St Leger day 2010

Two St Legers take place tomorrow with ten set to face the starter in the English version at 3.20 while eight go to post in the Irish equivalent twenty five minutes later.

Doncaster plays host to the 233rd running of the world's oldest Classic horse race; tradition has it that the first born child on the day of the race is granted life membership of the track on reaching the age of sixteen. Racing may well have tradition aplenty but, as today's Daily Telegraph reports, all is far from rosy in racing's garden. On paper Rewilding looks to have this renewal at his mercy and has been priced up accordingly - this evening the layers go 8/1 bar the Godolphin hotpot. A couple of quick stats - six favourites have obliged in the last decade while only six fillies have won the race since the war, the last to do so being User Friendly in 1992. Having said that the last six Oaks winners have finished in the places so Snow Fairy may make some appeal as an each-way wager (8/1) although connections admit they don't know whether she'll stay the trip and are unlikely to let their charge take her chance should heavy ran arrive before the off. James Given's Dandino is progressive but I'm not really inclined to get involved; if I relent I'll consider Sir Michael Stoute's Total Command each-way at 33/1. [How often do you seen one at that price for this trainer? Well, twice in the last month actually!] The Sadler's Wells colt didn't appear to stay the trip when third in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and is forgiven his ninth in the Voltigeur behind Rewilding as the trainer reported his charge had suffered from a skin and joint infection before York and as a consequence needed the outing.

The Irish St Leger at the Curragh looks a more competitive affair with several layers going 9/4 each of two Profound Beauty and Sans Frontieres. John Dunlop's bay gelding Tactic (8/1) beat the first-named over course and distance at the end of June but has since disappointed in the Goodwood Cup and current stable form is poor. Jeremy Noseda expects a big run from Sans Frontieres who looked good winning the Geoffrey Freer on soft ground at Newbury last time out; connections will consider a tilt at the Melbourne Cup if all goes well here. In a trappy-looking race, I side with Dermot Weld's Profound Beauty.

Weekend snippets

Cape Blanco (6/1) provided something of a shock at Leopardstown yesterday by making all to win the Irish Champion Stakes by five and a half lengths from stablemate Rip Van Winkle with Twice Over a short head behind in third.

Tony McCoy has been in fine form this weekend with a treble at Worcester today on Another Trump (3/1), Pinerock (3/1) and Drill Sergeant (10/11f) to add to his victory on Russian George (3/1) at Stratford yesterday. The winning distances in two of those events were recorded as a short head and a head - McCoy has ridden four winners from seven rides since Friday.

BBC4 screen This Sporting Life this evening at 10.00pm, a film that's a particular favourite of mine. Richard Harris stars in the lead role as Frank Machin, a rugby league footballer from Wakefield.

As pointed out on Saturday's Morning Line, this Youtube clip has gone viral... A race caller at Monmouth in the US had a bit of fun when two horses fought out a finish, one named My Wife Knows Everything, the other named The Wife Doesn't Know. Needless to say, My Wife Knows Everything came out the winner (because she actually does).

Two poetry points to finish on. Firstly, I was intrigued to learn over the weekend that poet John Cooper Clarke is now on the GCSE syllabus - unfortunately that's thirty five years too late for me. Secondly, here's a poem by John Masefield (1878-1967), who was on the O level syllabus (as it was known) thirty five years ago...

An Epilogue

I have seen flowers come out in stony places
And kind things done by men with ugly faces,
And the Gold Cup won by the worst horse at the races,
So I trust, too.

First Saturday in September at Stratford

Straford's first Saturday in September often offers an interesting card and tomorrrow's is no exception with three Class 3 races to take in.

