Rubbish Monday and Not Much Better Looking Tuesday.

Hello

A pretty dreadful day with both selections being somewhat of a disappointment. BEATING HARMONY had somewhat of an excuse I suppose, being checked about halfway and not being able to get into contention afterwards, but not up to a lot really.

Tuesday see's action at Folkestone, Taunton and Southwell (AW). Let's see if there is much to get even remotely mildly excited about. 

Sadly, the answer is in the negative. There is only 1 that is remotely interesting. LA ESTRELLA hasn't run for the best part of 2 years, but did have some reasonable form at that time. Now down in bargain basement company in a Southwell seller, he must be in with a squeak if retaining any of his old ability.

LA ESTRELLA Southwell 2.00 won @ 6/4

It seems to me that the world has gone bonkers, or at least the football world. Monday was the last day of the transfer window and here we are with such deals as Fernando Torres leaving Liverpool to join Chelsea for £50m. Andy Carroll replacing him at Anfield from Newcastle for £35m. Absolutely, totally, crazy sums of money in an era of supposed credit crunch. Is it any wonder, the ridiculous prices for a seat at a Premier League match? Stick to non-league football like your ever frugal chairman. Why does he like non-league? Click on the following article to see....

My Love of Non-League Football

Bye for now

Tatty

UGH, It's Monday Tomorrow

Hiya

Not a bad day all told. LATERLY made a hash of the 5th flight and deposited Tommy Scu on the turf, whereas DAZZLED lived up to her name, trotting in at 2/1. It just proves that  I CAN PICK ALL WEATHER WINNERS AT KEMPTON PARK AFTER ALL. Don't expect it to continue mind!

Right then, back to Monday. Jumping sat Ayr and Ludlow. The flat at Wonderful Wolverhampton (oh don't start that nonsense again, pleeease?)

Just a couple at Wolves for you then. Each way in the Claimer at 2.40 SLATEY HEN won here at the start of the year, but didn't follow it up last week at Lingfield. I think the booking of David Probert is a big plus and can't imagine she'll be far away.

BEATING HARMONY in the 3.50 has been there or thereabouts in the last month or so. Goes up a couple of lbs, but new trainer and Robert Winston in the saddle could just be the extra boot up the backside required.

SLATEY HEN Wolverhampton 2.40 unplaced

BEATING HARMONY Wolverhampton 3.50 unplaced

In a tribute to FA Cup giantkillings everywhere, have a read of an article I wrote a while ago about Leatherhead's trip to Leicester in the 4th round back in 1975

Leathehead FC: Almost Giantkillers

Chairman Tatty

Too Cold for my Likings

Hello everyone

Nothing to get excited about today, a couple of 9/2 second places, but that is all. My old school report used to have written on it, at regular intervals I might add, must try harder and the same applies here really.

Only a couple for Sunday, it really isn't the most exciting bunch of cards I've seen. Hereford are inspecting in the morning so I'll just concern myself with Fakenham and Kempton AW. Yes, I know I normally leave the Polytrack at Kempton well alone, but I quite fancy this one's chances as it goes (and the lovely Hayley Turner takes the ride).

LATTERLY Fakenham 2.25 unseated rider 5th fence

DAZZLED Kempton Park 4.45 Won @ 2/1

Both will be well fancied so maybe a small win double is the order of the day.

I spent an enjoyable, if not blooming cold, afternoon watching Biggleswade Town beat Burnham 5-2 in the Zamaretto League and, just to make it better, won a box of Black Magic in the raffle. Mrs Tatty is quite pleased with that, I can tell you.

Let's hope it's a bit warmer tomorrow (I am not at all keen on the cold).

The Chairman

And Then Things Get a Lot Better!

Hello each and every,

Well, didn't we do well on Friday? In answer to yesterday's blog title - things certainly did get better. 4 choices with 2 winners at 13/8 and 16/1 no less. I must admit to being more than chuffed about that one.

I must admit to being a bit short of time for Saturday's racing, so I will list the suggestions below with no explanations. I will mark when I think an each way flutter may be best however.

KING OF CASTILLE Uttoxeter 2.05 2nd @ 9/2

NEW DEN Lingfield 2.25 unplaced

PACHA D'OUDAIRIES Uttoxeter 2.35 (each way) 2nd @ 9/2

Thank you and goodnight

Uncle Tatty

Things Can Only Get Better!

Good morning my friends

Yesterday will be best forgotten about, 1 that didn't run well and a faller. OK, moving swiftly on.....

Today's Doncaster card goes ahead after not requiring its early morning inspection, although I do believe Wolverhampton are inspecting soon concerning their twilight card. Makes a mockery of "all-weather" racing doesn't it? Should be any weather when it isn't too cold, foggy, snowy or wet maybe?

On to some suggestions for today then.

