The Dutch Have It

It turned out that the title of yesterday's blog (Un-Super Thursday) was very misleading.

Earcomesannie was taken out of Towcester's 3-20 race late morning. According to the BHA website the trainer produced a Self Certification citing the going as the reason. This must be a misprint because the horse has run 35 times and raced (and won) on good and better ground in 32 races. Very strange to say the least.

Just a note to the emailer (j****t*@******.net). I don't have a dislike of All Weather racing because my handicaps are useless at the tracks (or, to use the emailer's exact words, "because they are crap"). Today at Southwell the CLEAR top rated won FIVE out of SIX races - including beating the long odds on hotpot Green Agenda in the last and two other odds on favourites Jeremiah and Rough Sketch. Plus, the five dutch races (grade 4 races) at both Southwell and Wolverhampton ALL won.

Just so you clearly understand, j****t*@******.net, I dislike All Weather racing because it provides the absolute worst racing on the calendar.

In total on Thursday, there were ten grade (4) and (5) races. Eight won, four by the clear top rated and four by the second top rated.

So, it turned out to be a Super Thursday despite the poor fare on offer.

Quality-wise, Friday's Ascot card is disappointing. But there is one particulary intriguing race. The Novice Chase (2-55) is very competitive in the sense that I found it hard to figure out which horse would produce its best. All the runners have doubts surrounding them but French Saulaie has a touch of class the others don't possess. If he deigns to repeat his autumn 2nd to Poquelin he should beat these.

Finally, if there are any racing subjects you want me to write about that may or may not be helpful to you (except betting strategies which bore me), just leave a comment at the end of any blog entry (just click on Comment to open the text box)

Have a good Friday.