Final day of the month, hopefully it will end with a winner or two !
At Saint Cloud, not far from the first race at 11.35, I do think it’s between the front pair in the betting market. La Gloire would be my pick, but only marginally from Excelsior who drops in grade from a good pattern race, where he ran ok.
I like a few at Wolverhampton today as well. I may update later.

Lots of rain at Carlisle, so I am avoiding having a bet at the Cumbria track. I just watched the 1.43 Huntingdon, where the favourite Sedge Wren did lots wrong, jumping very much out to the left at most of the hurdles, but was still a cosy winner at the winning post. One of her rivals Maridadi made a really bad error at the middle flight down the back straight, which put paid to her chances. Sedge Wren is one to follow, as she gave away plenty of ground, not sure she beat that much, but you can only beat what is put in front of you. I would expect her connections to probably run her left handed in future.

Not too many of interest today to back, a couple tomorrow look likely bets, hopefully not too much rain will fall for the rest of today, and tomorrow.
More soon.

Good racing today. At Wetherby where Molly’s Ollys Wishes has just got the better of Martello Sky in the 2.25, the 3.35 looks a really good race. Bravemansgame takes on Ahoy Senor again, the last time they met 204 days ago, the latter was victorious. I don’t think Bravemansgame was at his best that day, and after a wind op and proven form when fresh as he was a winner on his first run last season, I think he might be the one today. I do like Nobel 4.33 Newmarket, as an each way bet, he has done very little wrong, obviously he is a bit delicate to train, only two runs so far so lightly raced, but can put up a good run as I know he is well thought of by his shrewd trainer Andrew Balding.

More soon.

Looking at the results on Saturday. At Ascot in the main race of the day at 4.00pm, all eyes were on Baaeed, who ran below expectations to be a below par fourth. The ground was soft, which was not ideal, but in what was a very slow run race, which should of suited him, he did not run his race. I did think it was a very good ride by Richard Kingscote on the winner Bay Bridge, who was handily placed, and saved lots of ground on the inside, the second Adayar ran a very good race, as he was rushed up about 3 furlongs out, came wide and was beaten only half a length. I did think his jockey would of made more use of him, as he stays 12 furlongs, and his manoeuvre about 3 furlongs from home was costly in the latter stages, having given ground away when trapped wide, and also having to come round Royal Champion, who was dropping out of contention.
It was good to see Emily Upjohn get a Group 1 win, after her unlucky second in the Epsom Oaks in June. She looks to be a filly to follow next season, as she is built like a tank, and can only improve on what she has accomplished so far.
Looking at todays cards, with autumn ground in mind- at Pontefract Poker Face 3.10 has been impressive on his two starts, winning well on both. I don’t think it’s been easy for the handicapper to access him, he was going away at the line on his latest win over 1 mile on the all weather surface at Newcastle, and todays 10f will not pose too many problems, I think he will take a bit of beating.
Hopefully the ground does not get too much rain, as that is a bit of an unknown.
More soon.

Reflecting on the big meeting in France at the weekend. It was good to see the mare Alpinista get the job done in the Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe. It was a very good ride by Luke Morris, on ground that was very testing, he used his low draw to his advantage, and never really gave any ground away, by staying close to the inside rail. Travelling well in the turn into the straight, Luke did not panic and then was able produce his mount at the right time. I’m sure his boss was really taken by his confident ride, as I don’t think he could of ridden the race much better.
Well prepared by her veteran trainer Sir Mark Prescott Bt, who is 74 years young, naturally he seemed delighted after the race, as is understandable. It’s Sir Mark’s biggest ever winner, and even though he has always been a good trainer, he has not had that many Group 1 performers over the years. Prescott is usually more at home having a winner at one of the three Scottish tracks in the north of England. Hamilton, Ayr or Musselburgh , he has had a number of good horses over the years, one thing that has never been in doubt is Sir Mark can train a racehorse.

He is a very witty and funny person, if you ever have the pleasure of seeing him as an after dinner speaker, his stories are legendary. My brother in law used to work for him, he said he was always very fair with his staff and his racing background and expertise are vast, he knows lots about numerous things, coursing and fighting cocks being one. I recall seeing over his large red wall at the bottom of the Newmarket Heath( Bury side) lots of cock hens all out on the grassed ring he used for horses to walk around.

I’m not sure if Alpinista will race again, nothing has been said as yet. Looking ahead to the weekend, a good card at Newmarket on Saturday, a number of really good races. One race that looks as good as ever on Saturday is the Darley Dewhurst Stakes. I do like a number of horses entered in it, with Sakheer and Nostrum being at the forefront, both are really promising colts. Looking at the betting market, Nostrum at 5/1 would be my selection each way. I do think it will be between the two of them at the line, if they both run.
Regards having a bet, as yet I’m waiting, Naval Power and Chaldean, are two other very promising colts, who will also be bang there at the latter stages of the 7f event.
Hopefully I can find a winner or two before then.

More soon.