The opener can throw up an interesting sort - Forty Thirty won this last year and was then quietly fancied for a race at Market Rasen three weeks later but Sheena West's gelding was emphatically put in his place by Barizan. Many thought the handicapper had overrated that winner when he was beaten by Pistolet Noir in the soft at Cheltenham but trainer Evan Williams knew what he was doing, giving his charge an extended break before bringing the bay back with an almighty effort to make all in the Triumph; compensation came with victory in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown. In tomorrow's event Peter Bowen's mare Tout Regulier is well in at the weights and a course and distance winner to boot while Milton Harris' Saltigoo is forgiven his last effort on soft ground at Newton Abbot - nonetheless that one has been kept busy over the past three months; Milton's other runner, That's Some Milan, could be anything. Tout Regulier looks the percentage call, the yard having had three winners from ten runners in the past week.

The beginners' chase is trappy - Emma Lavelle's Ravenclaw looks by far the most interesting.

In the feature at 3.55 De Soto from Paul Weber's nearby Banbury yard would be worth a second look on the back of his one length second to Grand Slam Hero at Ffos Las at the beginning of June. Last time out the gelding disappointed on softer ground at Bangor; here he sports a tongue tie for the first time. Priced up at 14/1 in the tissue De Soto would rate a reasonable each-way shot should that price become available on the day.

Plenty with chances in the 4.20 handicap hurdle where the market has proved a reliable guide in the past - the winner has come from the first three in the betting on seven of the last eight renewals.

Inmate, an easy winner last time out, will be popular in the 5 o'clock but he'll be no price and I've found it difficult to build up any enthusiasm for the others (e.g. Cortinas third in a seller last time). In the bumper Peter Bowen brings out Whereveryougoigo carrying a seven pound penalty for his Hereford win three days ago. I'm tempted to oppose with Robin Dickin's chestnut mare Music In The Air.

Playing catch-up

A few days away and I've completely lost touch...

The current big betting story centres around allegations in today's News of the World that Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammed Asif bowled three no-balls at pre-determined, specified points in test match play on Thursday and Friday. William Hill representative Graham Sharpe, speaking on Radio Five Live this morning, indicated that punters would struggle to strike bets of this nature with his firm.

I missed the first of Martin Clunes' two part series, Horsepower; apprently tonight's second episode (ITV1 21:00) starts with a visit to racecourses in England and Italy.

While away I did manage to catch small snippets from the two most recently broadcast editions of The Morning Line. Am I just getting too old and cynical? Perhaps so, but I did feel Nick Luck's fawning over firstly Jeremy Kyle before Sandown's Variety Club Day and then Guy Harwood and Amanda Perrett before Saturday's Goodwood Celebration Mile meeting left a bit of a taste...

Two quick points noted on recent travels - firstly Sanquhar in south west Scotland celebrated 100 years of the riding of the marches on August 18th 2010. Secondly, one of the halls of residence of Durham University has been built on the site of a house that once belonged to John Gully, an English sportsman and former MP for Pontefract. Appearently in 1827 Mr Gully lost £40,000 when backing his Mameluke to win the St. Leger but happier times followed in 1832 when he had a share of £85,000, his St Giles, part owned with Robert Ridsdale, winning the Derby and Margrave the St Leger. Wikipedia records 'Gully was twice married and had twelve children by each wife.'

With the jumps season on the horizon trainer Philip Hobbs had a word for a couple in an article in today's Racing Post - Captain Chris and Tarablaze were mentioned, as was Qroktou who has apparently strengthened up nicely.

Finally, a football note to finish on. As a lifelong fan of Wrexham FC (who now languish near the foot of the Blue Square Bet Premiership) I can't help but wonder why ITV employ our current manager Mr Dean Saunders (also known in our house as 'Pearl & Dean' and 'The Colonel') to pass comment on European games involving clubs such as Liverpool and Aston Villa while closer to home Mr Saunders presides over Wrexham defeats at places such as Forest Green Rovers and Eastbourne Borough. Perhaps he's lining up his next job...

Ebor meeting - Nunthorpe Stakes

My Ebor selections have hardly set the world alight so, for the sake of completeness only, you understand, a tentative suggestion for the Nunthorpe is Richard Fahey's course and distance winner Rose Blossom, provided the ground remains on the fast side. Jockey Paul Hanagan has a word for the filly in this week's Weekender; she wears cheekpieces for the first time here. On official ratings she has plenty to find with several of these but that fact is reflected in the 20/1 quoted by some layers. I'll have an each-way wager but profess to being more hopeful than confident, particularly with the likes of Starspangledbanner, Equiano, Kingsgate Native and Fleeting Spirit in the line-up.

