Forward planning

Jump jockey Robert 'Choc' Thornton may look good on the back of a novice chaser, but modelling items of clothing for The Cheltenham Collection appears a rather different proposition altogether; I'm afraid I'm not convinced. The reason I bring this to your attention is that I received a selection of promotional literature from Cheltenham racecourse in today's mail. I was intrigued to discover, for example, that there are several 'Cheltenham festivals', covering topics such as jazz, science, music and literature, none of which I have even the slightest inclination of attending, you will be pleased to hear. The racecourse's main brochure is exquisitely produced, incorporates some spectacular photographs of the track and welcomes readers to the new season with the words 'The excitement mounts'. It's whetted the appetite. Alan Lee writes in today's Times 'Most people only go racing if they have had the outing in the diary for months ahead...' and how right he is; with rising gas and electricity prices, it takes that amount of time to save up enough for a couple of small bets (useful tip - child benefit payments can be legitimately used to boost betting funds if necessary). I shall just have to do more forward planning. In the meantime, Saturday is Variety Club Day at Sandown but, with all this talk about the jumping game, I simply have to focus on the cards at Newton Abbot and Market Rasen over the weekend.

Goodwood and Newmarket

In today's races which were rescheduled from York's abandoned meeting, Lush Lashes (evens) won the Oaks, Borderlescott (12/1) the Nunthorpe and Enawin (25/1) the St Leger Yearling Stakes at Newmarket. Over in Berkshire Shaweed (16/1) won the Gimcrack and All The Good (25/1) the Newburgh Heritage Handicap, created as a substitute for the Ebor.

Tomorrow the Lowther (1.25) and the Juddmonte International (3.35) will be staged at Newmarket while Goodwood host the Great Voltigeur (2.10).

I'm sticking with New Approach to win the Juddmonte; drier ground will suit favourite Duke Of Marmalade. Let's hope we see a race to remember.

At Goodwood I'm going to take a chance on Meydan City turning over Patkai in the Voltigeur. Patkai showed an exceptional turn of foot at Royal Ascot but I'm not certain he'll be able to display it on the softer ground he encounters here. Meydan City handles the going and offers value against the odds-on favourite.

In the Windflower March Stakes Luca Cumani's Sandbuch is the top-rated horse and gets the vote, while Raven's Pass deserves a Group 1 and can collect the Celebration Mile. He's likely to start long odds-on and consequently is no betting proposition but if the rain comes there may some value by opposing him with Bankable.

Knavesmire quagmire

Following today's noon inspection, the remaining two days of York's flagship Ebor meeting have been abandoned. The Cambridge Advance Learner's Dictionary describes quagmire as 'an area of soft wet ground you sink into if you try and walk on it'. That just about sums up the Knavesmire at the moment.

Of course, every cloud has a silver lining. Several work colleagues had planned on attending today and, unwisely, had asked me to mark their card. Now they stand to lose just their pre-booked train fare - come this evening, they'll think they're quids in.

It never rains but it pours...

Today's card at York's flagship Ebor meeting has fallen to the weather and so has Wednesday's. Judging from this photo on the Sporting Life website, racing on Thursday must be in serious doubt - an inspection takes place at noon tomorrow.

All dressed up with nowhere to go? Time to get out the Escalado!

York Ebor meeting - Tuesday

It seems unbelievable yet you half expected it - heavy going on the opening day of York's Ebor meeting and the prospect of more rain to come. Duke Of Marmalade will be allowed to take his chance in the Juddmonte International even though connections have indicated the ground won't suit. New Approach looks the obvious alternative but no longer offers much value from a betting perspective. At the time of writing Ladbrokes go 5/4 the Duke 6/4 New Approach.

The Great Voltigeur looks trappy too, given that the current St. Ledger favourite, Patkai, isn't certain to handle conditions; he showed an impressive turn of foot on firm ground in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. Alessandro Volta has better form but may also find the testing ground unsuitable. It's all so devilishly tricky, isn't it? I think I'm going to watch these races without getting involved...

Byte-sized bits

York's Ebor meeting starts on Tuesday, the first day's highlight being the clash between Duke Of Marmalade and New Approach in the Juddmonte International. Last night Victor Chandler went out on a limb by offering 7/2 New Approach. Twenty four hours later, New Approach is a best-priced 5/2 shot with Coral, and as low as 7/4 with Boylesports.

