Southwell races

The glorious weather had the Nottinghamshire Sports Day theme very busy and the racecourse was full of people of all ages. There was fun for all the family. The eye catcher of the race meeting was Blowing Dixie. He made the 1m 4f look easy even in the heat. The two pony races before the first race, one of the jockeys Edward Vaughan is clearly destined to become an apprentice jockey and then go further.

The 3:00 had the horses very close together throughout. It was hard to see much separating Maystar, Augustus Caesar, Royal Context and Strong Power. Close up was One Bite and Order Of Merritt. There was the slightest lead to Maystar. Royal Context and Abbaleka made headway at two furlongs out while One Bite was ridden along. At one furlong to go  Augustus Caesar, Royal Context and Maystar were pushed along.  In the final furlong Maystar was narrowly headed by Augustus Caesar but Strong Power and Royal Context kept on at the same pace. However Maystar rallied again to take the lead in the closing stages. Augustus Caesar had no more to give. First Maystar by 3/4 lengths, second Augustus Caesar by a neck and third Strong Power by 1 1/2 lengths.

The fourth race had Warrior's Valley leading, tracked by Dark Shot,  Zylan, Samovar, Airglow and Ebitda. Fantasy Keeper and Crosse Fire were not far off the pace. Over two furlongs Warrior's Valley and Airglow needed to be ridden along but the dwelling Lomu made headway. At one furlong out Crosse Fire was ridden to lead with Fantasy Keeper challenging. Dark Shot was ridden at this point as was Warrior's Valley. Within the final furlong Lomu and Airglow had no more to give like most of the field. Warrior's Valley weakened, Dark Shot  and Fantasy Keeper were single paced. Unlike Crosse Fire who kept on strongly. The winner was Crosse Fire by 1 1/2 lengths, giving Scott Dixon a double on the day. Second was Fantasy Keeper by 1 3/4 lengths, third was Dark Shot by 1/2 length.

Catterick Races

The momentary power cut did not inhibit racing as power was reconnected before the first race. With a few horses misbehaving and tack breaking two jockeys were off, Phil Dennis (who was fine) and Ben Robinson (who went to hospital). I hope it's nothing too serious. A very in-form trainer is Tim Easterby and his horses need to be watched having a treble on the card and Duran Fentiman having a double. Two horses to watch are Kodimoor and Ahorsewithnoname.

The second race had Infinite Grace lead, closely followed by Exclusively, Good Night Mr Tom and Knightcap. Bob's Oss and Woven Quality were not that far off the pace. In the rear were Gold Venture and She's Easyontheeye. Two furlongs out headway was made by Knightcap, Good Night Mr Tom began to be compete for the lead from Exclusively. Bob's Oss, Woven Quality and Infinite Grace were all ridden along. At one furlong out Knightcap was ridden to lead. Bob's Oss and Good Night Mr Tom fought towards the finish both driven hard. But Exclusively, Woven Quality and Infinite Grace were weakening slowly. Knightcap went well clear of the rest of the field winning by 3 1/4 lengths while Bob's Oss narrowly went in front by 3/4 lengths for second. Third was Good Night Mr Tom by a short head.

The 3:00 Super Florence led with Santafiora, Spirit Of Zebedee, Night Law and Carlovian all tracking. Midfield were Mr Greenlight, Point of Woods and B Fifty Two was towards the back. At the half way marker the lead was taken over by Night Law. At two furlong to go there was movement up the field by many including B Fifty Two, Mr Greenlight, Santafiora and Spirit Of Zebedee. Carlovian was being pushed along. One furlong out Night Law was ahead. Spirit Of Zebedee, B Fifty Two and Mr Greenlight chased. Some were one paced including Santafiora and Point Of Woods. The closing stages made it clear that there would be no catching of Night Law by 3/4 length, second B Fifty Two by 1 3/4 length and third Spirit Of Zebedee by a neck.

I'm also looking forward to the Ebor meeting, let's see what Enable and others can bring!

Thirsk races

The change in ground meant that there were a few horses withdrawn but this did not put a dampener on the family fun day. There was a variety of activities including animal petting, donkey rides and face painting. There additionally was a storm which resulted in a flag start. Also there was some shocks with the first race being won by a 22/1 outsider, Lady Erimus.

The 2:20 had Baltic State leading, chased by Balancing Act, Araifjan and Kilham. Midfield was Sendacard. Many of the field dwelt. The leader was uncontested until two furlongs out, Balancing Act, Music Therapist, Kilham and Sendacard were pushed along. In the final stages Balancing Act took the lead, there was however a battle between Sendacard and Baltic State for second position. Arafjan, Music Therapist and Kilham all had no more to give, plodding slightly. Balancing Act kept on well to win by 3/4 length, second Sendacard by 1 length, third was Baltic State by 2 lengths.

