LOL at trolls madmutt, multi users no issue to you TBF!!!

Keep on dancing madmug and Ikea, when you wish the facts let me know?

Kick off with " 11 years in same MQ but only served 6 years " ? Ikea?

Hi Andrew glad to see that you are able to post again, good luck with your new horse. In the past we have spoken about enjoying visiting cathedrals although neither of us is religious. I was lucky enough to visit Seville cathedral recently and was very impressed with it and if you have not seen it already put it on your bucket list. Have a good flat season punting and laying.

Welcome back Andrew. It's a pity you can't block people to post on topics you have created. A waste of oxygen if you are ask me

Second again I'm going to Seville next Sept and will have a look at it thanks..

Perhaps the balance of his mind was disturbed after the mythical £155 K Lay of the Derby winner which became a Trade after the race?

Good evening Guys,

Many thanks for the 'sensible' posts () since the Calibos race on Saturday, some posters of whom i know personally and go racing with. No racing selections to discuss this evening, but it gives me chance to respond to a few.

I haven't decided whether to start a new 2025 lay thread yet, but in the event i do, i will probably only post at weekends and vacation days, simply due to my workload. Regular readers are aware of my aerospace profession and i have 3 clients now, so i split my daily routine between 2 of them, circa 50% on the same complex, and also involved with an Airbus P2F conversion project, albeit only advisory and the occasional MS Teams call.

Ashleigh

Good to see you remembered my love affair with Vauban, certainly a AP highlight bet for the Triumph hurdle back in time. I was surprised Ricci sold him, it's not as though he's short of a few bob, he could have stayed in Australia under his ownership and although another £ million is not to be sniffed at, a decent win could surpass that sum easily over there, look how well Via Sistina has done (albeit rated a little higher). Since your post, Vauban has finished 3rd in the G1 Tancred stakes, not beaten far by the William Haggas trained Dubai Honour. No entries yet that i can see, but the G1 Queen Elizabeth stakes is run at Rosehill this Saturday, maybe he could take in that race, the winners prize is a mind boggling, close to £2 million.

Second Again

Correct about churches and cathedrals, but not from a religious perspective at all as you mentioned, more the superb architecture and engineering involved. As an engineer myself, i'm in awe at many that were designed centuries ago, with none of the modern 3D software tools and CNC machining we have at our disposal today, so accurate they basically negate tolerances (although we still use them). Simply wonderful craftmanship and excellence that has stood the test of time.

As for Sevilla and the Cathedral, yes, i know them both well, i worked for CASA in the 80's involved in the then, CN-235-200 aircraft project for 2 years. We lived in Ciudad Verde, about 5 minutes drive from the airport where they were based, and still are. In later years, the project was transferred to sole manufacturer, IPTN in Indonesia and CASA was integrated into the EADS consortium; today they are part of the A400 transport aircraft program for Airbus Military.

My favourite Spanish city, and i still look at the local football team results (Sevilla FC, not Betis). I often went to the ground for a game and never had one issue being a foreigner there, quite the reverse in fact. As you mentioned, the Cathedral is stunning (Christopher Columbus is buried there) and i recommend the city wholeheartedly (you will love it Workrider). Beware of summer temperatures, it gets very hot down there, 44c is not uncommon, one of the reasons aircraft manufacturers use the area for 'hot and high' trials during flight test programs.

Punchestown

Totally agree about Kopek Des Brandes, he will not look out of place in the Champion hurdle next year.

Top2rated

Thanks, i'm often impressed with your photo-shop skills . Sure, i'm aware of the forum block button, although for some time now i haven't bothered responding to the numpty, but occasionally i like to defend myself against absurd accusations that have been ongoing since October 2019 no less ! To be honest, i think he has mental issues, and i don't mean that to be insulting at all, it's not always me he has a pop at anyway.

Kalaglow

A good horse in bygone days, you ran in Shergar's Derby. I totally agree with your comments about The Anorak (Alan Potts). I've mentioned a few times on here i was flattered he often used my lay threads to post on, very informative and well respected here. I'm in contact with him often via email; he still goes racing, in fact i met him at Newbury in February (with Lucky Luciano).

