Another cartoon character...

I'm acutely aware the graphical content on this blog over the last nine months or so has been severely restricted. This has much to do with my lack of artistic / photographic skills. In an attempt to address this shortcoming, I asked my colleague, Paul Smith, to create a piece of original artwork which I could publish. The results of his labours are shown above. The T shirts will be available for purchase when one of my Gold Cup tips obliges; don't hold your breath - that could be anytime in the next ten years.

Cheltenham selections

An interesting card at Cheltenham tomorrow, particularly with the Festival less than seven weeks away.

The opening novice hurdle looks a hot affair with Wichita Lineman from the Jonjo O'Neill stable likely to be well fancied. Following his victory at Newbury last time, I read a report that suggested he may be better on a flat track and I note he hasn't won at Cheltenham. That being the case, I think he's worth opposing with Tidal Bay. Zilcash, although only a four year old, is getting a big weight allowance from Wichita Lineman on official handicap ratings and may be worth an each way interest at 10/1 or bigger.

Unbeaten Black Jack Ketchum runs in the 2.10 and is the star horse on show. He's never run on ground as heavy as he'll encounter tomorrow which may make him vulnerable. The value will be in opposing him. Inglis Drever and Flight Leader look to have the best chances of springing a surprise; there's not a lot to choose between them but the fact Colin Tizzard's stable (which I certainly respect) hasn't sent out a winner for three weeks means the vote goes to Inglis Drever.

If Our Vic is on song he'll have a good chance in the 2.45. A colleague of mine has taken 12/1 about him ante post for the Gold Cup. It goes without saying that if he wins, he'll be shorter than that after this race; on the other hand... If I had to have an ante post bet at this stage, Nickname at 10/1 for the Champion Chase makes more appeal.

Regular readers will know that Katchit has served us well this winter and I'm not about to desert him now; he's the selection in the 3.20. It looks a race full of promising horses; the one I fear most is David Pipe's Pauillac.

The right price

Two weeks ago last Monday the phone rang out of the blue. I picked up the receiver to hear a young lady with a rather seductive voice asking to speak to me. That's unusual, I thought, for a Monday.

The aforementioned young lady proceeded to tell me that my bid in The Times Christmas Charity Auction for a day at the races with Alan Lee, The Times' racing correspondent, had won. Naturally I was flabbergasted.

Regular readers may remember my entry just before Christmas entitled 'What price a day at the races?' Well, I now know the answer; it's a little bit more than my wife is totally comfortable with.

I'm scheduled to be at Newbury on Saturday February 10th in the company of Alan Lee. I shall be taking copious notes from which in due course you, dear readers, will be able to profit.

Notes from Towcester

Glinton put up an excellent performance to carry top weight to victory in the first. The Racing Post's 'In running' column suggested Glinton relished a fight more than odds on shot Warne's Way and so it proved. The winner's better jump at the last sealed the issue.

Milton Des Bieffes completed his hat trick with victory in the second. Yvanovitch was booked to win this until landing steeply and unseating his rider at the second last. We'd bet Yvanovitch at 28/1 on course and could see the best part of £150 coming our way until that moment. To be fair, the horse put himself right, but that threw the balance of decent seven pound claimer David Cullinane. That's racing.

High jinks in the next when Woodview threw Jason Maguire in front of the stands on the way to post. The horse proceeded to gallop loose for approximately four furlongs before eventually being caught and remounted. In the race itself, he was the only threat to eventual winner Fisherman Jack. After jumping the last, Woodview lost his action completely which appeared to hand a simple victory to Fisherman Jack, only for that horse to bump into the running rail on the run in and nearly unseat his rider. Woodview would have gone close had he not broken loose in the preliminaries.

The three mile novice hurdle was a tactical affair with the race only really starting in earnest off the home turn. Jason Maguire on What A Scientist stole a march by getting first run on Richard Johnson and Evelith Forrest; that proved to be the decisive move. It's not that often you see traffic problems in a three mile novice hurdle with six runners but Richard Johnson managed to find a fair bit of trouble in getting his run together.

The sun was low in the sky by the time the beginners' chase was due off; this resulted in the fences in the home straight being omitted. Runners had to weave their way in and out of the hurdles course to avoid the fences. Esprit Saint looked a couple of lengths to the good inside the final furlong but Jamie Moore took Quirino onto the running rail and got him up to win by a head in the dying strides.

The final race with 18 runners had the look of a bookmakers' benefit; in the event it was anything but with favourite Tanzanite Dawn claiming a smooth victory at 9/4.

Tomorrow at Towcester

I had intended to give you all a 10/1 winner at Ascot this Saturday but the weather intervened... Still, I have a place in a car going to Towcester tomorrow so, as a replacement for a 10/1 winner at Ascot, here's a few short priced disappointments for this meeting instead.

