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Tanya's Blog - 13th April 2011

All best intentions went awry this morning when I left, yes, I left Newmarket at 6am only to take just over three hours to get to work, a journey that should take half the time. Still I’m back and marvelling over the cards at both Newmarket and Cheltenham today. Last night I spent a superb evening in the company of the genius Sir Mark Prescott and Mr and Mrs Andrew Balding, tremendous entertainment and something hopefully which I can repeat in the future.

I digress. On to the racing, starting at Cheltenham, Kim Bailey had a winner yesterday with Sonny Sommers and I like his REGAL APPROACH at 2:45, I believe the trip will suit as he has recently found himself rushed off his feet and this will be run at a much more sedate pace.

The handicap hurdle at 3:20 and I will be backing both KANGAROO COURT and BLACK JACK BLUES. The latter because of his excellent run against Oscar Whisky in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Kangaroo Court obviously needed his return in the Imperial Cup and probably a bigger handicap hurdle awaits, something like the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock, yet I’d hate to miss out today.

DE BOITRON has no weight taking on some big names in Cheltenham’s 3.55, he was going well when making a hideous error at the course in November and didn’t disgrace himself at the Festival when fourth to Oiseau de Nuit, that rival would have won at Aintree with more luck in running! De Boitron is certainly value today.

Not only have I offered up the racecard selections at Newmarket today but entered those very picks in the tipping competition. Those I really fancy include Jim McGrath’s SIR REGINALD, I know he looked as though he may be crying out for seven furlongs and even further last season but on the first start this season I just feel his finishing kick may catch them all out and he will reel them in, in the closing stages. All eyes on the well entered up MIDSUMMER SUN at 5:20; in fact it could be a Henry Cecil double with SPECIFIC GRAVITY at 4:45.

Best backed horse of the day so far with me is at Cheltenham EDUCATED NEWS at 4:30.

POINTERS

Alan Bailey has had four winners and three seconds from his last eight runners

Ed Dunlop has had four winners and three seconds from his last nine runners

James Given has had five winners, a second and two thirds from his last 14 runners

Kielan Woods has ridden four winners from his last five rides for Charlie Longsdon

Alan Swinbank has had four winners from his last eight Southwell jumps runners

Richard Hughes has had four wins in Newmarket’s 2.25 from just seven rides

Mark Johnston has won Newmarket’s 4.45 three times from just six runners