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Captain's Blog - 24th March 2011

If Twice Over is going to win the Dubai World Cup for Henry Cecil he will have to overcome a wide draw which is far from ideal on the tight Tapeta circuit at Meydan. He has drawn stall 12 of 14 and, unless Tom Queally can work a bigger miracle than turning water into wine, he will get a wide trip through the race thereby giving away precious ground. This means that to win he does not just need to be better than the rest he needs to be much better than them. Bookmakers have reacted by pushing him out in the betting indeed make him an 11/4 shot from 9/4. There is a good deal of chaos inherent inTapeta racing and this means that the horse with the best trip through the race will win the World Cup but if there is one factor that is measurable as far as the race is concerned it is the draw because a bad draw will generally ensure a bad trip. I would not back Twice Over with your money now despite his obvious form claims, but strong collateral form evidence is not worth a hill of beans without a good trip on a surface which has given a new meaning to the term Equine bingo.

I am not a fan of watching films, indeed I cannot remember the last time I went to the cinema, it would certainly be more than ten years ago but I was saddened to hear of the death of Elizabeth Taylor yesterday. When a superstar who existed during your lifetime dies it really does make you think about your own mortality. I will always remember her for her performance in Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf where she starred alongside the magnificent Richard Burton. This was one film I have seen and I am glad that I did sit down and watch it and now she has died I want to see it again! She will be remembered by many for her turbulent relationship with Burton, but she should be remembered for being one a superb actress indeed one of the greatest of our generation.

The weather looks set fair for another good day today which means the washing can go out on the line rather than spend two days hugging radiators throughout the house which has to be good news. We have one of those whirly bird things in the garden which makes the place look messy but it works and with a little girl in the house the amount of washing we generate as a family is unbelieveable. Once the washing is done I will be turning my attention to the action at Kempton tonight which I will be presenting from the studio with Dave Nevison as my guest. As ever please get your emails into studio@racinguk.com and we will read them out during the evening.

Right time to crank up the washing machine!

Today’s Selection

8:10 Kempton - Street Power (each way 9/2 William Hill )