Nice couple of winners yesterday.  Cracksman won well in France, he won like an odds on shot should.  He is still not certain to run in the Arc De Triomphe I read, I think he would run if he was mine, the owner has concerns that Dettori will be not available to ride, and a hard race may be a bit much for the horse, it may affect him next year ! Plenty of decent capable jockeys to ride, and he will have all winter to get over his race.

Caravaggio was the other winner at the Curragh, he was heavily backed form 6/4 in the morning, to odds  on favourite.  It was good to see him show his true form again, after two below par runs due to problems with his feet.

Nothing too solid today, I am not a fan of Brighton, its a very tricky track, and soft ground.  And the jump meetings look difficult.

Some big races in France and Ireland today.  Cracksman runs in France 1.50 Chantilly, he looked as though he had improved when winning at York recently, I think he will win and then possibly be in line for a crack at the Arc De Triomphe in early October, he is 1/3 so bit skinny odds.

I hope Caravaggio 6/4 can return to the winners enclosure today 3.05 Curragh, he races over 5f for the first time since he won over that trip as a juvenile, some fast sprinters in against him, who thrive over the 5f distance, but A O’Brian has said Caravaggio is the fastest horse he has trained, which is huge praise.  If this horse can overcome his problems with his feet, which is the reason given for his last two defeats,  he can win again.

Update:

I managed to have an ok day.  I backed Invincible Army without Ektidaar mid morning as i thought he was a big danger, he was trading around 5/4, ended up 8/11 so managed a profit on the race as i also backed Ektidaar, who drifted badly, and was a bit of a let down in finishing 4th, but I’m sure he is still worth following.

The big Sprint at Haydock went to Harry Angel , he was impressive, I did have a bit ew on Tasleet, who ran a great race in finishing second.

Lot of rain fallen at Haydock, the ground is heavy now.  It is a shame as possibly Harry Angel may be taken out, his style of running will be not as effective on todays ground, he has won on good to soft last year, will he handle conditions, nobody really knows.  I think Tasleet has a big chance as he handles soft ground.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Eqtidaar

Time: 4.25 Kempton

Current Odds: 7/4

This colt won well on debut, he is taking on some decent rivals, who have been running well on grass in group and listed races.  Invincible Army has the best form, he is very consistent and is a big threat, but I was very taken with Eqtidaar on his debut win, when his trainer goes for a group race on a horses second start, they are usually very decent.

Lot of rain around the UK, so I’m going the safer route today.  My selection yesterday ran good race to be second, they did have a bit of rain at Haydock, it is the big Group 1 Sprint on Saturday, highly likely soft ground conditions expected, hence the favourite Harry Angel is drifting, he was 5/4 early in the week, trading now at around 2/1-9/4 in places, I think I will watch rather than get involved.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: La La Land

Time: 6.20 Kempton

Current Odds: 13/2 each way

This colt ran well on turf on debut, he ran on well that day over 7f, he should be sharper today and stay the 1 mile fine.  Apart from the favourite Roaring Lion, who won nicely at Newmarket recently, a lot of the runners are unraced.  Roaring Lion is short odds at around evens, and will very likely improve a fair bit for his win, John Gosden’s horses are never fully tuned on debut, I just thought there was a  bit more value each way with La La Land, as he receives 6lb from the favourite.

Mountain Hunter in the 8.20 Kempton is a horse of interest, he is unbeaten and has gone up by 9lb for his last win, but that may not stop him.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Global Conquerer (without Fav)

Time: 3.00 Haydock

Current Odds: 6/4

As long as the rain stays away at Haydock today, this colt should be run a big race.  He ran well on his debut at Newmarket when 6th, not knocked about that day, he improved to be 3rd at Beverley on his next run and should be all the better for that experience.  The favourite Ghostwatch has a good pedigree and comes from a big yard, and he will be hard to beat, that’s why i’m backing  my selection without him in the race, and think 6/4 is a bit more value than backing odds on the favourite.  Of those that have never ran before, The Revenant could well be a nice type, but i don’t think he will be quite good enough to beat my selection on his debut.  All three of these are sons of Dubawi, who did handle ground with a bit of ease in it.

If the ground goes to SOFT,  i won’t have a bet, or cash out ! Haydock can get very testing, tacky ground when on the soft side.

Plenty of rain yesterday, ground changes at lots of the racecourses.  Time for caution, when having a bet, unless all weather racing or proven on the slower ground is my advise.  I am just currently updating my results since starting my blog, not quite finished yet, but I  know I am well in front.

Today I have not got anything yet, I will possibly update later with something at Kempton evening meeting.

Fairly quiet start to the week betting wise. A fair amount of rain in parts of the UK, Hamilton has had a lot, so caution betting in Scotland !

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Mt Augustus

Time: 2.40 Goodwood

Current Odds: 9/2 each way

This colt ran well on debut at Sundown.  He will improve for that experience, and at 9/2 each way is appealing, a lot are inexperienced and Showroom has been heavily backed on debut, he is an unknown as it is his debut.  It is clear at Goodwood weather wise currently, so ground is ok.

No tip today. Travelling back to Guernsey.

No tip today.  Good to see Jimmy Quinn ride a Group 2 winner for Godolphin yesterday in Turkey.  He does not get may chances in Group races these days, but showed he is still a good jockey who just needs the horse !