The fifth race had Three Saints Bay in the lead, chased by Raydiance with The Broghie Man and Dan's Dream in midfield. The backmarker was Remarkable. Raydiance was being ridden along at three furlongs out. With two furlongs to go Dan's Dream was pushed up the field while Three Saints Bay, Remarkable and The Broghie Man were all ridden. At one furlong out Dan's Dream challenged the leader Three Saints Bay. Raydiance became one paced and merely kept on. Remarkable and The Broghie Man made no impact on the race. Three Saints Bay driften towards the rail side, this couldn't even stop him going on well to win. Dan's Dream had no more to give. First was Three Saints Bay by 1 1/4 lengths, second Dan's Dream by 1 3/4 lengths and third was Raydiance.

I'm unsure as to when my next blog will be follow my twitter to find out!

Nottingham Races

There was a change in going from soft to heavy in places, therefore a few horses were withdrawn. Richard Kingscote had a quick fire double winning the first and second race. It clearly was a day for the favourites winning 5 out of the 7 races. A horse to watch for the future is Platform Nineteen as it won impressively.

The 3:25 had Mr Strutter lead for one furlong before a strong pace was set by Loose Chippings. Classic Charm was soon prominent, Carey Street, Showboating and Hitman were held up. Bruyere, Dawn Breaking and Bristol Missile were slowly away. At one stage Loose Chippings went 12 lengths clear and he was stretching the field. Three furlongs out Bruyere made headway but Loose Chippings had been headed and Vixen Weakened. Classic Charm took the lead from Loose Chippings. At two furlongs out Carey Street was outpaced, others such as Showboating and Dawn Breaking were ridden along. Mr Strutter chased Classic Charm. One furlong out Classic Charm had gone well clear yet Bruyere, Mr Strutter and Showboating were chasing. Most of the other field weakened. In the final stages there was no catching Classic Charm. With not enough from Bruyere, Showboating and Carey Street to compete. First was Classic Charm by 7 lengths, second was Bruyere by 2 lengths, third was Carey Street by 3/4 length.

The sixth race had Kodiac Express withdrawn at the start because of poor behaviour. Show Palace led, Choosey chased and Gnaad didn't run straight but eventually chased. Requited was slowly into stride. This lead was taken by Requited over three furlongs out, this was not long lasting as the pace was picked up again by Show Palace with one furlong to go. Gnaad ran well and continued chasing. Choosey was never really involved dropping further back. Despite some wandering Show Palace won by 1/2 length to second Gnaad by 5 lengths, third Requited by 3 1/2 lengths.

Good luck to all the smaller trainers going for glory at Glorious Goodwood! Especially Declan Carroll who came so close with the same horse last year.

Redcar races

The rainy weather allowed the ground to be somewhat softened despite the lack of change in the going, it clearly wasn't good, good to firm  in places. There was a double for jockey Jack Mitchell and trainer Roger Varian also had a double. It also saw the first winner for Ben Robinson since losing his claim.

The first race was close with many in the running. Macho Time was the lead narrowly to Dutch Decoy. Tracking was Cruising, Sushi Power, Teasel's Rock and The Mystery Wizard. My Dandy Doc and Inductive were held up. At two furlongs out Dutch Decoy was given a shake whilst Cold Light Of Day, Sushi Power, The Mystery Wizard and Proclaimer were ridden along. With one furlong to go Macho Time edged left but Cruising went to challenge. Headway was made by My Dandy Doc, many at this stage dropped away. In the closing stages of the race Macho Time and My Dandy Doc kept on well, Cruising, Dutch Decoy were both one paced. Yet Macho Time could not be caught, winning by 1 1/2 lengths. Second was Dutch Decoy by 2 lengths and third Cruising.

The 4:30 initially had Kuwait Station lead with Creek Island not far off the pace and Jupiter Road tracking the leaders. Midfield was Edaraat and Zip while One To Go and Double Honour both dwelt. The pace was rather steady. Two furlongs out had Edaraat short for room, being switched and going on well. Zip, Jupiter Road and Double Honour were being pushed along. One furlong to go One To Go was challenging Creek Island for the lead. Kuwait Station was headed. In the final furlong Edaraat took the lead from One To Go who briefly led but Creek Island and Kuwait Station couldn't give any more. First was Edaraat by 1/2 length, second was One To Go by 3 1/4 lengths, third was Creek Island by 1 1/4 lengths.

On a more negative note: I was not able to do a blog from Pontefract on the last day of the Go Racing in Yorkshire summer festival, due to not being allowed in. This was despite the owners having left us badges and the attitude we were met with was pure arrogance. Therefore for the foreseeable future, there will be no blogs from Pontefract.