Warwick's 300th anniversary celebration

Recently, for a school art project, my daughter was instructed to obtain two separate pictures that depicted 'movement' and interweave them to create an original work. Fortunately I had last year's Racing Post calendar to hand, so we worked on similar photos of horses finishing in front of the stands at Epsom to produce the effort shown.

The reason I've taken the trouble to share this with you is that torrential rain has played havoc with several of this weekend's cards. I'd liked the look of Peter Bowen's Irish Wolf in the novice chase at Stratford tomorrow but that meeting has also been called off after the River Avon burst its banks.

Still, we've plenty to look forward to, the obvious highlight being the 'hats & horses' of the Royal Ascot meeting which starts on Tuesday. I'm doing (some) homework and will try to come up with at least one selection per day for my three faithful readers.

The flat meeting at Warwick on Sunday 24th June celebrates 300 years of racing at the track. A big jamboree is planned with the £10 adult admission allowing access to all areas; this really is one of the best value deals the course has put out in a long time. You can check a few fascinating photos from previous generations on the course's web site. With the going currently soft, they'll be hoping for better weather in the week ahead.

Market Rasen tomorrow

Very occasionally friends and acquaintances ask me to mark their card, usually when they're going to a meeting. At the moment I'm working on two such requests; a group of ladies from work are off to the final day at Royal Ascot while another colleague is going to Newcastle for the Northumberland Plate meeting at the end of the month. Vain, I know, but I admit to being ever so slightly flattered by such requests. However any feeling of well-being I have is severely tempered by the fact that I have never received a repeat request. More to the point, the friends who utilised this service have now become acquaintances and I appear to have lost touch completely with those formerly classed as acquaintances. There has to be a message in there somewhere.

I'm interested in a couple at Market Rasen tomorrow, provided we don't have too much rain. Bauhaus is the top rated horse in the novices' hurdle at 2.30 and makes plenty of appeal against the likely favourite, Nicky Henderson's No Regrets. Alan King's Fantastisch will take all the beating in the 3.00 but will be priced accordingly. The handicap hurdle at 3.30 is a competitive affair. Fortunate Dave beat Mr. Shambles by six lengths last time out; course and distance winner Mr. Shambles now reopposes on seven pounds better terms and is taken to reverse the form over a slightly shorter trip. At the time of writing the tissue show prices Mr Shambles at 12/1; with his trainer in good form, that represents a decent each way bet.

Mid season sale at Ladbrokes

In a nutshell - Frankie Dettori wins the French Oaks, Paddy Brennan breaks his collar bone in a fall at Stratford, and turnover (and thereby profits) must be down at Ladbrokes as they're offering an extra 10% on all virtual racing singles today. I don't find it easy going through all that virtual racing form, so it's unlikely I'll be tempted because, as we all know, an extra 10% on nothing is nothing.

Blandings Castle, having won on his first appearance for six months last time out, looks worth keeping an eye on in the 3.00 at Newton Abbot; however his current price of 9/4 is no value whatsoever. I saw his main market rival, Johnston's Swallow, win at Towcester on Friday. JS isn't one to trust implicitly; he was comprehensively outjumped down the back straight by Mr Bigglesworth and looked in trouble but made up his ground on the climb to the finishing line.

Tales from Towcester

Recently 'demonised' middle class wine drinkers, together with accompanying picnics, were out in force yesterday evening at Towcester, and jolly civilised it all was too. I freely admit I've never been particularly well versed in the dark art of eating alfresco; after all National Hunt racing is primarily a winter sport. It was a fascinating sight to behold. The air of civility even extended to the betting ring where, on several occasions, punters formed orderly queues to strike a bet with the bookmaker of their choice.

I'd estimate the crowd between 5,000 and 6,000. The ground looked to be riding quite fast; Nicky Henderson pulled out his declared runners, No Regrets and Tisseman. Two performaces stood out.

Tom Scudamore made plenty of use of French import Ronald Jack (pictured leading over the last) in the Maiden Chase to win with something in hand. Market leader Noble Ben never seemed able to land a blow while second favourite Berhamsted broke down badly before the third.

