Sint, Figgis, Headmaster dude and other bright (> than average) people ..

sint

what do you mean by if Seville improves for the extra distance?

Interested to know why you're against Eagles Peak, james.  Is it simpy a  price thing?  I thought he showed a lovely attitude at Newmarket and marked him down as one who could climb the ladder.

It's purely because of the price: anything shorter than 3/1 about this horse is a lay in my book.  That's not to say that he won't win, but it's a Class 2 handicap with 17 runners, several of them in good form.

in the 1st tomm...took some 16s falasteen...and  some 14s shropshire....

will top up the hills horse if i see bigger than the 14s.

think fala is defo overpriced & the hills horse looks to have a fair mark back on some rain softened grnd...took the 103 rated lexis hero apart last yr.
and anything with frankel in its form lines will win at some point[;)]

Trev, I thought he ran a good race at Goodwood (I backed him), where he made the running and then tired out of it. He had not run for 70 odd days either so could have needed it. The form of the Greenham with Excellebration and co, and as you say his 4 length thumping of Lexis Hero, see Shropshire very well handicapped at the mo. It's hard to tell if he is in form though so undecided whether to back him yet.

SJ - got confused with the Leger trip itself so ignore that. AOB has won this race twice in the last decade.

ok sint,cheers for clearing that up,thought i was going a bit senile,checked the distance of the GV about 15 times after your post.lol

Wed - Shropshire & Campanology
Fri - Bapak chinta (warming to Wizz kid)
Sat - Tominator

Good luck with those northern birds LOTO, nice thread

Thank - you Liam. Very kind of you to say. Some lovely people on here. Back from the Pub and I'm going to read my RP and off to bed for tomorrow. Good luck to you all. Equimine, I know I've said it before, but you are also on my bright people radar with the other contributors on here. Hope I survive the week.

Liam .. I'm also a very happily married man however the report in the RP this morning was interesting and made me smile (was it Steve Dennis) about wobbly binoculars. I've no doubt there will be some exceptionally pretty women at York (as there always are) and it might just be me but I think they are usually more than (all) girlie (not a lot of artificially stuffed breasts and the genuine article).

LOTO,

Flattery will get you everywhere, especially when it is not justified

First and foremost enjoy yourself, secondly make a profit.

Sint

Looking at the prices so far, cannot see me backing Vita Nova. On the book she has so much to find, and really was expecting her to be closer to double figures. Again this is a very tight race that his hard to form a strong opinion about, may well leave it alone.

As far as tomorrow is concerned I also like Shropshire, think he will appreciate the softer ground. Also backing Racy in that race.

Interesting that a couple of people like Moon Pearl and I am playing that one

decided to have a few quid eachway on Shropshire also. He is 1/1 on official G/S, albeit in maiden, and there is the possibility he needed the run lto have not run for over 2 months. Taken 12/1.

I wasn't sure if I'd be laying Seville but at the prices it's a no brainer for me how to play the race and Namibian has to be backed. If the 8 runners remain intact then the 9/2 quarter the odds will also look very tempting as it's difficult to see him out of the first 3, even if it turns into one of those falsely run Voltigeurs we've seen in the past. I've also been tempted to back him for the Leger, I'm sure he's good enough to take an average one, but I'm not a trader and I'm worried that he will leave his race behind today. I'd be more inclined to back him there if today's race was slowly run and he got narrowly beaten.

Figgis Joined: 28 Sep 04
Replies: 1163 14 Aug 11 20:59
   
Bapak Chinta - Nunthorpe
Tazahum - Strensall
Modun - Ebor

As Bapak Chinta is a non runner I've switched to Hoof It, which is the horse I wanted to back anyway.
I've changed my mind about Modun, the Ebor's a no bet race for me.

I regard myself as a pretty poor assessor of sprints, I would be interested in the views of forumites on the chances of David Wachman's two year old Requinto.

He is very well bred, the dam was a top two year old sprinter, and Dansili gets them over a variety of distances.

Actually I had Requinto joint top rated with Bapak Chinta at the weights, 3lbs in hand of Hoof It. My concern about him is he's been quite busy and he looked to have a hard race last time, being outpaced early. You never know with 2yos though, if he's still physically progressing he could improve again, but personally I'd much rather side with Hoof It.