As for my next racecourse visit, no definite plans apart from Longchamp in May on Guineas Sunday (11th). I actually wanted to go this weekend for the G3 Prx Grotte, a 1000 Guineas trial, but i've been informed it's the Paris Marathon, hence the reasoning for expensive flights and hotels. I had thoughts to watch and maybe back Zarigana, in my opinion the best 2 year old filly in Europe last year, even though she was beaten by a head bob on Arc day, 1.01 IR, probably in part to an over confident Micheal Barzalona (i was there with a few guys from here). If she's trained on, she could take some beating in the French 1000. I'm only assuming she will be entered this Sunday, but i think it's likely. Her stablemate, Vertical Blue, the one that beat her on Arc day has been entered for the Newmarket Guineas.

There's a possibility i could be at Newbury this Saturday, but i will decide in the next day or so.

Finally, my troll has often asserted, including as recently as Saturday, that posters, Lucky Luciano, Mr Spreadsheet (both syndicate members) and Happy Sandwich were simply my alternative user-names. To clarify this (not that he will accept) the following posters have met one, two, or even all of them at some stage : Workrider, Brigust 1, Jimnast, Flash Bookie and The Anorak. I've only ever had 2 user names here since circa 2003, the first was Ex-Pat in Germany, and the 2nd variables of AIS with no dots and hyphens, then both.

Hopefully back to tranquility on here now, my next post will probably at the weekend.

Good luck and have a nice evening all.

Welcome back Andrew   

Evening Andrew. Good to hear from you again and best of luck with your new horse.
Having a building trade background I share your interest in old buildings/churches and roofs in particular. Also bridges, and was involved in the building of motorway bridges in the sixties (formwork).
You will most likely be aware of the news yesterday that the Red Arrows are to be replaced soon and a Russian plane is among the ones that are being considered. I heard this on LBC Nick Ferrari show and among those commenting was an Aircraft Manufacturer from Bristol who spoke very well about their planes the name began with an A.It sounded like Arailis, not sure but he spoke very well about the suitability of the plane as a replacement.I don't think we should be going to Russia for anything at this time.
The weather here is fantastic at the moment and golfed today shorts and shirt. Still looking at going to Ayr on Friday as Saturday will be too busy.

Thanks for the reply Andrew.I just knew that you would be aware of the Hawk proposed replacements. Interesting about the Harold Wilson story. I don't believe politicans are capable of making many decisions like that, and the lot in power now backs this statement up. I won't even mention the Holyrood lot.
Not going to Ayr tomorrow turns out a surprise meal/family gathering is arranged for my birthday and I've had to cancel.
Looks a decent card and WP Mullins is not represented although he has dozens entered on Saturday.There's no rain forecast in the area until Saturday night and I think the going will be very fast by the SN time.
Good luck to all.

Stewarts

I could have constructed that sentence better

Good afternoon Guys,

Many thanks for the posts.

A short summary as i'm in the city and want to get home to watch ATR soon. I didn't watch any televised racing yesterday, although plans a week or so ago included going to either Newbury or Longchamp. Instead, i went to the Aero 25 EXPO/Air Show in the very picturesque town of Friedrichshafan. Only general aviation, but Airbus were there, as were several other aerospace companies including Embraer, Cessna Citation, Pilatus, DLR, Deutsche Aircraft etc and also a Eurofighter from the German AF Tiger team.

On to racing, regular readers know the esteem in which i hold the filly Zarigana, even though she was touched off on Arc day. I backed her in a couple of runs last year and done so again for this afternoon's G3 Prix de la Grotte (Longchamp 3.25) or at least my brother and a poster/friend did on my behalf yesterday, and at better odds than she is now as well. I made her a lot shorter than the 4/7 and 8/15 that was available with several books.

I was disappointed she was beaten last year, and various reasons have been put forward by the media, including very soft ground and the draw, but irrespective of this, i think MB was a bit overly confident.

Very well bred, out of a Frankel/Zarkava mare. It doesn't look a strong group field and she has 14lb/up in hand on those that have a rating, although her potential main rival Safia (not rated) is unbeaten in a couple of runs in lesser company. This one will be fitter, but has to improve significantly to beat the favourite and may prefer it softer.

Zarigana has everything in her favour barring race fitness, but the Francis Graffard stable form is probably the best in Europe at the moment (36%) compared to major trainers. A small field of 7, and i expect her to be held up in 4th or 5th and let her turn-of-foot take over in the long straight.If she wins as well as i expect, the French 1000 guineas next month could be hers for the taking as potential rivals have not looked good in recent runs and some could be heading for Newmarket instead.