Ebor meeting - The Yorkshire Oaks

In a fascinating renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks Sariska, second to Dar Re Mi last year, will hope to make amends this time around, while her two principal rivals are Midday and this year's English and Irish Oaks winner Snow Fairy. Midday nearly threw away victory in the Nassau at Goodwood the last time - I expect Tom Queally won't commit his charge so early here. Last year's dual Oaks winner Sariska had Henry Cecil's filly beaten on both occasions - it's worth noting Midday has never won at the trip. Of the principals Sariska looks the percentage call while Snow Fairy is the most interesting but the layers don't look to be taking any chances. Meeznah ran second at a big price in this year's Oaks and looked for all the world as though she was going to pull off a major shock until headed near the line; her subsequent fourth at the Curragh was less impressive but at the prices I'll forgive that effort and have an each-way bet on Meeznah at 16/1 provided the rain stays away and the eight get to post.

A quick Ebor tip for the Ebor meeting

My two regular readers, faithful but penniless, know that this season I've been struck by how many NH trained horses have plundered long distance races on the Flat. Overturn continued the trend by taking Newcastle's Northumberland Plate from an unfancied draw before running away with last month's Galway Hurdle. He doesn't have the best of draws here and hardly offers value in this ultra competitive event but is respected nonetheless. The one that caught my eye was Desert Sea who ran third behind Overturn in the Newcastle Plate; he reopposes here four pounds better off for a three and a quarter length beating. He wouldn't necessarily appreciate any rain but has a decent draw, should benefit from the slightly shorter trip and is priced up at 28/1 with a couple of layers this evening (Victor Chandler and Stan James). I'll take a small each-way interest in Desert Sea, noting that all layers go a quarter the odds four places for this heritage handicap.

No bet in the Gimcrack but I'd be thinking long and hard before opposing Temple Meads who looked impressive in winning Newbury's Super Sprint and is expected to relish the step up to six furlongs.

I fancied Ask for the Lonsdale Cup but he was found lame this morning and is a non-runner. Illustrious Blue and Electrolyser fought out the finish to the Goodwood Cup three weeks ago, the former prevailing by just over a length on that occasion; many will fancy Electrolyser here three pounds better off. The Queen's gelding Free Agent was hampered in that same race and finished fourth, having won at this course previously; he isn't one I'd trust implicitly. I think I'm going to watch from the sidelines...

Ebor meeting - Juddmonte International

Very hastily written lines before the first day of York's Ebor meeting...

The Acomb Stakes (2.15) for two-year-olds over seven furlongs looks fascinating but is well outside my comfort zone. The Great Voltigeur isn't a great race for favourites (two winners in the past decade) but the market has proved a decent guide to the International (3.25) with six winners in the same timeframe. Rip Van Winkle is likely to head tomorrow's market but he hasn't won over this distance, a comment that also applies to the only three-year-old in the field, Dick Turpin. Byword beat Twice Over in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot; drying ground will help Henry Cecil's bay but I take Andre Fabre's Byword to collect the spoils.

Haydock's Rose Of Lancaster Stakes

If you like your racing with cheerleaders thrown in, then tomorrow's Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot should fit the bill.

Up at Haydock the feature is the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes which is run over an extended ten furlongs. Nine are set to face the starter on ground that is likely to have plenty of cut - the going for tonight's meeting is described as good for the six furlong events but good to soft, soft in places for those races over a mile or more. Three-year-olds have a good record in this with seven winners from the past nine renewals in the last decade. Of the three participants from that age group, slight preference is for Fallen Idol, although Harry Dunlop makes a decent case for his charge Green Moon provided you're prepared to forgive the colt's last effort at Royal Ascot. Bearing in mind the underfoot conditions, of the older horses Les Fazzani and Distant Memories make most appeal. The former made all to win a listed fillies' event over slightly further on her penultimate run but was then beaten just over six lengths into fourth by Barshiba in the Lancashire Oaks on ground that would not have suited. The chance of Tom Tate's Distant Memories is respected and there's little between these two on official ratings but I'll side with the mare - Les Fazzani gets the vote. Likely favourite Rio De La Plata isn't guaranteed to stay the trip - for the record in the last nine runnings the favourite has obliged on four occasions.

