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Tanya's Blog - 19th July 2011

Time Charter in 1983 and Petoski in 1985 are two Ascot King George winners which stick in my mind. The latter because my Mother thought it was a certainty, was heckled and mocked by the bookmakers she had placed the wagers with on the horse, in a friendly way of course and unlike me was very controlled when collecting. Time Charter was one of the first great favourites of mine, I always followed Henry Candy particularly when his horses carried the Barnett colours. This weekend’s contest is building up to be a cracker even though once again it will be a small field, which will be a cause to fill up the email inbox. It’s a hard call, I would, for betting purposes, like eight or more runners, so each-way first three. But for all those emailing in complaining that they can’t watch racing with small fields – in the case of the Group Ones what would a handful of no-hopers add to the race, it would only give cause for the argument brought up on Derby day, that those big outsiders could have been to blame for Carlton House’s defeat.

Gone are the days of Terimon, remember him, 500-1 second in the Derby, in hindsight if we knew now how good he was before Epsom, then Clive Brittan was and is a master of pulling off what we think is a shock, but to him is what he always knew. Gone are the days also of an abundance of good horses, and few opportunities. Now we have a handful of good horses and lots of opportunities in close proximity meaning they can sidestep each other at will. Saturday’s race is sure to be a memorable one even with a handful of runners and then all eyes towards Goodwood.

Today and it’s the card at Bangor that catches the eye. Donald McCain could win five of the six races this evening, taking a closer look and I think it will be more like four of the six. FOLK TUNE is my pick in the first, isn’t it wonderful to see Dougie Costello back? Folk Tune was an easy winner at Hexham in April, then on 29 June ran a fair third at Catterick on the flat, he looks all set to do the job today. AL QEDDAAF just has to overcome a massive weight concession. BALLABROOK and RAWAAJ always have the chance to win.

POINTERS

A P McCoy has had nine winners, four seconds and four thirds from his last 24 rides

Over hurdles A P McCoy has had eight winners, a second and two thirds from his last 15 rides

Donald McCain has had four winners, a second and a third from his last nine runners and has some big chances live on Racing UK at Bangor today

Silvestre de Sousa has only had one winner from his last 15 rides at Musselburgh

Richard Johnson has won Bangor’s 6.10 three times from just four rides