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Tanya's Blog - Friday 10th August 2012

Captivating. That sums up the battle between Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes for the jockeys’ title. It gives the boost needed to the everyday low-class racing, and I’m cheering for Richard Hughes. To overcome the 50-day ban incurred in India and still be able to challenge is nothing short of awesome. One quirk to the battle is that Richard Hannon is a major benefactor to both.

Judging by the drive past Sandown last night, didn’t seem as though the Olympics had affected the attendance too much but then they did have Jessie J to help burgeon the crowds and youngsters were still trickling in at 7pm. With the first race being at 5.40pm it shows what they were going to see!

See was something those at Brighton couldn’t do as the sea fret was intent on obstructing a good day out. Let’s hope its third day lucky for the coastal Sussex venue. Especially as I’m keen to watch the continued progress of Darren Egan and hopefully a winning ride on Prodigality.

Today will be the first time for 15 years that I will pick up a golf club for a fun driving competition which includes many familiar faces amongst the Ascot management, as well as Nick Luck and Mike Cattermole. I’ll do well to hit the ball but I may sneakily head off to hone the skills from the man I use to caddy for twenty years ago. A bit of relaxation amidst the prep work for the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot tomorrow.

While most were marvelling at Usain Bolt - what a phenomenon - yours truly had him on in the background while the earphones were tuned into Patriots radio network, New England that is, and any other NFL radio network belonging to a team competing.

What a sport, what drama, what excitement and what a relief it’s back. More of the same please this evening. Want a yardstick over the popularity? Well over 40,000 turned up just to watch Peyton Manning throw a ball in practice last week for his new team the Denver Broncos! And judging by the Broncos 31-3 drubbing of Chicago last night, the team were galvanised by his presence - even though he only threw once for an interception.

OK forget about Charley Hoffman in the USPGA, an inspired effort, even if I do say so myself, in managing to be virtually last at +9! He started as he meant to go on with a +4 eight at the first! However not fazed he will come right when you least expect him, but not this week, he obviously forgot his clubs. Thank goodness for Geoff Ogilvy who gives me hope after his usual solid performance, more of the same please of the remaining 54 holes.

Today's Selections:

3.40 Brighton Prodigality

8.20 Newmarket Sohraab

Tanya's Pointers

Jeremy Noseda has had five winners, two seconds and two thirds from his last 13 runners

Roger Varian has had five winners from his last seven runners

Mark Johnston has had four winners from his last 12 runners

Michael J M Murphy has had seven winners from his last 12 rides

David Simcock and Martin Lane have a 50% strike rate at Brighton

All four winners of Brighton’s 3.10 have come from the first two in the betting

Four of Richard Hannon’s five runners in Lingfield’s 2.20 has finished placed

Frankie Dettori has won on three of his four mounts in Newmarket’s 5.40

Ryan Moore has won on three of his four mounts in Newmarket’s 7.15

The favourite has won four of the five runnings of Haydock’s 6.55