Of course, Zarigana is not a tip, we can all pick these, the above is simply my take on a race i'm particularly interested in this afternoon. I will be more than disappointed if she's beaten (and poorer ) but i've been in the game long enough not to be shocked by anything in horse racing.

Prior to the race (a recognised classic trial) the boys have their turn (2.50) and i'm against the favourite in this one and going for the Victoria Head trained Darius Sen who is 2 from 3, although the draw in 7 is not exactly a positive. She has to step up, but taking a line through the 3rd place Madero who she beat last month, has the beating of Vertical Blue, the only filly to have beaten Zarigana. Of course, this shouldn't be taken at face value, but she's not out of place in this field. I will only have a small win bet on her, currently around 5/2.

Good luck and have a nice Sunday all.

Good afternoon Guys,

Happy Easter Friday.

A shortened working week for most of us (not in all EU countries) and in my particular case the first of several approaching, so it gives me an opportunity to post a few thoughts away from the office. Only AW race meetings this afternoon, at least in England, with a particularly decent card at Newcastle, even though 6 of the 7 races are handicaps, albeit with many pattern class entries as you would expect for the prize money on offer.

The AW mile championship (3.00) looks well contested with no real stand-out, and the first 5 in the betting are drawn 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 although only one of these is likely to be up with the pace early on Valiant Force from the in-form stable of Irish trainer Adrian Murray. A CV spanning 14 runs over 5f and 6f sprint trips, but was surprisingly upped to a mile at Dundalk LTO and won easily by 4.25L, beating Big Goosey who has since won a listed race at the Curragh. Has a touch of class, although this could be said for several in the field, and shoulders top weight off a mark of 108, but if he makes the running as i expect, could be difficult to peg back. Currently trading around 10.5 i will be backing him small, win and place.

Regular readers know i'm an avid fan of French racing and there's a runner i like running at Saint-Cloud (the only Paris course i haven't visited) albeit in a 3 year old maiden (14.45) not the best type of race to be backing in. Spanish Breeze Cen is twice raced, once as a 2 year old, finishing runner-up on both occasions, but the form is decent. On debut at Deauville, he was beaten by Sahlan who was caught on the line in a G3 at Longchamp last Sunday. Ran well over the course last month, only beaten 0.5L by Cualifer who has since won a G3 from a half-decent field. The 4th home, beaten 3L, has also won since. I will have a small win, around 7/4 with the books; ignore the BF market until much closer to race time as liquidity is poor.

Staying with French racing, I had a few bob on Zarigana last Sunday, but at lower odds (best was 8/15) than her eventual BSP (1.64) that i was surprised at. I expected her to win, it wasn't a strong field by any means, but i was hoping for a little better performance, even though she won cosily. She still has her customary decent turn of foot and her last couple of 100 metre sectionals were good, but the runner-up is only rated 88. Having said this, she was a bit jiggy in the paddock and had to be re-shod after losing a shoe going to post (she was actually quite calm). I doubt she was 100% fit on debut anyway and the runner-up had run already. I suspect Michael Barzalona has to time her run to perfection, as she may feel she's done enough in front, this could also explain her defeat on Arc day.

The French 1000 guineas field is being reduced by a few that have run poorly recently and by those going to Newmarket, including Desert Flower who is still quoted. I haven't backed her at the current 6/4 yet, but i think she will be difficult to beat on May 11th. I already have a flight booked and i'm looking forward to the race.

On to my 2 syndicate horses, Calibos is entered at Wolverhampton on Easter Monday (14.45) stepping up trip. No jockey booking yet, but it may be Fallon, or Lee, it was the latter who mentioned our previous horse, Salamanca Lad would be better making the running and he went to to win his next 3. I'm not going to Wolverhampton, but a few of the team are. The prize money is not too shabby for the class of race, but he has to improve on his last run.

Mentioning Salamanca Lad, he's due to run in Bahrain later today; hopefully he can repeat his win LTO there.

My other horse, the 3 year old filly Agouti Bear (the share is actually in my daughters name, but i pay the bills) could run at Naas on Monday 28th. I'm travelling over to Dublin in the morning and staying in Ireland for Punchestown the following day, featuring the Champion Novice Hurdle with Kopek Des Champs who i'm hoping will pay the costs. 3 BF posters/friends are also going and we will meet up. Another couple of ticks in the box for me, i've never been to Naas or Punchestown, in fact i've only been to Leopardstown for racing over there.

