Old Money and Chickens - 04 May

Rousing Sermon's Chicken Impression

Frankie Dettori was a guest on Radio 2 with Chris Evans this morning and came across and a very witty and clever man..….and gave as good as he got but the best line came from Chris:  “My son Noah is only 3 and already taller than you are!”

I happened to mention to my daughter what a great weekend of racing we have in store “……….the 2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas AND the Kentucky Derby!”  to which the reply was “old money as well as chickens! That’s exciting then!”  I guess not everyone is as excited about these events as I (we?) are then.  

It is for this reason that today’s blog is abbreviated, shortened and concise.  I have a day to myself so am away to study dirt and 3 year olds!

-1.13 today...

	Wolves	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	15:10	Tooley Woods UP	First Bid (EW) 1st
2	17:10	Douze Points 2nd	MrChocolateDrop(EW)UP

2/     Douze Points wasn’t able to follow up his win lto and can see no improvement in his conditions today which is a little off-putting but he is still best of the line up for me.  Mr Chocolate Drop looks very good for a place or better and Bold Cross is another interesting runner to watch back from a long absence

	Bangor	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	19:30	Amron Lad 1st
2	20:00	It’s Like That 2nd

	Dundalk	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	21:05	Hootie (EW) UP

Wednesday's 'Wonders Never Cease' Blog & Updates (profits!) - 11 April

Good news for Kirsty Milczarek who has successfully appealed against her 2 year ban (for passing information for reward and being guilty of conniving or conspiring with anyone involved in fraudulent or corrupt practise in relation to racing) and she can re-apply for her license with immediate effect.  I have to say I'm gob smacked!  


Not because for I believe that:


(a) she was guilty of everything or anything she was accused of


(b)  and even if she had been guilty that the charges warranted a two year ban - given that Charlotte Kerton was found guilty of stopping her horse when blatently and hilariously 'air whipping' her ride then receiving a mere 42 day ban.

(c) the severity of Kirsty's punishment was in any way related to the fact that she is romantically involved with Kieren Fallon ..........who played poker regularly at the White Lion in Newmarket .......with James Crickmore .....one of the pair whom the original case was centred around and who was warned off for 14 years.


No no no, I'm amazed because the BHA have (sort of) admitted that they were wrong.  Now what about those months of lost earnings.....

On the BHA website, there is a fascinating page "why they ran badly" This is a most informative and entertaining section!  For instance, amongst the many "was never travelling" excuses reasons, I have learned that one of my big priced each way fancies on Tuesday, Boris Griegoriev,  was reported to have breathing problems. One can suppose that this will be addressed - hopefully with a wind operation rather than a packet of Tunes - and he may do an awful lot better at a big price in a few weeks.  

Tomorrow is the first day in a long long time which is purely scheduled  flat racing with no jumps in sight.  

Another profitable day with a winning nightly nap.  Profits of + 3.59 

	Catterick	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	14:30	Rio Cobolo (EW) UP

	Nottingham	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	16:10	Cool Hand Luke UP
2	17:10	Call To Reason UP

	Kempton	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	17:30	Addikt 1st
2	20:00	California English 3rd

	Dundalk	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	19:20	Sli Na Fiarana UP
2	19:50	Barrow Island 1st	Rocky’s Pride UP

Barrow Island

Dundalk 19:50
1st

Barrow Island is back down to a winning mark (that bloke Mark again!) , has a decent draw & pilot and will have come on for his last run in March after six months away from the track.  

Friday's Selections - 17 February

We shall draw a line under Thursday....it was a "clinically abnormal" day in the selecting stakes. 


I spread myself too thin by looking at too many meetings so in the morning will be looking at the super yummy Newbury card.  Selections will be up early-ish!


I have put my lucky earrings back on today and the first thought is "Awww, what's Kinkeel doing there in that first race?  500/1 - bless!"  I guess the fact that there is prize money for six places may have been a consideration!  Onwards........