At Lingfield in the Maiden at 4.30, I like the look of MANIFESTATION. John Gosden's 3 year old ran here 3 weeks ago and was a few lengths down. Today, up against not such intense opposition shall we say, the previous experience will serve him well and I think he can prevail.

Some good novice action at Doncaster and interesting handicaps at Fontwell make up the cards on this side of the Irish sea. David Pipe's LAUSTRA BAD may be the answer in a tricky 3.50 at Fontwell. He has won at a far better level than this albeit the best part of 4 years ago. Remember, form is temporary - class is permanent and I think he can put in a big performance here.

In case Wolves gets the go ahead, Mark Johnston's EXEMPLARY looks interesting in the 2 mile 5.40 He has never run this far before and has never really been too impressive on the all-weather in truth, but he has won at a beter level and today may be the making of him. We shall cross our fingers and hope.

Gowran Park's Thyestes Handicap Chase card finally goes ahead at, is it, the third time of asking now? Many in with a chance in the feature at 2.55 One I will be watching is Dessie Hughes' SIEGEMASTER. Top weighted here and has been running reasonably towards the end of last year. He may find his way into the frame, but this is very competitive.

SIEGEMASTER Gowran Park 2.55           Won @ 16/1

LAUSTRA BAD Fontwell 3.50              Unplaced

MANIFESTATION Lingfield Park 4.30 Unplaced

EXEMPLARY Wolverhampton 5.40          Won @ 13/8

Good luck. Just heard that Wolverhampton is all systems go! Yippee!

Tatty is leaving the laptop!

Hope to be Psychoed in Thurles

G’day mateys,

We had another reasonably decent day on Wednesday. Due to not having the time to do it justice, I only suggested 1 horse and that was for each way punting. Just as well, as CROSS KENNON trotted in 4 lengths adrift of Mr. Moonshine, but at least he secured us a little bit of place money.

Today we have action over the sticks at Ffos Las, Warwick and Thurles across the water in Ireland. The all-weather flat racing takes place at Southwell and Kempton. There is also more of the middle-eastern carnival stuff at Meydan (not for me thank you very much).

There are a couple of nags I like the look of, both running within 5 minutes of each other. These are as follows:-

Thurles 3.20 –  6 year old plus, handicap chase with 10 declared runners. I watched PSYCHO win here 3 weeks ago with a big smile on my face as I had a few pennies riding with him. OK, I grant you he is going up in grade a little, but I fancy him to pull it off and triumph again.

Warwick 3.25 – A nice, juicy handicap hurdle to get your teeth into with 15 declared combatants. Quite a number in with a shout, but my flag will be nailed to the mast of VIVARINI. He should be fighting fit after running over a mile and a half on the all-weather at Lingfield a week ago and not disgracing himself.  The booking of Choc Thornton in the saddle does stand out. I forecast him to be in the region of 10/1 so maybe go for an each way punt again. Full Of Joy will be all the rage, but with 12lbs extra lumped on top from last time, I have my doubts. Broughton’s Green is perfectly capable of doing well, but has been off the course for the best part of a year and really needs watching this time.

PSYCHO Thurles 3.20 unplaced

VIVARINI Warwick 3.25 (each way) fell
Not one of our most memorable days. Psycho lost touch about 4 fences out and Vivarini fell 3 out - Race won by a 25/1 shot, followed in by sp's of 14/1 and 33/1

I hope you have a successful punting day and look forward to writing more soonish. 

The Chairman

Can't Beat a Little Nibble in the Afternoon!

Hello boys and girls,

I can't imagine I'm going to hear too many grumbles about yesterday's choices. 2 winners from 3, not at the greatest prices, but remember - A WINNER IS A WINNER!

A bit short of time today, so a rather brief posting and only 1 suggestion. Jumps at Musselburgh, Huntingdon (my local course and I can't go - Grr!) and Limerick. AW flat at Lingfield and Kempton.

The 2.45 at Huntingdon is the best class race of the day, bringing 15 together for a stayers handicap hurdle. Lots of chances and horses with previous winning form. I just have an inkling for top weight CROSS KENNON. Brought down last time, but previously running and winning in Listed company, he could go well after a break of 40 odd days. Currently trading at 6/1, so maybe a little each way nibble is the order of the day.

CROSS KENNON Huntingdon 2.45 (each way) 2nd @ 11/2

A link to a Racing Post article you may wish to read, about Kauto Star's first canter after the King George.

Nicholls Pleased After Kauto Star Canters

Just one last comment, not about racing, but Rugby Union this time. I see London Wasps are playing Harlequins in an LV cup game in Dubai (or some damn silly place that way). So what is that all about then? A big "up yours" to the fans who watch as many games as they can at home in London it seems. I know it's live on sky, but why should fans be denied seeing a live game so that, presumably, big money can be earned in the Gulf. Not everyone can afford to jet off for the weekend to catch a game of rugby. Get a grip, RFU, Wasps (and Quins come to that - never did like them much).

