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Captain's Blog - 30th April 2011

We had a really enjoyable day yesterday. The Royal Wedding street party that we attended was good fun and was well organised. The Union Jacks flew high above the rooftops and the alcohol flowed freely. Everybody raised a glass to the Queen at 3.00pm and and then to anything else that needed toasting every 10 minutes or so.

There were no Republican dissenters in attendance although somebody had placed a large placard at the end of their road close by accusing the Royals of leeching off the Welfare State and stealing land! Their words not mine I hasten to add, I would like to avoid a spell in the Tower thank you very much. There are always some bitter and twisted folk out there who want to spoil everybody's fun, but fortunately they almost always make fools of themselves. I am no Royalist but the sense of unity and common spirit that yesterday evoked although temporary was very welcome indeed.

It is 2000 Guineas day and Frankel should get the job done without too much fuss. At least that is the popular line amongst those who know best. For me it is not quite that simple. Yes he is the best horse in the race but he is liable to race with too much zest and in this company this over exuberance may mean that he is not able to give of his best when it matters most. This enemy within may defeat Frankel. On the other hand if he settles and races under controlled restraint he will win. This is a massive test for Tom Queally and under pressure it will be interesting to see how he responds.

Roderic O connor and Casamento will provide decent opposition, but Pathfork could be the one to lower his colours. He looks to be great value each way and with Frankel drawn on the wide outside of the field where he is likely to get plenty of daylight he may just be beatable. He is in stall one and his pacemaker could not be in a worse stall in 13. From 1 Frankel is likely to struggle to get cover and that could do for him. Take Pathfork who beat Casamento last year to win this for Jessica Harrington. I need to bring this to a close now as I am taking my daughter out for the morning before settling down to watch Leeds play Burnley at 12.30. A Leeds win followed by Pathfork would be a sweet day, one is likely the other is not and I will leave that to your imagination. Come on you Pathfork!

Today's Selection

3.10 Newmarket - Pathfork (each way 13/2 Bet365 )

2.00 Newmarket - Viva Vettori (each way 20/1 Stan James )