Sundays Jumpy Selections & Results - 30 October

I think we can safely say that my forte in NH is in novice events and hurdles!

Seven races, seven winners, three (rev) forecasts....... and a Chuck Testa advert below - can it get any better? !

A very good day today with +12.11 profit

Huntingdon	First Choice	Danger
12:55	Hope Point 1st	Romantic Girl UP
13:25	Balzaccio 1st	Jolly Roger F
13:55	Folk Tune 1st	Pillar Of Hercules 2nd
15:00	Fintan UP (3rd)	Bowntobebad 1st

Carlisle	First Choice	Danger
13:10	Koup De Kanon 1st	Monkton Vale UP
14:10	Benefique 2nd	Super Duty 1st
15:15	Hidden Keel 2nd	Mr Moonshine 1st

Here's a thought!  Many non-racing folk that I know have watched racing and mistakenly thought that the jockey was hitting the horse with the whip with every stride.....it can sometimes appear this way to the non-initiated.  It may seem ridiculous to those who watch horseracing on a daily basis but I wonder if something as simple as pointing this out to the great British public might be an idea?  

In this sport there are (has been and will be) some less than honest jockeys, trainers, owners and punters.  While racing is trying to clean up it's image, is it really such a good idea to tempt jockeys to the dark side by relieving them of an income for weeks on end? 

Hear what Chuck Testa says:

159                    155                   145

      56                      56                     26

Wednesday's Selections & Results - 19 October

Gratuitous Pic of  Pretty Jockey
Natalia Gemelova for the Chaps

I was genuinely pleased that Natalia Gemelova won at Yarmouth on Tuesday on 11/1 shot Cativo Cavallino.  The winners purse was £1617 so her percentage won't be a fortune but she needs every penny to feed her young family after being given a 7 day holiday last week.  I've a feeling that she'd much rather have won this in 2006 or 2007 though!  Compare the £1617 winners purse with the same race (7f class 6 0-65) from previous years:  

2010 - £1942 
2009 - £2331
2008 - £2719
2007 - £3238
2006 - £3238

....so the prize money today was half of that 5 years ago.  I knew that prize money in racing had been in decline but dear oh dear!

Today’s selections are:

Fontwell

14:20  Don’t Look Back UP

14:50  Balzaccio (3) 1^st

15:25  Cauney (9.39) 1^st

16:00  Morenito UP (3^rd)

16:30  Free Falling UP

17:05  Bankstair UP (3^rd)

17:40  Kingsfold Flare UP

Just the two winners but a nice profit of + 5.39 today - the switch over to obstacles, sand and poly is working so far!

At Kempton tonight and away from the maidens, I like Ree's Rascal in the 20:50 now he's back to a mile (with a small Snow Magic) and Tarooq (Hanagan up and plum draw) in the last.

If you're wondering if I've lost my senses putting this video here then read this interview published in the Guardian yesterday and it will make sense!

149                       145                   141 

     56                         56                      25 

There'll be a bit of movement in the jockeys table with Silvestre on holiday (banned) for 4 days; Wed, Thur, Fri & Mon (but riding 13 on Sat) and Kieren riding 7 tomorrow with Paul booked for 9.  Surprisingly Hanagan has five rides at HQ tomorrow whereas Fallon has just the one!

I'm quite proud of this spreadsheet from yesterday for the 14:40 Exeter (just a snippet shown)  It's genuine - you'll have to take my word for it!

5 Horse Race

Ongoing non runners list – these are previous blog selections that were scratched on the day and worth looking out for NTO:

Grumeti

Gala Casino Star

Best One

Captain Dash