Bye for now

The Tattenator

The Sun Shines on the Righteous and at Southwell.

Morning all, how ya didlin'?

A pretty cruddy day on the nags yesterday, I'm sure you will agree. KNOCKAVILLA managed 2nd, but was well back and in a 4 horse race even the each way odds don't come into play. SARAH'S ART was poor. Broke badly, kept at the back and was well out of it. At The Races have an award for jockey of the week - can't imagine Adam Kirby will be troubling the judges on this showing somehow.

So now on to today. Jumping at Sedgefield, Leicester and Navan. All- weather flat at sunny Southwell. The best quality race over the sticks is the 2 mile novice chase at Leicester, but with only 4 runners again. After getting my fingers burnt in the similar contest yesterday at Wetherby, I am going to leave it well alone. Sedgefield and Navan do not interest me so its off to the sunshine for today's guesswork.

The 2.50 at Southwell is a decent looking, class 3 contest with one or two in with a shout. Arganil drops back in class and has a liking for Southwell, but he has not been in the best of form so warrants watching for now. Luscivious is out of form and Dandy Nicholls', Sir Geoffrey will fly out of the stalls, but is up against a better class of animal here. Feelin' Foxy got knocked off into 2nd last time after 2 previous wins. I just think that a mark of 85 is more than enough for now.Divertimenti has been away from the all-weather for a good while and has never really looked the part at Southwell anyway. That leaves WAVEBAND, who has always been a bit of a cantankerous madam, but has shown signs of behaving on her first 2 runs for her new stable. I think this will be third time lucky and I take her to just get this.

I like a couple of others at Southwell.  At 1.50 STEED seemed a different horse last time when fitted with cheekpieces. He goes up 4lbs for that win, but can follow up. In the Maiden at 3.50 Eilean Mor seems somewhat exposed, but new stable and running on the Fibresand may just be the making of him. My vote goes to CHRISTMAS ARIA who ran well at Lingfield a week ago. If transferring that form to the softer form of sand, he won't be far away.

STEED Southwell 1.50 1st @ 15/8

WAVEBAND Southwell 2.50 2nd @ 6/4

CHRISTMAS ARIA Southwell 3.50 1st @ 11/10

I'm going to leave it there for this posting. Good luck with your punting and I will write more soon.

Tatty

Tatty in Mourning

Hello

Tatty is in mourning tonight, after the Albion lost 2-0 at Blackburn. It doesn't really help when one of your centre backs heads into his own net, when being barely challenged, to make it 1-0 and letting in a 2nd, so soon after the interval put an end to any hope for a point we had.

We really are in need of a striker who can get a few goals here and there, but what Premier League club (except the obvious few) are not? We lost out on John Carew, mainly because of the boards reluctance to pay his high wages. It seems the board are quite content with the Albion being a yo-yo club. That is all well and good, but soon enough the yo-ing will end, more than likely with us stuck in the lower of the two leagues.

The Horsey Bit

Well, we started the week with a 2nd place. It surprised, nay amazed me to see OLD WAY go off as 9/4 fav at Towcester. Somebody, somewhere must have had a hefty old punt on. He was going well until clobbering the last and ended a couple of lengths back from the winner.

Tomorrow sees a return to slightly iffy Monday cards at Wetherby over jumps and Kempton and Wolverhampton on the all-weather. As Kempton (AW) is a continual no-no, we look at the other two for inspiration.

The best quality race of the day is the Novice's Chase at Wetherby 2.35 Always notoriously dodgy affairs to say the least, this one gives us 4 competitors, all of which have a squeak. If Alfie Sherrin can jump the larger obstacles as well as the timber, he must be in with a decent shot of taking this and similar thoughts could be given to Sir Tantallus Hawk. Donald McCain's Glenwood Knight won well on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter and remains a threat, but my, very tentative choice goes to KNOCKAVILLA who, if you ignore his last run here at Wetherby, has had decent form over fences. I am concerned however, about tipping any horse with the disgusting word Villa in its name - UGH!

The best race at Dunstall Park is the 7 furlong handicap at 4.35 Stef Liddiard's SARAH'S ART won well at Lingfield on New Year's Eve and only goes up 1lb for it. Previously having winning form at Wolverhampton, he will certainly be there or thereabouts.

KNOCKAVILLA Wetherby 2.35

SARAH'S ART Wolverhampton 4.35

Right, I am now going back to my mourning, black armband at the ready.

Tatty the Baggie

Tatty's Weekly Report: Doing Very Well

Hello everyone

Saturday's Shennanigans

Another Saturday's racing over with, which ended up with the meetings at Haydock Park and Gowran Park over in Ireland being abandoned. This cut my daily selections in half, down to 3 and from those 3, we had a 9/2 winner, putting us in profit over level stakes again. Comments for the 3 runners have been added to yesterday's posting (as usual).