Paco Boy's turn of foot looked exceptional as he destroyed a decent field in yesterday's Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. It was interesting to hear Ryan Moore say afterwards that the horse's best trip is seven furlongs.

At the same meeting Johnny Murtagh managed to get Sixties Icon up in the shadow of the post to win the Geoffrey Freer, much to the relief of favourite backers. Murtagh, the Coolmore number one, is having a wonderful season, but not everyone is a fan - Mike De Kock was furious with the jockey's ride in last week's Arlington Million that effectively prevented his Archipenko from collecting the spoils.

Some Newbury selections...

The only horse I've seen this week is a pommel horse (and that looked rather dull in its coat). Very quickly, some suggestions for Saturday's Newbury meeting...

2.10 Whispering Angel - course / distance winner that should handle soft ground.

2.40 Sixties Icon in a competitive race; Donegal looks a big threat with the weight allowance.

3.15 I fancied Major Cadeaux for this, but he doesn't run, so I won't get involved.

Over the jumps at Bangor, the 4.15 and 4.50 look decent races for the time of year, provided they don't cut up. If declared, The King Of Angels will be worth a second glance in the 4.50; I'd expect to see McCoy in the plate.

Ascot's Stayers and Haydock

Nobody seems to know for certain what happened to Shergar all those years ago and, in similar vein, nobody seems to know for certain what happens at Ascot's Shergar Cup meeting. One thing for certain is that racegoers will get the chance to see two jockeys, Jorge Ricardo and Russelll Baze, both of whom have ridden over 10,000 winners, ride in this country. Mick Fitzgerald, who announced his retirement from race-riding today, will no doubt be envious.

The race I'm interested in is The Stayers which is run over two miles and is due off at 2.55. This looks a tight handicap. Nicky Henderson's Caracciola is just the top-rated horse but at eleven years old is likely to be vulnerable. The changeable weather forecast means I've concentrated on horses that will handle cut in the ground. Highland Legacy has been out of sorts this term and was unplaced when sent off favourite for the Northumberland Plate. Bogside Theatre, third in that race and then placed over course and distance last month, looks the percentage call. Desert Sea is feared if the rain doesn't materialise.

Over at Haydock, I'm tempted to take on likely favourite Multidimensional with either Smokey Oakey or Flying Clarets in the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes. Both will handle cut in the ground. Flying Clarets has been on the go this year while Smokey Oakey comes to this fresh and is marginally preferred.

I've had a tip...

I've had a tip, and I don't get many. Regular readers will, quite rightly, take the view it surely can't do any worse than most of the beasts recommended here every week. A colleague I go racing with has told me connections of Five A Side think the horse has an each-way shout in the 4.00 at Newton Abbot tomorrow. It looks a competitive race. As with any tip, you can either take it or leave it - the choice is yours...

Saturday at Glorious Goodwood

Coming to the end of the Glorious Goodwood meeting, those who have been prepared to bet odds-on will be on good terms with themselves - victories for Conduit (1/2), Henrythenavigator (4/11) and Yeats (8/15) are obvious examples.

As usual, Saturday's Stewards' Cup, run over six furlongs, is intensely competitive. If you're brave enough to try and find the winner, you might be interested in the fact that over the last ten years a four or five year old has won on nine occasions. Finding the winner of a three runner novice chase is often beyond my capabilities, so two each-way selections against the twenty eight runner field are Knot In Wood and Protector. Knot In Wood, priced up at 12/1, is fancied and is a favourite of mine - he finished third in this last year. Protector, formerly with Gay Kelleway, is a big horse who looks to have been aimed specifically at this race. He has something of an unexposed look about him and boasts decent enough form with Knot In Wood. At the time of writing Corals go 66/1 Protector which is too big. Both selections would appreciate some rain before the off.

On form the Premier Stakes at 2.40 looks between River Proud and Stubbs Art. I prefer Paul Cole's River Proud as David Elsworth's stable has been rather quiet recently. Previously River Proud has played up at the start - on balance, it looks a chance worth taking. I should add that on Friday afternoon The Racing Post reports that Stubbs Art will only run if the ground is suitable.

In the Nassau at 3.15 Lush Lashes is the form selection and I'm not tempted to go chasing value elsewhere.

