My Cheltenham Day One picks

 On the first day of Cheltenham the fields have me rather disappointed. There's a desire to increase the number of races but there's races with only six horses in. It's not as exciting as normal but it doesn't mean the quality of horses and the racing isn't top notch. 

1:20 - For me it really is a two horse race being between Appreciate It and Ballyadam. These two have great form and even love the ground. I think this will give the audience a Supreme Novices' Hurdle to remember. 

1:55- For me I struggle to contemplate Shishkin not winning this. The betting isn't great with Shishkin but the odds show how strong of a competitor he is. 

14:30- In this I have picked out a wild card, this bet is an outsider. Vintage Clouds has reasonable form on this ground. Also after a recent wind surgery he seems to have picked up his form and after his prior wind op the performances picked up. My other pick would be Alnadam for the Skelton partnership. The softer ground should be in his favour. 

15:05- It seems like Goshen and Honeysuckle will both be near favourites and they will pose a huge threat to the rest of the field and will be hard to beat. For an outside bet Sharjah from Willie Mullins yard. This horse should suit the ground and the distance and I think the two favourites will set the pace Sharjah needs to come through horses to win. 

15:40- Here I think that My Sister Sarah really has an opportunity, it's clear that the distance won't be a problem for her. Her trainer Willie Mullins has notorious form in the Mare's Hurdle and I think it will be one of his mares to win this year too. 

16:15- Balko Saint not only has the form, he has also performed well at Chelts before, this little bit of experience on the track is only to his advantage. Houx Gris might go favourite but has more than a fair chance with consistent form and you can't go far wrong having Harry Cobden riding.

16:50- I have two picks here Remastered and Soldier Of Love both of these are outsiders so could easily be each way bets. Remastered should do well as long as he can finish strong and Soldier Of Love has the jockey-training combination of Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost- they will be tough to beat.  

Have any picks that you think I should know about let me know! 

Impressive Female Flat Jockey's

 Reflecting on the last season and seeing as the Lincoln is less than 40 days away (I'm very excited already), I decided to look at some of the current female jockey's that have or are going to change the racing game. 

Hollie Doyle - She is changing the game for so many positive reasons. Last season she continued breaking records having the most wins by a female jockey in a season, had a 15% strike rate, alongside Championship day wins and a five-timer at Kempton. These are feats not achieved by many. Alongside this, she continues to push the boundaries of racing and is bring it to a whole new platform being placed third at the Sports Personality of the Year awards. For this next season, I can only see her extending her accomplishments. 

Hayley Turner- She was the first female champion apprentice in 2005 and a first female jockey to ride at the Dubai World Cup in 2012. Often Turner is deemed to be a jockey who has paved the way for many other females. 

Laura Pearson- A 5lb claiming apprentice who since changing her agent has taken the racing world by storm. Currently, she is having a two-month break ahead of the up-and-coming season. She already has had a 21% strike rate. I can see a bright future for this apprentice and perhaps Pearson even becoming Champion Apprentice. 

Joanna Mason- Another 5lb claimer before taking her apprentice license out, she had much success as an amateur jockey and she even took the title alongside Serena Brotherton in 2015. This has stood her in good stead with lots of knowledge on race-riding, this shows in her riding.  

Georgia Dobie- She is another apprentice (5lb claim) who has caught my eye with a 14% strike rate last year and her nomination in the Lester's apprentice jockey of the year award in which she narrowly lost out in taking the prize. Having experience riding abroad in Australia this can be seen in her riding ability and her strength in the final furlongs.

Saffie Osborne- In 2020 she suffered what appeared to be a bad fall in which she broke her arm and some ribs. Before this she was beginning to make a big name for herself having an 11% strike rate, this comes after she has competed internationally and nationally in youth eventing. Her father Jamie Osborne has given her a grounding in racing and I think she has much more to show already being an accomplished rider. I am excited to see what wins she will produce next season. 

Are there any up-and-coming jockeys I should know about? Let me know in the comments or tweet.

Reasons to vote for Hollie Doyle for Sports Personality of the year

 Hollie Doyle has been nominated for BBC sports personality of the year and these are the reasons why you should vote for her tonight when the voting opens. You can vote by clicking here. I tipped Hollie Doyle on a previous blog to be one to watch this year. 

In the last year, despite Coronavirus Hollie Doyle has been breaking records. This season Doyle has had 146 winners, this exceeded her own record from the previous year. Additionally, these race wins include her first group one on Glen Shield, she had her first win for a female on Championship day, a Royal Ascot winner (only a few women have achieved this feat) and she had a five-timer at Windsor in August. Her wins are unmatched by any other female jockey.