The race of the day was the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot. As I commented yesterday, I really couldn't see past Master Minded for the winner, but it was oh so, so close. I had mentioned to Mrs Tatty, as the horses rounded the final bend, that there was only ever going to be one horse in it and that Master Minded was a class above the rest on show. Suddenly, Somersby started eating up the ground and made a terrific challenge, just failing on the line. I nearly had to eat my words and lied through my teeth to my better half, saying that it was all under control. Nothing could be further from the truth and thank the Lord I didn't have any money resting on it, because I would be in the cardiac unit of our local hospital by now and not writing a further bulletin for your entertainment.

Weekly Round-up

I have just had a look back at some of the old nags that I have suggested backing for this week. From 17 selections, we have had 7 winners at such prices as 8/1, 5/1, 4/1, 11/2, 9/2,11/4 and one odds on at 5/6. I must admit to being quite impressed with those statistics and can only hope that it will continue again this week. 
Eat your heart out Micky Fitz!


It's Plug Time

I have just completed and had published an article about Great Leighs racecourse. Please click on the title below to read:-

Will Horse Racing Ever Return to Great Leighs Racecourse?

Sunday Racing

Sunday racing, more often than not, is not up to a great deal and I have to admit that little of the fare on offer inspires me greatly. This is except for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, which brings together Hurricane Fly and Solwhit again for the third time this season. Hurricane Fly has prevailed on both previous occasions and there is nothing to suggest that the tables will be turned this time. Not worth a bet though as Hurricane Fly will go off at prohibitive odds.

Racing over this side of the pond is from Market Rasen and Towcester over obstacles and Kempton Park on the Polytrack. I have versed my thoughts on Kempton before, so we'll have look at the National Hunt fixtures only.

As I said earlier, none of it does a lot for me and it is difficult to suggest anything at all. If I had my arm twisted up my back and had to make a selection, I would go to Towcester and the 2 mile Novice's Hurdle at 3.05 Coolbeg should be the favourite here and will not be far away that is for sure, but Venetia Williams' OLD WAY interests me. Placed more than once when racing on the flat in France, he ran encouragingly 12 days ago in his public debut over timber at Taunton and should be able to progress for that experience.

One last thought. I notice in Saturday's Sun newspaper that trainer TR George, won the 1.30 race at Towcester in 2007 and 2009. He has Gentle Bob in the race for 2011 - could he continue the run?

SELECTION:-

OLD WAY Towcester 3.05

Good night everyone.

Tatty

Victor Chandler Chase Day at Ascot

Hello again

The frost put pay to the meeting at Catterick and along with it, 2 of yesterday’s selections. The remainder, SILVER TURN, at Wolverhampton was a disappointment and came in unplaced. Let’s hope we can do a bit better for Saturday.

A decent days racing is in prospect, with the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, a quality novice hurdle and chase at Haydock, along with an interesting 3 mile handicap chase, again at the north-west track. Wincanton provides a good looking card and there is a class 3, 6 furlong handicap on the all-weather at Lingfield. 

Over the water in the emerald isle, there is due to be a meeting at Gowran Park. If it survives the weather (and let’s hope it does), there is a Grade 2, 3 mile hurdle on offer (Willie Mullins’ MOURAD will be looking to follow up victory at Leopardstown in December).

When it comes to the Victor Chandler Chase, I really cannot see past Master Minded who is a class act and I think will prevail, but  at very skinny odds.

One I have been keeping an eye on is KING FONTAINE, who runs in the 3.15 at Haydock. Winning here in November, he hit at least 3 fences, got a couple of swift reminders before getting his act together and staying on well. I could do with a little less in the drama department this time please, but very much fancy his chances.

SELECTIONS FOR SATURDAY

MOURAD Gowran Park 1.35 Meeting abandoned

WISHFULL THINKING Haydock Park 2.40 Meeting abandoned

KING FONTAINE Haydock Park 3.15 Meeting abandoned

 MAHOGANY BLAZE Ascot 3.30 Fell

ANNE OF KIEV Lingfield Park 3.40 Won @ 9/2

MUD MONKEY Wincanton 4.00 Unplaced

RESULTS:-

MAHOGANY BLAZE fell at the first open ditch.

ANNE OF KIEV and Steve Drowne looked as though they had left it far too late, but a well timed run won the races at an sp of 9/2.

MUD MONKEY settled at the head of affairs, but was easily headed coming for home. Finished 5th, a good way back.

All the best for a brilliant, bookie bashing Saturday

Cheers

Tatty

Tito's Troubles at Taunton

Good evening,

It was a reasonably average day on Thursday in truth. BUAITEOIR did an impressive impersonation of a Formula 1 car in the last furlong, charging through to win well.