Metal Detector literally hosed up in the three mile chase, winning by an eased down 18 lengths. Last time out, running in a first time visor over course and distance, the formbook reports the horse 'downed tools completely 11th'. Reverting back to the previously used blinkers, MD swept past his rivals on the turn for home and effectively had the race in the bag in a matter of strides. Middleham Park won the separate race for second place.

Mark Beesley, writing in the racecard, reports that by the end of racing at the next meeting on Thursday June 21st 'four seasons of virtual free admission at Towcester will be complete'. Long may it continue.

Thanks to my daughter for the photos taken at her inaugral race meeting, with Ashwell giving us the win we were looking for...

Friday evening at Towcester

A run-of-the-mill card at Towcester tomorrow but I hope to get there provided I can cut away from work early. Going through the form this evening, Berkhamsted appears to have a good chance in the 7.10 race provided he stays; all his form to date has been over two miles. I'll support Ashwell in the 8.10 while New Time could improve to be competitive in the next.

Brennan leaves Howard Johnson stable

Last May I wrote a piece about Graham Lee leaving the Howard Johnson yard. At the time Ferdy Murphy was quick out of the stalls to secure Lee's services as his new stable jockey.

A little over twelve months later and Nigel Twiston-Davies has emulated Murphy's trick, taking on Paddy Brennan following that jockey's split with Johnson. Twiston-Davies, it will be remembered, lost out to the Pipe stable earlier this year in a bidding war to secure Tom Scudamore's services. Paddy Brennan, who rode 74 winners last season, appears an excellent appointment.

On the other hand, all would not appear well at the Johnson / Wylie setup.

From Frankie to Fontwell

Frankie may have won two Derbys in two days, but the first at Fontwell this evening looks an intriguing race. Norman Beckett catches the eye, having finished a close second to Mon Michel (in which Betfair owner Andrew Black has a part share) over the course and distance last time. NB has done most of his racing on ground with some cut so today's conditions are something of an unknown; however the Racing Post form describes him as 'a certain future winner'. Another I expect to progress from last time is Henrietta Knight's Shekel who could go well as a price.

Derby day debrief

So, finally, Dettori has laid to rest his Derby day hoodoo. Authorized's victory looked exceptional. After an inauspicious start, it was clear Frankie had plenty of horse beneath him, at one point taking time out to look around and check the runners behind. As they came into the home straight, the horse appeared a little further back in the field than would have been ideal, but it was of little consequence as Authorized showed a commanding turn of foot.

I felt the BBC coverage tended to concentrate excessively on the personalities involved rather than highlighting the achievements of the horses concerned. In truth, Dettori's reaction appeared a bit of a mixed bag, a 'going through the motions', a 'playing to the media'. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that's due to the pressure, but it looked as much a reaction of relief as anything else.

With a roaming camera following the victor back into the inner sanctum of the weighing room, we were treated to a couple of pardonable expletives and then, much to Mrs Tips' amusement, a quick full frontal of an unsuspecting jock getting ready for the next. The result in our house was that Mrs Tips had to go for a lie down and me and the kids had to wait for our tea... Good job it only happens once a year.

Dettori's Derby dream to be realised?

Make no mistake - on all known form Frankie Dettori is on the best horse in tomorrow's Derby. Of course, as we all know, the best horse doesn't always win the races. The bookmakers will certainly be hoping to get odds-on favourite Authorized beat, as they stand to lose up to £50 million if this horse enables his ebullient jockey to add the Derby to his already impressive CV.

I have never collected any money on the Derby in over thirty years of trying. Having tipped the Oaks winner yesterday, I'm playing safe and hoping Authorized breaks the hoodoo. My each way alternative is Aidan O'Brien's Eagle Mountain while Mrs Tips, having just finished watering the plants, recommends a small each way investment on Aqaleem.

Epsom Oaks

With further rain having fallen through the week, the going at Epsom is now soft. Fourteen runners go to post for the Oaks, Henry Cecil's Passage Of Time likely to start favourite. I opposed this horse in the Musidora at York and I'm inclined to do so again following her well documented problems with an abscess on her epiglottis. A bullish piece in The Weekender quotes Cecil as expecting both his fillies 'to be in the first three'. With that in mind, I'll be supporting the yard's Light Shift (currently 6/1 with Totesport) and may be tempted into a reverse forecast Light Shift and Passage Of Time. Should either of them oblige, there won't be a dry eye in the house.

