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Tanya's Blog - Wednesday 12th September 2012

While the euphoria of the Olympics & Paralympics starts to gently ease, I can’t help feeling short changed on the coverage and lack of information. The broadcast by both the BBC and Channel 4 for the events was exceptional, drawing you in and embracing you in the most magical atmosphere. But I am none the wiser about the capabilities of the athletes who weren’t British. Unless they were Usain Bolt, Johan Blake or Oscar Pistorius there was very little background. For example name me an American competing?

Mo Farah’s double gold was without question, exceptional, but do you know by how much? Was it the strongest ever field assembled, was it the second strongest field assembled or did he have a task similar to Frankel?

There was no guidelines as to whether the athletes, swimmers, cyclists or any of the competitors personal bests were a one-off or did they regularly get within their highest level.

The form guide was lacking and I missed the insight into the capabilities of all those who lined up in the finals. Perhaps there should have been a predictor like on the website so you could gage if an athlete deserved more accolades. A legacy left is meant to be left, which no doubt it has, but I’m a bit gutted that more is not known about those brave souls who gave their all, whether collecting a medal or not, and entertaining us for the whole summer.

I arrived at Doncaster early this morning and walked the course. The course looked in tremendous condition, considering there has been such a barren spell of late. I know the pressure will be on to give a few winners over the next four days, there always is, but if I was asked on the NFL, T20 at Edgbaston, or even the upcoming Ryder Cup, it would be ok but on racing I’m having a torrid time.

I tossed a coin at the weekend between Ortensia and Society Rock in the Sprint Cup. My heart said the former, while my head said the winner and I went with my heart. I should know going with your heart never works out! At least Gerard, the Morning Line producer, is happy as he backed James Fanshawe’s runner on my say so on the Wednesday at 13-1.

Deep breath and time to get that out of the system and concentrate on 2012’s St Leger Festival. There’s an HWPA tipping competition to consider and some points to collate to manoeuvre further up the leaderboard.

Sole Power should assert his authority in the Scarbrough Stakes. He was drawn right on the stands’ side rail in the Nunthorpe and watching the replay shows he was finishing really strongly. Bated Breath ran well in the Sprint Cup on Saturday and Sole Power is used to mixing it with Group 1 sprinters. Jwala is improving very quickly and is the value each-way in the race and I may even dabble in a little forecast with Sole Power.

I may as well stick with the sprinters and Haajes is back in form and ready to retain the crown he won last year, Doncaster’s 5.15!
Plus I get the opportunity to scout round the betting ring a day before going on air, thus obtaining a feel for the ring and its strength and any grumblings from those who stand up daily. Doncaster is stronger than most, well it was last year, and in March, and it will be interesting to see how it has held up!

As I sort of hinted at earlier, my American Football went to plan. Denver won, and normal service resumed with Peyton Manning. The 49ers always had the Packers at an arms-length, Chicago were flattered by an overwhelmed and clumsy Indianapolis. Tom Brady looked so good for the Patriots, and Oakland lost!

I’m looking forward to seeing RG3 live; that’s the nickname for Washington’s new rookie quarterback. His scoring drives were converted and he did appear better than ordinary, yet I want to withhold judgement until after their next game as defeating New Orleans isn’t the road to greatness. Remember, the Saints are without a general manager, a coach, an interim coach and a few key players. I will post my thoughts for Sunday later in the week.

Today's Selection:

3.05 Doncaster Sole Power (Jwala each-way)

5.15 Doncaster Haajes

Tanya's Pointers

Roger Varian has a 36% strike rate at Doncaster

Confessional is 0 from 5 at Doncaster

David Marnane has won with both his Doncaster runners and they were in the Portland

Four of the last six favourites have won Doncaster’s 4.10

Five of the last six runnings of Doncaster’s 4.10 have been won by three-year-olds

Eight of the last ten winners of Doncaster’s 5.15 have been priced 9-1 or shorter

Ralph Beckett and Jim Crowley have teamed up for three winners from their last six runners

Jason Maguire has had five winners from his last 11 rides and he is at Uttoxeter today