A shorter than normal article this weekend as I am off for the weekend to visit the Eden project for what I see as a much deserved rest -though I don’t expect any of you to agree I have earned it!
Once again looking for a good news story has proved fruitless this week with all the talk about the staff shortages crippling our racing industry – and if we are honest, we all know it won’t get any quick fix to solve all our problems. I am no expert and am open to advice from any trainer willing to take the time to contact me, but I gather it is a combination of a lack of suitable people since Brexit, and an inability to pay better wages thanks to the poor prize money we are suffering - and that can only get worse after the dreaded gambling review if they bring in the expected restrictions that are expected to affect the levy payments to the industry. Our government may have more important things to work on, but we really need an exemption to bring in staff from elsewhere in Europe, even on temporary visas, or things can only get worse. Things have got so bad that Martin Bosley is handing in his licence at the end of the season for that reason alone, and as I quite like the tradition associated with our sport, it hurts to see someone who has been in the game even longer than me having to give it all up for what seems a very silly and easily solvable problem.
On to the horses now (I need to pack), and I have tried to be as selective/lazy as I can get away with! With nothing out of the ordinary this week I have looked at some very different races to normal to pique your interest- and perhaps come up with a winner or two.
Haydock 2.40pm
I have a feeling the Gosden team could have a good race here with the beautifully bred Golden Horn filly Wonderful Time making her racecourse debut, and the once raced Nashwa my preference under Hollie Doyle. She was sent off favourite at Newmarket last October when showing plenty of signs of inexperience when being asked to win her race before coming home in third, catching my eye in the process. Put away for the winter she was always expected to make a better three-year-old and if she has learned as much form that educational debut as I hope, she may well go one better this afternoon.
Haydock 3.15pm
Richard Hughes has booked Neil Callan to ride Aussie Banker ahead of his handicap debut this afternoon, and I see that as a big positive as I am a massive fan of the jockey when he is given the right ammunition. Last season the son of Muhaarar was given three starts on the al-weather, saving his best for last when third at Chelmsford, beaten a length and a half at the line over six furlongs. He steps up to a mile for the first time here which may bring about the improvement needed, and a mark of just 68 looks sorely tempting for an each-way bet here if he is ready to roll for his first start of the season.
Haydock 3.45pm
I had hoped for a better price about Kingmania for this mile handicap, but we get what we are given in this life and if he comes home in front, a winner is a winner. Last season he only appeared at the track three times, winning the first two at Leicester and Doncaster before a close up fourth at Newmarket in a valuable fillies’ handicap, and she may well have finished even closer had she got a clear run. Chris Wall has his string in fine fettle with two winners from his last three runners (at the time of writing), and I am hopeful he can add to those statistics this afternoon with the daughter of Kingman.
Sandown 3.32pm
The big race of the day is perhaps surprisingly over fences, as up to 15 go t post for the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown over three miles and five furlongs – the final “big race” of the National Hunt season. Enrilo has been well-backed all week and will like the going more than most for trainer Paul Nicholls, but he has failed to complete in two of his three starts this season which sets alarm bells ringing to me. Alan King has trained the winner of this race for the last two years, the latest with Potterman, and he is back to defend his crown off just 2lb higher, despite winning at Kelso last time out. He may well prove to be the biggest danger to my suggestion who is the Philip Hobbs trained Musical Slave. Wind surgery in July 2021 seems to have worked the trick with a pair of third places followed by wins here at Sandown over three miles, and then at Haydock over three and a quarter miles when running on strongly in first-time cheekpieces, suggesting this trip may well be within his abilities. Better still, is clearly well handicapped off a mark of 137 and is due to go up 7lb for future contests, suggesting his price is good value in the circumstances.
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