Shropshire ran a shocker. I thought he was worth a go under todays conditions but clearly regressing quicker than Rooneys hairline.

I think Shropshire will almost certainly have a change from "C" to "G" when he next runs.

well, I tried to say re: Seville. 
Just wish i'd put the forecast in!

SHort road to the poor house is Seville.

Wrong play

Bad luck Figgis.  I said earlier that for Seville to get beaten it would require either something else to make considerable improvement or for Seville himself to run below his best.  In the event, both things happened: the winner showed dramatic improvement (which was always going to be a possibility) and in my opinion the disappointing Seville appeared to run some way below his previous best efforts - perhaps he hadn't recovered from a hard race in the Grand Prix de Paris.  The winner is clearly very smart.

Yes agree, think it was a mixture of both there.

Sea Moon looked so good you could have a tilt at the Arc but obviously they have Workforce.

well done Jair.

As I said on another thread, at this time of year it's often a tough call deciding whether to stick with proven top-class Group race performers like Seville (who may have had hard races against classy opposition) or to put your faith in unexposed types that are taking a leap from maiden/handicap company.  Well done Jair on making the right call, shame you didn't do the forecast!  It was a no-bet race for me, as I wasn't prepared to oppose Seville but couldn't make the leap of faith required to back anything else...

Snow Fairy a NR tomorrow and instead heads to France on Sunday. Perhaps the ground is softer than it seems.

Easy lay on Eages Peak there James, well done.

I've backed Angels Will Fall in the Lowther ew at 5/1.

jamesp Joined: 05 Jan 02
Replies: 1058 17 Aug 11 15:25   

Bad luck Figgis.  I said earlier that for Seville to get beaten it would require either something else to make considerable improvement or for Seville himself to run below his best.  In the event, both things happened: the winner showed dramatic improvement (which was always going to be a possibility) and in my opinion the disappointing Seville appeared to run some way below his previous best efforts - perhaps he hadn't recovered from a hard race in the Grand Prix de Paris.  The winner is clearly very smart.

Yeah, when Sea Moon became such a big price I was tempted to back him too, but unfortunately I resisted. No excuse for Namibian, he just looked knackered. No doubts that Seville ran below form too, but I still contend that his form was overrated. As for Sea Moon, he has definitely improved but he ran a very good time giving 6lbs to the Godolphin horse last time, pulling well clear of the rest, so I don't think it was such a huge step up. The slow ground exaggerated the beaten distances but I have him improving 7lbs.


sintonian Joined: 21 Sep 04
Replies: 14379 17 Aug 11 15:28   

Sea Moon looked so good you could have a tilt at the Arc but obviously they have Workforce.


Actually, sint, if he was mine I wouldn't bother with the Leger, I'd go straight to France.

A fascinating first day, the highlights being the 1-2 for Cecil in the Juddmonte International and an impressive performance from Sea Moon in the Voltigeur.  A reasonably good betting day too: managed to land the place part of the e/w bets on Fort Bastion and Barren Brook, as well as laying the Stoute horse in the handicap.  Tomorrow Angels Will Fall should handle the ground OK (it was good to soft when she won at Ascot) and looks a rock solid each way bet at around 5/1.  Haven't finalised plans for the other races yet.

I am firmly against ATD at the prices and backed TO and Midday last week when it became clear they were both likely runners. ATD did NOT look like a horse who wanted to step down in trip at R Ascot and IMO he is way too short for a horse having his first run in Group 1 company and up against proven Group 1 winners. I would admit that he is still unexposed and could just be a cut above these but happy to take him on. When AOB is REALLY confident he only runs one so the fact that ROC is in there is another reason to be wary I think.

The race will be run at a decent clip to play to ATD's stamina but I think this will favour Midday as well. She is so classy and so consistent and I can't see her being out of the first 2. Twice Over has perhaps seen better days but he did show a return to form last time out and goes well here. 8-1 was too big and he has been such a great benefactor to me over the years I almost HAD to back him!

WHat a lovely race and the perfect result for me!!

Well done james and joni.

