I was absolutely delighted to smash it out the ballpark last weekend with the Derby hero Harzand at 11/1 tipped up loud and bold on this blog. Well done Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen. And the best bit about it was that Paddy was absolutely in bits. Haha. Hear me Paddy?
Not for the first time it’s clear, however, your only as good as your last winner, so it’s time to go to war again.
I’m looking at three meetings Saturday, starting with the 3pm at York, a 1m event with Listed status.
The one I like is MUTAKAYYEF, who is lightly raced for William Haggas. The selection has been off the track since October, but although he didn’t win last term he ran three sound races, including in Group 3 company at York. This is a good opportunity to at least hit the frame.
Gallop over to the latest racing odds at PaddyPower.com
Also at York is a 6f handicap at 3.35pm with Paddy paying the first four in the betting. Take an each-way chance with MADRINHO, who ran well when second at Leicester last time. This horse stays 7f, but needs a strong run 6f to be at his best and he will get that here. Richard Hannon has booked Tom Queally and he could power through from off the pace in a tricky heat.
There’s a similar nightmare at Musselburgh in the 3.10pm at that track, a 5f sprint. Only each-way 1-2-3 here, but have a few quid on OLIVIA FALLOW, who has been dropped 1lb since running a fare race last time and has Joe Doyle taking off 3lb for Paul Midgley. That makes this horse reasonably handicapped.
It’s the 5f Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh at 3.45pm. Another nightmare! RED BARON can hit the frame. Eric Alston’s seven-year-old has banged his head against Judicial and Duke of Firenze recently. But they have gone up in the weights and the selection has stayed on a mark of 100. Must be in the mix and giving us a run if bringing his ‘A’ game.
Finally, I’ve checked out the Listed Scurry Sprint at Sandown (3.20pm). A smallish field, and the one to be with is SHADEN , who looked good for Lady Cecil last term and was once being trained for the 1,000 Guineas. Now in the hands of George Scott, the new handler will be keen to make a big impression.
So best of luck. Last weekend we hit the jackpot. This weekend any sort of pot will be a bonus ahead of a five-day Royal Ascot smash-up next week! Yeeehaaa!