DAHAAM couldn’t follow suit at Wolverhampton where Jamie Spencer left the challenge too late. Poor old TITO BUSTILLO, who could be classed as a Taunton expert, didn’t have a good day and was outpaced and outclassed by 2 rivals.

Still a 4/1 winner from 3 selections at level stakes is a profit, so quite pleasing on the whole really

Grandstand at Taunton racecourse

As for Friday, we have 4 meetings at such marvelous locations as Catterick Bridge, Chepstow, Lingfield Park (AW) and yet again a twilight twirl at wild and wooly Wolves (AW)

The best card of the 4 is the one up in Yorkshire at Catterick, where there are a couple of class 3 handicaps (one chase and 1 hurdle) on offer.

 In the chase at 2.20 Henry Daly’s WESSEX KING unseated his rider at Aintree back in October, but previously had been running very well and if staying on his feet and keeping Mr Tinkler in the saddle should do well.

At 2.55 in the hurdle, I like Altan Khan and was impressed with his win at Musselburgh in November. I can’t help think that up 8lbs for that is a little steep so I’ll go for Mickey Hammond’s AMIR PASHA. The stable is firing on all cylinders at the moment with 3 winners and 2 placed from 5 runners in the last few days, including 2 winners at Catterick. He is also rising in the weights but usually runs well here.

When it comes to all-weather, flat racing, in a race where all 6 could be given a chance, I like the look of SILVER TURN in the 6.35 at Wolverhampton. The 3 year old filly won well at Southwell 17 days ago and if transferring that form to the Polytrack, will do well.
RESULT: SILVER TURN did not want to go into the stalls initially, but complied eventually. She didn't break too well and was outpaced early on in proceedings. Made up some ground at the end, but I get the feeling she will continue to be better on the Fibresand at Southwell. 

Just one word of warning, there is an inspection in the morning at Catterick, so fingers crossed it gets the go ahead. Update: Meeting abandoned due to frost.

WESSEX KING Catterick 2.20 Meeting abandoned

AMIR PASHA Catterick 2.55 Meeting abandoned

SILVER TURN Wolverhampton 6.35 unplaced

That’s all for tonight, speak soon

Chairman Tatts

Not Such a Spectacular Wednesday

Well, after choosing two winners yesterday, today was always going to be anti-climatic at best.

RUPIN never ran up to his previous performance at Carlisle and was a disappointment. So was MINSTER SHADOW (I really should have tipped Cavers Glen who won well, but at least I mentioned him). MEMORABILIA won, as I expected, but made blooming hard work of it prevailing by a short head. Read yesterday's posting where I have updated the choices in more detail.

Due to limited available time, I am only going to list the choices tonight. Hopefully I will expand on them more tomorrow morning.

BUAITEOIR Lingfield 2.50 won @ 4/1

TITO BUSTILLO Taunton 3.30 unplaced (3rd)

DAHAAM Wolverhampton 7.20 2nd 3/1

RESULTS

BUAITEOIR was dropped in at the back and stayed there all the way round, until picking up in the last furlong to fly in like sh*t off a shovel, scoring at 4's. A super, brilliantly timed ride by Liam Jones.
 

TITO BUSTILLO very much likes Taunton, winning there on both his previous runs at the back end of 2009, but he was not to prevail today. Settled in, just off the lead in the opening stages, he was jumping well and seemed perfectly happy in the steady pace. As the race continued, it seemed there was and would be very little in it. Coming up the home straight, he had every chance, but didn't have the pace to go with the two front runners and ended 3rd.

DAHAAM travelled in midfield, a few lengths off the leaders until making his challenge on the outside at the final bend. He didn't quite manage to pass the winner, finding the winning post 50 yards too early.

Tatty

A Terrific Tuesday

Good evening punters,

Well, what a day we had today with 2 selections and both winners. I’m not going to say that will happen every day, but let’s keep the old digits crossed shall we?

PATMAN DU CHARVIL obviously has found the level where he can prevail and if this gives him some confidence, he could go on to bigger and better things. PETE THE FEAT’S jumping put the fear of the almighty into me more than once, but it didn’t seem to affect him at all and he went on to win well. He seems to relish conditions with a bit of give underfoot, but I do wonder how he would get on with firmer ground.

On Wednesday there are 4 meetings, namely at Newbury and Newcastle over the sticks, along with Lingfield and Kempton on the Polytrack. Before I go any further, I am going to categorically state that I am hopeless at making choices at Newbury and Kempton (AW), so I am not going to bother looking at the cards. 

So here we go with a look at Newcastle and leafy Lingfield only.

The Newcastle card provides us with a decent Novice’s Hurdle at 1.40 and a class 3 Handicap Chase at 2.15 

In the 1.40 Howard Johnson’s RUPIN really impressed me at Carlisle back in October and I think he will win again. 

