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Captain's Blog - 21st June 2011

Another day in the studio for me today where we will be covering all the action from Beverley and Newbury. Before I head off to work a spot of DIY is required at McNae Towers. The shower curtain has come down leaving a couple of ugly holes in the wall. I am very doubtful about my ability to get it back up properly but I need to give it my best shot which may not be enough to get the job done properly. I have a tool box which makes me look like I know what I am doing but essentially I do not have enough patience for home improvements or just home repairs for that matter. If I fail in this particular task which is a certainty I will be calling upon our local handyman to do the job. I could save myself some grief by simply calling him straight away and leaving the tool box in the cupboard but a man has pride you know and I need time to work out a valid excuse for my ineptitude. I am thinking that I could play the electrical card, it would surely be dangerous to try and drill a hole when you do not know where the electrical cables are! That shoud do the trick. Of course it is possible that I will be able to fix it but I must be 100/1 and drifting.

I had a quick look at the Coral Eclipse yesterday. Whilst I am yet to crystalise my thoughts I did discover that Workforce has returned this year better than ever. He ran a speed figure of 120 when winning on his return, and if he comes on a little for the run he will stand a big chance of winning particularly if the ground is not too fast. So You Think ran one of the biggest figures of last week in defeat at Ascot, his 124 was an outstanding effort given the race did not go to plan for him. A clash in the Eclipse between these two will be fascinating and I wonder who will ride So you Think? This just could be the best Coral Eclipse we have seen for years.

Tom Queally is more than anxious to defend his ride on Frankel at Ascot in the face of a good deal of criticism. I think he kicked on too soon and got away with the tactical error because he was on an outstanding horse. There is little more to say. Tom has every right to defend himself, after all he won the race, but deep down he must surely realise he did have a rush of blood. On the day it did not matter and therein lies his defence position, another day it will though and then the criticism will be a lot more fierce. Tom is a smart jockey and will I am sure take the criticism on board and move on with a clear mind. If he does he will only enhance his reputation.

OK time to get the tool box out. My better half never had it so good.

Today's Selection

8.20 Newbury – Isolate (each way)