Doyle has also put so much hard work into getting where she is today. She started off in pony racing riding a really unruly pony but has gone on to ride horses of all different calibres and win. While she was an apprentice she was told that she wasn't strong enough. Doyle took this and worked on it, to get to where she is today. When she's not riding winners, you will find her in the gym working on the fitness that gives her the winners.  

Hollie Doyle has done so much for the sport of horse racing, she's opened people's eyes that both genders can be equal in terms of riding winners. Also, she's encouraged other women to get involved in the sport and is inspiring by giving girls a role model. 

This year Doyle is the only female nominated, despite all of the women who are at the top level in sports. There is a lack of representation in Sports Personality of the Year of women, proven by the last female winner was 14 years ago being Zara Philips. Doyle is defying norms if she wins. 

These are my reasons why I think you should vote for Hollie Doyle- let me know if you have any other reasons. Vote tonight!

Nottingham Races

 A surprising journey to Nottingham races came from ditching going to university for the day. With some of the cracking races, it was well worth it. The race day had nine races, the first two being tricky as they were maiden races with the runners being two-year-olds. My highlight again went to Fantasy Master, who won by a length backing up his prior win on course. 

The second race had Ryan Moore win for Sir Michael Stoute. Noon Star the winner was very clearly going to triumph, the willingness to continue to fight back either to chase or to go on to lead. Ocean Road and Mrs Fitzherbert were big outsiders and slowly away, struggling to get into the race but once they found their feet were away and in the final stages showed promise. First place was Noon Star by 3 1/4 lengths, the second was Ocean Road by 1/2 length and third was Mrs Fitzherbert by 5 1/2 lengths. 

The listed race of the afternoon, the Rous Stakes saw the favourite take the glory. Wonderwork led the way initially in the sprint. With Dakota God, Alijady close up. He was tracked by Tis Marvellous and a lot of the horses were in the middle of the field- not having much impact. At four furlongs out Dakota Gold took over the lead, Wonderwork did give chase as did most of the field moving forward. With three furlongs to go Alijay was pushed along and went on strong. In this race, many of horses appeared to hang and struggle. Dakota Gold, in the end, could not be caught, he went to win by 3 1/2 lengths. Second Alijay was 1 3/4 lengths clear of third, who was Wonderwork by 3/4 lengths.  

Additionally, we must give Hollie Doyle a shout out as yet again, she's breaking records (this time however it's her own). In back to back years she has upped the record despite, the current Covid situation. The new record is 117 and I am sure this will be built on greatly. 

Nottingham races

 Yesterday I attended Nottingham Races for the first time this season, despite the lack of atmosphere and the true spirit behind racing it was not too bad. I had a really lucky day and picked a winner or a place in every race. The first two races were tricky as many were unraced and young horses. Only one favourite won on the day. 

The first race had an 80/1 shot under the unstoppable Tom Marquand win! Prospect led the race, chased by High Security, Harworth and Jennivere. There was a few dwelling at the start including Fantasy Master, Strangerontheshore and Rosa Bonheur. Fantasy Master struggled in the early stages and stumbled, having to be pushed at three furlongs on. At two furlongs out, Fantasy Master made headway as did High Security and Jacattack. At one furlong out, Fantasy Master stumbled again but Prospect was having to be pushed along. High Security and Harworth struggled for room if they had enough space next time they might be ones to watch. But it was Fantasy Master who managed to get the win by 1/2 length, the second was Prospect and third by 3/4 lengths was High Security. 

The 2.20 Inhaler was a little ahead of Jadwal with Mishal Star and Vedute tracking the leaders. Temple Bruer lacked for room but at two furlongs out when he had space he went on. Vedute and Muay Thai were running on strong with Bhubezi who went to lead. At one furlong out the lead changed again was briefly Vedute before Mishal Star took keen hold. Tempel Bruer tried to challenge, however, didn't have enough to compete. First place was Mishal Star by 1 1/2 lengths, the second was Temple Bruer by 2 3/4 lengths and third was Vedute by a neck. 

A new blog will be out soon, this will discuss how more and more jockey's keep testing for cocaine metabolites and the question mark over the outcome of Oisin Murphy in France. 

Ayr Racecourse

 On Monday it was my first time racing since January. And if anything I was apprehensive after hearing all the negative feedback about the racing experience. But I was pleasantly surprised by the experience and by the level of racing. 