Well the day started horrendously when carvillshill texted me the Bapak chinta news . Shropshire (fray bentos bound) and Kanaf(not fray bentos bound) made it first blood to the books. I managed to bail out on Fort bastion in the next @evens. Sea moon redressed the balance somewhat with a visually impressive performance (125 rpr) in the GV and TO put me in profit for the day with a v.game show in the JI. Who would have thought 2 runs back TO would be winning that race ! Take a bow sir. On the hoof just got the place money in the nursery despite hanging markedly left under pressure, races to be won with him soon. Gave some back in the last,despite carvills telling me OJM was his best bet !!

Trust you had a good day LOTO

Early pickings for 2mrw are Mont Agel, Crystal capella and Mirror lake. Im also on Wizz kid and Swiss diva in the Nunthorpe, these two are overpriced imo.

Good luck everyone.

It was an amazing training performance from Cecil, agree. It gives an opportunity to younger racing fans, like myself, to see just how good a trainer he is. The horse looked gone earlier in the season and I believe that is the first time a 6yo has won the race.

Cecil is now 5/4 Fav for Champion Trainer.

just the 1 for tomorrow so far,Laughing Lashes-yorkshire oaks 10/1

sint 'It gives an opportunity to younger racing fans, like myself'

18-28 5/4
28-38 3/1
38+   10/1

i will take a 2pt win at 18-28 please

A great training performance and it would be staggering if he COULD be champion trainer again given where he was in 2005.

I think he will have a good day tomorrow as well. I like Vita Nova in the Yorkshire Oaks. Figg and I had a disagreement after the Lancashire where she was very unlucky. This horse has apparently improved again since that run and now regulalrly works well with Midday. Conditions are just about perfect for her and I think she will take all the beating.

Wild Coco is the banker of the day for me. Hated the track and ground last time out and possibly didnt stay either. Conditions again far more likely to suit tomorrow and would take the 15-8 asap.

9/4 with c0rals

she will take alot of beating,only the fact that she has the penalty to carry put me off backing her

Too difficult at York for me tomorrow, I'll be looking to Epsom for my bet. I'll be laying Blue Bunting, though. I backed Banimpire in the Irish Oaks so it was gutting to see BB nail her on the post. She was a worthy winner that day but it's not like she had loads in hand. Any of about 6 fillies could win tomorrow so she looks too short. I agree, TFM, that Laughing Lashes could go close, it was her best effort of the year last time and she could improve a bit more.

Crystal Capella and Field Of Miracles have very solid chances tomorrow. If you want to play it safe, back both e/w at best prices of 7-2 and 9-2 respectively.

I have FOM well in here, johnnyrant. I thought she had a good chance last time but it's difficult to be enthusiastic about her after that awful showing.

Didn't stay fig, and hated the ground at G'wood. Johnny G gone on record as saying she needs cut to be at her best. Will have dried out a bit tomorrow but should still be enough on the slow side to suit her imho.

I thought she faded badly well before the extra distance, though. I take the point about the ground, but she also got very hot and Buick was getting after her from an early stage, she just didn't seem right at all, maybe it was just an off day.

I'll always allow one off-day esp with a filly. Think Stoute was wrong to run C.C. in Nassau - trip too short, ground too quick. My only concern with her tomorrow - whether it may have left its mark.

She should improve a good bit as that was her first run back off a 2 month break,i still think she would have won bar the dropping of the whip and she is double the price of the other 3 that beat her 1/2 a length in that race,silly pricing,also just backed Crystal C at 7/2,her last 2 efforts have been career bests and was very impressed that she was only beaten 3 lengths by midday in the nassau on ground she dislikes and a trip to short,back up to 12f with cut in the ground and she is rock solid

Also agree on Blue Bunting,layed her upto my eyeballs,even tho the ground is on the slow side,this is a speed track and she will once again get left behind again at the 3 or 4f pole with her lack of tactical speed and against this quality of field will be coming to late in the day and be unable to pick them up as she did in the oaks

Biggest bet of the year on Blue Bunting tomorrow, track will suit and had something in reserve at the Curragh and Frankie knows it too. 3yo's a notch above this year imo.
Good luck all

