The Raceweb Library
Cheltenham 2020 Day One – The Pharoah of Galway returns
1:30 SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE A great race to start the festival with some very exciting novice hurdlers to choose from. Many future stars such as
Cheltenham 2020. Surely we’re sunk if the future is cinq.
Over the last 96 hours, I have sacrificed the remaining parts of my working anatomy to your collective cause. I have dined with Nicky Henderson
Coronavirus, Corvid19, and Saturday’s TV Racing – All you need to know.
The most novel thing about COVID-19, is the extraordinary speed with which the brutish symptoms of the associated #MEFIRST culture have spread. Aided by 4G,
Today’s Saturday racing tips.
Working on the Cheltenham stats, so just tips today. A profitable day last week, but I have done some work on today’s card and think
Something to make a Sunday night pass by.
Occasionally I kid myself that the time is right for me to take up Goff, the received pronunciation of the game involving sticks and lost
A profitable weekend, but more importantly Nicholls kept a good ‘un.
A cracking day’s racing, where we did well at Ascot and dismally at Haydock. It was astonishing that the racing went ahead at all, and
Another Parisian attack on our, green, semi-submerged and pleasant land
Storm Denis is on its way, and my view of the weather rolling towards Raceweb Towers, suggests it is going to be an unutterable bastard.
Sometimes despair is an underrated word.
The brief version of Saturday’s diary was: Woke – Breakfast – Form – More Form – Watch Racing – Bath (as in water, not the
Laying Trump perhaps, plus a wonderful and informative TV card
My inbox delivered an interesting piece from Politico.com which political punters might find interesting. The article refers to the work of Ms Bitecofer, a political
Good Moaning, here is the good news and the end of civilisation
As you might guess, the ceaseless whining of Woke spokespeople, has driven me insane. I seem to be constantly reminded that I am not wearing
The weekend’s racing and a tip for The National
I had to go to town last week for a memorial to celebrate a good, racing, gentle man – the space is deliberate. Nicky was there,
The Results for 2020 to date
We all know someone who never had a loser, some genius whose every betting account had been closed and now was only allowed to bet
Festival Trials day and all Saturday’s TV races
I suppose as race titles go, the 1:50 isn’t at all bad, given that it tells us exactly how much time we have to wait
The ITV Races on Saturday 18th Jan
At the overnight stage, we’re looking at an average of under seven runners per race, which means by almost any measurement; entertainment, income, televisual experience,
The results from last Saturday
As we rush headlong to being unable to have a bet because it is not a carbon-neutral activity and where horses will only be able
Ante-Post? No but the ITV races are here now.
I thought it might be a good idea – with just nine weeks to go – to start having a look at a couple of
Are we not nearly Good?
At a recent editorial meeting, the head of compliance suggested that in 2020 we should in some way hold ourselves accountable, so that the incurably
The 10th Night – or is it 11th?
Firstly a very Happy New Year to you all. A couple of weeks away from the Raceweb coalface, and while you may struggle to come
Saturday’s TV racing tips
The height of the waters is of serious flood concern in our part of Oxfordshire, and I have tried to stiffen my resolve, lest
Cheltenham Saturday’s Tips
Once again The Pharoah of Galway provides another selection of winning tips. Be aware that The Dublin Pharaoh runs in the 2.35 Newcastle today. The
Cheltenham Friday 13th December
12:10 STOLEN SILVER 1PT E/W 12:45 PYM 2 PTS WIN 13:20 PETER THE MAYO MAN 1PT E/W 13:55 ZARA HOPE 2PTS WIN 14;30 SINGLEFARMPAYMENT 1PT
Just time for a quickie
As I head off to the annual Guinness Carol Concert, I spied one for today which, had the Captain not already made his selections I
Saturday’s Racing 7th December
Those of you swerving the actual selections for The Raceweb Advent Calendar are doing well – although today, I felt as though a corner had
They’re Mighty Meaty Matey
Once upon a time, there was a company called Drings, that produced a widely-advertised sausage, under the slogan “They’re Mighty Meaty Matey”. I think there
