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Captain's Blog - Wednesday 7th November

Irish Jugger won for us yesterday at Southwell at 11/2, which means I go into today with plenty of enthusiasm. I will be investing today in Kampai in the 6.25 at Kempton. I think he will be suited by the likely strong pace as he is certain to be held up off the pace by the brilliant Richard Hughes and a late swoop looks likely. This horse shaped up well last time at Bath in a race that was not run to suit and is clearly in good form. Back him each-way and hope for a Hughes special.

There has been plenty of negativity surrounding the Breeders Cup' from the press in this country. Lukewarm would be how I would describe it. This is a narrow-minded and somewhat biased approach. I bet there would have been plenty of glowing praise for the meeting if the Europeans had bagged plenty of winners. I thought the meeting was a tremendous spectacle. Yes there was some trouble in-running on the Turf, but that always happens when races become tactical. That is why dirt racing is the purest form of the sport because on the dirt there is always a strong pace and the best horse normally wins. It is about getting from A to B faster than the others and that is what racing is about.

Who can deny the class that Fort Larned showed in the Classic? Or the quirky brilliance of Shanghai Bobby? Or the raw power of Wise Dan?

In the future the European raiders could decide not to bother turning up because the turf tracks are too tight and our horses are not suited to the dirt, but then again this sport is not about us. It has for years been international and as long as massive prize money is available horses from all around the world will turn up.

Todays Selection

6.25 Kempton - Kampai ( 10/1 Paddy Power each way )