Monbeg Gebius, given an extra run just to make sure that he got in the race, will do for me.

Very good effort from Monbeg Genius. No excuses, just not good enough on the day. At least he showed he could cope being held up in a big field which opens up big handicap possibilities.

Two runners tomorrow.

Easysland has zero chance on all known evidence since he switched to this yard. He is blinkered first time. Beachcomber stepped up massively to win last time. He needs to do the same again and more.

The first thing to say about today is the ground wasn't anywhere near as soft as people were expecting. Several good ground horses ran well enough. This can be a very long week if you don't back any winners, and having started with two seconds things were not looking good. Step forward Corach Rambler. He travelled so well I was just waiting for something to go wrong, but fortunately, despite idling, it didn't. I took advantage of the £10 offers on Constitution Hill, but in the same race I Like To Move It blew out completely. Biggest disappointment was the Mares' Hurdle being run at a dawdle, and the Henderson yard happy to see the race run at a dawdle. They could easily have forward with Theatre Glory, but she was held up, and effectively played no part in race. It makes me think that they wanted to have this race set up for Epatante. That's how it looked. A crawl was the last thing Marie's Rock wanted, but even so she was very poor. Metamorpheus travelled nicely in Boodles, but didn't come up the hill. Not great to finish sixth when you are on five places at big odds. Mister Coffey getting a lucky place in the last rounded off a very small win day.

Of the other performances I was taken by Marine Nationale in the first. El Fabiolo took the Arkle nicely, but the fight with Jonbon never materialised. Bar the last flight the Champion Hurdle was something of a non event.

Yes, it is nice to hear opinions before races.

You honestly think that was the real Marie's Rock? She has run way below her best, and a huge part in that is down to the farcical pace which suited the speed horses on the front end. That should be obvious to anyone. I raised the concerns about lack of pace beforehand, but thoroughly expected Theatre Glory to go forward. She ended up beating Marie's Rock which just confirms how poorly the favourite has run. The rag wouldn't be in the same league. An on song Marie's Rock didn't have to improve massively to beat two ex-Champion Hurdle winners from a moderate era, both on the downgrade. Likely she didn't have to improve at all. Love Envoi was 147 and Marie's Rock 153, so if she had run to that rating she would very likely have won. I am not buying into Love Envoi suddenly showing massive improvement, she was just well ridden.

After a shocker of a punting day didn't feel much like doing this today.

Easysland see previous comments. I have no idea why they are perservering. Just embarrassing. As expected Beachcomber was never at the races.

Two runners tomorrow.

I have backed An Tailliur each-way, but the initial support has dried up, and ground a likely negative. I would have run Coeur Serein in the National Hunt Chase, but if he gets into a rhythm on the front end he could run a decent race.

As for today's punting hard to believe too many would have been on Gerri Colombe and An Epic Song at such big prices and just about as bad as it gets that both would have won in a couple more strides. Never been a believer in the idea that luck evens out. Far more likely it is another dose of the same tomorrow.

I backed both An Tailiur and The Changing Man. Both jocks - Powell another terrible jock - looked to be caught out by the burn up in the straight. They stayed on as well as anything outside the winner. Unlucky for anyone with five places. Coeur Serein, never at the races, and would surely have been better in the longer, small field, race?

Just Petite Tonnerre in the County tomorrow. His best effort this season was on good ground over the intermediate trip. Unless he has been hiding an awful lot hard to see.

I really need to revise what I wrote yesterday. Today I had Envoi Allen (16/1), Sire Du Berlais (50/1), and Seddon (22/1 & 25/1). It would have been nice to have finished off with Stumptown at 9/1 in the last, but that would just have been greedy. A day likely never to be repeated. A few shots left to fire tomorrow, but if they all lose, it will still be a nice winning week.

Petite Tonnerre finished as well as anything, but was never realistically at the races. Much too far out of his ground.

On the betting front it was never likely to be a repeat of yesterday. For the most part it was the exact opposite. Blood Destiny was rubbish; Pembroke was arguably the worst performing favourite of the week; Corbetts Cross ran out when holding a slim chance; Ahoy Senor brought down Sounds Russian, and Noble **** only got going when the race was finished; Rocky's Howya desrved a place but didn't get one. Although I did have a small saver on Lossiemouth you couldn't get much more of a tale of woe. Thankfully, Zambella managed an each-way fourth, and the week was rounded off with Iroko winning the last at 20/1. That made six winning bets at 14/1 and above which was key to a very good week. If I learnt one thing it was don't go in early on the shorties. Even if these didn't drift bookmakers had plenty of offers. Biggest disappointment other than those two short head reverses on Tuesday was Banbridge's no show at 22/1. Hard to believe he wouldn't have at least placed in what turned out to be a very ordinary renewal of the Turners.

Looking ahead if he stays right Galopin Des Champs is going to be very difficult to beat. The trip was no issue in a well run race. They might drop Corbetts Cross in trip, but I would be very surprised if Stay Away Fay were beat him again. Lossiemouth won nicely, but I am not sure what she ended up beating. In terms of a Champion Hurdle contender I wouldn't have her close to Marine Nationale.

