcus Armytage offers some frivolous racing tales in 'Turn Me On Guv: 'Tails' from the Racecourse', while those looking for something a little more serious may want to consider fellow blogger Ben Aitken's 'Narrowing The Field - Using the Dosage Method to Win at National Hunt Racing', available from the High Stakes bookshop.

Several acquaintances have been quick to tell me about Wrexham's indifferent start in the Blue Square Premiership this season. Mrs Tips, ever the helpful one, suggested the club sent a scout to run his eye over some dolphins who were filmed off the north Wales coast, playing football with jellyfish... Staying with the football theme, I had to smile at the commentator's introduction to the Chelsea versus Blackburn Rovers match on Match Of The Day last night. "If football was played on paper," he boomed, "we would win the pools every week!" Doesn't sound a bad idea to me.

Finally, spare a thought for amateur rider Victoria Cartmel who made history yesterday by becoming the first jockey to be banned for misuse of the whip and dropping her hands in the same race, the finale at Newbury yesterday. Sometimes, you just can't do right for doing wrong...

Aintree Grand National selections

Forty go to post at 4.15 tomorrow for the Grand National marathon run over a distance of four and a half miles. Those who like to make up their own minds may want to use my Twitter Guide to the Grand National runners as a starting point; for everyone else, after hours of deliberation, here's how I see them finishing...

1. Rambling Minster Jumps, stays, has a racing weight and is in the form of his life. Provided he can stay out of trouble, he should be on the premises at the business end of the race; Mrs Tips' selection.

2. Butler's Cabin Tony McCoy doesn't need me to tell him this horse offers him a serious chance of winning his first National at the fourteenth attempt. The horse was going ominously well when coming a cropper at Becher's (second time) last year, having had a scare at the same fence on the first circuit. Mr. McCoy will be doing his utmost to ensure there's no repeat performance this time.

3. Himalayan Trail Won the Midlands National for Sue Smith last year; this has been his target since that day. Has a nice racing weight and is now trained by Jimmy Mangan who won the National with Monty's Pass in 2003.

4. Comply Or Die Last year's winner is now rated fifteeen pounds higher than when he won -he has a big task on his hands here. Has been badly out of form for much of the season but showed much more interest when running a decent trial in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham three weeks ago. Many think the re-fitting of blinkers at Cheltenham helped; provided he's in the mood I think he can make a place.

For those who like a dabble at bigger prices, Knowhere strikes me as overpriced at 66/1; this horse was close enough last year when falling at Valentine's on the second circuit - stable jockey Paddy Brennan takes the ride. Cornish Sett is a bit of a character but if he consents to put his best foot forward he looks certain to stay the distance and is currently available at around 33/1.

I wish you all the very best of luck!

The John Smith's People's Race is scheduled to take place before racing proper begins. Ten amateur jockeys have been in training over the winter and will race over a distance of one mile one furlong (I think) in front of the National crowds. This year the Tote is offering prices on the contestants. A couple of pointers for those who may be tempted... Of the ten jockeys, Clare Balding picks out Craig Brown for his fitness - Craig rides Thunder Rock. A quick look through the official handicap ratings of the horses shows there doesn't seem a lot to choose between Summer Soul, Some Touch, Thunder Rock and Mith Hill; Thunder Rock appears the percentage call.

PS - Today this blog is three years old; would have liked to celebrate with a winner at Aintree but, as I'm sure regular readers will recognise, I'm just not up to the job...

Round-up

European horses took five of the nine races at Santa Anita on Saturday. As Raven's Pass crossed the line to take the Classic, my mind wandered back to an interview the trainer gave after his charge had beaten Henrythenavigator a length in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. He told onlookers that they'd spent a lot of time teaching the horse how to relax; it's certainly paid dividends as John Gosden becomes the first British trainer to take the Classic's $5 million first prize.