In the opener I quite liked Sir Mark Prescott's course and distance winner Comedy Act; in receipt of four pounds, he looks a play against probable favourite Shubaat. Having said that, the stable has had a quiet time of it recently - I'm going to watch from the sidelines.

What's in a name?

Last night’s episode of Undercover Boss, in which Jockey Club Chief Operating Officer Paul Fisher tried his hand at a number of entry level jobs at different racecourses, left a strange taste. What shone through above all else was the commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of the people at grass roots level and I have nothing but admiration for the individuals featured in the programme. Paul Fisher’s concern was that those individuals, like the majority of racegoers I suspect, were unaware of the Jockey Club brand and what it stood for. Of course, the Jockey Club has no monopoly on individuals of the sort portrayed - I’m sure you’ll find similar employees working for groups such as Arena Leisure, responsible for seven courses and the largest operator of UK horseracing, or Northern Racing Limited with its portfolio of ten courses.

My problem with the brand is the name, the Jockey Club. Now, I’m not particularly well versed in the history of the turf, fascinating subject that it is, but for a very long time the Jockey Club were the oligarchy that ran racing in this country (and ran it with the proverbial rod of iron). As a kid who started following racing in the sixties, my heroes were the men in the saddle, but when those heroes made mistakes, they were ordered to Portman Square and invariably returned with a (harsh) suspension and a flea in their ear. If a rider had the temerity to lodge an appeal against a decision, the result was often further punishment. I totally accept this is my own personal baggage but terms I tend to associate with the Jockey Club include oligarchy, gentleman’s club, authoritarian deliverers of punishment, an organisation slow to change.

Having said that, the Club has embraced change, has modernised - Paul Fisher’s focus on the importance of the customer experience is testament to that. Perhaps it’s time for a re-brand?

Odds 'n' ends...

The stewards' inquiry following Midday's victory in yesterday's Nassau was the first to be televised live on British television; jockey Tom Queally incurred a two day ban for careless riding after his mount and Stacelita came close together about 100 yards from the line.

Goodwood may well have been glorious but issues surrounding the sport's funding continue to rumble on in the background; earlier in the week William Hill announced it is to move its telephone betting operation to Gibraltar in order to benefit from significant tax advantages. Victor Chandler (who, I think, led the move to Gibraltar several years ago) then chipped in with a commitment to pay levy on his offshore operations if the betting exchanges were to be taxed in a similar manner to traditional layers. Chandler may have extended his shirt sponsorship deal with Championship side Nottingham Forest but is on record as saying that racing is the only sport he deals with where 'revenues are declining'. In a similar vein, from the Mintel report on Betting Shops - UK - August 2009: ''In 2008, FOBTs (Fixed Odds Bettng Terminals) became the first product to earn more for Ladbrokes than horse racing in the company’s entire 122-year existence."

A gentle reminder - don't forget to tune in to Channel 4 at 9.00pm this Thursday 5th August when Paul Fisher, Chief Operating Officer of The Jockey Club, takes his turn as The Undercover Boss.

Finally, the best tip(ple) of the week... Champagne Louis Chaurey Brut at Marks & Spencer - reduced from £30 to £15 a bottle. Light, fresh, with pineapple and biscuit overtones - I've just sent Mrs Tips out to get another bottle.

Glorious Goodwood - the final day

Tomorrow is the final day of Glorious Goodwood but I'm in no position to comment on how glorious Goodwood has been so far, primarily because, as I'm not a member of the landed gentry, I haven't seen any of the past four days' racing. Once upon a time I did have this plan to win a shedload of money betting the horses which would have enabled me to live the life of a member of the landed gentry but that particular dream, along with my other naive hopes and desires, was quashed by the harsh banal reality of everyday life some thirty odd years ago.