The 2.10 looks a poor race full of inconsistent sorts with only Milton Des Bieffes making any appeal and he's the selection. The Weekender touts top weight Yvanovitch as having an each way chance; if eight go to post he is of interest at 10/1 or more.

I saw Trading Up win impressively over course and distance in a similar race on similar ground in November; as the opposition is modest, he's taken to repeat the trick in the 2.40. The likely SP of 3/1 could be value.

I'll be looking to get Evelith Forrest beaten in the 3.10. Tom George's What A Scientist has the best chance of doing so but Coorbawn Vic may also be worth a small interest at a big price after showing improved form in his last race at Haydock.

The 3.40 looks a match between Quirino and Esprit Saint; I prefer the latter.

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.

Gambling leads to ill health

Yesterday evening punters at a branch of Ladbrokes in Stratford Road, Birmingham, complained of suffering from sore throats and running eyes; one individual collapsed on the floor.

Ladbrokes staff, quite naturally, thought another odds on favourite had failed to oblige. On this occasion a faulty fire extinguisher proved to be the cause. Police sealed off the area and emergency services dealt with people on the pavement outside the shop. Rumours that on coming round one backer asked a medic what had won the 5.10 at Wolverhampton were apparently wide of the mark.

Warwick favourites

Six favourites from seven races won at Warwick last weekend. I wasn't on course on Saturday but I've attended a few National Hunt meetings there over the years; a few of us call it 'the favourites' course'.

As a general rule of thumb, when I go racing I'm looking for some value, a vulnerable favourite and something which has a realistic chance of turning over that vulnerable favourite. This approach has failed miserably at Warwick. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why I don't go there so much now, coupled with the fact that it's a treck from paddock to betting ring and the big hill in the middle of the track hinders viewing!

Warwick Classic Chase

Provided the course passes an early morning inspection, the totesport.com Classic Chase will be run tomorrow over 3 miles 5 furlongs on heavy ground at Warwick. Ten miles down the road in Coventry, the weather has been dry all day with a fairly strong wind blowing; there looks a better than even money chance the meeting will go ahead.

Two years ago I watched from the stands as Baron Windrush beat my selection D'argent in this race on similar ground. I'm banking on D'argent gaining compensation this time round.

Den Of Iniquity is fancied to take the concluding bumper.

Monkey business

I have been asked to make it clear that the current advertising campaign which features Johnny Vegas and the return of 'Monkey' is for the PG Tips tea brand and not this blog.

Still, it's good to see Monkey back again; he's been absent from our screens too long. Somebody has suggested CBBC's Nev is a Monkey lookalike - I'm not so sure.

If you haven't caught the advertisement yet, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoD2w-Ogi4E

Sandown's Tolworth Hurdle

A good start to the new year for some punters with 125/1 shot Tioga Gold going in at Southwell on Tuesday and a 100/1 winner at Lingfield on Thursday. Not such a good start to the year for the Betfair customer who laid Tioga Gold in running at 1,000/1 to the sum of £40.

The big race at Sandown tomorrow is the Tolworth Hurdle; only seven go to post but it looks a fascinating renewal of a race where the market has proved a decent guide over the years.

Charlie Mann's My Turn Now is the Racing Post's top rated horse but there will be many who feel Paul Nicholls' Silverburn has the scope for improvement. On a line through Tagula Blue there wouldn't be much between the two horses and at the tissue prices available today My Turn Now, who will handle the ground and is a course and distance winner, looks the value.

Paul Webber's De Soto wears a tongue strap which is off putting with the ground riding soft / heavy; clearly though this horse is a class performer held in high regard http://www.paulwebberracing.com/News.htm

Perce Rock comes over from Ireland, looks unexposed and, with McCoy on board, is respected, as is Astarador. A trappy race in which I'm going to side with Irish raider Perce Rock.

I take Pauillac to win the the 1.00 race while Preacher Boy's third in the Hennessy looks good form to take into the 3.45.

Happy New Year

Over the Christmas period I have been playing The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game with the family and jolly good fun it is too. By suggesting the game is played for real money, astute parents will give themselves a decent chance to 'win back' pocket money which offspring would otherwise only fritter away on non-essentials such as CDs, DVDs and iPod accessories.

Players accumulate cash either by winning races or by betting. In a two horse race earlier in the week, the horses were priced up at 6/1 and 33/1; I'm only allowed to bet one horse but I happen to be in control of one of the horses. There are no odds on shots and in a matter of forty minutes I had over £4 million in my hand. Why can't real horse racing be like this?

There are some disadvantages. Although admission is free, viewing can be limited (I was squashed up on the stool next to the TV) and the living room could do with a lick of paint. In addition the catering was uninspiring (cold turkey sandwiches or a call out to Papa John's pizza house).

Still, these are small tribulations set against a potential earnings rate that would embarrass any Premiership footballer; I wish you a happy and prosperous new year.

