The sun is shining here in the South-East of England and we had the one winner from just the one suggestion last weekend so let’s hope that is just a sign of things to come over the weeks and months ahead. Sadly, as I was sat down preparing to write this the news filtered through that the legendary tv present John McCririck had passed away at the age of 79. He hadn’t looked well for some time sadly but I have to add that his television personality (brash loud and perhaps condescending on occasion) was not the man I knew and an excellent piece of method acting. On the few occasions I ran in to him in press rooms around the Country he was an absolute gentleman, polite, helpful and a pleasure to know and although not everyone liked his style, he garnered plenty of attention for the sport he loved and will be sadly missed in a sterile age where personality seems to be something to frown upon.
Meanwhile, William Hill announced the likely closure of numerous shops blaming the reduced stakes forced upon them for the wallet emptying machines (FOBTs). Of course I feel sorry for anyone about to lose their livelihood, but just like other retail outlets, on-line is the way everything is moving and this looks suspiciously like a good excuse to me for tidying up their empire with rents and rates cleanly removed from the balance sheets.
Looking for something positive to cheer us up ahead of my “holibobs” (no article next week as I will be sunning myself in Tenerife), and good luck to all those taking part in the Durban July in South Africa on Saturday. It is without doubt one of the most colourful events on the racing calendar world-wide and a shame I am missing it this season, but even I can’t be in two places at once and I am rather hopeful that by writing nice things here I may well get another invite in 2020, it is one of life’s most exciting and awe inspiring racing spectacles I assure you!
On to the weekend here in the United Kingdom and we are in the midst of that time of year I describe as racing overload. So many races, so many meetings, and a plethora of horses ( I really love that word), though the jockeys are stretched thin (pun intended) and that can severely influence the cash flow so care is needed once again. On Saturday we have the Group One Coral Eclipse from Sandown over the mile and a quarter and the long awaited return of dual Arc winner Enable for John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori. She is class without a doubt, but at odds on and after eight months off I will keep a watching brief unless last minute temptation sees me have a little each way on Derby flop Telecaster who receives lumps of weight as a three-year-old.
Earlier on the card I will prising open the wallet for a little on Muthmir in the opener at 1.50pm, a five furlong Group Three sprint that will be over in a flash. Second in this race last year he has only had the one run this season when a length fifth at Epsom. He won’t be getting any better at the age of nine but may well have one last big run in him and at 5/1 I will be backing him each way with a place making sure I get all my money back. My only other et over the weekend runs in the same colours when Sir Michael Stoute interestingly sends maiden Madeeh in to handicap company after the obligatory three races for a handicap mark. Only beaten a length in a Beverley maiden last time out his action suggests an even quicker surface will suit ideally and with further improvement expected, a handicap mark of 78 may well be too generous to ignore in the 5.20pm at the same track.
Horses to Follow.
Visinari –I freely confess that this beast has been brought to my attention via a superb article in the Kingsley Klarion written by Simon Rowlands that made me look at the form of the Dark Angel colt who comes out as one to follow. He clocked a very decent time in the circumstances despite looking as if the race would bring him forward mentally and I am quietly confident he can go on from that novice stakes to take high rank in far better company as the season progresses.
Sean’s Suggestions:
Muthmir Each way 1.50pm Sandown Saturday
Madeeh Each way 5.20pm Sandown Saturday
Good luck as always,
Sean
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