Seven go in the Nassau at 3.05 in which last year's winner Midday looks the one they have to beat, with the strongest challenge likely to come from French fillies Stacelita and Rosanara; Stacelita has yet to race on going this quick. Henry Cecil's stable jock Tom Queally appears confident enough this evening. Game one-eyed mare Barshiba can be counted on to run her race but is likely to find one or two too good in this Group One - she finished fourth behind Midday in this last year when the going was soft and the sea fret proved rather troublesome to some members of the landed gentry in the stands. Midday is the selection.

A tentative suggestion in the wide-open cavalry charge that is the Stewards' Cup with twenty eight set to face the starter... The stats appear to show that middle to high drawn horses are favoured; the result of today's Rolf Group Stewards' Handciap (for those beasts that missed the cut for tomorrow's event) confirms the suspicions with the winner coming from stall fourteen and only one of the first seven home boasting a single-figure berth - that horse was Tiddliwinks who looked unlucky in running and might be worth noting for another day. Of the market leaders Genki and Palace Moon have enough weight while Enact comes from Sir Michael Stoute's yard which is just a little in and out at the moment. Tom Dascombe's pair will attract plenty of support with stable jock Richard Kingscote on Noverre To Go while the other one Jonny Mudball is part-owned by footballer Jonathan Woodgate. Talking of football ex-footballer now trainer Mick Channon saddles Rileyskeepingfaith who was just beaten a neck at Haydock the last time and has been well tipped up in this week's Weekender. Four and five year olds have a good record in this so I'll take a small each-way interest in Hitchens who is drawn right up against the far rail and comes to this fresher than most. He was doing his best work towards the end in last week's Sky Bet Dash at York where he finished seventh of twenty; that should have put him spot on. He rates a sporting each-way chance and is priced up at 25/1 with Sky Bet, who also happen to be paying a quarter the odds five places.

The crying is done; what next - Goodwood or Galway?

Generally speaking I hate to see a man cry. This week I discovered there have been several reports in the press of men crying after watching Toy Story 3. One man who had no qualms about weeping openly on national television was Highclere manager Harry Herbert after Harbinger won the King George by an astonishing eleven lengths. I wonder if Workforce's jockey Ryan Moore had a tear in his eye after the Derby winner trailled in a disappointing fifth of the six runners? Connections have blamed the ground and the fact that the colt, usually a relaxed custoner, was too keen in the early stages.

The five days of Glorious Goodwood start on Tuesday, a meeting at which Mark Johnson has been the leading trainer on seven occasions. The menu looks something like this:

Tuesday 27 July features the Betfair Cup at 3.25; first race 2.10
Wednesday 28 July features the Sussex Stakes in which last year's winner Rip Van Winkle will merit close inspection; first race 2.10
Thursday 29 July features the two mile Goodwood Cup - Dettori put up Kite Wood as his best chance at the meeting on Saturday's Morning Line; first race 2.10
Friday 30 July features The Golden Mile and the Richmond Stakes; first race 2.10
Saturday 31 July features the cavalry charge that is the Stewards' Cup and the Nassau Stakes.

If Glorious Goodwood makes demands on the stamina, it is as nothing compared to the seven days that comprise the Galway Festival which starts 5.10 sharp tomorrow evening with the HotelMeyrick.ie and the ghotel.ie Novice Hurdle. Races of particular interest during the week include the Galway Plate (5.25 Wednesday) in which Nigel Twiston-Davies is set to saddle his first runner, Grand Slam Hero, and the Guinness Galway Hurdle (4.50 Thursday, which also happens to be Ladies' Day) in which Donald McCain is set to saddle his first runner, Northumberland Plate winner Overturn. The going this evening is described as good to yielding, yielding in places. How I wish I could be there!