Racing's Panorama

Last night's hour-long Panorama special, 'Racing's Dirty Secrets', looked decidedly thin on new content. After forty minutes I checked my TV schedules, just to make sure I wasn't unwittingly watching another of the Corporation's summer repeats. The BBC claim new evidence has been brought to light concerning Miles Rodgers. Whatever happens, the programme had the air of an extended exercise in mischief-making. In my opinion, a typical ITV production...

Footnotes

Fifteen Group 1 victories for Ballydoyle this season and we haven't seen the end of July yet!

In the paddock before Duke Of Marmalade's victory in the King George, the BBC commentators pounced on Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone whose wife (Mrs Ecclestone, apparently) owns Petara Bay. Mr Ecclestone looked like a fish out of water as first Claire Balding and then Willie Carson fired numerous questions at him. Willie's approach to shake hands with the great man was so disconcerting, Mr Ecclestone dropped from his sweaty palm the two pound coin he had been clutching throughout the preliminaries and was determined to invest on his wife's horse; in that very instance bookmakers shortened the odds on Petara Bay from 100/1 to 66/1...

Five days of top-class racing start at the Glorious Goodwood meeting on Tuesday. Highlights include the Sussex Stakes, the Goodwood Cup, the Nassau Stakes and the Stewards' Cup. On Wednesday the course is to honour Sir Peter O'Sullevan who celebrates his 90th birthday this year. On the same day, at 9.00pm, BBC1 transmits an hour-long Panorama special entitled 'Racing's Dirty Secrets'.

Yesterday I came across a copy of Andrew Longmore's Kieren Fallon: The Biography. It's the first racing book I've felt compelled to read in a long while. Amazon currently gives two possible dates for publication of the paperback edition- 17th July 2008 and 5th February 2009.

The hottest weekend of the year and in the post I receive literature from Aintree racecourse encouraging purchase of tickets for the 2009 Grand National. Talking of the winter game, I noticed Woolworths offering Waddingtons 'Escalado' racing game at the knockdown price of £8.00. I am going to buy one - it will help dispel some of the disappointment friends tend to experience when their much-anticipated trip to the races has to be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Ascot, York and Salisbury

Just eight runners are declared for tomorrow's King George at Ascot. Three of the eight come from Ballydoyle; Macarthur is entitled to take his chance but stablemate Duke Of Marmalade will go off favourite, with Red Rock Canyon being employed as the pacemaker. Duke Of Marmalade won the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting five weeks ago but this is his first try at a mile and a half - we don't know for certain whether he'll stay but his style of running suggests he should. Favourites have a good record in this, having won six times in the last decade but at the prices available, I'm going to look elsewhere. The two most likely to upset the applecart are Youmzain and Lucarno. In the Weekender Nick Mordin favours Lucarno but I'm going to side with Mick Channon's Youmzain who was second to Dylan Thomas last year in both this race and the Arc. The use of a pacemaker will suit this horse and if I have a concern, it's that his top-drawer form has tended to come with some cut in the ground; 3/1 is generally available and seems fair.

The big race at York is the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes. Dettori rides Ascot better than most but, with the Godolphin operation going through a lean spell, it speaks volumes that his employers send him here to ride Campanologist. That doesn't ring a bell for me though (apologies) as Pipedreamer would appear to have four pounds in hand over his rival on Eclipse form. Tajaaweed was a tad disappointing in finishing eighth in the Derby but he suffered a slight setback a couple of days before the race and poses a live threat here. It's a close call but I note that John Gosden's stable is flying at the moment while Sir Michael Stoute's is particularly quiet - Pipedreamer is top-rated by the Racing Post and gets the vote.

Finally, for those with more money than they know what to do with, Roger Charlton's Oarsman, sporting first-time blinkers, looks the one to beat in the 7.40 maiden at Salisbury.

A Salisbury soiree

People have started asking about my new shoes. It looks like a long job; I'd hope to have them broken in for Newbury's Hennessy meeting at the end of November.

You know, it really is such a long time since I've managed to get to the races - the best part of nine months. A couple of weeks back, I came up with a cunning plan. When I say 'cunning', it was only moderately cunning in a blokeish sort of a way, something any practised female would describe as 'naive' and would see through in an instant, which is exactly what Mrs Tips did. The fact I thought it cunning at least afforded me some small pleasure.