Four runners at Uttoxeter tomorrow.

Collectors Item skipped the Albert Bartlett and should have every chance with conditions to suit. Flight Deck runs in the same race, but who knows which Flight Deck will turn up? Time To Get Up has almost certainly been targeted at a second Midlands National and from 8lbs lower it's not impossible, but it is a tough renewal. Will come back on the bumper horse as the At The Races site appears to have crashed. Likely it's a stronger bumper than the Kempton one.

Correction, actually 5 runners tomorrow.

I forgot about Iron Bridge who also skipped Cheltenham for tomorrow. I thought he struggled home when finishing alone at Haydock, and for me his stamina is unproven at this trip on slow ground. I couldn't find any video for Hasthing, but it appears he has won both starts nicely. He beat a now 110 rated animal very easily. Clearly something has gone amiss since then, and the double penalty makes this a tough ask after such an absence.

I will try and keep this going until Punchestown. It's been a help to me, and not really a chore. No point in doing a Flat equivalent because I don't know enough to add any value. I can assess bumpers, but loads of unraced Flat horses is not for me. Too much guesswork. Will probably start back with a different trainer in October. I was thinking maybe Henry Daly off the back of a not too bad season. His Rapper reportedly bled from the nose. It did look too bad to be true.

Iron Bridge is my only interest from the yard. After missing 2 engagements at Cheltenham, they must fancy it fort this.

Again I forgot Iron Bridge. He seemed to see it out well enough, and although he did travel like a winner, this is perhaps his level. It will be interesting to see if they now stay at this trip.

Back to the usual dismal day.

File Illico jumped increasingly right (Racing Post analysis says left?) and dropped away tamely. Hey Day Baby attracted some market support, but having shown herself a stayer in her Point win, was stupidly dropped out, and given no chance. Isn't the idea of tactics to give horses the best chance to win? Valentine Getaway was very disappointing, and seems of very limited ability on this evidence.

Two at Wetherby tomorrow.

Given a couple of recent dire results from the Evan Williams stable, it looks as if Springwell Bay should provide another rare winner. At the moment he looks the most promising novice in the yard, and he should be able to concede the weight, and possibly go on to Aintree. Trapista goes up in trip, but having continually suggested that she is one paced and should make the running, I have given up.

Centara doesn't have the greatest pedigree, but ran away with today's Taunton bumper. It run at a decent clip, and he barely came off the bridle. He might be another heading to Aintree. The second gave a boost to Secret Squirrel who might heading in a similar direction. Poor effort from the Pipe horse today, stopping to nothing having seemingly travelled well. Perhaps this came too quick after his Point run?

It was only few years ago that Nicholls hardly ever trained a bumper winner. Clearly he has realised that if you get your horse fit, and actually try to win the race, it can be easy pickings. From the way many other trainers approach these races you would think winning a bumper somehow destroys a horse. Just lazy training and wasting owner's money.

Unless the stables horses are backed Very late, I have no interest in their runners. For the price they pay, it's almost like most horses are out for a Fun day out.... Not a stable to have your hard earned on IMO

Uptown Lady out ran her odds as might have been expected. Unfortunately, she faded away in the straight so we are left wondering if that was a reflection of her true ability, or a poor preparation. Fame And Concrete is a terrible advert for the trainer. He was a poor jumper to start with, and he is still a poor jumper. The first time cheek pieces made no difference. Copper Cove travelled well enough but didn't stay. Another one who is already looking disappointing.

Three at Chepstow tomorrow.

Merveillo makes his handicap debut having shown next to nothing in four runs over hurdles. He receives just 6lbs from a progressive horse who has won four in a row. Very hard to see on all known evidence. Walk In My Shoes jumped well on her chase, but O'Neill still managed to conjure a fall out of her next time. Assuming O'Neill doesn't mess up again she has an each-way chance on ground that should suit. Bethka ran well on debut, but absolutely bombed at Ascot. Again if she can reproduce the Ludlow run she would have every chance in a weak race.

Very ordinary racing today, But David Bass seemingly remembered what he does best.

Looking ahead to Aintree I see Marie's Rock is being stepped up in trip. She got beat at Cheltenham because the stable made a pig's ear of tactics, not because of the trip. The race ended up being a total farce. I won't be in any hurry to back her this time. Not overly excited by the National entry. Far easier to rule them out than rule them in. I have backed Le Milos and Corach Rambler, mainly because they have produced two nice ante-post results this season. The worry for Le Milos is the trip. These days it isn't easy to nurse a horse into the race from off the pace. I think the jumping is the main issue for Corach Rambler. He gets very high at his fences so is going to be coming down steep. He almost lost his legs on landing at Cheltenham. He is another who is going to be patiently ridden, although in his case stamina should be fine.

Very glad that Yes Indeed didn't take advantage of the winner's wayward tendencies. Who wrote the Racing Post comment that it 'had every chance'? They must use a crystal ball rather than a form book. 

Two runners tomorrow in the money events.

