The Great Triviality…
It seems a bit irrelevant to be writing a few words about nothing of importance when things appear so bleak. But life goes on as the poet Robert Frost once said.
Trying to look on the bright side Carlisle United are on a roll, well at least a small bun, with six points from their last two games, hopefully they can pull clear of the dreaded bottom two positions. Just need another Hughie Mac to start getting some goals.
Of slightly less significance to many Carliols (locals) but still steaming towards us is the Festival. Under two weeks to go and already the media hype is at full throttle. Preview nights, special programmes, in depth articles you name it you can have it seven days a week. One can only hope the four days live up to the expectation levels which are running amok. I see the clamour for a five-day festival has started once again. To me it would be diluting an already, on at least one day, weakened offering but no doubt some suit will produce a graph showing the demand is there. We shall see.
The Racing Post reported during the week that Denise Coates joint CEO of Bet365 has taken a £170 million pay cut in the year to March 28, 2021. Funny old world.
As usual for the couple of weekends pre-Cheltenham the cards have a Championship rather than a Premier League look to them. However, there are still a couple of good chases to have a punt on.
Selection – 1:50 Newbury – BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup
The first of them is the 1.50pm at Newbury the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup over 2m4f. A decent field of ten are declared and it looks a reasonable opportunity for Venetia Williams’ seven-year -old Farinet. He was a selection a few weeks ago for a 3miler at Sandown when he was backed into favourite but never really showed. He looked an improver the time before so whether the longer trip or the slightly quicker ground were to blame for his defeat we will have to guess. Anyway, this race is half a mile less and on deeper ground so that’s two excuses out of the way. The worrying thing is that the Williams’ yard has reported that some of their horses have been a bit under the weather of late, but I don’t think Venetia would run this lad if he wasn’t good to go….famous last words. The other seven-year-old Tamaroc Du Mathan from the Nicholls’ yard might be the biggest danger as he had some reasonable novice form last term and hasn’t been over raced so far this season. At around 5/1 Farinet is good value to reclaim last time outs losses.
1. Farinet
Selection – 3:30 Doncaster – BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup
Sam Thomas’ horses are in fine form this season, and his Powerstown Park looks to have a sound chance in the 3.30pm at Doncaster the Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase over 3m2f. The likely favourite Le Milos won the Sandown race that our friend Farinet disappointed in, and he should run well being an improving type and will relish the trip. His price puts me off as he could start south of 3/1 but if you fancy him stick on. Powerstown Park started this season with a couple of runs over two miles but struck form when upped in distance at Hereford. He seems to come good in the Spring notching up a three-timer last March so let’s hope he can do the same this season. Jack Tudor successful in last weekend’s main race claims a valuable three pounds and at around 7/1 the Thomas gelding looks a good bet.
1. Powerstown Park
Phil Bull the sage of Timeform in days gone by, described racing as the “Great Triviality” which is probably true unless your livelihood depends on it, but in the present troubling times it provides an escape route away from the misery we see on the TV on a daily basis. Let’s hope it provides that escapism for some time to come.
Enough of the philosophising it’s as bad as my selections…. have a good weekend
Have a good weekend.
Dave
Again, good luck throughout the winter. If you’re interested in racehorse ownership, take a look at the syndicate’s available shares.