Robert 'Choc' Thornton rode a good race aboard Squadron at Aintree yesterday. The Nicholls' yard fielded Pierrot Lunaire, an animal that was talked of as a potential Champion Hurdle horse. He may still be, but Thornton cranked up the pressure on the French horse as they raced down the far side and had the odds-on shot beaten at the last. The favouite took a crashing fall there and was severely winded - he was given plenty of time to come round and eventually walked away sound.

John Smith's are now looking for entries for The People's Race 2009. If you fancy your chances as as a budding jockey, further details and an application form are available from the website.

I missed Bill's Echo for a second time - at Stratford on Saturday; this time the beast won at 7/2.

John Smith's People's Race 2008 update

This week has seen the build-up to Aintree's Grand National meeting, which culminates with the Grand National itself on April 5th, slowly gaining momentum. In the forthcoming days we can also expect to see more media coverage of the rookie riders taking part in this year's John Smith's People's Race which will be run on the same day over a distance of nine furlongs. The John Smith's website now lists the final ten contestants and Ladbrokes are cunnningly tempting you with prices about the individuals concerned. As at this stage we don't know the names of the horses the contestants will be riding, I'd be wary about having a bet. Readers may remember that last year's 5/4 favourite, Instructor, decided to dump his rider, a plumber from Manchester, at the start; Paul Nicholls' Hoo La Baloo, ridden by Kevin Old, a 44 year old pawnbroker from Bournemouth, took full advantage to collect the spoils. It looks as though Ladbrokes have decided to take no chances this time around, shortening Jane Belcher from 3/1 in to 5/2 favourite - Jane, a 44 year old careworker from Bristol, is set to ride a horse from the Nicholls yard...

Odds and sods

The news that Ruby Walsh has elected to ride Kauto Star in the Cheltenham Gold Cup leaves the way clear for Sam Thomas to partner Denman in Saturday's Aon Chase at Newbury.

On a day when the weights for this year's Grand National have generated plenty of discussion, I thought I'd check the current state of play with this year's contestants for the John Smith's People's Race which will be run on the same day. Of the original thirty two hopefuls, fourteen have won a place 'in training'. You can only be impressed by the commitment and bravery of these rookie riders; those of you who think riding a racehorse is as easy as falling out of a taxi should take a look at the trouble jockey Richard Thomas had on the way to the start a couple of years ago.

Donald McCain seemed sweet on Ice Tea's chance at the Festival in a recent Weekender 'Straight From The Stable' article. Ice Tea will certainly be worth keeping in mind given that he finished behind the well-regarded Joe Lively earlier in the season and last year the stable won the Kim Muir.

The Racing Post tissue prices up Kim Bailey's The Good Guy at a tempting 12/1 in tomorrow's opener at Ludlow. The horse finished second to Hold Em in a bumper on his first run of the season and then failed to see out the two mile five trip on good to soft next time. The switch back to two miles here should suit but the softer conditions may not; I'll consider an each way wager in the morning.

John Smith's People's Race 2008

John Smith's have recently announced the names of thirty two rookie jockeys who hope to progress to ride in the 2008 People's Race at Aintree on Grand National Day, Saturday 5th April. Following the first selection stage to be held in mid January, a maximum of sixteen contestants will be required to undertake further training. This year's intake includes two teachers, a public house licensee, a scrap metal dealer, a marketing officer from the University of Leeds, a nail technician, a shepherd and a 56 year old police officer from Coventry. Let the fun begin...

John Smith's People's Race 2007/8

Earlier this year I wrote a few pieces on this blog about the John Smith's People's Race. Ten rookie riders, members of the general public, were given the chance to ride in a flat race over nine furlongs on Grand National day. The organisers, amazed by the number of entries they received in a very short time frame, have done a lot more preparatory work this year; the event looks as though it will move to another level, with the accompanying media coverage likely to be increased considerably. If you fancy your chances this time around, you can visit the John Smith's website or pick up an application form from your local Ladbrokes betting office. The closing date for applications is December 7th 2007.

