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.

Todays free tip is as follows:

Horse:’ Black Corton

Time: 6:30 Worcester

Current Odds: 6/4

Analysis of the race as follows:

Novice chase betting is with a bit of caution, Black Corton has a penalty for his win recently.  I just think he jumped well on his last start, although beaten, it was a good run.  And with Bryony Frost taking off 5lb, he can beat the favourite and his other two rivals.

His main rival today is Knight Of Noir, he is currently favourite, but his two recent wins have been over hurdles, and his latest three Chase runs have been well below his hurdle form.

I don’t see the step up to 2m 7f being too much of a problem for Black Corton, and think he can win.

I may put an update on around 3pm, I’m just a bit concerned thunder storms are forecast !

Update:

Pretty clear at Worcester at the moment I am told, it’s poured rain in Guernsey, lots of lightning as well.  Dry here now and still mild temperature.

Today’s free tip is as follows: French Flyer

Time: 2:00 Ayr

Current Odds: 11/8

Analysis of the race as follows:

This horse won very well on his debut at Ayr, that was over 6f.  Today he races over 7f, which I think he will like, his jockey rode him last time when he won, so a lot of positives !

The weather is forecast to stay dry, so with good ground to race on, I think French Flyer will be too good for his rivals.  Poet’s Prince looks the only real threat, but barring accidents and the heavens opening, I’m having a good bet on my tip.

Nice winner yesterday on the Update.  Theydon Grey winning at 5/2, I was quite taken with Georgia Cox’s ride, she didn’t panic when looking as though she might get headed, kept her horse going well to win.  Harry Angel, who won the July Cup, was the horse I thought was the biggest threat to the favourite yesterday.  Caravaggio was  a shade dissapointing, although he ran on well close home to be 4th, he just hit a bit of a flat spot about 2 furlongs out, and could not make up the leeway on the horses ridden closer to the pace, he will bounce back though, I’m sure of that!

No tip advised today.  I hope Roger Federer can create a bit of history today and win Wimbledon again, think it could be win number 8 !

Todays free tip is as follows:

Horse: Carravgio

Time: 4:35 Newmarket

Current odds: 11/10

Analysis of the race as follows:

This horse races from of the pace, he won well recently at the big Ascot meeting, beating some of his main rivals that oppose him again today.  Harry ‘s Angel is likely to be ridden from the front or very close to the pace today, and is what I see as the main danger. But with the excellent Ryan Moore on top, Caravaggio will be very hard to beat, his odds are short, but I am backing him.

Weekly Update:

I was racing this week in Newmarket,it was nice to see lots of friends and family during my short stay.  I did go to the Sales in Newmarket as well for a couple of days, the July sales are normally for horses in and out of training, some of the bigger stables sell at this sale, as they are preparing for the influx of yearlings that start arriving normally between late August until the end of the year.  Hence the clear out of horses not up to the horses that the big owners, for example the Arabs want.

Late Update .

Im backing  Theydon Grey in the 4:45 York price looks value at 5/2!

Today’s free tip is as follows:

Horse: Dragons Tail

Time: 2:50 Ascot

Current Odds: 11/4

I think this horse has good form, he ran well recently at Ascot, he returns today in a lesser race.  His trainer is doing well with his horses, my slight concern is that regular jockey Richard Kingscote is not riding, but his rider today is more than capable. I think he should be OK on the ground, as long as it’s not pouring rain , I’m going to back him, though not a max bet !

No tip today, travelling to Newmarket for races tomorrow.

No tip today. Few horses running today I follow, but the races have a few unraced horses from decent yards, that could be useful.   So I’m watching today.