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Tanya's Blog - Wednesday 10th October

Frankel galloped on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile course this morning as final preparations take place before his fond farewell in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20. Cheltenham also opens its doors to the press and media to launch a much-anticipated new season. Now which will get the bigger attendance from the media? A cheeky, wry smile crosses my face, jumping is back in earnest and not before time! Cheltenham here I come.

Even the press releases warm the heart with hope, the latest one to land in my inbox was the prospect of Medermit and Albertas Run meeting in Aintree’s Old Roan Chase. Fingal Bay is to return at Chepstow on Saturday and Menorah is due to turn up at Exeter in early November.

Last season I had enormous faith in Charlie Longsdon’s Hazy Tom after his impressive win at Wetherby over Sea Of Thunder. Campaigned at the highest level in the main, he seemed to struggle until showing a modicum of his Wetherby ability at Aintree on his last start when fifth of 21 in a competitive handicap hurdle. Chasing is his purpose in Towcester’s 2.50, a start of a steep learning curve. He’ll face no problems with the two miles as the uphill finish will help bring out his stamina. I expect my faith to be repaid.

Sixteen years young is Marked Man, he no doubt loves his racing and Richard Lee’s runner is attempting consecutive victories in Towcester’s 4.50. Although I’m not suggesting to get on, give one of the sport’s true heroes an extra cheer.

Dutch Masterpiece is back on the track only two days after winning at Windsor, his deficit of victory may be accentuated by the fact that others running against him do not acting in the soft ground. Six pounds is a huge penalty for any age but a two-year-old? The price is not value. March has kept a fair company in her three starts and has the capacity to stay six furlongs. She is agile and speedy enough for five furlongs and with ten pounds concession from Dutch Masterpiece she appeals more.

I left work yesterday a little ill at ease. The ceiling of the car-park is beginning to crumble, some of the bays are cordoned off and could it be in the near future I will acquire an unintentional sun-roof? Best bet is to get the train from now on!

Today's Selection:

2.50 Towcester Hazy Tom

3.00 Nottingham March

Tanya's Pointers

Nigel Twiston-Davies has had seven winners from his last 16 runners

Evan Williams and Paul Moloney have teamed up to win Ludlow’s 4.10 twice in the last five years and the pair are attempting their third straight win in Ludlow’s 5.10

Noel Quinlan has a 44% strike rate at Nottingham

Stellar Express has won three of his four races at Nottingham

Saeed bin Suroor has a 33% strike rate with his three-year-olds at Nottingham

Favourites have won five of the nine runnings of Towcester’s 2.20

Four of the last seven favourites have won Towcester’s 2.50

Daryl Jacob has ridden four of his last five rides for Paul Nicholls to victory

Sam Twiston-Davies has had 18 rides to 8 wins and three seconds

Street Power has won six of his 18 races at Kempton Park

Michael Murphy has ridden five winners from his nine rides aboard three-year-olds at Kempton