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Tanya's Blog - Tuesday 26th June 2012

Understandably on learning of the awful news of Campbell Gillies, a respectful silence befalls on the office.

It is reported that the Cheltenham Festival winning-jockey has died following an accident on holiday in Corfu.

How can one so young, so talented lose his life? It’s hard to type the blog.

It’s not so long ago we cheered him and Brindsi Breeze up the Cheltenham hill to Festival glory. Now I’m struggling to type, struggling to quantify not being able to cheer him once more.

In his riding he showed youthful exuberance, determination, strength and a will to win. He had already conquered winning the confidence of the punters. He helped Lucinda Russell to her best tally ever this season and was known and adored for his association with Willie Amos’s Lie Forrit.

Part of the ever growing National Hunt family has been lost, but never forgotten, condolences to his family and friends, he was an admired unsung hero.

The television is just a noise, the relevance insignificance, and it’s one of those days when I’ll have to watch things again and again before they sink in. The boys have put the coffee on, extra strong.

There is an urge to head to Chelmsford today, the Aussies are warming up against Essex ahead of the five One-Days. Wicket Keeper Matthew Wade expects a series win, he is one of the stars of the present and future, keep an eye on him, Jonty Rhodes with keepers gloves!

As for the racing today it will be tinged with sadness so mustering up a selection is hardly the priority, but hopefully they will run well.

Today's Selections:

5.15 Brighton - Toga Tiger

8.00 Newbury - Shena’s Dream

Tanya's Pointers

Six of the last eight winners of Beverley’s 2.30 came from the first two in the betting

Five of the last six winners of Beverley’s 3.00 were the favourite

Six of the last nine winners of Newton Abbot’s 7.35 were the favourite

Seven of the last ten winners of Brighton’s 2.15 came from the first two in the betting

Peter Bowen has had five winners, three seconds and a third from his last 13 runners

Tom O’Brien has had five winners from his last ten rides

Sam Twiston-Davies has had three winners from his last five rides