On arrival there was the standard procedure: the questionnaire answered, temperature checked and ID checked. Mask to be worn in communal areas and plenty of sanitiser. However, as far as I'm concerned Ayr racecourse has it right. Open spaces used effectively, the bar open enabling drinks to be flowing like a normal race day, the tote and two other bookmakers on course. And hot food available for racing staff and owners from a burger van which had delicious chips. These are all helping to bring the experience back to normal and for the better. The only thing that I could criticise is that racecourses the size of Ayr they could easily have all owners back and racing. Thus further taking steps to get racing back to normal. 

The 3.10 had a close race yet in the midsized field many weren't really involved. Bumbledom was first to lead, tracked by Destination Aim and Al Mansoura. Close up was Equidae and Sienna Dream. The rest of the field were never better than midfield. At two furlong out Equidae took on the lead as Al Mansoura was switched and pushed along. Sienna Dream and Jessie Allan were ridden out. There was to be no catching of the first to as Equidae and Al Mansoura went head to head. But Equidae won this battle by only a neck. The second was Al Mansoura by 1 length and third was Sienna Dream. 

The 4.50 had an unsurprising result with an unexpected ban. Taramanda led the race, followed by Shanghai City and Manzo Duro with Tiritomba sat midfield. These positions were like this until three furlongs out where Ricksen made good headway as did Manzo Duro. Two furlongs to go Tiritomba didn't have a clear run as Ricksen led, followed by Manzo Duro. At one furlong out Tiritomba was switched out and clipped heels with Ricksen. This hampered Ricksen. Although Tiritomba went on to win by 2 1/4 lengths, the second was Ricksen by 3 3/4 lengths and third was Manzo Duro by a nose. 

Oisin Murphy, who rode Tiritomba, due to this dangerous riding when he clipped heels means that a careless riding ban will be implemented on the Ledger week at Doncaster. He has a seven-day ban so that means that he will miss the entire meeting. Although, he has suggested that he might contest this and appeal. 

Hopefully, my next blog will be soon, keep up to date with my twitter! 

Racing round up!

This is this weeks racing round up! We have lots of exciting news about jockeys and a look at some of the best moments from Glorious Goodwood and the gorgeous Enable.  

There has been exciting news for Lizzie Kelly as she retires from racing. This comes as she announces her pregnancy. Lizzie Kelly has been a record-breaker within the sport being the first female jockey to win grade One Jumps race. She has paved the way for other female future jockeys and the sport is grateful for this. 

We had another retirement announcement from the jump jockey Barry Geraghty. He has a list of success next to his name which includes 1920 wins and the second most successful jockey at Cheltenham Festival. Additionally, this announcement comes after the prior 18 months being littered with injuries. There's nothing but best wishes to both Lizzie and Barry. 

Hollie Doyle just keeps on improving on her recent form. Now she has signed a retainer with the owner and breeder Imad Al Sagar. He has over 30 horses in training and this now gives Hollie an even bigger platform to show her talent. It's very exciting to see what this new partnership brings. 

Tuesday at Goodwood saw an amazing Stradivarius. This just showed the level of class the horse has. After being continuously blocked and not getting a gap, there was a point in the race where I thought he's not going to do it. But Frankie Dettori stayed calm and was patient. Frankie switched him one furlong out and went on well towards the end to win by a length to second Nayef Road. 

On Wednesday, at Goodwood in the Qatar Sussex Stakes had some of the best horses running. There were lots of short odds and a massive question over whether Mohaather, Siskin or Kameko would win. With an early lead from Kameko, it looked as though he would dictate the race. However, this was not the case as Mohaather despite struggling for room, when he got switched and ran on well towards the final furlongs. The surprise Circus Maximus challenging him. Siskin although, I found fell rather flat in the closing stages. The winner was Mohaather, second Circus Maximus, third was Siskin, fourth was Kameko. 

Battaash on Friday again had the miracle happen. After racing freely he went on to led and was pushed inside the final few furlongs. He kept on well beating Glass Slippers into second by 2 1/4 lengths. This race also saw him winning the King George Qatar Stakes for the fourth year running. Additionally, he broke the track record with 55.62 seconds. Meaning Battaash is only improving as he set the previous course record a mere 12 months ago. 

A couple of Saturday's ago at Ascot in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes we saw the incredible Enable. Sovereign had the lead going 6 lengths clear being tracked by Enable and Japan. Sovereign was tiring slightly. But Enable was going strong. But Japan weakened inside the final furlong whereas Enable was well clear and gaining momentum. First was Enable, second Sovereign, third Japan. 

 This is the latest blog with my highlights of the past few weeks! What were your highlights?