Epsom – Marks Out Of Ten…

Good morning all,

Nice to land a bit of the place 6 Colossus pot at Lingfield yesterday and thanks to the unexpected result in the seller (but not to us ;-)) it paid well too! I did cash out a couple of times – as I said yesterday, I'll always try and take a bit of profit when it's offered – but we had some fun and won a few quid, which is what matters.

I won't be doing any today – I don't like the look of either Fontwell or Sedgefield (although I'll be at Fontwell later) so happy to wait for another opportunity.

As you know, I paid my first ever visit to Epsom on Tuesday and my review of it is on the main piece. 

Fair to say that by the time I reached Epsom I wasn't in the best of moods, the travel gods having not been that kind to me and putting delays on both the M1 and M40 in my way, so what should have been a 3hr journey turned into nearer four. Still I made it in plenty of time and the reward is a great view as you drive up towards the course.

It really is in the most lovely setting, the rolling downs providing a great backdrop to what is a real rollercoaster of a course. We all know about the camber Epsom has but until you see it with your own eyes, it's hard to appreciate exactly what a steep camber it is. Especially the last two furlongs. Hardly a wonder so many horses can't handle it and end up on the far rail.

I managed to turn into the wrong car park and was immediately charged a fiver for my trouble, but on the plus side it meant I was in the car park right next to the main grandstand and I was able to make a swift exit out after the last.

The buildings are spacious and modern, with the Oaks Hall being the main focal point. There's the usual food and drink stands inside, along with a prosecco bar, two Tote counters and the newly-refurbed William Hill shop. Have to say the staff in there were very friendly and in the main, on the ball, although one of them managed to cock up a bet I had at Stratford and turned out I wasn't on. For once it went in my favour, as it lost, so money back.

There was a problem though. The smell. The whole of the Oaks Hall smelled dreadfully of sick. It was as if someone had gone round honking up and not cleaned up. Whether it's like this all the time or it was just a one-off I can't say, but you didn't want to sit down in there for long.

The paddock is a decent size, and on a day like Tuesday there was plenty of room but I'd imagine on the bigger days that can get quite crowded and finding space could be at a premium. But once you find, it offers a good view from three sides and is more than adequate.

Plenty of room to watch the races too, in fact you could almost have a bit of the stand all to yourself, so small was the crowd. Actually I bet it wasn't that small, but much like Ascot, a crowd of 2000-3000 simply gets lost in all the space. Nevertheless it was a good, friendly atmosphere.

Back to that food and drink. £4 for chips on their own? Some sort of a joke that, Epsom. Who in their right mind would pay that? I think that's the most expensive portion of chips I've seen on a racecourse, although I'm happy to be corrected if you know better. Food and drink on racecourses really is appallingly priced, in the main. Hardly a wonder folk are turning their backs on it.

The afternoon's punting was somewhat up and down, although getting War Eagle beaten in the second. Still very green and coltish in the paddock and he wasn't concentrating at all. I laid him and had a small bet on the winner. That was the highlight really, although I did manage to find the last winner as well. Sadly a socking great 35p Rule 4 put a hole in the return but never mind, a winner is a winner.

I think the main thing I like about Epsom is the setting, which I found rather relaxing and did make for a very enjoyable day. It's very much like Goodwood in that respect. I shall certainly return another day, probably on one of the quieter days. Overall – eight out of ten, with marks taken off for the chips and the smell!

On to Fontwell tonight and there's not a lot I fancy at present. Midweek racing is so disappointing at the moment and finding a bet or two is hard going. I'm going to chance a small e/w bet on Blackadder in the first at 4.35, as it is a winnable race – favourite Magical Thomas has an unimpressive strike rate (3-32, has never followed up a win with another) and although the case for second favourite High Wells is obvious enough (could be well in off this mark on his Flat form) I'd rather chance something at a price. Blackadder was going nowhere until Southwell last time when he put in a much better effort in a race similar to this, finishing fifth and beaten 10l. That run wasn't unexpected either – despite going off 66s, someone kept having a nibble at him on the machine at huge prices. He needs to build on that and I do have worries – not least this uphill finish, which I don't think will suit – but it's all in the price, with 25-1 available at the moment. I'd hold fire until we know we are getting the dead eight lining up as well, we want the three places!

Today's selection – Blackadder (small e/w) 4.35 Fontwell

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.