Feeling Peaky
So it's Friday, and the weekend is once more upon us. Thoughts turn to lie ins, bacon, newspapers, and hours of TV sport... But I'm cooped up in my bed.
I had a headache most of yesterday, and the three 'medicinal' Guinnesses I had last evening didn't alleviate the problem, nor has a good kip. So its official - I've got a lurgy.
At least there's plenty to watch on the telly (right now, for instance, I'm 'enjoying' Sergio self destruct in his second round at the Open).
As for the horses, based on the weather outside here (p1551ng down), I'd expect Newbury to be abandoned.
Over at Nottingham, there's not much to get inspired by, so I'll take that theme and work it by having a look at the 3.20, a 15 runner seller(!).
Maybe its the bugs, maybe its the drugs, but I reckon there are a couple of 50/1 shots in here that are not without a chance.
In a race where few have ever won, still less having won on turf, Prince du Soleil would be an ironic winner in this weather. This horse actually won at Saint-Cloud and Maisons-Lafitte for Pascal Bary back in the last century, but has been regressive since, and hasn't even run for two years.
However, he loves the mud and - in fairness - there aren't too many poorer races around than this. For minimal units, he might give us a fun run.
I can't have the favourite, Ruby Legend, as I don't think he'll go in the ground. That said, he's got Spencer in the plate, and it's not impossible he'll win despite hating the underfoot.
My other rag for the race is Travelling Band. Another who hasn't seen a racetrack for ages (this time 426 days), he won a nice Haydock novice hurdle in 2003 on soft going, and is worth a tiny tickle against a shocking bunch of donkeys.
What the BHB are doing serving up this kind of dirge on a Friday at a reasonably high class track is beyond me. But there we are.
Of the (relatively) unexposed ones in the race, Snake Hips ran his best race on soft two starts back, and should be competitive here.
I don't have any strong lay fancies, though my system has thrown up a few which are too big for me to oppose: Red Chairman, Hazelnut, and the aforementioned Ruby Legend, as well as Circle of Love at Newbury, should it get the thumbs up.
Over at the Tour, and a strange stage yesterday: what should have been a relatively easy day was made an end to end gallop by the Astana team (that of Messrs Vinokourov and Kloden) assuming control at the front of the peloton and putting the hammer down.
The tactic is, I reckon, designed to empty the legs of some of Vino and Klodie's rivals ahead of the first time trial tomorrow. Its an interesting strategy, and one that might just work. Certainly, Christophe Moreau, the big French hope was dropped yesterday and waved his 'maillot jaune reve' (yellow jersey dream, for the non-Francophiles) goodbye.
I wonder if they'll continue with the high tempo today... Stage 12, for that's how far we've come, is not that simple, containing as it does three Category 4 climbs and - near the finish - a Category 2 hillock.
I reckon that again the usual three must be followed: Voigt, Gilbert and Casar, but I also wouldn't rule out a sprint finish, in which case I'll side with Hushovd and Pozzato. I've lost all confidence in my ability to pick stage winners, so between the five of these guys, I'll risk all of ten pounds..!
Finally, I'll be putting Betting Exchange Profits through its paces for the last time, and reporting on its overall performace later. I'll also bring you some Friday Fun, from the late great Spike Milligan, so stay tuned!
Matt
I had a headache most of yesterday, and the three 'medicinal' Guinnesses I had last evening didn't alleviate the problem, nor has a good kip. So its official - I've got a lurgy.
At least there's plenty to watch on the telly (right now, for instance, I'm 'enjoying' Sergio self destruct in his second round at the Open).
As for the horses, based on the weather outside here (p1551ng down), I'd expect Newbury to be abandoned.
Over at Nottingham, there's not much to get inspired by, so I'll take that theme and work it by having a look at the 3.20, a 15 runner seller(!).
Maybe its the bugs, maybe its the drugs, but I reckon there are a couple of 50/1 shots in here that are not without a chance.
In a race where few have ever won, still less having won on turf, Prince du Soleil would be an ironic winner in this weather. This horse actually won at Saint-Cloud and Maisons-Lafitte for Pascal Bary back in the last century, but has been regressive since, and hasn't even run for two years.
However, he loves the mud and - in fairness - there aren't too many poorer races around than this. For minimal units, he might give us a fun run.
I can't have the favourite, Ruby Legend, as I don't think he'll go in the ground. That said, he's got Spencer in the plate, and it's not impossible he'll win despite hating the underfoot.
My other rag for the race is Travelling Band. Another who hasn't seen a racetrack for ages (this time 426 days), he won a nice Haydock novice hurdle in 2003 on soft going, and is worth a tiny tickle against a shocking bunch of donkeys.
What the BHB are doing serving up this kind of dirge on a Friday at a reasonably high class track is beyond me. But there we are.
Of the (relatively) unexposed ones in the race, Snake Hips ran his best race on soft two starts back, and should be competitive here.
I don't have any strong lay fancies, though my system has thrown up a few which are too big for me to oppose: Red Chairman, Hazelnut, and the aforementioned Ruby Legend, as well as Circle of Love at Newbury, should it get the thumbs up.
Over at the Tour, and a strange stage yesterday: what should have been a relatively easy day was made an end to end gallop by the Astana team (that of Messrs Vinokourov and Kloden) assuming control at the front of the peloton and putting the hammer down.
The tactic is, I reckon, designed to empty the legs of some of Vino and Klodie's rivals ahead of the first time trial tomorrow. Its an interesting strategy, and one that might just work. Certainly, Christophe Moreau, the big French hope was dropped yesterday and waved his 'maillot jaune reve' (yellow jersey dream, for the non-Francophiles) goodbye.
I wonder if they'll continue with the high tempo today... Stage 12, for that's how far we've come, is not that simple, containing as it does three Category 4 climbs and - near the finish - a Category 2 hillock.
I reckon that again the usual three must be followed: Voigt, Gilbert and Casar, but I also wouldn't rule out a sprint finish, in which case I'll side with Hushovd and Pozzato. I've lost all confidence in my ability to pick stage winners, so between the five of these guys, I'll risk all of ten pounds..!
Finally, I'll be putting Betting Exchange Profits through its paces for the last time, and reporting on its overall performace later. I'll also bring you some Friday Fun, from the late great Spike Milligan, so stay tuned!
Matt
posted by Matt at
10:53
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