RESULT: RUPIN went out to 11/2 at the off after being quoted earlier at 3's. Taking up the running from the start and keeping a reasonable pace, he held on to the lead until about half a mile out when, having little extra to give, finished out of the frame.

In the 2.15 there are two I like the look of. Cavers Glen who won well at Aintree in November, but for a bit of value, I will plump for old boy MINSTER SHADOW. He went flying at Valentines on his last appearance at Aintree back in November, but a couple of decent runs previously at Carlisle makes me think he is still enjoying himself and may well make the frame at least. His jumping is a slight worry mind.

RESULT: The old fellow received some support in the ring and then as feared, promptly made a complete hash of the first fence. He somehow survived and then stayed in midfield around 10 lengths off the pace. It was soon fairly clear he was not in the mood today and was pulled up a good way out. Cavers Glen won impressively however.

At Lingfield, it is pretty standard weekday fare, but the 3.40 Handicap over 10 furlongs, throws up 3 horses which all won their last races at Wolverhampton. Mark Johnston’s MEMORABILIA, going up 3lbs for his win a fortnight ago, is still on a decent mark and is taken to get his head in front again.

RESULT: I was convinced that MEMORABILIA was the best bet of the day and as I guessed, he took up the running at half way. He suddenly found onecome at him at the turn and I thought his chance has gone, but fighting all the way he just took the spoils at the post with an sp of 5/6 (was available at up to 2's earlier on).

Now the Non-Racing Bit

Sometime England forward, Darren Bent has today left Sunderland to join Aston Villa in a deal supposedly worth up to £24m. Crazy money, I’m sure you will agree (unless you are a regular at the Aston Lower Grounds), but why has he jumped ship? Sunderland, currently in 6^th place in the Premier League, looking like gaining a place in next year’s European competitions against Aston Villa, only out of the relegation places by the fact that A (Aston Villa) comes before W (Wigan) in the alphabet. Bent says it’s nothing to do with money – WHAT A LOAD OF OLD B******S! Does he think we are stupid? If he treats Sunderland and their fans this way, just you Villans wait, in time he’ll dump on you as well.

Two related, interesting articles you may wish to read:

Football Ground History: Aston Villa

Football Ground History: Sunderland

That’s me done for another night, talk tomorrow.

The Chairman

A Kauto Star-less Posting

Good evening everyone. Another couple of selections for you, news of a nice winner and a good old whinge....

We had a good day with RAY MOND winning impressively in the 3.30 at Fakenham at an sp of 11/2. MIDNIGHT MACARENA either hated the bottomless ground, or something was amiss and he tailed off early.

In the 4 o’clock at Fakenham, there was the ridiculous situation of 2 horses being withdrawn just before the off, when one kicked out and connected with the jockey on another. Due to injuries, both runners were withdrawn, which is only fair and not the ridiculous part. Suddenly the field was down from 9 to 7, meaning anyone previously taking each way odds would only get paid out on the first 2 as opposed to the first 3. Again, it just proves how much everything is biased in favour of the bookmakers and it’s the poor old punter who gets hit in the “Jacobs” yet again. 


In the bookmakers defence, they would then pay a quarter of the odds for the place instead of a fifth, but that really is no compensation whatsoever when you may well be subject to a rule 4 deduction made for the now non-runner(s). On the exchanges you will still get paid on 3 places, which proves it is high time this was looked at and something done about it.

OK, moan over, now on to Tuesday’s racing. This takes us to super Southwell, fabulous Folkestone and again to the shrine that is Dunstall Park and the absolutely wonderful, Wolverhampton.  Southwell and Folkestone are over the jumps, whereas it’s flat racing on the Polytrack at Wolves.

I suggest you keep an eye on these two:

Southwell 1.00: PATMAN DU CHARVIL has been running poorly for quite a period of time, but here he is right down in the weights and also down in class to a level where he may find things a lot easier than of late.
RESULT: He took the running up from the start, holding on the whole way and looked the class animal he obviously is. I won't say I told you so, but I TOLD YOU SO!  Won at 5/1.

Folkestone 3.10: PETE THE FEAT has improved as the season has gone on. Won well here a month ago with Felix de Giles up and may well do so again. The trip is half a mile less than then, but I don’t see that as a problem.

RESULT: Another winner. Kept a few lengths off the lead for most of the contest, he made his challenge about 2 fences out, going on to score nicely by 2 and three quarter lengths at an sp of 11/4

And Finally

You have to laugh. After all the garbage reported at the weekend, that Avram Grant was on his way out of West Ham irrespective of the result against Arsenal and Martin O’Neill was waiting in the wings to replace him, tonight I hear that O’Neill has ruled himself out of the running. 