Morning boys. Thought I'd report back after Day 1. Dreadful hangover but it is onwards and upwards. Started off well. I'm in love with Georgie B in the nicest possible way. Massively under estimated jockey and a good guy. Made a bit of a faux pas though. Backed him on here and at SP but my rick was my exacta with the field (compared to SP that is .. still that is the risk you take). Tricky Hills rode a blinder (so that I could win obviously). Was a little inebriated before Race 1 and things gradually deteriorated including the betting. Placepot went down first (had three in it including Bazza'a two) rather bizarrely (I'm not the most consistent gambler and I'm more heart than head if you get my drift). Had a double Moon Pearl and The Beast in the next (down). Exacta on Caledonian Spring with the field (down). Wouldn't have beaten the winner but not an encouraging ride Mr Q. Left Seville and the rest alone and was well oiled by that time. Backed Await the Dawn at 10/11 with Willies the night before (down) and stayed loyal to Bazza with Leake Hare in the next (bosh). Had a piece of inspiration in the last which didn't do me any good because I did the thing that finished last with the field (bish bosh). At that stage was a close call between walking (I'm not the best walker) or dialling 999 (evens the two). Got home. So on to today. I've done Richard's in the first at 3.65 on here. Something tells me Shumoos will run a big race so that is Race 2. Pintura in the next large and I thought 9/1 was reasonable (if my eyes weren't deceiving me last night I thought I saw somebody trying to get £4K on here). Then it's time for the betting boots because Buntings figures this year should read 111 and will read 1111 at about 3.45 pm later today. Wild Coco in the next and can forgive that bad run last time and Dazinski with Hanagan the man up in the last (logic being that Mr T's horse are going to hit form at long last). Will I survive another day? Two sachets of Dioralyte for breakfast and a couple of bacon sarnies en route. Age does catch up with you believe me. Happy punting and stay safe. With ex's including alcohol I'm about £200.00 down.

LOTO, are you Dominic Littlewood ?

just the 1 for tomorrow so far,Laughing Lashes-yorkshire oaks 10/1

sint 'It gives an opportunity to younger racing fans, like myself'

18-28 5/428-38 3/1
38+   10/1

i will take a 2pt win at 18-28 please

You gotta get away from backing thses short ones, TFM , 3/1 is the winner.

I started betting in 2004 when Cecil was in the doldrums and have little knowledge of what he achieved in the 70/80/90's etc.

Only bet for me today is Angels Will Fall. Cant let her go unbacked being unbeaten and ground she should handle.

Might be an idea to see how Field of Miracles is at the start. If she is nice and relaxed then she is the eachway bet in the race. She looked in a bad mood at Goodwood and ran like it, very kean/headstrong etc.

Sint, Sir Henry was the king back in the day, along with Guy Harwood they ruled the flat. Whilst still at school i remember putting all my dinner money and everyone elses on one of Cecils hotpots, Vacarme @ 1/3 in the Richmond ridden by Piggott, it won but got thrown out for barging a rival. Godstone got the race on an objection, i had to do a lot of explaining and other peoples homework .Around the same time we used to have weekly spelling tests, this particular week i could barely contain my excitement when the teacher announced the next word to spell - precocious, another hot cecil 2yo !! When i got in and told my dad the story it made him a very proud man

A true legend of our great sport Sir HRA Cecil.

Liam

top stuff liam

In my excitement i forgot to mention no one else spelt precocious correctly - much to my mums dismay

[:D]

Roobuck, there has been lots of money for Vita Nova today. Being by Galileo she'll like the ground today and she is probably the freshest horse in the race, top price now is 7/2. Her ante-post odds of 11/4 were obviously all wrong.

this is a bad bad bad week

Mr Mischief
18 Aug 11 00:50
Joined:
01 Nov 09
| Topic/replies: 959 | Blogger: Mr Mischief's blog
Biggest bet of the year on Blue Bunting tomorrow, track will suit and had something in reserve at the Curragh and Frankie knows it too. 3yo's a notch above this year imo.
Good luck allCool

Hope you were paying attention Liberator. A satisfactory win

Another bad call. A good run from the second at wfa but I don't think many of the others ran to their best. No excuses though, as picking the one that's most likely to run to form is one of the main parts of the game. I can't go along with some of the "brilliant" comments being made about her on tv. I wouldn't put her up there with the best triple classic winning fillies, but she's pretty good, very consistent and you can't knock her.

wd MM.

A few disappointments in the race really and Vita Nove ran a cracker, certainly progressive and I think Henry said she will stay in training next year.

