Good morning all,
This farce at Ayr needs some investigating – Saturday is off as well now, the track clearly isn't fit to race and were seemingly gambling on good weather for the week for them to race. There's talk of the drains being unfit for purpose but that's not going to pacify all those folk that have travelled there at their own expense, all the horses transported there already and why on earth we had the draw for the Gold Cup yesterday when they knew full well they weren't going to race is beyond me.
Ayr themselves lose out on what is one of their biggest meetings of the year and at present it's hard to have much sympathy for them.
Anyway, a quick round up of the final day at Yarmouth is on the main piece, plus today's selection.
So we headed down to Yarmouth expecting to see Gabr knock out eyes out for the opening maiden after two good runs and the form of his York second having been franked by the third, Laugh A Minute, who won a valuable sales race at Doncaster last week. In truth though, he looked fine, but those of us expecting a brute of an animal were to be disappointed. We were also surprised by the fact he was still pretty green in the paddock, shouting his head off at times, but he did go to post well. He's been workmanlike rather than spectacular here.
That brute, however, did appear in the shape of Marco Botti's Volevo Lui, who is huge and if it had been a boxing contest the ref would have stopped it before they went out on track. Sadly, he was very disappointing, dropping right away, and either he needs time or he's simply not much good.
Both Bowditch and Istanbul Sultan have run okay to a point and poor old Group 1 Gary, who has been a companion all week, was absolutely gutted when the 50-1 he had about Blooriedotcom without the favourite failed to land by a head. He was a good looking individual and is going the right way. Sadly for Gary, not quite quickly enough. A tremendous shout from him, but that don't put food on the table.
The Fillies Maiden Stakes that followed weren't a great lot, in general, although the “right ones” finished 1-2-3. Flying Sparkle isn't the biggest and did well to carry a small penalty and still get close. She might find another little race. Beauty Filly is related to a few useful sorts over 7f/1m and should do better when stepped up. The market spoke in her favour and she was just about the best of the bunch beforehand, quite a tall filly, and hopefully she will do better. Left Alone was the one you felt would improve for a run and perhaps she's the one out of this for next time. She finished her race off well and was getting there with every stride.
There was a good word going around for Image in the morning and she was probably best of the rest, a good size, some scope and plenty fit enough here. She's run okay considering she missed the break a bit and then found a little bit of trouble, and maybe there's a 7f nursery to be won with her when she's had a qualifying run. Another to take out of this, and might be one for next time, given half-sister Seafront turned out to be pretty useful, could be Bidding War, who was almost the paddock pick but for looking a little moody pre-race. She's got some size, and is quite long-backed, so will likely need a step up in trip, and was spotted doing some decent late work.
The rest were much of a muchness, although Agent Error isn't the worst looking individual you've seen and might win something once handicapped.
Today, the jumps are back – hurrah! – and although it's not much of a card, it's a tricky one and finding a bet isn't easy. But the soft ground could be a bit of a leveller in the novice hurdle at 2.35 and although Coole Cody has to concede 12lb to Braqueur D'Or, which looks a tough task, this ground will be a big help to him and he promises to be well suited by this step up in trip too. I think if Harry Cobden can get the fractions right he can run the finish out of the Nicholls horse and prove too good.
Good luck with all your bets today,
David.