My daughter's school choir is on a trip to Salisbury Cathedral. I thought I could show a newly-discovered interest in choral singing by combining a visit to church with a trip out to the track - on either Tuesday afternoon or following evensong on Saturday. Of course, the whole idea was hopeless, transparent, a 66/1 shot in three horse race...

So, this Saturday afternoon, I'll be watching one of the Flat season highlights, the King George, on the television in my front room; after that I have Channel Four's Glorious Goodwood coverage to look forward to.

Market Rasen's Summer Plate

At the moment I'm breaking in a new pair of shoes; it feels like I'm walking about with a canoe attached to the end of each foot. Presently there are two things I have to look forward to - taking the 'canoes' off at the end of the working day and the Summer Plate at Market Rasen tomorrow. Still, I suppose I shouldn't grumble too much - I haven't had to spend a day at Royal Birkdale watching The Open.

Sixteen are set to go to post for the Summer Plate at 3.40. Peter Bowen has made a haibt of targeting this race - the stable field four runners this year. Andrew Barr, writing in the Weekender, highlights Yes Sir as the pick of the four but I prefer to look elsewhere. Evan Williams' William Butler bids to make this five on the bounce, having won four in the last three weeks, but this looks a big ask. Paul Nicholls' Oumeyade will have his supporters in a race that has gone to younger chasers more often than not in the last decade. Having said all that, I'm going to have an each-way wager on Brooklyn Brownie at around 12/1. He goes well here and was the subject of a decent report from his trainer earlier in the week. (I know - if his trainer can't say a good word about him, who can?)

On Racing Post ratings Advancement is the clear choice for the 2.05 but, don't be deceived, this is competitive. Two I'd consider at a price are Katies Tuitor who wouldn't want any more rain and Lord Baskerville.

Favourites have won six of the last nine runnings of the 4.15, with second favourites winning on the other three occasions - I favour Sendani above Southern Regent, while in the 2.40 I'd be tempted to take a chance on Akarshan from the in-form Evan Williams stable.

York, Ascot and Chester

I still haven't quite got over the fact that on Wednesday Nahoodh won the Falmouth at 10/1 yet I didn't have a penny on...

The highlight of tomorrow's York card is the 49th running of the John Smith's Cup over one mile two and a half furlongs. Given the weather forecast, the going is likely to suit horses that prefer soft ground. Three year olds have a decent enough record in this but none have managed to make the cut this year! On eight occasions in the last ten years the winner come from a low numbered draw; two horses that have been well-touted horses during the week, Mutajarred and Proponent, are set to come from stalls eleven and nineteen respectively. In this most competitive event, I favour a small each-way bet on Ezdiyaad who is set to come out of berth three and should have no trouble handling the prevailing conditions.

Only seven go to post for the Ascot Summer Mile at 2.55, in which Ramonti, Cesare and Archipenko look the main players. This will be Ramonti's first run of the season following an injury; he was set to run at Royal Ascot but missed that engagement so is passed over here for course specialist Cesare who looked most unlucky in running when beaten just over a length in the Queen Anne three and a half weeks ago. Archipenko could be the fly in the ointment, looking a revitalised horse since moving to Mike De Kock's yard.

The two top-rated horses in Chester's five furlong City Wall Stakes, Borderlescott and Oldjoesaid, are drawn widest in stalls nine and ten respectively; that being the case, I'm tempted to take them on. Mick Quinn's yard has been in good form over the past fortnight and his Angus Newz in stall one will certainly handle the going. Angus Newz has a bit to find with the principals but looks worth an each-way interest at around the 10/1 mark.

Forthcoming treats

There's some decent racing on offer over the next few days. The Newmarket July Festival starts tomorrow while big races on Saturday include the John Smith's Cup at York, the Summer Mile at Ascot (will Cesare have better luck in running this time?) and the five furlong City Wall Stakes at Chester. The Newmarket July meeting has never been one I've followed particularly closely; I won't be getting involved. Queen Mary form from Royal Ascot is represented in tomorrow's Cherry Hinton by Lucky Leigh and Heart Shaped; favourites have a decent record in the Cherry Hinton. Darjina is likely to be a warm order for the Falmouth but she had a hard race behind Hardasun at Ascot while I haven't totally given up on Nahoodh who runs her second race for new connections. I'll be looking for any encouraging signs - regular readers will recall Mark Johnston highlighted the fact the filly had put weight on following her arrival at the yard but she was allowed to run in Ascot's Coronation Stakes where Dettori adopted front-running tactics. She was cooked two out; I wonder whether different tactics will be tried this time.