	Newbury	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	12:10	Sprinter Sacre 1st	Hold Fast UP
2	12:40	What A Friend (EW) UP
3	13:15	Zarkander 1st	Ericht (EW) UP
4	13:50	Colour Squadron F
5	14:25	Deireadh Re UP	Sir Kezbaah (EW) UP
6	14:55	Walk On UP	Our Mick (EW) UP (3rd)
7	15:30	Hold Court (EW) UP

1/         I don’t think anyone expects any other outcome but Hold Fast could boost the coffers with a forecast bet or even ew if the price is there – he’s a definite improver

2/         I may be way off here, but What A Friend comes out top of my list and is receiving 10lbs from Long Run!

3/         Another non-surprise but I think that Ericht may grab a place – he’s come 3^rd in a grade 2 back in November at Cheltenham carrying a stone heavier so he has a realistic shout.

4/         Recent form and the trainer/jockey record here have Deireadh Re at the top of my list.  Sir Kezbaah is on a super mark though and has a squeak if recapturing last Springs form.

	Lingfield	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	14:20	Catherine’s Call UP 2nd

Notes:

1/           Luke Morris is at Lingfield for just this one ride – which speaks volumes!  

I'm sure Charles is hoping he inherits more than the item on the right ...and soon!

Heir To The Mint
Dundalk 18:55

I'm still in two minds whether to go to Haydock tomorrow.  There's some great racing, the weather is of no consequence (as long as it goes ahead which I'm fairly sure it will!) and my car really does need a run up the motorway!!

Friday's Selections & Updates - 10 February

Well I wasn't wrong about the sea of blue that dominated Meydan yesterday (Thursday) with Godolphin filling 9 of the 18 places and Frankie not on a single winner!  Barzalona and De Sousa both scored doubles with Fallon (2nd week on the trot) and Soumillon both scoring one apiece.

This weather throws up some strange sights but if you watch Kempton at 17:25 you'll see Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle winner Oscar Whisky running 2 miles on all weather - now that is a strange sight!


The entire card comprises  of Jumpers Bumpers which will be fun to watch but is most definitely not a betting medium for me. 


I'll be back later with some Dundalk selections !

	Southwell	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	13:20	Caledonia Prince (nap) 1st
2	14:25	Where’s Reiley 1st
3	15:00	Broughtons Bandit  2nd

3/             Magic Millie has a too much weight with the penalty for a hat trick in my opinion

	Dundalk	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	17:50	Rigid Rock UP
2	18:50	Elwazeer 3rd	Iron Major (EW) UP (4th)
3	19:20	Prince Of Fire 2nd
4	20:20	Chebona Bula  2nd

	Wolves	First Choice	E/W or RF Choice
1	18:40	Blackstone Vegas (EW) UP
2	19:10	Queen Of Denmark 1st	Mazij (EW) 2nd
3	20:10	Clerical UP

3 good winners (which I had in a Lucky 15 with Blackstone Vegas) but alas as singles we are down -4.72

Caledonia Prince 1st
Southwell 13:20

Something to while away a few minutes at 16:50 on a Friday afternoon!

Student Who Obtained 0% In An Exam but didn’t get  any questions wrong!!

Q1.    In which battle did Napoleon die?

A.   His last battle

Q2.    Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?

A.   at the bottom of the page

Q3.    River Ravi flows in which state?

A.   liquid

Q4.    What it the main reason for divorce?

A.   marriage

Q5.    What is the main reason for failure?

A.   Exams

Q6.    What can you never eat for breakfast?

A.   lunch and dinner

Q7.    What looks like half an apple?

A.   The other half

Q8.    If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what will it become?

A.   It will simply become wet    

Q9.    How can a man go 8 days without sleeping?

A.   No problem, he sleeps at night

Q10.  How can you lift an elephant with one hand?

A.   You’ll never find an elephant that only has one hand

Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in the other hand, what would you have?

A.   Very large hands

Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it?

A.   No time at all, the wall is already built

Q13.  How can you drop a raw egg on to a concrete floor without breaking it?

A.   Any way you want, concrete floors are very hard to break.

 Sleeps Left To Go