Unlucky with Rock Eagle yesterday at Salisbury, he was beaten a head after being allowed to drift left by his jockey, who then decided to give him two or three cracks of the whip with his right hand, further drift left, finally Steward got his stick into the left hand and the horse finished strong to be denied in a photograph! It was simply a very poor ride, from the man on top.

Todays free tips are as follows:

Horse: Warsaw Road

Time: 4:55 Newmarket

Current Odds: 13/8

This horse likes ground on the fast side, he has missed a few recent entries because of the ground being too soft.  He has a good racing weight, was progressive last year and had a run last month on the all weather, where he ran well. I don’t think 1 mile will be too much of an issue, he has won over 7f before, and ran over a mile on debut.   I think he will be hard to beat. Of rivals, Almoreb is honest, although he may be slightly better with some give in the ground, Knight Owl is a winner at the track, he is another that does not want the ground too fast, Roll on Rory will like the fast going, and is a course and distance winner, he could outrun his odds.

Horse: Not That Fuisee

Time: 7:10 Aintree

Current Odds: 1/3

I am putting this horse in a double with Warsaw Road, it makes it almost 5/2, as the only way I see this horse losing is if he falls !

Update: 1.40 pm

I am backing Rock Eagle 3.15 Salisbury, he is around 6/5 but it looks like a race he can follow up under his penalty for his win previously at Windsor.  King Lud is the likely main threat, Movie Set has solid form when winning at two, he has not ran on the flat fora long time, he has though won over hurdles, so fitness will not be an issue, he has a fair chance even with 10st 5lb on his back.

Another good winner yesterday with Hamada obliging at 5/2 in the first race at York. It was good to see Harry Angel win yesterday in the big sprint, he was impressive and will be hard to beat in top sprints this season, he heads to Royal Ascot for his next race.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: White Desert

Time: 6:55 Newmarket

Current Odds: 9/4

This horse was an excellent second on his last run.  That was on the all weather at Wolverhampton, only beaten a neck that day by a very useful horse rated over 100. White Desert races off 83 today (raised 6lb) for his recent second.  He has won on turf, is lightly raced, and should improve for his latest run, also  his stables horses are running well, I think he can win this handicap off top weight.

Of rivals, Albareeq ran really well at Chester last week, he has solid ew claims, and could well be the one to beat, Magellan is a winner last season, he can be in the mix as well.

I will do an update around 2pm with a possible horse worth backing.

One winner yesterday with Georgian Manor, and a below par effort from my other selection in Killarney, a tiny loss on the day.

Today sees the start of the York meeting that is always worth watching, some good horses on show during the week.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Hamada

Time: 2:20 York

Current Odds: 5/2

I backed this horse when he obliged recently at Wolverhampton, it was a good effort, after well over a year off the track.  He has won on grass as a two year old, and I think the ground tomorrow will be perfect at York, unless the heavens open ! He has been raised 5lb for his win at Wolverhampton, but I think although this race is harder, he will be good enough to win again.  Of rivals, Now Children won recently on the all weather after a while off the track, he could be the danger, a slight concern about the trip, he has won over 10f, his Dam was very speedy, if he does stay he is the one to beat.  You can make a case for the rest of the field, as all have chances on their best form, although some have better all weather form so far, than turf form.

Update: 11:55am

High Street Lady 6:10 Killarney is around 7/4 (without fav) she won well last time at Dundalk, a drop in trip today, should be ok for this filly as she is a strong traveller. I am backing without Aiseolas as she is a major threat.

Good start to the week, Diviner was an easy winner yesterday.  She made all the running to win easily, heavily backed from 15/8-11/8 returned.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Georgian Manor

Time: 5:45 Beverley

Current Odds: 4/5

Although short in price, this horse would of won another stride at Lingfield last time. Slight negative is stall 13, but the dangers are all drawn wide as well.  Hopefully his jockey can take their time and finish the race off strong, as this horse should relish the stiff finish of the track.  I think he can win this before progressing.

Of rivals, Chief Justice is talented, but quirky, Fascinator ran well on debut, she could be the one to beat, Bayshore Freeway is well drawn and from a good yard, she could well be in the mix on her debut run.

I will update around 11:30am with another possible bet.

Todays free tip is as follows:

Horse: Diviner

Time: 1:50 Wolverhampton

Current Odds: 15/8

I think this filly will make a big jump forward from her debut run on heavy ground, she was backed that day, but never really got into the race, she looks a decent mover who just didn’t handle the ground, plus a lot of horses having their first run just get it all wrong.  A small field with a good jockey look a positive, and those that have ran are clearly nothing special.  Of rivals, Willow Brook has shown a bit of talent, second on its last run was an improvement, she could be the one to beat, Global Goddess comes from a stable that like a bet, any money for her is a positive for her chance of being in the mix.

My selection at Ludlow Colonial Dreams 4:40 today is still around 10/11, I think he could be a lot shorter, he should win.

Looking at the other meetings, at Leopardstown, Nelson faces two stable mates in the Derby trial, I think we will see a big improvement from The Pentagon as the ground is a lot faster than the last time he ran when only third to Nelson. It’s a race that I think Nelson could win , but I am watching rather than having a bet. So only the one selection today.

Jockeys:

When having a bet, it’s always vital you back a horse with a jockey you like, I have a few jockeys I just do not back when they are riding, as they make a straightforward job , difficult!

Richard Kingscote does not fall into that category, as I have mentioned many times, he rode a treble yesterday ( Mancini being one of them ) I think his ride on Knight To Behold at lingfield in the Derby trial yesterday was top class, he got the fractions right in front, and stole the race, he had a willing partner, but Kingscote always seems to be in the right place at the right time when riding, his retained stable of Tom Dascombe likes his horses ridden handily which I prefer myself. Some trainers who have not ridden in a race themselves,  can put pressure on the jockey before they get on the horse, that it has to be ridden a certain way, they would be wiser to do what the better trainers do, (who may have no race-riding experience)  tell you to ride the race to suit the horse, not the horse to suit the race. When riding in a race,  it is vital to ride your horse where he is comfortable, but to also improvise if necessary,  half the field want to do what you have been told to do, so you have to ride the race according to the pace of it, which also suits your horse best, and gives them the best chance of winning.

Late Update: 10.20pm

I am advising a horse that runs tomorrow that I think will win.  I will do an update tomorrow in the morning as I will look at weather overnight, and see how much rain may of fallen.

Sundays free tip is as follows:

Horse: Colonial Dreams

Time: 4.40 Ludlow

Current Odds: 10/11

I think this horse is really improving.  He won very easily last time, he has won on good and soft ground.  His trainer’s horses are in top form and his jockey has ridden him before.  He will be hard to beat, even with 11.12 on his back.  Of rivals, Cereal Killer could pose the biggest threat, although he has to show a big step forward in form, maybe he will be more at home on the ground, if it remains good.

Late update: 4.25

Just watched Mancini win cosily, he was well backed in from 7/4-11/10. I am going to end on a winner, the rain has put connections off at Lingfield with the horse I liked in late race, it  has been withdrawn.