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Tanya's Blog - Saturday 25th May 2013

I cannot miss out on York Glory today

I arrived at Haydock, to be battered by strong blustery winds and the need to wear quite a few layers. It’s not a problem for me usually but it is May!  Needless to say the queue for coffee and tea was long.

The press room was the chosen option to draw breath and take stock on all that has happened this week.  The revelations that seven more horses that had been formerly trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni had tested positive, were the latest in a long line of twists and turns in the doping saga.  One of those horses was Improvisation, who on April 17 won a maiden at Newmarket.  If, and I say if, it is deemed he would have tested positive after winning that race, one of many concerning issues is that he wasn’t tested.  Doesn’t this suggest all winners need to be tested?  If he was positive, then he will subsequently be disqualified and all his subsequent prize money will be given to the runner-up.  However punters who backed the runner-up lose out although the solution to scenarios such as this is virtually impossible or not financially viable. 

In an ideal world, testing results on the day of the race would be on the wish list.

Then we go on to the case involving Eddie Ahern. Why does it take so long? The main race in question was back in 2011! It didn’t take that long with Al Zarooni!

On to tomorrow and there has been no rain at Haydock as of 4.20pm on Friday. Conditions are good to firm, which is music to the ears of connections of Sole Power. The sprinter should follow up on his Palace House win.

As for the Silver Bowl at 3.15 that generally goes to a fancied runner and a horse who subsequently goes on to compete, if not win, Group races.  Baltic Knight is the ideal horse to fit that category.

There is Classic action at the Curragh. It’s Van Der Neer for me in the 2,000 Guineas while even though I fancy Just Pretending in the 1,000 Guineas, because fate is generally unkind I had better have a saver on Snow Queen as I tipped her to win the Oaks here earlier this week!

Finally, as there is so much going on, I’d hate to miss York Glory in the York 2.55. Make sure you don’t.

Today's tips:

2.55 York: York Glory 10-1 with Paddy Power

3.20 Curragh: Van Der Neer 7-2 with Paddy Power

Tanya's Pointers:

Temple Stakes

The Betfred Temple Stakes has been run at Haydock since 2008 and all five winners were drawn 5 or lower (3 1 4 5 2)

The five winners of the Betfred Temple Stakes run at Haydock were no older than five

Tangerine Trees has won six of his 13 races when wearing a visor but he has never won in eight races in May

Fifteen of the last 18 winners of the nomadic Temple Stakes have been in the first four in the betting

Silver Bowl:

All ten winners of the Betfred Silver Bowl came from the first three in the betting, with the biggest priced winner Sagramor

Eight of the last ten winners of the Betfred Silver Bowl finished in the first three on their most recent run

Seven of the last eight winners of the Betfred Silver Bowl have been drawn eight or lower.

Mark Johnston’s last 16 runners have been beaten in the Betfred Silver Bowl

Eight of the last ten winners of the Silver Bowl have won on either of their last two starts.

Irish 2,000 Guineas:

Eight of last 10 winners of the Irish 2000 Guineas were single figures prices

Aidan O’Brien has won the Irish 2000 Guineas eight times, seven of those winners had previously won at the course.

Aidan O’Brien is the only Irish trainer to have won the Irish 2000 Guineas in the last 15 years.

Eight of the ten winners of the 2.55 York have been drawn 10 or higher