On paper, we were down 9 pts, but with Bangers and Cash a non-runner in the Lucky Last, I backed Castle Robin e/w at 10s for break-even stakes and added the only other trends horse still running, Laskalin, to the ticket, who duly came second for a 65 pts profitable forecast. Sometimes there is a benevolent God.
After yesterday’s piece, I felt a little relieved that I had not been cancelled by lunchtime, although I suspect the black candles used in the better Excommunication ceremonies will be taken out and given a dusting, in case called for by The Senior Stewards of The Newmarket Lodge. However, I also got a dozen or so thumbs-up in the modern fashion of the emoji, so I suspect all is well. The problem with modern communications however is that we only hear the words of our selected tribe. This is good, in that it makes us feel better, but may be deadly if you tune out the other voices, making one slightly unbalanced… certainly hard of hearing.
The Calcutta Cup was a thrill – truly gripping – and then The Hon and I finished watching The English which if you haven’t seen it, I beg you to watch. Stunning cinematography, Emily Blunt is brilliant and it has some of the best ensemble players from English stage and TV. There is a moral turpitude with almost every character, but the choices they make en route to their individual denouements are entirely understandable. It is visceral and beautiful and I suspect captures the realities of frontier life more accurately even than Deadwood, (but without the swearing strangely), which I adored. That watched, I did some form and then saw the first episode of S1 of Happy Valley – just to see whateveryone is talking about. So far so good… only 17 more to go, to catch up with the rest of society.
Talking of trying to catch up with the field, here are my selections for Sunday’s TV races.
LEOPARDSTOWN
13:40 Ladbrokes Novice Chase 2m5f
The evens favourite is MIGHTY POTTER who is 3/1 to win the 2m4f Turners Nov Ch. Whether he’ll stick to those plans in light of El Fabiolo’s performance remains to be seen. Besides I think JAMES DE BERLAIS offers better value
JAMES DE BERLAIS 3 pts win
14:10 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase 2m1f
Treble See End
14:40 Bulmers Handicap Chase 2m5f
INDIGO BREEZE 4 pts Win – ILIKEDWAYURTHINKIN 2 pts e/w (being backed as I write!) – FALCO BLITZ 1½ pts e/w
15:10 Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle 2m
HONEYSUCKLE beats STATE MAN thanks to her 7lb allowance. Keep the faith and hope.
HONEYSUCKLE 5 pts win
15:40 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle 2m
Treble See End
TREBLE: BLUE LORD [2.10] – FACILE VEGA [3:40] – GAELIC WARRIOR [4:10] 6 pts at about 4/1 the treble
MUSSELBURGH
13:22 bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle 1m7 1/2f
BRINGBACKMEMORIES 2 pts Win
13:55 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase 2m14:25 bet365 Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1m 7 1/2f
RETURN TICKET 2 pts e/w
14:25 bet365 Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1m 7 1/2f
TOOTHLESS 5 pts Win
Do all 3 at Musselburgh in a 2 pt Trixie