Changing topic to aerospace as there are several posters here that read and respond whenever i mention it, the recent trade tariffs implemented by Donald Trump could prove very beneficial to Saab; in recent weeks interest in the Gripen E fighter has picked up considerably, including Canada, Portugal and South America. Although it's not a stealth aircraft like a competitor the F-35, it's lighter, cheaper and has several capability advantages over the US craft that is far more complex.

The current trade war with China shows DT is making very poor decisions as far as the US aerospace industry is concerned, his advisors (i use the term loosely) obviously haven't investigated how much Asia is involved, in particular Japan and China. The Chinese government has informed their airlines to halt all purchases of Boeing Aircraft, as if they didn't have enough problems to be dealing with. Imports of US manufactured aircraft components are also under threat. The hierarchy at Airbus must be thinking Birthdays, Christmas and Easter have all come at once, although they have been the dominant aircraft manufacturing force in recent years anyway since the Max-737 fiasco.

PHS

Thanks

Good luck and have a nice Easter Friday all.

Good afternoon Guys,

2 selections posted yesterday, but no pay-out albeit with valid reason for the runner in France, Spanish Breeze Cen. Made the running until approaching the 400 metre pole, but suddenly dropped back through the field with the jockey turning and looking down as if something was amiss. He didn't appear to be lame, but coasted home in last place, beaten over 50L. Obviously not his true running and hopefully he's OK.

My other selection Valiant Force was well backed down to 6/1 and made the running, but faded from the furlong pole, simply not good enough on the day. No excuses and maybe he will go back to sprinting.

On to this afternoon, poor racing for a Saturday, i'm not enamoured with any of the cards and nothing jumped off the page when i was reviewing them earlier. If i had to pick one to have a small bet, it would be the filly Carolina Jetstream (3.45 Cork) who is going for a hat-trick and receives 2lb from a couple of Joseph O'Brien trained rivals. Has to prove she will act on the expected soft going. Has drifted, current odds 5.3.

In the afternoon's big handicap the Queens Cup (3.35 Musselburgh) looks trappy, but the Irish trained, dual purpose runner Kihavah could be an EW play. Won his previous flat run at York in September and looked good in doing so hence the 4lb rise up to a mark of 101. Trip and going will not be an issue and a recent run over hurdles will have him ready for today. Current odds 17.0 and 3.0 for 3/TBP to cover the stake and a small profit.

I mentioned yesterday our syndicate horse Calibos was running on Monday (2.45 Wolverhampton) and i heard earlier that apprentice Warren Fentiman will ride. 8 runners declared, drawn in 1.

My favourite French chaser II Est Francias won at Lyon-Parilly earlier this morning, made all and only had to be pushed out to win easily as expected (PMU 1.2) but an odd entry; a class 3 hurdle worth just under 12K euros. Presumably a pipe-opener, but in his career has only run between March and September once. I doubt he will run in the Grand Steeple-chase De Paris (30f) in May, but could go for the Grande Course De Haies D'Auteuil (25f) over hurdles on 17th, otherwise i don't understand the run today.

PHS

Thanks, a good idea so maybe tomorrow, i only kept to this one as others were posting on my behalf.

Good luck and have a nice Saturday all.

Well done Andrew ,a cool run up the rail.

Well done on your big race selection Andrew.

He did train in Ireland before coming to Yorkshire!

Thank you ANDREW

Good morning Guys,

A short post as i'm meeting friends and pushed for time.

I haven't looked through all the cards, but what i have seen wasn't so inspiring, although one bet i will be having is a lay of Ronnies Reflection (4.33 Fakenham). 2 wins from his previous 3 runs and the handicapper hasn't been overly harsh raising him 6lb in total. Won over 22f LTO, but it was a small field of 5, the 6/5f threw away any chance by jumping errors (beaten 5L) one was basically tailed off and the other PU. Up in trip to 24f this afternoon and in 3 runs close to this trip, his form is PU, PU and 4th. Both wins were on soft and heavy, and has never run well over a sharp track.

Lightly raced and may improve, but considering the negatives, i'm happy to lay him at the current 9/4.

Our syndicate horse Calibos runs at Wolverhampton (2.45) but has to improve from a previous run where he was a little disappointing and current odds reflect his chance.

Good luck and have a nice Easter Monday all.

good run