Update:

Almoreb in the 6.35 Sandown is a horse I’m interested in tonight.  The going is on the soft side, with fair amount of rain spread over parts of the UK.  I will have a small investment if he remains around his current odds of 15/8.  He has won before with under foot conditions on the soft side.

Important:  Caution a must with soft ground conditions, especially when having a bet on the flat !

Lots of rain in Guernsey this morning.  And looking at a few of today’s race meetings I see rain forecast, especially at Sandown where a horse of interest runs, but I will update later, due to current weather!

Didnt have a tip advise yesterday.  The horse I was thinking of backing, but didn’t  at Nottingham last night was  Lamloom, he was 2nd but he managed to set the race up for the winner.  I think David Nolan is a good rider, but got the fractions wrong last night !

I watched a few races yesterday, and to be honest saw quite a few poor rides, from jockeys that are supposed to be in the top bracket.  One thing I do not understand is why a lot of riders today have the whip in the right hand, when going right handed! Especially when they are on the rail, there with every chance of winning, and nothing is on their inside, other than the rail.  Paul Hanagan did it twice yesterday, both time his horse drifted to the left, poor riding is the only explanation !

Having looked at today’s racing , I have found it difficult to put a tip up.

I am interested in the 7:50 at Nottingham, Lamloom is a horse I like, but as he seems best when dictating matters from the front, which could be more difficult today, with other usual front runner Al Nafoorah in the race.  This race could be set up for a horse ridden patiently, if these two take each other on, so I will watch and may have an investment in play, Natajack  is the horse who could attack late if getting things set up for him, by the two very likely pacesetters.

At Mussleburgh, it’s difficult, it’s a tricky tight track.  Footsteps Forever 2:45 is a filly I saw win last time at Pontefract over 6f.  She will have no issues with the trip today of 7f, but on a different track, that is right handed and sharp, totally opposite to her win at Pontefract, so with these changes, I will watch rather than get too involved, a couple of horses also in the race that are dangers.

Looking forward to a few horses entered this week.

The  horse I ride most mornings at excercise Toretto, ran on Sunday in Jersey, he ran OK, Jan Coomer his trainer was pleased with his run, he may go back over hurdles when he races next, probably within the next couple of weeks, all being well.

No tip today.  Looking at a few possible horses tomorrow.

Todays free tip as follows:

Horse: Champagne City

Time: 2.10 Stratford

Current Odds: 4/7

I am not keen on backing odds on really.  But this looks a case of a clear round and he wins.  His only serious danger has been withdrawn.

Haydock accident:

Absolute tragedy yesterday at Haydock, poor stalls handler was ran over when they were moving the stalls, these people do a terrific job, it can be dangerous enough dealing with half a ton of horse, so for an accident like that to happen whilst moving the stalls is awful.

Back to today’s racing:

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Mister Showman

Time: 2:45 Market Rasen

Current Odds: 6/4

In what looks a fairly ordinary contest, with only 4 runners.  Mister Showman has a good chance to overturn the favourite, he has been consistent in his 3 starts over hurdles.  I like the jockey, and trainer, both important !

Saturday is what I think the most difficult, too much racing.  I am not having a max bet on this horse, but will have an investment at his current odds, with an eye on the weather, as I see rain is forecast at the track. So cautious betting a must.

I could back one at Newbury today, will try and Update, if I have chance.

Because of rain, and more forecast, I’m just watching today.  I am interested in a couple of races tonight at Newmarket, but forecast is for fair bit of rain, so will see what happens !

Nothing solid today, so no tip.  Just watched a race at Hamilton , where a 2/5 shot just got turned over in the 3:35 Hamilton, just shows how difficult it can be to back winners!

Apprentice Jockeys:

There has been a few articles recently, mainly in the Racing Post about apprentice jockeys.  The focus has been on trainers whose apprentices are riding plenty of outside winners and getting lots of rides for numerous stables.

I believe currently, the employer gets half of the win percentage, and place percentage, this is a 50-50 split,  So for example, if they ride a winner for any trainer that they are not in full time employment for, the employer they work for receives half of his apprentices fees.  I personally think it is fair, as they have given the apprentice they employ, the initial chance to ride in public, and generally support them, especially if they think they are good enough to do well for them.  The big asset is that apprentices take off 7lb, which is reduced with amount of winners they get against senior riders.  And apprentices are hungry !  They want to impress, and do well.

Expenses have been an issue, as some trainers are not giving half of their apprentices fees i.e. Travel and expenses for the day, but some trainers do still pay a full wage to them, so it is not all in favour of the trainer.

One journalist ( Racing Post) did an article that has probably upset a few trainers, known for giving lads/lasses chances, over a period of a few years.  The journalist mentions that the apprentice should have a bigger percentage of fees, for example 75-25 in favour of the rider when his claim has been reduced to 5lb.  But their boss has nurtured and helped the young apprentices development as a rider, as well as pushing the youngsters in the right direction, they teach them how to speak to owners, and give them confidence,  so sadly some trainers have now said they will stop trying to have apprentices, hence not giving youth a chance, because the article was detrimental to the trainers who are known within the horse racing industry, to give youngsters rides.

I believe the journalist has stirred up a hornets nest for no reason !

No Tip today.

Nice winner yesterday, Black Corton winning at 2/1 at Worcester.  The jockey Bryony Frost has just turned professional, this was her first winner since moving from amateur to pro.

I am interested in a horse running today at Catterick.  I will try and update later, need to find out going etc, before deciding to have an investment or not.