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Tanya's Blog - 8th September 2011

No racecourse staff offer a warmer welcome than that of Donny. The place truly lights up at the first sign of visitors even through the worst of weathers. So trust me then to walk through the heaviest of rain at 8.30am. An hour has passed by and I’m drenched still, apparently for anyone coming from the south the M1 is terrible.

The statisticians from Racenews have done well. They arrived in the Doncaster press room at 9am yet got their priorities right by getting the coffee on!!! With the sky clearing up and the temperature rising, Ladies Day looks set. The ground probably needed a bit of a refresher and what did fall will hardly make a difference to the description. The wind has dropped which is significant as finishes appeared to be in slow-motion due to a fierce headwind. From the press room panoramic window the course itself looks lush and green, a world apart from its appearance in March. The groundstaff and Jon Pullin have done wonders. By the minute the sky lightens, no longer angry, instead brighter.

Tommo has just breezed in. Silence over, my head is still down trying to find the winners and checking out the backed horses. Pricewise is Dever Dream, however her price has not contracted as per norm of a Tom Segal selection. Instead it seems the masses want to be on Seta. With her return to seven furlongs and a good mention in Kieren Fallon’s Weekender column it is no surprise. It is ALANZA for me, an inhabitant of the John Oxx stable it is not often he sends one over to Doncaster. OK his last three raiders have been beaten, but Alanza is a three-year-old and that age group have done very well in the Sceptre Stakes. Just for info Roger Sez is well backed in the 1.25.

In the big sales race it is Bogart and Cockney Dancer who have attracted support. In the last race yesterday it was high numbers who dominated which is slightly unfortunate as I heard a good word for Ladys First. Paul Hanagan has had four winners from his last six rides and this filly ran a good race at York and then just got headed at Chester. Could be value each-way.

Set To Music has started to drift on the exchanges, maybe because of money coming for Sense Of Purpose and the fact that Cracking Lass may have a better chance against Set To Music today as she will be able to see her rival rather than being opposite sides of the track.

In summary today is a watching brief with the exception of ALANZA and an each-way on LADYS FIRST.

A Racing Post with Drew Brees on the front cover and Aaron Rodgers on the back is a delight to behold, an indication of the start of the NFL, yet it does mean winter is round the corner. What a contest the first match of the season is - New Orleans Saints v Green Bay Packers. I’m bias as I love the Saints, especially the animated coach Sean Payton, a television producer's dream. A man who calls the plays no other coach dare. Last year the Saints were a victim of their own complacency, 12 months on I hope they are sharper and ready to entertain once more!

POINTERS

Jeremy Noseda has had seven winners from his last 16 runners as flagged up by Signposts on page 24 of today’s Racing Post. He has just one runner today at Doncaster, Club Oceanic in the 4.40

Sir Mark Prescott has had five winners, two seconds and two thirds from his last 13 runners. He has three out this evening at Wolverhampton

Paul Midgley has had 8 winners from his last 23 runners

From their last 14 runners Richard Hughes and Richard Hannon have teamed up for six winners, two seconds and two thirds, they have plenty of chances today including Amis Reunis in Doncaster’s 1.25

Only one of the last 10 favourites has won Doncaster’s 1.25

Hughie Morrison has had seven winners from his last 22 runners

David Evans is hoping to come out of the doldrums 42 runners without a win

Richard Hannon has a massive level stakes profit at Doncaster over the last five seasons of £60+

Eight of the last 10 winners of the Sceptre Stakes have been aged three

Marco Botti’s last 13 runners have been beaten

Tom Queally has ridden Chachamaidee nine times for three winners, two seconds and two thirds

David Lanigan has had four winners from ten runners at Doncaster

Jamie Spencer has ridden Set To Music four times for three wins

Michael Bell has had 19 runners without a winner