Tweet

racing news / captain's blog /

Captain's Blog - 19th January 2012

Our each-way selection yesterday was Ikorudu Road who visited every outpost in Berkshire before being narrowly defeated by a horse who hugged the inside rail all the way round under the brilliant Timmy Murphy.

Yes, Murphy is at the top of his game and he is a class act but if you are going to beat him you cannot do so by giving away ground travelling four or five wide throughout. This may sound like sour grapes and it is to an extent, but there seems to be an attitude in jump racing that going wide for better ground or to get a clearer site of the obstacles is a shrewd move.

I am afraid it is far from shrewd when equated with the amount of ground that is lost by going wide. The in-running punters knew he was too wide straight away as this 7/1 shot was trading at 18/1 after the first two obstacles! They nearly got their fingers burnt, but the principle remains intact.

It was good to be back in the studio yesterday after taking a few days off in the early part of January and it is fair to say that I am up and running again and chomping at the bit for more action. That hunger will be sated somewhat tomorrow as I am back in the studio to cover all the racing from Meydan with James Willoughby and then I will be back to do much the same on Saturday.

I have to admit that I am not quite up to speed with what has been going on in Dubai so far this season thus today I will be donning a brand new pair of curly slippers today and relaxing back to watch every race that has taken place so far at this year’s Carnival. I am going to try and fit a trip to the gym in as well, but Dubai is my priority today.

I owe a small apology to some members of the Barmy Army after I suggested even they were not out in Dubai to support England against Pakistan. This apology must be given because yesterday I heard the trumpeter blasting out a rendition of the 'Great Escape' theme tune. I should have known an awful lot better than to question the loyalty of the barmy boys.

OK that completes the blog for another day. I need to knock up a shepherd’s pie before looking for those shiny gold slippers!

All the best.

Today's Selection

3.20 Taunton - Ranjaan (11/4 various firms)