Check out her record there Figges. Looks fairly brilliant to me

Hello boys. I'm back I'm back as a matter of fact I'm back and well and trulywazzed. Jolly interesting  and Mr Tompkins made my day and the exacta (onloy to 50p with the field I should add) made it a very enjoyable day. Now in front but think my liver is packing up. Whats the signs? As Bernie Mathews would say bootiful. Curry and a couple of glasses on malt and I'll be kjust about comatose. Bought a couple of bottles of Tobermory Distillery malt a couple of uears back and it really is like rocket fuel. Early bet tomorrow Mr Fallons in the first at 8/1. Might be a plot job. Its goodnight from me. Libs the man.

PS As predicted by me and Mr Misceif Bunting is now 1111 this year. Don'r tun him the the Leger Sheikh Mo. Who is \Dominic Littlewood lips?

PS PS Got the the 5th Leg in my Placepot and boosh with Wild Coco and had placed horses in the last. Boo. What did it pay?

Two bets that will either make or break the meeting for me tomorrow. I've backed Tazahum the last two times but I think he had valid excuses. At Ascot I reckon his stamina ran out over the 10f on soft ground. Last time out the race was a run at an early dawdle and Hills gave him a poor tactical ride. I'd be happier if tomorrow's race was no further than a mile but hopefully the ground will dry out a bit and his stamina will hold out. I believe he's a better horse than Stoute's more fancied other runner and I have him 3lbs ahead of the field at these weights, I think if he runs his race he wins.

I have Requinto 3lbs ahead at the weights in the Nunthorpe but I have big doubts about him repeating his latest effort. Hoof It has made big improvement on each of his last 2 starts. If he just repeats his Stewards' Cup form he will be very hard to beat. None of the others strike me as having the potential to improve past him. He's a very worthy favourite and well worth backing.

Figgis, aren't they expecting some rain overnight ?

I think so. He does have some good form on good to soft ground, he's won on it, but it was proper soft ground at Ascot. I wouldn't be happy about too much rain overnight, as by my reckoning, on both days of this meeting the ground has got progressively slower during the course of racing.

Yep, a couple of trainers have said that. Charlie Hills said something along those lines this morning.

Going to wait until tomorrow morning before deciding any bets, if there is rain then I would not want to guess how the ground would be.

well done with Dazinski, LOTO!

Hanagan/Tompkins double in the Ebor ... Ted Spread ?

Google him Lib ... bish bosh save some dosh

Cant have hoof at all 2mrw, 3s is a shocking price.

"Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity."

- Khalil Gibran

Thought I'd start today off with a pause for thought from the great Mr Tompkins web site. Was going to be a vicar until I wanted to become a bookmaker. Liver is still working. YIPPEE. On to today's mediocre fare which isn't particularly great and/or inspiring and I'm finding it hard to motivate myself.

Fallons in the first and Prompter with the field. Race 2 it's got to be Lillyborne. Race 3 and it's Critical Moment and in exacta's with the field. Then a good bet on Hoof and also Tiddliwinks with the field. Then Firestarter and finally I just have a sneaky suspicion that Jimbo Crowley will do the business in the last on the one beginning with S. If the first one wins (notice out to 9.8 on here) double everything up. Also got Hoof and Fonz in a double (8/1 and 3/1 with Billies I notice last night). Good luck. Might also back that one that Figgis mentions beginning with T with Tricky the Maestro up. His luck must surely change. Cannot believe Bazza will bow out without a winner. Could be all in on his Ebor donkey.

sint or anyone interested

had 3mm overnight  G/S  good in places

The problem yesterday was that the 20 runners in the opening race opened up the ground and left it loose on top and 'sticky'.  The ground has been getting progressively worse (churned up) over the first two days, leading to quite a number of unexplained poor performances.  This makes betting a bit of a lottery, so I'll be watching but not betting on the final two days.

Couldnt agree more James - it is going be very difficult today. I fancy Dux Scholar today and he seems to go on the ground but will be wary. Looking forward to that expensive maiden too!

I wonder if Dux Scholar is one of those horses Stoute didn't work much, earlier in the season due to the unseasonaly dry weather and firm ground ?? No way of knowing but it is possible given he seems to prefer Good or softer. Trainer jockey 1 from 2 at York this week. It looks quite a compettive race with many improvers so think i'll settle for a few quid eachway, even at 7/2, and that'll do me for day 3.

