A poor start to the morning with an unexpected trip to somewhere miles away with an equally unexpected bill; an unplanned detour to another place less far, but as tiresome; the failing computer not improving; but luckily, I suppose, some resolution to the burning question “Why are we spending £2,000 a day on feeding the chickens?”. It transpires we are also feeding every flying thing in Oxfordshire possibly including, (but not limited to), Starlings, Sparrows, Thrush, Flamingos, Albatross and Red Kites. Suffice it to say, Madame has a solution. Go to a shop and increase the investment in the two little peckers, by a sum sufficient to ensure that their eggs are more than £5 each for eternity. As I rather wittily quipped, I thought, “…and that ain’t chicken feed!” I cannot explain to her, that this is a failing enterprise.
Talking of which, here are today’s brief tips:
1:40 British Stallion Studs EBF “Carrie Red” Fillies’ Nursery Handicap Cl2 (2yo) 6½f
SKY ANGEL wins – SPRIGHT e/w
2:10 bet365 May Hill Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) Cl1 (2yo) 1m
ZABEEL QUEEN looks top-drawer and has a Timeform Capital P – but 2nd race 6/4? Not for me. If SKY ANGEL wins the previous race then, that is a great shout-out for GREAT VIBES who looks the wrong price. STAR OF EMARAATY is already proven Pattern Class having won the Sweet Solera last month
GREAT VIBES e/w – ½pt RFC with ZABEEL QUEEN – ½pt RFC with STAR OF EMARAATY
2:40 Weatherbys Racing Bank £200,000 2-Y-O Stakes Cl2 (2yo) 6½f
I was given TOMMY TITTLEMOUSE by a mate. When I say mate, I mean a man I know. When I say a man I know, he’s actually a mate of the man who I sat next to in the barber’s shop. How bad can it be? You can get 1/5 odds at 40/1 for seven places. A proper selection might be one of the Kevin Ryan entries and of his many I favour DIGITAL e/w
DIGITAL e/w – TOMMY TITTLEMOUSE e/w
3:15 bet365 Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m6½f
I’m not sure there is much value left in VIVIONNE at 6s and so confusingly suggest MONICA SHERRIFF at around 4s. Finished 4th in the Ebor which, given the ten-month layoff, was was an impressive return to action. The selection is based on there still being some spring in the ground.
MONICA SHERRIFF win
3:45 Price Promise At bet365 Handicap Cl2 (3yo 0-100) 7f
There is a negative stat about horses in headgear in this race, which is my only reason really for passing over JUMAIRA BAY. There is obviously some chat about NATIONAL LEAGUE who around 18s at 8am this morning and is now around 12s. If he shortens anymore you’ll know the money is on. However, I think I have little dark horse in Mick Channon’s MILLTOWN STAR who was making his seasonal debut at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago, coming fourth by under 2 lengths – his first race since being cut. He was kept out the back until 2f, and then made some progress at the 1f marker. This was a good effort from a Listed race winner and I’m hoping for a decent 33/1 return.
MILLTOWN STAR e/w
4.15 6f Class 3 Handicap
CALL ME GINGER is obviously fancied at surprisingly short odds of 9/2, given that he needed a stalls test to enter this race. He wants a sound gallop, which he’ll get from MUSHARIFF and FIGHTING IRISH and he’ll arrive on the scene late, so might be worth backing in running at the 4 pole if you’re brave enough.
CALL ME GINGER win