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Tanya's Blog - 18th February 2011

Newbury returns with so many questions still to be answered, but I believe for today at least the inquisitiveness should be put aside. The meeting will go ahead tinged with sadness and since last Saturday the whole week has felt so surreal. An early start this morning as there is much to check, what is intriguing is whether the betting patterns are going to be the same?

I can tell you Sports Line has lost all the friends he had on Saturday but that might change come post time. Walkon looks certain favourite for the Totesport Trophy as support for Soldatino has waned. As I type this at 6.45am I have no Racing Post, (got to collect it from the newsagent on the way to work so I’m guessing Sweet My Lord is possibly pricewise as Willie Mullins runner has shortened right up. My feelings on the race remain the same, GET ME OUT OF HERE to win and I will have a keen eye on Notus De La Tour.

Of the other races on the card I still stand by WILLIAM HOGARTH, despite the fact Cappagh can be considered being backed off the boards, my bet was each-way so let’s hope he can sneak into third. It should be a formality for What A Friend but the Aon Chase has not played fair in the past to favourite backers so give it a big swerve. In the Game Spirit Tchico Polos continues to be unpopular, French Opera could well oblige but it’s a race I’m taking a watching brief on.

As always I have done the selections in Sandown’s racecard today and MR BIG has to be the main selection to retain his Royal Artillery Gold Cup. JUST AMAZING will be a warm order in the 5.00, one of ten entries in the Grand National for trainer Paul Nicholls. Other picks, tentative ones though are 2.10 Massena, 2.40 Buffalo Bob, 3.55 Megastar and 4.30 Arrayan.

Got to rush much to do including battling the rush hour traffic to get to work, good luck with your selections.

POINTERS

Richard Lee has had three winners, a second and two thirds from his last nine runners

Nicky Henderson is attempting his fifth win in 12 years in the Totesport Trophy

Nicky Henderson has had four winners from his last eight runners, he has failed to have a winner at Fakenham this season in 9 attempts yet last season he boasted a 67% strike rate at the course

Alan King has had three winners, four seconds and three thirds from his last 15 runners so shouldn’t be dismissed lightly

Eight of the last nine winners of the Totesport Trophy winners finished in the first three on their previous run

11-7 is the biggest weight carried to victory in the Totesport Trophy in the last 30 years

Seven of the last ten winners of the Totesport Trophy came from the first five in the betting