A poor start to Goodwood...

But we do have four selections at the meeting on Wednesday. The first is my selection Afrad in the 2.15. This one ran a decent race at Ascot, has dropped in the weights and will have no problem with the ground. Danny fancies Rio De La Plata in the 2.50 who spread-eagled a field of maidens at Newmarket last time out and should be capable of stepping up in class. Next we have Fragrancy for Dan in the 4.40. We have selected this one in the past but gave it a miss last time when a very impressive winner. She looks capable of more improvement and should be followed again. In the 5.10 I have a sneaky feeling that Swanky Lady could go well. She was very expensive for a Richard Hannon horse and is related to some smart performers. I will have to finish off with a horse at Redcar, Jane Of Arc in the 2.40. I gave this one last time out and it was very disappointing. She gets one more chance to prove she has trained on.

The holliday has refreshed Danny...

A great return for the boy with two out two and he likes a couple at Goodwood on Tuesday. His first is Bandama in the 2.15 race. Mrs Perrett's runner got bogged down in the mud last time but had gone very close previously and should love this better ground. His second selection is Asset in the 3.25. Richard Hannon's charge ran a blinder in the July cup and will appreciate the return to seven furlongs. I am staying at Goodwood for my two choices, both are pretty obvious but I can't get away from them. Starlit Sands in the 4.00 ran well at Royal Ascot and has so much early speed this track should suit her better. Paveroc is the one in the 5.05. Stan Moore's runner has taken on top opposition and it will take a very good newcomer to beat him.

We are back...

Bronzed and tattooed (don't ask), and ready to get back on the winning trail. Danny has two selections for Monday his first is Methaaly in the 2.45 at Wolverhampton. This one looked on the way back to form last time and is still on a winning mark. His second choice is Palm Court in the 3.15. Roger Charlton has hit a bit of form and this one doesn't look badly treated off a mark of 70. Just one speculative choice for me, Billy One Punch in the 5.00 at Yarmouth. This one ran better than his final placing suggested last time out and he has dropped down to a very tempting mark.

19 hours to holiday........

Time for two day's of selections. On Sunday just a couple for me, both juvenile debutantes. The first is in the 2.20 at Redcar, Eton Rifles. This son of Pivotal went through the sales at 120 thousand guineas after being sold for a tenth of that a year earlier. Howard johnston knows how to get one ready first time up and I expect a big run. The second is trained by Bryan Smart, Mangham in the 2.50 race. Anything costing over 50 grand in the Smart yard is usually pretty decent and this doesn't look too strong a heat.
Monday; Just two selections on Monday. Danny is really strong on the chances of Hazarayna in the 2.30 at Yarmouth. Cecil's charge looks to have an excellent chance on the form of his debut second behind the smart Calabash Cove. In the 3.15 at Ayr I reckon Dorn Dancer can bounce back to winning form off this mark of 60 on ground that should be ideal. And that is it until next Monday, so have a good week bashing the bookies and we'll speak to you soon.

Just 24 hours to go....

It will be nice to get away from this weather, which is driving me nuts and spoiling the racing. Let's hope we can leave with a few winners. We have four for Saturday first of all Danny likes Al Khaleej in the 3.05 at Newmarket. Ed Dunlop's charge ran a decent race on his return and should improve. At Ripon in the 2.30 Danny fancies Mayaar to improve on her Yarmouth debut. He also selects Bullmarket in the 4.45 at Newmarket. This one returnesd from a long lay off to finish third in a decent race. If he doesn't bounce he should go close. Just the one for me Speed Gifted in the 4.00 at Ripon. There was a lot to like about this one's debut victory and improvement is guaranteed.

A small profit again.....