Soft ground a distinct possibility for Saturday's Epsom Derby

After weather typical of a British Bank Holiday weekend, the chances are this year's Derby will be run on ground riding on the soft side of good come Saturday. This likelihood will inconvenience a number of the runners, but not the current favourite, Authorized; bookmakers now quote the horse at shades of odds on.

A piece in today's Times looks to quell the rumour that Dettori would announce his retirement on Saturday should Authorized give him his first win in the famous race.

Irish Guineas meeting

The Irish Guineas meeting takes place at the Curragh this weekend. Cockney Rebel is likely to start a short priced favourite in the 2,000 Guineas after his popular victory in the English version at Newmarket three weeks ago.

On Sunday Finsceal Beo will start favourite but looks somewhat vulnerable in the 1,000 Guineas; this will be the filly's third Group 1 race in as many weeks. Provided the rain doesn't arrive, the favourite could be worth opposing with Arch Swing trained by John Oxx. Mark 'The Couch' Winstanley has made a convincing case for this horse in The Weekender; I'll be hoping she does the business.

Dettori's Derby?

The decision some time ago by Godolphin to boycott Coolmore sires probably has a lot to do with Frankie Dettori going through a rather quiet spell at the moment.

All that is likely to change now as Dettori, who has never won the Derby in fourteen attempts, has been booked to ride pre-race favourite Authorized. I don't know why Dettori should be unhappy; I've never had the Derby winner in well over thirty years of trying. Authorized is currently a best priced 5/4 and looks likely to start odds on. With less than ten days to go to the big race, you can rest assured you'll know all about it if he wins.

Aintree card this evening

For the time of year there's a reasonable card at Aintree this evening. Two I'll be keeping an eye on in the 7.15 are the four year old Katies Tuitor and Hilltime. This will be Katies' first run in a handicap and it looks a competitive event. All his racing has been done on right handed tracks; in his last two efforts hurdling has let him down as the field starts to race in earnest.

Hilltime posted a fast time when finishing second in a two mile handicap chase at Southwell recently. Previously this horse had finished fifth of twenty two runners in a listed hurdle race over course and distance when priced at 100/1.

The bumper, held over from the Grand National meeting, contains a few nice looking entries and should give us some pointers for the future.

Street-Porter: 'I could eat a horse.'

Last night, on Gordon Ramsay's 'The F-Word' programme, the shy, retiring, delectable Janet Street-Porter was shown popping over to France, identifying a horse she wanted to eat, and then, back at home, promptly eating it.

Not only did she seem to enjoy eating the beast, which, coincidentally, she'd named Gordon, but she felt moved to set up a stall at the Cheltenham Festival to get punters to try the fare. Gloucestershire police moved her along from the approaches to the racecourse, claiming such action could be interpreted as provocative, but an obliging resident nearby allowed her to present her wares on their driveway. More to the point, punters seemed to like eating horses as much as betting on them. If only I'd eaten half the horses I'd bet on...

On a different note, the York May Festival starts today with the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, an established Oaks trial, the highlight of the card. Five fillies go to post with Henry Cecil's runner Passage Of Time likely to start odds on favourite. Cecil, in excellent form, has indicated that Passage Of Time, who has to give 3lbs to the field, may be coming into season. That being the case it may pay to take a chance on Michael Stoute's Shorthand whose full sister Short Skirt won this last year.

Record Scoop6 pot shared

The Racing Post and Channel 4 Racing have given plenty of publicity to the record breaking pot up for grabs in today's Scoop6 pool. All you had to do was pick six winners of the six nominated races to gain a share of over £1.5 million.

At 8 o'clock this morning there were 5,989,950 possible winning combinations. Taking into account non-runners and withdrawals, that number had shrunk quite considerably to 2,270,268 (9x28x7x13x9x11) by the time the races were run.

