Having watched the Meydan racing today, I had backed Divine Image in the 3:05,  unfortunately she was left about a dozen lengths as the stalls opened, and then faced all the kick back drawn where she was, as her jockey chose to go on the inside.  To finish 2nd in the end, was an unbelievable performance. If she turns up in the UAE Oaks and faces the winner again, I think she will beat her.  Divine Image has always been highly regarded, so hopefully she comes out of her race ok, as it was not the most pleasant of experiences on her second run, she is one to follow.

Her jockey William Buick had better luck later on Oasis Charm, he is very game and keeps winning.  One horse to follow is also Capezzano, he won by a long way in the 4:50 race over 8f, he may well step up next into pattern company.

Last day of January.  Another month of profit for my subscribers, currently +4.2 points (£420.00) in front, it would be nice to end the month on a winner today.

With regard to today’s racing. Abandoned meetings on grass, two all weather meetings in the U.K. And a mixture of dirt and turf at Meydan.  Looking at Meydan, which is always ultra competitive, the main dirt race is the 4:15, a Group 3 with almost £100,000 first prize.  Drafted is the choice of Pat Dobbs, which is very noticeable, as he won the race last year on My Catch, who also runs today. Switzerland also runs, he is a winner on dirt in America, it looks difficult on finding the winner !

At Newcastle this evening, Portledge would be my idea of the winner of the 6:25.  He likes the track, likely main threat is Followthesteps, he tries the tapeta for the first time, so if he handles it, he is a danger.

The two meetings on turf today have been abandoned.  So just the two all weather cards, which will hopefully go ahead.

At Lingfield the 2:20 is a maiden for 3 year olds and upwards.  It is always hard for the 3year olds at this time of year, they get the weight allowance, but older horses are bigger and more mature, so I would favour the older filly Simple Thought in this, she has been running well against her age group, and could put her experience to use today and get her head in front. I also like the chances of Scorched Breath 3:50, he ran well last time, I’m not certain on the unraced With Caution, she may well be useful, but I think my selection could be a key player in this race.  At Wolverhampton, I notice Jamie Spencer is returning to riding, I believe he has been in America, he should get a winner from his two mounts for Gordon Elliott, with the last race horse Counting Sheep looking the best chance.

Another good WINNER yesterday for my subscribers, Slowmo 5.25 Wolverhampton was advised at 9/4 on Sunday evening, he was heavily backed into evens, making all the running, before winning easily under Richard Kingscote.

I also advised my followers to back Loug Derg Spirit at Ludlow, who won and Precious Cargo was my selection to come out on top in the 1:00 Kempton, he won well, and was given a very good ride by Nico de Boinville.

Today has some all weather racing, and jumping at Newcastle and Down Royal in Ireland.  Lingfield has been abandoned.  A few horses I like at Newcastle, hopefully racing will go ahead, as some poor weather is forecast in the U.K. over the next few days. At Wolverhampton, it’s competitive racing.  The likely best race of the card is the 7:15, it has some decent horses lining up, James Street the only three year old,  is taking on older horses, a tough ask at this time of year, Sanaadh has been supported in the betting, although his win was over 7f, with that in mind it is probably a race to watch. Joegogo will try and defy a penalty for his win on Saturday, he steps up in class today, so it will not be as easy in the 7:45.  I thought Peters Cousin could get another win at Newcastle in the 1:20, she looks progressive, the drop back to 2 miles should not be a major problem, she may be well handicapped off 111.

Another WINNER yesterday for my subscribers, Greaneteen was advised at 10/11 in the morning, he was heavily backed into 4/7, before winning the 2:00 Fontwell, hopefully I have another horse today that will win, and one lined up tomorrow that I’ve been waiting for.

I advised followers yesterday of selections for races in France at Vincennes.  Two of the three horses won, Belina Josselyn being the winner of the big race the Prix de Amerique, she returned at 13/8, I’ve had a few messages from people who backed her, so I will hopefully be able to find a few more winners in the French races.

Today’s cards jumping are at Ludlow and Kempton, with Wolverhampton on the level.  At Kempton racing starts at 1.00pm with an intriguing novice hurdle, Extra Mag will need to jump better today to defy a penalty, he won ok at Exeter last time, but made a few errors, he takes on a field with a lot of horses that have not ran over timber yet, Precious Cargo was a bumper winner for Lucinda Russell last season, he is now with champion trainer Nicky Henderson, this horse has a lot of potential, although he was very keen when running in bumpers, the sharp track at Kempton may well suit, he will be well schooled. If he relaxes, he could be the one to beat.    Not So Sleepy is having his first run, a winner on the flat, he could well run well if taking to hurdling. At Ludlow Lough Derg Spirit has form going right handed, he has cheekpieces today, and I think he will be suited better by the small field, I think he can put his below par run behind him last time, and win the 2:55 under James Bowen.