Traincrash, Disaster, Devastation, Mayhem, Sadness
Yesterday started brilliantly. I had done the form very early on Saturday morning and, despite slipping on ice and crashing to the ground at 1:00
Saturday 30th November
NEWBURY 12:05 SILVER FOREVER 2pts win 12:40 RESERVE TANK 2pts win 13:15 LARRY 1pt e/w 13:50 PETER THE MAYO MAN 1pt e/w DOWNTOWN GETAWAY 1pt
Good exciting racing on Friday and even better to come on Saturday
The mighty O’Tool posted minutes after myself – I was unaware o didn’t notify you dear readers – and while not on fire, I think
Newbury Friday 29 Nov
12.15 TRINCOMALEE 1pt e/w i think the market leaders are difficult to separate and are poorly priced. I’m taking a chance that Lucy Wadhams gelding
If Ladbrokes did Cognac, it would probably be called Hennessy
The Hennessy, The Schweppes, The Whitbread and The Massey-Ferguson. Capital The. It’s a Proper Noun, It’s also a Proper Racing Name and as such should
Saturday’s Racing Tips
Quite a busy week with business in London, plus a drinks party, an-almost-dinner-with-Sajid-Javid which only lacked an invitation, trips around the countryside handing out healing
Ascot and Haydock Saturday 23rd November
Having done a lot of research in advance of these meetings at Ascot and Haydock I felt particularly well informed about Friday’s racing. However, on
The weekend rolls on
I’m quite relieved to be socially unattached today. My TV and a roaring planet-destroyer are calling with Racing, EuroFooty, Grand Prix and maybe even a
Sunday Muddy Sunday
CHELTENHAM 12:45 Colditz Castle 1pt e/w Demon Fou 1pt e/w David Pipe’s booking of Jonjo Jnr on Duc De Beaucherne is eye-catching. However, I have
Those magnificent men still happily at it
My monthly perusal of Drone Wars, while always entertaining, this time contained some proper Sit-Up-Straight-and-Pay-Attention news. It was, in summary, this little insight. Throughout the
A Soggy Saturday
I had every intention of providing the tips for TV racing today when I started. Then I noticed two races from Lingfield snuggled among the
A wet end to the Flat season
A rotten way to end the season, but for the people of Donny, no racing is an irrelevance. Having been flooded once before, I can
Saturday 9th November
AINTREE 12:20 Present Value e/w 12:55 Cubao e/w 13:30 Shady Oaks e/w 14:05 Old Grangewood e/w 14:40 Rosy World W WINCANTON 13:15 Enola Gay e/w
Saturday’s racing tips
Hmmm…. Rugby….. enough said. Today’s UK TV Racing 1:20 WETHERBY bet365 Handicap Chase Cl3 (4yo+ 0-125) 2m3½f I’m told that KAPGARRY is better than his
Play up England…
Just a few moments left now before the beginning of 80 minutes that could see knighthoods, MBEs, London parades and Downing Street receptions, rain down
Saturday Revisions over Eggs, Bacon…
What a truly cracking start to a miserable day! However, with the TV schedule amended and the going deepening, I have reviewed the situation, as
Saturday’s TV Selections…
Not a desperate set of results on Friday and only really let down by the ground, fitness, speed, ability, horsemanship and skills of the participants
The first day of the new season
Twice in ten days, I have found myself in London town, and again a young person has drunk a Fernet Branca in my presence. It
Ascot Saturday 19th October
Those of you looking for winners today will do well to read today’s beautifully reasoned advice from The Tissue. Personally I have a shocking record
Champions Swimming Day
It’s none of my business, but am I wrong in thinking that if five of the eight Champions Day meeting have been run on ground
You asked – we answered
Crikey, I hear you say, I thought The Tissue had gone on holiday to Georgia for his annual Penguin Counting Festival, did his flight get
Syria 0 Turkey 0 – USA 0 Russia 0
It was once suggested that the US has never actually had a foreign policy per se, but rather it has simply destabilised any region thus
Passing the Buck…
Well the suit may be a little threadbare, and the shoes may need some heeling, but the spirit remains undaunted and with the return of
Capt. Knees back in the fold
I am delighted to announce that I shall be taking my annual holiday on Georgia, counting the Penguins and ensuring that the ice in my
All the news that’s fit to print
Having been off-air, (and some might rudely suggest, off-form), last week I thought it time that I bring you up to speed with various happenings.