I found it hard to believe that he even seriously considered it in the first place. O’Neill needs to be in charge, needs money to spend and has to have his own way on everything. At West Ham, with owners Gold and Sullivan and Karren Brady sitting on their laps? No chance. There was never any way O’Neill was going to Upton Park.

That’s your lot for tonight, hope to speak to you all tomorrow.

Tatty

Crazy Prices for Gold Cup Bound Kauto Star

Good morning peeps!

Just a quick note. I have had a look at current prices for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, just to see the market changes after Kauto Star's run on Saturday.

Victor Chandler go 10/1 and Ladbrokes are offering 8/1 (no run, no bet). I find this amazing, crazy even.

Kauto Star was 4/7 for the King George and yes, I know he ran badly, but ONE BAD RACE DOESN'T MAKE HIM A HAS BEEN. He will now be trained especially for the race and I for one would not put it past him to prove the bookies wrong. Even Denman is quoted at 6's for the race and how much can he be relied upon! Trust me, I've had a plunge on the Star. 

THIS IS NOT THE END OF KAUTO STAR - YOU MARK MY WORDS!

Tatty

It Will Soon Be Monday Morning

Good evening one and all. Sunday nearly over and it's back to the stresses and strains of a new week in the morning. Oh deep joy.

How was your Sunday? I never managed to go fishing as I guessed would happen. Started watching the cricket ODI from Melbourne and then got hooked (a different sort of fishing maybe?).Then with taking the dog for a long walk (or did she take me) and going shopping at ASDA, that was the day pretty well done and dusted. Oh and I did a bit of writing , but more of that later.

OK, Here's the Racing Bit (skip this if you don't want to lose any money).

Today's selection was a bit of a disappointment to say the least.TRANS SONIC broke out of the gates well and immediately Joe Fanning made it over to the rail and took up the running. This was the story of the race until 2 furlongs out when, starting to be challenged, Fanning got to work and frankly, there was nothing there. It ended a very tame 3rd of 7, not even getting any place money. A big let down - I honestly expected better.

On Monday, we have jumping at Fakenham and Plumpton, along with all-weather action from wonderful Wolverhampton (if you are interested, I wrote an article extolling the wonders of racing at Dunstall Park, click on the following if you are interested:-

 Go Racing at Wolverhampton Racecourse 

I suggest keeping an eye on the following:-

Fakenham 3.30 In a small, 5 runner field, arguments could be put forward for most of the combatants, but RAY MOND is running out of his skin at the moment. He has risen in the handicap from 73 to 117, but may well be able to handle his highest ever rating. A change of jockey is a concern however.

RESULT: RAY MOND took up the running early, building a handy 6-8 length lead and kept hold of it the whole way. One or two jumping errors, but a super performance winning on his first run for Neil King at 11/2.


Plumpton 2.40 As far as I can see, this is between Rith Bob who is totally exposed when racing under rules and MIDNIGHT MACARENA who, if being able to handle the soft going may well be the one to watch.
RESULT: Rith Bob won by 15 lengths, with plenty in hand at 7/2, MIDNIGHT MACARENA was tailed off early, giving the impression either something was amiss or the desperate ground took its toil.

The card at wonderful, wonderful Wolverhampton is as you would expect on a Monday afternoon and not very wonderful at all. I say no more....


As an added extra, here is a true story from a few years back, part of which occurred at Plumpton racecourse.

A First Racing Experience

Lastly on the racing front, I have today written a new article discussing the failure of Kauto Star at Kempton on Saturday. To read, please click on the following:

Kauto Star Fails in Record King George VI Chase Bid

And finally

I am writing this posting sitting on the sofa while Mrs Tatty watches Lark Rise to Candleford on the BBC. She is into all this period drama stuff along with the soaps and most of the detective dramas.

I personally think it is time that 2 of the greatest characters to ever grace British television are given the praise, nay hero worship they warrant.

Firstly it is Charlie Fairhead in Casualty. A more upstanding member of the community and fictional NHS you will never find. He has been shot at, had a heart attack, saved the whole of Holby from fire and floods. He never seems to get flustered or get much older for that matter.

Secondly is the great Anders DuPlessis from Wild at Heart. He is the epitome of what all us blokes would like to be when getting older. Totally unkempt, carrying a gun with beer in hand, shooting at anything that moves and all nasty African critters that dare go near him (is a shame Graeme Smith and Jaques Kallis do not get in his way really).

Charlie and Dupe - Tatty salutes you!

And that's yer lot for now, 

Chaiman Tatty

Only Time for a Short Update

Good day to one and all and I hope everything is hanging straight and not perpedicular.

I am writing this episode a bit earlier than I normally would, mainly because I am considering getting up early on Sunday and taking my rods down to the river for a few hours. It does depend on the weather somewhat and whether I could be bothered to crow-bar my back end out of the pit at some ungodly hour of the day. Will more than likely be a fishless waste of time anyway, but hey-ho!