Boxing Day selection box

For those of you in the mood following your Christmas celebrations...

Huntingdon
12.15 Christdalo - ran in much hotter company last time; stable in form.

Kempton
1.10 Boychuk - trappy race but tough stayer; jumping concerns for Yes Sir and Knowhere.
1.45 Noble Request - conditions suit; Straw Bear vulnerable.
2.20 Kauto Star - unopposable.

Towcester
3.30 What A Buzz - big horse who was backed from 18/1 to 9/1 here last time and made brave attempt to win.

Wetherby
1.25 King Killone - conditions in his favour.

Suggested TV viewing this Christmas

If East Enders and the impending death of Pauline Fowler doesn't make much appeal as your Christmas viewing, try following the series of Royal Institution Christmas Lectures delivered by mathematician Marcus du Sautoy which Channel Five are broadcasting daily at 7.15 from Christmas Day onwards.

The lecture on Tuesday 27th is billed as showing how maths can provide strategies for 'optimising success in game shows and gambling'. I'm hooked already.

In a similar mathematical vein, it looks as though the (rather modest) number of pounds I bid for a day at the races with The Times' Alan Lee as part of their charity auction event happened to be too small.

A happy Christmas to all (three) readers of this blog.

Christmas is coming...

No matter what you say, there is something awful about Christmas. This year, as always, my survival pack will include a copy of The Weekender, published on Friday, which will give details of all the Boxing Day entries.

Traditionally Boxing Day is one of the biggest racing days of the year with eight meetings scheduled to take place, the highlight being the King George VI Chase run over three miles at Kempton. By way of contrast the week before Christmas tends to be pretty low key. Racing hacks with a hatful of tips 'to cover the Christmas expenses' tend to predominate.

At this early stage Kauto Star looks the proverbial good thing in the King George and is priced accordingly. Looking (somewhat forlornly) for something to upset the applecart, the two I will concentrate on are Monet's Garden and the French horse Mid Dancer should he take his chance.

In the meantime, sorting through some old mail, I came across an invitation to join The Racgoers Club. A year's single membership costs £20; I'll give that serious consideration in the new year.

Racing Post put up for sale

With a move that was widely predicted in the business community, Ms Sly Bailey, Trinity Mirror's chief executive, put the Racing Post up for sale yesterday with a price tag in the region of £200 million. I was intrigued to learn that the late Robin Cook, an avid racing fan, had tabled a bid for the title two years ago.

It's not really been a year for the racing press - the demise of The Sportsman a couple of months back also comes to mind.

Indecision is my downfall

Sometimes finding winners is as easy as bumping into a bishop with a black eye.

You wouldn't normally associate a Tuesday at Sedgefield with a reasonable card but today there were three Class 3 races and some decent prize money on offer. A couple of weeks ago at Towcester races I backed Tom George's Good Citizen and watched his rather indifferent jumping. Last night I'd spotted his entry in today's 1.50 at Sedgefield; it was hard to be confident, although I think the stable feel he has plenty of ability. Early in the morning Betfred had him priced at 9/1. I took the sensible option, left well alone. I knew my fate as soon as I came to check the results - he'd won at 4/1.

At that same Towcester meeting The Outlier was impressive carrying top weight to victory over 2 miles 6 furlongs on heavy ground. Tomorrow he runs over 3 miles 2 furlongs on soft ground at Newbury; that's a new trip but my guess is he'd stay. Priced up at around 4/1 he's in with a shout. Thing is, I don't know whether to have a bet or not.

Cheltenham on Saturday

A trappy card looks on offer at Cheltenham tomorrow, particularly with the ground turning soft; here's a couple of selections opposing probable favourites. In the opener I'm siding with Katchit. General opinion is that he's not quite top class but he's done nothing wrong in my book; he'll be the value bet against Tritonix.

Only four runners in the race that was formerly known as the Bula hurdle which is due off at 3.15. The planners must be tearing their hair out as the first prize is worth over £114,000. Detroit City will be all the rage after a facile win at the track last time out but I'm going with Hardy Eustace who has the form in the book.

Cheltenham on Friday

Having won over course and distance last time and having beaten two of tomorrow's four opponents in the process, Standin Obligation has the look of a standing dish in the opener. He's likely to go off at around even money.

Paul Nicholls' Kicks For Free will be a warm order in the last. I think Twiston Davies' Battlecry has potential and rates a decent each way bet at around 10/1; a small reverse forecast / exacta those two horses may be called for.

What price a day at the races?

As one of the lots in their Christmas Charity Auction, The Times is offering a day at Newbury races on Totesport Trophy Day in the company of their racing correspondent Alan Lee.

A few years ago I offered a day at Warwick races as a prize in a works' auction that went for £30. I suspect a significantly bigger bid will be required to land this particular lot. Surreptitious sorties, carried out in the dead of night on sleeping children's money banks, will be required to bolster limited funds.