But it keeps us going until our holiday. We are aiming to get some spending money on Friday with four selections. Danny likes Propaganda in the 4.25 at Nottingham. Luca Cumani's filly showed plenty of promise on her debut, should improve and will love the soft ground. Indian Trail in the 7.35 at Ponte is his second choice. This one has been a shade unlucky recently and if everything drops right he should go close at a decent price. I will have to select Masta Plasta in the 7.15 at Newmarket. I have already backed this for the Stewards Cup as he is very well handicapped at present. He has a bit to find here on official ratings but he is better than he has shown so far this season. We both like the look of Circle Of Love in the 3.05 at Newbury. John Dunlop's filly was a very impressive winner at Pontefract and she doesn't look badly treated on her handicap debut.

Strange results on Wednesday...

No luck for Doidgey or us two, but we are back with 3 selections on Thursday. Danny's first choice is Red Delight in the 2.20 at Hamilton. This one showed plenty of promise on her Thirsk debut and the Fahey juveniles are improving greatly on their first run. I have just one token selection on a very hard day Aliqiraar in the Leicester 5.00. John Dunlop's charge was given a gentle introduction in a hot maiden last season. Dunlop trained the dam as well and on pedigree the ground should suit. danny's second choice is Just Dust in the 3.15 at Leiecester. This former David Elsworth runner was successful on easy ground last season off this mark in a slightly better race.

I thought I was seeing things....

Opal Haze 6/1, I thought it should have been nearer 6/4, luckily I took SP. It gives me a bit of money to play with on Wednesday and I fancy both of the Barry Hills trained runners at Catterick. The first is Mabahej in the 4,30. This is a very weak maiden and this one has strong claims on the second of her three runs to date. In the 5.00 Lightning Queen is improving with each run and should go close off her current mark. Now from time to time we have had a guest tipster and up to now they have been rubbish. However my work companion Jonathon Doidge is confident Sir Mark Prescott will win the 4.50 at Lingfield with Red Petal. Last but not least Daniel has a couple for Wednesday first of all Players Please in the 3.20 at Lingfield. This one ran a solid race at Ascot last time and this represents a drop in class. Finally Dan likes Jam Packed in the 4.10 at Uttoxeter. This one returned from a break to win nicely at Worcester recently and should improve.

Not much time today...

Due to late shifts at work very little time at present. I will try and come up with something later, but I have two from Danny. Kassuta in the 2.15 at Beverley is his first. This one has been found a decent opportunity by Stuart Williams. Oops, his second choice is now a non-runner. So that's all for now.
I am back. Had a chance to study a bit more, but it hasn't been too much help as the racing is pretty poor. One that does catch my eye is Opal Haze in the 7.45 at Kempton. The forecast price of 4/1 is unbelievable. She showed plenty of promise in a decent maiden at Yarmouth on her debut and looks certain to improve.

Saved by the Brave........

Only one winner on Sunday, but a slight profit. Three selections for Monday starting with an old favourite Kings College Boy which is Danny's first choice. This one has been on a decent mark for a while now and is bound to pop up sooner rather than later. His second runner is in the 7.00 at Windsor, Sir Michael's Fourteenth. This one landed a maiden here in good style and doesn't look badly treated for handicap debut. My best bet of the day is Jane Of Arc in the 4.30 at Ayr. If you take the form of this one's handicap debut literally it is thrown in here. She was runner up to the 90 rated Sans Reward and so a mark of 61 looks pretty lenient.

Wrong selections on Saturday...

I have done it again to poor Danny. He gave me four selections and I had to choose two for the blog. Yep, I chose two losers and the other two won!! Let's hope I get it right today. His first choice is Stonecrabstomorrow in the 3.20 at Haydock. We picked this one a couple of runs back as it is very well handicapped. He ran a blinder last time behind Turnkey and if he handles the heavy ground he should go close. Danny's second selection is Windjammer in the 2.50. Once again the ground is a concern but he comes here in great form and looks the pick of the two Easterby runners. My first choice is Mae Cigan in the 2.20 at Haydock. The stable haven't had a winner for some time but the last couple of runners have run okay and this course and distance winner is well treated and will love the ground. Another that will relish the conditions is Scotland The Brave in the 4.50 race. He has been running well of late and is up against mainly out of form rivals.

Friday 13th was lucky for us....