Short briefs

The best National for sheer spectacle is the annual Mascot Grand National; this year's renewal was run at Huntingdon racecourse on Sunday. A field of over 100 runners faced the starter, with victory going to Wacky Mackey Bear of Saffron Walden Town. I wonder what the bookmakers' overround was...

The National Hunt season moves up a gear on Saturday; the card at Chepstow is traditionally the BBC's first jumps transmission of the season. In the past Philip Hobbs' operation has targeted this meeting but the stable looks a little off the pace at the moment. By way of contrast, the Twiston-Davies team are in superb form.

Kieren Fallon has been in the news a little over the past few days. It was interesting to see his defence counsel question the impartiality of the detective in charge of the case who has, apparently, been offered a job with the Jockey Club. A slight conflict of interest perhaps...?

I see Vivid Imagination fell three out at Exeter today when looking held. The trip, just short of three miles, together with the stiff track, will not have played to his strengths.

If you're thinking of going racing in the next couple of months, here's a reminder of the John Smith's BOGOF offer which is available at selected courses until the end of December. I'm hoping to get to Aintree in a couple of weeks' time.

Free tickets to the races

Thanks to a couple of my colleagues for pointing out that John Smith's are currently running a BOGOF offer to selected race meetings between now and December; an impressive total of thirty nine racecourses are taking part in the promotion. In order to claim tickets, you are required to fill in a questionnaire but this looks a decent offer to me. In fact, forget trying to pick winners, try this little money making idea instead...

1. Identify local race meeting participating in John Smith's promotion

2. Arrange a trip to that meeting for friends / colleagues

3. Purchase the tickets
4. Sell tickets to unsuspecting friends / colleagues at face value

5. Enjoy proceeds.

John Smith's People's Race

The BBC's coverage of the Grand National meeting commences at 1.00 tomorrow afternoon.

The People's Race, in which ten amateur riders chosen from the public race over a distance of nine furlongs, is scheduled for around 1.10-1.15. This will be a race worth watching, although at this stage it's not clear if the race will be shown live.

Current 2/1 favourite with bookmaker Ladbrokes is Michael Sweeney, a 47 year old plumber from Manchester. He will be riding Instructor, a horse that has won six times at around this distance.

Well done to all the rookie riders who have trained hard over the past two and a half months; they will all surely have the thrill of a lifetime tomorrow, win or lose.

John Smith's People's Race

The Grand National apart, the Aintree race that has really caught the public's imagination this year is The John Smith's People's Race, a flat race which will be contested by ten amateur riders chosen from the general public just a couple of short months ago.

The race itself will be run on the day of the Grand National, with the winner donating prize money to the charity of their choice.

Follow the ups and downs of these rookie riders at http://www.johnsmiths.co.uk/promos/peoplesrace/index.htm

Daily Mirror reporter Ann Gripper has been following events closely on her blog at http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/thepeoplesrace/anngripper

Those cunning bookie chappies at Ladbrokes are offering prices on the riders but as we don't know which horses they'll be riding or the weight the horses will be carrying, at this stage a watching brief is advised.

Rookie riders start getting ready

The BBC reports that John Smith's were overwhelmed by more than 3500 entries to ride in an amateurs' charity race to be run over six furlongs at the Grand National meeting in April.

Thirty individuals have been selected to progress to the next stage including a housewife, a brickie and a fireman. Eventually ten riders will turn out for "The People's race" which will be the first race on the card on Saturday 14 April.

Further details at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/6312525.stm

This looks like a story which will generate a huge amount of interest.

John Smith's require rookie jockeys

John Smith's are on the lookout for 'no nonsense novices' to ride in an amateurs' charity horse race at the 2007 Grand National meeting in April.

Apparently full training will be given. Further details and an application form are available at http://www.johnsmiths.co.uk/promos/peoplesrace/index.htm

I've considered this one carefully; the thought of having to put up four and a half stone overweight means that on this occasion I will not be submitting an application.