A flutter or two

Now writing on politics over the years seldom produces any feedback but last Saturday’s blog seems to have produced text messages and the odd phone call from those wanting more. It was the priceless prose, of course, and not the tips that got the response, Surely.  

Although those that had a little flutter would have just have been a little ahead with one winner, one second and two thirds. Don’t mention of course the two horses still running.

A dear colleague has suggested that a regular weekend blog on the gee-gees might be a bit of fun. What he really meant was that political blogs were stirring up nothing but apathy. Anyway it is the silly season and for the next few months this blog will be taking a bit of a breather until the party conferences in September so why not idle away the occasional Saturday with such trivia.

First a word of re-assurance.  This blog is untainted by the multi-million pound betting industry. Who needs them to encourage you to lose your money when this blog can do it equally as well.

But weekly column is pushing it a bit. If it’s to be done, it had better be done with at least a little research. That dear reader would require stamina and dedication, not attributes often associated with my good self and certainly not when holidays loom. But perhaps on some of the big occasions pen will be put to paper or whatever the modern equivalent is and a view will be ventured..

This Saturday is one such occasion, for it ends the week of Glorious Goodwood; alongside Ascot it is one of the highlights of the flat racing season.

Goodwood is near the West Sussex coast and as such, is often engulfed with a sea mist.  It helps horse and even jockey, to know generally the direction they’re heading – they’ve a better chance of winning if they head towards the winning post. An absence of fog, also, makes it easier for the punter to get excited if they too, can actually see a horse.

As race courses go, Goodwood is quite a complex. It has lot of sharp turns for the longer races and plenty of undulations and is right-handed. In the short 6 furlong races its uphill for the first furlong and then the rest is all down hill. A bit like this blog.

Go for low numbered horses in the sprints. Now if you see a large carthorse enter don’t back it or any other large long striding horse for that matter. Here size does matter and quite the contrary to other areas of life small and balanced is best, especially when running down hill.

With these wise words, here are Major Hughes’s selections; a military title in such things always gives confidence, don’t you think? 

Some last minute advice before you put your shirts on these horses make sure the selection is running. It has been known for a horse to say, “I don’t fancy a run today” and withdraws at the last minute. Mind you if it withdraws before the race you don’t lose your cash.  

Well, OK it’s usually the trainer’s decision to withdraw and not that of the horse’s. Also make sure that whatever you back has four legs. ‘Cos seldom has a three legged horse been successful at Goodwood or anywhere else for that matter. Those of a cautious nature look away or better still concentrate on who will win the Blue ribbon in this week’s Wrexham Eisteddfod.

Remember last week’s advice - back horses each way when the odds are above 7:1. Good luck!!

2:05         With 26 runners covering such a short distance this is more of a gamble than usual  Golden Desert is fancied by a lot of tipsters but my money goes on Novellen Lad and Joseph Henry if you fancy big odds.

2:35         8 Newspapers tip Harlestone Times, nobody tips Activate but my money goes there

3:10         This one should be between Snow Fairy and Midday. It’s a toss of a coin job really.

3:45         Brave prospector takes my fancy with big odds, Hoof it is probably for the cautiou.s

4:20 Everyone seems to fancy Sport Section but Mickdaam does it for me.

4:55 Another big race Safari Storm has the shorter odds at 7.1 but my fancy is Travis County

5:35         Henry Cecil’s Diescentric is worth a punt but Truism is where my money goes.