Saturday 8th June

Good morning racing fans I trust you all slept well ahead of this huge day of racing, I say this in a sarcastic tone unfortunately. This is one of the poorest Saturday's of racing in my memory and I'm sure some of yours as well, but this is all building up to Royal Ascot of course. We race today at a host of venues, the one taking centre stage is up at Haydock where they hold the Timeform Jury Stakes, in which Eton Forever goes to post. We also race at Chester, Catterick, Stratford, Newbury, Beverley and at flat racing HQ, Newmarket as well as Navan over in Ireland. A feast of flat racing with one jumps meeting thrown in for good measure, the class may not be there but we are spoiled for choice.

As everyone knows last week was the Epsom Derby and it was expected to be contested between Ballydoyle and Dawn Approach from Godolphin. It is fair to say that Dawn Approach was oh so disappointing and the writing was on the wall a long way from home. With Joseph O'Brien setting a slow pace on Battle Of Marengo, Dawn Approach didn't settle whatsoever and turning for home was cooked. But it was Ryan Moore on Ruler Of The World who came from the back to land the 2013 Epsom Derby, and Ryan's second after Workforce. The Elaine Burke 'trained' Libertarian finished with a strong late run to grab second right on top of the line.

Ride of the day had to go to the Derby winning jockey Ryan Moore, but not for his Derby Winning ride, instead his ride on Duke Of Firenze who won the sprint. A furlong out he was one of the most unlikely winners with a lot to do and a wall of horses to pass if he were to land victory. Moore thread the eye of a needle though and masterfully got his mount through to land the spoils as the public looked on in awe. A mention also has to go to Danny Tudhope as well who also flew home but from even further back and if it wasn't for Duke Of Firenze, he would have won nicely.

Before we go on I'd like to address a rather serious problem that caught the eye of the racing public this week. On Thursday evening Tipperary had a mixed meeting of flat and jumps, in the 8:20, a 2 mile handicap Hurdle, disaster struck. The much loved veteran Let Yourself Go lost his early prominent place and was pulled up before the 3rd hurdle. As the field carried on and left horse and rider out of view of the camera it appeared nothing was going on and all was ok. However as the field began to turn for home it was clear that something shocking and something that should never happen on a racecourse had occurred. Unfortunately short after being pulled up Shane Hassett dismounted and Let Yourself Go collapsed and lost his life.

The shocking thing was still to come, as the rest of the field turned for home you could see the deceased horse still on the ground, uncovered with no covers around. He was left exposed laying on the track and if it wasn't for the quick thinking of the other riders he'd have been trampled. The only thing the ground staff appeared to do was to have two people wave flags to go round the hurdle, but they were hard to view. As the field carried on those two gentlemen ran out onto the course, one in front of Let Yourself Go, almost to protect him without a moments thought.

My problem came the day after when Tipperary Racecourse released a statement, in it they said, 'It was not possible to erect screens in the very short space of time available as it would have compromised the safety of the oncoming runners, riders and members of staff required to hold the screens'. This is where I have my problem, leaving the horse directly in front of the hurdle just off the bend still endangered the riders and horses. I appreciate they cant do anything about that, but if safety is paramount like it is at every course throughout the world, why not void the race? A prime example is Fox Hunt at Meydan, he broke down on the home straight first time round, within the minute the race was declared void.

When a race is declared void, the runners are flagged down and ordered to stop and pull their horses up as quick as possible. Unfortunately for owners, trainer and rider the race is not completed and they may feel it was a wasted opportunity for their horse. But after all the one thing all trainers want is their horse back safely and for them to come home for dinner that evening. I'd just like to know the reasons for not voiding the race and I'm sure many others will join me in this.

Apologies for the rant but it was a topic that needed addressing. But onto the racing!!

I know I keep mentioning this as well, but go and follow @Pigeon_Island who I am also writing blogs for as well. The rules are each weekday 4 races are nominated by the gentleman who runs it (Martin) and you have to pick a horse in each race. Entry is completely free and there are prizes that are offered when available. If you don't have twitter then the link to the site is www.pigeonscoop4.wordpress.com I even have my own section now! Thanks guys. Now lets go seriously onto the racing!

2:20 Newmarket - Nabucco

Nabucco gets a 4 pounds turn around with Ehtedaam after his defeat last time to the tune of one and a quarter lengths. That was his seasonal reappearance and was inclined to need it a little so you'd think he will come on for that outing. The only blotch on his CV is when he encountered soft ground over course and distance, but that can be put down entirely to the ground, today will suit him nicely. Another positive is the fact that William Buick gets the ride again today who seems to get on well with Nabucco, no disrespect to Nicky Mackay of course. But with ground on his side and John Gosden just beginning to hit form this son of Dansili can land the spoils here. (9/2)

3:15 Haydock - Pastoral Player

Pastoral Player was an unlucky fourth last time when behind the reopposing Red Jazz and Eton Forever over course and distance. On paper that is fairly poor form and you'd be scoffed at for suggesting a reversal of this measure. But its only when you review the race footage that you discover he was unlucky and short of room twice in the last two furlongs. Once when making his move and again when the race had gone but would have probably been third ahead of Red Jazz. Pastoral Player is also one that usually takes a couple of runs before he hits peak fitness so today he should be at his best. Libranno is no worry on last years form and Pastoral Player can land this race for the second time in as many years. Graham Lee in the saddle today. (11/4)

5:05 Chester - Dutch Masterpiece

Gary Moore's gelding is one that I have been fond of ever since his debut romp at Southwell under George Baker. But as of today he still hasn't quite gone on to be the horse that was thought of him as a two year old but is still full of promise. His only defeat as a two year old came at Goodwood, but that run is easily forgiven as he absolutely hated the track and stood no chance. But this year he is winless from two attempts but slight excuses can be made for both of them efforts. First time up this season he ran at Newmarket over 6 furlongs but that trip proved to be a bit beyond him at this stage of his career, yet still ran with credit. Last time out he tried to defy top weight in a good sprint handicap at York, to be fair to him he looked good passing the 2 furlong marker before emptying out. It is also worth noting that he was on the wrong side of the course that day with the main finishers coming down the near side. Out of stall 2 today and a possibly lenient handicap mark he can have no excuses but must break well, something that shouldn't be a problem based on his previous efforts. Dutch Masterpiece to take all the beating for Jimmy Fortune. (4/1)

5:35 Haydock - Elhaame

We will side with Elhaame to end our day on a high note this week for Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon. This is only a small contest but is a tough race to decide as there are a couple of potential improvers in this 4 horse field, Elhaame being one of them. The son of acclamation has got better the further he again steps up an extra 2 furlongs today which definitely looks a good move. Last time you can say in a sense he was a tad unfortunate as he bumped into a horse now rated 14 pounds higher than when winning that race. In turn Elhaame was a length and a quarter ahead of the third place horse but stayed on well to the line after being outpaced at the top of the straight. Not a big race but a competitive one to round off the day and it can go the way of Elhaame. (9/4)

NAP - Dutch Masterpiece
Nb - Elhaame

On Sunday I have been invited as a VIP to the local track out here called Hastings Park where I am hoping to meet Dubai World Cup and Breeders Cup winning jockey Aaron Gryder. If I do meet him I will try to persuade him into an interview, especially after such an awesome ride on Calidoscopio at Belmont Park yesterday. If you haven't seen it I highly suggest watching it, talk about knowing your horse!!

Happy Punting today guys!