Sandown's Eclipse

After suffering a severe case of Centre Court sunburn last week while watching Safin demolish Djokovic, this week I am presented with another case of Tim Henman struggling to reach the semi-finals, much as he used to in his playing career; this time, in his commentator's role, he's losing his voice rather than a match. A cheap shot, I know, but I just couldn't resist... Even the racing seems to have picked up the tennis theme - New Balls Please finished fourth in a seller at Chepstow last night while the winner of the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot, Fifteen Love, looks to have good chance in the Toteswinger at Sandown on Saturday.

The Eclipse takes centre stage at Sandown with nine set to go to post. Although it doesn't look the strongest renewal, a number of the runners appear closely matched. The weather forecast isn't particularly good for the weekend; as always, it will be important to take account of underfoot conditions. The all-conquering Ballydoyle operation field Mount Nelson who is sure to be popular. Of the two Henry Cecil runners, stable jockey Ted Durcan has chosen Phoenix Tower; his second behind Duke Of Marmalade at Royal Ascot reads well. The problem with the form is that Pipedreamer was just a short-head away in third and Stotsfold wasn't that far behind in sixth having started slowly. Of the market leaders I prefer Phoenix Tower, but, writing in the Weekender, Walter Swinburn is bullish about Stotsfold's chance and he looks the value. Stotsfold, 28/1 with William Hill, rates an each-way wager provided the rain stays away. In the ante-post market for this race some bookmakers bet a quarter the odds a place while others bet a fifth; check before placing your bets.

On official ratings Hoh Mike is the one in the opener and is likely to be priced accordingly; last year he collared Wi Dud in the final fifty yards to win this going away. Both horses are well drawn this year but I like Wi Dud and will consider an interest if the ground is on the easy side.

The Wetherbys Vat Services Stakes at 4.30 is run over two miles. Finalmente held Balkan Knight a head in soft ground over course and distance at the end of May. Balkan Knight's handler David Elsworth has a good record in this race - the horse looks weighted to reverse placings here, although he has tended to show his best form when easy conditions prevail.

Irish Derby deliberations...

On Friday evening an injury scare came to light which has threatened Epsom Derby winner New Approach's participation in the Irish Derby at the Curragh. On Saturday evening the Racing Post reports that connections will make a decision early Sunday morning; the horse has heat in a foot and is said to be 'not totally comfortable' in his box.

The question I'm asking myself is this - provided New Approach is allowed to take his chance, what price about Tartan Bearer will offer value, given the concerns surrounding the favourite? I'll be tempted by anything bigger than 5/2...

Weekend action

Twenty go to post in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle tomorrow; several in the field ran at Ascot last week and, generally, Ascot runners have a good record in this. Nonetheless a few appeared to have a hard race, including Bukit Tinggi who has been kept busy this season. The draw can play an important part even though the race is over two miles; I tend to favour low numbered runners as they can hold a handy position more easily. Two that catch my eye and should handle the likely cut in the ground are Highland Legacy and Tilt. Both come to this fresh having run in the Chester Cup where Tilt, finishing third at level weights, came out on top. I think the pair are closely matched again but take the view that Highland Legacy didn't quite see out the two miles two furlong trip and, drawn in stall two here, can reverse the form giving Tilt, less favourably drawn in berth eleven, two pounds.

On Sunday it would be easy to miss the English Summer National run over four miles at Uttoxeter. Grand National fifth Philson Run, no spring chicken at the age of twelve, would have been a sporting each-way bet had the ground come up on the slow side but the forecast going (good to firm) makes me think a few of these will have a bit too much pace for the old-timer.

The Irish Derby at the Curragh, also on Sunday, looks fascinating with several runners from the English version choosing to try their luck again. Dermot Weld, trainer of Casual Conquest, has said that he doesn't think his horse can now find the five lengths he was beaten last time when finishing third. The race would appear to be between the first two at Epsom, New Approach and Tartan Bearer, and, unsurprisingly, the official ratings confirm that view. I know a few commentators felt the race at Epsom developed into something of a sprint up the home straight; I'm not brave enough to oppose New Approach so will maintain a watching brief but for those who are, Tartan Bearer looks the value.