And we have three selections on Saturday. Opera Cape is the first for Danny in the 2.25 at Chester. The Godolphin runner has taken on some top opponents in the past and is back over his best trip. His second choice is Hitchcock in the 3.15 at York. This one ran a blinder at Ascot and can gain revenge over Pevensey. My only choice so far is Ingleby Princess in the 2.40 at York. She had some decent form last season, should act on the ground and will improve on her promising return.

Finally some money back from the Bull...

It has cost me plenty in the past but Papal Bull finally came good and at a nice price. Now looking at Friday it is again very tough. I have a sneaky feeling for Heroes in the 1.30 at Newmarket. This one has steadily dropped down the weights and is tried in blinkers for the first time. In the 2.00 Danny reckons Feared In Flight can gain compensation after being badly hampered at Royal Ascot. Laureldean Gale in the 3.45 is a very interesting newcomer from the Peter Chapple-Hyam yard. She was a very expensive purchase and this stable are skilled at getting one ready first time out. Danny has already mentioned Sakhee's Secret in the July Cup so we better give it as a selection. Danny has one choice at Ascot, Docofthebay. William Buick is great value for his five pound claim and the combination should go close off the current mark.

A turn for the worse....

Very difficult at Newmarket on Wednesday, let's hope today is better. We are both very keen on Ekhtiaar in the 2.35. Progressive last season, he hasn't been beaten far in two strong handicaps and could be spot on for this. In the 3.10 Papal Bull is given one more chance. He has disappointed twice this season but has strong cliams on last year's form where he earned a rating of 115. Danny also goes for Spice Route in the 1.30 at Newmarket. Michael Bell's charge has been in great form this season and will aprreciate the drop in class.

Dan stops the bad run....

That was the closest of photos at Ponty but Danny's choice got the verdict, let's hope it is a turning point. We have gone a bit mad on Wednesday with no less than six selections. We had to comprosise as we fancied different horses in the same races. We'll start with Danny's only selection from Lingfield Ten Down in the 3.20. Jamie Osborne's charge has earned top-weight with some excellent runs and ground and trip should suit. Onto Newmarket and Danny starts with Annemasse in the 2.00. This one has solid form in this type of company and still looks well treated. His next choice is Monte Etoile in the 3.45 who showed excellent form last season and should improve on the debut effort. Jabal Tariq is my first selection in the 4.20. This one is superbly bred and Barry Hills invariably introduces a decent juvenile at this meeting. I am taking a chance with Sugar Ray in the 4.55. Michael Stoute's charge has a brilliant pedigree and looks value against the favourite. Tommy Toogood is the final selection in the 5.30. The Barry Hills runner progressed well last season and starts this term on a very favourable mark.

We can't pick a winner at the moment...

We could be sending Danny back to France the way things are going. No as you know we never say die and generally get back amongst the winners. On tuesday we have three selections. Danny's first choice is Thorax in the 3.15 at Ponty. Mark Johnston's runner was caught in the final furlong in a decent race and should appreciate the drop in distance. His second selection is Rhaam in the 4.45. The Barry Hills trained colt has shown enoug this season to suggest he can land a race of this calibre. Just the one for me the Dandy Nichol's trained Coeur Courageux in the 4.15. This one has taken on some top performers in the past and is now down to a decent mark.

I don't know what to say....

I suppose we could put it down to my hangover from my neice's wedding and Danny must have been bus-lagged after crossing half of Europe. So we must do better today. Danny has three today, two from Bath, the first is Perfect Paula in the 2.45. Bryan Meehan has set his sights lower after running her at Royal Ascot. Star Strider is his second choice in the 5.15 race. This one was slowly away last time out and is better judged on previous solid effort. Finally for Dan, he has to select Bret Maverick in the 6.55 at Ripon. He has already given this one in the past and his task tonight doesn't look too difficult. I am also going for a past selection in Spice Bar. Andrew Balding's charge was slowly away last time but finished well and should appreciate the step up in trip.

No joy on Saturday...

