Sport is made for betting

It's Classic weekend and it kicks off on Friday with the Oaks at Epsom. I won't ramble on about my usual reservations about the venue, you've heard it all before, or can look back in previous posts. June is a funny time for me, the domain renewal notice comes through and every year it's a question of do I continue or not, after starting this thing 18 years ago! Obviously, there's at least one more year of it... Oaks & Derby crowds have been nothing short of dismal in recent years but the Jockey Club to their credit have finally done something about it. The proof will be the pudding, hopefully the weather is half-decent so the public shows up, even if it is in the cheap seats in the middle! Will we ever see an Epsom crowd like this again? Aidan O'Brien has won eight of the last 14 editions of the race (11 overall), that's a handy starting point. John Gosden, now partnered with his son Thady on the licence, has won four including the greats Enable and Tagh...

So close to a bonanza yesterday, had two horses that looked home for all money going up the Hill and then…tears. We saddle up one more time! TRIUMPH HURDLE Apolon De Charnie - unseen since being purchased out of France. Ran last at only start in France, then 6L second (at 50/1) to Proactif, one of the market leaders here. The rules have changed to stop hurdling debutants running, could this be Willie's latest way to play with the rules? Berto Ramirez - millions, owners here for the party. Fantasy World - decent Flat rating, similar to Saratoga on Tuesday, but has disappointed at two runs over hurdles - beaten 15L both times in weaker company. Nope. Forty Fifty - another one playing Mullins bingo. Ran fourth behind Macho Man at Auteuil on debut. Probably favourite that day based on the stable. Who knows how good he is? Indian River - has won all three over hurdles on northern tracks, but that form wouldn't even be good enough to run a place in the Fred Winter (a weaker, handicap...

 Lining up again after a nice couple of winners yesterday. THURSDAY We change course to the New track today, which might change tactics a little bit. Over the first two days, it's been very much leader/pace-based.  This track will have been watered, so expect it to be marginally slower, but the weather forecast today is for strong winds and a little bit of drizzle. No significant rain expected until this evening. The strong winds - gusts of 40-45mph - will be almost head-on in the home straight, not great for front runners. And the configuration of the new track (longer run-in from the final obstacles) also plays on jockeys' minds.  MARES NOVICE Prepared to take on the favourite here. Beaten on hurdle debut, and what did she beat last time? Carrigmoornaspruce, Manganese, Bambino Fever, Echoing Silence JACK RICHARDS CHASE Gold Dancer didn't stay three miles in heavy going last time at Navan and drops back to a handicap on much firmer ground. And he drops from Grade 1/2 rac...

Wednesday Short preview today, got a ticket offered to me yesterday so limited prep! Race 1 - TURNERS No Drama This End is the one to beat and overcome Paul Nicholls’ terrible record in this race. Surely that’s an anomaly rather than a genuine issue. Three from three over hurdles, all comfortable wins without being fully let go. What’s left in the tank and what has he beaten? Ballyfad for Gordon Elliott looks full of potential. Won easily on hurdling debut against a decent one of Willie’s, then was pipped on the post by Talk The Talk in the DRF. Looks the type to relish a step up in trip.  I’ll Sort That has won all four of his hurdle starts this season, including over Sortudo last time. Does he still have upside or has he shown us all he can do. Not from a big stable, might be underrated by the market. King Rasko Grey won on hurdling debut at Limerick (in receipt of 8lbs from Shuttle Diplomacy) then finished a close third behind Ballyfad at the DRF, just touched out in the final s...