At last it is the weekend and the return of some high class racing to our screens! Focus for today is well and truly on Doncaster with a card that feels like it is reopening the flat season after the lack of action. But its here and the National hunt season is all but over despite entertaining supporting cards at Stratford and Uttoxeter. We also race at Kempton who host the Snowdrop Stakes for fillies with Irish Jumps racing from Tramore. No Ruby Walsh there though as he is in Japan to ride Blackstairmountain in the Nakayama Grand Jump.
Hopefully you all read my interview and article blog with Shirley Teasdale earlier in the week, more importantly, you enjoyed it. This is something I really enjoy doing as it involves getting everyone closer with the people who make this sport so great. I am already writing my next interview and all the work has been done, this time it will be focused on Mark Usher's jockey Racheal Kneller who provides some... Comical answers. Providing all that goes well the next person I am lining up is very exciting as I have been a big fan of her's for some time now. But lets not count our chickens and get today out of the way first.
Id also like to thank you all for the support you gave this page during Grand National week and the continued support in the coming days. Last week was the most views this blog has ever received and I cant thank you all enough for that, I just hope you had a better Aintree than we did here! Congratulations to Sue and Harvey Smith and also Ryan Mania who is a very underrated jockey. Long time followers of me will know I'm a huge fan of the stable and there aren't many people in the game that deserve this more.
One final thing before we start today, if you have a twitter account please go and follow @NewBHorses. They are a great cause in aiming to rehome and rehabilitate retired racehorses and no I wasn't asked to say anything about them. Alternatively you can visit their website which is www.newbeginningshorses.org.uk where you can see pictures of their horses currently. Ex-festival winner Mister McGoldrick is the pride and joy there amongst many others. Thank You
But back to current racehorses and onto the action this week.
1:35 Kempton - Vodka Time
David Evans yard have been on absolute fire as of late and his 2 year olds are going as well as any early season. Vodka Time was runner up in the Brocklesby, five lengths behind Mick's Yer Man which links him and Skye's the limit closely together. Preference is for Vodka Time though who travelled the best for much of the race first time out but couldn't quicken in the conditions. The fibresand will suit him much more today and this is arguably an easier race however the Richard Hannon newcomer is a danger. But with the yard on absolute fire and the horse having a run under his belt we will side with Vodka Time in the opener. (3/1)
2:20 Doncaster - Highland Knight
Highland Knight is a horse that I very much like and at the age of 6 is probably better than he has ever been right now. Clearly this is a race with a lot of depth despite the small field, but the selection improved all throughout last year with a group win in Germany to his name. His excuse for his latest run would be the ground in the sense that he doesn't want it too soft, no such excuses today however on this ground. This time last year he was rated 96 and this time round is 19 pounds higher at 115 after a string of good performances. Normal jockey David Probert is sidelined with a ban but the very talented Liam Keniry takes over the steering. Highland Knight to burn them all off from the front. (10/3)
3:15 Kempton - Burke's Rock
Burke's Rock is one of a few Jeremy Noseda horses I am fond of after her exploits last year at the top level. At one point she was a live candidate for the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot until turning in a woeful run at Redcar. But she got right back on the horse (excuse the pun) and pushed the useful Jacob Cats all the way at Sandown after leading the race. After another second and then refinding the winning thread, she put in two more below par performances before dropped back down to a mile, and finishing second to the top class Sentaril by a head. Through her races it may look as if she needs further but I think its a case of her just getting a mile very well instead of too short a distance. William Buick takes the ride and he exudes confidence on his Attheraces blog which is good enough for me. Burke's Rock to take the Snowdrop. (7/1)
3:20 Uttoxeter - Ciceron
Venetia Williams string continued its pretty good form yesterday at Chepstow and it seems she has been in form all season long. Ciceron is one of those providing towards the good form with a string of places and a win thrown in for good measure. It may look like he ran 9 days ago from today's racecard but if you recall he fell at the first during Aintree so comes here fresh. In truth he never looked likely to make it over the obstacle as he was behind a few that ran around right in front of him. Usually he is a very sound jumper so we can forgive him that blip and he has his sights lowered considerably today, Robbie Dunne's 3 pound claim could well come in handy also. The return to faster ground will help and Ciceron is taken to add to his tally for this season. (9/2)
3:30 Doncaster - Colonel Mak
David Barron's seemingly second string comes here fit after a recent run at the course 2 weeks ago on Lincoln day. He was behind a few of today's opponents that time and most people would argue he wont be reversing that. However he impressed me that day, early on he was one of the lead horses making the pace and showed some great early speed to get there. He weakened late on but will have needed the run and it didn't help that the race was run on ground that he really doesn't like all that much. He returns here off his lowest mark for 2 years but has run well off much higher and more importantly on good ground. Clearly a tough race but one that can go the way of Colonel Mak at a working man's price. (25/1)
4:15 Stratford - Iolith
Our last runner of the day comes from Stratford in the shape of the in form Alan King's Iolith. He ran an absolute blinder on return after a monster lay off of almost 2 years. He was fourth on reappearance and for a while looked the winner but fitness gave out on stamina sapping ground and he tired late on. Before his injury however he was a very promising novice hurdler, gaining a rating of 130 during the season. The return to good ground will see him much happier today and with fitness on his side should take some beating, Claret Cloak is a danger however. Wayne Hutchinson has drummed up a good relationship with Iolith in the past and they can continue their romance today with a win. (5/1)
NAP - Highland Knight
Nb - Vodka Time
Lucky 15 - Vodka Time, Highland Knight, Burke's Rock and Iolith
Good luck and happy punting as always guys!
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