But there are a couple that I fancy on Sunday. The first is in the 4.20 at Ayr, John Keats. Jim Goldie's charge ran well over course and distance last time out and looks to by on the upgrade. The second selection runs at Brighton in the 4.30 Milton Bradley's Trevian . This one has dropped to a decent mark and should be suited by the drop back to a mile.
Late news: Danny has made it back safely from France and after sleeping for 36 hours he has now picked a couple for Sunday. His first is in the 2.30 at Brighton, Tiger's Rocket. Richard Hannon's colt has shown a little ability in two races to date and should find this opposition easier. Danny's second choice is High And Dry in the 3.00. This one wasn't beaten far in a decent Newmarket maiden and should improve.

Slight profit Friday...

And three selections, hopefully for Saturday. The first runner is Bond Boy in the 3.20 at Beverley. This one showed improved form last time when conditions were similar to todays. Benllech is the second choice in the 4.55 at Sandown. This one beat a 79 rated horse very easily last time out and so taking that form literally he is well weighted today. The third selection is Bryan Smart's newcomer White Ruby in the 5.35 at Beverley. this one has a decent pedigree, should love the ground and with the favourite rated only 63 she will not have to be too special to win this.

Weather still playing havoc...

It is difficult to pick winners at the moment with the rains continuing to fall, however I do have three selections for Friday and all should act on soft. The first is Mick Channon's newcomer in the 3.15 at Sandown Better Hand. This is a well bred son of Montjeu who is entered in next year's Derby. The favourite could be a false price as he is not proven on the ground. Staying at Sandown Mariotto has strong claims in the 4.25. This one was very impressive on good to soft ground when successful here last season and on breeding looks sure to handle these softer conditions. Finally we move on to Haydock and the 9.25. The Barry hills trained Lady Trail showed much improved form last time out and there is a soft ground influence on the dams side.

Phew, Fromsong stops a poor run...

There appears to be a horse too good to be true at Newbury on Thursday, Apache Dawn in the 7.55. This one improved by about a stone on soft ground last time out. It is hard to see a six pound penalty stopping this one with conditions right again. Siyasa in the 2.30 at Yarmouth has been pulled out of a few races but if she takes part here she could be worth a bet. She is a full sister to Fantastic Light and if she has anything like her ability she will murder these.

Unlucky on Tuesday....

Two each-way bets and both finish fourth... I don't think it is going to be my week. Anyway we will soldier on. the first selection on Wednesday is Fromsong in the 6.40 at Kempton. This one has excellent turf form this season and has gone well off much higher marks on the all-weather at Lingfield. The second choice is Simondiun in the 8.20 at Kempton. This one has earned top-weight with some solid efforts last season and should have no problem with this two mile trip.

Two well beaten selections on Monday...

No excuses for the two poor runs but at least I managed one winner. For Tuesday I have two each-way choices at Thirsk. They are both old-timers that have dropped down to very lenient marks and both looked on the way back to some sort of form last time out. They are Reason in the 6.45 and Zhitimir in the 7.45.

Close call with Dick....

But not good enough. I better get some winners or Danny will be unbearable when he comes back. Three for Monday first of all Linda Green could be the one in the last at Goodwood the 9.00. She is proven on the ground and has run well in defeat since winning off a mark of 70. The second choice is Phoenix Flight in the 4.00 at Wolves. Mark Prescott's colt was well supported on his debut but ran very green. He will know more about what is required this afternoon. I will also take a chance with Ridge Rose in the 4.45 at Pontefract. This expensive purchase is superbly bred and should love the ground.

Two well beaten tips on Saturday.......

And scratching my head on Sunday with just Uttoxeter to go at. But I have a guest tipster( although I haven't told him), it is the Guvnor, Mr Nick Millard who has convinced me Darusso will win the 2.45. He was highly tried last season and ran well last time out on soft ground when runner up to a decent type. We are also in cahoots with today's other selection Dead-Eyed Dick in the 4.20. He has won over this trip in the past, loves the soft ground and went well in this event last year.