On both days the going started out good to soft but was heading towards soft by the end of the day. I agree that many horses appear to have struggled on the ground, so much so that the beaten distances and strung out fields (in what ought to have been competitive races) are more in keeping with what usually happens on heavy ground.

Ground definitely no worse than good to soft for the opener, let's hope it doesn't deteriorate.

hills on tazahum was horrendous. unlucky figgis.

Think Green Destiny had a little bit in hand,but i was p1ssing myself laughing at Hills up the home straight what a joke

Yeah, mightymoyes, can't say I was feeling comfortable with the front tunning tactics, given the stamina doubts, but that's Hills for you. At least he got the place I suppose. Hoof It never looked to be really going today from coming out of the stalls, I know people will trot out the handicap to group race explanation but that just wasn't his best form. I could never have picked the winner. A poor meeting for me and I don't fancy anything there tomorrow.

* front running

pays to be up front making the running or just off the pace. Richard Hughes was 10 lengths off them on Dux Scholar but the winner looked good.

10/1 was a good ew price on Tazaahum though Figgis, nice one.

One whell on my wagon and I'm still (just about) rolling along. Not a particularly good day. Pocketbtalking however if anybody but the Head Waoiter had been on prompter it might just have got up. Lillyborne was never going. Backed Tazahum aat 3.35 for a place and backed it en route at 8/1 guaranteed. Tiddliwinks is still running and Hoof might be a race too many this year. Cannot make upo that much ground in top company. Bit like a 100m final and giving bolt 6 yards (shows my age). Been whilsling the old rugged cross all the way home but didn't back it. Couldn't back crackenthorp because georgie wasn't on it. Unlucky he didn'r het up in the first at Wolves. Imaginary World was not going to get there is the last. About breaking even for the week. I'm on Modun at 10/1 tomorrtow but loads queuing up for Frankie's. Off to the DOGS. One day to go. Liver holding out.

Just one more york bet to try and get out of jail for the horrible meeting

9/2 My Propeller 4:15  will take a monster effort for something to catch her once she has bolted

Final day. First thoughts are that surely Bazza will bow out with a winner (does retire after today doesn't he?).On the assumption that he does he's got:


20Aug11    3:00     Na Zdorovie CHESTER (Overnight), toteswinger EBF Maiden Stakes   

20Aug11    4:30     Yasmeena SANDOWN (Overnight), Chief Barker's Handicap   

20Aug11    4:50     Self Centred YORK (Overnight), Betfred Bonus King Stakes (Nursery)   

20Aug11    5:05     Brimstone Hill SANDOWN (Overnight), Fantasia Ceiling Fans Nursery   

20Aug11    6:40     Prime Defender BATH (Overnight), Swindon Designer Outlet Lacoste / EBF Somersetshire Conditions Stakes   

20Aug11    7:40     One Lucky Lady BATH (Overnight), Swindon Designer Outlet Osprey London Handicap

Georgie hasn't gone to York for nothing so it's exacta's with the field Martin's horses in the Ebor and Bergo who might run a big race. Cannot get too enthused about the York card so will follow Hayley blind as well with singles and exacta's and trifecta's with Paul Hanagan the man to be second both with the field.

Wonder if Bazza will be at York? Taking some tissues with me for the inevitable weep. A credit to the game.

Now I've had more time to assess Wednesday's results I can see that I initially overrated Sea Moon's performance. I now have him as only improving 1lb from his previous run. It's clear that the race just fell apart in front of him, similar to what happened for Crystal Capella in the PoW at Newmarket, making the performance look much better than it actually was. I see he has been rated as the best middle distance 3yo around, this looks like a wild overreaction and I expect him to be downgraded later in the season. He still put up a rating that would give him a great chance in the Leger, however, I reckon his improvement has probably now levelled off and there is a good chance he might not even run to that mark next time. At the short price I will be strongly opposing him at Doncaster.

Interesting Figgis, i would agree that the race fell apart (York has a habit of producing exaggerated results)and a topspeed figure of 88 casts doubt over the merit of the form. Very oppposable @5/4 imo.

Im interested in one horse today @ York  - Ardlui in the Melrose (Hope he goes on the strange York surface !)

