And Now Lucinda

Responding to numerous emails over the past few years, I have now created Speed Ratings on TowerForm . These ratings will be free until May 31 2009 after which I hope to integrate them into all ratings subscriptions at no extra cost. For those who prefer Speed Ratings to Handicap Ratings, they will be available as a separate service for £10.00 per month. Check them out HERE

There were eleven (4) and (5) graded races, Thursday. Four were won by the clear top rated, three by the clear 2nd top rated and four were unsuccessful. An average performance.

Money Trix was withdrawn because of the ground conditions. I had hoped he would run and win but considering his past injury problems, I suppose it was the right decision for the horse. As I have said in previous postings, I think all NH racing should be abandoned if the going description includes the word "Firm".

Will If I Want proved himself to be a thorough stayer as he dourly beat off his opponents to win all out and exhausted. He is only modest but he has shown a lot of improvement since being upped in trip on his only two runs in this country. The 800 guineas he was bought for is now looking to be a bargain - even though he will probably always hover around the low class he ran in today.

Sandown has a fairly good card on Friday with some useful looking 3-Y-Os on view. My pick of them is Brenin Taran (2-35). I liked the way he won at Thirsk last Saturday. Though he had to be ridden out in the end, he struck me as the type of progressive 3-Y-O sprinter that can win a few early season handicaps before the handicapper fully gets his measure. Last season he had a few problems exiting the stalls and was slowly away on a couple of occasions. He can't afford to do that against today's rivals but the way he came from the stalls at Thirsk suggests his trainer has rectified that flaw. With Gower Valentine in the race he will get the strong pace he needs to get him cruising on the bit. I expect him to swoop in the final furlong to pass Gower Valentine and probably hold off Affluent.... Oh, how I wish it were so simple....

Elsewhere, it seems the NH is still in full swing this Flat season. There seems to be more NH racing this Friday than there has been since last November. Very strange. Chepstow seems to be a meeting for favourite backers at first glance. But there is an intriguing race for the 7-55. The two that head the market were both beaten at odds on in similar races last time out. It will be fascinating to see if one or the other (or both) bottle it today.

Lucinda Russell usually manages to get a winner at her local track but has failed so far at the Perth Festival. Et Maintenant (5-00 Perth) looks to be the best chance she has had this week. He beat Thursday's good winner, Cantgeton, last time at Ayr with some ease, galloping on strongly on the run to the line. Admittedly, that was on soft ground, but he has won on good and firm ground in the past - in fact his previous trainer, Emma Lavelle, considered that fast ground was essential for him to show his best. The conditions will be perfect for him Friday so long as the rain holds off.

Have a good Friday.