Morning all,

This month has been brutal on the punting front, and I can’t even fall back on the old excuse that I had plenty of unlucky losers. No, my picks where just too far off the pace. It was particularly disappointing given the previous four months had been profitable. 

Well, there’s plenty for punters to get excited about this week. June is almost upon us, and the month is arguably the important of the flat season. We have the Derby & Oaks this weekend and in a couple of weeks its Royal Ascot.

It’s going to be a busy week for me. I will be in the hot seat on Friday’s and Saturday taking over from Dave M. Dave’s shoes will be hard to fill but I will try my best.  I know he’s held in great affection by long time readers of the Daily Punt. The comments after he announced he would no longer be doing his columns are a testament to that.

In today’s column I look back at few of last week’s highlights. Plus, there are two more horses for the tracker and a Tuesday selection from Ballinrobe.

Before all that a few thoughts on race planning and artificial watering.

I swerved Racing TV and watched the action on ITV on Saturday.  Seven meetings on Racing TV during the afternoon meant the channel was pretty much unwatchable. Several questions quickly come to mind.

Shouldn't one of the two Irish meetings have been scheduled for Saturday evening?

Why didn’t Chelmsford race on Saturday evening rather than on afternoon?

Why are Haydock & Chester racing at the same time?

Just 28 miles separates Haydock & Chester and given I suspect both tracks draw from the same catchment area.  It will be interesting to see how Saturday’s attendance figures fared. Now if gates receipts can cover costs, then fair enough, but the likelihood is that its media rights payments that is enabling them to race.

Even more racing planning nonsense was evident yesterday. There was no flat racing in Britain but there were three jumps’ fixtures, four if you add in Punchestown. You couldn’t make this up as British horse racing resembles the new Fred Karno's Circus.

Artificial watering is ruining the sport

Chester, Haydock and Beverley have all seen abandoned meetings due to slippery surfaces in the past few days. Now there is a slight chance that it’s a pure coincidence, but I don’t think so and questions need to be asked why.

All three tracks share one thing in common they have been watering. Why are they continuing to water?  Too many of our racecourses seem to be trying to avoid good to firm ground or God forbid firm.

Its summer, its flat racing it should be quick ground.

Looking at today’s meetings all the tracks are either watering or have been watering. Yet rain has been forecast for Monday so its anyone guess what underfoot conditions will be like.

Time to let nature take its course. If the trainers don’t want to run their horses on a fast surface, then so be it. The whole situation is becoming too ridiculous for words and will sadly only continue as we witnessed at Lingfield yesterday.

Tuesday Notebook

Sandown

Baaeed put in the best performance of season so far when winning the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.  Bay Bridge’s success in last Thursday’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown wasn’t far behind. The 4-year-old has improved physically from three to four and looks a Group 1 winner in waiting. Races like the Prince Of Wales Stakes at Royal and the Coral Eclipse back at Sandown are now in the colt’s sights.

Longer term the Juddmonte International at York and possible clash with Baaeed could happen. There’s a chance he stays further than 1m 2f but given the change of gear he showed to beat the very useful Mostahdaf by 5 -lengths suggests there’s no need for him to step up distance just yet.

Royal Ascot juveniles

We saw a couple of potential Royal Ascot juveniles out on Saturday. Firstly, Aidan O’Brien unleashed another exciting juvenile in Statuette. A daughter of Triple Crown winner Justify and a half sister to Cheveley Park winner Tenebrism. She made an impressive racecourse debut to score at Navan in the 5 ½ f juvenile maiden. Paddy Power where impressed and quickly installed her the 3/1 favourite for the Albany Stakes. Aidan O’Brien is having an excellent season with his juveniles – 11 winners from 20 runners, which is a 55%-win strike rate.  

The other Royal Ascot performance came from Chateau in winning the 2-year-old Trophy at Beverley. A good-looking son of Havana Gold. Chateau was caught behind horses 2f out but once switched and out in the clear he flew home to catch leader Rogue Spirit close to home. He made up about five lengths inside the final furlong and although he should be suited by 6f, the 5f Windsor Castle Stakes could be his target next month. He’ll face a much better calibre of horse at Royal Ascot but he’s smart juvenile and could be up to the challenge.

This is my last Tuesday column and next week the eyecatchers will be moving to Thursday, provided there are no big meetings on. Wednesday will continue to be the day that I look ahead to the weekend’s action. Whilst Friday and Saturday’s columns will focus on that day’s action. Depending on the quality of the action on Friday’s there might be space for the odd stat feature.

Two for the tracker:

Ar El Bee – David Menuisier

Ar El Bee gelded at the end of his 2-year-old season was making his handicap debut when an encouraging 5 length 6th of 13 to Roxzoff at Sandown last Thursday. Doing best of those held up in a moderately run race. Thursday’s good to soft going was the quickest ground he’s raced on so far. Not totally sure whether he needs softer ground or a step up to 1m 2f, but he’s clearly got ability to win a handicap.

Dancinginthewoods – Dean Ivory

I think the form of the 6f handicap at Haydock on Saturday will be worth following. The winner Silver Samurai has clearly improved for the step back to 6f. The 5lb penalty he gets for winning could enable him to sneak into the bottom of the weights for the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot. A strongly run race and Ascot’s stiff 6f should enable the 5-year-old to be competitive. Runner-up Music Society put in his best effort of the season and has dropped down to a good mark. He’s ground versatile but probably is at his best on good or quicker ground. Third home Nationwide proved his effectiveness on turf and should remain competitive.

Not for the first time this season Dancinginthewoods caught the eye. The 5-year-old got no sort of run from the 2f mark until well inside the final furlong. In the circumstance you can mark up his 4 ½ length 4^th off 11. His hold up style means he will always be a hostage to fortune in the run as he has been now on his last three starts. He’s down to his last winning mark and will win a handicap like this when all the cards fall right.

Tuesday Racing

The day’s biggest race is across the Irish Sea at Ballinrobe and the Mayo National (6:35) provides today's selection.

Ballinrobe

6:35 – McHale Mayo National Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m 7f

Max Flamingo took six races to get off the mark over fences. However, he’s now won two out of his last three starts over the larger obstacles. Top-weight to carry here but he’s got a touch of class and comes into the race in great form. Wouldn’t want the ground to get too quick so any bit of ease will suit. He’s the one to beat.

Ilikedwayurthinkin went close in a valuable handicap hurdle at Aintree last month. The 8-year-old won twice over fences last autumn, including a beginners chase over C&D in September. Jumping let him down on subsequent starts in handicap company. If he can get his jumping together, he can win a decent pot over fences off his present mark.

Jackson’s Gold was a progressive handicap hurdler last Spring. Not at that level of form over fences and remains a maiden after seven starts. Best effort so far over the larger obstacles when a 1¾ length 2nd of 13 here over 2m 1f last time. Step up in trip is a positive and he did stay 3m over hurdles.  I’m going with Jackson’s Gold here. However, I wouldn’t put anyone off Max Flamingo who could be worth saver if the odds allow.

1pt win – Jackson’s Gold – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Tuesday bets.

John