Plenty of meetings today. In France at Moulins the racing gets underway at 11.00am, with the first race a 7f claimer. I think On The Edge could be a bit of value at around 5/1 for each way backers as she has been in form and likes the 7f trip. Later in the day at Argentan in the 4.35 race Assiniboine steps up in trip after a win last time when ridden by the apprentice rider (retains the ride) who claims a handy 8lb off his back. He is currently 4/5 but I thought he was value as he is a big unit who will improve a good deal for his recent success and was a cosy winner by a neck last time.

In the UK at Epsom Downs I thought Magico 2.30 ran a promising debut at Haydock when fifth behind some nice horses, the second has scored since by 5L. He will need to break on terms as he was slowly away at Haydock and was doing his best work at the finish. Jersey Rocs 2.25 Ripon should get favourite backers off to a good start under in form William Buick. Kathab 4.10 is another that looks to be progressing with racing and could be the answer to a competitive handicap over a mile.

Looking at today’s racing from York, where the going will ride on the fast side of good to firm, as indicated by some quick times yesterday. I do like Johannes Brahms 3.00. He is lightly raced having only had the two runs so far, a very good effort when second on his latest run in a Listed race at Royal Ascot in June. He should have plenty of improvement in him from that effort and the 6f trip today should be ideal. He might have most to fear from the once raced King’s Gamble, who won on debut and his trainer Ralph Beckett has his horses in good form.

At Newmarket there are a couple of penalty kicks as I see it. Broadway Act 3.15 and Measured Time 4.25 both trained by Charlie Appleby should win without any real problems.

The 2.15 Ffos Las is a very competitive race for a maiden. Any one of 5 could win it. I do think Go Daddy at 4/1 is a tempting bet, he was a shade unlucky on debut at Sandown when third and can be a lot more ‘streetwise’ today.

More soon.

Having just watched the first race at Newton Abbot, where the eventual winner Stepney Causeway was left at the start by over 25 Lengths, yet managed to get up on the run-in and win by about a head. It was a good ride by Harry Reed as he did not rush his horse in the early part of the race and just crept into a slowly run affair. The ride on the runner-up Valentino Dancer who was odds on to win was less inspiring. As far as I know, Paddy Brennan is qualified as a jockey coach. He is one of the most untidy riders in the weighing room and does plenty wrong himself, especially in a finish. He is decent over an obstacle and presenting his horses at a jump but I am baffled as to why someone as ‘messy’ in a finish can teach young riders. He has no contact with the horse’s mouth, his reigns are dangling, and he is a complete shambles at the business end of a race as I see it. One thing I was taught and it is vital in a finish, if you have the horse balanced and collected, they will run in as straight a line as possible to the winning post. If you have no contact with the horse’s mouth and are riding like Paddy does, they wander off a straight line, and lose momentum and give ground away- it’s that simple. I think Paddy needs coaching himself.

On to the rest of today. At Dax this evening in France 5.52, I like Messina who is around 9/4 with most firms. She won in Madrid on debut and then ran second. Her latest effort was in Listed company where she was fifth, and was not beaten very far. This is much calmer waters and the favourite Sparkling Light looked too keen last time and did not finish her race off. I think Messina is a bit of value and can get the job done.

Looking at the racing from Goodwood yesterday, I thought the French filly Blue Rose Cen was an unlucky loser. She was fourth in the Group 1 Qatar Nassau Stakes for fillies and mares. Her rider tried to make ground on the inside 2f from home when not having sufficient room at a crucial stage, Ryan Moore rightly closed the door on his mount Above The Curve. It was pilot error from the French rider Aurelien Lemaitre who then found he was boxed in behind the winner Al Husn and Above The Curve.

On to today. I like a couple in France, Kalca Mome 2.07 Saint Malo and Keller Dodville, who has Christophe Soumillon on top, he goes in the 3.00 Clairefontaine. Both ran well on debut and should improve a good deal for that experience.

More soon.