One Group One and One Group Two

A select field of just six will face the starter at 4.25 for tomorrow's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes - this evening it was announced that John Gosden's mare Dar Re Mi, owned by Lord Lloyd Weber, will miss the race on account of a bruised foot. The three-year-olds, the 'classic generation', have a good record in this which augurs well for impressive Derby winner Workforce as well as Cape Blanco; the favourite has collected the spoils on eight occasions in the last ten years. In today's Times Alan Lee reports trainer Sir Michael Stoute warning that the biggest threat to the market leader may come from within his own stable - Harbinger has progressed very well since his win in the Hardwicke Stakes five weeks ago. The stable's other runner, Confront, has been allocated pacemakng duties and for that reason is quoted at 250/1. It is not surprising stable jock Ryan Moore elected to stick with the horse that won Epsom's showpiece. The lead story in today's Racing Post informed us the layers were out to 'get' Workforce - he's best-priced 11/10 with William Hill and Coral this evening. Workforce is my idea of the winner in a race that doesn't really make that much appeal as a betting medium. In search of a bit of value, I'm going to take an each-way interest in Daryakana at 16/1. The last filly to win this was Time Charter in 1983 - having said that, Alain de Royer-Dupre's charge prefers racing right-handed, beat the colts in the Hong Kong Vase last December and has been trained specifically for this race since.

Up at York the bare eight go to post for the Sky Bet York Stakes at 3.05 - this evening several bookmakers go 4/1 the field. On official ratings Monitor Closely is the best horse in the race; Michael Bell's colt hasn't been seen out since last September when he finished third in the St Leger behind Mastery. He may just need the run while the step back in trip doesn't look in his favour. John Gosden's Debussy is likely to appreciate cut in the ground while the two Godolphin runners are of some interest. Balius is the higher rated of the two but is making his seasonal debut; Allybar finished third behind Gloria De Campeao on his penultimate run in the Dubai World Cup. That race took place on sand and looks good form - I fancied him at a price for the Prince Of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot the next time provided, of course, he could transfer that form to the turf. In the event, he ruined his chance by pulling too hard in the early stages so I'd be willing to forgive but I'm not convinced he'll handle easier conditions here. Debussy ran creditably at an even bigger price in that same Ascot race, fading inside the final furlong to finish seventh, beaten under four and a half lengths. 4/1 Debussy is the bet.

Some short snippets...

Harry Findlay's successful appeal on Wednesday has received plenty of press coverage this week - Greg Wood argued for a change in the BHA rule book in Friday's Guardian. Meanwhile the exchange operator Findlay used to lay his own horses, Betfair, appears to be considering a stock market flotation in the autumn which could value the group in the region of £1.5 billion. Saturday's Times reported that the two founders, Ed Wray and Andrew 'Bert' Black, will share a paper fortune of £375 million if the float goes ahead. Betfair is the world's biggest betting exchange with over three million customers in 140 different countries.

In future 'Bert' Black is likely to pump some of that money into Manor House Stables where Tom Dascombe trains a number of horses for Michael Owen. However it was trainer Tim Vaughan who provided Owen with his first double as an owner when Paddy Partridge and Holoko Heights took the opening two races on the card at Uttoxeter on Wednesday.

It looks as though trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies intends to try and keep the Plates spinning. Grand Slam Hero won the Summer Plate at Market Rasen yesterday and connections have indicated they now have the Galway Plate on July 28th in their sights. Bet365 still offer 16/1 this evening but William Hill go 10/1.

In the world of golf, congratulations go to the new Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen. Mrs Tips reports Clare Balding saying on radio a racing acquaintance of hers had backed the winner at odds of 480/1. I wonder who that might be...

Finally, a quip from Johnny Vegas in a 60 seconds interview that appeared in a recent edition of Star magazine. Asked if he'd ever cheated on anyone, Vegas replied: "I have never cheated on anyone, certainly not in a relationship. I cheated on my dad when I said I put bet on for him, but I kept the money. That was 20 years ago." Of course, had the horse come in, he could simply have gone back to his father and handed over the stake, saying he forgot to put the bet on. Such an honest gesture from one so young may well have prevented the probable parental thrashing that loomed ahead. However, if the young Vegas had already spent his dad's stake money on several bags of sweets, then the only sensible course of action would have been to stuff an old exercise book down the back of his pants. Ah, the good old days - where did it all go wrong?