Saturday Racing 12th Oct
G’Morning All As I hunker down in the Cyclone-proof sub-terranean HQ of Raceweb, you will be delighted to hear that The Pharoah of Galway is
How The Pharoah of Galway got his name.
Before he went on his annual holiday, The Tissue had promised to tell you how the Pharoah of Galway came to be known as such.
Bonjour mes petites
I have returned from abroad; browner, poorer and wiser. I swerved left instead of right at Nice airport, thus avoiding the trap of a Longchamps
Ascot and Newmarket Saturday 5th October
ASCOT 14:00 ARECIBO 1pt e/w INTENSE ROMANCE 1pt e/w Dakota Gold has had a fantastic season and I am reluctant to oppose him but I
Southwell Friday 4th
Catapult in the last (given at 10-1) pulled things out of the bag at Chelmsford. Tonight I am again looking for some decently priced bets
Ascot in soft going
I had a terrible first few days at Royal Ascot. Having researched all the races well in advance I developed a huge reserve of confidence
The Only Way Is Essex
CHELMSFORD 18:30 CALEDONIAN CRUSADE 1pt e/w Not much form to go on in this race but I am following Gleneagles progeny and the Simcock /
Longshots at The Curragh
So we now know that Mum’s Tipple finished the Middle Park Stakes lame in his off fore so his run can safely be struck out.
Saturday 28th
So King Of Comedy proved himself to be a complete clown. After having to be walked to the start, he dwelt at the off and
Friday September 27th
Yesterday the five selections produced a winner, three seconds and a fourth. So very nearly a good day and I was particularly peeved that Paul
Newmarket 26th September
A frustrating day yesterday with a 14-1 second and two fourths at 33-1 and 7-1. But that is what happens when you are looking for
Sept 25th
One of my betting systems this year has been to back all progeny of the first-year sire Gleneagles. It has worked very well with a
Mea Maxima Culpa… it’s work (ed)
Darlings, I fear that unless you collectively glance at the pages without my sending you a reminder. you will miss both the opportunities our tips
Tuesday 24th September
I can’t find anything that is likely to emulate our long price winner from Sunday but I think these three would make a neat e/w
Thomas Cook – an unfortunate truth
I was slightly surprised that every Thomas Cook customer seen on TV, seemed “horrified”, “surprised”, “dazed”, and “bewildered”, leading me to assume that they had
Hamilton Sunday 21st
Some very moderate racing in the UK today but I have three fancies for Hamilton. HAMILTON 14:00 TWENTYSIXTHSTREET 1pt e/w I have backed this longshot
Saturday’s Racing
A good start to the day by buying the First Half French Score at 11+. Even better, because it is on a Sporting Index promo
Fancies for Saturday 21st
AYR 14:40 SHOW STEALER 1pt e/w As a hold-up horse she will need some luck in running but, at her best, Rae Guest’s mare is
Leopardstown 14th September
I will leave The Tissue to provide some guidance at Doncaster and focus on some very exciting looking races over at LEOPARDSTOWN.
St Leger Day
As many of you racing historians will know, it was not uncommon in days gone by for a horse to run in several races over
Donny: Day something
A light lunch with 16 chums at Le Columbier in Chelsea, a light tea somewhere else, dinner at Chelsea Arts Club. breakfast at Le Colbert….
Friday the Thirteenth at Doncaster!
Readers of Raceweb enjoyed a bumper day yesterday with The Tissue picking five out of seven winners at Doncaster. The legend of Longcot started off
Donny Day 2
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
Donny, Leger and a proper chap
There are few races that don’t have some history attached to them. A fatal accident, a crowd gone awry, a fortune lost, another gained. The
TV Racing and a jolly day at Ascot
I am indeed fortunate that I have been invited to a day’s racing at Ascot on Saturday and I am much looking forward to some
Haydock and Salisbury
HAYDOCK 14:50 GRAND BAZAAR 2pts win CALEDONIAN CRUSADE 1pt e/w There is nothing particularly rare about a John Gosden trained horse, ridden by Frankie Dettori
Tuesday September 3rd
Today’s selections: 14:45 Goodwood LADY LYNETTA 2pts win The entries in the two-year old races at Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting are a good guide to the
Hares and Rabbits? Not if William has the gun!