Nice to get two winners yesterday for my subscribers, Fearsome 3:05 Lingfield (evens) and West Coast Flyer 6:15 Chelmsford both did the business, also advised in a double, so a good day.

As I mentioned yesterday I will try for a change to give followers a winner or two at Vincennes today.  The big race is the Prix D’ Amerique, having spoken to Laurent this morning, we both agreed it is a very tough race to win, three or four horses could win, and it would be no surprise on any of them, Belina Josselyn was the one that looked to be in good form of late, the race is at 3:05, so worth watching.  Two with major chances of winning at the French track, are Ekeren in the 12:50 and Face Time Bourbon at 1:50, who will be hard to beat.

Some fair racing in the U.K. today.  Fontwell has a few nice horses running, the 2:00 is well contested and has some potentially useful horses lining up.  The 3:00 looks to be between Birds Of Prey and Umnedini, if the former gets his act together, he has the talent to beat the favourite. Paul Nicholls has always thought a fair bit of Birds Of Prey, he rather gave the race away last time, hopefully the figure eight Sussex track will motivate this horse to put his best foot forward.

Some cracking races all around the globe today. And some good racing tomorrow, especially for any of my followers who are interested in the trotting racing in France.  The big race on Sunday is the Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes. This race has more betting on it than any of the top thoroughbred races in France, including the Prix d’Arc de Triomphe.  I am not overly familiar myself with the trotting racing in France, but have been told by my friend Laurent Barbarin, who is on Sky racing now as their expert on these races, and the thoroughbreds as well.  Laurent has kindly sent me a link, which gives the runners for this prestigious event:-http://horseraces.pmu.fr/news/2019-prix-damerique-runners

I will ask Laurent about the runners and will advise followers of what he thinks. Hopefully we can find one with a good chance.

Looking at today’s cards,  some decent fields.  At Cheltenham the 12:40 has some useful 4 year olds, who will be having this trial for the Triumph hurdle, hoping to run well and head to the big race in March.  I thought Nelson River at 8/1 was an each way bet, he has to improve to win, but has course form, and is honest. At Doncaster Dynamite Dollars has only to jump round to win the 1:30, he is very short odds to win.

I will update later if something else looks of interest.

Cilaos Emery won well yesterday, I put him on my post as one to win, he was clear on ratings (hurdles) although it was a chase yesterday.  He looks a useful type to follow.

Today has some good racing.  Tough races to find a winner I thought.  Magic Of Light 2:40 Huntingdon looks tough to beat, she won well recently.  If she turns up in the same from, she will be hard to beat, although today is over fences, but she has won over both, so a big chance. At Lingfield Little Rock could well serve it up to short priced favourite Harvey Dent, 10f could be a plus for Little Rock, he ran well last time over 7f.

More later.

Hopefully followers may of backed Choice Encounter last night at Kempton, I thought he was the one to beat 6:45.  He stayed on well to win by a nose ! I think Hollie Doyle has improved as a jockey since losing her claim, she rides a lot for Archie Watson, and does well for him.

Todays turf UK meetings have been abandoned.  Gowran currently goes ahead in Ireland, Cilaos Emery 3:35 is an interesting runner, he has the best form over hurdles, and if he runs anywhere near to his 159 rating, he will be hard to beat in this Beginners Chase, Ruby Walsh has opted to ride him.

At Meydan the racing looks good.  Some very tough races to work out the winners.  Sometimes it pays to back the second or third string of Godolphin in races, and that may be the same today, the 3:40 has 6 Godolphin runners, in a field of 9, both Saeed Bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby have three each, finding the winner looks tough.  First Contact at 12/1 may well be worth a small each way.

More later.

A good WINNER yesterday for my subscribers, Clondaw Castle 1:40 Leicester strolled home at 6/4, it was only a three horse race, I opposed the odds on favourite, simply because he had a lot of question marks, jumping, enthusiasm, and first run of year.  He was rated 12lb ahead over hurdles, than my selection,  but it was a chase yesterday, and his previous race over fences, was poor.

Anyway on to today, two turf meetings have been abandoned, the two remaining are on the all weather.  At Lingfield racing gets started at 1.00, a tricky first race, I like one in the second, and the third race at 2:05 looks a moderate event.  If Turn To Rock is any good, he has an ideal chance to win, as the favourite is not very good.  At Kempton later today Choice Encounter looks to follow up on a recent win at 6:45, he could well be hard to beat.

I was just talking to a good friend this morning, former top jockey Declan Murphy.  He was in good form, said the weather is cold in the UK, and he was looking forward to going back to Madrid soon, he spends most of his time living in Spain now, always good to speak to him.  He made an amazing recovery from his awful fall, back in 1994.   He had great belief that he would get well again, after his fall, such a shame his career as a jockey was cut short, he was a very talented rider.