Walk Of No Shame heads to Kelso, and can't be seriously fancied off the back of a pathetic effort last time. Jaxonne runs in the Sales Bumper at Newbury. It's very much a mystery pedigree with Dunne taking a rare ride for the stable. I like the look of the Twiston-Davies second string on pedigree, but who knows on desperate ground.

It was desperate ground at Chepstow yesterday, and just as bad at Newbury today. Nicky Henderson suddenly became a soft ground trainer. Tread with complete caution. It's not worth throwing money away.

Apologies, forgot about today's, but fortunately nothing too much missed.

New Beginnings seemed to run better, but was miles behind so hard to know what he actually achieved. It looked a very promising effort by the second. Lock's Corner appears to have gone to pot. Once he gets behind there is zero response, the opposite of a horse in love with the game. How did he win those races earlier in the season?

Nothing until Thursday.

Just the one runner at Taunton, but it is one of the most interesting runners of the season.

Had Johnnywho been running straight after he was purchased he would be 1/2, not 4/1. He couldn't have been more impressive in bolting up in his only Point. He showed a rare change of pace to pull clear of the opposition which included Hermes Allen 19 lengths back in third. He is a half brother to Doing Fine, and the family goes back to Daring Run. That's all the positives. The obvious negative is why is he only making his rules debut nearly 18 months later. We may never know, and it might be yet another case of the trainer turning a potential champion into nothing. A sharp track like Taunton looks a very strange place to start back for a horse who isn't going to want for stamina. If they are serious about winning the sensible option would surely be to go forward. Watching him ride I don't think the jock knows what sensible option means.

I got a boosted 4's. Most impressive winner they have sent out all season. Absolute steering job. To think O'Neill had him declared to run in a novice hurdle before Cheltenham. Thankfully, that meeting was called off. Do they give him a novice hurdle season 6/7 or go straight fences? If he was in a top yard you would think he could be Graded material.

Four runners at Wetherby tomorrow.

All The Glory was the best of these on bumper form, but has been off for more than five months after disappointing twice over hurdles. Also changed ownership. Montmartin was a relatively expensive purchase, but is another to have shown very little in two starts. If anything this is an even weaker race. Front View made a promising reappearance, but subsequently bombed up in trip on quicker ground. He drops back in trip on slower ground tomorrow. Unsinkable Molly B was a 45,000 3yo from a family associated with Geoff Hubbard. She has her chance in a race where nothing jumps off the page. I noticed she is owned by Dan Walker - is that the tv guy?

Montmartin (nibbled each-way) showed a bit more, benefitting from a prominent ride. How much more is difficult to tell as outside the winner it was a very weak race. Conversely, Front View was never well positioned, and looked to be struggling when losing his jock at the first in the straight. Again the star of the show was in the bumper. Unsinkable Molly B looks a lovely, big, scopey mare, and was backed accordingly. She was unlucky to come up against one who was probably just a bit more geared up on debut. The mare who disputed the lead dropped well behind so credit to the second for keeping on so well. What's going on? Two nice prospects on successive days.

Just two runners on a generally mediocre day tomorrow.

Stable rogue Half The Freedom goes to Uttoxeter with a new jock on board. Ideally he wants a strong pace with everything stopping in front of him. That might be unlikely in such a small field. Joly Maker returns after a seven month absence at Stratford. He has won over course and distance, but I have no idea why Max Kendrick is riding. Needless to say it isn't a positive.

Couple of dart throws in the Lincoln, the John Quinn pair, Empirestateofmind and Safe Voyage. Hopefully, they are straight enough first time.

Prince Escalus couldn't get to the front (with an inside berth perhaps the jock didn't try hard enough), steadily dropped away, and eventually sulked his way into last place. He has ability, but needs things to go his way.

Just Judicial Law at Ludlow tomorrow. Dropped a generous 3lbs returning after a near six-month absence, and a course and distance winner, at around 7/1 he looks to have an obvious each-way chance.

Nice to have the flat back with a complete boilover in the Ballysax. That after O'Brien had already mopped up the other two trials. Too much guesswork.

ditto

Thanks both.

I enjoy writing and I enjoy racing so it is definitely isn't a chore. You are never going to please everyone all of the time, but I like to think I offer an honest comment from a punter's perspective. In my opinion so many professionals will just bury the honesty because they live in fear of upsetting people. It seems everyone has to be a cheerleader. That might be healthy for the individual, but it's not healthy for the sport.

As I said before I am going to skip the Flat (if forced would probably have done Beckett) because I don't follow that code closely enough to add any extra input. Unfortunately, the Flat lends itself far more to inside knowledge, and I am not privy to any of that. The idea is to resume, probably with Daly in the autumn. Other possibles are Fry, and Honeyball, who haven't had the best of seasons.

Unfortuntely, having halved in price, Judicial Law taken out with a bruised foot.

Just Rocco Royale at Fontwell tomorrow. It looks a very good opportunity in what looks a weak race, but given that he was never seriously involved in his previous race I would be wary of taking a very short price. The notes of the last run state that the jock thought the horse should remain at the minimum trip on a stiffer track. Of the opposition, Double Click, from the family of Best Mate, is of some interest. He hasn't been seeing his races out, and you might expect him to go forward over this shorter trip.