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Captain's Blog - 22nd January 2011

Haydock has been abandoned and that leaves us all at hoping that Wincanton gets the go ahead today. At least we know where we stand as far as Haydock is concerned nice and early and are not having to wait for further inspections which could only serve to inconvenience everybody. Whatever happens at Wincanton I will be in the studio today with Dave Nevison and later on in the afternoon Lydia will join us. If Wincanton is off we will be looking ahead to the Cheltenham Festival if not so much the better.

I am up early today and with the Morning Line on in the background I am waiting for news from Wincanton. The usual suspects are analysing the racing at Ascot and have been joined by Nicky Henderson as their special guest. He seems to be in bullish form and has every right to be given the form of his horses. He has just discussed the use of ear plugs on Long Run in the King George. I must admit I did not know he was wearing them and I suspect the same applies to many punters. I believe that they are an item of equipment that should be declared as blinkers are. The problem for me is not that horses may suddenly start wearing them, but after having shown form with them what if the trainer suddenly decides not to use them, we could back that horse thinking it will show the same form it has been doing with ear plugs in only to discover after doing our money that it was not wearing them. The answer is straight forward, they should be declared.

There is a further inspection at Wincanton at 10.00am, apparently they are 90% raceable. Lets hope that the dodgy 10% is OK in an hour or so.

It will be good to be back at work today. I have been off for three weeks or so looking after my new daughter and that has been a magical time but I need to get back into the fray and today is the day. Join me at 12.00 for Mark Your Card and then hopefully for all of the Wincanton action.

Have a great weekend.

Today’s Selection

2.50 Wincanton – Requin (each way 9/1 Sky Bet )