Market Rasen's Summer Plate 2010

Tomorrow's meeting at Market Rasen is the highlight of the summer jumping calendar. Sixteen go to post in the Summer Plate at 3.35 with prize money of £60,000 on offer; this evening all the major bookmaking firms are offering each-way a quarter the odds four places. Several of tomorrow's particpants have run in the race previously. Last year McCoy did this blog a favour by getting Nostringsattached up to win a short-head from stablemate Keepitsecret while King Troy ran well to finish fourth; Brooklyn Brownie finished second behind Peter Bowen's Snoopy Loopy in 2008 with Seymour Weld down the field in tenth. In the past the Bowen yard has been mob-handed in this but just Valley Pride takes his chance tomorrow - that chance is certainly respected as the trainer is in phenomenal form with six winners from his last seven runners. Of the three Jonjo O'Neill entries McCoy has opted for course and distance winner Tempsford and that one heads the market. Putney Bridge is one who runs his race from the front but he'll do well to win this with that style of racing. One that's slightly less exposed is Tim Vaughan's War Of The World. This gelding finished just under two lengths behind Valley Ride over course and distance last September; he looked to race in snatches that day but on his next appearance was in with a shout when coming down two out at Cheltenham's mid-October meeting in a race won by Poquelin. He hasn't been seen out since and although he has shown himself prone to the odd jumping error in the past the booking of Richard Johnson catches the eye. I'll take an each-way interest in War Of The World at around 12/1. It's worth noting that the favourite has obliged on five occasions in the last ten years.

The opening Summer Hurdle looks very difficult. One near the bottom of the handicap that might be worth a second look provided the price is right is Evan Williams' Nordwind. Ten pound claimer Adam Wedge takes the ride but will he be able to do the weight, I wonder? William Hill go 16/1 this evening.

Much of the form for the juvenile hurdle at 2.35 goes back to Torran's course and distance win three weeks ago. Lady Pasha, Sansili and Bring Sweets will all fancy their chance of reversing placings with the winner who now carries a penalty. I'm tempted to chance the filly Lady Pasha as she was headed in the shadow of the post in that race and has cheekpieces applied this time which should help the cause. Of the newcomers Dance For Julie who won on the soft over twelve furlongs looks of some interest.

Haunted by memories of Wigmore Hall

Before the beginning of last week I'd never heard of Wigmore Hall but the build-up to the John Smith's Cup changed all that; my selection in that race, 14/1 shot Kings Gambit, was pipped at the post by Michael Bell's lightly-weighted three-year-old. The York stewards duly entered into the spirit of things and played their part by delaying the agony that little bit longer before announcing that placings were to remain unaltered.

Still cursing my luck, I thought an evening of classical music at Royal Leamington Spa provided by the City of Coventry Youth Orchestra would prove a suitable distraction. I know absolutely nothing about classical music so I purchased a racecard, sorry a programme, and noted that violin soloist Eleanor Percy was to play Max Bruch's Violin Concerto in G Minor, Opus 26. Ms Percy really was exceptional. In the interval I took the trouble to read the accompanying programme notes - it was there I discovered that Ms Percy made her debut at Wigmore Hall in 2005.

Wikipedia describes Wigmore Hall as 'a leading international recital venue that specialises in hosting performances of chamber music and is best known for classical recitals of piano, song and instrumental music.'

Talk about kicking a man when he's down... I still haven't recovered.

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.

Racing in a recession

The lead story in Thursday's Racing Post outlined the British Horseracing Authority's plans to axe around 250 meetings from the 2011 fixture list in response to falling income from the Levy Board. Such a move will bring plenty of worries to a number of courses, with Saturday's Morning Line mentioning particular fears for the future of Kempton, Wolverhampton and Ffos Las. A report in Friday's South Wales Echo was more upbeat about the Welsh track's future while Bob Davies, clerk of the course at Ludlow, played down fears about Ludlow's fixtures in the an interview with the Shropshire Star. Having said that, attendances and betting turnover at the recent Royal Ascot meeting held up reasonably well; some commentators had talked about thinking the unthinkable and allowing race sponsorship at next year's meeting but that now seems less likely.

