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Captain's Blog - 28th July 2010

I trust you enjoyed all the action at Goodwood yesterday. We had a good tipping day here on the Blog with Rebel Soldier obliging at 4/1 and Jedi rewarding each way support by finishing second at 16/1. It is nice to start a four day festival in profit after day 1 and I will be trying my level best to stay in the black. I think the feature of day 1 were the riding skills of Richard Hughes and Kieren Fallon. Hughes was at his patient best on Zebedee in the Molecomb, pouncing late and he was typically quiet on Martyr in the last waiting until the furlong pole before asking his strong travelling mount to go and win the race. Fallon rode Start Right to victory and his switch to the inside leaving the stalls and his subsequent ride all the way up the inner before finding a gap and pouncing to win comfortably was not only a courageous ride but it reminded me of the Fallon of days gone by. His instincts and knowledge still seek to make him ride horses so as not to give ground away and to get cover and ride for luck and to be frank that is the best way to get the maximum out of a racehorse. this reminded me of the rides he used to give Lynda Ramsdens handicappers. It was genius. By contrast young John Fahy is a good claiming rider who has a future, but in the same race he was caught 6 wide on Benandonner who still managed to finish fourth. If John wants to further his career and improve he would do well to study what Fallon did on Start Right.

I am back in the studio today where day 2 of Glorious Goodwood will dominate our coverage, but there will also be action from Redcar and then Sandown this evening. Before getting stuck into some figures for today’s action I will be heading to the gym for a run and a freshen up. Once done I will feel ready to do battle once again. When I have a long day in the booth it is always nice to get some exercise done before sitting down for some high octane booth action.

The big race today is the Sussex Stakes and it looks like a match between last years winner Rip Van Winkle and Canford Cliffs. The Rip has only run once this year and was too fresh and free whereas Canford Cliffs has gone from strength to strength since he was beaten in the 2000 Guineas. If the Rip is back to his best he will give Canford all he can cope with, but in all honesty we just do not know which Rip Van Winkle will turn up and for that reason the race is probably a no bet affair. Canford will probably win, but that is not a bold statement given that he is odds on.

I must head to the Gym now and get myself up and running for another day. Have a good one!

Today’s Selections

2:45 Goodwood – Major Art (each way 7/1 Bluesquare)

4:00 Goodwood – Bowdlers Magic (each way 11/1 )