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Tanya's Blog - 27th December 2011

Kempton’s foundations rocked, the roof momentarily lifted and the 21,000 in attendance together with all those huddled round respective televisions in the countries living rooms went hoarse as they cheered their hero, Kauto Star to a momentous and history-making fifth King George victory.

Now I’ve been somewhat fortunate in life, in being able to sample many sporting events, live, Open Golf, cricket at Lords and the Oval and that was in a proper crowd, that of the Indian supporters, Darts at the Circus Tavern, football at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates and a full to the rafters Wembley, 91,000 plus watching NFL and I’ve never witnessed or been amongst an atmosphere the likes of the one at Kempton yesterday. It was as documented and reported on many websites and newspaper columns an ‘I was there moment’ yet I didn’t cheer, I am a very insular person in that respect, instead I chose to absorb the moment, sat quiet and silent, taking in everything that happened and for once listening to my talkback and instructions, while those around boiled over with a mad frenzy.

Although an emotionally charged occurrence it didn’t affect me how I thought, perhaps I getting too old, or perhaps I felt sorry for Dessie, now just a distance memory. Good old Kauto, belittling the racing politics, I do hope Racing For Change does claim this as a victory as Kauto gained all this adulation long before their inception!

Racing For Change has to encapsulate it and make sure a good percentage of Kempton’s 21,000, Fontwell’s 8,000 (well done to the Sussex venue) return again not once but quite a few times in the future!!!!

Kempton have to brush themselves down, rally round and do it all again today, on a much lesser scale their card a good one, well a potential NICKY HENDERSON benefit with the exception of Peddlers Cross and FORTIFICATION.

All eyes on Chepstow for the Coral Welsh National and it will be a real slog, after last year I am inclined to pick Ballyfitz and Any Currency to run big races. Or Noir De Somoza has always been given a good write up by his trainer, David Pipe. The majority of his wins in France have come on similar conditions to today and I have combined all three in a really ambitious forecast. I think I have more chance winning the race myself, but never say never!

I haven’t had a chance to watch Notus De La Tour yet, what a run, I know the connections are buoyant, one can’t scoff at a second in a Grade One and as yet I don’t know where next. I’ll watch him in the luxury of the office over the next few days.

The ‘arrers’ at Ally Pally return tonight, compulsory viewing and I was heartened by the New Orleans Saints performance last night in drumming divisional rivals Atlanta Falcons, roll on the playoffs!!!!

POINTERS

Only one favourite in the last ten years has won the Coral Welsh National

Paul Nicholls has won Chepstow’s 1.30 three times in the last ten years

The first two in the betting have won Chepstow’s bumper at 3.40 eight times in the last ten years

Alan King has won Chepstow’s 2.45 twice from just four runners, today he has Secret Edge

Nicky Henderson has won Kempton’s 1.25 three times from his last five runners and he also has a great record in the 3.45

Nicky Henderson has a 50% strike rate at Kempton with six winners from his last 12 runners, yet his runners at Chepstow are to be avoided with his last eight being beaten

Colin Tizzard has had six winners, three seconds and two thirds from his last 15 runners

Tim Vaughan has had four winners and two seconds from his last 11 runners

Jason Maguire has had six wins, seven seconds and two thirds from his last 20 rides for Donald McCain