I was reminded of late, about the dreadful old Saturday magazines that contained vast numbers of advertisements for chest expanders, which would ensure that never again would one have sand kicked in one’s face down on the beach. One would be exhorted to try so-and-so’s unrivalled pools selection model that guaranteed a result every 100 lines. Then someone sent me the following from a 1909 publication on the subject of gambling. The language is breathtakingly elegant.
“The most expensive guides of all are, of course, the advertising tipsters, some of whom make quite large sums by issuing thoroughly unreliable vaticinations to a touchingly confiding clientele.
The circulars and letters issued by these prophets are generally admirably calculated to increase the number of their followers. Not infrequently they adopt a high-flown style.
One for instance, moved by purely philanthropic motives, declares that ” when he casts his practised eye on the broad surface of struggling humanity and witnesses the slow and enduring perseverance or impetuous rush of the many to grapple with a cloud, he is seized with an intense desire to hold up the lamp of light to all.”
Sadly, and how I wish it wasn’t so, when I cast my practised eye on the broad surface of struggling humanity, I am seized with an intense desire to leave the room! On with the tips after a decent first day with a 10/1 winner, with a near £40 exacta and some small-beer money elsewhere.
2:10 DONCASTER British Stallion Studs EBF “Carrie Red” Fillies’ Nursery Handicap Cl2 (2yo) 6½f
GRACEFUL MAGIC kicks off the selections on Day 2, in what appears to be a tricky opener. She’s a C2 winner, with a creditable performance against Boomer, on her debut. Also, she has
2:40 DONCASTER DFS Park Hill Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m6½f
I watched ENBIHAAR rin in The Lily Langtree at Goodwood and she came from last to first, to win by five lengths. She is very, very smart and with so few miles on the clock, I just wonder whether she might be kept in training next year, and I suspect all will rest on today. I think she’ll win, I think she’ll beat DAME MALLIOT and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in Paris or even further afield. The latter is being widely punted by those who were or watched her G2 performance in Deauville LTO. Frankie will make the difference they say. Let the market be your guide Grasshopper.
3:15 DONCASTER Weatherbys Racing Bank £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes Cl2 (2yo) 6½f
TORO STRIKE & NATIONAL LEAGUE & ELECTRICAL STORM
I really like the look of KINGS LYNN for Andrew Balding. He caught the eye at Windsor because he really didn’t know whether it was Wembley or Wednesday – but he finished like an absolute rocket and only went down by a short-head. ELECTRICAL STORM finished second to the Gimcrack winner Threat and has some form against improving potential Group horses. TORO STRIKE finished third in a nursery at Goodwood on his latest outing, having been in drawn unlucky number one and with Tony Hamilton pushing from the front. Different tactics, conditions to suit, little weight, and a longer trip all makes 16/1 look generous.
3:45 DONCASTER William Hill May Hill Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) Cl1 (2yo) 1m
WEST END GIRL is the obvious selection, having won the Sweet Solera under pressure – but always finding more. I was a little concerned by her edging left but this step up might be the answer. The likely favourite CLOAK OF SPIRITS did well in her debut, having jumped out awkwardly with Andrea briefly losing an iron. Settled, she travelled happily just off the leader and then kicking on to win by 3l when asked to do so. She was quoted for The Guineas market at around 20/1 and winning this might make her tradeable. ALPEN ROSE has had a number of options and has come here first after making every yard at Newmarket LTO. I’m not convinced her mind is on the job yet and I hope patience is shown as she looks like a thinker. She’s tall and will grow into herself and is an improver. RUN WILD was in my focus LTO as she had decided to run without the hoods she had had the previous twice. It worked, but with no big-race entries, and having beaten three horses LTO that were highly fancied for the future, I wonder whether she might be the e/w value.
16:20Silk Series Lady Riders’ Handicap (3yo+, Class 3, 6f 2y, 17 runners)
I really hate this race. THE ARMED MAN and DRUMMOND WARRIOR appeal as much as any others.
16:55Magners Rose Handicap (3yo+, Class 2, 1m 2f 43y, 8 runners)
DAVYDENKO was wrong at Royal Ascot for some reason. I’d had a bit of a lunge after his previous double, failing to notice that he hated the ground!. LTO he was all over the shop in the parade ring beforehand, but went down fine and once the race got going steered around the leader easily and dispatched him. FIRST SITTING is reportedly decent.
17:30DFS Handicap (3yo, Class 2, 7f 6y, 6 runners)
Roger Varian’s son of Dubawi MUTAMAASIK wins this, doing handsprings and stopping for tea at Bolsover.