Dreaded July... We Survived!

Thankfully dreaded July is out of the way and we can now boot home some winners.
As I said last week, the seventh month of the year is never a profitable one for us with all the horses having various excuses for not winning - most of them being due to the handicapper.
We're hitting this week with full force though as we send out a fair few runners in the next few days.

Today, my son and daughter, Ross and Shelley, have a score to settle at Windsor after racing against each other at Newbury yesterday. Ross, riding a horse for John Bridger, won whilst Shelley finished fourth on Entrance. Whilst it was a shame our filly couldn't win, it was a victory of sorts.
This time, Ross is on Bavarica who is having her 100th career race and the Racing Post have done a nice tribute to her in today's paper which is worth a read.

It looks as though Shelley may be extra busy this week as she is down to ride for Gay Kelleway at Brighton on Thursday. Gay is notorious for her post-race hairdryer treatment of unsuccessful jockeys so let's just hope Shelley can follow her orders to the letter!

Although not as vocal as Miss Kelleway, I'll be pretty peeved if Sail Home can't show some form at Southwell tomorrow. She has been a bit disappointing the last two runs but I'm hoping a return to the track where she has won and re-spark her. Also there is two year old Canning Vale who makes her debut. She has taken a while to come to herself and will need the race for experience.

On the other end of the scale, despite also being a two year old, the multiple-raced Red Hearts goes to Lingfield. She won a maiden at Brighton but hasn't really improved that much but she was competitive in a seller last week and I think this is an easier opportunity.
I won't be there to see her though as on Friday John and I fly off for our annual visit to Dingle in Ireland. It's a great place with a lovely hotel and we'll be watching the pony racing there as well as visiting Donald Commins' stud where the likes of Spirit of Sharjah and Emma's Gift came from. I've just bought a very professional camera as well do if I can get the hang of working it, there'll be plenty of photos to see.

That means I won't be at Newmarket on Saturday to watch Exopuntia. The filly is really consistent at the minute and loves the track. She is best on soft ground but is running well on the firmer stuff so she has to have an each way chance.


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 (16), Bavarica (13), Premier League (10), Canning Vale.