Great thread. 'sint' has shown his 7 years worth of racing knowledge well on it.

Not doing that again. Four days is too much. On top of everything a few Buds kllled me off finally last night. Like drinking cement. ONE LUCKY LADY (that's my wife of course) diddled up under Me Carson and I thought a bit of air punching (bit like guitar) and a bit of gigging was perfectly acceptable. So was my wedge on the oss. Yes, we'll all miss the great man, and I got through a box of Kleenex. Still siffling but that's my hay fever. A fitting end to a wonderful training life Bazza and always helps when the Libs coffers are swollen to overflowing. Well done. We worked so hard last week to think about what was plotted at York and it was there in the end.

aye, 7 years of racing knowledge still makes more money than your 30 [:D]. Such a shame your too cowardly to put it to the test, Eric, you demented berk.

eric

tbf your knowledge does grow with time,i'm 51 and still learning,the day you think you know it all in this game is the day you get bite on the A rse.IMO you either have a feel for the game(spotting future winners/race reading before and after event) from day one or you dont.

TBH i cant see what you 'mate'(lol) sint has done wrong on this thread

And neither can I sj. All this carping just pigs you off. Life is for living. Anyway I'm up for the Leger Festival if anybody is interested. Know all the best hostelries and eating places in Donnie and be nice if some of us could meet for a pie and a pint at the course. Despite what Others have mentioned Doncaster is the best track in the world. Or should that be used to be because it was like a carpet. Last time I walked around looked a bit minging and allopeociatic (like an oldies hair dropping out when you can see bits of head). Didn't the old head groundsman move on some time back in inauspicious circumstances (might be mistaken)? Barrington(my hero) likes to run his good two year olds there.

well said chaps.

I think john Gosden would agree with you re Donny, LOTO. He pulled ou his Lincoln runner early season on account of the ......   grass.

Sint .. will have probably grown since I last saw it. Just a shame they cannot attract the same sort of sponsorship that York does. Think it was adge who mentioned in another thread that the executive seem to have driven the locals away and for Doncaster that would be a massive faux pas because the track is an essential part of the local culture and scenery. Meet at the Grand St Leger (over the road and near the racecourse roundabout) for a glass or two pre - race and credit there because some seriously nice people and it's only about 400m to the grandstand. When I attended as a lad you'd start off in town and then a quick snift in the Regent, Sal and Rock. Eye, they were the days. Champagne day was extravagant (only word you could use to describe it). When I was very young and innocent you could sneak in to the middle of the course though bits of dicky fence and they would get a right crowd. Now it's corporate stuff for the last two furlongs. My biggest mistake was not backing Clive's horse when Ile de Bourbon got beat. Was available at 66/1 after the Voltigeur and I bought a packet of **** and a bag of chips instead of my £1 ew. Julio Mariner was it?

Regular updates on the clerkwatch thread re ground at donny chaps. Rock has seriously gone down the pan over the last few years but the salutation has some cracking beers on offer.

You popping down to the Festival TM?

For all those who have never attended the Leger before should point out that it is truly a wonderful four days. Know you can say it about many leading tracks but it has a real beat and pulse to it and a vibrancy that other places don't seem to have. Women, like at York, are classy and truly beautiful and spectacular although some of the stragglers walking back into town seem to struggle mostly because of poor foot wear. Has real atmosphere and noise and of course the fair. Remember when they first relayed the track and the covering was just perfect.

We always have the week off mate, me and Mrs TM will be there.

Might just see you down there.

We are always at the pre-parade ring, just to the left of the entrance gate between races.

Julio Mariner indeed, LOTO. 28s on the day. I was there and talked my younger brother out of backing it. He still bears a grudge to this day. Can't think why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Takes you to places you have never been to before (he's on Sky Arts 2 at the mo). Nice way to finish the week. Think I'll book myself into The Priory for a bit of rehab. I'll do a new thread for the Leger Meeting. Any early thoughts? I'm on the French Navy (+ a million others) large to be placed (have this vision of Village People for some strange reason so maybe it is time to lay off the juice). Hope he runs. Thanks for all your contributions. It's been fun. With a bit of luck and if I've not been excommunicated (and been a good boy) I'll be there and see you TM at the pre - parade ring.

Let us not forget are lots of really nice people on here. Toodle pips.