All of which brought to mind a review Mike Atherton wrote in The Times a couple of weeks ago of a recently published book, A Last English Summer by Duncan Hamilton. The author takes up the theme of the rapid pace of change in the sport that he loves - cricket. The changes are coming thick and fast, they're not always for the best and those changes tend to be driven by the harsh realities of participating in sport when the commercial world is on the brink of recession. Traditionalists like Hamilton look at their sport, see the passing of a way of life and express unashamed sadness at the passing of those old ways.

What struck me in particular was that racing faced similar issues - the work of the Racing For Change initiative came to mind. In a nutshell the message appears to be - enjoy the old ways now for they are likely to disappear. Change has to be embraced; failure to do so will lead to oblivion.

Of course, in the old days I could have provided a direct hypertext link to Mr Atherton's well-written review but The Times, operating in the commercial world, has taken the decision to introduce charges for its online content.

Like it or not, the money talks.

A day at the Haydock races

You'd think they'd have learnt by now...

Some colleagues go to the Haydock races tomorrow for a stag do and they've asked for some tips. First one I gave was don't get married; after that, I told them this.

The main event at 2.50 is the Lancashire Oaks which will be run over one and a half miles. Last year's winner Barshiba heads the market and looks sure to run her race but no mare / filly has won this more than once. Having said that Barshiba is as tough as old boots, has her own way of doing things and ran a fine race at Royal Ascot to finish third behind Harbinger and Duncan. Prior to that she had finished fourth behind three of tomorrow's opponents, Les Fazzani, Polly's Mark and Roshiba over this course and distance on good to soft ground. Should enough rain arrive before the off, Les Fazzani would make plenty of appeal to confirm form with the favourite while Polly's Mark reopposes Kevin Ryan's charge on three pounds worse terms for a head defeat. You'd expect improvement on the first run from Sir Michael Stoute's Rosika who will be better suited by decent ground but has enough to find on official ratings; Coral go 12/1 this evening which may make some each-way appeal. The same firm go 16/1 Barry Hills' Champagnelifestyle. This three-year-old was the subject of some bullish comments before the Epsom Oaks but she looked to fade in the final furlong; connections were puzzled by that run but report her in good form, although they think a drop of rain would help the cause. They clearly think plenty of this one, summarised by this quote after Epsom:

'We still believe we have a talented filly and there will be another day for her.'

Champagnelifestyle each-way is the suggestion at 16/1. A couple of stats - three favourites have won in the last ten years while the winner has come from the first three in the betting eight times over the same period.

As usual, the Old Newton Cup (3.25) looks devilishly difficult. I used the following to narrow the field a little... Nine of the last ten winners carried more than 8st 7lbs but only three have carried more than 9st; in the past decade all winners have been aged four or five. Last year Red Merlin took the spoils and he tries again tomorrow but I'll take a small each-way interest in another red, Red Cadeaux. He was priced up at 14/1 earlier today but this evening is just 11/1, so somebody must be backing him. Recent stable form would be a very real worry.

Berling will be a short-price to take the opener but I told the future groom to take a chance with Anhar (15/2 Stan James); if nothing else, he'll have something to remember his carefree days by...

Over at Sandown the Eclipse doesn't look quite up to scratch this year and, judging by the offers of reduced priced tickets I've received this past week, others are of the same opinion. Six are set to face the starter in what could well develop into a tactical affair. On ratings Twice Over is the one to beat while Dar Re Mi bids to become the first filly / mare to win in eighteen years. Connections will hope Zacinto can fulfil his potential with this step up to ten furlongs while Marcus Tregoning wants the rain to stay away in the hope Mawatheeq can come on for his seasonal debut following a spell on the sidelines through injury. Mawatheeq (6/1) is the interesting one but I'll watch from the sidelines.