I was startled by The Archers omnibus this morning, when William Grundy, gamekeeper to the big estate, failed to shoot either his brother, his father
Saturday’s Racing Tips
Well, Friday wasn’t a train crash by any means. A 10-1 Irish Cambridgeshire winner in JASSAAR. My first choice CURRENT OPTION was 2nd. Two other
Irish Cambridgeshire
A brief lull in the day and, as I haven’t been called up by The Sealed Knot Society to defend Parliament, my mind has inevitably
A view from the track
Exchequer 17:45 Thirsk A bit of a longshot but possibly very good value at his current 33-1. He’s value at 20s and a shortening of
Raceweb Update
Firstly I’d like to formally welcome The Pharoah of Galway, Peter O’Tool, who will have an irregular column within the pages of Raceweb. Yesterday he
THE BEGINNING OF THE END?
Prorogation, a few facts BACKGROUND Yesterday, August 28th, HM The Queen accepted a request from the government to suspend parliamentary sessions between September 9th and
York, The Ebor, Day 4 and Saturday Racing
1:50 York Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m1f ITV 6 runners ZAAKI 2:05 Goodwood Ladbrokes Celebration Mile Stakes (Group
York Day 3
I had lunch yesterday in Farnham with Peter O’Tool, The Oracle of Galway, who seemed terribly pleased to inform me, thirty seconds before the off,
Caesar Salad – how difficult can it be?
At my working lunch in Farnham today, (mentioned elsewhere), I chose from The Castle Inn’s menu, a Chicken Caesar Salad. It was described as being
York Ebor Meeting Day 2
Excruciating pain from watching Frankie in the first, come 5th at 20/1 in a bunch finish, the first five covered by no more than 1¼l
York Ebor meeting Day 1
One of our brethren contacted me to say he was struggling to [a] send me an email and [b] understand my apparent support for Patrick
Saturday 17th August TV Racing Tips
What Ho A generally quiet week behind me, but with many flurries on the political front. I have launched a petition, which might, inshallah, gain
The Diary
Only this time last week, I was recovering from being at Goodwood for four days and trying to find a winner on Saturday. Same-o same-o.
Saturday’s Tips 10th Aug
The Shergar Cup provided me with a great deal of work, having handled the PR for Bluesq.com back in the day. We first dug them
A funny thing didn’t happen on the way to work today.
I recently saw a Chinese factory owner say to the TV camera that two years ago, he employed 3400 Chinese from the local town. He
Midweek Tips – PMA
A Positive Mental Attitude is what is required as we try to recover from Goodwood, which was by no menas all bad, but actually lleft
Goodwood – The Facts
At lunchtime today, I met one of Raceweb’s subscribers, the ever fragrant Ms C. She suggested that – given my tips – I must have
As promised – a Courgette Salad to take up the bounty
I don’t seem to know anyone who doesn’t produce courgettes. You can quickly end up with a veg-basket of rotting marrow as you desperately try
Goodwood Day 5
The entire Raceweb team has returned to the bosom of the Chateau d’If, and while Sidlesham, Bosham. Dell Quay, Lavant and Glorious Goodwood, have many
Goodwood Day 4
1:50: BEYOND REASON was a decent G2 juvenile winner and she patent;y needed the run at Sandown for her seasonal debut. She meets all the trends
Goodwood Day 3
1:50: Historically, you can always dump a few runners in this race by avoiding, fillies, claimers and headgear… much like life .ALMANIA caught my eye
Goodwood Day 2
Sorry folks, Trying to get the monty to you away from my desk is quite tricky, so forgive the lack of explanatory notes. 1:50: MANCINI
Goodwood Day 1
No time for idle chit chat and fascinating insights into a delicious Courgette Salad, I recently had. (Oh alright if I have the time, I’ll