Racing Snippets

Well, we had a pretty good day on the ponies on Saturday, where JAMES DE VASSY did the business for us at 8/1 (earlier available 11/1 and better). As for my other choice, NIGHT WITCH ran well and wasn’t too far away in 4^th. She may be worth keeping an eye on for the future. KAUTO STAR however was disappointing and did not seem his normal self. You can generally rely on him to make a mess of at least 1 fence in a race, but he just didn’t seem right and as if age was catching up with him. I hope it was just a bad day at the office, but I do have my concerns.

Now on to today’s fare. In the early months of last year, TRANS SONIC won 3 times in short succession at Southwell and in the 3.35 at the same course, I believe he stands an outstanding chance of returning to winning ways. Down in class, he has not been disgraced when running at higher levels and the booking of Joe Fanning is eyecatching. The meeting at Ffos Las doesn’t excite me at all, so we’ll leave that well alone.  
RESULT : Unplaced - Broke well and made the running on the rail. Asked the question about 2f out and had little to offer.

That’s all for this time. A bit on the short side I know, but things will be back to normal soon.

Keep swinging,

Tatts

East End Change and the Star Goes for a Fiver

And it's a good morning to all my subjects, waiting for inspirational words from their beloved leader, to help ease them through another day.

All Change at West Ham

Sky Sports are reporting this morning, that irrespective of West Ham's result today at home to Arsenal, manager Avram Grant will be on his way down the job centre afterwards, ready for the impending arrival of Martin O'Neill.

I can imagine that there will be massive celebrations about to take place over in the east end, but I wouldn't be too quick on partying if I were one of you Irons. I have always thought of O'Neill as a bit of a nearly man and he will only stay as long as he gets his own way. I know he was successful at Celtic and did a reasonable job at the Vile, but with the way the Hammer's ownership like to rule the roost, it surely will only be a recipe for disaster in the long term?

King George at Kempton

Today we get the re-running of the Boxing Day highlight after the snow and ice put pay to the race 3 weeks ago. The great equine God that is Kauto Star, goes for his 5th win in the race on the bounce and the only thing stopping him, it seems is himself. Normal pilot Ruby Walsh is injured and the chosen replacement, Noel Fehily also sits on the sidelines, leaving it to the great AP McCoy to steer the Star to glory. Kauto will win so long as he keeps his concentration when jumping; he made a right old mess of last year's Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but I can't see a repeat of that - can I?

Just a quick comment on the 9 conditional jockeys who took the wrong route yesterday in the 1st race at Huntingdon - what a bunch of idiots! All of them have been given hefty suspensions and rightly so, but it does happen with the professionals from time to time as well. Maybe they should all be sent on a map reading course or, better still, how about someone giving me loads of money to develop and produce a jockeys sat-nav system? Am off down the patent office in a minute....

Have had a quick look through the racing cards today and I like NIGHT WITCH in the Lingfield 2.20 She won at Southwell, 4 weeks ago, noticeably with Jimmy Quinn on board who gets the leg-up again today. I just think that his experience had brought the best out of the filly and a raise of 3lbs should not cause too many problems to her. RESULT - Unplaced

When it comes to the jumps at Kempton, I have been keeping an eye on Nick Williams' 6 year old JAMES DE VASSY that runs at 3.35 for a while. Back to 2m5f after trying 3 miles which was too far, he may well get into the frame in this rather big field RESULT - WON at 8/1

Writing News

I have had a historical piece published this week. A short bio entitled Bernardo O'Higgins: Supreme Director of Chile. By all means have a look, if that sort of thing is your bag.

And Finally

It looks a bit damp outside of Tatty Towers this morning, but I suppose we should be used to that by now. Can you imagine how much snow we would have had if it were cold and it was the white stuff as opposed to the wet stuff? The Tatty Hound will not be amused however. Very little chance of her going outside when it rains - she takes a peek and then glances up at you with a "do you really think I'm going out in that?" look on her face.

I was hoping to go out to watch the football this afternoon. Waders v North Greenford United in the Zamaretto League, but travelling up the A1 last night which overlooks the ground, it seemed like a bog down on the pitch. I will be amazed if the fixture survives. Will just have to watch the King George on the telly instead - UPDATE Match now postponed, waterlogged pitch.

Have a good day, Tatty will return soon...

Chairman T

Chairman Tatty Returns to the Blogosphere

After a few hosting problems of late, I have finally found another new home. Hopefully it will be a long tenancy and I won't get evicted (this time).

Anyone who has read any of my previous offerings will be fully aware what a load of old drivel it all is. Any new punters (and you really are most welcome) are in for a surprise. So it's up, up and away chaps, here we go on a gungho rollercoaster ride. 

A full posting coming soon,

The Chairman