Lady Luck Is Running Late

We've had our fair share of bad luck over the last few weeks and if the law of karma is correct, we should be in for a good period soon... and I hope it is going to be the next seven days.

I mention our luckless spell as on Tuesday we were dealt with another blow after it emerged that Generous Genella had suffered a tendon injury. Luckily, we had caught the tear in the early stages so she should make a 100% recovery given time off but it is a real shame as she had just run the most promising race of her career when finishing third at Pontefract, despite the jockey putting up three pounds overweight.

Thankfully, her superb syndicate of owners have stuck by her during this injury and I'm in no doubt that their patience will be rewarded when she returns to the track next year.

Also out for the rest of the season is one of the two French horses we bought at the Deauville sales last year. In truth, Argante Claudius had never really been in proper training as he came to us after being broken-in and then suffered an ankle injury two days later. After recovering from this, he suffered a severe bout of colic and only had 24 hours to live but he pulled through that and we have decided that there's no point in running him this year after all he's been through.

He's a giant, grey horse and I think having his juvenile season off could be a blessing in disguise come the future.

The other French horse we bought at the same time as him (Verona Bay) is starting to show plenty of ability on the gallops and will be running in the next few weeks now the one mile races for two year olds are about.

As if Argante hadn't been in the vets enough, we also had him castrated on Tuesday along with our new purchase, Automotive. I cannot believe that the latter horse, who we bought from France, had run three times before we got him as he is very colty and his mind could not have been on the job when he was racing. I think this operation will be the making of him and he'll be a much more successful horse now (shares still available - plug, plug!). He has been looking good in the few canters we have done with him already.

As I said, I hope a change of fortunes come our way this week because we've got some runners that I quite fancy.

On Tuesday, Exopuntia should get the soft ground she loves at Yarmouth. She has won at the track and has a jockey who knows her in Tony Culhane. All is in place for a great run.

At Southwell the same day are two of the yard's most inconsistent horses, King Columbo and Premier League. Columbo still has plenty of ability but never seems to get the soft ground he loves nowadays. This is his first try at the course and I think he'll love the deep fibresand surface there. Likewise, Premier League seems to already like the place but he did run poorly there last time. Things are in his favour so he must have a shout.

Acer Diamonds is in the following day at Leicester but with 50 entries in the race, he will need his share of luck just to get a run. If he does, and the ground is soft, he should put in a career best effort.

Although some of our horses need the ground soft, Entrance at Newmarket on Friday night doesn't. The filly is in flying form and must be in with a chance of winning her second race of the year on only her third run.

I think I've found a weak Listed race for Emma's Gift at Ascot on the same day. The aim will be just to finish in the first three to get some black type in her pedigree that will boost her value. Looking at the entries, I do think we've got a chance of doing so.

Three To Follow Update

As we are now halfway through the competition, now is your chance to add another horse to your selections to boost your chances of winning. To keep things simple, instead of substituting one horse for another, just add a selection to your current list of three so you end up with four horses.

All points already scored by an added horse will not be added to your current score but any points from August 1st onwards will.

To make a selection, simply leave your name and choice in the comment box below or email to: rbirkett1989@hotmail.co.uk

Here is the list of horses to choose from and their current points in brackets:

Emma's Gift (10), Entrance (13), Sancho Panza (18), Khajaaly (3), Sand Repeal, Exopuntia (3), Automotive, Sail Home (10), Verona Bay, Blackmore (5), Pyjoma, Acer Diamonds, Spirit of Sharjah, King Columbo, Angel Of Mercy, Red Hearts (13), Bavarica (13), Premier League (10), Canning Vale.