Update-4.10 pm

The heavens have opened at Leicester and Stratford, it looks very testing conditions. Time to watch, and not get involved, unless you know your horse acts on soft ground.

More later.

With a forecast of rain around.  The best approach today is to watch a race or two from most tracks, before deciding if you want a bet.

At Leicester the ground will be on the softer side of good to soft, if they get a good bit of the wet stuff.  So with the possibility of rain, I am going to wait.  I do like a few horses at Leicester in the later races, depending on conditions underfoot.

More later.

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I have been travelling today.  I missed watching most of the racing today, in watching the replays later I should be able to mark something up as a future winner.

Reflecting on the racing yesterday at Newmarket.  It was a good day, I played small stakes most of the day, a fair bit of rain made the ground a bit loose on top, a number of jockeys said it was riding a bit on the slow side of good.

One horse I was impressed with was Visinari 3.20.  He was a big horse, very leggy and still weak.  But he can really gallop, when he fills his big frame, he could be really smart.   He beat the short odds favourite Ottoman Court, who ran better than his debut run, he can win a race, another big horse, who will hopefully be given a bit of time to fill his frame as well.  A lot of horses caught the eye in the preliminaries,  the last race was won by Caradoc 5.35.  He stayed the 10f well.  I think this lightly raced 4 year old could well win again soon.  Nonchalance 4.30 stood out in the paddock, she looked really well in her coat. She won a shade cosy under Frankie Dettori, who was a late replacement for Ryan Moore.

More later.

Today I am going racing to Newmarket.  I am pleased I have my rain jacket ! It has been drizzling with rain for most of the morning.  The ground will likely ride good for the first few races, and if rain continues it will likely ride slower as the race day continues.  It is competitive, the first two handicap’s are races to go each way in.

I like to try and find followers a horse with a good chance on Saturdays.  Proschema 2.45 could be worth a small each way bet.  He should be ok with the rain, and has had a couple of runs so far in 2019.  I like the jockey, and this horse was highly regarded last year, he won on soft ground over 12f, and was a good second over 14f at York in October 2018.  Of a 2lb less rating today, he can be very competitive.

The rest of the card looks difficult. I have advised one at the track each way for my subscribers, hopefully it can run well.

More later.

A late post today.  I have been doing a lot of travelling.  But managed to find a  winner for my subscribers.  I advised Future Investment 9.00 Ripon tonight, to back without Dubai Tradition At 10/11.  He ended up as the outright winner from Dubai Tradition, so a good result.  Well ridden by Harry Bentley, with the ground on the easy side of good, it suited my selection.

With some good racing over the next few days, I am going to Newmarket races on Saturday.  Quite a few horses I follow entered, so it will be good to try and find a few winners.

A late post today.  I’ve been so busy today, missed most of the racing so far.  Cantering to post at Thirsk for the 4.45.  Abate has the best form, and looks the likely one to beat.

I have advised one tonight for my subscribers, hopefully I can keep the winners coming.

Quite a few horses at Windsor races tonight of interest.  With decent ground, it could be a night to follow horses at the head of the betting market.

More later.

Really good start to the month.  Nahaarr was advised to my subscribers at 2/1 yesterday, a convincing Winner of the 7.15 Lingfield.  And just advised Inns Of Court 2.05 Chantilly as my selection today, he won very easily, hopefully I can have a good June.

I advised Anthony Van Dyck as my each way selection yesterday, he managed to stay on strongly to win the Investec Derby. Really good ride by Seamie Heffernan.  He is a very good tactical rider, switching left just over a furlong out helped his horse, as he had the rail, and his stick in the right hand.  Japan was a good third, so really good result.  I backed him each way a few months ago.

I have not much advise for my followers today.  The Qipco Prix du Jockey Club 3.25 at Chantilly, looks very competitive.  Persian King has done very little wrong, he keeps winning, and the drier ground today will be more suitable than his last run, even though he managed to win.  Stall 14 is his main problem.  I would expect his rider to take his time, and try and not race too wide, giving ground away is vital in any race.  Raise You steps up in class today, he looked very useful when winning at Listed level at Newmarket 15 days ago.  I really like his jockey, I am tempted to have a small each way bet on him, although I think Persian King is the one they all have to beat.

The big day is here.  The Investec Derby at Epsom today, is the most prestigious race for three year old colts and fillies in Europe.  The unique racecourse is a test in every aspect, you need class, speed, stamina, and luck to win.  We have seen some hard luck stories over the years.  Everyone remembers Dancing Brave, he came from so far back when a running on second to Sharastani, back in the 80’s.  I was fortunate enough to get to know Greville Starkey , he was in Dubai with Singspiel in 1997, riding him in his training before he won the Dubai World Cup.  I was assistant trainer for Mark Tompkins at the time, and was riding Even Top, who ran in the same race, who ran ok, but he didn’t stay 10f.

I asked Greville one day if he thought he should of won (Dancing Brave) he looked at me and said he didn’t handle the track very well, and got shuffled back through the pack, and it was very difficult to make up ground, especially as Walter Swinburn had a dream ride on Sharastani, and he just could not peg him back. Greville was a lovely man, very funny, and we had some fun days and nights, we were both preparing the horses, for about 6 weeks, prior to the big race.

So with all that information in mind.  I am backing Anthony Van Dyck each way.  The race is very open. I have heard that Ryan Moore thinks his mount Sir Dragonet is a very good horse, his problem is stall 13, and inexperience.  He also races on faster ground today than he has encountered before. I have a small investment on Japan each way at good odds, that was an ante post wager, so if he wins, I won’t be upset. Anthony Van Dyck has experience, a good jockey and has class and all the other ingredients.

Lots of great racing to digest, and finding winners on a Saturday is always a nightmare.  I have sent my subscribers a selection this evening, hopefully I have found them a winner.

More later.

Just heading to post for the Oaks at Epsom.  Pink Dogwood looks a million dollars cantering down.  I think it’s between her and Mehdaayih, I favour the Ryan Moore factor, on the former.  It is a good race.

More later.

Strong fields today. I fancy a few at Sandown tonight.  It looks like the ground will be good to firm, so a level playing field for everyone.

At Lingfield 3.30 Enzemble has a decent chance of winning.  He has a good man on top, and this small field could well play to his strengths.

Yarmouth always has some decent horses running at the Norfolk track.  The big Newmarket stables like running horses at the track, it is usually well maintained ground, and a fair track.  Velorum 4.20 was impressive at Newmarket when winning recently, he should win again today.  The 4.50 sees Dragon Sun going for a hat trick of wins.  He has a solid chance, although he will need to have taken a step forward again, this is more competitive than what he has faced so far, but he looks progressive, and winning gives confidence.

More later.