Good morning all,
It's about as quiet a day as we're going to get in the Summertime as far as racing is concerned, with Ayr cancelled due to false ground because of the amount of rainfall they have had. It's remarkable to think how much has actually fallen at the venue, given how pleasant it's been further South these last few days, but hopefully they can get back on track before much longer. Entries for the Ayr Gold Cup have to be in today and I'll be casting an eye over them later in the week.
As for the weekend just gone, the two I liked at Rasen ran no sort of race, but for those of you who read the Eyecatchers feature, I was absolutely delighted with the run of Where's Cherry at Southwell yesterday.
Admittedly it wasn't much of a race, and the leaders may well have gone off a bit quick, but there was unmistakable promise over a trip that looked a bit short, and a ride that looked another educational one to my untrained eye. Given an easy time of it for much of the final circuit, she ran on nicely once Paddy Brennan shook her up and finished with a bit of a rattle to grab second on the line. There are races to be won with her, and the more I look at her, the more I suspect she'll not be faffing around over hurdles for too long.
York takes centre stage this week and whilst it wouldn't normally be my cup of tea, another publication has asked me to cast an eye over the cards and come up with a Five To Follow for the week. Naturally I will be sharing those with you tomorrow and hopefully I can conjure up a winner or two out of them.
In the meantime, as it's a relatively quiet week for me, I'm planning a bit of a busman's holiday down South towards the end of the week. I'll certainly be at Brighton next Sunday/Monday – anyone going, feel free to say hello. Always good to meet fellow racing folk.
Anyway, to today's racing, as it is. The reports aren't throwing much up, although the money for Calliope in the 4.45 Thirsk is interesting, given it's the horse's first run for Ken Slack. Ken's had a mention in the column before, although Ready Steady didn't exactly set the world alight at Ayr last Monday. There wasn't any money for him though, and I don't think much was expected. Ken's record, over the past year, is 3 winners and 3 places from 14 runners with first time runners for the yard, so Calliope is at least worth a mention.
For today's selection, I'm going to Windsor and the Fillies Handicap at 7.00. There's only four runners going to post, but I'm going to take second favourite Red Tea to cause a small upset and overturn the odds-on favourite, Materialista. If you ask me which one of the two will be the better horse in the future, I'd have no hesitation in nominating the latter, but for tonight, I can see the improving Red Tea popping out and making all at her own pace.
The worries for Materialista have to be the absence – why is the horse starting it's season so late? Has there been an issue? – and the quicker ground. Her impressive debut came on good to soft ground, so will she be able to reproduce it on what promises to be genuinely quick ground tonight? Red Tea has no questions to answer regarding fitness or ground conditions, and looks a little bit of value for the win.
Good luck with all your bets today,
David.