In the event 11 winners collect just under £154,000 each, with considerably less accompanying coverage because, as we all know, a single £1million plus winner is a bookmaker's publicity dream. The eleven winners have the chance to go for a share of the £1 million plus bonus pot next week.

Just for the record, I try to avoid this type of bet; I find it difficult enough to select one winner, never mind six.

Yet another Grand National

The Sheep Grand National takes place every May Bank Holiday Monday on Hoo Farm outside Telford, Shropshire, with this year's winner confirmed as Ginger Nut ridden by Roger Ram.

The sheep have jockeys on their backs and jump a number of fences over a course that is just over a furlong.

No footage from this year's renewal to hand, but I did come across a clip from the 2003 running of the race on the BBC website at http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/3006579.stm

Lines about bookmakers fleecing punters, sheep making good jumpers, the betting being 7/2 baaah one, Richard Ewes riding a poor race, runners being penned in a the start, bookmakers pulling the wool over punters' eyes, the big race sheepstakes etc. are forbidden.

Wrexham's great escape

Wrexham managed to escape relegation yesterday, sending Boston down in the process by beating them 3-1, although it was far fom plain sailing. 1-0 down at half-time, Wrexham were staring disaster in the face but the three second half goals, two in the last four minutes, changed the picture completely.

The BBC's report and pictures capture the occasion well.

I managed to catch live radio coverage in Coventry on BBC Radio Wales. What a truamatic season! I wouldn't want to go through a final day like that again in a hurry; in the end it was just a huge sense of a relief. Let's hope the club can progress from here.

Newmarket 2000 Guineas meeting

The first classic of the 2007 flat season, the 2000 Guineas, takes place at Newmarket tomorrow. Let me issue the obligatory health warning here - I don't follow the flat particularly closely. Around this time of year I promise myself that I'm going to concentrate on the summer jumping programme but, invariably, I don't.

Yesterday the Guineas ante post favourite Teofilo was withdrawn after suffering a training setback. According to The Racing Post his defection has netted bookmakers between £1 million and £2.5 million. Paddy Power, to their credit, have agreed to refund losing ante post bets.

The race still has the look of a bookmakers' benefit with twenty four expected to go to post. Michael Stoute's Adagio is the new favourite but favourites have a poor record in this event over the years. US Ranger, supplemented at a cost of £25,000 earlier in the week, has been backed with bucketloads of money, while Diamond Tycoon won a Newbury maiden in a very fast time. Major Cadeaux won The Greenham in impressive fashion.

My selection is Paul Cole's Strategic Prince; his third behind Teofilo in last season's Dewhurst on unsuitably soft ground looks solid form. The starting price is likely to be around 8/1; for those looking for something slightly bigger, trainer John Best has a positive word for his 100/1 outsider Hurricane Spirit on the yard's blog at http://www.johnbestracing.com/wordpress/?p=52

The race is due off at 3.25.

D-Day at Wrexham

At present I'm distracted by Wrexham's plight at the bottom of League Two. On Saturday they need a win or a draw at home to Boston United to ensure league football next season. Boston are next to bottom of the league and need to win to survive. If Wrexham lose, they will need to rely on Notts County winning at Macclesfield.

I know it's sad but last night I worked out the various permutations (discounting goal difference scenarios), as a kind of displacement activity.

Wrexham win, Macclesfield win - Boston relegated.
Wrexham win, Macclesfield draw - Boston relegated.

Wrexham win, Macclesfield lose - Boston relegated.

Wrexham draw, Macclesfield win - Boston relegated.

Wrexham draw, Macclesfield draw - Boston relegated.

Wrexham draw, Macclesfield lose - Boston relegated.

Wrexham lose, Macclesfield win - Wrexham relegated.

Wrexham lose, Macclesfield draw - Wrexham relegated.

Wrexham lose, Macclesfield lose - Macclesfield relegated.

Earlier in the week Wrexham were 5/1 to go down; now I see they're priced at just 3/1. My fear is that if Boston score first, Wrexham will struggle as, during this nightmare of a season, the goals have been difficult to come by. Saturday afternooon I shall be watching the match - on teletext. Fingers crossed...